BackgroundSchizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating disorder, the etiology of which remains unclear. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death mechanism that might be implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to compare the serum levels of apoptosis among deficit schizophrenia (DS) syndrome patients, nondeficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients, and healthy controls (HCs).Patients and methodsAfter the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 23 DS patients, 46 NDS patients, and 33 HCs were included in the study. The serum apoptosis levels were measured using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay with human monoclonal antibodies directed against DNA and histones.ResultsThere was a significant difference among the three groups in terms of the levels of apoptosis (F2,96=16.58; P<0.001). The serum apoptosis levels in the DS and NDS groups were significantly higher than those in the HC group. Furthermore, the serum apoptosis levels in the DS group were significantly higher than the levels in the NDS group.ConclusionThis study suggests that increased levels of apoptosis may be implicated in the pathophysiology of DS syndrome. However, further studies are needed to support the role of apoptosis in DS.

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A AB BS ST TR RA AC CT T O Ob bj je ec ct ti iv ve e: : Tick-borne diseases and especially Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) are serious epidemiological problems in many parts of the world. In this study, we aimed to emphasize the importance of an emergency approach to treat these diseases and to stress the importance of identifying characteristics of patients who are admitted to the hospital for tick attachment. M Ma at te er ri ia al l a an nd d M Me et th ho od ds s: : This study included 336 patients who admitted to Uludag University Medical Faculty Hospital Emergency Department (ED) and presented with tick attachment between April 2009 and May 2010. Patient demographics, clinical and laboratory findings and follow-up data were recorded. Laboratory parameters of hospitalized patients and non-hospitalized patients were statistically compared. R Re es su ul lt ts s: : The mean age of the patients was 43.85±13.88 years. Males comprised %50.9 of the patients. The most common months for hospital admission for tick attachment were July (33.0%) and August (32.4%). Of total, %49.1 of the patients acquired the tick in urban areas while %35.4 of them acquired it in the rural areas such as picnic areas, forest, field or animal shelters. The tick attachments were found in the lower extremities in 27.4% of the patients. In 65.5% of patients, the tick was removed by a physician in the ED using a forceps (54.2%) which was the most commonly used tool for tick removal. Laboratory parameters [aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CK), white blood cell, neutrophil and platelet counts, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and the international normalized ratio (INR)] of the hospitalized patients who were suspected CCHF were statistically significantly different when compared to the ones who were not hospitalized. C Co on nc cl lu us si io on n: : In tick attachment cases who admitted to the ED, decreased levels of thrombocyte, leukocyte and neutrophil counts and increased levels of AST, ALT, LDH, CK, aPTT, PT and INR are significant for CCHF. An emergency department physician should be alert for these results. Bu ul lg gu ul la ar r: : Çalışmaya alınan hastaların yaş ortalaması 43,85±13,88'idi. Hastaların %50,9'u erkekti. En sık başvuru Temmuz (%33,3) ve Ağustos (%32,7) aylarında oldu. Hastaların %49,1'inde kene tutunması yerleşim yerinde, %35,4'ünde piknik alanları, hayvan barınağı, orman, tarla gibi kırsal alanlarda meydana gelmişti. Olgularının %27,4'ünde kene alt ekstremiteye tutunmuştu. Kenelerin %65,5'i AS'de doktor tarafından çıkarılmıştı ve çıkartma yöntemi olarak en sık %54,2 oranında forseps kullanılmıştı. KKKA şüphesi ile hastaneye yatırılan olguların laboratuar parametreleri [aspartat transaminaz (AST), alanin transaminaz (ALT), laktat dehidrogenaz (LDH), kreatin fosfokinaz (CK), lökosit, nötrofil, trombosit, aktive parsiyel promboplastin zamanı (aPTZ), protrombin zamanı (PT), international normalize ratio (I...

Introduction: Orf is a viral, zoonotic skin disorder and caused by DNA virus from Parapoxviridae group.Case Report: It transmits to humans bu direct or indirect contact from infected animals, creates solitary-pustular lesions usually in hands, arms and face. In Muslim societies, the diease cause epidemics after Eid-al-Adha. Diagnosis is usually made by skin lesions, histopathological findings and history of contact. Develops as an occupational diease, orf diease can be recognised easily and resolves with syptomatic treatment. Conclusion:In this essay we aim to present 8 cases of orf dieases which came to the emergency department after 2 weeks from Eid-al-Adha with nodular-bullous lesions and history of contact with meat. ÖZETGiriş: Viral zoonotik cilt hastalığı olan orf etkeni Parapoxvirus grubundan bir DNA virüsüdür.

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Objective: Patients with Renal colic attack are usually admitted to hospital due to single-sided, sharp and sudden localised pain. 90% of patients have haematuria. Some analgesics might be used alone or in combination. This study was conducted to establish the relationship between haematuria severity determined in renal colic patients admitted to the ED and the efficacy of intramuscular (IM) non-steroid analgesic application. Material and Methods:The study was carried out prospectively in the Emergency Department. A total of 87 out of the possible 106 patients were included in the study. Pain severity was measured in accordance with the "Visual Analogue Scale" (VAS). Urine samples from patients were first evaluated macroscopically and then microscopically after being centrifuged to determine Erythrocyte count/hpf (high power field). VAS pain severity of patients who received 75 mg/3 mL Diclofenac sodium IM as an analgesic was measured and recorded at the time of admission; the measurements were repeated 20, 30 and 45 minutes after the analgesic was given. Results: When the score differences were examined between VAS values at the time of admission of patients and at 20, 30, and 45 mins after analgesia, a significantly positive correlation was found between haematuria severity and analgesic efficacy (p=0.003, r=0.311). Conclusion: If there is intensive or red colour anamnesis in patients presenting to the ED who are likely to be diagnosed as renal colic, the initial application of IM non-steroid analgesic may provide better pain palliation and increase patient comfort. (JAEM 2013; 12: 195-8)