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The role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been previously investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) among patients with Parkinson's disease and to examine the relationship between these inflammatory markers. The cross-sectional design includes 51 patients with Parkinson's disease and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We investigated the differences in hs-CRP, CEA, and NLR levels between these two groups. CEA was significantly higher in PD patients relative to the control group (mean 2.40 ± 1.51 vs. 1.72 ± 0.87 (ng/mL), respectively; p = 0.015). Mean NLR was significantly higher in PD patients relative to the control group (mean 3.1 ± 1.3 vs. 2.1 ± 0.32, respectively; p < 0.001). Serum level of hs-CRP was higher in PD patients than in control group (mean 1.04 ± 0.62 and 0.54 ± 0.31, respectively; p < 0.01). Correlation analysis revealed significant correlation between hs-CRP, CEA, and Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates for the first time the association between CEA, hs-CRP, NLR, and PD. We found CEA, hs-CRP, and NLR levels to be significantly higher in the PD patients than in the normal controls.

Background: Early prediction of disease severity in acute pancreatitis (AP) is crucial. The aim of this study was to investigate the body-mass index (BMI), plasma leptin, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels as potential markers predicting peripancreatic necrosis and severity in acute pancreatitis. Methods: In the study period, 97 consecutive patients with AP were prospectively analysed. Severe AP was defined according to the Atlanta Criteria. BMI was also calculated. To measure plasma Leptin, Nesfatin-1 and Ghrelin concentrations, the blood samples were obtained from patients within 24 hours of admission. Results: Out of 97 patients, 92(70 females, 22 males) were considered eligible for analysis. Of the 92 patients, 30 patients (32.6%) were assessed as severe pancreatitis. BMI and leptin levels were significantly higher in patients with severe pancreatitis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of BMI as a predictor for the development of pancreatic necrosis were 0.90(95%CI = 0.56–0.99) and 0.70(95%CI = 0.58–0.79), respectively; with an overall area under curve value of 0.78.The pooled sensitivity and specificity of leptin levels as a predictor for development of pancreatic necrosis were 1(95%CI = 0.69–1) and 0.73(95%CI = 0.62–0.82),respectively; with an overall area under curve value of 0.82.Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels showed no significant difference in patients with mild pancreatitis (6.97 ± 0.84 ng/ml and 2.3(1.0–9.9);respectively) and severe pancreatitis (6.74 ± 0.65 ng/ml and 2.0(1.9–9.9); respectively) (p = 0.1923 and 0.8531;respectively). Conclusion: BMI and plasma leptin levels both were correlated with the severity of pancreatitis. Leptin levels showed better area under the curve, sensitivity and specificity values compared to BMI in prediction of pancreatic necrosis.Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels were not found to be predictors of the severity of disease.

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Sulforaphane on ischemia/ reperfusion (IR) injury of the liver and distant organs resulting from liver blood flow arrest. Materials and methods Fourty Wistar rats were assigned into four groups, each included 10 rats were used. Group I as only laparatomy, Group II laparatomy and Sulforaphane application, Group III hepatic IR; and Group IV as hepatic IR and Sulforaphane application group. Animals were subjected to liver ischemia for 30 min and then reperfusion is started. 5 mg/kg Sulforaphane was applied via oral lavage 15 minutes before initiating the experimental study. Blood samples were taken from the animals for biochemical analysis at 60th minutes of the experiment in the first and second groups; 30 minutes after beginning reperfusion in the third and forth groups. Simultaneously, liver, lung and kidney tissues were sampled for biochemical and histopathological examinations. Results The administration of sulforaphane significantly reduced the serum TOA and liver TOA levels, increased the serum TAC and liver TAC levels and also decreased The OSI and liver OSI levels. In the histopathologic examination, the injury was reduced by the administration of sulforaphane. Administration of sulforaphane did not lead to any significant changes in any parameter including histopathological parameters in both the kidney and the lung. Conclusions Sulforaphane reduced the liver oxidative stress from I/R injury. A histological injury in liver was reduced by sulforaphane administration. However, there were no significant effects of sulforaphane on the remote organ injuries induced by IR.

