Superficial fungal infections caused by Candida species are common skin diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a new formulation containing oxiconazole nitrate, which is an azole group derivative for antifungal treatment, as a thermosensitive gel since there has been no literature study until now. MIC value of the novel thermosensitive formulation against three Candida species was calculated and time-dependent antifungal activity analysis was performed. Viscosity, transition temperature T_sol-gel (°C) and gelation time of the thermosensitive gel formulation were also determined in the viscometer. The measurements performed on the tensilometer device were analyzed for adhesion hardness and elongation percentages of the formulation. In the FT-IR spectrometer, the spectrum of solution and gel state was compared between 650 and 4000 cm⁻¹ and it was found that there is no difference between them. It was found that the temperature is reversible on the formulation and did not cause any disruption of its components. Characterization parameters of the thermosensitive gel formulation containing oxiconazole nitrate and time-dependent activity against Candida species was observed to be the same as those of the solution containing only oxiconazole nitrate. MIC, MFC and time-dependent antifungal analysis did not show any particular difference between formulation and oxiconazole nitrate itself. Thermosensitive gel formulation containing oxiconazole nitrate was found to be effective on superficial fungal infections. We believe it is also appropriate for in vivo usage, but it is necessary to perform animal and human research. It is also needed to evaluate the formulation against other etiologic agents of superficial fungal infections.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a common progressive renal failure characterized by the permanent loss of functional nephrons can rapidly progress to end-stage renal disease, which is known to be an irreversible renal failure. In the therapy of ESRD, there are controversial suggestions about the use of regular dialysis, since it is claimed to increase oxidative stress, which may increase mortality in patients. In ESRD, oxidative-stress-related DNA damage is expected to occur, along with increased inflammation. Many factors, including heavy metals, have been suggested to exacerbate the damage in kidneys; therefore, it is important to reveal the relationship between these factors in ESRD patients. There are very few studies showing the role of oxidative-stress-related genotoxic events in the progression of ESRD patients. Within the scope of this study, genotoxic damage was evaluated using the comet assay and 8-OHdG measurement in patients with ESRD who were undergoing hemodialysis. The biochemical changes, the levels of heavy metals (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) in the blood, and the oxidative biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated, and their relationship with genotoxic damages was revealed. Genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and heavy-metal levels, except mercury, increased significantly in all renal patients. DNA damage, 8OHdG, and MDA significantly increased, and GSH significantly decreased in patients undergoing dialysis, compared with those not having dialysis. The duration and the severity of disease was positively correlated with increased aluminum levels and moderate positively correlated with increased DNA damage and cadmium levels. In conclusion, this study revealed that the oxidative-stress-related DNA damage, and also the levels of Al and Cd, increased in ESRD patients. It is assumed that these changes may play an important role in the progression of renal damage. Approaches for reducing oxidative-stress-related DNA damage and heavy-metal load in ESRD patients are recommended.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 1mT, 1.5 mT, and 2 mT extremely low-frequency magnetic fields, which were within the limits for public environmental and occupational magnetic field exposure guidelines, on apoptosis, neurodegeneration and trace elements in rat brain cells. Material and Method: A total of 35 adult male Wistar rats were allocated into four main groups: Group 1 (n=8) was healthy controls; Group 2 (n=9) was exposed to 1 mT extremely low-frequency magnetic field; Group 3 (n=9) was exposed to 1.5 mT extremely low-frequency magnetic field and Group 4 (n=9) was exposed to 2 mT extremely low-frequency magnetic field. All the rats in the exposure groups were exposed to 50 Hz extremely low-frequency magnetic field for 4 hours per day, 5 days per week for 30 days in the Helmholtz coils. After the exposure, rats were sacrificed and rat brains were evaluated for histopathological and immunohistochemical changes as well as about the trace element levels in the brain. Results: Different levels of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic field doses caused increases in Ca levels and increased apoptosis in the rat brain. As the applied extremely low-frequency magnetic field levels increased, so did the apoptosis and Ca levels in the brain tissues. Conclusion: Extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure caused neurodegeneration in rat brain tissue, increased apoptosis, and increased Ca concentration. These changes may cause various biological damage, especially cancer in healthy tissues and measures should be taken to minimize extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure in daily life in terms of protecting public health.

In order to achieve a faster and more reliable anterior rhinomanometric evaluation, nasal skin was prepared using benzoin tincture solution, which provides simpler and better adhesion of the foam tape to the nasal skin. Two consecutive anterior rhinomanometry measurements were made, one with and one without benzoin tincture application. The average time taken to perform classic foam tape anterior rhinomanometry without benzoin tincture application was 281.32 seconds, and the average coefficients of variation for the right and left passages were 7.48 and 7.59 per cent, respectively. When benzoin tincture was used, the average time taken for completion of the tests was 121.24 seconds, and the average coefficients of variation for the right and left passages were 2.17 and 2.32 per cent. The use of benzoin tincture to clean the nasal skin before placing foam tape shortens the procedure duration and significantly increases test reliability.

Many mechanisms are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in 2019 and affected the whole world. It has been claimed that a deficiency in the immune system can significantly affect the severity of COVID-19 disease. It is important that the levels of essential elements and vitamin D are at certain levels for the healthy functioning of the immune system. Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to evaluate immunotoxicity biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)), vitamin D, and essential element levels in COVID-19 patients in Turkey. According to the results of the study, it was found that the magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) levels decreased as the severity of the disease worsened, while the iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) levels were similar to the mild group and the control group, and the levels decreased as the disease worsened. It has also been found that vitamin D levels decrease as the severity of the disease worsens. Compared to the control group, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IFN-γ levels were found to decrease as the severity of the disease worsened. Also, it was observed that there was a significant relationship between essential metal levels and disease progression in most of the patient groups.