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Biomedical subjects

Harika Celebi

Publications and source records attributed to Harika Celebi.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

The prevalence of neuropathy and relationship with risk factors in diabetic patients: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, to evaluate the role of history, neurological examination and the electrodiagnostic methods in the diagnosis of DSP, and to determine the association between electromyography-supported neuropathy (ESN), neuropathic complaints (NCs) and risk factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 191 type 2 DM patients (109 female, 82 male; mean age 58.7 +/- 10 years) were recruited. The NCs were recorded. All patients had electromyographic (EMG) examinations. The relationship between ESN, NCs and risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 191 patients, 83 (43.5%) had DSP on EMG examinations and 92 (48.2%) patients suffered from NCs. Among the ESN patients, a significant relationship existed with HbA1(c) level, illness duration, smoking, male gender or insulin usage (p < 0.05) but not with age, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia. The frequency of NCs was higher in patients with ESN. There was also a significant association between NCs and ESN (p < 0.05). The presence of NCs was not related to age, gender, smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia (p > 0.05) but NCs were correlated to HbA1(c) level, illness duration and insulin usage (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data show that a strong association exists between the presence of DSP and illness duration, HbA1(c), smoking, thereby indicating that cessation of smoking and near normal glycemic control would be additional precautions to delay the beginning or progression of polyneuropathy.

Aged↗

Evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with thyroid dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid gland dysfunction affects the structure and function of the heart. Tissue Doppler echocardiography is a new technique, and it has been used frequently in the evaluation of ventricular function. In the present study, right ventricular function was assessed in patients with overt or subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and in healthy subjects using the tissue Doppler method, and results were compared. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 healthy subjects and 63 patients diagnosed with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were included in the study. Annular and myocardial systolic peak velocities, early and late diastolic peak velocities, precontraction, total contraction and relaxation times of the right ventricle were recorded by tissue Doppler echocardiography. The results of the patients were compared to those of the controls. RESULTS: Myocardial systolic velocity was significantly higher in patients with hyperthyroidism. Annular and myocardial late diastolic velocities were found to be significantly lower in patients with overt hypothyroidism. Annular precontraction time was increased in patients with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Myocardial precontraction time was decreased in patients with hyperthyroidism, and increased in patients with overt hypothyroidism patients. Annular relaxation time was increased in patients with overt hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Right ventricular function is affected in patients with thyroid diseases. The tissue Doppler technique is a suitable tool to detect impairments in right ventricular function. There is a significant correlation between serum thyroid hormone levels and right ventricular velocities and time intervals.

Adult↗

Impaired immunity against tetanus in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare serum levels of tetanus antibody in diabetic patients over 50 years of age with those of age- and sex-matched non-diabetic controls. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study population consisted of 115 type 2 diabetic patients and 115 age- and sex-matched non-diabetic patients. Serum levels of tetanus IgG were measured by a commercial ELISA kit, and levels over 0.1 IU/ml were considered protective. RESULTS: Mean serum levels of tetanus antibody in the diabetic and control groups were 0.164+/-0.140 IU/ml vs. 0.374+/-0.534 IU/ml, respectively (p<0.001). Mean serum levels of tetanus antibody in the diabetics vs. controls aged 50-64 years were 0.172+/-0.141 IU/ml vs. 0.568+/-0.653 IU/ml and in those p<0.001, p=1.000). Among patients aged 50-64 years, 38 (55.9%) cases in the diabetic and 45 (73.8%) in the control group demonstrated protective levels of tetanus antibodies (p=0.034). Of patients p=0.298). CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of tetanus antibody decreased in diabetic patients older than 50 years of age, whereas this period of time is prolonged to 65 years in healthy individuals. All individuals over 65 years should be vaccinated against tetanus; however, vaccination over 50 years of age might be considered for diabetic patients.

Aged↗

Effectiveness of lamivudine and interferon-alpha combination therapy versus interferon-alpha monotherapy for the treatment of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients: a randomized clinical trial.

