The effects of thyroid dysfunctions on insulin resistance in patients with hepatosteatosis.

Background: Hepatosteatosis can develop due to insulin resistance. The effect of thyroid function status on insulin sensitivity and resistance is of great interest but the data is still conflicting.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thyroid dysfunctions on insulin resistance in patients with hepatosteatosis.

β-Globin chain abnormalities with coexisting α-thalassemia mutations.

Introduction: The frequency of hemoglobinopathies is still high in Adana, the biggest city of the Cukurova Region that is located in the southern part of Turkey. Our aim was to identify the concomitant mutations in α- and β-globin genes which lead to complex hemoglobinopathies and to establish an appropriate plan of action for each subject, particularly when prenatal diagnosis is necessary.

Material And Methods: We studied the association between the β-globin gene and α-thalassemia genotypes.

β-Thalassemia mutations and hemoglobinopathies in Adana, Turkey: results from a single center study.

Introduction: β-Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies are common genetic disorders in Turkey and in this retrospective study our aim was to determine the frequency of β-thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in Adana, which is one of the biggest cities located in the southern part of Turkey.

Material And Methods: Data from 3000 individuals admitted to Seyhan Hereditary Blood Disorders Center in Adana were evaluated. The blood samples were collected into EDTA-containing tubes and hematological parameters were analyzed using an automatic cell counter.

Plasma thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) antigen levels in diabetic foot ulcers.

Plasma TAFI may participate in arterial thrombosis in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and may be involved in the mechanism of vascular endothelial damage in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of plasma TAFI antigen level in the development of diabetic foot ulcer in Type 2 diabetes. The TAFI antigen levels were determined in 50 patients with diabetic foot ulcers and 34 patients without diabetic foot ulcers and 25 healthy individuals.

Metabolic syndrome prevalence in subclinic and overt hypothyroid patients and the relation among metabolic syndrome parameters.

Objective: One of the common features of hypothyroidism is weight gain or failure to lose weight. Bradycardia and mild hypertension can be seen as well. Impact of thyroid hormone deficiency on glucose and insulin metabolism is not fully understood.

Interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-8 levels and cellular composition of the vitreous humor in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: To investigate the interleukin (IL)-6 levels, IL-8 levels, and cellular composition of the vitreous humor in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and traumatic PVR.

Methods: Vitreous samples from 14 patients with PDR, 10 patients with PVR, and 10 patients with traumatic PVR were analyzed. Fifteen cadaver eyes were used as controls.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report.

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a multisystem disorder characterised by platelet aggregation causing microvascular occlusion. Early diagnosis and utilization of plasmapheresis can provide an improvement in prognosis.

Case Report: A 17 year old male with classical findings of TTP was later diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The aqueous levels of TGF-beta2 in patients with glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the aqueous levels of transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF-beta2) in open angle glaucoma patients.

Methods: The aqueous levels of active TGF-beta2 were detected in 17 eyes of 17 patients using ELISA method. The control group consisted of 6 cataract extracted patients.

Anti-D and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatments in Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the data from 29 patients diagnosed as chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) treated with anti-D immunoglobulin and intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG). We used anti-D and IVIG in 11 and 18 patients respectively in whom the previous treatments including corticosteroids and splenectomy had been unsuccessful. The complete response rates were significantly higher in IVIG arm (55.

Serum profile of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cytokines in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Background/aims: T cell immunoregulatory cytokines may play a crucial role in the host response to hepatitis C virus infection. While T-helper type 1 cytokines are required for host antiviral immune responses, T-helper type 2 cytokines can inhibit the development of these effector mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to determine T-helper type 1 and T-helper type 2 cytokine levels in chronic hepatitis C infection.

Fibromyalgia syndrome in patients with hepatitis C infection.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is characterized by widespread pain and tenderness at specific anatomic sites. Different theories have been proposed in the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome, and besides genetic, neuroendocrine, psychologic, and traumatic causes, infections have also been reported. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of FS in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T mutation and plasma homocysteine level in Behçet's disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether homozygosity for the 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation and plasma homocysteine concentration are related to deep vein thrombosis in Behçet's disease (BD) patients.

