PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Semsettin Karaca

Publications and source records attributed to Semsettin Karaca.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Erythrocyte oxidant/antioxidant status in essential hyperhidrosis.

Essential hyperhidrosis is a disorder of excessive, bilateral, and relatively symmetric sweating occurring in the axillae, palms, soles, or craniofacial region without obvious etiology. Nitric oxide may play a physiological part in the production and/or excretion of sweat in skin eccrine glands. Tempol, a SOD mimetic, increases the half-life of NO and results in vasodilatation, hypotension, and reflex activation of sympathetic nervous system. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may directly activate both central and peripheral sympathetic nervous system activity. We assessed the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) of red blood cells in patients with essential hyperhidrosis (n = 31) compared to age-and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 28). Erythrocyte activities of SOD and level of MDA were detected significantly higher (p = 0.020, p = 0.004 and respectively) and activities of CAT and GSH-Px were significantly lower (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001 respectively) in patients than controls. Our results support the hypothesis that oxidative damage resulting from increased ROS production along with insufficient capacity of antioxidant mechanisms may be involved in pathogenesis of EH.

Adult↗

Impaired left ventricular filling in patients with essential hyperhidrosis: an echo-Doppler study.

Essential hyperhidrosis is a well recognized dermatologic and neurologic disorder, characterized by excessive sweating of the eccrine sweat glands. It is also associated with cardiac autonomic dysfunction because sympathetic fibers to eccrine glands of palms of the hand arise from stellate and upper thoracic ganglia, which also innervate the heart. In this study, we investigated cardiac function in patients with essential hyperhidrosis by conventional and tissue Doppler imaging methods. Eighteen subjects with essential hyperhidrosis and eighteen control subjects were included in this study. Pulsed-wave Doppler parameters of the left and right ventricles, which represent diastolic filling abnormalities, were obtained by conventional Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging. Isovolumetric relaxation time, isovolumetric contraction time, ejection time and myocardial performance index were also calculated. Mitral inflow peak early (E(M)) and late (A(M)) velocities and E(M)/A(M) ratio, which represent diastolic filling of left ventricle, were significantly lower in hyperhidrotic subjects than in controls. Also, mitral lateral annulus early and late velocities and early/late velocity ratio, reflecting diastolic filling of left ventricle, were significantly lower in hyperhidrotic subjects than those of controls. However, there were no differences between hyperhidrotic subjects and control subjects with regard to the other echocardiographic indices of left and right ventricle diastolic functions. In conclusion, decreased mitral inflow suggests left ventricle diastolic dysfunction in patients with essential hyperhidrosis. This indicates that hyperactivity of sympathetic nervous system in patient with hyperhidrosis may alter cardiac function in long term.

Adult↗

Prevalence of pediculosis and scabies in preschool nursery children of Afyon, Turkey.

Scabies and pediculosis are ubiquitous, contagious, and debilitating parasitic dermatoses. The tendency of high prevalence of pediculosis and scabies among school and preschool age children has prompted us to conduct a head louse and scabies prevalence survey among preschool nursery children in our district. A school-based, crosssectional study was performed, with 1,134 children chosen for evaluation. All cases were evaluated by physical examination and a detailed, structured questionnaire. The infestation was found in 14 (1.2%) of 1,134 children; 9 (0.8%) with pediculosis capitis and 5 (0.4%) with scabies. We found that infestations were more frequent in children with mothers whose education levels were low. This indicates the necessity of an improvement in the economic and sociocultural status of the community and the promotion of hygiene concepts and practices in order to improve health of preschool age children.

Animals↗

Amyloidosis cutis dyschromica: a case treated with acitretin.

We report a case of amyloidosis cutis dyschromica with diffuse postinflammatory-type hypo- and hyperpigmentation all over the body. The diagnosis was confirmed with routine light microscopic and immunohistochemical staining methods. The patient was treated with acitretin with a good response.

Acitretin↗

A comparative study of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and nitrate levels in vitiligo patients.

BACKGROUND: Several groups have shown the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of vitiligo. METHODS: In this study, we examined the erythrocyte and plasma activities of glutathione peroxidase and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, plasma nitrite/nitrate levels, and erythrocyte catalase activity in 23 vitiligo patients and 25 controls. RESULTS: The results show that erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity and plasma nitrite/nitrate levels are high in vitiligo patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of vitiligo, as indicated by the high levels of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity and plasma nitrite/nitrate.

Adolescent↗

Heart rate variability in patients with essential hyperhidrosis: dynamic influence of sympathetic and parasympathetic maneuvers.