Traumatic hemipelvectomy is a severe, life-threatening injury, mainly occurring due to machinery injury or traffic accident. Few cases have been published in the literature. Treatment requires a rapid, multidisciplinary team approach which will result in the saving of the patient’s life. We present the outcome of a male patient with traumatic hemipelvectomy., Travmatik hemipelvektomi, genellikle, trafik kazası veya makine yaralanması ile oluşan ve hayatı tehdit eden, ciddi bir yaralanmadır. Bu yaralanmaya dair literatürde az sayıda çalışma yer almaktadır. Tedavisi, hızlı, multidisipliner takım yaklaşımını gerektirirken, bu yaklaşım hastanın hayatının kurtulması ile sonuçlanır. Olgu sunumumuzda travmatik hemipelvektomisi olan bir erkek hastanın tedavi sonucunu sunuyoruz.

The aim of this study was to examine whether dexmedetomidine improves acute liver injury in a rat model. Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats weighing 300–350 g were allocated randomly to four groups. In group 1, normal saline (NS) was injected into the lungs and rats were allowed to breathe spontaneously. In group 2, rats received standard ventilation (SV) in addition to NS. In group 3, hydrochloric acid was injected into the lungs and rats received SV. In group 4, rats received SV and 100 µg/kg intraperitoneal dexmedetomidine before intratracheal HCl instillation. Blood samples and liver tissue specimens were examined by biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical methods. Acute lung injury (ALI) was found to be associated with increased malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant activity (TOA), oxidative stress index (OSI), and decreased total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Significantly decreased MDA, TOA, and OSI levels and significantly increased TAC levels were found with dexmedetomidine injection in group 4 (P<0.05). The highest histologic injury scores were detected in group 3. Enhanced hepatic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and reduced CD68 expression were found in dexmedetomidine group compared with the group 3. In conclusion, the presented data provide the first evidence that dexmedetomidine has a protective effect on experimental liver injury induced by ALI.

