Oleuropein exhibits anticarcinogen effects against gastric cancer cell lines.

Background: Oleuropein (OLE), the main phenolic compound of the olive fruit and leaves, has many heathful effects. Gastric cancer is the most fatal malignancy in many parts of the world and it is generally related to harmful dietetic factors. The anticarcinogenic role of OLE in gastric cancer has not been studied sufficiently yet.

Serum trace element levels of gastrointestinal cancer patients in an endemic upper gastrointestinal cancer region.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are an important cause of the death rate in Turkey and in the world. Especially upper (esophageal and gastric) GI cancers are the leading types of cancer by 20-27% in Eastern Turkey. Trace elements are involved in many physiological and metabolic processes in the human body.

Prospective Monitoring of Breastfeeding Behaviors in Primiparous Mothers with Risky and Non-risky Age Groups.

Aim: This study aimed at monitoring breastfeeding behaviors in primiparous mothers with risky and non-risky age groups prospectively.

Method: This is a kind of comparative and prospective study that was carried out in 306 mothers who were registered at seven family health centers. The study sample comprised 68 primiparous mothers who were in the risky age group and 238 primiparous mothers who were not in the risky age group.

A survey of metal concentrations in marine sediment cores in the vicinity of an old mercury-mining area in Karaburun, Aegean Sea.

The aim of this study was to assess the historical trends of metal concentrations in coastal sediments in the vicinity of an inactive mining area, find background values and contamination levels of metals around the Karaburun peninsula, and then search for other sources of mercury in marine sediment cores using multivariate statistical analysis and report the potential ecological risks from that metal contamination. Surface sediment samples were taken from seven stations. Water depths were less than 20 m (coastal area) at stations KB07 and KB08.

Analysis of cases with tuberculous peritonitis: a single-center experience.

Background/aims: Tuberculous peritonitis (TP) is a rare form of tuberculosis and is caused by peritoneal involvement with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A distinctive correlation exists between socioeconomic state and disease prevalence. We aimed to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings of patients with TP.

Effect of ursodeoxycholic Acid alone and ursodeoxycholic Acid plus domperidone on radiolucent gallstones and gallbladder contractility in humans.

Background/Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) alone and UDCA plus domperidone on dissolution of solitary or multiple gallstones. Methods.

Significance of VEGF and microvascular density in gastric carcinoma.

Background/aims: The aim of this study is to observe the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), microvascular density (MVD) and the pathological characteristics of gastric carcinoma.

Methodology: A total of 87 cases of gastric carcinomas were examined by immunohistochemical staining, using anti-VEGF and anti-CD34 antibodies.

Results: VEGF positive staining was obtained in 62 out of 87 cases (71.

Chronic hepatitis delta virus infection in Van region of eastern Turkey.

Background/aims: Hepatitis delta virus infection is an important cause of liver morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Eastern Turkey, hepatitis B virus infection is the major cause of chronic liver diseases. We aimed to research the role of hepatitis delta virus infection in chronic liver diseases related to hepatitis B virus infection in the Van region of Eastern Turkey.

Epidemiological aspects of endemic upper gastrointestinal cancers in eastern Turkey.

Background/aims: The aim of our study was to present the epidemiological aspects of endemic upper gastrointestinal (esophageal and gastric) cancers in the Van region of Eastern Turkey.

Methodology: The patients were diagnosed by esophagogastroscopy, biopsy and histopathological analysis. The control group consisted of 73 healthy subjects.

The effects of ursodeoxycholic acid alone and ursodeoxycholic acid plus low-dose acetylsalicylic acid on radiolucent gallstones.

Background/aims: Mucin, a high molecular weight glycoprotein secreted by the gallbladder and biliary duct epithelium, is a pronucleating agent in experimental and human gallstone disease. Blockage of mucin release with aspirin inhibits the formation of primary gallstones in animal models. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid alone and plus low-dose aspirin on dissolution of solitary or multiple gallstones.

Dietary nitrate and nitrite levels in an endemic upper gastrointestinal (esophageal and gastric) cancer region of Turkey.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was investigate nitrate and nitrite levels in some traditional foods and drinking water in Van, an endemic upper gastrointestinal (esophageal and gastric) cancer region of Eastern Turkey.

Methods: Cheese with added herbs, drinking water, bread baked by wood fire and bread baked by burning animal manure specimens collected in the Van region were analyzed by Stahr's modification method. Nitrite was reduced to nitrate by the following three reagents: hydrazine sulphate ((NH2) 2SO4), CuSO4 and NaOH.

Oral ciprofloxacin versus intravenous cefotaxime and ceftriaxone in the treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Background/aims: Cefotaxime or ceftriaxone were considered the first-choice antibiotic for empirical treatment in cirrhotic patients developing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. It has been suggested that ciprofloxacin could be an alternative to cefotaxime or ceftriaxone in cirrhotic patients developing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The aim of the present study was to compare oral ciprofloxacin with cefotaxime and ceftriaxone in the treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients.

The role of Urtica dioica and Nigella sativa in the prevention of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The role of Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae) (NS) and Urtica dioica L. was investigated (UD) in the prevention of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Heavy metals in soil, vegetables and fruits in the endemic upper gastrointestinal cancer region of Turkey.

The environmental exposure to heavy metals is a well-known risk factor for cancer. We investigated levels of seven different heavy metals, (Co, Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni and Cu) in soil, fruit and vegetable samples of Van region in Eastern Turkey where upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are endemic. Heavy metal contents of the samples were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometer.

The role of antioxidant vitamins (C and E), selenium and Nigella sativa in the prevention of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in rabbits: new hopes.

This experiment was carried out to investigate the role of antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, selenium and Nigella sativa (NS) on the prevention of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rabbits. It was found that superoxide dismutase (SOD) values in all of the treated groups were significantly lower than those of the control at 12th week of experiment (p < 0.05), while at 6th week and 12th week of experiment glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) values in the vitamin C treated group were significantly different from the control (p < 0.