Dynamic upper airway soft-tissue and caliber changes in healthy subjects and snoring patients.

Background And Purpose: The oropharyngeal airways are smaller in those who snore than in those who do not. We sought to determine which soft-tissue component surrounding the airways contributes to upper airway narrowing in those who snore.

Methods: Ten control subjects and 19 snoring patients underwent CT, with 2-mm-thick axial sections obtained every 0.

Prefabrication of bone by vascular induction: an experimental study in rabbits.

The various methods of prefabricating flaps include vascular induction through staged transfer; pretransfer delay, expansion, and grafting; the use of alloplastic materials; and tissue bioengineering. In this experimental study, vascular induction was used to provide an axial vascular pedicle to randomly nourished tissue. Twenty-six New Zealand rabbits, ages and weights ranging between 6 months-1 year and 1.

N-acetylcysteine enhances multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 mediated doxorubicin resistance.

Background: Resistance of cancer cells against anticancer agents is caused partly by multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1). The exact mechanism of MRP1-involved multidrug resistance has not yet been clarified, although glutathione (GSH) is likely to have a role for the resistance to occur. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a pro-glutathione drug.

High-dose thiotepa, melphalan and carboplatin (TMCb) followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients with lymphoma -- a retrospective evaluation.

The purpose of this evaluation was to investigate the efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy with thiotepa, melphalan, and carboplatin (TMCb), and of autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) infusion in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or Hodgkin's disease (HD). A total of 42 patients, 23 with intermediate-grade NHL and 19 with HD, received thiotepa (500 mg/m2), melphalan (100 mg/m2), and carboplatin (1050-1350 mg/m2) followed by autologous PBSC infusion. Of 21 patients with more advanced disease, four had primary refractory disease, one was in complete remission (CR)-2, 11 were in first refractory relapse, and five were beyond first relapse.

[Successful results with the use of a new reconstruction material for soft tissue defects of the lower extremity: neurocutaneous flaps].

Background: We evaluated the use of distally based neurocutaneous flaps in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the lower extremity caused by trauma or other reasons.

Methods: Sixty-six patients (49 males, 17 females; mean age 42 years; range 16 to 75 years) underwent reconstruction of lower extremity soft tissue defects with the use of neurocutaneous flaps. The defects were in the external (n=11) and internal malleolus (n=10), Achilles tendon (n=6), heel (n=11), foot (n=7), distal (n=9) and middle (n=7) third of the anterior tibia, the mid-plantar region (n=3), and the popliteal region (n=2).

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and fasting serum insulin correlate with clinical outcome in metastatic breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

Introduction: To assess the relationship of various growth factors and cytokines with the clinical outcome in metastatic breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: Consecutive, metastatic breast cancer patients with measurable disease and receiving palliative chemotherapy were prospectively evaluated for the predictors of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OAS) in relation to serum insulin, insulin resistance, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

Results: Estrogen receptor (ER) status, serum IL-6 and serum TNF- were the independent determinants of PFS, with RR=0.

Does the oropharyngeal fat tissue influence the oropharyngeal airway in snorers? Dynamic CT study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if snorers have a narrower oropharyngeal airway area because of fat infiltration, and an elevated body mass index.

Materials And Methods: Ten control subjects and 19 patients that snored were evaluated. We obtained 2-mm-thick axial CT scan images every 0.

How we derived a core curriculum: from institutional to national--Ankara University experience.

As the first phase of a major curricular change in a large medical school the core curriculum had to be determined. The criteria for the inclusion of topics in the core curriculum were defined for both clinical and basic sciences. A large group of faculty members have worked in 11 sub-groups to determine the core knowledge, skills and attitudes for undergraduate medical students.

Silicone gel sheet dressing for sclerodermatous type chronic graftversus- host-disease (cGVHD).

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by endothelial cell injury, fibroblast activation and immunological aberrations. Generalized form of the disease involves skin and other organs. Progressive sclerodermatous type cGVHD is the difficult type to treat.

Extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy for the treatment of steroid refractory progressive chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Background: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) can arise frequently as a late complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Patients with extensive disease to date require intensive and long-term immuno-suppression. We aimed to share our single center experience using extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy (ECP) in our steroid refractory extensive cGVHD patients.

SNP allele frequency estimation in DNA pools and variance components analysis.

