Genotyping of mumps virus circulating in Turkey in the 2006-2007 winter season.

In the winter of 2006-2007, several parotitis cases were reported in different provinces of Turkey. Serological and virological studies were undertaken to investigate these cases with the aim of determining the genotype of the mumps virus (MuV) circulating in Turkey. Samples from 23 cases-Ankara (n:5), Kirklareli (n:4), Mugla (n:10), Isparta (n:3), Trabzon (n:1)-with a diagnosis of clinical parotitis were investigated.

Management of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in Turkey.

Objective: Non-small cell lung cancer is a disease that affects the elderly. However, most patients older than 70 years are less likely to receive standard therapy than their younger counterparts and the aim of the present study was to determine age-dependent variation in efficacy.

Subjects And Methods: Between 2004-2008, 40 consecutive patients older than 70 years received treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

African dust-laden atmospheric conditions activate the trigeminovascular system.

It has been recently noticed that dust originating from deserts can be transported to other continents by the atmosphere and has an adverse effect on public health, such as increased asthma attacks. Dust originating from the Saharan Desert could initiate a series of reactions upon contact with cloud water and results in the formation of reduced iron (Fe(2+)), oxalate and various basic amino acids. We aimed to evaluate whether the simulation of Saharan dust-containing atmospheric conditions could trigger the trigeminovascular system.

Prognostic significance of the C-erbB-2 expression in turkish non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Background: The prognostic value of c-erbB-2 expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. The prevalence of c-erbB-2 expression in NSCLC and relation to disease prognosis were therefore investigated.

Methods: Eighty-nine patients with NSCLC diagnosed at Baskent University, Adana Hospital, Medical Oncology Department, between 2000-2005 were investigated.

The effect of HER2 expression on cisplatin-based chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Introduction: The prognostic value of HER2 expression in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer remains controversial. The relationship between HER2 expression, and platinum resistance and patient survival, was investigated.

Methods: Seventy-three consecutive patients (median age, 61 years) with stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer, admitted between February 2004 and December 2006, were included in this study.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae and human papilloma virus among women-at risk in the Aegian region of Turkey, and their knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS among Turkish brothel based sex-workers (SWs).

Subjects And Methods: A pre-designed questionnaire was administered to 199 SWs to obtain their sexual behaviours and their level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The specimens collected for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and human papillomavirus (HPV) were tested using Gen-Probe PACE 2 and HPV-screening assays, respectively.

[Reflex sympathetic dystrophy secondary to piriformis syndrome: a case report].

Piriformis syndrome is a rare cause of hip and foot pain which may be due to sciatic nerve irritation because of anatomic abnormalities of sciatic nerve and piriformis muscle or herniated disc, facet syndrome, trochanteric bursit, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, endometriosis and other conditions where sciatic nerve is irritated. There has been no reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) case presented due to piriformis syndrome before. A sixty-two-year-old female patient had right foot and hip pain (VNS: 8), redness and swelling in the foot since 15 days.

Direct CT venography for evaluation of the lower extremity venous anomalies of Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome.

Objective: Our aim was to describe the technique of direct CT venography and to describe various forms of venous anomalies detected with CT venography in patients with Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome.

Conclusion: MDCT is helpful for visualizing the full length of extremities and for evaluating length and thickness on one image.

Surgical approach to the management of cardiovascular echinococcosis.

Objective: Echinococcosis is a serious health problem in some regions of the world. Although cardiovascular hydatid cyst is rare, its early diagnosis and surgical management is important.

Methods: We reviewed 10 patients with cardiovascular hydatid cyst who underwent surgery in our department between January 1982 and 2007.

Timing of induction of cardiomyocyte differentiation for in vitro cultured mesenchymal stem cells: a perspective for emergencies.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, myocytes, and cardiomyocytes. Several established methods are presently available for in vitro isolation of MSCs from bone marrow. However, the duration necessary to culture them can be a major handicap to cell-based therapies needed for such urgent cardiovascular conditions as acute myocardial infarction and acute hindlimb ischemia.

[Typing of Shigella sonnei strains isolated in some provinces of Turkey using antimicrobial resistance and pulsed field gel electrophoresis methods].

Shigella species may lead to large epidemics owing to their low infective doses and frequent transmission from person to person with high secondary attack rates. Shigella sonnei is one of the most prevalent causative agent of infectious gastroenteritis in developing and developed countries and it is the most frequently reported Shigella serotype from Turkey in recent years. The aim of this study was to determine the types of S.

Prevalence of rubella and cytomegalovirus antibodies among pregnant women in northern Turkey.

Primary infections caused by rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV) can lead to serious complications in pregnancy. Rubella and CMV screening of pregnant women is not routinely carried out in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of rubella and cytomegalovirus among pregnant women.

Impact of hemostatic gene single point mutations in patients with non-diabetic coronary artery disease.

