Modified histopathological classification with age-related glomerulosclerosis for predicting kidney survival in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis.

Background: The histopathological classification of ANCA-GN divides patients into four groups based on signs of glomerular injury. However, this classification did not consider age-related glomerulosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to compare the prediction of renal survival between Berden's ANCA-GN histopathological classification and ANCA-GN histopathological classification modified with age-related glomerulosclerosis.

Evaluation of Patients with Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease: Preliminary results from the Turk-UIP Study.

Objective: Differential diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is important among fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILD). This study aimed to evaluate the rate of IPF in patients with fibrotic ILD and to determine the clinical-laboratory features of patients with and without IPF that would provide the differential diagnosis of IPF.

Material And Methods: The study included the patients with the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern or possible UIP pattern on thorax high-resolution computed tomography, and/or UIP pattern, probable UIP or possible UIP pattern at lung biopsy according to the 2011 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT guidelines.

Epidemiological features of primary glomerular disease in Turkey: a multicenter study by the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Working Group.

Background: The largest data on the epidemiology of primary glomerular diseases (PGDs) are obtained from the databases of countries or centers. Here, we present the extended results of the Primary Glomerular Diseases Study of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group.

Methods: Data of patients who underwent renal biopsy and received the diagnosis of PGD were recorded in the database prepared for the study.

Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients After Kidney Transplantation.

Objective: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a serious complication for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were treated with long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). The risk of EPS was increased after kidney transplantation. In our study we evaluated risk factors for EPS patients after kidney transplantation who were treated before with PD.

Investigation of MEFV gene polymorphisms (G138G and A165A) in adult patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Aim: Various mutations have been identified in the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene which is reported to be responsible from Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). In our study, we aimed to determine the frequency of the MEFV mutations in our region and to investigate the impact of G138G (rs224224, c.414A>G) and A165A (rs224223, c.

Ki-67 and caspase expression in breast carcinoma: does variance in locational sampling exist?

Ki-67 and caspase indices are two very important prognostic variables for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the immunoexpressions of these two prognostic variables at the center, the periphery of the tumor in comparison with each other, and additional parameters in 53 breast cancer specimens. It has been shown that the increase of caspase immunoexpression either at the periphery or the center of the tumor correlated with the increase of Ki-67 immunoexpression at the same areas.

Acute effect of hemodialysis on arterial elasticity.

Background/aim: Reduced arterial elasticity is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Hemodialysis (HD) treatment per se can bring additional risk factors for vascular disease. Our study was designed to determine whether a single hemodialysis session leads to an acute alteration in parameters of arterial elasticity in ESRD.

Effect of web-supported health education on knowledge of health and healthy-living behaviour of female staff in a Turkish university.

Background: Once limited with face-to face courses, health education has now moved into the web environment after new developments in information technology This study was carried out in order to give training to the university academic and administrative female staff who have difficulty in attending health education planned for specific times and places. The web-supported training focuses on healthy diet, the importance of physical activity, damage of smoking and stress management.

Materials And Methods: The study was carried out in Sakarya University between the years 2012-2013 as a descriptive and quasi experimental study.

Abuse potential assessment of propofol by its subjective effects after sedation.

Objective: In this study, we examined the euphoric effect of propofol and its high satisfaction ratio regarding its liability to be abused, particularly in painless procedures, such as colonoscopy.

Methods: Fifty subjects aged between 18 and 65 years who fulfilled the criteria for ASA 1-2 and were prepared for colonoscopy were enrolled into this study. For intravenous sedation induction, 2 mg/kg propofol was used, and additional injections were administered according to BIS values.

Acute Haemodialysis-induced Changes in Tissue Doppler Echocardiography Parameters.

Background: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a method that determines the tissue motion and velocity within the myocardium.

Aims: To characterize acute haemodialysis (HD)-induced changes in TDI-derived indices for patients that have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Evaluation of sexual function in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose: To evaluate the link between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and female sexual functioning.

Material And Methods: A total of 32 women with RA and 20 healthy age matched controls were enrolled in this study. The participations are asked to complete Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), The Short form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)questionnaires.

Ki-67 proliferation index in renal biopsy samples of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its correlation with clinical findings.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that may affect almost all organ systems. Renal involvement is the most significant prognostic factor. Renal biopsy findings play an important role in treatment decision.

