Psychological status of patients with chronic urticaria.

Although chronic urticaria is the most common cutaneous disorder seen in our outpatient allergy clinics, to our knowledge, no study of psychiatric morbidity in allergy departments has been carried out in our country. For the present study, we used the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to evaluate the personality traits and psychological status of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Fifty-nine outpatients with CIU and 59 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study.

Ischemic preconditioning improves liver regeneration by sustaining energy metabolism after partial hepatectomy under ischemia in rats.

Background: The protective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been reported on improvement of survival, reduction of liver necrosis and enhancement of the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy. This study was undertaken to confirm that IPC has a significant impact on regeneration of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy in ischemically damaged liver. In addition, we sought to examine the role of adenine nucleotides in this process.

Does the combination of inhaled steroids with long acting beta2 agonists decrease the risk for osteoporosis? A 1-year prospective follow-up study.

Combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with long acting beta2 agonists has been used increasingly in the treatment of moderate-severe asthma, however there is indefinitive data about their effect on bone loss. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of treatment with single ICS and combination of ICS with long acting beta2 agonists (combination therapy) on BMD and biomarkers of bone metabolism in adult patients with asthma over 1 year period. Forty-three patients with asthma were enrolled.

Rush hymenoptera venom immunotherapy is efficacious and safe.

Background: Although rapid venom immunotherapy (VIT) protocols have been shown to be safe and effective, this issue has not yet been clarified in Turkey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the side effects of rush VIT as well as early clinical and immunological responses in patients with a venom allergy.

Methods: Eighteen patients who had a history of severe systemic reactions after Hymenoptera sting were included in the study.

Surgical management of infants with isolated supravalvular pulmonary stenosis: case reports.

Pulmonary stenosis (PS) can be seen from the right ventricular outflow tract to the peripheral pulmonary arteries. Most frequently, the obstruction occurs at the level of the pulmonary valve; however, it occurs less frequently at the infindibular level within the trabecular component of the right ventricle or within the pulmonary arterial pathways. Lesions at any of these levels can occur as part of more congenital cardiac malformations such as tetralogy of Fallot, complete transposition of great arteries, or atrial septal defect.

Delayed energy protection of ischemic preconditioning on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

Background: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injuries associated with hepatic resections are unresolved problems in the clinical practice. The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on the energy charge (EC) and related mechanisms at the late phase of hepatic IR injury.

Methods: 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, IR and IPC groups.

Effects of soluble fiber on matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity and healing of colon anastomosis in rats given radiotherapy.

Background And Aims: Soluble fiber is fermented by colonic microflora yielding short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colon. We aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of soluble fiber on healing of anastomosis and matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in radiotherapy received colonic anastomosis.

Method: Eighty-four Wistar rats were divided into six groups.

Rofecoxib, as a safe alternative for acetyl salicylic acid/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-intolerant patients.

Background: Intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a crucial problem in medical practice. There is therefore a need for safer NSAIDs in analgesic-intolerant patients.

Objective: To assess the safety of rofecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, in ASA/NSAID-intolerant patients.

Comparing the clinical, histopathological and myoepithelial features of estrogen receptor positive and negative mammary carcinomas.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between hormone-receptor status and histological parameters, considering that some estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast carcinoma are suggested to be of myoepithelial origin or differentiation; and to examine the presence of significant difference by myoepithelial markers and define their morphologies.

Methods: For this research, 30 estrogen receptor-negative and 31 estrogen receptor-positive breast carcinomas diagnosed at the Pathology Department, Istanbul Training and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, between February 2003 and October 2004 were considered and compared clinically, microscopically and immunohistochemically considering myoepithelial markers using SMA, S100, keratin14.

Results: We found a higher amount of grade 3 frequency pushing margins, solid islets, and presence of central necrosis in the estrogen receptor-negative group than in the positive group (p<0.

Adiponectin levels and arteriosclerotic risk factors in pediatric renal transplant recipients.

ADPN, a recently discovered adipocytokine, has attracted great attention because of its anti-atherogenic properties. It was suggested as a protective factor for the cardiovascular system because of its close correlation with several risk factors. Our aim was to investigate serum ADPN levels in pediatric RTR and to document possible relationships between ADPN and arteriosclerotic risk factors.

Allergy to drugs: is there an association with mental ill-health?

Objectives. Hypersensitivity reactions to drugs are not infrequent. A certain of anxiety, aggression or depression should be expected in patients with drug allergies, as they could experience symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening reactions following consumption of drug.

Plasmacytoid myoepithelioma of the soft palate: a review of the literature and report of a case with immunohistochemical findings.

Myoepitheliomas of salivary glands are rare neoplasms, accounting for less than 1% of all salivary gland tumors. They are classified into four cell types: epithelioid, spindle, clear, and plasmacytoid. Among them, the plasmacytoid cell type appears to have a predilection for the oral cavity, especially the palate.

Protective effect of leptin against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat small intestine.

Background: The small intestine is extremely sensitive to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and a range of microcirculatory disturbances which contribute to tissue damage. Previous studies have shown that leptin plays an important physiological role in the microvasculature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of leptin in I/R--induced mucosal injury in the small intestine.

An association between inflammatory state and left ventricular hypertrophy in hemodialysis patients.

This study was performed to investigate the potential relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and proinflammatory cytokines in hemodialysis (HD) patients and the effect of HD on cytokine production. Serum interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) measurements and echocardiographic studies were performed in 35 stable HD patients. A variety of probable risk factors for LVH including age, HD duration, blood pressure (BP), body mass index, lipid profile, hemoglobin, albumin, parathormone and homocysteine levels were also investigated.

Relationship between sleep complaints and proinflammatory cytokines in haemodialysis patients.

Background: Sleep complaints are common in end-stage renal disease. We aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep-related complaints and inflammatory cytokines in haemodialysis (HD) patients, and also the effects of HD on sleep patterns and cytokine levels.

Methods: Predialysis serum interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in nine patients with sleep complaints were compared with those of nine patients without sleep complaints and nine healthy controls.

Epidural air entrapment after spinal surgery.

A case which had developed neurological complication because of compression due to air trapping in the epidural space after spinal surgery is presented with its clinical and radiological findings. Nitrous oxide can easily diffuse into the air-filled spaces in the body from the bloodstream and also increases the pressure of the air in the closed spaces. After the L4-5 discectomy procedure, weakness in dorsal flexion was occurred on the contra lateral leg.

Adiponectin levels and atherosclerotic risk factors in pediatric chronic peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Atherosclerotic vascular diseases are the major cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD), even in children. Adiponectin (ADPN) is a recently discovered adipocyte-derived plasma protein having anti-atherogenic properties. ADPN levels are elevated in ESRD but it has been reported that ESRD patients with low plasma ADPN levels have a high risk of cardiovascular death.

Levels of lipoprotein and homocysteine in non-obese and obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Aim: This study was designed to examine the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy), lipoprotein levels and insulin resistance in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Materials And Methods: Eighty-five patients (38 obese, 47 non-obese) with PCOS and 50 healthy subjects (25 obese, 25 non-obese) were included in the study. PCOS was defined according to the Homburg criterion.

Association between neopterin and carotid intima-media thickness in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Atherosclerotic lesions are heavily infiltrated by macrophages. Neopterin can be used as a marker of the activity of macrophages. Serum neopterin levels were elevated in non-renal patients with atherosclerosis.

Tolerability of selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, celecoxib, in patients with analgesic intolerance.

Intolerance reactions to acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common and caused by inhibition of COX-1 enzyme. Therefore, drugs that selectively inhibit COX-2 enzyme may be safe in these subjects. In this study, we evaluated the tolerability of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, in patients with analgesic intolerance.

Effects of ischemic preconditioning on regenerative capacity of hepatocyte in the ischemically damaged rat livers.

Background: Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is regulated by several factors that activate or inhibit hepatocyte proliferation. A short period of ischemia-reperfusion (IR), called ischemic preconditioning (IPC), protects the liver against subsequent sustained ischemic insults. The present study investigated the effects of IPC on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy under IR in rats.

Preoperative evaluation of renal anatomy and renal masses with helical CT, 3D-CT and 3D-CT angiography.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the efficacy of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) and three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) that were reconstructed by using the axial images of the multiphasic helical CT in the preoperative evaluation of renal masses and demonstration of renal anatomy.

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients that were suspected of having renal masses upon initial physical examination and ultrasonographic evaluation were examined through multiphasic helical CT. Two authors executed CT evaluations.

Surgical management of infants with congenital lobar emphysema and concomitant congenital heart disease.

Objective: Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is an uncommon cause of infantile respiratory distress. It is diagnosed on the basis of evidence of lobar overaeration, mediastinal shift, and compression of the adjacent lobe. Concomitant congenital heart disease (CHD) and CLE is not uncommon.

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the kidney.

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma is a recently recognized variant of angiomyolipoma, which is characterized by the presence of polygonal cells with densely eosinophilic cytoplasm and varying degrees of nuclear atypia. Only a relatively small number of cases of epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the kidney have been reported in the literature. We report a case of epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the kidney that occurred in a 38-year-old woman.

[N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-kappa3N,N',O]-cis-bis(isothiocyanato-kappaN)copper(II).

In the novel transition metal isothiocyanate complex of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (hydet-en) with copper, [Cu(NCS)2(C4H12N2O)], the Cu atom lies in a distorted square-pyramidal environment, coordinated by four N atoms in the basal plane and an apical O atom. The hydet-en ligand is N,N,O-tridentate, in contrast to the disposition in previously studied complexes, while the isothiocyanate ions act as N-atom donor ligands. The monomeric units are linked to one another by hydrogen bonds.