Sunlight exposure and vitamin D deficiency in Turkish women.

Vitamin D is an essential steroid involved in bone metabolism, cell growth, differentiation, and regulation of the minerals in the body. The main sources of this vital vitamin are adequate diet and photosynthesis in the skin. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of vitamin D synthesis in 48 premenopausal women (14-44 years) in relation to three different types of dressing in summer.

Propylthiouracil-induced cutaneous vasculitis.

Cutaneous reactions to propylthiouracil and methimazole occur in 3%-5% of adults. Generalized maculopapular and papular purpuric eruptions are perhaps the most common thionamide-induced reactions. We report 3 patients who developed cutaneous vasculitis which is a rare and serious side-effect during antithyroid drug therapy.

Cyproheptadine treatment in Cushing's disease.

Cyproheptadine, a nonselective 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor blocking agent, reduces ACTH and beta-endorphin secretion from the ACTH-producing tumors. A 35-year-old female suffering from Cushing's disease due to microadenoma of the pituitary gland has been followed since the age of 15. Subtotal adrenalectomy followed by total adrenalectomy, pituitary irradiation, and transsphenoidal hypophysectomy, combined with second radiotherapy of the pituitary, were unsuccessful in achieving remission of the disease.

Audiometry in chronic renal failure before and after intermittent haemodialysis.

In seven cases, audiometric studies were carried out immediately before and after haemodialysis. Hearing was found to be affected in all cases, and the impairment was particularly significant in higher frequency ranges. Following haemodialysis an average improvement of 20 dB was found for the highest frequencies, and in most cases a narrowing of the bone-air gap was also observed.