Methods: Forty BD patients (23 males, 17 females; mean age 40.2+/-8.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteopenia: is there an association?

We report the results of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements in type 2 diabetic patients, in comparison to healthy controls. In this prospective study, a total of 277 subjects (aged 30-60 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus, outpatients at the Cukurova Medical School Hospital, were evaluated for BMD at L(1)-L(4) lumbar vertebrae and at the femur (neck, trochanter, Ward's triangle and total) by DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry). The patients' diabetes duration, treatment, glycemic control and chronic diabetic complications were recorded, and these data were evaluated for any relationship in respect to the BMD measurements.

Coexistence of cystic intra-abdominal lymphangiomas and diffuse venous haemangiomas in adult life.

Diffuse haemangioma and intra-abdominal lymphangioma are rare in adults. In this case report, we present a 33-year-old female with coexisting multiple cutaneous and visceral cavernous haemangiomas and two huge intra-abdominal lymphangiomas of 25 and 35 cm in diameter. The organs involved were the liver, pericardium, renal hilus and bladder.

Gastric emptying time and the effect of cisapride in cirrhotic patients with autonomic neuropathy.

GOALS To investigate the relationships between gastric emptying and autonomic dysfunction in hepatic cirrhosis and to assess the effects of cisapride on gastric emptying in cirrhotic patients. STUDY Twenty-four cirrhotic patients (8 patients in each Child-Pugh classification) and 25 healthy controls were enrolled. All the patients had viral (B or C) hepatitis.

Vasculitis induced by zafirlukast therapy.

Zafirlukast is a leukotriene inhibitor that has recently been approved for the prophylaxis of asthma. Although this new product has been well accepted because of its convenient dosing and relatively few side effects, several cases of Churg-Strauss syndrome have been reported to be associated with its use. In this paper we describe the case of a 54-year-old white man with no history of corticosteroid therapy in whom leukocytoclastic vasculitis, hepatitis and eosinophilia developed while he was on zafirlukast therapy for mild asthma.

Lymphocyte subsets in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Although chronic myocardial inflammatory process mediated by viral and autoimmune factors has been postulated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), the role of autoimmune mechanisms still remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the rates of various T cell subsets and natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood in order to see whether they had a role in the immunoregulation of IDC.

Methods: The surface markers of peripheral T and B lymphocytes were detected and percentages of pan T and B cells as well as helper (CD4+) and suppressor (CD8+) T lymphocytes subsets in the peripheral blood and their ratio (CD4+/CD8+) were determined in 27 patients with IDC and in 20 healthy controls.

Multiple myeloma with skin involvement.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell dyscrasia seen in the elderly that constitutes 10% of all haematopoietic neoplasias. It is a systemic disorder affecting various organs, in particular the kidneys and bones. Skin involvement is not a common finding.

Renal vascular resistance in progressive systemic sclerosis: evaluation with duplex Doppler ultrasound.

The study was planned to evaluate renal vascular resistance by means of duplex Doppler ultrasonography in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) with or without signs of renal involvement. Twenty-two female patients with PSS (mean age 38.5 +/- 17.

Value of duplex and color doppler ultrasonography in the evaluation of orbital vascular flow and resistance in sickle cell disease.

The aim of the present study was to assess and to compare the orbital and retinal vascular flow dynamics and resistance in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease with controls by means of duplex and color Doppler ultrasonography. Forty-six patients with homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) and 20 healthy subjects were included in the study. None of the patients had objective signs of ocular involvement.

Leptospirosis: twelve Turkish patients with the Weil syndrome.

Twelve cases of leptospirosis followed by the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the Cukurova University Medical School, Adana, Turkey, between January 1994 and November 1995 are reported. Included are their clinical manifestation, laboratory findings and serotype. Nine men and three women with an average age of 40.