Seroprevalance of toxocara antibodies in multiple sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
Serpil Bulut
Publications and source records attributed to Serpil Bulut.
Vitamin D deficiency and reduced bone mineral density in multiple sclerosis: effect of ambulatory status and functional capacity.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease and a major cause of disability in young adults. The aims of this study were to assess bone mass in patients with MS in comparison to healthy age- and sex-matched controls, and to evaluate factors influencing bone mineral density (BMD), and the relationship of the pain threshold at peripheral and axial sites with BMD in MS. Thirty-one patients with MS and 30 matched healthy controls participated in the study. The Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and the functional independence measure (FIM) were used to scale disability, mobility, and functional status. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels were measured. BMD was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). MS patients had significantly lower BMD at the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femur trochanter compared to the matched controls. BMD of the lumbar spine was nearly 1 SD lower in MS patients compared with the healthy reference population (Z scores). MS patients had significantly lower vitamin D levels (17.3 ng/ml vs 43.1 ng/ml; P < 0.001) compared to controls, and 19 patients (61%) had a serum level of vitamin D that was less than 20 ng/ml. EDSS scores in the patients were inversely correlated with proximal femur BMD but not with spinal BMD. There was a negative correlation with the cumulative steroid dose and BMD only for femur trochanter BMD. Total myalgia scores for paravertebral muscles correlated significantly with spinal BMD. In conclusion, BMD is significantly lower in MS patients than in healthy controls, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in MS, and ambulatory status is a determinative factor for osteoporosis in MS. Patients should be encouraged to have adequate sunlight exposure and to increase their mobility. Specific strengthening exercises for hip and back muscles in MS patients would have a substantial impact on bone density, osteoporosis, fracture risk, and mobility.
Adult↗
Effects of exercise on visual evoked potentials.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute or habitual exercise on visual evoked potentials (VEP). The study group consisted of 9 female and 7 male volleyball players and the control group contained 9 female and 7 male students who were not involved in any sportive activity. The N75, P100, and N145 latency and amplitudes were measured before and after exercise. Intragroup comparison was made to evaluate the acute effects and intergroup comparison for the chronic effects of exercise. Significant differences were noted between athletes and the sedentary subjects in terms of pre-exercise left-N145 latencies and amplitudes and left -P100 amplitudes. Right-eye N145 latencies of inactive female subjects obtained before and after exercise were also statistically different. The results suggest that acute and habitual exercise affects the VEP responses independent from the body temperature and other physiological parameters. Small sized pre-exercise P100 amplitudes in the athletes can be attributed to the effect of rapid visual-activity-demanding sports on the central nervous system. Visual evoked potentials maybe used as neurophysiological criteria in defining the performance of an athlete.
Adult↗
Ureterosygmoidostomy-associated hypokalemia-induced quadriparesis and rhabdomyolysis.
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Adolescent↗
Patients with multiple sclerosis have higher levels of serum ghrelin.
In addition to metabolic and neuroendocrine actions, the recently discovered hormone ghrelin has been found to have inhibitory effects on inflammatory processes. This novel finding suggests possible involvement of the peptide in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders including the inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum ghrelin levels in patients with MS. Serum ghrelin levels were measured in 40 MS patients and 20 controls. Control subjects were selected from healthy individuals, matched for age, sex and BMI. Fasting plasma levels of ghrelin were determined by radioimmunoassay. Serum ghrelin level was significantly higher in MS group (226.16 +/- 35.84 pg/ml, n=40) than that in the control group (113.04 +/- 11.28 pg/ml, n=20, P<0.001). Both, relapsing remitting and secondary progressive MS patients had ghrelin levels significantly higher than controls, while there was no significant difference between the ghrelin levels of patients with these two categories of MS. This study for the first time shows that patients with MS have higher levels of ghrelin and this increase in circulating ghrelin level may function against the proinflammatory process in these patients.
Adult↗
Venlafaxine versus amitriptyline in the prophylactic treatment of migraine: randomized, double-blind, crossover study.
In patients with migraine with or without aura the prophylactic effect of amitriptyline (AMT) and venlafaxine (VLF) was compared in a randomized double-blind crossover study. Intolerable side effects resulted in drop out of five patients on AMT (due to hypersomnia, difficulty in concentration and orthostatic hypotension) and one patient on VLF (because of nausea and vomiting). Following the run-in period the patients (n = 52) were randomly treated with one of the study medications for 12 weeks. After a wash-out period lasting 4 weeks the patients were treated with the other drug for further 12 weeks. Both drugs had significant beneficial effect on pain parameters. Total number of side effects of VLF was low when compared with the side effect profile of AMT. In conclusion, it is suggested that VLF may be considered for the prophylaxis of migraine because of its low and/or tolerable side effect properties.
