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Biomedical subjects

S Isik

Publications and source records attributed to S Isik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

High incidence of antinuclear antibodies that recognize the matrix attachment region.

The matrix attachment region (MAR) is a distinctive genomic DNA involved in a variety of nuclear processes through association with the nuclear matrix. Recent studies suggest that nuclear matrix is altered in the process of apoptosis and presented to the immune system, leading to the production of autoantibodies against its protein components. To see whether MARs are also recognized by autoantibodies, a collection of human sera containing antinuclear antibodies was screened for the presence of binding activities against cloned MARs. We found that MAR-binding activities are quite common in these sera. There was a positive correlation among the MAR-binding titers for three different MAR probes. As expected, the MAR-binding activity was copurified with serum IgG, and subclass analysis with affinity-purified IgG on MAR-Sepharose showed a predominance of IgG2 isotype. Several lines of evidence implied that the anti-MAR antibodies detected here is distinct from the ordinary anti-DNA antibodies that are reactive to bulk DNA.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

Magnetic resonance imaging and morphometric histologic analysis of prostate tissue composition in predicting the clinical outcome of terazosin therapy in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: To determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or quantitative color-imaged morphometric analysis (MA) of the prostate gland are related to the clinical response to terazosin. METHODS: Thirty-six male patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 4-10 ng/mL underwent MRI with body coil, transrectal prostate ultrasonography and biopsy prior to terazosin therapy. For MRI-determined stromal and non-stromal BPH, the ratio of the signal intensity of the inner gland to the obturator internus muscle was evaluated. Histologic sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The MA of the specimens was performed by Samba 2000. Results of the two techniques were interpreted according to the terazosin therapy results. RESULTS: The mean stromal percentage was 60.5 +/- 18.0%. No statistically significant relationship was found between the clinical outcome of terazosin and the MRI findings. The MA results showed a significant relationship between the percentage of stroma and the percent change of the peak urinary flow rate, but not with the percent change of the international prostate symptom score after terazosin therapy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging alone is not sufficient in predicting the response to terazosin therapy. Morphometric analysis of BPH tissue composition can be used in predicting the clinical outcome of terazosin therapy but it is suitable only in patients for whom prostatic biopsy is necessary in order to rule out prostate cancer.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Lower extremity salvage using a free flap associated with the Ilizarov method in patients with massive combat injuries.

Nine patients with massive combat injuries of the lower extremities were treated with Ilizarov bone transport in conjunction with free muscle flap coverage. In 4 patients soft-tissue coverage was applied first, and distraction osteogenesis was initiated 4 to 6 weeks later. In 3 patients both methods were applied simultaneously, and in 2 patients soft-tissue coverage occurred after distraction. The bones healed well, and all flaps survived. The segmental defects ranged from 8 to 16.5 cm in greatest dimension. The total disability time from initial injury ranged from 16 to 25.5 months. In all patients, full union of the tibia was achieved, and no osteomyelitis occurred. However, in 2 patients the applied flap became depressed, necessitating another flap operation. Despite late treatment in all 9 patients, successful results were obtained. Maintaining the original length of the tibia and providing timely, definitive treatment offer the best outcome for repair of massive injuries of the lower extremities. The Ilizarov transport method, used in combination with muscle flap coverage, represents an effective therapy for repair of massive injury of the lower extremities.

Adult↗

Qualitative and quantitative volumetric evaluation of the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in multiple sclerosis: preliminary report.

We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 13 patients (aged 22 to 54 years) with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). They were randomly assigned to receive a loading dose of immunoglobulin IgG, 0.4 g/kg body weight/day for 5 consecutive days, followed by single booster doses of 0.4 g/kg/day, or placebo, once a month for 9 months. MRI was obtained before and during the 3rd and 6th months of treatment; examinations in the 9th and 12th months were planned. Qualitative and quantitative blinded assessments were performed. There were seven patients who received active treatment and six who received placebo. Statistical analysis was performed by the Wilcoxon test. A decrease in the size and number of lesions was observed on MRI in five patients (71%) in the treatment group, and in two (33%) of the placebo group at 3-month follow-up. At 6 months follow-up MRI, a decrease in the amount of lesions was observed in all patients treated with i.v. IgG, and in two (33%) of the placebo group; four patients (66%) receiving placebo showed an increase. Quantitative analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in the volume of lesions in treatment group at both 3 and 6 month follow-up. There was no statistically significant change in the placebo group.