Objectives: We evaluated late-term results of surgical repair and physical rehabilitation of isolated zone 3 extensor tendon injuries.Methods: Sixteen patients (13 males, 3 females; mean age 28 years; range 11 to 57 years) underwent surgical repair for isolated simple central slip injuries of zone 3 extensor tendon. Injuries involved the second, third, fourth, and fifth fingers in seven, three, two, and four patients, respectively. Primary tendon repair was performed in 14 patients. Two patients were treated after one week and two months following primary injury, respectively. Tendons were repaired by modified Kessler and epitendinous sutures in four patients, and by locking running suture in 12 patients. Following surgical repair, three patients underwent K-wire fixation in extension for two weeks, while 13 patients received the short arc motion protocol. The patients were assessed with respect to proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint motion and extension loss. Functional results were assessed using the Strickland formula. The mean follow-up was 58 months (range 8 to 120 months).Results: Full range of motion of the PIP joint was achieved in 15 patients (93.8%). The mean PIP joint motion was 98 degrees. One patient (6.3%) had an extension loss of 10 degrees in the range of motion of the PIP joint. There were no losses in the range of motion in three patients treated with K-wire fixation. The mean of the Strickland formula was 94.8% (range 74% to 100%), showing an excellent result in 15 patients (98.3%) and a good result in one patient (6.3%). All the patients returned to their pre-injury work status. None had buttonhole deformity or soft tissue complication.Conclusion: A proper suture technique combined with the short arc motion protocol provides good results in the treatment of isolated zone 3 extensor tendon injuries., Amaç: Üçüncü bölgede izole ekstansör tendon kesisi olan hastalarda uygulanan cerrahi onarım ve fizik tedavinin geç dönem sonuçları geriye dönük olarak incelendi.Çalışma planı: Üçüncü bölgede izole basit santral slip ekstansör tendon yaralanması nedeniyle cerrahi onarım uygulanan 16 hasta (13 erkek, 3 kadın; ort. yaş 28; dağılım 11-57) çalışmaya alındı. Yaralanan parmaklar 2. parmak (n=7), 3. parmak (n=3), 4. parmak (n=2) ve 5. parmak (n=4) idi. On dört hastada tendon onarımı primer yapıldı. İki hastada girişim sırasıyla bir hafta ve iki aylık gecikmeyle yapıldı. Dört hastada modifiye Kessler ve epitendinöz dikiş, 12 hastada kilitli devamlı dikiş kullanıldı. Tendon onarımı sonrasında üç hastada iki hafta süreyle ekstansiyonda K-teli ile tespit uygulanırken, 13 hastaya kısa ark hareket programı uygulandı. Hastalar son kontrolde proksimal interfalengeal (PİF) eklem hareket açıklığı ve ekstansiyon kaybı açısından değerlendirildi. Sonuçlar, Strickland formülü kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Ortalama izlem süresi 58 ay (dağılım 8-120 ay) idi.Sonuçlar: Proksimal interfalengeal eklem hareket açıklığı 15 hastada (%93.8) tam bulundu. Ortalama PİF eklem hareket açıklığı 89 derece idi. Bir hastada (%6.3) PİF eklem hareket açıklığında 10º fleksiyon kaybı görüldü. K-teli ile tespit uygulanan üç hastada hareket açıklığında kayıp gözlenmedi. Strickland ortalaması %94.8 (dağılım %74-100) bulundu. On beş hastada (%93.8) çok iyi, bir hastada (%6.3) iyi sonuç elde edildi. Hastaların tamamı sorunsuz olarak işlerine döndü. Hiçbir olguda geç dönemde düğme iliği deformitesi, yumuşak doku komplikasyonu gözlenmedi.Çıkarımlar: İzole üçüncü bölge ekstansör tendon yaralanmalarında, uygun dikiş tekniği ve kısa ark hareket programı ile iyi sonuçlar elde edilebilir.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and neopterin and oxidative stress status in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) as well as their potential role in the pathophysiology. Material and methods Thirty patients with ICP (Group 1) and 30 healthy pregnant women (Group 2) were included in this prospective case-control study. Levels of IL-6, TNF-α and neopterin were determined in both of the groups. Total anti-oxidant status (TAS) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels were determined by means of a fully automated Erel method. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated as the ratio of TOS to TAS. Results There was no significant difference between the groups in IL-6 and TNF-α levels (p = 0.105 and p = 0.722, respectively). The mean neopterin level was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (2.34 ±0.77 and 1.57 ±0.38, respectively, p = 0.001). In addition, TAS, TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.004, p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) compared to Group 2. Discussion Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is an inflammatory disorder in which maternal immune reaction may play a role. Interleukin 6 and TNF-α, which are some of the markers of humoral reaction, act as an indicator of abnormal reaction rather than acute-phase reaction in ICP. Further clinical trials and supportive placental findings are needed on the role of cytokines in cellular and humoral immune reactions during the symptomatic period and delivery to better understand the role of immune mechanisms in the aetiology of ICP.

This study was aimed to comparison of the effects of the chronic use of the Ribavirin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the pancreatic damage and hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: The rats were given orally 30 mg/kg/day doses of Ribavirin for 30 days, and intraperitoneally 10 μmol/kg doses of CAPE. The 37 rats were divided into 4 groups: (I) Control (n=7), (II) Ribavirin (R) (n=10), (III) CAPE (n=10), and (IV) R+CAPE (n=10). Results: Ribavirin and CAPE yielded similar results in terms of Serum, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), amylase, lipase, and insulin compared to the control group. However, while Ribavirin provided similar results with the control group in terms of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes, the CAPE group had elevated AST and ALT levels compared to the control group. Histopathologic evaluations revealed that CAPE or Ribavirin had no degenerative effects on both the pancreas and liver tissues. In this way, the biochemical results were confirmed by the histopathologic results. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Ribavirin does not lead to any pancreatic damage and hepatotoxicity, and has more beneficial effects than CAPE on especially liver tissue.

