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Biomedical subjects

A Yilmaz

Publications and source records attributed to A Yilmaz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-III and their relation with carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in cases of esophageal cancer.

Tumour markers are used for diagnosis, staging, evaluation of response to treatment, prognosis and detection of recurrences in clinical oncology. In this study, we aim to investigate the levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-III in cases with oesophageal carcinoma. We investigated their possible use as tumour markers and their relation to other tumour markers. Forty patients who were diagnosed as having oesophageal carcinoma by histopathological evaluation of endoscopic biopsies between January 2003 and July 2004 and 40 healthy people as the control group were included in the study. The serum levels of tumour markers including IGF-I, IGFBP-III, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 were measured in both groups. Data were compared statistically, and the importance of IGF-I and IGFBP-III levels were investigated in cases with oesophageal carcinoma. IGF-I levels were significantly higher in patients with oesophageal carcinoma when compared with the control group (p < 0.05), whereas IGFBP-III levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05). The increase in CEA levels was not statistically significant when compared with the control group. The increase in CA 19-9 levels was statistically significant when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). No correlation was detected between levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-III and levels of CEA and CA 19-9. We suggest that the serum IGF-I level may be used as a tumour marker in oesophageal carcinoma. A low level of serum IGFBP-III is also significant in cases with oesophageal carcinoma. We believe that drugs which inhibit IGF-I function or which stimulate the function of IGFBP-III may open new horizons in extra-surgical modalities for the treatment of oesophageal cancer.

Adult↗

The evaluation of coagulation profiles in calves with suspected septic shock.

The purpose of the study reported here was to evaluate the haemostatic function in calves with suspected septic shock and to reflect the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Twenty-six calves suspected of having septic shock (experimental group) and 10 clinically healthy calves (control group) were used. On admission, the experimental group of calves had been ill for an average of 2 days. Therapy was applied to the experimental group of calves. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counts were determined. Blood smears for toxic neutrophil and schistocyte intensity were evaluated. For the coagulation profile, plasma activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) values were determined. Toxic neutrophils in blood smears were observed in 12 calves of the experimental group. APTT was prolonged in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Fibrinogen concentration was found to be higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Total leukocyte counts were higher in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Platelet counts in the experimental group were lower than the control group (p < 0.001). However, when the individual values of coagulation profiles of each calf were evaluated, 8 calves had at least three abnormal coagulation profiles (APTT >72 s, PT >34.5 s, TT >33.7 s, FDPs >5 microg/ml, PLT < or = 150 x 10(3)/mm(3)) and abnormal erythrocyte morphology (schistocytes > or = 1). The most common abnormal tests in the coagulation profile were APTT and PT (7 cases), FDPs (6 cases), thrombocytopenia (4 cases), and schistocytes in blood smears (8 cases) in these 8 calves. The results of this study indicate that DIC might be a significant risk factor for mortality in calves with suspected septic shock.

Animals↗

Increased prolactin in acute coronary syndromes as putative Co-activator of ADP-stimulated P-selectin expression.

Prolactin and leptin are newly recognized platelet co-stimulators due to enhancement of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. The aim of our study was to assess whether both hormones prolactin and leptin play a role as co-activators of platelet activation in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Twenty-one patients with acute coronary syndromes, 10 with stable angina pectoris and 10 controls were studied. Patients with acute coronary syndromes showed significantly higher prolactin and leptin values and a significant increased P-selectin expression on platelets compared to patients with stable angina pectoris or controls. However, patients with acute myocardial infarction as a subgroup of acute coronary syndromes showed the highest prolactin levels as well as ADP stimulated P-selectin expression. In the myocardial infarction subgroup prolactin values showed a significant correlation to ADP stimulated P-selectin expression on platelets (r (2)=0.41; p=0.025), whereas leptin was not correlated. Our data indicate an association between increased prolactin values and enhanced P-selectin expression on platelets in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Therefore, the stress hormone prolactin could be a co-stimulator of platelet activation in these patients. In contrast, the putative platelet activator leptin does not seem to play a major role in acute coronary syndromes.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Patterns of delays in diagnosis amongst patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis at a teaching hospital in Turkey.

In total, 151 newly diagnosed patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were studied. The mean time from the onset of symptoms to the first visit to a physician was 46.4 days; the mean referral delay was 28.9 days; the mean delay in diagnosis was 2.4 days; and the mean delay in treatment initiation was 0.8 days. There was a delay in consulting a physician by 49% of patients. A low index of suspicion for tuberculosis on the part of the physician and healthcare system and laboratory delays were the most common reasons for delays in diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Acute amitraz intoxication: retrospective analysis of 45 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To present special clinical and laboratory features of 45 cases (44 adult cases) who were intoxicated through oral route. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Forty-five patients admitted to the ICU of Cumhuriyet University Hospital. RESULTS: Forty-five patients between 4 and 97 years of age were evaluated. Intoxication was the result of a suicide attempt in 67% of cases and accidental in 33% of cases. Unconsciousness, nausea and vomiting were the common initial symptoms. The major clinical findings in the ICU were bradycardia, myosis, hypothermia, hyperglycemia, hypotension, coma and respiratory depression. Blood glucose level was increased in 64% of cases. No problem was noted in the patient or the fetus in a pregnant, 27-year-old patient, who was intoxicated with 10 mL of 12.5% amitraz. The length of stay in the ICU was between 2 and 15 days. None of the patients died. All patients were discharged without neurological sequela. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of amitraz intoxications through oral route is benign and results in complete healing; however, we suggest that these cases should be well monitored and followed-up in ICUs.

Adolescent↗

Early post-transplant smooth muscle neoplasia of the colon presenting as diminutive polyps: a case complicating post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

A 44-year-old woman, 3 years post-transplant for pulmonary sarcoidosis, developed abdominal pain and diarrhea 13 months subsequent to an eradicated diffuse large B-cell-type, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) of the cecal region. Endoscopic examination identified multiple pale tan 5-to-9 mm rubbery nodules of the transverse and right colon in an otherwise unremarkable mucosa. Histology was characterized by bland smooth muscle proliferations, focally pushing into the mucosa. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the sampled nodules confirmed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of neoplastic cells. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of EBV-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative and smooth muscle neoplasms (PTSN) having distinct tropism for the colon. Endoscopic features of early PTSN, which in this case presented as diminutive polypoid lesions, have not been described previously.

Adult↗

Virucidal activity of a new hand disinfectant with reduced ethanol content: comparison with other alcohol-based formulations.

A new formula with reduced ethanol content (55%) in combination with 10% propan-1-ol, 5.9% propan-1.2-diol, 5.7% butan-1.3-diol and 0.7% phosphoric acid exhibited a broad spectrum of virucidal activity. In quantitative suspension tests, with and without protein load, this formulation reduced the infectivity titre of seven enveloped (influenza A and B, herpes simplex 1 and 2, bovine corona, respiratory syncytial, vaccinia, hepatitis B, bovine viral diarrhoea) and four non-enveloped (hepatitis A, polio, rota, feline calici) viruses >10(3)-fold within 30s. In comparative testing, only 95% ethanol showed similar levels of activity. In fingerpad tests, the formulation produced a log10 reduction factor of the titre of poliovirus type 1 (Sabin) of 3.04 in 30s compared with 1.32 by 60% propan-2-ol. Testing against feline calicivirus produced a log10 reduction factor of 2.38 by the test formulation; in contrast, the log10 reduction factors with 70% ethanol and 70% propan-1-ol were 0.68 and 0.70, respectively.

