PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Karakoç

Publications and source records attributed to B Karakoç.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

In-vitro activities of various antibiotics, alone and in combination with amikacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The in-vitro activities of various antibiotics, either alone or in combination with amikacin were assessed using clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of these antibiotics were determined by microbroth dilution method against 50 clinical strains. The MIC values showed that 96, 94, and 74% of the isolates were susceptible or moderately susceptible to amikacin, meropenem and ceftazidime, respectively. The in vitro activities of ceftazidime and meropenem in combination with amikacin were determined by microbroth chequerboard technique and results were interpreted using the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index. With a FIC index of < or =0.5 as borderline, synergistic interactions were more frequent with ceftazidime (70.8%) than with meropenem (40%). No antagonism was observed.

Amikacin↗

Comparison of effects of continuous combined transdermal with oral estrogen and oral progestogen replacement therapies on serum lipoproteins and compliance.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of transdermal and oral hormone replacement therapy on compliance and serum lipoproteins. DESIGN: A total of 159 naturally menopausal women who received either 0.05 mg transdermal estradiol twice weekly or 0.625 mg oral conjugated estrogen daily, with 2.5 mg oral medroxyprogesterone acetate daily, were retrospectively studied. Continuation with or drop-out from treatment regimens, side-effects and bleeding patterns were recorded during a 2-year follow-up period. Baseline, first-year and second-year serum lipoprotein levels were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 100 women taking oral estrogen, 28 (28%) had dropped out whereas of the 59 women receiving transdermal estrogen, 17 (28.8%) had dropped out at the end of 2 years. The occurrence of bleeding episodes was the most common reason given for discontinuation in both treatment groups (52.9% in the transdermal group and 35.7% in the oral treatment group). The mean increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level for the first year and second year was 10.2 +/- 3.2% and 31.4 +/- 2.8%, and 13.5 +/- 3.2% and 33.6 +/- 3.6% with oral treatment and transdermal therapy, respectively. The mean decrease in total cholesterol for the first year and second year was 2.9 +/- 1.9% and 14.7 +/- 1.6%, and 5.6 +/- 1.7% and 5.7 +/- 1.6% with oral and transdermal treatment, respectively. Likewise, the mean decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol for the first year and second year was 6.2 +/- 2.5% and 18 +/- 2.9%, and 7.9 +/- 3.0% and 15.9 +/- 5.2% with oral and transdermal treatment, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups in any of the lipid parameters. Transdermal treatment decreased triglyceride levels by 33.7 +/- 3.9%, whereas oral estrogen treatment increased triglycerides by 18.6 +/- 4.3% at the end of 2 years. This difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Continuation of treatment was similarly high at the end of 2 years with both transdermal and oral estrogen treatment. Both treatments changed serum lipids favorably. Nevertheless, triglycerides were increased by oral estrogen but decreased by transdermal treatment at 2 years; this difference between the groups was significant.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Endometrial disease diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound and dilatation and curettage.

BACKGROUND: This study is designed to compare endometrial thickness measured by transvaginal ultrasound with endometrial pathology by dilatation and curettage. METHODS: Fifty-four women with postmenopausal bleeding were evaluated. Endometrial thickness, including both layers of the endometrium, was measured by transvaginal ultrasound after which fractional curettage was performed and samples taken were then dispatched for histologic examination. RESULTS: Median endometrial thicknesses of 5 mm, 8.5 mm and 6 mm were found for benign, hyperplastic and carcinomatous endometrium, respectively. Of the eight hyperplastic samples, two cases had 4 mm, and one case had 3mm endometrial thickness. Similarly, of the nine malignant samples, three cases had an endometrial thickness of 3 mm. Three mm has been found to be the best cut off point for endometrial abnormalities in postmenopausal bleeding with 100% sensitivity but low specificity (13%). CONCLUSION: Fractional curettage seems to be the best method for detecting endometrial abnormalities in women with postmenopausal bleeding.

Adult↗

Compliance considerations with hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine women's own reasons for postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) utilization and discontinuation in a Turkish population and to investigate the variables that have influenced the compliance to treatment. DESIGN: The study was comprised of 613 postmenopausal women who presented to the Menopause Unit in the Marmara University Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 437 women (71.2%) reported that they continued using postmenopausal HRT and 176 women (28.7%) discontinued treatment with an average 4.5 months duration of use (range 1-60 months). Hot flashes was the most common reason for initiating therapy (258 women, 42.0%). Prevention of osteoporosis was mentioned by 149 (24.3%) women as a reason to begin HRT. Bleeding episodes (44.8%) was the most common factor in the patient's decision to discontinue HRT. Continuation of HRT was significantly more common among women who started HRT either because of physician recommendation or osteoporosis concern (p < 0.05). Additionally, a greater percentage of surgically menopausal women began and continued HRT (p < 0.0001) than naturally menopausal women. The educational status of the patients was directly related to incidence of beginning HRT but was not related to the discontinuation of HRT. CONCLUSIONS: Education of menopausal women about the long-term benefits of HRT is critical in improving compliance.

Adult↗