Interleukin-2 gene polymorphism in Turkish patients with Behçet's disease and its association with ocular involvement.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic immune-mediated systemic disease, characterized by oral and genital lesions and ocular inflammation. Several cytokine genes may play crucial roles in host susceptibility to BD, because the cytokine production capacity varies among individuals and depends on the cytokine gene polymorphisms. The association of the interleukin (IL)-2 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to BD was investigated in this study.

The time course of gastric methotrexate intolerance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and the time course of methotrexate (MTX)-associated gastric intolerance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

Methods: Four hundred twenty subjects undergoing MTX treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (n = 346) and psoriatic arthritis (n = 74) were retrospectively assessed. The incidence and time course of gastric MTX intolerance resulting in treatment discontinuation were investigated.

Diagnosis and endovascular treatment of acute thromboembolic renal artery occlusion presenting with abdominal pain.

Acute renal artery thromboembolic occlusion is seldomly encountered with respect to other central and peripheral ones. Patients may present with non-specific abdominal pain and renal colic. Organ functions can be preserved by means of endovascular treatment when early diagnosis is possible.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonist therapy-induced psoriasis in Turkey: analysis of 514 patients.

Objectives: New adverse events are being reported with the increased use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α therapy. We studied cases of anti-TNFα-induced psoriasis observed in our pool of 514 patients receiving anti-TNFα treatment in Turkey.

Methods: Three rheumatoid arthritis patients and 3 ankylosing spondylitis patients with anti-TNFα-induced psoriasis were included in the study.

IL-1 cluster gene polymorphisms in Turkish patients with Behçet's disease.

Several cytokine genes may play crucial roles in host susceptibility to Behçet's Disease (BD), since the cytokine production capacity varies among individuals and depends on the cytokine gene polymorphisms. The association of the IL-1 cluster gene polymorphisms with the development of BD was investigated in this study. DNA samples were obtained from a Turkish population of 97 patients with BD, and 77 healthy control subjects.

Interleukin-4 gene polymorphisms confer Behçet's disease in Turkish population.

Several cytokine genes may play crucial roles in host susceptibility to Behçet's Disease (BD), because the cytokine production capacity varies among individuals and depends on the cytokine gene polymorphisms. The association of the IL-4 and IL-4Rα gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to BD was investigated in this study. DNA samples were obtained from a Turkish population of 97 patients with BD and 76 healthy control subjects.

Investigation of ABCB1 gene polymorphism with colchicine response in Behçet's disease.

Colchicine is commonly used in the treatment of Behçet's disease. However, some patients are unresponsive to colchicine treatment. Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) transports colchicine out of cells.

The effects of vitamin E-coated dialysis membranes on serum paraoxonase activity in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Hemodialysis patients are exposed to oxidative stress, which can lead to several complications. We therefore sought to evaluate the effect of using vitamin E-coated dialysis membranes for a period of 3 months on serum paraoxonase activity and oxidative stress markers.

Methods: Twenty patients and 25 healthy controls were included in this study.

Cytokine gene polymorphisms in Behçet's disease and their association with clinical and laboratory findings.

The association of the cytokine gene polymorphisms with the development of Behçet's Disease (BD) was investigated in this study. DNA samples were obtained from a Turkish population of 97 unrelated patients with BD, and 127 unrelated healthy control subjects.All genotyping (IL-6, IL10, IFN-gamma, TGF-Beta1 and TNF-alpha) experiments were performed using sequence-specific primers PCR.

Influence of erythropoietin therapy on serum prohepcidin levels in dialysis patients.

Background: Anemia is a common finding in dialysis patients. Recent evidence has accrued that hepcidin, an iron regulatory peptide, may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of this condition. This study investigated the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) therapy on serum levels of prohepcidin, the pro-hormone of hepcidin, in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing chronic dialysis treatment.

Effect of fluvastatin on serum prohepcidin levels in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Objectives: Anemia, low-grade inflammation and/or alterations in lipid metabolism are common findings in individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) despite advances in dialysis treatment. Hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, may play an important role in the interdependence of inflammation and anemia in ESRD patients. Statins may reduce cardiovascular events in dialysis patients and have pleiotropic effects in addition to lowering total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol.