The role of natural indigo dye in alleviation of genotoxicity of sodium dithionite as a reducing agent

Indigo blue is a natural dye used for thousands of years by civilizations to dye fabric blue and it is naturally obtained from Isatis tinctoria. I. tinctoria is not only used for extraction of indigo blue color but also used medicinally in Traditional Chinese Medicine because of its active compounds. Sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄) is used in dye bath for indigo blue extraction, but this reducing agent and its derivatives are major pollutants of textile industry and subsequently have hazardous influences on public health. Herein, the present study was designed to obtain the high yield of natural indigo dye but with low possible toxic effect. In this context, genotoxic effects of particular combinations of natural dye solutions obtained from Isatis tinctoria subsp. tomentolla with Na₂S₂O₄ as reducing agent were investigated. Dye solutions were obtained using two different pH levels (pH 9 and 11) and three different concentrations of Na₂S₂O₄ (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml). In addition to the dye solutions and reducing agent, aqueous extracts of I. tinctoria were assessed for their genotoxicity on human lymphocytes. For in vitro testing of genotoxicity, chromosomal aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and mitotic indexes (MI) assays were used. Accordingly, Na₂S₂O₄ caused significant increases in CA and SCE as well decrease in MI but the genotoxic effects of sodium dithionite were reduced with natural indigo dye. As a result, aqueous extracts of Isatis leaves removed the toxic effects of sodium dithionite and showed anti-genotoxic effect. For the optimal and desired quality but with less toxic effects of natural dye, 2.5 mg/ml (for wool yarn) and 5 mg/ml (for cotton yarn) of Na₂S₂O₄ doses were found to be the best doses for reduction in the dye bath at Ph 9.

Note. Seasonal Variations of Fatty Acid Composition in Wild Marine Shrimps (Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan, 1844 and Metapenaeus monoceros Fabricus, 1789) from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Seasonal fatty acid profiles of Penaeus semisulcatus and Metapenaeus monoceros were investigated. Palmitic (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic (18:1), palmitooleic acid (16:1), arachidonic acid (20:4), eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) were found to be the most abundant fatty acids in both shrimp species. Fatty acid profile showed seasonal changes. The highest EPA DHA contents were recorded during winter (January) in both species.

The First Successful Case of Transoral Robotic Surgery in a Patient with Sialadenoma Papilliferum

INTRODUCTION

Sialadenoma papilliferum (SP) is a rare benign tumor, which originates from the minor salivary gland. It occurs at sites that have minor salivary glands, such as the palate, retromolar pads, buccal mucosa, and lips. The most common location for tumor development is on the hard palate. A differential diagnosis consists of ruling out other salivary gland tumors. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a new technology used in head and neck surgery within certain centers around the world.

CASE REPORT

Herein, we present the first successful case of SP tumor removal by TORS.

CONCLUSION

This particular case highlights the identification of this rare tumor in an unusual location. Furthermore, it demonstrates the utilization of TORS, leveraging the superior visualization to obtain excellent local control with minimal acute and long-term morbidity, in comparison to conventional transoral surgical approaches.

Spontaneous Ejaculations Associated with Aripiprazole

Sexual side effects are common with antipsychotic use. Spontaneous ejaculations without sexual arousal have been previously described with several typical and atypical antipsychotics. We report the case of a man who had spontaneous ejaculations after stopping risperidone and starting 30 mg/day aripiprazole. Spontaneous ejaculations ceased 3 days after decreasing the aripiprazole dose to 15 mg/day. He denied sexual fantasies or increased sexual desire during the period in which he had spontaneous ejaculations. The partial agonistic effect of aripiprazole on D2 receptors may have augmented the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, which was suppressed by risperidone, causing spontaneous ejaculations in this patient. Serotoninergic effects of aripiprazole should also be considered. This unusual side effect should be questioned, particularly in patients who recieve aripiprazole after D2-blocking antipsychotics; otherwise, this side effect may cause embarrassement and noncompliance.

Copycat Suicides Without an Intention to Die After Watching TV Programs: Two Cases at Five Years of Age

Suicide is an intentional self-destructive act. As conceptualization of death as an irreversible end occurs at approximately 8-10 years, attempted and completed suicides are rare before 7 years of age. Studies have suggested that media may contribute to increased suicides in adolescents through social learning. Effects of media on suicides were thoroughly evaluated in children and adolescents who committed suicide after identifying with the subject of a TV program, movie, or book. We present 2 cases at 5 years of age who committed suicide by hanging themselves after watching a TV program. These cases differed from copycat suicides reported in the literature that are performed mostly by adolescents because victims are very young children and because they died without an actual intent to die while they were imitating suicides. By presenting these cases, we want to emphasize that destructive effects of media may involve not only adults and adolescents but also very young children who do not have a completely developed concept of death.

[Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment on Depression, Anxiety and Perceived Stress Levels in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on depression, anxiety, and perceived stress levels and to identify factors predictive of treatment efficacy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

METHOD

This study included 51 patients admitted to the Adiyaman University Medical School Otorhinolaryngology Department or Eskisehir Yunus Emre State Hospital between January and September 2014 with one or more complaints including snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, or apnea witnessed by the partner. Diagnosis of OSAS was made by polysomnography and CPAP treatment was initiated. Depression levels were assessed in all study subjects using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at the start of treatment and at 3 months. Anxiety levels were assessed using both the HADS and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and perceived stress level was assessed using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ).

RESULTS

After CPAP treatment, we observed significant decreases in both the Depression and Anxiety Subscales of the HADS, in the Trait Anxiety subscale of the STAI, and in the PSQ. An evaluation of the initial parameters that predict improvements in these scales revealed that snoring time predicted decreases in all scale scores.

CONCLUSION

In OSAS patients CPAP treatment has positive effects on psychological parameters like depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. We suggest that possible psychogenic benefits should be considered when deciding to start CPAP treatment, particularly in patients with pronounced and extended snoring who may also have social problems.

[Augmentation of Clozapine With Paliperidone in Schizophrenia Patients With Partial Response to Treatment: A Case Series]

Clozapine is the only antipsychotic which has definitely shown to be effective in refractory schizophrenia. Clozapine treatment is usually preferred in schizophrenia patients with a partial response to treatment and augmentation strategies are tried when clozapine also fails to provide full treatment response. In treatment resistant schizophrenia patients addition of a second antipsychotic is a frequently preferred augmentation method. With previous augmentation strategies consistent positive results could not be obtained. Paliperidone is a risperidone metabolite and it has proven effectiveness in schizophrenia treatment. Although most effects of paliperidone on central nervous system are similar with risperidone, there are some differences. In this case series treatments of 5 schizophrenia patients who still had symptoms despite clozapine treatment were augmented with paliperidone during 6 months of follow up. This augmentation was tolerated well by the patients, and caused improvements in both positive and negative symptoms. Particularly, improvement in negative symptoms after addition of paliperidone was remarkable in our patients. Evaluation of paliperidone's effects on negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients with partial response to clozapine treatment using randomized, placebo controlled studies may provide an important treatment choice.

Management of pleomorphic adenoma in the nasopharynx: a case report

BACKGROUND

Pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) are the most common type of benign salivary gland tumours and usually originate from the major salivary glands. PA originating from the nasopharynx has rarely been reported in the literature.

CASE REPORT

A 62 year-old male presented with right aural fullness and subjective hearing loss. Otoscopic examination revealed an opaque and bulging tympanic membrane. Nasal endoscopic examination revealed a smooth mass arising from the right wall of the nasopharynx, obstructing the opening of the right Eustachian tube. The MRI showed a 1.3×2×1.3 cm sharply outlined and lobar mass in the right lateral wall of the nasopharynx. The tumour was meticulously detached from its attachment site and excised via the transnasal route under endoscopic visualisation.

CONCLUSION

We reported pleomorphic adenoma in the nasopharynx in a patient who presented with serous otitis media that successfully resected with transnasal endoscopic surgery and discussed the treatment methods.

Assessment of the genotoxic effects of organophosphorus insecticides phorate and trichlorfon in human lymphocytes

In vitro genotoxic effects of organophosphorus insecticides Phorate (PHR) and Trichlorfon (TCF) were investigated using four genotoxicity endpoints. Different concentration ranges between 0.25-2.00 μg mL(-1) of PHR and 2.34-37.50 μg mL(-1) of TCF were applied to lymphocytes. PHR and TCF significantly increased the frequency of chromosomal aberrations (except 2.34 μg mL(-1) for TCF) and sister chromatid exchanges at all treatment times and concentrations. Most of the used concentrations induced a significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei. Furthermore, PHR and TCF significantly decreased the mitotic index at the higher concentrations after 24- and 48-h treatments. In the comet assay, PHR and TCF significantly increased the comet tail at all concentrations. However, the comet tail intensity was significantly increased at only the highest concentration of PHR and at all concentrations of TCF. According to these results, PHR and TCF possess clastogenic, mutagenic, and DNA damaging effects in human lymphocytes in vitro.