Phenotypic differences in a large family with Kennedy's disease from the Middle Black Sea region of Turkey.

We report the clinical and electrophysiological features of a large Turkish family with genetically confirmed X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Family members were identified by field work. A detailed history was obtained from each subject, and each subject received a detailed neurological examination.

Effects of methyl prednisolone acetate, fibrin glue and combination of methyl prednisolone acetate and fibrin glue in prevention of epidural fibrosis in a rat model.

Objectives: Epidural fibrosis, which develops during the post-operative period in 6-20% of the patients who undergo lumbar spinal surgery, can cause persistent low-back pain and signs of root compression. Conservative treatment protocols or repeat operations performed for the symptoms of epidural fibrosis are long-term and costly treatments and impairs the patient's quality of life. In this experimental study, we applied methyl prednisolone acetate mixed with fibrin glue to the surgical field and examined the effects on epidural fibrosis in the surgical field by delaying the absorption of methyl prednisolone acetate.

Carpet weaving: an occupational risk for onychomycosis?

Background: Some occupations carry a risk for fungal infections.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis in carpet weavers.

Methods: Seventy-seven weavers (the mean age +/- SD = 32.

Evaluation of the risk of systemic fat mobilization and fat embolus following liposuction with dry and tumescent technique: an experimental study on rats.

Background: Clinical studies have revealed that liposuction causes systemic fat mobilization. However, the degree of the risk it causes is not clear. In this study we investigated the risk of systemic fat mobilization and fat embolus in rats following liposuction using dry and tumescent techniques.

Comparing techniques for pterygium surgery.

Purpose: To compare various techniques of pterygium surgery including bare sclera, intraoperative mitomycin C application, conjunctival flap reconstruction, and conjunctival autografting technique.

Methods: This study is designed to compare 4 currently used techniques in order to determine the complication and recurrence rates after pterygium exision. Included in the study were 77 eyes from 60 patients.

A rare but fatal case of granulomatous amebic encephalitis with brain abscess: the first case reported from Turkey.

The incidence of protozoal and helminthic infestations of the central nervous system (CNS) is less than 1%, but these infestations tend to follow a fatal course. They are more common among children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. CNS infections due to Entamoeba histolytica have been known for a long time.

Perceived overqualification and its outcomes: the moderating role of empowerment.

Research shows that perceived overqualification is related to lower job attitudes and greater withdrawal behaviors but to higher supervisor ratings of performance. Drawing upon relative deprivation theory, the authors proposed and tested empowerment as a moderator of the relationship between perceived overqualification and job satisfaction, intentions to remain, voluntary turnover, and objective sales performance to examine if negative outcomes could be lessened while stimulating even higher performance. Hierarchical linear modeling results from a sample of 244 sales associates working in 25 stores of a Turkish retail chain show that empowerment ameliorated the negative effects of perceived overqualification on job satisfaction, intentions to remain, and voluntary turnover.

Therapeutic Difficulty in a Case of Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor Diagnosed during Pregnancy.

We report a supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (sPNET) in 17-year-old primipara in the second trimester her pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left frontoparietal mass with solid and cystic component. Gross-total resection was achieved via a left frontoparietal craniotomy.

A case of radiation-induced sternal malignant fibrous histiocytoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical resection.

Background: Primary sternal malignant fibrous histiyocytoma (MFH) is highly rare. Effective treatment modality is surgical resection with wide margins. However, to date, the effects of radiotherapy or chemotherapy has not been clearly defined.

A non-bleeding complex intracerebral giant aneurysm case: case report.

An intracranial aneurysm with a diameter larger than 25 mm is considered a giant aneurysm (GA), and represent about 3-5% of all aneurysms. They are divided into two forms, specifically saccular and fusiform. Fusiform aneurysms are rare, making up only 1% of all intracranial aneurysms.

Is topical tissue plasminogen activator application effective on prevention of post-laminectomy epidural fibrosis? An experimental study.

Objective: Impaired fibrinolytic activity has been shown to be associated with poor outcome after lumbar disc surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of topical tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) in preventing epidural fibrosis in rats.

Methods: L4-L5 laminectomy was performed under surgical microscope in 40 rats.

Infected lumbar dermoid cyst presenting with tetraparesis secondary to holocord central lesion.