Chlorpyriphos is one of the most widely used organophosphate (OP) insecticide in agriculture with potential toxicity. Current post-exposure treatments consist of anti-cholinergic drugs and oxime compounds. We studied the effects of intralipid and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on chlorpyriphos toxicity to compose an alternative or supportive treatment for OP poisoning. Methods: Forty-nine rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Chlorpyriphos was administered for toxicity. Intralipid (IL) and CAPE administered immediately after chlorpyriphos. Serum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) level, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant response (TAR), and histologic examination of cerebellum and brain tissue with Hematoxylin-Eosin and immunohistochemical dyes were examined. Results: Serum enzym levels showed that chlorpyriphos and CAPE inhibited AChE while IL alone had no effect, chlorpyriphos and CAPE intensifies the inhibition effect. Significant difference at AChE levels between the chlorpyriphos+IL and chlorpyriphos+CAPE verified that IL has a protective effect on AChE inhibition. TAR levels were significantly increased in all groups except chlorpyriphos group, TOS levels revealed that CAPE and IL decrease the amount of oxidative stress. Histologic examination revealed that neuronal degeneration was slightly decreased at chlorpyriphos+IL group, but CAPE had a significant effect on protection of neuronal degeneration. Conclusion: The results of this study gave us three key points. 1) AChE activity is important for diagnosis of OP intoxication but it has no value for determining the neuro-degeneration. 2) CAPE inhibits AChE activity and may increase the muscarinic-nicotinic hyperactivation. Therefore it should not be used for treatment of OP intoxication. 3) IL decreases the severity of neurodegeneration and symptoms of OP intoxication and it can be used as a supportive agent.

*Corresponding author: Hatice Yuksel, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Dicle Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Tibbi Biyokimya Anabilim Dali Seyrantepe mevkii 21280-Diyarbakir, Turkey, Phone: +90 532 5902037, Fax: +90 412 2488520, E-mail: hkyuksel@gmail.com Ibrahim Kaplan, Gulten Toprak, Osman Evliyaoglu, Seyit Kus, and Nuriye Mete: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey Mustafa Azizoglu: Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey

Multiple soft tissue finger defects in different shapes and locations are usually difficult to manage. Such defects commonly involve tendons and bones. Palmar soft tissue defects may also lead to vascular compromise. In this retrospective report, we report the results of seven patients with multiple soft tissue finger defects that were covered by syndactylizing arterialized venous flaps. Six of the patients suffered hot-pressing machine and crushing injuries, one patient had a rolling belt injury. All patients presented with soft tissue defects on palmar or dorsal sides involving at least two digits. The palmar forearm was donor site for all patients. At least one afferent artery and two efferent veins were selected for the anastomosis. Lengths of afferent and efferent veins were long enough to perform healthy anastomosis outside the injury zone. The afferent vessels were anastamosed to the digital arteries with the largest possible diameter or to the common digital arteries to maximize flow. The efferent veins were anastamosed to dorsal veins. Separations of the digits were performed after three weeks by longitudinal incisions. The mean follow-up period was 12 months. None of our patients suffered a flap loss. Syndactylizing arterialized venous flaps may be used for composite or single tissue reconstruction for multiple finger defects with satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcomes.

There are limited studies evaluating the fibrinogen levels in patients with migraine. It remains unknown whether the levels of the haematological marker of thromboembolism, D-dimer, and the levels of galectin-3, which plays an important role in inflammation as a proinflammatory mediator, change during the attacks in patients with migraine. The present study aims to compare galectin-3, fibrinogen and D-dimer levels in patients with migraine during the attacks and interictal periods, and to compare galectin-3, fibrinogen and D-dimer levels between patients with migraine and healthy controls to investigate the role of these parameters in the pathogenesis of migraine. Fifty-nine patients with migraine and 30 age-gender matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Blood galectin-3, fibrinogen and D-dimer levels were measured in patients with migraine. Patients with migraine had higher levels of galectin-3, fibrinogen and D-dimer compared to the healthy controls (p 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between galectin-3 and fibrinogen levels during the attacks and interictal period in the migraine group (p 0.05). Migraine patients had higher D-dimer levels during the attacks compared to the patients in the interictal period in the migraine group (p = 0.05). In conclusion, we found increased levels of fibrinogen, D-dimer and galectin-3 in patients with migraine compared to the healthy control group. Furthermore, we showed increased galectin-3 levels in patients with migraine, and higher D-dimer levels during migraine attacks compared to the interictal periods for the first time. These findings may be associated with the hypercoagulability and neurogenic inflammation during migraine headaches.

