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Biomedical subjects

Nüket Bavbek

Publications and source records attributed to Nüket Bavbek.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Global fibrinolytic capacity increased exponentially in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancers are one of the most common malignancies associated with coagulation abnormalities ranging from asymptomatic laboratory changes to massive thromboembolism or hemorrhage. It was previously shown that global fibrinolytic was increased in non-metastatic colorectal cancer. In this study global fibrinolytic capacity was measured in patients with colorectal cancer and metastatic liver disease, which always more commonly displays various coagulation disorders. Nineteen patients with biopsy-proven colorectal cancer, 30 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, and 20 healthy control subjects were involved into the study. Using standart silicated fibrin pellets and tissue plasminogen activator, fibrinolytic capacity of the plasmas was detected with the amount of d-dimer produced before the reaction was stopped by adding aprotinin to the medium. Mean global fibrinolytic capacity (GFC) was increased to higher levels in patients with metastatic disease compared to levels in non-metastatic disease (p<0.05). Fibrinogen/GFC ratio correlated to the increase of d-dimer levels. Global fibrinolytic capacity was much higher in metastatic disease, reflecting a progression to overt disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

Rheumatologic disease with peripheral eosinophilia.

Eosinophilia is not common in connective tissue diseases, so the frequency and clinical importance of eosinophilia in rheumatologic disease are not known. The purpose of the present review was to explore its prevalance in rheumatologic disease together with a MEDLINE database search.

Comorbidity↗

Eosinophilia in rheumatologic diseases: a prospective study of 1000 cases.

The role of eosinophilia in connective tissue diseases and the relationship between symptoms of rheumatic disease and eosinophilia have not been clearly established. The purpose of the present study was to explore the prevalence of eosinophilia in rheumatologic disease and determine its relationship to the symptoms. One thousand patients who applied to our rheumatology outpatient clinic between 2001 and 2002 were prospectively studied. The upper limit of normal blood eosinophil numbers was determined as 500 cells/microl of blood. A detailed history was obtained from all patients and careful physical examination was done. A negative correlation was observed between eosinophilia and dryness of the mouth, vitiligo, and fatigue (P < 0.05). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug usage correlated positively with eosinophilia, which was also statistically meaningful (P < 0.05). Twenty-six of our patients with fibromyalgia (n = 293), three of our subjects with rheumatoid arthritis who were using methotrexate (n = 182), 15 of whom who were not on methotrexate therapy, and one of the 26 with vasculitis had eosinophilia, which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). None of the patients with scleroderma (n = 12) had eosinophilia. Eleven of the patients with gout had eosinophilia, and only one of them was using allopurinol. We conclude that eosinophilia can be seen in various rheumatologic conditions but, as corticosteroids are one of the most common medications used in collagen tissue diseases, the eosinophil numbers found may be lower than expected and eosinophilia may be more frequent than reported.

Adult↗

High levels of cord serum eosinophil cationic protein predict the risk of atopy.

BACKGROUND: Transient tachypnoea of the newborn is a transient respiratory disturbance characterized by tachypnoea shortly after birth, which resolves within 2 to 5 days. The basic pathogenetic mechanism is the delayed resorption of the alveolar fluid of which the exact triggering mechanism still remains unknown. An etiological link associated with parenteral history of atopy was proposed by several studies. Some laboratory studies also revealed that serum IgE, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and cord IgE were higher among infants with maternal history of atopy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association of parental history of atopy with cord blood ECP and IgE concentrations in infants with transient tachypnoea of the newborn. METHODS: ECP and IgE levels were quantified in cord blood samples of 30 infants who were diagnosed as having transient tachypnoea of the newborn. The control group (N=30) was selected among healthy newborns with similar birth weight and gestational age. RESULTS: Cord blood ECP concentrations were significantly higher in the study group (17.6 microg/L) than in healthy control subjects (7.89 microg/L). In addition, transient tachypnoea of the newborn was more frequent in infants with a family history of atopic disease (p<0.01). Cord blood IgE concentrations were also higher in the study group than the controls (4.1 versus 3.28 mg/L) but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Family history of atopy and elevated levels of cord blood ECP are risk factors for transient tachypnoea of the newborn. In addition cord blood ECP level is a useful marker for predicting the risk of atopy.

Biomarkers↗

An atypic herpes encephalitis with Wallenberg's lateral medullary syndrome and CD receptors deficiency.

