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Biomedical subjects

S Demircan

Publications and source records attributed to S Demircan.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Early onset of subclinical atherosclerosis in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a non-invasively assessed marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Our aim in this study was to investigate CIMT in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: Thirty women with GDM and 40 unaffected women (as a control group) were included in the study. Blood samples were drawn from each woman in the morning after they had fasted for at least 8 h, and levels of fasting glucose, insulin, homocysteine, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol were measured, along with the CIMT in the two groups. RESULTS: The mean triglyceride (P = 0.016) and VLDL cholesterol (P = 0.011) levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the unaffected women. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and insulin. The mean homocysteine (P = 0.027) and fasting glucose (P = 0.019) levels in women with GDM were significantly higher than those in the control group. Patients with GDM had significantly higher CIMT than did the unaffected women (0.582 +/- 0.066 mm vs. 0.543 +/- 0.049 mm, P = 0.006). CIMT correlated positively with maternal age (r = 0.316, P = 0.008), body mass index (BMI) at the time of a 50-g oral glucose load test (r = 0.414, P = 0.001) and homocysteine levels (r = 0.332, P = 0.008), and fasting glucose (r = 0.265, P = 0.031) and 1-h glucose value (r = 0.410, P = 0.001) at the time of the oral glucose tolerance test. There was a positive correlation between the presence of GDM and CIMT (r = 0.372, P = 0.001). However, stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that GDM/no GDM (95% CI +0.012 to +0.076, P = 0.008) and BMI at the time of the 50-g test (95% CI +0.001 to +0.009, P = 0.011) were independent parameters related to CIMT. CONCLUSION: Women with GDM have increased CIMT compared with unaffected women.

Adult↗

Effect of sedation on soluble P-selectin levels, coagulation and myocardial damage following a coronary intervention.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of sedation on plasma soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) levels and initiation phase of coagulation following coronary intervention. A total of 58 patients with unstable angina were randomised into two groups of sedated (n = 29) and nonsedated (n = 29) patients. sP-Selectin, adrenaline, noradrenaline, von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrinogen, platelet and troponin-I levels were measured before the intervention and at 30 min and 24 h after the intervention. In the sedated group, adrenaline, noradrenaline, sP-selectin and fibrinogen levels remained stable 30 min after the intervention (p > 0.05), whereas vWF level increased (p < 0.05). In the nonsedated group, 30-min sP-selectin (p < 0.001), adrenaline (p < 0.05), noradrenaline (p = 0.012), vWF (p < 0.001) and fibrinogen (p < 0.001) levels were found to be increased. Also, 24-h sP-selectin, vWF and fibrinogen levels for both groups showed significant increases when compared with the values both 30 h before (p < 0.001) and 30 min after the intervention (p < 0.001). Sedation before interventions reduces sP-selectin levels, initial phase of coagulation and, consequently, myocardial damage.

Adult↗

Lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with unstable angina and their relationship with atherothrombosis and myocardial damage.

The aim of the study was to compare lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in patients with cTroponin-I (cTn-I)-positive or -negative unstable angina and to investigate their relationship with atherothrombosis. A total of 202 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Lp(a), fibrinogen, plasminogen, PAI-1 and t-PA levels were measured and C-reactive protein (CRP) assays were performed on admission for all patients, and venous blood samples were drawn 12 and 24 h later for cTn-I measurements. The patients were divided into cTn-I-negative (cTn-I < 1 ng/ml) and -positive (cTn-I > or = 1 ng/ml) unstable angina groups. Lp(a) levels of the cTn-I-positive patients were higher than those of the cTn-I-negative patients (52.9 +/- 6.0 and 15.7 +/- 2.5 mg/dl, p < 0.0001). There was a positive correlation between Lp(a) and cTn-I levels (r = 0.692; p = 0.0001). Increase in coagulation activity and impairment in fibrinolytic activity were significant in the cTn-I-positive patients. Elevated Lp(a) levels may have a role in the development of myocardial damage in patients with unstable angina.

