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Biomedical subjects

S Aslan

Publications and source records attributed to S Aslan.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Efficacy of fluconazole in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal candidiasis in neutropenic patients with cancer: factors influencing the outcome.

Fluconazole has proved to be effective in treating oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis in immunocompromised patients. However, sufficient data are lacking regarding the efficacy of this agent in neutropenic hosts. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical and mycological efficacy of fluconazole and to define the factor(s) affecting the outcome of fluconazole therapy in severely neutropenic patients (peripheral neutrophil count, < 500/microL) with cancer who have oropharyngeal and/or esophageal candidiasis. One hundred eleven patients with 129 episodes of candidal infections were treated with intravenous and consequently oral fluconazole (200 mg/d and 100 mg/d, respectively). Overall clinical cure and mycological eradication rates were 82% and 56%, respectively. Persistent neutropenia (P < .01), infection with a non-albicans strain of Candida (P = .012), and administration of antifungal therapy during the second or a later neutropenic episode (P < .002) were independently associated with a worse outcome. We conclude that fluconazole is effective in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal candidiasis in neutropenic patients with cancer. Effective treatment of the underlying malignancy, with the resultant recovery from neutropenia, and the determination of the species of infecting Candida isolates are required for the prediction of the outcome of antifungal therapy.

Adult↗

The value of 99mTc-DTPA renal scintigraphy in the evaluation of post-traumatic abdominal fluid collection.

A patient with a post-traumatic retroperitoneal urinoma is presented. On admission, there was a clinical suspicion of retroperitoneal hematoma and ultrasonography (US) was performed which showed a hypoechoic fluid collection suggesting retroperitoneal hematoma. In order to determine the nature of the fluid, radionuclide angiography and renal scan were performed successively with 99mTc-DTPA. Demonstration of urinary leakage into the mass in the delayed renal scintigraphic images suggested a urinoma. At laparotomy, total transection of the left ureter in the uretero-pelvic region was found and the diagnosis of urinoma was confirmed.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Antiepileptic therapy and teratogenicity in Turkey.

In this study 170 children born to 116 epileptic mothers are evaluated for the presence of congenital malformations. In one group, the mothers of 104 children were administered with one or more antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during their pregnancies. In the control group, the mothers of 66 children received no therapy throughout or during the first trimester of their pregnancies. Twelve of the 104 children who were exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero, had various major congenital malformations. On the other hand, 66 children who were not exposed to AEDs in utero had no malformations. The incidence of congenital malformations in children born to epileptic mothers was found to be significantly higher compared to the incidence observed in other studies (0.48-2%) among the general population of Turkey.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in a district general hospital: audit of an agreed management policy.

All patients from an unselected population admitted with acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage to a District General Hospital (DGH) were studied prospectively over one year. Before the study period a management policy was agreed between physicians and surgeons. One-hundred-and-nine patients were admitted. Sixty-eight per cent were over 60 and 17% over 80 years of age. Sixty patients bled from peptic ulcers and seven patients rebled. Endoscopic stigmata (visible vessel, adherent clot, and oozing) were useful in identifying those at increased risk of rebleeding but not as an indication for surgery. Six patients underwent surgery for peptic ulceration with one postoperative death. There were four deaths among the other patient groups giving an overall mortality of 4.6%. This audit shows a low mortality after acute upper GI haemorrhage can be achieved even in an elderly population in a DGH without the establishment of a specialist unit but with an agreed policy of management.

Acute Disease↗

[Ovarian cysts in cattle--etiology, therapy success, fertility].

The functions of the ovaries were controlled in 92 cattle over a period of 12 to 95 days p.p. Cystic follicles developed in 61% (25 from 41) during reconvalescence period and were correlated with a 4.2 days earlier onset of ovarian function, which was assured statistically. All together in 41 animals cystic degeneration was registered. Cysts having appeared before day 39 p.p. receded spontaneously in 24%, those having developed later remained. By application of the GnRH-analogous Buserelin (Receptal), either exclusive or combined with beta-carotene or Prostaglandin Trometamol-Tiaprost (Iliren) ovarian function could be restored in all cases. Restitution was most rapid when using Buserelin plus beta-carotene (Fertilizing insemination 3 weeks post application), but protracted after the consecutive method of therapy. All 92 cattle became pregnant. The P4-level of all "cyst-cows" were low, i.e. between 0.68 and 0.81 ng/ml of skimmed milk. The increase of conductivity of the cervical mucus to above 30 Ohm turned out an evidence of an ovarian cyst to be present. Restoration took longer in correlation with the increasing diameter of the cysts.

