Aim and objective Pilonidal sinus is a frequently observed disease in young adult male patients. Although its treatment is traditionally surgical, the tendency to use minimally invasive interventions has increased over time. This study aims to compare the clinical results of the non-surgical treatment methods for pilonidal sinus: crystallized and liquid phenol applications. Materials and methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 102 patients treated with phenol application in the General Surgery Clinic of our hospital between July 2017 and July 2019. Eighty patients were included in the study: 40 treated with crystallized phenol and 40 with liquid phenol. In the 1st month following the application, the recovery rates, complication rates, persistence of complaints, and recurrence at the end of the 1st year were compared between the groups. Results The mean age was 25.60 ± 7.16 and 25.78 ± 7.83 years in the crystallized (group 1) and liquid phenol group (group 2), respectively. Complications observed up to the 3rd week of follow-up were considered early complications, while those observed after the 3rd week were considered late complications. Early complications were observed in 15% and 37.5% of patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.042). Early complications were significantly higher in the liquid phenol group compared to the crystallized phenol group. At the end of the 1st year, 90% improvement was detected in group 1 and 95% in group 2. However, there was no significant difference between the recovery and recurrence rates between the groups. Conclusion In pilonidal sinus treatment, successful results are obtained with both crystallized and liquid phenol application. Both methods can be performed safely and easily as an alternative treatment method to surgery.

Background/Objectives: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key stromal mediators of breast tumor progression and therapy resistance. Carvacrol, a dietary monoterpenic phenol, exhibits antiproliferative activity in cancer cells, but its effects on primary human breast CAFs remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether carvacrol selectively induces mitochondria-related apoptotic signaling in breast CAFs while sparing normal fibroblasts (NFs). Methods: Primary fibroblast cultures were established from invasive ductal carcinoma tissues (CAFs, n = 9) and nonmalignant breast tissues (NFs, n = 5) and validated by α-SMA and FAP immunofluorescence. Cells were exposed to 400 μM carvacrol. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay and BAX/BCL-XL Western blotting. Changes in signaling pathways were evaluated by analyzing PPARα/NF-κB, sirtuin (SIRT1, SIRT3), autophagy-related markers (LAMP2A, p62), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-3). In silico molecular docking and 100-ns molecular dynamics simulations were performed to examine interactions between carvacrol and caspase-3 and caspase-9. Results: Carvacrol induced a pronounced, time-dependent apoptotic response in CAFs, with TUNEL-based viability declining to approximately 10% of control levels by 12 h and a marked increase in the BAX/BCL-XL ratio. In contrast, NFs exhibited minimal TUNEL positivity and no significant change in BAX/BCL-XL. In CAFs, but not NFs, carvacrol reduced PPARα expression and NF-κB nuclear localization, increased SIRT1 and SIRT3 levels, selectively suppressed MMP-3 while partially normalizing MMP-2, and altered autophagy-related markers (decreased LAMP2A and accumulation of p62), consistent with autophagic stress and possible impairment of autophagic flux. Computational analyses revealed stable carvacrol binding to caspase-3 and caspase-9 with modest stabilization of active-site loops, supporting caspase-dependent, mitochondria-related apoptosis. Conclusions: Carvacrol selectively targets breast cancer-associated fibroblasts by inducing mitochondria-related apoptotic signaling while largely sparing normal fibroblasts. This effect is accompanied by coordinated modulation of PPARα/NF-κB, sirtuin, autophagy, and MMP pathways. These findings support further evaluation of carvacrol as a microenvironment-directed adjunct in breast cancer therapy.

Microbiological Testing and Antibiotic Resistance in Patients Undergoing Drainage for Perianal Abscess: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study - Turkish Journal of Colorectal Disease

Bağırsak intusepsiyonları genellikle çocukluk çağında görülen mekanik bağırsak obstrüksiyonu sebeplerinden birisidir.İnvajinasyonların yaklaşık %1-5 i erişkinlerde görülmektedir.Çocukluk çağında görülen vakaların %90 ı idiopatik iken,erişkin intusepsiyonlarında % 90 altta yatan organik bir lezyon bulunmaktadır. Etyolojiye bağlı olarak da tedavi değişmektedir .Sunacağımız 2 olgu aracılığı ile erişkinde görülen intusepsiyon vakaları hakkında bilgi vermeyi amaçladık.

Background: Perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (PFCD) remains therapeutically challenging, with high recurrence rates despite combined medical and surgical management. Laser ablation of the fistula tract has emerged as a sphincter-preserving option; however, long-term data in PFCD are limited. This study evaluated long-term outcomes of laser therapy in patients with PFCD. Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort included consecutive patients with PFCD who underwent laser ablation between January 2015 and December 2020. Clinical healing was defined as complete closure of the external opening without drainage for at least 3 months. Recurrence was defined as reappearance of drainage or fistula at the same site during follow-up. Outcomes included healing, recurrence, complications, and continence status. Results: Eleven patients were included. The median age was 31 years, and the median duration of Crohn’s disease was 9 years. Prior seton placement was performed in 81.8% of patients. The median follow-up was 62 months (range, 26–106). Sustained primary healing was achieved in 63.6% of patients, while 36.4% experienced recurrence. Early postoperative complications occurred in 36.4%, and no late abscess was observed. No long-term incontinence was reported. Conclusions: In this small cohort with extended follow-up, laser ablation achieved sustained healing in approximately two-thirds of patients with PFCD while preserving continence. Although limited by sample size and retrospective design, these findings support laser therapy as a feasible sphincter-preserving option within multidisciplinary management.