Angina, Unstable↗

Determination of lornoxicam in pharmaceutical preparations by zero and first order derivative UV spectrophotometric methods.

Zero and first order derivative UV spectrophotometric methods were developed for the analysis of lornoxicam (LOR). The solutions of the standards and pharmaceutical samples were prepared in 0.05 N NaOH. Absorbances of LOR were measured at 376 nm for the zero order by measuring height of peak from zero and at 281 and 302 nm for the first order derivative spectrophotometric method by measuring peak to peak height. The linearity ranges were found to be 0.5-35 microg/mL for the zero order and 0.2-75 microg/mL for the first order derivative UV spectrophotometric method. The methods were validated and applied to the determination of LOR in pharmaceutical preparations (tablet and injectable, both containing 8 mg LOR). It was concluded that the methods developed were accurate, sensitive, precise, robust, rugged and useful for the quality control of LOR in pharmaceutical preparations.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Association between the metabolic syndrome and newly diagnosed coronary artery disease.

This case-control study was designed to outline age- and gender-related differences of metabolic risk factors in a group of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Accordingly, a total of 366 consecutive patients with a recent diagnosis of CAD (139 women, 41-79 yr; 227 men, 39-78 yr) were screened between October 1999 and April 2001 at Baskent University Adana Medical Center, and 366 age- and gender-matched individuals were selected as a control group. We compared demographics, blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, lipid profile, fasting and post-prandial glucose-insulin levels between CAD patients and the control group. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 72.6% in females, and 39.0% in males with CAD. Hypertension, obesity and diabetes were more common in female patients; 64.5% of female patients had premature CAD and 83.5% of those had metabolic syndrome. In logistic (OR: 3.57 for women and OR: 1.59 for men) regression analysis, metabolic syndrome was independently associated with CAD in both genders. As a conclusion, prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in patients with CAD than the control group, especially in female patients. The metabolic syndrome was independently associated with CAD in both genders.

Adult↗

p53, p21 and metallothionein immunoreactivities in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: correlations with the epidemiological features and prognosis of mesotheliomas with environmental asbestos exposure.

The aim of this study is to investigate immunoreactivity for p53, p21 and metallothionein in diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma (DMPM) and to determine the relationships between the age, sex, asbestos exposure time, survival of DMPM patients with environmental asbestos exposure and immunoreactivity to p53, p21 and metallothionein. Sixty-seven histopathologically-confirmed DMPMs, 38 of whom had environmental and 29 had occupational asbestos exposure, were included. The tumour tissue samples were immunostained with antibodies against p53, p21 and metallothionein. Epidemiological data and the survival times for the DMPM patients with environmental asbestos exposures were obtained from hospital records. Thirty-three per cent of the DMPMs were positive for p53, 35% for p21 and 52% for metallothionein. There was no statistical difference between the histological subtypes of DMPM in terms of immunoreactivity for p53, p21 and metallothionein. For p21 and metallothionein there was a statistically significant difference between the exposure characteristics: patients with environmental asbestos exposure had shown more immunopositivity. There were statistically significant differences between age groups and between asbestos exposure times for metallothionein, and between asbestos exposure times and p21. The patients with positive immunostaining had longer exposure times and were older than those having negative immunostaining. The differences between survival of the patients were not statistically significant in terms of the immunohistochemical results for p53, p21 and metallothionein.

Age Factors↗

Intrathoracic extrapulmonary tumor mass: hemangiopericytoma.

Hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor originating from pericytes. We describe the clinical and morphologic features in a case of intrathoracic extrapulmonary giant hemangiopericytoma. The tumor was radically removed, and the microscopy report was benign hemangiopericytoma. Because of the high risk of local recurrence, long-term follow-up is important in such patients.

