Prognostic value of the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and other inflammatory markers in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Objectives: Inflammation plays a role in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) prognosis and symptoms. We investigated the roles of the new and old inflammatory indexes and markers in MPM prognosis.

Methods: Two hundred and ninety-two MPM patients (167 male and 125 female) were included in this retrospective study.

Evaluation of New Biomarkers in the Prediction of Malignant Mesothelioma in Subjects with Environmental Asbestos Exposure.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential value of certain biomarkers in predicting the presence of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in individuals environmentally exposed to asbestos.

Methods: This prospective study investigated three groups; a control group composed of 41 healthy subjects, an asbestos exposure group consisting of 48 individuals, and a MPM group consisting of 42 patients. Serum levels of soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP), thioredoxin-1 (TRX), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), fibulin-3, syndecan-1 (SDC-1), and mesothelin were determined.

High-risk mesothelioma relation to meteorological and geological condition and distance from naturally occurring asbestos.

Objectives: Very few studies have investigated the incidence and risk of malignant mesothelioma (MM) associated with distinct sources of asbestos exposure, especially exposure to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA).

Methods: Subjects were MM, lung, and breast cancer patients who were diagnosed and followed in Diyarbakir Province between 2008 and 2013. The birthplaces of patients were displayed on a geologic map.

Alterations of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio during the period of stable and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the importance of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for identifying the severity of inflammation and recognition of acute exacerbation.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 100 patients with a diagnosis of COPD exacerbation who were admitted to our clinic. Complete blood count (CBC), measurement of C reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined within 2 h of hospital admission.

Fibulin-3 as a diagnostic biomarker in patients with malignant mesothelioma.

Background: New tumour biomarkers are being intensely investigated for malignant mesothelioma (MM). Fibulin-3 is produced in MM but its role remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of measuring serum fibulin-3 in the diagnosis and prognosis of MM.

Serum Apelin 13 Levels in Patients With Pulmonary Embolism.

Introduction And Aim: Expression and peptide immunoreactivity of apelin messenger RNA have been described in a variety of tissues, including gastrointestinal tract, adipose tissue, brain, kidney, liver, cardiovascular system, and lungs. This study aimed to investigate the possible involvement of the endogenous apelin in the pathophysiological events that occur in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).

Materials And Methods: In total, 53 patients with PE and 35 healthy volunteers were included the study.

High social anxiety and poor quality of life in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) has been previously related with various psychosocial adverse consequences including stigmatization and social isolation.Social anxiety is a psychiatric condition that may be associated with social isolation and fear of social exclusion.To date no study has investigated social anxiety and its impact on quality of life (QoL) among patients with PT.

Relationship between hepcidin levels and periodic limb movement disorder in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Purpose: This study was aimed to assess potential correlations between periodic leg movement (PLM) index, hepcidin levels, and iron status in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods: Forty-four newly diagnosed OSAS patients and 49 non-apneic controls were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent polysomnographic evaluation.

Oxidative status and acute phase reactants in patients with environmental asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

Background And Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate inflammatory indicators and oxidative status in patients with asbestos exposure with and without mesothelioma and to compare results with data from healthy subjects.

Methods: Eighty people with exposure to environmental asbestos and without any disease, 46 mesothelioma patients, and a control group of 50 people without exposure to environmental asbestos were enrolled in this prospective study. Serum total oxidant level (TOL), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI), CRP, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, α-1 antitrypsin, ferritin, and copper levels were measured.

The value of inflammatory parameters in the prognosis of malignant mesothelioma.

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between potential prognostic parameters that may be associated with increased inflammation and survival in patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM).

Methods: This retrospective study assessed potential prognostic parameters measured at the time of MM diagnosis. Data on asbestos exposure, histopathological subtype of MM and laboratory parameters were collected.