1-Propanol↗

Analysis of female reproductive traits in Angus beef cattle divergently selected for blood serum insulin-like growth factor I concentration.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is an anabolic polypeptide involved in reproductive performance in several species. The objectives of this study were to determine relationships of pregnancy rate, and age of heifers at puberty and at first calving with serum IGF-I concentration in Angus beef cattle. Data were obtained from an ongoing divergent selection experiment for IGF-I concentration involving purebred Angus cows. The IGF-I concentrations measured at Days 28, 42, and 56 of the 140-day postweaning test are abbreviated as IGF28, IGF42, and IGF56, respectively. Pregnancy rate did not differ between high and low IGF-I line females (P=0.95; n=2618), but high line heifers tended to be 4.02+/-2.18 days younger (P=0.07; n=281) at first calving. Residual correlations of age of heifers at first calving (AFC) with IGF-I measurements were not significant. The linear and quadratic terms for regression of AFC on IGF-I concentrations were also non-significant. Contrast analysis showed no difference in age at puberty between the high and low IGF-I line heifers (5.3+/-6.4 days earlier in the high line; P=0.43; n=51). Residual correlations of age of heifers at puberty with IGF28, IGF42, IGF56, and mean IGF-I were -0.30 (P=0.03), -0. 22 (P=0.12), -0.35 (P=0.01), and -0.34 (P=0.01), respectively. The observed relationships between female reproductive traits and IGF-I concentration in Angus beef cattle suggest complex and multiple roles for IGF-I in reproduction.

Aging↗

Severe angioedema caused by banana allergy under tacrolimus immunosuppression.

Occurrences of allergic reactions induced by various foods have been reported in pediatric liver graft recipients receiving tacrolimus immunosuppression. We describe herein a female infant, who was admitted to our hospital with life-threatening angioedema because of banana hypersensitivity, 8 months after orthotopic liver transplantation. Food allergies should be screened in all tacrolimus-immunosuppressed pediatric liver recipients who show suggestive clinical symptoms. Banana must be added to allergen batteries during etiologic investigations. Cyclosporine represents an option for drug conversion to prevent organ rejection.

Biliary Atresia↗

Posterior leukoencephalopathy after combination chemotherapy in a patient with lymphoma.

Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a recently described syndrome involving mainly parieto-occipital gray/white matter of the brain. It occurs secondary to various clinical entities, like hypertension and immunosuppressive therapy. Few cases after combination chemotherapy have been reported. This study describes a 36-year-old woman with primary refractory T-cell lymphoma, who developed central nervous system toxicity due to treatment with intrathecal methotrexate and intravenous ifosfamide, idarubicine and etoposide given as a salvage regimen. Both clinical features as well as magnetic resonance imaging findings were typical for posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. The patient died despite anti-hypertensive therapy and haemodialysis. Central nervous system toxicity related to chemotherapeutics and posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome are discussed briefly.

Adult↗

Simultaneous bilateral trochanteric fractures during squatting in a patient with multiple myeloma.

Pathologic bone fractures are usually confined to the trunk in multiple myeloma (MM). But bilateral trochanteric fractures have not been reported in patients with MM before. Radiographic, histological and immunoelectrophoresis revealed typical features of MM. This report points out the importance of physical rehabilitation of patients in addition to chemotherapy in adaptation to the activities of daily living.

Groin↗

Interferon alpha monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C viral infection in thalassemics and hemodialysis patients.

We assessed the effectiveness of interferon (IFN) monotherapy in thalassemic or hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. Ten thalassemic and four hemodialysis patients were included in the study. Chronic HCV was confirmed with both serum HCV-RNA and liver histopathology. IFN alpha-2a was administered three times a week for 24-48 weeks, at a dose of 5 MU/m2 (maximum 6 million units). Sustained response was defined as negative HCV-RNA at least 24 weeks after termination of the treatment. All patients completed the study. Eight of 10 thalassemic (80%) and one of four hemodialysis patients (25%) showed a sustained response. IFN monotherapy proved to be an effective treatment, especially in thalassemic patients with chronic HCV. IFN monotherapy seems reasonable for patients with thalassemia and chronic hepatitis C virus in whom ribavirin cannot be used.

Adolescent↗

An experimental analysis on the magnetic field sensitivity of the black-meadow ant Formica pratensis Retzius (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Ant responses were tested under both the natural geomagnetic and artificially induced Earth-strength electromagnetic field. Foragers were trained for a month to visit a food source at the north arm accessed through an orientation platform assembly. Under the natural geomagnetic field, when all other orientational cues were eliminated, results indicated significant heterogeneity of ant distribution with the majority seeking geomagnetic north in darkness. However, in light, foragers failed to discriminate geomagnetic north. Under shifted artificial electromagnetic field, orientation was predominantly on the artificial magnetic N/S axis with a significant preference for the artificial north in both light and dark conditions.