Results comparing the effectiveness of lamivudine used as monotherapy or in combination with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B are not conclusive. This study compared the effects of IFN-alpha alone or in combination with lamivudine for the treatment of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B. Participation of patients in the IFN-alpha monotherapy and combination groups was randomized to a 1:1 ratio. Twenty seven HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B received IFN-alpha (13 patients) at 9 million units 3 times weekly for 24 weeks or IFN-alpha at 9 million units 3 times weekly for 24 weeks plus lamivudine 100 mg/day (14 patients) daily for 1 year. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was measured quantitatively by real-time polymerase chain reaction at 0, 6, 12 and 18 months after the start of treatment. Sustained virologic response was defined as non-detectable serum HBV DNA 72 weeks after starting treatment. Sustained biochemical response was defined as normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values 72 weeks after starting treatment. The baseline characteristics of the 2 treatment groups were similar with respect to age, gender, ALT, HBV DNA levels and histologic diagnosis. Sustained biochemical responses were found at week 72 in 7 patients in each group (54% with IFN-alpha monotherapy and 50% with combination therapy) [p>0.05]. Sustained virologic responses were found at week 72 in 5 patients (38%) in the monotherapy and 7 patients (50%) in the combination therapy group (p>0.05). Combination therapy was not superior to IFN-alpha alone for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Combination treatment was associated with some disadvantages, such as additional cost. Lamivudine, on the other hand, may be more suitable for patients with cirrhosis, non-responders to IFN-alpha or in cases with contraindication for IFN-alpha.

Adult↗

Albendazole versus metronidazole treatment of adult giardiasis: An open randomized clinical study.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of albendazole and metranidazole treatment in giardiasis. METHODS: The open comparative randomized trial was carried out prospectively from December 1999 to July 2001 in Duzce City of Turkey. The diagnosis was based on the presence of signs and symptoms compatible with giardiasis including a positive stool examination of giardia cysts or trophozoite. Metranidazole group consisted of 29 patients and was given metranidazole 500 mg, three times a day for 5 d and albendazole group was consisted of 28 patients and was given albendazole 400 mg/d for 5 d. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographical and therapeutical effects and patient's compliance between both groups. But side effects were seen more in metranidazole group than in albendazole group. CONCLUSION: Albendazole is as effective as metranidazole in adults' giardiasis. Albendazole has less side effect potentials than metranidazole in the treatment of giardiasis.

Adult↗

Bone marrow microvessel density (MVD) in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML): therapy induced changes and effects on survival.

Based on the strong evidence in favor of an increase in microvessel density (MVD) in hematological malignancies, we evaluated VEGF immunoreactivity and MVD measurement in bone marrow biopsies of 36 AML patients at diagnosis and following therapy. MVD assessment was based on CD31, CD34 expressing vessels. The values were calculated for only one marker if the other vascular marker was positive on blasts, otherwise both markers were used. VEGF immunoreactivity was also scored. Comparison of MVD values of 36 AML patients with 18 non-malignant controls showed a significantly higher MVD in AML (CD31: P = 0.004, CD34: P < 0.001), which is independent of other variables such as cellularity or blast percentage. Following induction chemotherapy, the responders showed a significant decrease in blast counts (P < 0.001), cellularity (P = 0.001) and MVD (P = 0.050) quantification with CD31. Higher baseline MVD (CD34) values were associated with shorter overall survival (P = 0.0027). These results are encouraging for inclusion of MVD enumeration in bone marrow examinations of AML patients at diagnosis as an additional prognostic factor.

Acute Disease↗

Nephrotic syndrome after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Nephrotic syndrome has been rarely reported after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We report a patient who developed nephrotic syndrome after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for acute myelogenous leukemia. Renal biopsy was performed and immunofluorescence and light microscopy were compatible with minimal change disease. The patient was treated with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. Complete remission was achieved after three months. Previous reported cases are discussed.

Adolescent↗