Adult↗

Lens of the eye: radiation dose in balloon dacryocystoplasty.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the absorbed radiation dose to the lens of the eye, which is the critical organ in the primary beam during fluoroscopically guided transluminal balloon dilation of the lacrimal drainage system (balloon dacryocystoplasty) for obstructive epiphora and to evaluate the possibility of deterministic radiation effect on the lens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiation dose to the lens of the eye during balloon dacryocystoplasty (which includes pre- and postintervention dacryocystography) was measured in 10 consecutive patients by using thermoluminescent dosimeters on the lids of both eyes as close as possible to the lenses. A C-arm angiographic unit coupled with a digital imaging system was used, with similar exposure and geometric parameters in all cases. RESULTS: The mean radiation dose to the lens of the treated eye was 4.6 mGy +/- 2.2 (dose range, 1.9-9.1 mGy) and to that of the untreated eye was 38.5 mGy +/- 17.5 (dose range, 14.7-67.8 mGy). CONCLUSION: The lens of the untreated eye receives a higher dose than that of the treated eye because of its closer proximity to the x-ray tube in a lateral projection. In the lens, even the highest measured radiation dose (67.8 mGy) still was well below the deterministic threshold for lens opacity and cataract formation.

Adult↗

Reconstruction of foot defects due to mine explosion using muscle flaps.

Landmine explosions bring a formidable challenge to both patients and reconstructive surgeons. Free tissue transfer is the only method of repairing such extensive soft tissue defects of the foot after serial debridements. Sixty-five consecutive free muscle flap transfers were performed in 54 patients who had foot defects involving soft tissue and bone due to mine explosions. Although posttraumatic vessel disease had complicated most of the cases, overall flap survival rate was 83%. Each patient was ambulatory. Ulceration in long-term period was seen in only one patient. Eighty-five percent of patients with successful bone reconstruction and 41.6% of patients without adequate bone replacement demonstrated normal weightbearing in footprints and gait analysis. Free muscle flaps with split thickness skin graft and bone replacement are recommended for the reconstruction of such devastating wounds.

Adult↗

Salvage of foot amputation stumps of Chopart level by free medial plantar flap.

Blast energy-induced traumas usually result in some type of amputations of lower extremities. It is very hard to determine the amputation level of the feet of these cases at first, and secondary amputation stump revisions by bone shortening are often necessary. Among partial foot amputation levels, Chopart level is the most critical. Four male patients (20 to 24 years old) with modified Chopart amputation due to mine explosion injury have had skin-grafted amputation stumps where troublesome, recurrent unstable wounds had developed. These amputation stumps were electively reconstructed with neurosensorial free medial plantar flaps from unaffected feet without any bone shortening. All the transferred flaps survived and adapted to stumps well, and patients were ambulated at the second month by wearing on the original prosthesis after minimal adjustments. At the follow-up period (6 months to 2 years), no skin breakdown of the stumps was evident. Monofilament (Semmes-Weinstein) tests revealed diminished light touch in two patients and diminished protective sensation in another two patients at the sixth month. Temporary donor foot pain, which existed by walking for 3 months, may be due partly to absence of plantar fascia supporting the plantar arc. We suggest that amputation level of Chopart is the most critical of partial foot amputations in young patients and should be reconstructed with flaps if there is not sufficient soft-tissue coverage of amputation stump; free neurosensorial medial plantar flap would be the primary choice with its advantages.

Adult↗

Treatment of recurrent nasolacrimal duct obstructions with balloon-expandable metallic stents: results of early experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of Palmaz balloon-expandable metallic stents for the maintenance of luminal patency in the treatment of recurrent nasolacrimal duct, obstructions after failed transluminal balloon dilatation. METHODS: Metallic stents were implanted in the nasolacrimal duct of four patients with recurrent epiphora. All the patients had already undergone transluminal balloon dilatation of the nasolacrimal duct with no or only temporary improvement. In two eyes, 9.5-mm-long Palmaz stents were used; in the other two eyes, 20-mm-long articulated-design Palmaz stents were placed under digital fluoroscopic monitoring. In each case, the upper tip protruded slightly into the lacrimal sac and the lower end was positioned inside the nasolacrimal duct. RESULTS: The stents were placed accurately in all cases, and no complications were observed. After stent placement, all patients had complete resolution of epiphora. During the follow-up period of 10 months, although complete obstruction did not occur in any case, complete resolution of epiphora was maintained only in one of four eyes. In two eyes, improvement was remarkable. In one eye with partial improvement, intrastent balloon dilatation was performed. CONCLUSION: Treatment of recurrent nasolacrimal duct obstructions with balloon-expandable metallic stents is a noninvasive, efficient, and safe outpatient procedure that may be an alternative to surgery as a means for managing epiphora.

