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Biomedical subjects

S Caglar

Publications and source records attributed to S Caglar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Microsurgical anatomy of the dorsal cervical rootlets and dorsal root entry zones.

BACKGROUND: Detailed anatomical knowledge of the dorsal cervical rootlets and dorsal root entry zones (DREZ) is important for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical myeloradiculopathy and surgical management of pain. There are far fewer micro-anatomical studies of this area than gross anatomical studies. This study presents several anatomical points regarding the dorsal cervical rootlets and dorsal root entry zones. METHOD: Fifteen adult formalin-fixed cadaveric spines from C1 to T1 were used to observe the posterior structures. They were studied under the surgical microscope following en bloc laminectomy and foraminotomy. The morphological features of the dorsal root entry zones and dorsal rootlets were determined. The distance from the midline to the DREZ, the longitudinal length of the DREZ in the spinal canal, the length of the dorsal rootlets, the number of dorsal rootlets and the intersegmental anastomoses between the dorsal rootlets were measured. FINDINGS: The distance from the midline to the DREZ ranged from 1.1 to 4.7 mm. Longitudinal length of the dorsal rootlets ranged 4.3-17.7 mm. The shortest length of the dorsal rootlets ranged between 5-28 mm, and longest lengths of the dorsal rootlets ranged 6.8-30.3 mm. The number of dorsal rootlets ranged from 2-13. Between the C2-T1 dorsal rootlets, 142 connections out of 30 intersegments were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The distance from the midline to the DREZ decreased in the lower cervical spine. The longest longitudinal length of the DREZ was at the C5 level. The length of the dorsal rootlets was increased in the lower cervical spine. The average number of dorsal rootlets tended to increase in the lower cervical spine. Anastomoses were most often found between C6-7 and C5-6 dorsal rootlets. Knowledge of the anatomical features of dorsal cervical rootlets and dorsal root entry zones is essential for a surgeon to avoid injuring the neural structures. This knowledge is a must not only to avoid complications but also for the success, safety and effectiveness of microsurgical operations of the pathological conditions like posterior myeloradiculopathy and pain treatment such as DREZ operations.

Adult↗

The influence of growth regulators on shoot proliferation and rooting of in vitro propagated caper.

The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of TDZ and BAP on shoot proliferation and to develop a satisfactory rooting procedure for in vitro propagation of caper (Capparis spinosa L). TDZ was found to be more effective than BAP in shoot production. The highest shoot number per explant (45.7) was achieved on the media that contained 4.54 microM TDZ in the absence of IAA. TDZ at 4.54 microM alone or in combination with 0.57 microM IAA did not inhibit shoot elongation, although they produced the most shoots. Dipping the caper shoots in the solution of IBA at 24.6 microM for 10 minutes before planting on MS media, improved the rooting percentage up to 80.5% under a 16 hr photoperiod.

Agriculture↗

Prediction of renal allograft function with early Doppler ultrasonography.

INTRODUCTION: Doppler ultrasonography (USG) is an useful, noninvasive diagnostic tool for the management and follow-up of the transplanted kidney. However, it is believed that the value of Doppler USG is limited to discrimination of acute rejection episodes. We tested whether early Doppler USG findings were predictive of 1-month and 1-year allograft functions in noncomplicated renal transplant recipients (RTRs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Resistive index (RI) and pulsatile index (PI) values obtained by doppler USG within the first week of transplantation were correlated with allograft function at 1 month and 1 year in 45 (10 women, 35 men, mean age: 27 years) noncomplicated cases. Patients with complications during the first posttransplant year were not included. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between both RI and PI with creatinine clearance values at 1 month and at 1 year posttransplant. There was a significant decline in allograft function among cases with either RI > or = 0.7 or PI > or = 1.1. Patients with impaired allograft function have higher RI and PI values. CONCLUSION: Renal allograft survival is influenced by many factors. However, no reliable simple parameter has been identified to predict long-term outcome. Doppler USG performed during the early transplantation period with calculation of RI and PI may have a predictive value to forecast early and long-term outcomes of noncomplicated kidney transplants.

Adult↗

Septic arthritis caused by Nocardia asteroides in a renal transplant recipient.

Although articular complications are common following renal transplantation, septic arthritis is not frequent. Previous bacterial infection in an another site is a consistent finding and the knee is the most often affected joint. We present a 30-year-old female renal transplant recipient with recurrent pulmonary infiltrates preceding septic arthritis of her left knee. Cultures of the aspirated synovial fluid yielded a gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium later identified as Nocardia asteroides. The patient was treated with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole without any side effect. Nocardia is a rare but serious cause of infection in renal transplant recipients but there is no well-known predisposing factor. Recently mycophenolate mofetil has been implicated as a factor associated with Nocardia infections. Prolonged courses of treatment with sulphonamides are recommended.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Effects of farmyard manure and chemical fertilizers on the nutritional status of the loquat trees.