Animals↗

Avian influenza A viruses in birds --an ecological, ornithological and virological view.

Avian influenza A viruses (AIV) are the causative agents of the presently most important poultry disease. Ten countries in Asia and several other countries in Eastern Europe suffer high losses from the lethal effects of these viruses of the H5N1 subtype. AIV of other subtypes cause in additional countries severe losses. The threat to health and well-being of the avifauna, domestic poultry and possibly mammals including humans are worldwide of major concern. The European Union reacted with a complete import ban on untreated meat, eggs, poultry products as well as free-living and pet birds. Extensive surveillance of free-living birds and domestic poultry that is maintained in free-range and close to open waters were initiated in an attempt to gather information on the current status of infection with these viruses and to target appropriate countermeasures for the protection of domestic poultry (in-house keeping) and to safeguard food production for humans. Since the monitoring of free-living birds is labour-intensive, costly, and time-consuming, only birds should be included in the monitoring programme that harboured in the past most if not all influenza A viruses. The birds of the order Anatiformes, family Anatidae, subfamilies Anserinae and Anatinae, provided 65.9 % of all avian AIV isolates. The cosmopolitan Common Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the dominant species with the highest rate of isolations among all bird species. Second in frequency is the North-American Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors). Consequently, free-living anatiform birds of the genera Anas and Spatula should comprise the main focus for the collection of cloacal and pharyngeal swabs. With the likely exception of the most recent H5N1 viruses, signs of disease were not recorded in AIV infected anatiform birds. AIV isolations were definitely less frequently obtained from birds of the orders Phasianiformes (including domestic chickens and turkeys), Charadriiformes (plovers and lapwings), Lariformes (gulls), Columbiformes (pigeons) and Psittaciformes (psittacines) and need less attention in sampling efforts. This review presents also data on taxonomy and most suitable means for isolation and typing of haemagglutinating viruses. The different frequencies of the detection of 16 haemagglutinin (HA) subtypes and 9 subtypes of neuraminidase (NA) surface antigens are composed on the basis of extensive literature retrievals. Both antigens occure in isolates at different frequencies. Only 103 of all 144 possible HA x NA combinations were described so far. The AIV that contain the HA subtypes H3, H4, H6 are most frequently isolated whereas the AIV of the subtypes H5 and H7 were less frequently encountered. All other HAs are rather rare. AIV that possess the NA of the subtypes N2, N1, N8 and N3 are frequent and all other NAs are rarely detected.

Animals↗

Delay of neutrophil apoptosis in acute coronary syndromes.

Apoptosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) is currently discussed as a key event in the control of inflammation. This study determined PMN apoptosis and its underlying mechanisms in controls (C), patients with stable (SAP) or unstable angina (UAP), and with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Blood was drawn from 15 subjects of each C, SAP, UAP, and AMI. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry in isolated PMN (propidium iodide staining) and PMN from whole blood (CD16, FcgammaRIII). Serum cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis of isolated PMN was delayed significantly in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) as compared with SAP or C (C, 51.2+/-12.6%; SAP, 44.9+/-13.6%; UAP, 28.4+/-10.1%; AMI, 20.3+/-8.5%; AMI or UAP vs. SAP or C, P<0.001). These results were confirmed by measurement of PMN apoptosis in cultured whole blood from patients and controls. Moreover, serum of patients with ACS markedly reduced apoptosis of PMN from healthy donors. Analysis of patients' sera revealed significantly elevated concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interleukin (IL)-1beta in ACS (vs. C and SAP). IFN-gamma, GM-CSF, and IL-1beta significantly delayed PMN apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, coincubation of PMN with adenosine 5'-diphosphate-activated platelets significantly inhibited PMN apoptosis as compared with coculture with unstimulated platelets. This study demonstrates a pronounced delay of PMN apoptosis in UAP and AMI, which may result from increased serum levels of IFN-gamma, GM-CSF, and IL-1beta and from enhanced platelet activation. Therapeutical modulation of these determinants of PMN lifespan may provide a new concept for the control of inflammation in ACS.

Acute Disease↗