Disturbance of pro-oxidative/antioxidative balance in allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

High dose chemotherapy causes increased free radical formation and depletion of tissue antioxidants. Whether allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has an effect on oxidative stress is uncertain. The aims of the study were to determine the effect of allogeneic HSCT on plasma concentrations of antioxidants and oxidative stress biomarkers, and to investigate their relationships with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), conditioning regimens, and transplant-related mortality (TRM) in patients with hematological malignancies.

Rapid normalization of a highly thickened pericardium by chemotherapy in a patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma.

The most common tumor that affects the pericardium is malign lymphoma. T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (TLL) is a rare type of malign lymphomas. In this manuscript, we are reporting a patient with TLL with pericardial involvement diagnosed incidentally during the evaluation of pleural effusion.

Peripheral blood gamma-delta T cells in advanced-stage cancer patients.

Gamma-delta T (gammadelta T) cells form a subgroup which has been reported to play a role in both natural and acquired immunity. Their levels have been found to increase in some tumour tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the ratio of gammadelta T cells to all T cells in the peripheral blood of advanced-stage cancer patients; the level of gammadelta T cells expressing the Vdelta2-T-cell receptor (TCR) chain; NKG2D receptor expression; and apoptotic (Annexin-V) gammadelta T-cell levels.

Comparison of Plateletpheresis on the Fenwal Amicus and Fresenius Com.Tec Cell Separators.

SUMMARY: BACKGROUND: A variety of apheresis devices are now available on the market for plateletapheresis. We compared two apheresis instruments (Fenwal Amicus and Fresenius COM.TEC) with regard to processing time, platelet (PLT) yield and efficiency, and white blood cell (WBC) content.

D-dimer as a predictor of the need for laparotomy in patients with unclear non-traumatic acute abdomen. A preliminary study.

Objective: The acute onset of intense abdominal pain requires rapid evaluation, and since D-dimer level is reported to be useful in the diagnosis of patients with suspected acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion, our aim was to evaluate the value of D-dimer testing in the diagnosis of acute surgical abdomen with no precise diagnosis.

Material And Methods: Between July 2004 and June 2006, 93 patients with acute abdomen who required surgical exploration without precise diagnosis were admitted to this prospective clinical study. After surgery, the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=52), patients who needed immediate laparotomy, and group 2 (n=41), patients without the need for laparotomy.

Waist circumference percentiles for 7- to 17-year-old Turkish children and adolescents.

Abdominal obesity is associated with risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Waist circumference as a measure of obesity may be clinically useful as a predictor of metabolic syndrome in children. To develop age- and sex-specific reference values for waist circumference we evaluated the data obtained from Turkish children and adolescents.

Comparison of two oral contraceptives containing either drospirenone or cyproterone acetate in the treatment of hirsutism.

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are considered the first-line treatment for women with hirsutism. They diminish androgen release from the ovary and decrease plasma free testosterone levels by increasing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations. COCs containing cyproterone acetate (CPA) and drospirenone (DRSP) have been proved effective for the treatment of acne and facial hirsutism.

Peritoneal perforation of liver hydatid cysts: clinical presentation, predisposing factors, and surgical outcome.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation of, predisposing factors in, and early and long-term outcome of patients treated surgically for intraperitoneal ruptured liver hydatid cysts. Medical records of 27 patients with traumatic rupture of hydatid cysts were evaluated retrospectively, as were records of 347 patients with nonperforated hydatid cysts. The ratio of perforation cases to nonperforation cases was 7.

The effect of spasticity, sense and walking aids in falls of people after chronic stroke.

Objective: To study the effects of spasticity, sensory impairment, and type of walking aid on falls in community dwellers with chronic stroke.

Methods: Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Instrument, Joint Position Sense Evaluation (JPS), the Rivermead motor assessment scale (RMA), Ashworth Scale, Tinetti Assessment Tool were used to assess 100 cases.

Results: Fifty-three of the cases were grouped as nonfallers, 36 as one-time fallers and 11 as repeat fallers.

Comparison of the Fenwal Amicus and Fresenius Com.Tec cell separators for autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell collection.

Peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) are commonly used as a stem cell source for autologous transplantation. This study was undertaken to evaluate blood cell separators with respect to separation results and content of the harvest. Forty autologous PBPC collections in patients with hematological malignancies were performed with either the Amicus or the COM.

