Irreversiblity of remodeled features on high-resolution computerized tomography scans of asthmatic patients on conventional therapy: a 6-year longitudinal study.

Airway remodeling can be assessed using high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) scanning of both parenchymal-and airway abnormalities in patients with asthma. The aim of this study was to examine structural changes in large and small airways of asthmatic patients using HRCT to determine if remodeling changes had occurred after prolonged use of conventional anti-asthma therapy. HRCT scans were evaluated prospectively for evidence of the following abnormalities: bronchial wall thickening (BWT), bronchiectasis, mucoid impactions, small centrilobular opacities, thick linear opacities, focal hyperlucency, and emphysema.

Determination of fungal frequency and comparison of allergic symptoms related with buildings and fungi in Afyon, Turkey.

Objective: To investigate the respiratory symptoms and atopic sensitization to fungi and its relation with the building type where school children were attending. We also compared the prevalence of sensitization to different fungi and respiratory symptoms in 2 different school buildings in a particular area of Turkey.

Methods: Using simple random sampling, 301 school children aged 16-19 years attending a high school in 2 different school buildings (old and new buildings) were recruited and agreed to participate in the study.

Detection of fungi spectrum in industrial and home bakeries and determinated fungal allergy with skin prick test.

Airborne fungal pathogens such as Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Trichophyton, and Alternaria may cause health problems. In this research, the fungal flora at different bakeries and their potential allergenic effects on the workers were investigated. We investigated 148 workers at 17 industrial type bakeries and 62 workers at 17 home type bakeries in Afyon.

The effect of low-flow sevoflurane and desflurane on pulmonary mechanics during laparoscopic surgery.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the effects of inhaled anesthetic agents on respiratory mechanics with low flow anesthesia in laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Two inhaled anesthetics, desflurane and sevoflurane, have a lower solubility in blood and tissues than all previous volatile anesthetics, and have become the preferred volatile anesthetics for routine surgical procedures.

Methods: Twenty-six patients were examined.

Plasma malondialdehyde and erythrocyte glutathione levels in workers with cement dust-exposure [corrected].

Background: Chronic exposure to cement dust has been reported to lead to several health problems. Acute and chronic exposure to quartz are associated with the provocation of an inflammatory response and triggers an extensive host defense mechanism. These inflammatory reactions result in the secretions of cytokines, eicosanoids, lytic enzymes, chemotactic factors and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Comparison of the effects of ipratropium bromide and salbutamol on autonomic heart rate control.

Aims: B2-agonists and anticholinergic drugs may alter cardiac autonomic modulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inhaled salbutamol and ipratropium bromide on heart rate variability (HRV).

Methods And Results: A randomized, double-blind, crossover design study was conducted on 13 healthy volunteers.

The effects of hormone therapy on pulmonary function tests in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To investigate the effects of hormone therapy (HT) administered to postmenopausal women on pulmonary function tests (PFT).

Methods: Eighty-two postmenopausal women who were having natural or surgically initiated menopause and had no risk factor that could affect the respiratory system were included into this prospective, randomized study. Twenty-five women who refused to use HT were assessed as the control group (Group I).

The comparative cardiovascular, pulmonary, ocular blood flow, and ocular hypotensive effects of topical travoprost, bimatoprost, brimonidine, and betaxolol.

Objective: This study evaluated systemic and ocular acute safety and intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy of travoprost 0.004% and bimatoprost 0.03%, compared to brimonidine 0.

The prevalence of asthma among secondary school students in Afyon, Turkey.

Ethnic origin has been reported to affect the prevalence of atopic diseases in several studies in different parts of the world. The aim of this study was to determine the current and cumulative prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and reactivities to allergen skin prick tests (SPT) among secondary school students in Afyon, Turkey. The data of the first stage were collated through the application of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey Questionnaire on 1,400 students (1,366 were properly completed) registering at various schools in Afyon-Turkey, in the academic year 2000-2001.