Selectins in normal pregnancy, pre-eclampsia and missed abortus.

Selectins, are known to be increased in the serum of patients with pre-eclampsia, indicating that these molecules are possible markers of endothelial cell injury. In this study, we investigated P, E and L selectin levels in normal pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, and missed abortus. Plasma P and L selectins levels were significantly higher in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia than healthy controls; but plasma concentrations of E selectins were not different between these groups.

QTc dispersion measurement for risk of syncope in patients with aortic stenosis.

The purposes of this study are to evaluate the clinical usefulness of maximum QTc and QTc dispersion determination in aortic stenosis, and to compare the effects of maximum QTc and QTc dispersion on the risk of syncope in aortic stenosis. The QT interval dispersion has long been known to be a marker of dispersion of ventricular repolarization and, hence, electrical instability. Additionally, it has been shown that these patients have a propensity to ventricular tachyarrhythmic syncope.

Ochratoxin A in human serum samples collected in Isparta-Turkey from healthy individuals and individuals suffering from different urinary disorders.

Ochratoxin A (OA) is a nephrotoxic fungal metabolite (mycotoxin) occurring in foodstuffs. The compound is causally associated with mycotoxin porcine nephropathy, a disease comparable with a human kidney disease called endemic nephropathy. In this paper OA levels in the human serum samples collected from healthy individuals and individuals suffering from different urinary disorders in Isparta-Turkey are presented.

Cytokines, endothelium, and adhesive molecules in pathologic thrombopoiesis.

Clonal thrombocytosis (CT) associated with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) is believed to be secondary to autonomous unregulated platelet production. Secondary or reactive thrombocytosis (RT) can be observed in a number of clinical circumstances and may be related to persistent production of some thrombopoietic factors acting on megakaryocytes (MK). The goal of this study is to assess the serum concentrations of these cytokines in control subjects and patients with MPD associated with thrombocythemia, RT, and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP).

Acupuncture therapy in the management of persistent primary nocturnal enuresis--preliminary results.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the comparative therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese acupuncture.

Material And Methods: During the period from January 1997 to April 1999, 50 children (23 boys, 17 girls) suffering from primary persistent nocturnal enuresis, aged 9-18 years, were included in the study. The response rate was monitored at 2 and 4 weeks, and then every 3 months by recording dry nights on a calendar.

Cardiac and great vessel thrombosis in Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic relapsing systemic vasculitis in which orogenital ulceration is a prominent feature. The disease affects many systems and causes hypercoagulability. We present a 27-year-old male patient who exhibited widespread great vessel thrombosis including right atrial and ventricular thrombi in the setting of right-sided infectious endocarditis and orogenital aphthous ulcerations and erythema nodosum due to BD.

Effect of ultrasound in the treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of ultrasound therapy in patients with primary nocturnal enuresis.

Material And Methods: Thirty-five patients with enuresis were included the study. Patients were divided into two groups: 27 patients with enuresis were treated with ultrasound with irradiation and heating, and eight patients with enuresis were treated with ultrasound without irradiation or heating (placebo group).

Role of activated protein C resistance in left atrial thrombogenesis in patients with mitral stenosis.

Activated protein C resistance (APC-R) is the most common inherited cause of clinically apparent venous thromboembolism. Previous data indicate that left atrial thrombus (LAT) formation is a common complication in mitral stenosis (MS) and a hypercoagulable state exists in these patients. The aim of this study was to invastigate the association between APC-R and LAT formation in patients with MS.

Free insulin-like growth factor-1 and unilateral complete ureteral obstruction in the rat.

Objectives: To determine the effect of unilateral ureteral obstruction on renal free insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) content in the kidneys and the possible role of free IGF-1 in compensatory growth in the nonobstructed kidney in an experimental model.

Methods: The content of free IGF-1 and total protein in the obstructed and nonobstructed kidneys were measured 7 days after unilateral ureteral obstruction. The weights of the kidneys were also determined.

[Prevalence of benign hypertrophy of the prostate in Turkish men hospitalized in urology].

Objectives: The prevalence of clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is known in Western European countries and in North America, but epidemiological data are lacking for Eastern European and Balkan countries. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of BPH in this region.

Methods: We analysed the data obtained on patients with BPH reported by urologists from 48 hospitals in Turkey, in 1996.

Treating electrical storm : sympathetic blockade versus advanced cardiac life support-guided therapy.

Background: Electrical storm (ES), defined as recurrent multiple ventricular fibrillation (VF) episodes, often occurs in patients with recent myocardial infarction. Because treating ES according to the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines yields a poor outcome, we evaluated the efficacy of sympathetic blockade in treating ES patients and compared their outcome with that of patients treated according to the ACLS guidelines.

Methods And Results: Forty-nine patients (36 men, 13 women, mean age 57+/-10 years) who had ES associated with a recent myocardial infarction were separated into 2 groups.

Complications associated with percutaneous placement of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation: can unsheathed insertion reduce limb ischaemia?