Adult↗

Cost-effectiveness of computed tomography in the evaluation of patients with headache.

We report a retrospective study to determine the cost-effectiveness of cranial computed tomography in patients with headache without neurological finding. Five hundred ninety-two neurologically normal patients were examined between 1990 and 1993 for the complaint of headache. Examination results were reevaluated from written report and image archive systems. Results were divided into three groups. In group P0, we included patients with normal cranial computed tomography findings. In group P1, patients showed some minor pathologies like ischemic or atrophic changes. These findings neither explained the reason for headache nor changed the clinical or therapeutic approach. The third group (P2) was to include patients with gross intracranial pathology like space-occupying lesions or bleeding. Five hundred forty-six of 592 patients were in the P0 group (92%), and the remaining 46 patients were in the P1 group (8%). No patient was found to have serious intracranial pathology detected by computed tomography. Cost of detection of a case with significant pathology was calculated. It is our opinion that computed tomography is an unrewarding technique in the evaluation of patients with chronic headache whose neurological examinations are normal.

Adolescent↗

Transluminal balloon dilatation of the lacrimal drainage system for the treatment of epiphora.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transluminal balloon dilatation done under digital subtraction fluoroscopic monitoring in the treatment of incomplete and complete obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system (LDS) in patients with epiphora. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Transluminal balloon dilatation of the LDS was attempted in 19 eyes with incomplete and 61 eyes with complete obstruction, including six cases of anastomotic obstruction after failed dacryocystorhinostomy. A soft plastic arterial sheath over a stump-guiding metal probe was introduced through the superior canaliculus into the nasolacrimal apparatus. A 0.016-in. specially angled steerable guidewire was introduced through the sheath and across the site of obstruction, advanced into the nasal cavity, and brought forward through the external nare. A low-profile angioplasty balloon dilatation catheter was passed retrograde over the guidewire through the nasal aperture to the site of obstruction and inflated for dilatation. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all 19 eyes with incomplete obstruction and in 46 (75%) of 61 eyes with complete obstruction. Initial success was achieved in all 19 eyes with incomplete obstruction and in 36 (59%) of 61 eyes with complete obstruction. In a follow-up period of 6-18 months (mean, 13 months), reobstruction occurred in none of the eyes with incomplete and in two eyes with complete obstruction. CONCLUSION: Our experience shows that transluminal balloon dilatation is an effective treatment for incomplete obstruction of the LDS. The procedure has a high failure and recurrence rate when the obstruction is complete.

Adult↗

Treatment of autonomous thyroid nodules: safety and efficacy of sonographically guided percutaneous injection of ethanol.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of sonographically guided percutaneous injection of ethanol as an alternative to surgery and administration of radioiodine, which have a higher risk of complications, for treatment of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules that may develop hyperthyroidism. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients between 23 and 67 years of age who had solitary autonomous thyroid nodules were included in the study. The nodules were detected and evaluated using physical examination, measurements of hormonal levels, sonography, and scintigraphy. Sonographically guided percutaneous injection of ethanol was repeated one to two times each week for a total of four to eight treatments. The amount of ethanol used was 0.5-9.0 ml per treatment, depending on the volume of the nodule. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for at least 18 months. Clinical evaluation, including laboratory tests, showed that the patients' signs and symptoms subsided and hormones returned to normal levels in all cases. Scintigrams showed that the normal thyroid tissue that was suppressed before treatment regained normal function. Sonograms showed that the volume of the nodules decreased in 13 of 16 cases. No early or late permanent complications associated with treatment were noted. CONCLUSION: Our results show that sonographically guided percutaneous injection of ethanol can be used as an alternative treatment of autonomous thyroid nodules with the aim of eliminating the possible risk factors of surgery and radioiodine. This method of treatment may be particularly desirable in patients who are poor candidates for surgery and who refuse standard treatment.

Ethanol↗

Hepatic color Doppler sonography for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Liver involvement with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasis (HHT) is not a rare condition. Its angiographic abnormalities are well known, but reports of the sonographic and, especially, color Doppler sonographic findings are limited. We present a patient with HHT and describe the hepatic color Doppler sonographic findings.

Female↗