Decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels in coronary artery aneurysmatic patients.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of arterial aneurysms through increased proteolysis of extracellular matrix proteins. Increased proteolysis due to elevated matrix degrading enzyme activity in the arterial wall may act as a susceptibility factor for the development of coronary aneurysms. Plasmin strongly stimulates pro-MMP enzyme conversion to the active form.

The effect of atorvastatin on platelet function in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Lipid-lowering therapy was shown to have several beneficial effects in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of atorvastatin on platelet aggregation in patients with CAD.

Methods: Twenty-five hypercholesterolaemic patients who had angiographically proven CAD and 16 normal subjects were enrolled.

Atorvastatin treatment decreases inflammatory and proteolytic activity in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Statins have anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet effects, which are known as non-lipid effects. Statin treatment can decrease endogenous inflammatory response.

Aim: To study the effects of atorvastatin on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) - markers of the proteinolytic and inflammatory activity.

Transbrachial coil occlusion of the large branch of an internal mammary artery coronary graft.

Percutaneous transbrachial insertion of two complex coils into the intercostal branch of the left internal mammary artery resulted in the relief of severe angina in a 45-year-old man who had coronary artery bypass surgery 2 years before. The diagnosis of coronary artery steal was made clinically. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing coronary steal in patients who redevelop angina after coronary artery surgery with the use of an incompletely prepared left internal mammary artery as a conduit.

Decreased soluble cell adhesion molecules after tirofiban infusion in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

AIM: The inflammatory response, initiated by neutrophil and monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells, is important in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes. Platelets play an important role in inflammatory process by interacting with monocytes and neutrophils. In this study, we investigated the effect of tirofiban on the levels of cell adhesion molecules (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, sICAM-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, sVCAM-1) in patients with unstable angina pectoris (AP).

Antibacterial activity of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in infected root canal: in vivo study.

In this study, the antibacterial activity of the different antibacterial solutions using as root canal irrigant was compared in the teeth with pulpal necrosis and with periapical pathosis. Thirty root canals of incisors and premolars of 20 patients were used. Before and after the root canal preparation, two canal samples were obtained by a harvesting method using a sterile paper point in the first appointment.

Olanzapine treatment of eight adolescent patients with psychosis.

Although olanzapine is known as a widely used atypical antipsychotic there have been very few studies about its use in children and adolescents. Eight adolescent patients who were diagnosed as having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and treated with olanzapine are reported in this case series. The patients were followed-up for 17.

Reduced short-term obsessive-compulsive symptoms in schizophrenic patients treated with risperidone: a single-blind prospective study.

Background: Risperidone is a widely used agent as first-line treatment in schizophrenia with a favorable side-effect profile. However, a number of case reports have suggested an increase in obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients treated with risperidone.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of risperidone on obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Effect of tirofiban on C-reactive protein in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a prototypic marker of inflammation. The effect of tirofiban on CRP levels in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was investigated.

Methods: The present study was prospective and randomized.

Left ventricular hypertrophy and endothelial functions in patients with essential hypertension.

Objective: In this study, we used a non-invasive method in patients with essential hypertension and without any overt clinical evidence of atherosclerosis to investigate the role of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in endothelial functions.

Methods: We assessed endothelial function in 32 hypertensive patients with LVH (group 1), 28 hypertensive patients without LVH (group 2) and 29 normotensive subjects (control group). Flow-mediated (endothelium-dependent) and nitrate induced (endothelium-independent) dilatation of the brachial artery was evaluated in all groups.

Femoral signal intensity: a new method for prediction of embolic risk.

Mitral stenotic patients with left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LA SEC) are associated with high risk of thromboembolism. The aim of this study was to predict thromboembolic risk in mitral stenotic patients. Femoral artery signal intensity alteration (%) was compared among the groups.

Six hour ambulation after elective coronary angioplasty and stenting with 7F guiding catheters ald low dose heparin.

Background: Early ambulation after coronary angioplasty may reduce in-hospital stay and add to the patient's comfort. This approach, however, may increase the risk of insertion site related complications, such as arterial bleeding, haematoma, pseudoaneurysm, and the need for surgical repair.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of ambulation of patients six hours after elective coronary angioplasty or stenting, or both.

Elevated serum CA 125 levels in mitral stenotic patients with heart failure.

Background: Elevated tumor marker levels have been reported in heart failure patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and enlargement. The levels of several tumor markers, including CA 125, CA 19-9, CA 15-3 and CEA, in rheumatic mitral stenotic patients were compared to the control group.

Materials And Methods: Tumor markers were measured in 60 mitral stenotic patients and in 30 normal subjects who served as the control group.

Olanzapine treatment of an adolescent girl with anorexia nervosa.

This case report presents a severe case of anorexia nervosa in a 15-year-old female adolescent. The patient suffered from extreme weight loss and agitation that required hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit. The initial treatment consisted of fluoxetine management.

Childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and alcohol dependence: a 1-year follow-up.

Aims: To investigate the onset and outcome of alcohol dependence in subjects with childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a Turkish sample.

Methods: Among patients being treated for alcohol dependence, 15 had a history of childhood ADHD [ADHD (+)] and 45 did not [ADHD (-)]. ADHD history was assessed according to DSM-IV criteria by a child and adolescent psychiatrist who interviewed the subjects and their close relatives.

Transient ischemic attack with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A 66-year-old Turkish male patient admitted to our emergency department with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is described. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and an ECG sinus rhythm. Transesophageal echocardiography detected severe spontaneous echocontrast (SEC) in the left atrial (LA) cavity with apical hypertrophy.

Associated features of conversion disorder in Turkish adolescents.

Background: Conversion disorder in adolescents has not been studied extensively. A limited number of studies have focused on the features related to conversion disorder in adolescents. However, most of these studies used either retrospective data or did not have a control group that would allow comparison with the index cases.