Adult↗

Extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation in capsular glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) control after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation in patients with capsular glaucoma (CG) and coexisting cataract. METHODS: This prospective study included 20 patients (20 eyes) having CG and cataract whose IOPs were under 22 mm Hg and controlled with antiglaucoma medication. All patients had ECCE with PCIOL implantation and the follow-up period was at least 18 months. IOP was measured postoperatively at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months and compared with preoperative IOP. RESULTS: Following the cataract extraction, PCIOL implantation produced a statistically significant reduction in IOP at all time points compared with the preoperative IOP during the study period (p < 0. 001). The mean preoperative IOP was 18.25 +/- 1.83 mm Hg; postoperatively at 1 month, it was 13.45 +/- 2.06 mm Hg; at 3 months 14.80 +/- 2.50 mm Hg; at 6 months 15.35 +/- 1.27 mm Hg, at 12 months 14.85 +/- 1.87 mm Hg and at 18 months 15.15 +/- 1.42 mm Hg (p < 0. 0008). The mean reduction in IOP was 16.98% from baseline at 18 months postoperatively. The mean number of antiglaucoma medication was reduced from 1.35/eye preoperatively to 0.60/eye postoperatively at 18 months (p < 0.0007). CONCLUSION: The result of our study revealed that ECCE with PCIOL implantation may be a reliable choice in controlling IOP in patients with CG.

Aged↗

Effect of conjunctival structure and inflammatory cell counts on intraocular pressure after trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the conjunctival structure and inflammatory cell counts and to determine the predictive value of these histological parameters for postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) levels after trabeculectomy. METHODS: A clinical and histological study was performed on consecutive patients. Postoperative (mean 32. 8 +/- 18.4 months; range 6-60 months) conjunctival biopsies of 36 eyes of 28 primary open-angle glaucoma patients who had trabeculectomy between 1992 and 1995 were included in the study. According to postoperative pressure control, patients with < or = 16 mm Hg and those with >16 mm Hg were taken as groups 1 and 2, respectively. The control group (group 3) consisted of 15 age-matched patients without glaucoma, who had received no topical therapy. We compared the conjunctival structure and cell counts within these groups. Goblet cells, acute inflammatory cells, chronic inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, epithelial thickness, vascular density, mucopolysaccharides and collagen compositions were determined in groups 1, 2 and 3. RESULTS: The number of goblet cells was significantly higher in group 1 (6.74 +/- 7.23) than group 2 (3. 09 +/- 2.77; p = 0.017). No statistical difference was observed in the number of acute inflammatory cells, chronic inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, epithelial thickness, vascular density, mucopolysaccharide or collagen compositions between groups 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). In addition, when groups 1 and 2 were compared with the control group, there was a significant decrease in goblet cells (p < 0.001), an increase in acute inflammatory cells, chronic inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, epithelial thickness and vascular density (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in mucopolysaccharide and collagen compositions (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that at the time of surgery a high number of goblet cells may be a predictor of lowered IOP (< or = 16 mm Hg) following trabeculectomy without antimetabolite.

Aged↗

Long-term survival following bronchotomy for polypoid bronchial carcinoid tumours.

OBJECTIVE: Typical bronchial carcinoids are very low grade neuroendocrine neoplasm of the tracheobronchial tree and have very good results in surgical treatment. Surgical treatment varies from bronchotomy-excision to major resective procedures. We presented our results of bronchotomy, simple excision and long-term follow-up. METHODS: In Atatürk Centre for Chest Disease and Chest Surgery, 16 patients with bronchial carcinoid tumour underwent bronchotomy-excision over a 23-year-period. In all of the cases tumours were in polypoid type. Except these 16 cases 51 patients with bronchial carcinoids underwent operations in the same period. Presenting symptoms were haemoptysis, cough, recurrent pulmonary infection, dyspnea and chest pain. Rigid bronchoscopies were performed on all of the patients preoperatively for diagnosis of the tumour and to determine the surgical procedure and we performed control bronchoscopies on all of the patients in their follow-up period. RESULTS: Patients were checked for periods ranging from 2 to 23 years both radiologically and bronchoscopically. We did not find any recurrences and death related to surgery and morbidity rate were minimal. CONCLUSION: We think that bronchotomy and simple excision are effective and safe procedures for the treatment of bronchial carcinoid tumours with low morbidity in selected cases like polypoid type lesions and have as good a long-term survival rate as the other surgical treatment methods have.