Adolescent↗
Effects of epilepsy on autonomic nervous system and respiratory function tests.
We have investigated autonomic nervous system function during the interictal period in epileptic patients and the possible effects of autonomic dysfunction on respiratory functions. A total of 32 epileptic patients (23 generalized, 9 partial epilepsy) and 32 healthy volunteers were involved. Sympathetic skin response (SSR), for evaluating the sympathetic nervous system, and RR interval variation (RRIV) were measured at the beginning and third month of antiepileptic treatment, and respiratory function tests (RFTs) were performed. In patients with partial epilepsy, SSR latency in the upper extremity (1.3+/-0.2 s) was longer than that of controls (1.2+/-0.3 s) at baseline (P=0.05), and was significantly reduced (1.1+/-0.3 s) after treatment (P<0.05). RRIV values of patients with generalized epilepsy were statistically significantly lower than those of controls (P<0.01). However, deep breathing RRIV values (32.6+/-15.3%) of patients were lower than those (43.0+/-18.2%) of controls (P<0.05). Sympathetic dysfunction was determined in patients with partial epilepsy and parasympathetic dysfunction in patients with generalized epilepsy. No abnormality was observed on RFTs for both patients with partial epilepsy and patients with generalized epilepsy.
Adolescent↗
Effects of exercise on somatosensory-evoked potentials.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute and regular exercise on somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP). The study group was designed as 9 female and 7 male volleyball players, and the control group as 9 female and 7 male sedentary students. The P1 and P2 latency and amplitude values were measured by tibial nerve stimulation on both lower extremities in the study groups before and after exercise on a treadmill. Intra-group comparison was made to evaluate the acute effects of exercise, and inter-group comparison for the chronic effects of it. Statistically significant difference was determined in pre-exercise right P2 amplitudes and post-exercise left P2 latencies of female volleyball players and sedentary girls. There was significant difference between only the pre-exercise left P2 latency when comparison was made between the sportsmen and sedentary male subject groups. There were significant differences between the pre-exercise left P1 and P2 latency values of sportswomen and right P2 amplitudes of sedentary female subjects. There was no significant difference between left P2 latency values of sportsmen and sedentary male subjects. In conclusion, it was determined that acute and regular exercise shortened the latency of sensory-evoked potentials while decreasing their amplitudes. When evaluating the sensory-evoked potentials in electrophysiology laboratories, the exercise capacity and physical activity levels of the subjects should be considered.
Adult↗
Isolated septum pellucidum agenesis in an adult.
Septum pellucidum agenesis is frequently associated with other cerebral malformations. Its isolated agenesis is quite rare. In the literature, all reported cases were diagnosed in early childhood. The authors present an unusual case of isolated septum pellucidum agenesis detected in adulthood with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Adult↗
Antioxidant enzyme and malondialdehyde levels in patients with panic disorder.
There is evidence of an etiopathogenetic role of free radicals (FRs) in some neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the activity levels of some antioxidant enzymes [glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] and malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, were associated with panic disorder (PD). Twenty patients diagnosed with PD and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. A clinical evaluation and measurements of GSH-Px SOD, CAT and MDA were performed. Additionally, all patients were assessed by the Panic Agoraphobia Scale (PAS). The mean GSH-Px, SOD and MDA levels of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between PAS scores and GSH-Px, SOD and MDA levels and between the duration of illness and SOD, CAT and MDA levels in the patient group. In conclusion, our results suggest that FRs may be involved in PD.
Adolescent↗
Chordoma of the thoracic spine--case report.
A 44-year-old woman presented with a thoracic chordoma with intrathoracic extension manifesting as complaints of lower extremity weakness, hypesthesia below the levels of T5-6, and sphincter incontinence. Almost total resection combined with anterior interbody fusion and stabilization was possible through a left transpleural transthoracic approach. She suffered recurrence after 2 years and was considered inoperable. Biopsy revealed a malignant chordoma with no sarcomatous differentiation. Chordoma is an uncommon malignant bone tumor originating from remnants of the embryonal notochord, occurring mostly along the axial skeleton, at the extremity of the vertebral spine, and is least common in the thoracic region. Differential diagnosis is problematic and biopsy is helpful particularly if considered inoperable. Thoracic chordomas of the malignant type manifest as cord or root compression. Classical malignant chordomas must be distinguished from chondroid, benign, or other types of chordomas, since the biological behavior and clinical features are distinct. However, the differential diagnosis cannot be based on histological examination, but long-term follow up is required. Most patients have extradural and intraspinal tissue extension at the time of diagnosis, which makes complete resection impossible. Aggressive surgery without violation of surgical borders is the best choice in the treatment of thoracic chordoma. Thoracic chordoma is a recurring neoplasm and is prone to dissemination and sarcomatous differentiation despite its slow-growing nature.
Adult↗