We report an unusual case of a 6-year-old boy with a sinus tract terminating with an intramedullary dermoid cyst and holocord central lesion, presenting with tetraparesis secondary to intramedullary abscess. Total excision of dermal sinus tract, dermoid cyst, and the intramedullary abscess by means of a L2-S3 laminectomy, followed by antibiotic therapy resulted in good functional recovery. Strengths of the upper extremities have fully recovered, and a remarkable improvement was detected in the muscles of the lower extremities.

Detection and identification of proteins using nanoparticle-fluorescent polymer 'chemical nose' sensors.

A sensor array containing six non-covalent gold nanoparticle-fluorescent polymer conjugates has been created to detect, identify and quantify protein targets. The polymer fluorescence is quenched by gold nanoparticles; the presence of proteins disrupts the nanoparticle-polymer interaction, producing distinct fluorescence response patterns. These patterns are highly repeatable and are characteristic for individual proteins at nanomolar concentrations, and can be quantitatively differentiated by linear discriminant analysis (LDA).

Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis in primary schoolchildren in Turkey.

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in primary schoolchildren in Denizli, Turkey, and to determine the possible risk factors for atopic dermatitis in home environment. A self-administered questionnaire was handled to the parents of 2,100 children aged 7 to 15 years, from three randomized primary schools and 1,644 (78.9%) completed and returned the questionnaire.

A rare case of massive NF1 with invasion of entire spinal axis by neurofibromas: case report.

Neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1) is a type of phakomatosis inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Also called 'von Recklinghausen disease' or 'peripheral neurofibromatosis', it comprises 90% of all neurofibromatosis (NF) cases. It is characterized by multiple peripheral nerve sheath tumors of benign character called neurofibromas.

Endovascular treatment of primary infectious aneurysm in childhood: a case report.

Infectious aneurysms constitute 4% of all intracranial aneurysms. The microorganisms responsible are most commonly streptococcus viridans, staphylococcus aureus and combined bacterial infections. Nonetheless, cases with no reproduction in their cultures are rather frequent.

Dialysis-induced hypotension is associated with impaired aortic elasticity in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Background: The pathogenesis of dialysis-induced hypotension (DIH) is multifactorial and may include increased aortic stiffness. This study was undertaken to determine aortic elastic properties in patients undergoing hemodialysis with and without DIH, and to assess the effects of DIH on mortality.

Methods: Aortic stiffness and left ventricular functions were evaluated in 70 patients undergoing hemodialysis with (n=34) and without DIH (n=36).

The comparison of Nail Psoriasis Severity Index with a less time-consuming qualitative system.

Objective: Reliable assessment of severity in nail psoriasis is essential to document treatment responses in clinical trials and routine clinical usage. In this study the correlation between Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) and Cannavo's scoring system was assessed, and inter-rater correlation of NAPSI scores were evaluated.

Materials And Methods: Forty-five patients with nail psoriasis were included.

Reconstruction of congenital and acquired columellar defects: clinical review of 38 patients.

Reconstruction of columella presents certain difficulties and includes reconstruction of the cartilaginous strut and the overlying skin to obtain good results. We conducted a retrospective clinical review of 38 patients presenting with congenital and acquired columellar defects. Anatomic characteristics to be considered were defined and a classification method is proposed to more fully describe columellar defects.

Binding of nanoparticle receptors to peptide alpha-helices using amino acid-functionalized nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles provide large surface areas and controlled surface functionality and structure, making them excellent scaffolds for peptide recognition. A family of nanoparticles has been fabricated by amino acid functionalization to afford tailored surfaces. These particles are complementary to a tetraaspartate peptide (TAP) featuring cofacial anionic functionality when in the alpha-helical conformation.

Multiple primary chest wall hydatid cysts associated with spinal canal involvement.

Primary multiple chest wall hydatid cysts associated with spinal canal involvement through an intervertebral foramen is an uncommon clinical entity. We present a 54-year-old man who underwent cystotomy and total resection of ribs five through seven via a left posterolateral thoracotomy followed by Th5-Th6 anterolateral partial pediculotomies for removal of cysts in the spinal canal. Although spinal reconstruction was not required, the chest wall defect was repaired with mersilene mesh-methyl methacrylate sandwich graft.

Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) is decreased in lung cancer patients showing progression: a pilot study.

Tumor growth and metastasis depend on angiogenesis, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be one of the most important angiogenic factors although the knowledge about its receptors is limited. We, therefore, investigated the treatment-related changes both in the level of the soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) in the serum by ELISA and the expression of VEGFR-1 in cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry. The serum levels were studied in 38 lung cancer patients, and 55 control subjects (21 benign disease and 34 healthy subjects) before the chemotherapy.