[The effect of levosimendan and dobutamine treatment on QT dispersion in patients with decompensated heart failure: a prospective study].

Objective: We investigated the effect of intravenous levosimendan on QT dispersion compared with intravenous dobutamine in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 38 patients who were admitted with acute decompensated heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class III-IV). Twenty-five patients (11 men, 14 women; mean age 70.

Brief report: maternal smoking during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders.

Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke is suggested as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous epidemiological studies of this topic have yielded mixed findings. We performed a case-control study of 3,958 ASD cases and 38,983 controls nested in a large register-based cohort in Sweden.

There is an increased risk of atherosclerosis in hereditary angioedema.

Background: Hereditary angioedema is associated either with a deficiency in the amount or in the function of the C1 inhibitor (C1 INH).

Objective: In this study the endothelial function of HAE patients was investigated to evaluate the impact of hereditary C1-INH deficiency on atherosclerosis, which has not yet been established before.

Methods: A total of 26 patients (14 female, 12 male.

Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. Part 23: syntheses, structural investigations, biological activities, and DNA interactions of new N/O spirocyclotriphosphazenes.

The Schiff base compounds (1 and 2) are synthesized by the condensation reactions of 2-furan-2-yl-methylamine with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy- and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-benzaldehydes and reduced with NaBH(4) to give the new N/O-donor-type ligands (3 and 4). The monospirocyclotriphosphazenes containing 1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine rings (5 and 6) are prepared from the reactions of N(3)P(3)Cl(6) with 3 and 4, respectively. The reactions of 5 and 6 with excess pyrrolidine, morpholine, and 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro [4,5] decane (DASD) produce tetrapyrrolidino (5a and 6a), morpholino (5b and 6b), and 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro [4,5] deca (5c and 6c) spirocyclotriphosphazenes.

2-Methyl-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-6-amine dihydrate.

The title benzimidazole mol-ecule, C(8)H(8)N(4)O(2)·2H(2)O, is planar with a maximum deviation of 0.079 (2) Å (for one of the O atoms in the nitro group). It crystallized as a dihydrate and inter-molecular O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the uncoordinated water mol-ecules, and the nitro and amine groups, respectively.

Elevation of B-type natriuretic peptide level in asymptomatic hepatitis B virus-positive patients is not associated with abnormalities of cardiac function.

Objectives: To compare B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and echocardiographic parameters in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and healthy control subjects.

Subjects And Methods: 52 consecutive patients with HBV and 47 healthy controls were examined. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography after a complete medical history and laboratory examination including BNP, C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP).

Macrophage migration-inhibitory factor is elevated in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: In reports, abnormal macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) production has been associated with several diseases. Furthermore, despite scarce data, increasing evidence suggest that MIF plays a central role in glucose homeostasis and in the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, serum MIF levels in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have not yet been investigated.

The Turkish Hereditary Angioedema Pilot Study (TURHAPS): the first Turkish series of hereditary angioedema.

Background: No published data presently exist concerning hereditary angioedema (HAE) in Turkey. The aim of the study was to initiate a preliminary multicentric evaluation about HAE and to determine the genetic properties of Turkish patients.

Methods: Based on records drawn from four medical centers we identified a total of 70 subjects, belonging to 60 unrelated families, fulfilling clinical and laboratory criteria for diagnosis of HAE with C1 inhibitor deficiency.

The metabolic syndrome is associated with complicated gallstone disease.

Background: Gallstone disease (GD) is a common condition worldwide. Several studies demonstrated that the presence of gallstones is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. The metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent cardiovascular condition.

Synthesis, characterization, tautomerism and theoretical study of some new Schiff base derivatives.

New Schiff base derivatives were prepared by the condensation of 5-chloro and 5-bromo salicylaldehyde with bis(o-aminophenol)ethers. Five bis(o-nitrophenol)ether compounds were synthesized using some ditosylate, 1,3-dibromopropane and 1,4-dibromobuthane with o-nitrophenol. These compounds were reduced to bis(o-aminophenol)ethers.

Testicular germ cell tumor metastatic to the right atrium.

We describe a right atrial metastasis of a testicular germ cell tumor, which was successfully removed from the tricuspid valve and subvalvular apparatus without the need for valve replacement. 

A fully implicit finite element method for bidomain models of cardiac electrophysiology.

This work introduces a novel, unconditionally stable and fully coupled finite element method for the bidomain system of equations of cardiac electrophysiology. The transmembrane potential Φ(i)-Φ(e) and the extracellular potential Φ(e) are treated as independent variables. To this end, the respective reaction-diffusion equations are recast into weak forms via a conventional isoparametric Galerkin approach.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction improves the metabolic energy cost of level walking at customary speeds.