Coenzyme Q10, copper, zinc, and lipid peroxidation levels in serum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation is associated with increased level of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lipid peroxidation (malodialdehyde, MDA). The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of lipid peroxidation, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Zn, and Cu in the COPD exacerbations. Forty-five patients with COPD acute exacerbation and 45 healthy smokers as control group were used in the study.

A clinical, radiographic and laboratory evaluation of prognostic factors in 363 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has a poor prognosis.

Objectives: Only few studies in literature investigated the presence of pleural fluid and radiographic findings for the prognosis of MPM.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated the hospital charts of 363 MPM patients who were diagnosed from January 1989 to March 2010.

Risk factors for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Diyarbakir, Turkey.

Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health problem. This study aimed to investigate probable risk factors for developing MDR in the patients treated for TB at Tuberculosis Control Dispensaries (TCD).

Material/method: The records of 34 patients with MDR-TB and 70 patients with TB sensitive to all first-line drugs (DS), who were treated at TCD between January 2002 and December 2008, were reviewed retrospectively in Diyarbakir, Turkey.

Interstitial lung disease in coppersmiths in high serum copper levels.

Coppersmith is a worker who uses copper most commonly for the production of kitchen appliances in Turkey. This is an ancient occupation practiced for centuries in Turkey. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of parenchymal lung diseases among coppersmiths in Kahramanmaras city in Turkey.

Unusual combination of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica and AA amyloidosis.

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare disorder of unknown cause characterized by the presence of multiple submucosal osseous and/or cartilaginous nodules that protrude into the lumen of the trachea and large bronchi. A simultaneous diagnosis of TO and amyloidosis is rarely reported. In this report, a case initially suspected to be asthma bronchiole that could not be treated, was radiologically diagnosed as TO, and also secondary amyloidosis is presented.

A multicentre study of doctors' approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in Turkey.

Background: Inappropriate anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment, particularly at the beginning of the disease, is a major cause of drug resistance. This survey was performed to evaluate doctors' approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of TB.

Method: The study was conducted in 12 cities, each from a different geographical region of Turkey.

Cigarette use frequency and the affecting factors in primary and high school students in Diyarbakir.

Cigarette, alcohol and substance use is a worldwide threat which especially affects young people and a preventable public health problem. Aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence of substance use and the factors affecting this prevalence among the students of primary and high school students in Diyarbakir. 62% of the students were males, and 38% were females.

[The opinions of Turkish physicians about the tasks of tuberculosis central dispensary].

Department of tuberculosis control is the main tuberculosis branch of Minister of Health, with coordinators in cities as intermediate departments and Tuberculosis Central Dispensaries (TCD) as peripheral branches. This study was performed through January-May 2007 in seven different geographical regions to figure out opinions of physicians on tuberculosis dispensaries. A specific questionnaire was distributed to doctors in two cities in each geographical region.

[Factors affecting incidence of tuberculosis in Diyarbakir].

Last decade, there have been important improvements about tuberculosis (Tbc) in the world. Today, 32% of world populations are infected by Tbc basil's, every year about 9 million people have been catching Tbc. We have purposed to determine the incidence of Tbc and the factors affect it, using rate of bacteriology in diagnosis, rate of treatment completion and to constitute an idea for innovation.

Determination of environmental exposure to asbestos (tremolite) and mesothelioma risks in the southeastern region of Turkey.

In this study, the authors examined the concentrations and mineralogical analyses of asbestos, and investigated mesothelioma risk in southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. They used a gravimetric dust sampler to collect samples from 2 villages and 2 asbestos mines (1 active). Samples were then evaluated by an X-ray diffractometer and an electron microscope.

Tuberculosis among health care workers in a short working period.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an important problem among health care workers (HCWs), both in Turkey and in other countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk ratio and features of tuberculosis (TB) among health care workers (HCWs) at a teaching hospital in southeast Turkey.

Methods: In a hospital-wide study at Dicle University Hospital, a referral center in southeast Turkey, data from HCWs with TB were collected from clinic and hospital records.