The nutritional status of the loquat trees was investigated using cattle manure and commercial fertilizers for three years. The farmyard manure increased N, P, K, Mg, Fe and Zn contents of the leaves. No significant difference was found between the fertilizer types for trunk growth. Yield efficiency was nearly doubled by application of farmyard manure. Fertilizers did not affect the weight and shape of the fruits; however, commercial fertilizers led the lower total acidity in fruits. It was concluded that the loquat trees grown in sandy soils could fulfill their principal nutrient requirements for growth and commercial yield with application of farmyard manure.

Eriobotrya↗

Finding the self? An event-related fMRI study.

Researchers have long debated whether knowledge about the self is unique in terms of its functional anatomic representation within the human brain. In the context of memory function, knowledge about the self is typically remembered better than other types of semantic information. But why does this memorial effect emerge? Extending previous research on this topic (see Craik et al., 1999), the present study used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate potential neural substrates of self-referential processing. Participants were imaged while making judgments about trait adjectives under three experimental conditions (self-relevance, other-relevance, or case judgment). Relevance judgments, when compared to case judgments, were accompanied by activation of the left inferior frontal cortex and the anterior cingulate. A separate region of the medial prefrontal cortex was selectively engaged during self-referential processing. Collectively, these findings suggest that self-referential processing is functionally dissociable from other forms of semantic processing within the human brain.

Adolescent↗

Pure red cell aplasia preceding malignant lymphoma in a renal transplant patient.

Malignant disorders are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in transplant patients. We present herein a renal transplant recipient with malignant lymphoma which preceded by pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Acquired PRCA is a rare hematologic disorder in renal transplant recipients. It has been associated with a variety of disorders of immunologic dysfunction and neoplasms, exposure to drugs and toxins, infectious diseases, pregnancy and severe nutritional deficiency. This is the first case with PRCA preceding the malign lymphoma in a renal transplant patient. Treatment of lymphoma and lymphoma-related humoral and cellular changes or other undefined effects that may be related to therapy may be responsible of the resolving of PRCA in this patient. In this regard, renal transplant patients with acquired PRCA, must be closely followed for an underlying neoplastic disorder.

Disease Progression↗

Post-traumatic intradiploic epidermoid cyst. A case report.

A patient with an intradiploic epidermoid cyst of calvarium was presented. Head injury that may cause the inclusion of epidermal cells into the diploe of the bone was present in his medical history. Skull radiographs and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated the tumor. The tumor was totally removed and the patient was discharged free of symptoms.

Adult↗

Bone mineral density in haemodialysis patients: A comparative study of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and quantitative ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of bone is a relatively new technique that appears to assess 'bone quality' in addition to bone mineral density. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of QUS of calcaneum and to correlate it with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in chronic haemodialysis patients. METHODS: Broad-band ultrasound attenuation (BUA; dB/MHz) and speed of sound (SOS; m/s) of calcaneum and DEXA (g/cm(2)) measurements of the lumbar spine and hip were made in 39 patients. The indices obtained by either method were compared with age-and sex-matched controls. Calcaneal measurements were correlated to DEXA and relevant clinical and biochemical data of patients. RESULTS: BUA and SOS values were markedly reduced in dialysis patients compared to controls (59.1+/-13.8 vs 73.0+/-16.2 dB/MHz, P:<0.001 and 1533+/-28 vs 1560+/-29 m/s, P:=0.014 respectively). There was a moderate, but significant association between calcaneal parameters and DEXA (r=0.32-0.53, P:<0.05). Both BUA and SOS scores were inversely correlated with age (r=-0.69, P:<0.001) and duration of menopause (r=-0.74, P:<0.01). Additionally, BUA values showed a moderate negative association with serum intact parathyroid values (r=-0.38, P:=0.018). CONCLUSION: Chronic haemodialysis patients have reduced calcaneal BUA and SOS scores. QUS of the calcaneum is an easy-to-apply and radiation-free technique. It could be a useful substitute for assessment of bone density in such patients. However, further studies in large patient groups and comparisons with plasma markers of bone turnover and bone biopsy findings are needed to assess its potential place in the management of renal osteodystrophy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

A calcifying fibroma of the meninges report of a case and review of the literature.

We report an unusual tumor related to the meninges designated as a calcifying fibroma of the meninges. Our patient was a 44-year-old man.The tumor was located in the right frontotemporoparietal region and was excised totally via a right frontotemporoparietal craniotomy. The patient had recovered completely, and no recurrence was observed in a follow-up period of three years. Histopathologically, we noted scattered spindle cells among the hyalinized collagenous stroma, dystrophicpsammomatous calcifications, abundant perivascular hyalinization and cartilagenous metaplasia. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed actin, smooth muscle and vimentin immunreactivities. Ultrastructurally, spindle cells showed fibroblastic features. The lesion is a true tumor and it should be kept in mind in the differential diagnoss of meningeal calcifying lesions.

Adult↗

Thrombopoietin and thrombospondin in renal allograft recipients.

