Evaluation of Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology and Perinatal Extension II and Clinical Risk Index for Babies with additional parameters.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine mortality risk by calculating Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology and Perinatal Extension II (SNAP-PE-II) and Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score, and evaluate prediction of the effects of antenatal corticosteroid and surfactant treatment on mortality.

Methods: This multicenter study was conducted simultaneously in five different centers in four different provinces in Southern Turkey between July 2012 and July 2013. A total of 1668 inborn subjects hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit within the first 12 h of delivery, and meeting the selection criteria, were included in the study, and CRIB and SNAP-PE-II were used to determine mortality.

RAPID FLUID ADMINISTRATION AND THE INCIDENCE OF HYPOTENSION INDUCED BY SPINAL ANESTHESIA AND EPHEDRINE REQUIREMENT: THE EFFECT OF CRYSTALLOID VERSUS COLLOID COLOADING.

Purpose: Spinal anesthesia for caesarean delivery is often associated with hypotension. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of rapid crystalloid (Lactated Ringer's solution; LRS) or colloid (hydroxyethyl starch; HES) cohydration with a second intravenous access line on the incidence of hypotension and ephedrine requirement during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.

Methods: We studied 90 women with uncomplicated pregnancies undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, fibroblast growth factor 2, phosphatidyl inositol 3 phosphate kinase and their clinical and prognostic significance in early and advanced stage of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Aim: Non-small cell lung carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer related to death in the world. Squamous cell lung carcinoma (SqCLC) is the second most frequent histological subtype of lung carcinomas. Recently, growth factors, growth factor receptors, and signal transduction system-related gene amplifications and mutations are extensively under investigation to estimate the prognosis and to develop individualized therapies in SqCLC.

The Effect of Intravenous Magnesium Sulphate Treatment on the Spinal Anaesthesia Produced by Bupivacaine in Pre-eclamptic Patients.

Objective: In our study, the effect of intravenous magnesium sulphate in normal and pre-eclamptic patients on spinal anaesthesia produced by bupivacaine was investigated.

Methods: Sixty-four pregnant (32 normal and 32 pre-eclamptic) were accepted in this study. Pregnants were divided into four groups as patients given intravenous magnesium sulphate and as control.

Evaluation of efficacy of immunotherapy in children with asthma monosensitized to Alternaria.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of specific immunotherapy (SIT) in children monosensitized to Alternaria. Sixteen children with bronchial asthma monosensitized to Alternaria were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups as the immunotherapy group (Group I; 9 patients) and control group (Group II; 7 patients).

Trichophyton tonsurans scalp carriage among wrestlers in a national competition in Turkey.

Trichophyton tonsurans tinea gladiatorum is an emerging epidemic among combat-sport athletes across the globe. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic dermatophytic infections among wrestlers in the National Greco-Roman Championship in Turkey. In total, 194 wrestlers from 32 provinces and 72 clubs were examined for scalp, trunk, groin, and toe web dermatophytic infections.

An evaluation of risk factors in pregnant women with Candida vaginitis and the diagnostic value of simultaneous vaginal and rectal sampling.

In this study, we investigated the epidemiological characteristics of VVC among pregnant women. We conducted a prospective survey among 372 pregnant women to investigate the prevalence, clinical forms, etiological agents, and predisposing factors of VVC. In addition, we determined the relationship between vaginal and rectal flora by simultaneously obtaining one high vaginal swab and one rectal swab from each patient using sterile cotton-tipped swabs.

Evaluation of risk factors in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis and the value of chromID Candida agar versus CHROMagar Candida for recovery and presumptive identification of vaginal yeast species.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), particularly the recurrent form, remains an intractable problem for clinicians, microbiologists, and patients. It is essential to confirm the clinical diagnosis by mycological methods and avoid empirical therapy. The recovery of yeast in fungal culture, such as on Sabouraud dextrose agar, remains the gold standard for diagnosis.

Does the decision in a validation process of a surrogate endpoint change with level of significance of treatment effect? A proposal on validation of surrogate endpoints.

Background: In recent years the use of surrogate end points (S) has become an interesting issue. In clinical trials, it is important to get treatment outcomes as early as possible. For this reason there is a need for surrogate endpoints (S) which are measured earlier than the true endpoint (T).

Interrater agreement in rating of pigmented skin lesions for border irregularity.

The clinical ABCD criteria are still recommended to both physicians and laymen when checking moles. The aim of this study was to determine the level of interrater reliability and therefore objectivity in rating for one of these criteria, namely border irregularity. Five professors, five residents, five nurses, and 10 students rated a set of 54 clinical images of pigmented skin lesions for border irregularity.

Predicting the probability of meningioma recurrence in the preoperative and early postoperative period: a multivariate analysis in the midterm follow-up.

We reviewed the clinical, radiological, surgical, and histopathological features of patients with meningiomas to identify factors that can predict tumor recurrence after "microscopic total removal," to improve preoperative surgical planning, and to help determine the need for close radiological observation at shorter intervals or the need for radiotherapy as an adjuvant treatment in the early postoperative period. Clinical data, magnetic resonance imaging studies, angiographic data, operative reports, and histopathological findings were examined retrospectively in 137 patients with a meningioma treated microsurgically and with no evidence of residual tumor on postoperative MR images. Based on univariate analysis, tumor size, a mushroom shape, proximity to major sinuses, edema, osteolysis, cortical penetration, signal intensity on T2-weighted MRIs, pial-cortical arterial supply, presence of a brain-tumor interface in surgery, Simpson's criteria, and histopathological classification were significant predictors for recurrence.