Animals↗

Thromboxane A2 inhibitors and iloprost prevent angiotensin II-induced oedema in the isolated perfused rat lung.

The effect of thromboxane A2 inhibitors and iloprost, a stable analogue of prostacyclin, on angiotensin II-induced oedema was studied in the isolated perfused rat lung. Angiotensin II, infused into the pulmonary artery, produced oedema of the lung, as evidenced by the increase in lung weight and in perfusion pressure. UK 38485, a thromboxane A2-synthetase inhibitor, and BM 13177, a thromboxane A2 receptor blocker, attenuated the oedema producing and vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II. A similar effect was obtained with iloprost at very low concentrations. Other agonists such as noradrenaline, phenylephrine and high K+ in the medium produced increases in perfusion pressure, but failed to elicit an increase in lung weight. Only serotonin, at relatively higher concentrations again increased lung weight, which was prevented by prior addition of UK 38485, BM 13177 and iloprost into the medium. These results were taken as an evidence indicating thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin-mediated effects of angiotensin II in the isolated perfused rat lung and the possible role of these unstable metabolites of arachidonic acid in the production of lung oedema.

Angiotensin II↗

Controlled trial of plasma exchange in acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy.

A randomised controlled trial of exchange versus no exchange was conducted to find out whether plasma exchange would be useful in acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy. It was calculated that 15 patients would be required in each group to demonstrate a worthwhile improvement in functional ability 1 month after completion of treatment. Treatment comprised five exchanges in 10 days (55 ml plasma/kg body weight/exchange). Both groups received normal supportive care and were followed up periodically for a year. Overall the treated group showed a slight but not significant benefit (p greater than 0.05); at two weeks' follow-up of patients admitted to the trial within 14 days of onset of neuropathic symptoms, p = 0.07. These results do not provide grounds for recommending plasma exchange for the treatment of severe AIP.

Acute Disease↗

Lymphocyte subpopulations and suppressor cell activity in acute polyradiculoneuritis (Guillain-Barré syndrome).

Ficoll-Triosil separated peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells were analysed by fluorescent microscopy with Ortho monoclonal antisera to T cells (OKT3+) helper cells (OKT4+) and suppressor cytotoxic cells (OKT8+) and with polyclonal antiserum to surface immunoglobulin. Twenty-five normal subjects, 16 patients with acute polyradiculoneuritis (Guillain-Barré syndrome, AP) and 10 patients with other neurological diseases were studied. The percentages of OKT3+, OKT4+ and immunoglobulin bearing cells were similar in the three patient groups but the percentage of OKT8+ cells was reduced to 13.5 +/- 4.1 (mean +/- s.d.) compared with 19.4 +/- 4.9 in the normal subjects and 18.5 +/- 3.1 in the patients with other neurological diseases. The ratio of OKT4+/OKT8+ cells was correspondingly increased to 3.5 +/- 2.1 compared with 2.1 +/- 0.5 in the normal subjects and 2.1 +/- 0.4 in the patients with other neurological diseases. In one test of suppressor cell function Con A incubated mitomycin treated PBM cells were added to autologous PBM cells stimulated with Con A to compare the degree of suppression with that produced by control incubated mitomycin treated cells (Con A suppression test). In a second test of suppressor cell function short lived suppressor cell (SLS) activity was assayed by comparing PBM stimulation by Con A added at the start of culture with that produced by Con A added after 24 hr. Neither test revealed any significant differences between AP patients and control subjects.

Acute Disease↗

[Drug fever due to isoniazid].

Drug fever is an uncommon manifestation of isoniazid intolerance. A patient with tuberculous peritonitis is presented with a diagnostic problem, because of continuous and spiking fever, while she was on isoniazid. The fever disappeared after discontinuation of the drug. For confirmation of the drug fever, isoniazid was given on two occasions. Fever respond was demonstrated on rechallenge. This case calls attention to uncommon adverse reaction of isoniazid in patients who are treated with isoniazid.

Fever↗