Complications related to percutaneous placement of intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation are still high despite major refinements in catheter design and techniques. One hundred and forty-eight patients in whom intra-aortic balloon pumping was inserted were classified into two groups on the basis of the insertion technique. Group I included 103 patients in whom the conventional percutaneous insertion was used.

Three-dimensional computed tomography in evaluation of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint.

Ankylosis is an uncommon disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the effective treatment of which requires detailed preoperative evaluation of the type and extent of the deformity. As well as lateral radiographs and computed tomography (CT), three-dimensional CT has been introduced to improve the preoperative evaluation. We present six patients with ankylosis of the TMJ who were evaluated by three-dimensional CT before and after condylectomy.

Thoracic involvement in Behçet's disease and its correlation with multiple parameters.

In Behçet's disease (BD), controversy has existed over the incidence of thoracic involvement, which may be a direct threat to the patient's life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of thoracic involvement in BD and its correlation with the number of diagnostic BD criteria of The International Study Group (ISG), gender, disease duration, and the presence of symptoms. Forty-two BD patients, who had consecutively applied to different clinics in Turgut Ozal Medical Center Research Hospital, were included in the study.

Nonfluoroscopic three-dimensional mapping for arrhythmia ablation: tool or toy?

Introduction: Conventional mapping and ablation rely on fluoroscopy, which can result in imprecise positioning of the ablation catheter and long fluoroscopic exposure times. We evaluated a nonfluoroscopic three-dimensional mapping system, termed CARTO, and compared the results of ablation using this technique with those of conventional mapping.

Methods And Results: We compared the results of 88 arrhythmia ablations (79 patients) using CARTO with 100 ablations (94 patients) using the conventional technique.

The structure of malaria pigment beta-haematin.

Despite the worldwide public health impact of malaria, neither the mechanism by which the Plasmodium parasite detoxifies and sequesters haem, nor the action of current antimalarial drugs is well understood. The haem groups released from the digestion of the haemoglobin of infected red blood cells are aggregated into an insoluble material called haemozoin or malaria pigment. Synthetic beta-haematin (FeIII-protoporphyrin-IX)2 is chemically, spectroscopically and crystallographically identical to haemozoin and is believed to consist of strands of FeIII-porphyrin units, linked into a polymer by propionate oxygen-iron bonds.

Can flow cytometry detect successful ticlopidine treatment in patients with VVI pacemakers?

An increased platelet activation status is present in patients with VVI pacemakers. With platelet activation, there is modulation of platelet surface molecule expression. In the current study, the expression of platelet surface markers in VVI patients before and after ticlopidine treatment and control subjects was investigated by means of flow cytometry.

Effect of varicocelectomy on seminal plasma transferrin values: a comparative clinical trial.

The possible effects of varicocele and of the varicocelectomy procedure on Sertoli cell function were investigated. Transferrin concentrations in seminal plasma in men with varicocele before and 3 months after the operation were evaluated. Concentrations were measured in 10 normozoospermic fertile men as a control group and 32 oligozoospermic men with varicocele.

Effects of interferon-alpha2a treatment on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha2 receptor, interleukin-2, interleukin-2 receptor, and E-selectin in Behçet's disease.

This study was performed to investigate serum levels of various cytokines and E-selectin in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) before and after treatment with interferon-alpha2a (IFN-alpha). The study population consisted of 22 patients with active BD; 15 age- and sex-matched healthy adults served as the control group. IFN-alpha (3 million units subcutaneously) was given to all patients twice a week for 3 months.

Effect of vibration massage therapy after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in patients with lower caliceal stones.

Purpose: To determine whether vibration massage influences the results of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in patients with lower caliceal stones.

Patients And Methods: One hundred three patients with lower caliceal stones were entered in the study. Patients were divided into two groups that received either SWL alone (Group A, N = 52) or with vibration massage (Group B, N = 51).

Penile necrosis: an unexpected complication following transurethral resection of the prostate.

A 69-year-old man who had undergone a transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia developed necrosis of the glans penis following traction of the urethral catheter

Selectin adhesion molecules in Behçet's disease.

Objectives: The pathogenesis of Behçet's disease (BD) is closely related to endothelial cells, leucocyte functions and autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to investigate circulating selectin adhesion molecules, which are known to play a significant part in the immune response especially by regulating interactions of the leucocytes with endothelium, in BD.

Methods: Plasma E-, L-, and P-selectin concentrations were evaluated in 11 patients with widespread BD (group I), 10 cases with merely mucocutaneous involvement (group II) and 15 age and sex matched healthy control subjects.

Activity of factor VIIa and von Willebrand factor in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects with coronary artery disease.

Atherosclerosis is more extensive and occurs earlier in diabetics compared with the general population. The pathophysiology of atherosclerosis is not fully established. We compared the activity of two blood clotting agents, activated factor VII (VIIa) and von Willebrand factor (vWF), in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with coronary artery disease.