Improving effects of mesenchymal stem cells on symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aim: We aimed to identify the improving effects of umbilical cord tissue-derived (UCTD) MSCs on the symptoms of COPD in our phase 1.2 clinical study.

Material Methods: Our study consisted of five patients with COPD.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Outcomes of 750 Patients: A 2.5-Year Experience at a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining popularity worldwide. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the outcomes of a large cohort of patients with obesity who underwent LSG in a Bariatric Center of Excellence. All consecutive patients who underwent LSG between July 2013 and April 2016 were identified retrospectively.

Smoking and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

Purpose: Pharmacologic effects of nicotine are multifaceted and complicated. Despite numerous studies, the effect of smoking on lower urinary tract functions, have not been yet studied in detail. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of smoking addiction on lower urinary tract and sexual functions on the basis of respiratory functions.

The rapid effects of budesonide plus formoterol in patients with obstructive airway diseases.

Introduction: The use of a combination inhaler containing budesonide and formoterol (BUD/FOR) to both maintenance and quick relief therapy has been recommended as an improved method of using inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β agonist therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of BUD/FOR and testing the availability of BUD/FOR for early reversibility test in patients with airway obstruction.

Patients And Methods: The study was conducted on patients who were admitted to the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Samsun Medical Park Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.

A novel biomarker in the diagnosis of parapneumonic effusion: neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin.

Background: The protein neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a mediator synthesized and released by neutrophils. Its physiological function is as yet unclear. Levels in blood increase in several inflammatory diseases.

Thrombolytic treatment (alteplase; rt-Pa) in acute massive pulmonary embolism and cardiopulmonary arrest.

Patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) often decompensate suddenly, and once hemodynamic compromise has developed, mortality is extremely high. Currently, thrombolytic therapy for PE is still controversial. We retrospectively evaluated 34 patients with PE between January 2010 and December 2013 in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Medical Park Samsun Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.

The relationship between early reversibility test and maximal inspiratory pressure in patients with airway obstruction.

Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) is a marker for assessing the degree of respiratory muscle dysfunction. Muscle dysfunction represents a pathophysiological feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We aimed to determinate the MIP value in patients with airway obstruction, to evaluate the change in MIP with bronchodilator drug, and to show the relationship between the changes in MIP and disease characteristics.

Remote monitoring of left ventricular assist device parameters after HeartAssist-5 implantation.

Although several left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used widely, remote monitoring of LVAD parameters has been available only recently. We present our remote monitoring experience with an axial-flow LVAD (HeartAssist-5, MicroMed Cardiovascular, Inc., Houston, TX, USA).

A new syndrome: right-sided arcus aorta syndrome.

Right-sided arcus aorta (RSAA) is a rare congenital anomaly that may cause chronic cough and dyspnoea. We aimed to define RSAA as a new syndrome characterised by RSAA, dyspnoea and cough during exercise. RSAA syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of asthma.

The use of Jackson-Pratt silicone flat drains as prolonged pleural catheters for the management of pleural effusions.

Introduction: Imbalance between secretion and absorbtion of pleural fluid results in pleural effusion. Emergence of pleural effusion ipsilateral or contralateral to the side drained previously is named recurrent effusion. There is currently no standart approach for the management of recurrent pleural effusions.

Analysis of young and elderly advanced stage nonsmall-cell lung carcinoma cases.

Objective: Even though there have been considerable improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, the prognostic factors for elderly patients with advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain insufficient. Therefore, our aim is to compare the prognostic factors for elderly and young cases with advanced stage NSCLC.

Methods: The data of 370 advanced stage young (<65 years old) and elderly (>or=65 years old) NSCLC patients (Stage IIIB or IV) treated between 1995 and 2008 were retrospectively evaluated for the study at the oncology department.

Gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and Cisplatin in the treatment of advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Objectives: Currently, cisplatin-based doublet combinations are accepted to be the first-line chemotherapy for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although triplet chemotherapeutics have been shown to be more effective and active than doublets, their toxicity was higher as expected. Therefore, we conducted this phase II trial using the combination of gemcitabine-cisplatin-vinorelbine with lower than usual but acceptable doses of gemcitabine and cisplatin to obtain higher response rate than doublet but less toxicity than triplet combinations.

Prognostic factors in patients with small cell lung carcinoma.

Background: The current prognosis in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is unsatisfactory, even though there have been considerable improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive patients with small cell lung carcinoma between 1995 and 2007 in a Turkish chest hospital. A total of 116 SCLC patients initially presented with limited disease, while 92 small cell lung carcinoma patients were found to be extensive.

Does Helicobacter pylori infection play a role in lung cancer?

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is a world-wide common disease and leads to many gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. It is suggested that one of these respiratory illnesses is lung cancer.

Methods: Forty-three patients with non-small cell lung cancer and 28 control subjects have been included to this study.

Incidence of major pulmonary morbidity after pneumonectomy: association with timing of smoking cessation.

Background: The prevention of major pulmonary events (MPEs) after pneumonectomy may minimize postoperative mortality rates. The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative and perioperative factors associated with the development of MPEs after pneumonectomy to help predict which patients are at increased risk for MPEs.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients (n = 261) who underwent pneumonectomies between January 1990 and May 1999.

Efficacy of inhaled budesonide and oral theophylline in asthmatic subjects.

The aim of present study was to evaluate clinical, functional, and anti-inflammatory effects of inhaled budesonide and oral theophylline treatments in patients with mild to moderate asthma. The study included 38 patients. After a 10-day run-in period, the patients were randomly assigned into two groups.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor downregulation of bcl-xl gene expression leads to apoptotic cell death in mesothelioma.

It has been shown that mesothelioma expresses the antiapoptotic protein BCL-XL, but not BCL-2, rendering bcl-xl gene expression a potential therapeutic target. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor capable of alteration of bcl-2 family protein expression in other tumor types. Mesothelioma cell lines (REN, I-45) were exposed to NaB, and viability (colorimetric assay) and apoptosis (TUNEL, Hoescht staining, flow cytometry) were evaluated.

The value of Ca 125 in the evaluation of tuberculosis activity.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the value of Ca 125, a tumour marker, in evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis activity. This study included 96 subjects who were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of 40 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Endobronchial argon plasma coagulation for treatment of hemoptysis and neoplastic airway obstruction.

Study Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of endobronchial argon plasma coagulation (APC) for the treatment of hemoptysis and neoplastic airway obstruction.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Bronchoscopy unit of a university hospital.