The aerobic metabolism in biological systems, produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) known as prooxidants even in basal conditions. If the formation of prooxidants increases, it leads to oxidative stress/damage. Various diseases in humans (cancer, chronic diseases, cardiovascular problems etc.) accompanies with prooxidant damage. Endogenous and exogenous antioxidants protect biomolecules against the damage of prooxidants. Flavonoids are potent antioxidant molecules, which scavenge free radicals in vitro. They are found in fruits, vegetables, bark, roots, flowers and certain beverages. It has been reported that these natural products produce a wide variety of biological effects, like antiviral, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antidiabetic effects. Flavonoids are important for human diet and have beneficial effects on health like chelating trace elements involved in free radical production, scavenging ROS and upregulating or protecting antioxidant defenses. In addition, they have known to modulate different cytochrome P450 enzymes such as CYP1A1/1A2, CYP1B1, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4/3A5. Flavonoids and their metabolites in organism may cause flavonoid-drug interaction, and it may lead to toxicity of drug or inefficient therapeutic effects of drug. However, knowledge on the mechanisms of action of flavonoids is still not fully understood. The information about correlation of structurebiological effect is limited. There are six major subclasses of flavonoids are flavanols, flavanones, flavonols, flavones, anthocyanidins, and isoflavones. This review summarizes the types of flavonoids, possible mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetic specialties, bioavailability, properties and drug interactions of these flavonoids.

Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the short and long-term impact of pharmacovigilance (PV) training on the 5th year medical students’ knowledge about definitions and on the awareness of the regulatory aspects in PV.Materials and Methods:In academic year 2010/11, the students completed structured, questionnaire before and just after training. They also completed the same questionnaire 1-year after the training.Results:The students’ knowledge about PV significantly increased after training in the short term (P < 0.001). However, the improvement decreased significantly in the long-term (P < 0.001). Although long-term scores were higher than the baseline score, the difference was not statistically significant. Total scores were 17.5 ± 2.0, 20.8 ± 2.0 and 18.0 ± 2.5; before, at short and long-term after the training.Conclusion:PV training increased the students’ knowledge significantly. However, in the long-term, the impact of the training is limited. Repeated training of PV should be planned.

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ObjectiveNeuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a neurological emergency rarely encountered in clinical practice but with a high mortality rate. Cases associated with atypical antipsychotic use or termination of dopamine agonists have been seen in recent years. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of risk factors for mortality by investigating all clinical and laboratory characteristics of cases with NMS.Material and methodsThis descriptive, cross-sectional study retrospectively investigated all clinical and laboratory characteristics by scanning the ICD-10 codes of patients presenting to the XXXX Faculty of Medicine Emergency Department and diagnosed with NMS between 2006 and 2016. Patients were divided into surviving and non-surviving groups, and the data elicited were subjected to statistical comparisons.ResultsThe mean age of the 18 patients diagnosed with NMS was 46.9 ± 4.8 years, and 50% were women. In addition to antipsychotics among the drugs leading to NMS, the syndrome also developed as a result of levodopa withdrawal in three patients and metoclopramide use in one patient. Statistically significant differences were determined between the surviving and non-surviving patients in terms of blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK) and mean platelet volume (MPV) values (p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionIn this study the most common agent that cause NMS was atypical antipsychotics. Also advanced age, increased blood pressure and serum CK, BUN and MPV values were identified as potential risk factors for mortality in NMS.

Objective: The well-known and common infestation caused by Pediculus humanus capitis is an important public health and a social issue in many communities in the world. The aim of this study was to compare the head louse infestation rate in two schools having pupils from different socio-economic levels in the city center of Izmir. Methods: The pupils aged between 6 and 11 years, were screened for the presence of eggs and nymph/adult lice using a fine-tooth head louse comb. Results: A total of 88 and 126 pupils from the schools with low and medium socio-economic level were screened and 24 (27.2%) and 5 (3.96%) of them were found to be positive for head lice, respectively. Overall, the infestation rate among girls was 3.14 times higher than in boys. Conclusion: Head louse infestation is a significant public health problem among primary schools. Increasing the knowledge about pediculosis and self-hygiene would be helpful in successfully reducing head louse infestation in the school setting. School authorities must encourage the parents to look for head lice routinely and a "school nurse" system is needed for effective head louse control in the schools. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2014; 38: 32-6) Key Words: Pediculus capitis, socioeconomic level, Turkey Received: 18.11.2013Accepted: 25.12.2013 ÖZET Amaç: Pediculus humanus capitis kaynaklı enfestasyonlar dünya çapında yaygın olan ciddi bir halk sağlığı sorundur. Bu çalışmanın amacı İzmir de farklı sosyo-ekonomik düzeyde olan iki okulda, öğrencilerin baş biti enfestasyon oranlarını belirlemektir. Yöntemler: 6 ve 11 yaş arası öğrenciler ince dişli bit tarakları kullanılarak baş bitinin (yumurta ve nimf/ergin) bulunması açısından incelenmiştir. Bulgular: Sosyo-ekonomik durumu düşük ve orta düzeyde olan okullardan toplamda 88 ve 127 öğrenci taranmıştır. Düşük seviyedeki okulda baş biti enfestasyon oranı 24 (%27,2) ve orta düzeydeki okulda 5 (%3,96) olduğu gözlenmiştir. Genel olarak kızlar arasındaki enfestasyon oranının, erkeklere oranla 3,14 kat daha fazla olduğu saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Baş biti enfestasyonu ilköğretim okulları arasında gözlenen cidi bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Pedikulosis ve kişisel hijyen konusunda bilincin artması okullarda bit enfestasyonunun azaltılmasında etkili olacaktır. Okul yönetiminin aileleri öğrencilerin saçlarını düzenli olarak kontrol etmesi konusunda teşvik etmesi ve okullara "Okul Hemşiresi" sisteminin getirilmesi baş biti kontrolünde etkili olacaktır.