Biological variation of serum neopterin concentrations in apparently healthy individuals.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the biological variation (BV), reference change value (RCV), index of individuality (II), and quality specifications for serum neopterin concentrations; a measurand provided by clinical laboratories as an indicator of cellular immunity.

Methods: The study delivered serum samples collected for 10 consecutive weeks from 12 apparently healthy individuals (3 male, 9 female). Serum neopterin concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection.

The definition of ideal training of a urology resident from two different perspectives: trainees vs professors. Is there agreement in their idea of good training?

Introduction: At the end of their residency program, urology trainees should reach the minimum skills required to be able to work by themselves and within a team. To achieve this objective, it is fundamental that the training involves not only surgical activities, but also theoretical, academic, and relational ones. What is the perfect balance between these activities within the ideal urological training? This study aims to evaluate the concordance in different concepts of good urological training between different perspectives (trainees vs professors).

Corneal and lenticular clarity in children with inflammatory disease as assessed by Scheimpflug imaging.

Background: Corneal and lenticular optical properties are not well-documented in pediatric patients with inflammatory diseases. Here we aimed to evaluate corneal and lenticular optical density as well as corneal morphology in children with ocular and/or systemic inflammation by Scheimpflug imaging.

Methods: Fifty-five eyes of 29 children with non-infectious uveitis, 56 eyes of 28 children with systemic inflammation without uveitis and 60 eyes of 31 healthy children were included.

The Prevalence of Chronic Impingement Syndrome and SLAP Lesion and the Sensitivity of O'Brien's Test.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of SLAP lesions in patients with chronic impingement syndrome. We also examined the sensitivity of O'Brien's test.

Materials And Methods: The study included 48 patients with a preliminary chronic impingement syndrome diagnosis to whom arthroscopic decompression had been planned.

Cutaneous changes in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis.

Context: A number of skin diseases can be observed in chronic renal failure (CRF). Their incidence have changed in different series.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of cutaneous changes in CRF undergoing hemodialysis (HD) with healthy persons and to study the potential relationship with various parameters in the patients.

A sandfly fever virus outbreak in the East Mediterranean region of Turkey.

Objectives: To report a sandfly fever virus (SFV) outbreak that occurred in Kahramanmaras Province, Turkey.

Methods: We investigated the cases of 40 patients with a history of sandfly bites and with clinical findings, who were referred to our emergency service between July and August 2010. Serum samples of 19 patients were selected and analyzed using a commercial mosaic immunofluorescence test (IFT) to detect IgM and IgG antibodies against SFV.

Temperament and character profile of patients with fibromyalgia.

Personality may play an important role in the development and initiation of fibromyalgia (FM). It may also be used for individualized treatment planning. We aimed to assess personality profiles of FM patients and to evaluate the association of personality profiles with education, symptom severity, depression, anxiety, and functioning.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism with Prothrombin G20210A Gene Mutation.

A 25-year-old man presented with symptoms of syncope, cough, headache and hemoptysis. Cranial MR and venography showed thrombus formation in the right transverse sinus and superior sagittal sinus. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) showed an embolic thrombus in the right pulmonary truncus and lung abscess.