Recipients of renal transplants appear to be at increased risk of thromboembolic events. Despite accumulating evidence for the hyperreactivity of platelets, the primary regulator of thrombopoiesis, thrombopoietin (TPO), has not yet been studied in renal transplant recipients. Thus, the aim of the present study was to quantify the levels of TPO and to assess its contribution to increased platelet reactivity in recipients of renal allografts. Serum concentrations of thrombospondin (TSP) were also determined in patients undergoing renal transplants in order to evaluate the role of this multifunctional protein in platelet hyperaggregability. Serum levels of TPO were significantly lower in renal transplant recipients (n = 27) than in healthy controls (30.8+/-20.6 pg/ml versus 129.9+/-113.6 pg/ml, P = 0.001). Serum concentrations of TPO were correlated neither with serum levels of creatinine nor duration of transplantation. However, levels of TPO were negatively correlated with platelet counts (r = -0.50, P = 0.007) in recipients of renal transplants. Plasma levels of TSP were higher in renal transplant patients than in the control group (104.5+/-54.7 ng/ml versus 63.4+/-41.5 ng/ml, P = 0.003). No significant correlation was found between levels of TPO and TSP. We conclude that, rather than the allograft function, the platelet mass determines the levels of TPO in recipients of renal transplants. Despite the low serum levels of TPO, and increased concentrations of TSP, TPO might still play a role in the hyperaggregability of platelets in patients undergoing renal transplants.

Adult↗

Cyclical acute renal failure due to bilateral ureteral endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a common disease but ureteral involvement is relatively rare. Ureteric endometriosis is mostly unilateral. Endometriotic ureteral obstruction is a serious event commonly diagnosed late and therefore associated with a major risk of hydronephrotic renal atrophy. We present the cyclical acute renal failure associated with menstruation in a patient who developed severe bilateral ureteral obstruction due to endometriosis. Physicians should be aware of this uncommon but serious manifestation of endometriosis, especially if the clinical presentation is cyclical acute renal dysfunction in a premenopausal woman.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Determinants of soluble CD23 antigen levels in hemodialysis patients: effect of 1.25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 and recombinant human erythropoietin treatment.

BACKGROUND: The immunodeficiency of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) paradoxically coexists with T cell and monocyte activation. In spite of well known defective antibody responses in ESRD, the functional status of B cells in the immune system dysregulation of uremia is still controversial. Soluble CD23 (sCD23) antigen is a recently identified B cell activation marker and is also involved in T cell activation process. Effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH), red blood cells and ferritin on T and B cell functions have been shown both in vivo and in vitro. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, serum levels of sCD23 in hemodialysis patients were determined to evaluate the functional status of B cells and possible linkages between this cytokine and PTH levels, ferritin levels, red blood cell counts were investigated. RESULTS: Serum sCD23 levels were significantly elevated in hemodialysis patients relative to healthy controls (12.5+/-8.4 micro/l vs. 2.4+/-1.1 micro/l, p<0.001). Serum sCD23 levels were negatively correlated with red blood cell count (r = -0.61, p = 0.009) and serum PTH levels (r = -0.62, p = 0.008), while positively correlated with serum ferritin levels (r = 0.63, p = 0.007) in hemodialysis patients. We also investigated the immunumodulator effects of 1.25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1.25OHD3) and recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-Epo) treatment in hemodialysis patients. 1.25OHD3 treatment for eight weeks did not change serum sCD23 levels in hemodialysis patients (n = 8). On the other side, rHu-Epo administration for 16 weeks led to a decrease in serum sCD23 levels (17.7+/-8.6 microg/l vs. 9.8+/-3.5 microg/l, p = 0.007) in these patients (n = 9). CONCLUSION: These results suggests that similar to T cells, B cells are activated in uremia and the degree of this activation is correlated with red blood cell count, serum parathyroid hormone levels and iron status of the hemodialysis patients. Moreover, B cell activation could be altered by recombinant human erythropoietin therapy in hemodialysis patients.

Adult↗

Compliance in hemodialysis patients: unanticipated monitoring of biochemical indices.

Compliance with the prescribed medical regimen is a critical factor for the continued well-being of hemodialysis patients. As compliance is a multifactorial problem, numerous approaches have been utilized to quantify the compliance of hemodialysis patients. In the present study, we have attempted to examine whether unanticipated control of biochemical indices might predict the compliance status of hemodialysis patients. We compared unanticipated mid-month values of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum potassium (K) and phosphate (PO4) values of 54 maintenance hemodialysis patients with the scheduled, regular first-week measurements during a 6-month study period. The interdialytic weight gain (IWG) levels of the corresponding weeks were also compared. Mid-month analysis revealed a significant deviation in the compliance status of the study population as BUN, serum K and IWGs were concerned (p < 0.05). The mid-month serum PO4 levels were also higher but the difference was not significant (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the differences observed in biochemical indices upon change of test request timing were distinctive. It suggests that unanticipated control of biochemical indices might contribute to the actual assessment of compliance in hemodialysis patients.

Adult↗