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a rare complication of Herpes virus infections. Innate immune mechanisms are the first line of defence encountered by invading infectious agents. A 41-year-old man was admitted to the neurology department with the complaints of fever, headache, vertigo, tinnitus and ataxia. His first brain Magnetic Resonance Imagine showed nodular lesions in the medulla oblongata and the second showed a new left occipital lobe lesion in addition. In sera, Herpes Simplex Virus IgG and M values were positive and liver enzymes were found to be elevated. His diagnosis was Herpes encephalitis with liver involvement. CD19, CD20, CD21, CD22, CD35 receptors were found to be diminished. In this case we want to address that one of the causes of Wallenberg's lateral medullary syndrome can be Herpes simplex virus-1 and probable immune system deficiency can be researched.

Adult↗

Pyrimidine 5'nucleotidase I and II activities in acute leukaemias.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pyrimidine 5'nucleotidase I and II activities of peripheral mononuclear cells were studied to evaluate their role in diagnosis, assessment of therapy and follow up of remission in acute leukaemias. DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 40 untreated patients with acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukaemia and 40 healthy controls, before the therapy and after remission. The correlation between the activity of the enzymes and the efficacy of therapy were established. The enzyme activities were measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), using the method described by Amici. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon methods were used. RESULTS: Before the therapy, Pyrimidine 5'nucleotidase I levels in the leukaemic group were found to be significantly elevated when compared to the control group (p<0.001). Also Pyrimidine 5'nucleotidase II levels were significantly elevated before the therapy and during remission (p<0.02 and p<0.001 respectively). The isoenzyme activities were compared in patients who were in remission, who did not respond to therapy and in patients who died during the therapy, but no significant difference was found. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that, Pyrimidine 5'nucleotidase I and II activities can be used as markers for diagnosis and follow up of remission in patients with acute leukaemia. But, they can not have predictive value for prognosis.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Cardiac dysfunction in cirrhosis.

In cirrhosis, cardiac symptoms and physical signs occur as the liver functions worsen. Cirrhosis is associated with hyperdynamic circulation and beta-adrenergic system activation responsible for the cardiovascular changes. The purpose of the present study was to explore the cardiovascular response to exercise in cirrhotic patients. A total of 20 patients (16 men, four women) with cirrhosis of hepatitis B or C without any cardiac dysfunction were included in the study. Ten people (eight men, two women) were enrolled in the control group. Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations, blood pressures in supine and standing positions, exercise echocardiography and exercise radionuclide ventriculography were carried out. In cirrhotics, the exercise capacity was lower and also there was an impaired cardiovascular response to exercise with lower than expected peak heart rate without any cardiac dysfunction, which may have important clinical implications for the ability of these patients to withstand cardiovascular stress.

Journal Article↗

Global fibrinolytic capacity in colorectal cancer: a new clue to occult fibrinolysis.

Hemostatic disorders in cancer patients range from asymptomatic laboratory changes to massive thromboembolism or hemorrhage. Routine laboratory tests often fail to identify patients at high risk for hemostatic complications. The postoperative risk of thromboembolic events in colorectal cancer was reported as approximately 2% to 5%. A new diagnostic test was used to assess global fibrinolytic activity, which may detect occult fibrinolysis or disseminated intravascular coagulation in patients with colorectal cancer. Twenty patients with colorectal cancer and 20 healthy control subjects were involved. Using standard silicated fibrin pellets and tissue plasminogen activator, the fibrinolytic capacity of the plasma samples was detected with the amount of D-dimer produced before the reaction was stopped by adding aprotinin to the medium. Mean global fibrinolytic capacity was increased in patients before and after surgery when compared to controls (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, a hemostatic imbalance was detected toward primary fibrinolysis in the preoperative period and low-grade disseminated intravascular coagulation postoperatively.

Aprotinin↗

Serum beta 2-microglobulin reflects disease activity in Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic remitting vasculitis characterized by orogenital ulceration and uveitis. The disease is not associated with specific laboratory abnormalities. Hence, the activity of BD is generally assessed by clinical findings and--to some extent--by nonspecific markers of inflammation. This study was performed to investigate the relative efficiency of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), serumamyloid A protein (SAA), and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) levels as markers of disease activity in patients with BD. The study population consisted of 20 patients with active BD, 23 patients with inactive BD, and 27 healthy adults serving as the control group. Serum beta 2-m, SAA, ESR, and CRP levels of patients with BD were found to be significantly higher than those in the healthy control group. They were also higher in patients with active disease than in those in remission and controls. The levels of SAA. ESR, and CRP in inactive patients were also significantly higher than the controls. No statistically significant difference was noted between beta 2-m levels of patients with inactive BD and healthy controls. Serum beta 2-m levels can beregarded as a more discriminative marker of activation in BD. The high diagnostic value of SAA levels indicate that it can also be accepted as a marker of disease activity in BD.