Single point mutations in the genes coding for hemostatic factors were shown to be major inherited predisposing factors for venous thromboembolism. However, their contribution in the development of non-diabetic coronary artery disease [nDCAD] remains controversial. Angiographically demonstrated nDCAD patients (n = 86) and healthy controls (n = 90) were included in the study.

Failing heart; remodel, replace or repair?

In the era of proton-antiproton collisions, stem cell field has emerged as the newly recognized protons of regenerative medicine. Great interest and enthusiasm were depending on their behavioral difference such as self-renewal, clonogenicity and differentiation into functional progeny that may become vehicles for regenerative medicine. Although progress has evolved dramatically strategies using stem-cell-driven cardiac regeneration involve extremely complex and dynamic molecular mechanisms.

Adding intrathecal morphine to unilateral spinal anesthesia results in better pain relief following knee arthroscopy.

Purpose: Intrathecal morphine is administered to provide profound and prolonged analgesia, and to treat acute postoperative pain. We compared the effectiveness of hyperbaric bupivacaine alone and in combination with morphine for unilateral spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.

Methods: Sixty patients were randomly allocated to two groups to receive either 1.

Association of serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region and variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene in lichen simplex chronicus patients with psychiatric status.

Background: The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and a responsible mediator for the itch. Dysregulation of serotonergic pathways has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many complex neuropsychiatric diseases.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lichen simplex chronicus and dysfunction and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene polymorphism.

The effect of high dose melatonin on cardiac ischemia- reperfusion Injury.

Purpose: Melatonin, the most potent scavenger of toxic free radicals, has been found to be effective in protecting against pathological states due to the release of reactive oxygen species. This study was performed to establish the effect of high dose melatonin on protection against ischemia- reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat hearts.

Materials And Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study.

A case of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome involving only upper limbs.

The case of a 14-year-old girl suffering from Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome associated with multiple port-wine stain type vascular anomalies and varicose veins involving upper limbs is described. Finger deformations are common in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. In our patient, striking hypertrophy of soft tissues and overgrowth of bones were observed on both forearms and finger deformations were observed particularly on right thumb and index finger.

[Common viral etiologies of community acquired lower respiratory tract infections in young children and their relationship with long term complications].

Viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and their late complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality in childhood. The aims of this study were the detection of viral agents that cause community-acquired LRTIs in young children and investigation of the relationship between viral etiology and bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) which is one of the late complications of LRTIs. A total of 151 children (86 male, 65 female; mean age: 2.

[Investigation of herpes simplex virus in viral meningoencephalitis suspected cases using molecular and serological methods].

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) meningoencephalitis has a high mortality rate if proper antiviral therapy is not applied. Thus rapid diagnosis is of peculiar importance in such cases. In this study we aimed to evaluate the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detection of intrathecally synthesized antibodies by serological methods in viral meningoencephalitis suspected cases to determine HSV as the causative agent.

Gemcitabine and cisplatin treatment of advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer in patients given cisplatin on day 8.

Aims And Background: Gemcitabine and cisplatin treatment were administered to patients with advanced-stage, non-small-cell lung cancer. During phase II studies, the treatment is performed using a 28-day cycle, with gemcitabine administered on days 1, 8, and 15. Although it is advised that cisplatin not be administered on the first day, gemcitabine and cisplatin treatment is usually performed using a 21-day cycle, with gemcitabine administered on days 1 and 8, and cisplatin is given on the first day in most phase III studies.

Percutaneous pulsed radiofrequency reduces mechanical allodynia in a neuropathic pain model.

Background: Neuropathic pain is a result of a primary lesion or dysfunction of the peripheral or central nervous system, and its treatment is challenging. Animal models have been helpful in understanding mechanisms of neuropathic pain and in developing new treatment strategies. In this study, we examined the effect of percutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), which is a minimally invasive pain treatment method, on mechanical allodynia in a neuropathic pain rat model.

Lack of influence of cyclooxygenese-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinomas on patient survival.

Recent studies suggest that cyclooxygenese-2 (COX-2) enzyme activation may play a role in hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the clinical significance of COX-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains obscure. This study evaluated COX-2 expression in hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus related HCC and in HCC patients with an unknown etiology.

The risk of hepatotoxicity during long-term and low-dose flutamide treatment in hirsutism.

Objective: Flutamide is an effective drug in treatment of hirsutism. Hepatotoxicity occasionally may occur with therapeutic doses (750-1500 mg/day), 3 months after initiation of treatment. Monitoring of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels is recommended to obviate serious hepatotoxicity.

Do we need bispectral index monitoring during total intravenous anesthesia for lumbar discectomies?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring on hemodynamic parameters, drug consumption and awareness during total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with remifentanil and propofol in lumbar discectomies. After institutional ethical committee approval, ASAI-II 56 patients were divided as control and BIS groups. Anesthesia was induced by bolus remifentanil 1 mug/kg in both groups; propofol 2 mg/kg in was used in the control group while propofol was titrated to BIS 45- 65 values in the BIS group.