Therapeutic plasma exchange for the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disease that is fatal if it is not treated. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has resulted in excellent remission and survival rates in TTP patients.

Material And Methods: We describe our experience with 52 TTP patients treated with TPE during the past eight years (65% of the patients were females; patient median age=34 years, range: 17-73).

Results of treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome with etoposide, thioguanine, cytarabine (ETC) in elderly patients.

Treatment in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) remains controversial, and results have been poor with most regimens. In order to study the efficacy of a new regimen in the treatment of these diseases in elderly patients assessed as not tolerating full-scale anthracycline-containing intensive chemotherapy, 14 patients over 60 years were enrolled in our study. The median age was 69 years, range 60-85 years.

Effect of corticosteroids on hemostasis and pulmonary arterial pressure during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.

Background: Hemodynamic and hemostatic abnormalities are reportedly frequent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives: We investigated the changes in systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPs) and hemostatic status and the effects of systemic steroid treatment (SST) during COPD exacerbation.

Methods: Consecutive 26 male and 4 female patients as well as 10 controls were enrolled.

The effect of budesonide mouthwash on oral chronic graft versus host disease.

Oral chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) is common and a major cause of morbidity and loss of quality of life in long term survivors. Cyclosporine with prednisone remains the first line therapy for oral manifestations of cGVHD. However, even with routine administration of systemic agents, many patients with oral manifestations of cGVHD do not have resolution of their disease and may benefit from incorporation of local therapy.

Influence of fatigue, depression, and demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical variables on quality of life of patients with epilepsy.

The purpose of this study was to define the influence of fatigue, depression, and clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic factors on the quality of life of patients with epilepsy. The study was performed on 103 adult patients who visited Erciyes University Epilepsy Outpatient Clinic between 2004 and 2005. Patients were evaluated with the Form of Negotiation, Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-89), Beck Depression Inventory, and Fatigue Severity Scale.

Carotid artery thickness in children and young adults with end stage renal disease.

Atherosclerosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for ESRD patients and we have little knowledge about the presence and risk factors of atherosclerosis in children with CRF. The measurement of carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) using high-resolution ultrasonography is suggested as an excellent marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of atherosclerosis and to determine the relationship between atherosclerosis and some risk factors in children and young adults with ESRD.

Recombinant activated factor VII for severe uterine bleeding after chemotherapy in a woman with acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute hemorrhage is sometimes a serious complication that may arise in patients with acute leukemia as a result of therapy-induced myelosuppression. In most cases, transfusion of platelets and red blood cells are used to manage this clinical entity. These therapeutic interventions are not always successful and a more direct approach to activating the coagulation system can be more effective and, in some instances, life saving.

Prognostic significance of Fas (CD95/APO-1) positivity in patients with primary nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Fas (CD95/APO-1) is a protein that is mainly related to apoptosis of lymphoid cells. The increment of Fas expression is associated with long-term survival in various malignancies. However, there are limited studies regarding the effect of Fas expression on the course and prognosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The effects of zinc deficiency and testosterone supplementation on leptin levels in castrated rats and their relation with LH, FSH and testosterone.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how zinc-deficiency and testosterone supplementation, both in combination and individually, affect plasma LH, FSH and leptin levels in castrated rats.

Design: Group 1, Control Group. Group 2, Castration Group.

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in multiple myeloma: association with reduced survival.

Cyclooxygenases (COX) are key enzymes in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Several studies have shown a relation between angiogenesis and COX-2 expression. Elevated expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), however, has not been reported in multiple myeloma (MM) in the literature.

Testosterone and zinc supplementation in castrated rats: Effects on plasma leptin levels and relation with LH, FSH and testosterone.

The present study aims to examine how zinc and testosterone supplementation, in combination and separately, affect plasma LH, FSH and leptin levels in castrated rats. Eighty experimental animals used in the study were allocated to 8 groups, each containing an equal number of rats. Group 1, control group; Group 2, castration group; Group 3, testosterone group (5 mg/kg/day); Group 4, zinc-supplemented group (3 mg/kg/day); Group 5, testosterone and zinc-supplemented group; Group 6, zinc-supplemented castration group; Group 7, testosterone and castration group; and Group 8, zinc-supplemented, testosterone and castration group.