BACKGROUND: Essential hyperhidrosis has been associated with an increased activity of the sympathetic system. In this study, we investigated cardiac autonomic function in patients with essential hyperhidrosis and healthy controls by time and frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). METHOD: In this study, 12 subjects with essential hyperhidrosis and 20 healthy subjects were included. Time and frequency domain parameters of HRV were obtained from all of the participants after a 15-minute resting period in supine position, during controlled respiration (CR) and handgrip exercise (HGE) in sitting position over 5-minute periods in each stage. RESULTS: Baseline values of HRV parameters including RR interval, SDNN and root mean square of successive R-R interval differences, low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), normalized unit of high frequency (HFnu), normalized unit of low frequency (LFnu), and LF/HF ratio were identical in two groups. During CR, no difference was detected between the two groups with respect to HRV parameters. However, the expected increase in mean heart rate (mean R-R interval) did not occur in hyperhidrotic group, whereas it did occur in the control group (Friedman's P = 0.000). Handgrip exercise induced significant decrease in mean R-R interval in both groups and no difference was detected between the two groups with respect to the other HRV parameters. When repeated measurements were compared with two-way ANOVA, there was statistically significant difference only regarding mean heart rate in two groups (F = 6.5; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our overall findings suggest that essential hyperhidrosis is a complex autonomic dysfunction rather than sympathetic overactivity, and parasympathetic system seems to be involved in pathogenesis of this disorder.

Analysis of Variance↗

Peripheral vascular endothelial function in essential hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Essential hyperhidrosis, a disorder of the eccrine sweat glands, is associated with sympathetic overactivity and the aim of the present study was to determine endothelium-dependent vasodilator function in patients with this condition. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using high-resolution ultrasound, the diameter of the brachial artery at rest and during reactive hyperemia (flow-mediated dilatation, %FMD endothelial-dependent stimulus to vasodilatation), as well as after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (%NTG endothelium-independent vasodilatation) was measured in 18 subjects (mean age 27+/-5 years) with essential hyperhidrosis and 24 healthy control subjects (mean age 29+/-5 years). Baseline brachial artery diameter and FMD were comparable in both groups (BAD: 4.1+/-0.7 mm vs 4.3+/-0.5 mm (control), p = 0.8; FMD: 5.6+/-1.9% vs 6.7+/-2.2%, p=0.1). The time-averaged flow velocity during peak reactive hyperemia was similar in the 2 groups (75+/-11 cm/s vs 72+/-10 cm/s, p = 0.5), nor did NTG-induced dilatation in the patients with essential hyperhidrosis differ significantly from that in healthy control subjects (12.8+/-2.7% vs 14.0+/-3.6%, p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that endothelium-dependent dilatation of large conduit arteries is preserved in essential hyperhidrosis and it seems to be a localized disorder of the eccrine sweat glands rather than a generalized disorder involving vascular endothelium.

Adult↗

Giant proliferating trichilemmal tumor of the gluteal region.

BACKGROUND: Proliferating trichilemmal tumors are rare cutaneous neoplasms that show features of typical pilar cysts but also show extensive epithelial proliferation, variable cytologic atypia, and mitotic activity. Proliferating trichilemmal tumors are benign lesions; however, there are numerous reports of malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumors. OBJECTIVE: We present a case of benign proliferating trichilemmal tumor of an 81-year-old woman that was located on the left superior gluteal region for 30 years. METHODS: A tumor measuring 9 x 7 cm was surgically excised with a 1 cm conservative margin of normal tissue. RESULTS: Based on the histopathologic findings of tumor, this case was diagnosed as proliferating trichilemmal tumor. The patient's condition was successfully treated with total excision. CONCLUSIONS: Our case is an unusual presentation of proliferating trichilemmal tumor. Physicians should be aware of this entity while differentiating cutaneous tumor located on the gluteal region.

Aged, 80 and over↗

Venous insufficiency in patients with toenail onychomycosis.