The prevalence of atopy in children with antibodies against hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus.

To investigate the relationship between atopy and hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, we studied 42 children who had had HAV infection (Group I), 28 children who had had HBV infection (Group II), and 31 children who were seronegative for both HAV and HBV infection (Control group). Serological tests for HAV and HBV infections (anti-HAV IgG, HBsAg, anti-HBc IgG) and allergic skin tests and specific IgE investigations for the detection of atopy were carried out. In this study, there was no significant divergence in the socio-demographic characteristics among the three groups.

Effects of sodium valproate on renal functions in rats.

In recent years, it has been reported that sodium valproate occasionally can cause renal tubular impairment. This study was designed to demonstrate the renal tubular and glomerular functions in rats given sodium valproate as monotherapy, as well as to determine any reversibility of dysfunctions. Female rats were randomly allocated to three groups: group 1 received sodium valproate 500 mg/kg/d intraperitoneal for six weeks; after the same injection period, group 2 was housed for another six weeks, after which laboratory investigations were completed; and group 3 served as a control group made up of 20 healthy rats living in same condition without any treatment.

Accuracy of bedside diagnosis versus Allen and Siriraj stroke scores in Turkish patients.

Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging allow the accurate diagnosis in stroke and distinction of ischemic from hemorrhagic lesions. However, clinical diagnosis is still critical where neuroimaging techniques are not available, especially to establish first-aid measures in a stroke patient. In this prospective study of 300 patients with stroke, the diagnosis of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes was made as an informal bedside diagnosis prior to neuroimaging.

PRAME mRNA levels in cases with acute leukemia: clinical importance and future prospects.

The PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma) gene has been shown to be expressed in high levels in some solid tumors and hemopoietic neoplasias but not or only weakly expressed in normal tissues. It encodes an antigen recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes. PRAME is a good candidate for tumor immunotherapy and is a useful marker gene for detection of minimal residual disease (MRD).

Safe and effective sedation and analgesia for bone marrow aspiration procedures in children with alfentanil, remifentanil and combinations with midazolam.

Background: Invasive procedures such as bone marrow aspiration in children may be painful and cause anxiety. We investigated the efficacy and safety of remifentanil (R) alfentanil (A), remifentanil-midazolam (RM), and alfentanil-midazolam (AM) combinations in providing analgesia and sedation for bone marrow aspiration.

Methods: Eighty children undergoing a diagnostic bone marrow aspiration whose ages ranged from 5-16 years (mean 9.

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in paraffin-embedded tissues from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The aim of this study is to detect the possible role of hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in lymphomagenesis. HCV-RNA and anti-HCV antibodies were studied in tissue and serum samples taken from patients with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). The prevalence of HCV, the clinical presentation of these cases, and association with histologic subtypes were determined.

The relationship between cholesterol levels and depression in the elderly.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the possible association between low levels of serum cholesterol and depression in the elderly.

Background: The alteration of cholesterol content of synoptosomal membrane in response to low serum cholesterol levels has been shown to decrease the serotonin receptors in depressed patients. Previous studies suggest that low levels of serum cholesterol may be associated with the increased risk of depression in the elderly.

Prognostic factors affecting deaths from adult tetanus.

The objective of this study was to determine prognostic factors related to death from adult tetanus. Fifty-three cases of tetanus, 25 females and 28 males, were treated in Cukurova University Hospital during 1994-2000. The mean age was 46.

Anti-HCV and HCV-RNA prevalence and clinical correlations in cases with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family. It displays lymphotropism in addition to hepatotropism and extrahepatic manifestations are very well known. There are many studies showing an association between HCV infection and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL).

Lower urinary tract symptoms, pain and quality of life assessment in chronic non-bacterial prostatitis patients treated with alpha-blocking agent doxazosin; versus placebo.

The efficacy of doxazosin monotherapy in chronic non-bacterial prostatitis was investigated in terms of urinary symptom, pain and quality of life assessment versus placebo. A total of 60 men with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis were randomised to daily supplement of 4 mg doxazosin or a placebo, for 3 months. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire was self administered at the entry and at 3 months after the cessation of the treatment.

Survivin and aven: two distinct antiapoptotic signals in acute leukemias.

Background: Antiapoptotic signals are important in the development, progression and prognosis of malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to determine the two distinct antiapoptotic signals-survivin and aven-in acute leukemias and compare them with clinical and hematological findings and response to therapy. Real-time quantitative PCR was used and survivin and aven were detected at the messenger (m)RNA level.

Prognosis and prognostic factors for unexplained subarachnoid hemorrhage: review of 84 cases.

Objective: We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the prognosis, possible prognostic factors, and long-term natural history of subarachnoid hemorrhage of unexplained cause.

Methods: This report contains a retrospective analysis of data for 84 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage of unknown cause who were monitored for 1 month to 9.5 years, with an average follow-up period of 5.

Anticipated administration of GM-CSF in the treatment of non small cell lung cancer.

The purpose of this study was to verify the kinetic response of the human marrow myeloid progenitor cells to the short term use of GM-CSF and its impact on the therapeutic activity of this three-drug cisplatinum containing regimen in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sixty patients with stage III-B and IV NSCLC were randomised to receive GM-CSF for 3 days, five days prior to the onset of chemotherapy. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of Mitomycin-C: 6 mg/m2 on day one, Ifosfamide: 2000 mg/m2 days 1 to 3, Mesna: 2000 mg/m2 days 1 to 3, Cisplatinum: 30 mg/m2 days 1 to 3, and was repeated every 4 weeks.