Adult↗

Diabetic gastroparesis in association with autonomic neuropathy and microvasculopathy.

Gastroparesis is a frequent and sometimes life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus. Autonomic neuropathy seems to be one of the most important mechanisms underlying this entity, together with the other probable pathologies. The present study was performed in order to identify an alternative to gastric scintigraphy as a screening test. The gastric emptying times of 60 subjects (Group 1: 20 insulin-dependent patients, Group 2: 20 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients, and Group 3: 20 healthy volunteers) were monitored by gastric scintigraphy. Perception thresholds for cold, heat, and vibration were tested by a quantitative sensory test, and QTc dispersions were calculated from standard electrocardiography recordings. In addition, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c and urine beta2-microglobulin and microalbumin concentrations were determined for the patient groups. Funduscopic examination was performed by an independent ophthalmologist. Gastroparesis was determined in both patient groups, regardless of fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c concentrations. A strong correlation was observed between nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiac autonomic denervation (QTc) and gastroparesis. In conclusion, retinal and renal microvasculopathy parameters and cardiac autonomic function tests may be useful for screening diabetic patients for gastroparesis.

Adult↗

Plasma homocysteine level and uveitis in Behçet's disease.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease is a chronic relapsing systemic vasculitis of unknown origin in which orogenital ulceration, skin lesions and uveitis are prominent features. Patients with BD have been recognized to be at greater risk for vascular diseases such as thrombosis and aneurysms. Uveitis in BD is usually accompanied by retinal vaso-occlusive disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible role of hyperhomocysteinemia as a prethrombotic disorder in the development of uveitis. METHODS: The study population consisted of 29 patients with BD (13 males and 16 females with a mean age of 32.3 years, range 21-52) and 24 healthy controls. All patients fulfilled the criteria of the International Study Group for BD. The patients were categorized as having active (n = 8) or inactive disease (n = 11) or only uveitis (n = 10). Plasma fasting homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels were studied in all patients and controls. The fasting homocysteine level was significantly higher in patients with only uveitis than in inactive patients and controls (P = 0.029 and P = 0.26 respectively). It was also higher in patients with active disease compared to healthy controls (P = 0.,001). However, no significant difference was found between homocysteine levels of patients with active or inactive disease (P = 0.69). CRP, as a marker of disease activity, was higher in active BD and in patients with only uveitis than in controls (P = 0.01 and P = 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: Homocysteine may play a role in ocular involvement of BD. Chronic inflammation can induce hyperhomocysteinemia, thereby leading to thrombosis in the retinal vascular bed in a way similar to that recently proposed for the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.

Adolescent↗

In vitro antifungal effect of human milk.

A lower incidence of infection occurs among breast-fed babies because of the presence of antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects, but little is known about the antifungal effects to fungi other than Candida albicans. This study was undertaken to assess the antifungal effect of human milk to the fungi in the environmental air, which also may be allergenic. Milk samples were obtained from lactating mothers of healthy term infants between the 3rd and 8th days of lactation. Ninety-six Sabouraud agar petri dishes were separated into three groups, closed, and incubated in the same location after 15 minutes uncovered. The first group (group 1, n=48 dishes) was used to detect the fungal flora of the environmental air. The second group (group 2, n=24 dishes) was rubbed with a thin layer of human milk by a sterile pipette. The last group (group 3, n=24 dishes) was rubbed with 0.9% NaCIlsolution. After 7 days of incubation, the colony-forming fungal growths of all dishes were evaluated by a microbiologist who did not know the groups of the dishes. The number offungal colonies grown in human milk-rubbed dishes in group 2 was less than both of the other groups (group 1 and 3; p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). These results indicated that human milk may have antifungal effects to fungi present in the environmental air as tested by Sabouraud agar petri dishes. To prevent infections and allergic diseases, human milk must be considered the ideal food for newborns.

Colony Count, Microbial↗