Adult↗

Thoracic actinomycosis.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic actinomycosis is a disease that is difficult to diagnose because its appearance varies from similarities with bronchogenic carcinoma to pneumonitis-like tuberculosis infections. Therefore the majority of patients undergo operations for diagnosis. We had seven patients with thoracic actinomycosis which were not diagnosed before operation. METHODS: Between July 1990 and November 1997, seven patients with thoracic actinomycosis were diagnosed after thoracotomy in our centre. They all had non-specific symptoms and radiographic findings, so we failed to diagnose the disease during preoperative examinations. Therefore they all underwent thoracotomy for diagnosis. Four patients were operated because of suspicion of malignancy, two patients were operated because of pulmonary infiltration and abscess formation and one patient because of undiagnosed pulmonary infiltration. Lobectomy was performed in five of them because of destroyed lobes, and wedge resection was performed in two patients. In two patients the disease was diagnosed by fresh smears obtained from specimens in the course of operation and confirmed histopathologically and in the others histopathologically in the postoperative period. RESULTS: Three major complications, acute renal failure, empyema and persistent air leakage developed in three cases after the operations. Bronchopleural fistula was found in only one of them and the patient died because of uncontrolled infection and sepsis on the 26th postoperative day. All of the other six cases are still alive. We did not observe any other problem in their long-term follow-up. All patients regularly took 20 million units/day of intravenous crystalline penicillin G when they were in the hospital. After that, antibiotic treatment was completed up to 2 months with procaine penicillin. CONCLUSIONS: Sometimes diagnosis of the actinomycosis of the lung is very difficult although it is an infection. In that case thoracotomy is needed for the diagnosis and sometimes for the treatment. In some cases because of the irreversible parenchymal change resective surgery may be needed. Actinomyces israelii infections should be suspected of in chronic infiltrative, nodular, cavitary process and tumour-like mass lesions besides other most probable causes. After diagnosed, it is treated using penicillin chemotherapy at least for 2 months.

Actinomycosis↗

Surgical treatment of tracheal hamartoma.

Tracheal hamartoma is a rare tumor and difficult to diagnose. A case is presented in which tracheal hamartoma was misdiagnosed and treated for four years as asthma. The tumor was curatively excised via posterolateral thoracotomy.

Asthma↗

Mediastinal cystic lymphangioma: report of two cases.

Cystic lymphangioma is an extremely rare mediastinal benign tumor characterized by congenitally enlarged lymphatic vessels. It is often diagnosed incidentally because it is only symptomatic when it grows to be very large. We present two cases of mediastinal cystic lymphangioma and review the literature.

Adult↗

The determination of additive effect and intraocular pressure lowering effects of 0.05% bromocriptine and 0.25% timolol.

It has been confirmed that topically applied bromocriptine has a satisfactory intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect without serious ocular or systemic side effects. We compared the IOP lowering effects of 0.05% bromocriptine and 0.25% timolol and determined whether they have an additive effect in lowering IOP in normal volunteers. In a double-blind, randomised, prospective, single-dose study, we measured IOP in 24 ocular normotensive subjects before (baseline) and 2, 4 and 6 hours after topical instillation of the following drugs: timolol and bromocriptine alone (n: 14), timolol+bromocriptine, timolol+placebo, bromocriptine+placebo (n: 10). Both bromocriptine and timolol have a significant IOP lowering effect (p < 0.01) compared with the baseline value during the study period. There were no significant differences in IOP lowering effect between timolol and bromocriptine at 2 and 4 hours (p > 0.05), but timolol was more efficacious than bromocriptine at 6 hours (p < 0.05). An additive effect in lowering IOP was not found. Although timolol and bromocriptine have no additive effect in lowering IOP, topically applied bromocriptine may be used in the treatment of glaucoma.

Administration, Topical↗