OBJECTIVE: Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the toenails and can originate secondary to vascular abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between onychomycosis and venous insufficiency. METHODS: Forty-two patients with onychomycosis and 39 healthy control subjects who had normal toenails were enrolled in the study. Doppler examinations were performed with a commercially available scanner and a 7.5-MHz linear probe. Major superficial and deep veins of the lower limb, including long and short saphenous, femoral, and popliteal veins, were examined. Venous insufficiency was assessed with the Valsalva test. With the Doppler examination, retrograde flow of more than 1 second was accepted as venous insufficiency. RESULTS: Venous insufficiency was detected more frequently in patients with onychomycosis than in the control group (15 [35.7%] of 42 and 6 [15.4%] of 39, respectively; P = .037). Reflux was bilateral in 4 (26.7%) of 15 patients with onychomycosis, and in those 4 patients the onychomycosis was also bilateral. In 7 (46.7%) of 15 patients, onychomycosis and venous insufficiency were detected ipsilaterally, whereas there were no onychopathic features contralaterally. Although unilateral insufficiency was present in 4 (26.7%) of 15 patients, these patients had bilateral onychomycosis. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant relationship between onychomycosis and venous insufficiency; therefore, we recommend a routine venous Doppler examination for patients with onychomycosis to diagnose or rule out venous insufficiency.

Adult↗

A case of sporotrichosis treated with itraconazole.

Lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis is caused by Sporothrix schenckii, a dimorphic fungus commonly existing on decaying plants and in the soil. The fungus has a worldwide distribution but is more prevalent in temperate and tropical climates. Infection may result from traumatic inoculation of contaminated material such as soil, hay, moss, plant debris, splinters, thorns and barbs. Inoculation is also possible through some animal scratches and bites. We describe a typical case of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis, which was confirmed by clinical, histological and microbiological features. The patient was successfully treated with 400 mg daily systemic itraconazole for 4 months.

Adult↗

A case of lupus vulgaris with unusual location.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest diseases of our planet; today, it still is a serious medicosocial problem in both developing and developed countries. Cutaneous tuberculosis is part of the small percentage of extrapulmonary forms of the disease and has considerable morphological variability. It is often confused with various cutaneous disorders and some other granulomatous processes of the skin. Here, we present a case of long-standing and atypically-located lupus vulgaris in an old man. The patient was successfully treated with triple antituberculous therapy.

Antitubercular Agents↗

Antifungal susceptibilities of dermatophytic agents isolated from clinical specimens.

The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptibility to four antifungal agents: ketoconazole, terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole, of the different species of dermatophyte strains isolated from clinical specimens. A total of 128 specimens were collected from toe nail, foot, inguinal region, trunk, hands and head. The dermatophytes tested included Trichophyton rubrum 108 (84.4%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes 11 (8.6%), Epidermophyton floccosum 5 (3.9%), Microsporum canis 2 (1.5%) and Trichophyton tonsurans 2 (1.5%). The mean minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for the five species of dermatophytes ranged between 0.09-1.12 microg/mL for ketoconazole, 0.04-0.27 microg/mL for terbinafine, 0.08-0.43 microg/mL for itraconazole and 16.18-24.0 microg/mL for fluconazole. In vitro analysis of antifungal activity of these agents would also allow for the comparison between different systemic antifungals, which in turn may clarify the reasons for the lack of clinical response or serve as an effective therapy for patients with chronic infection.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Phytodermatitis caused by Ceratocephalus falcatus (Ranunculacea).

Ceratocephalus falcatus is a member of Ranunculacea family that forms part of the flora of the Sinanpasa and Dinar regions of Afyon city in Turkey. Ceratocephalus falcatus has laxative properties and has been used for treating hemorrhoids, rheumatismal diseases and wounds. Here, a case of phytodermatitis caused by this remedy used for relieving knee pain is presented. This plant should be kept in mind when a case of phytodermatitis with vesicles or bullae presents at clinics.

Dermatitis, Irritant↗

Incidence of atopic stigmata and prick test results in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis.

Allergic diseases are part of the 'modern lifestyle' and their incidence is still increasing. Cutaneous markers (stigmata) usually provide valuable clues for the diagnosis of atopic diseases. This study evaluated the prevalence of the four major and twenty-one minor criteria of Hanifin and Rajka in a total of 246 patients with mucosal allergies (99 asthma, 108 allergic rhinitis, and 39 allergic conjunctivitis). The two most prevalent major criteria were history of atopic diseases and pruritus. The most prevalent three minor criteria were periorbital darkening, influence of environmental factors and xerosis. The most common prick test-positive allergens were grass and mite allergens. Despite evidence for a high co-morbidity between atopic diseases, in daily clinical practise diagnostic and therapeutic procedures generally focus on the most predominant disease. We concluded that it may be important to screen subjects with mucosal allergies for the presence of major and minor cutaneous stigmata. Screening for cutaneous manifestations and subsequent treatment might further enhance the quality of life of these patients.

Adult↗