The estimation of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allele frequency in pooled DNA samples has been proposed as a cost-effective approach to whole genome association studies. However, the key issue is the allele frequency window in which a genotyping method operates and provides a statistically reliable answer. We assessed the homogeneous mass extend assay and estimated the variance associated with each experimental stage.

Mycobacterial infection: a difficult and late diagnosis in stem cell transplant recipients.

The Infectious Diseases Working Party of the European Blood and Marrow Transplant Group conducted a survey to obtain information about the frequency, presentation, and treatment of mycobacterial infection (MBI) in stem cell transplant (SCT) recipients. Among 29 centers, MBI was diagnosed in 0.79% of 1513 allogeneic and 0.

Ice application to minimize pain in the split-thickness skin graft donor site.

Reconstruction of tissue defects with skin grafts is one of the most used processes in soft tissue defects. While any part of the body can be used as a donor site of split-thickness skin grafts, the posterolateral thigh is the most used one. Pain in the graft donor site may be the primary concern of patients in the postoperative period.

Using silicone gel sheet for the treatment of facial telangiectasias with sclerotherapy.

Background: Telangiectasias are superficial cutaneous vessels that are visible to human eye and are present as a dilated venule, capillary, or arteriole. They are a common cause of concern, especially when located in face. Sclerotherapy is among the treatment alternatives, but facial telangiectasias are less responsive than those located on the leg.

Lamivudine prophylaxis for prevention of chemotherapy-induced hepatitis B virus reactivation in hepatitis B virus carriers with malignancies.

Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in HBV carriers undergoing immunosuppressive therapy is clearly documented, the role of antiviral prophylaxis in such individuals is still controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of lamivudine prophylaxis in HBV carriers with haemato/oncological malignancies, who receive chemotherapy. Eighteen HBV carriers with malignancy, who were candidates for chemotherapy, were enrolled.

[The management of size discrepancies in microvascular anastomoses].

Objectives: Microvascular anastomosis is the main component of flap transfer and replantation surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate size discrepancies encountered during microvascular surgery, techniques to handle the problems, and the results of anastomoses performed.

Methods: We evaluated 99 microsurgery operations (103 artery, 125 vein anastomoses) performed in 96 patients with respect to size discrepancy.

[Antibiotic resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates: data from Ibni Sina Hospital for the year 2002].

Acinetobacter spp. have a special role in nosocomial infections. They usually colonize intensive care units and cause infections.

Hepatitis B virus vaccination of recipients and donors of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination as defined by the seroconversion to hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) positivity in peripheral blood stem cell transplants.

Methods: A total of 65 recipients and their donors were enrolled in this study. Recipients were divided into four distinct groups.

Small-world communication of residues and significance for protein dynamics.

It is not merely the position of residues that is critically important for a protein's function and stability, but also their interactions. We illustrate, by using a network construction on a set of 595 nonhomologous proteins, that regular packing is preserved in short-range interactions, but short average path lengths are achieved through some long-range contacts. Thus, lying between the two extremes of regularity and randomness, residues in folded proteins are distributed according to a "small-world" topology.

Comparison of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of parotid tumors.

Objective: The role of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of parotid tumors was investigated.

Methods: Forty patients with the clinical suspicion of a parotid mass underwent both CT and MRI of the parotid region. Two radiologists independently assessed the CT and MRI results with respect to tumor localization, tumor margin characteristics, and infiltration of surrounding tissue.

[Opinion: turkish in medical communication].

Several problems associated with the use of Turkish in medical, and in particular, radiological communication are addressed in this article. Many words used in medical communication in Turkey have been adapted from European languages. Incorrect spelling and pronounciation of these words occurs quite frequently.

[Case report: Maxillary myxoma].

Maxillary myxoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor of unknown etiology. Although odontogenic myxomas are benign and nonmetastasizing tumors, they are locally invasive and have a propensity to recur if incompletely resected. We report a case of odontogenic myxoma involving the anterior part of the maxilla and discuss the role and findings of radiologic imaging.

[The effect of giving information forms about side effects of intravenous iodinated contrast material on the anxiety level of patients].

Purpose: We aimed to determine the effect of informing patients about side effects of the contrast material on the level of patients' anxiety.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred-ninety seven patients undergoing computed tomography examination were enrolled in the study. Patients were grouped in three categories: (1) patients informed about adverse effects of contrast material and waiting for i.