Purpose: The metabolic energy cost of walking is altered by pathological changes in gait. It is thought that anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency alters the energy requirement for level walking through its effect on gait pattern. In this study, it is hypothesised that the metabolic energy cost of walking would improve after ACL reconstruction.

Huge mediastinal mass with minimal symptoms: thymolipoma.

A 35-year-old Indian working in Dubai had come to India for his annual vacation. He presented with a shortness of breath and mild chest discomfort of 3 months duration. Routine investigations gave normal results, except for his chest x-ray that showed homogenous opacity in the right mid and lower zones.

A novel echocardiographic marker in hypertensive patients: is diastolic dysfunction associated with atrial electromechanical abnormalities in hypertension?

Atrial arrhythmias are common problems in hypertensive patients. Atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) can be used to evaluate development of atrial arrhythmias. The authors aimed to assess inter- and intra-AEMD in hypertensive patients.

Prevalence of respiratory abnormalities and pneumoconiosis in dental laboratory technicians.

A preventable occupational disease, pneumoconiosis that is often widespread on to a very kind of quartz, carbon and metal dust exposed work place.The data for the prevalence of pneumoconiosis and respiratory findings among dental laboratory technician is insufficient. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of pneumoconiosis and respiratory findings among dental laboratory technicians, working in province of Sivas.

A new upper extremity sparing non-weight bearing orthosis.

Objectives: Axillary and forearm crutches are commonly utilized in the treatment of foot and ankle injuries. In order to decrease the energy expenditure during mobilization, to prevent upper extremity complications, and to let the upper extremity free for other usages, we designed a new orthosis. The study is conducted to compare walking energy parameters of this newly designed orthosis with the axillary and forearm crutches.

Are most sixth nerve palsies really paralytic?

Background: Etiology and date of palsy are two important parameters that affect the treatment protocol of sixth nerve palsies. This study evaluated the treatment protocols and outcomes of treatment in sixth nerve palsies.

Methods: Thirty-four patients who had sixth nerve palsy were included.

Elevation of QT dispersion after obesity drug sibutramine.

Background: QT dispersion (QTd) is an arrhythmia parameter that can be used to assess homogeneity of cardiac repolarization. An antiobesity drug sibutramine is linked with several cardiovascular adverse events, including arrhythmias. Previous studies showed that sibutramine may prolong the QT interval and may be associated with cardiac arrest.

Is psoriasis a pre-atherosclerotic disease? Increased insulin resistance and impaired endothelial function in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Several studies have shown an association between psoriasis and atherosclerotic risk factors. In this study, we aimed to evaluate endothelial function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and insulin resistance by Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Methods: We examined 75 consecutive psoriasis patients and 50 healthy controls.

Intravascular lymphoma as an unusual cause of multifocal cerebral infarctions discovered on FDG-PET/CT.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare and aggressive variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with frequent involvement of the central nervous system. Its atypical presentation often delays the diagnosis and due to its aggressive behaviour, the diagnosis is made post-mortem in half of the cases. We report a case of a 67-year-old male patient presenting with speech difficulties and balance disturbances in whom a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed multiple lesions of the white matter, denoted as embolic infarctions.

An obesity drug sibutramine reduces brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in severely obese patients.

Objectives: Sibutramine is a selective inhibitor of the reuptake of monoamines. Plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) appear to be inversely associated with body mass index (BMI) in subjects with and without heart failure for reasons that remain unexplained. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of sibutramine treatment on BNP levels in severely obese patients.

Noise disturbance caused by outdoor activities--a simulated-environment study for Ali Sami Yen Stadium, İstanbul.

Negative effects of noise on individuals, the inevitable result of urbanization, have become a significant urban problem in our day. Introduction of an approach to the noise problem on an urban-planning scale lightens the burden of measures required to be taken against noise at the stages of regional and developmental planning. Stadiums, which should be also evaluated from the point of noise problem when planning decisions are made on the urban planning scale, may cause very serious problems differing depending on the region they are located in.

Inspiratory muscle strength is correlated with carnitine levels in type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Plasma carnitine insufficiency has been known to cause muscle weakness. Carnitine levels and pulmonary functions were lower in patients with diabetes.

Patients And Methods: To determine whether pulmonary functions are correlated with carnitine levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Latex sublingual immunotherapy: can its safety be predicted?

Background: Complete avoidance sometimes cannot be possible in latex-allergic health care workers. So far, very few double-blind placebo-controlled studies revealed the efficacy of sublingual latex immunotherapy (SLIT) in those patients.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of latex SLIT in health care workers.