Rheumatic mitral valve stenosis (RMS) is a complication of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. RHD is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that is associated with cytokine activities. The etiology of RMS is not fully understood yet. Interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 have a key role in development of the autoimmunity. The expression of these cytokines in RMS remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in RMS patients compared to healthy subjects. A total of 35 patients admitted to cardiology outpatient clinic between December 2014 and May 2015 who were diagnosed with RMS formed the study group. Age- and gender-matched 35 healthy subjects were included as the control group. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 18.0 and P value

Bu calismada, kelam basta olmak uzere cok farkli alanlarda eser telif etmis olan Semsuddin es-Semerkandi’nin nubuvvete iliskin goruslerini ortaya koymaya calisacagiz. Dusunce tarihimizde hak ettigi ilgiyi gormedigini dusundugumuz Semerkandi’nin, nubuvvetin ispati icin getirdigi “aklin kesinlikle kabul etmeyecegi hususlari iddia etmemek” ilkesi oldukca dikkat cekicidir. Semerkandi’ye gore vahyin muhatabi olan insan teklifi akliyla degerlendirir. Dolayisiyla insan aklina hitap eden vahyin, akil icin celiski arz edecek, aklin acikca reddedecegi bir bilgi ve teklif icermemesi gerekir. Ayrica o, peygamberin davetinin insanlari Allah’a itaat etmeye ve ona isyan etmekten sakinmaya yonelik olmasini vicdani ve ahlâki bir ispat yolu olarak gorur. O, gerek nubuvveti inkâr eden gruplarin, gerekse nubuvveti kabul etmekle birlikte Hz. Muhammed’in nubuvvetini inkâr eden Yahudi, Hiristiyan ve Mecusilerin delillerini curutmek amaciyla akli ve nakli deliller ortaya koyar.

Islâm inanc esaslarina yonelik elestirilere cevap verip, Hiristiyan teolojisinin tutarsizligini ortaya koymak amaciyla reddiye yazan kelamcilardan biri de Harputlu Ishak Efendi’dir Harputlu’nun Hiristiyan teolojisine yonelik elestirilerinin, yasadigi donemde Hiristiyan misyonerlerin cabalarini bosa cikarmak adina onemli bir isleve sahip oldugu gibi kelam arastirmalarina onemli bir katki sundugu da soylenebilir. Bu anlamda Harputlu, Musluman-Hiristiyan teolojik iliskileri tarihinde onemli bir yere sahiptir.

Aim: Iodine deficiency (ID) is an important public health problem and the most common cause of preventable mental retardation. The aims of this study were to determine the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of pregnant women living in Erzurum, to assess the ID rate, and to find out whether iodine supplementation is necessary in pregnancy. Materials and methods: Spot urine was obtained from pregnant and nonpregnant women with no functional or organic thyroid disease. The UIC was studied using the Sandell-Kolthoff method. Results: The median UIC values of pregnant women in the first, second, and third trimesters and of the nonpregnant women were 126.0, 134.6, 132.7, and 137.3 µg/L, respectively. The total ID rate was 72.6% and 18.0% in the pregnant and the nonpregnant women, respectively. Conclusion: The ID rate in pregnancy was found to be high in Erzurum. ID rates were highest in the first trimester, when fetal neurodevelopment is most affected. ID is still a serious problem in Erzurum despite mandatory salt iodization. However, the fact that the deficiency is mild to moderate is promising as regards the potential response to iodine supplementation in pregnant women.

Many studies have been conducted to investigate plasma arginine, arginase, and nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with different types of cancer, and it has been suggested that these might be important factors for patients with cancer. In the present study, plasma arginine, arginase, and nitric oxide levels were evaluated in patients with esophageal cancer. Materials and methods: A total of 100 patients (51 females and 49 males) diagnosed with esophageal cancer but not yet operated on were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 62.03 ± 12.4 years. Patients treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy were excluded. The control group included 80 subjects (38 females and 42 males) with a mean age of 57 ± 12.4 years. Plasma arginine, NO levels, and arginase activity were measured. High-performance liquid chromatography, Griess reactions, and modified Geyer and Dabich methods were used to detect the arginine levels, NO levels, and arginase activity. Results: In patients with esophageal cancer, plasma arginine concentrations were significantly lower and NO levels and arginase activity were significantly higher than in the control groups (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P = 0.005, respectively). The sensitivity of arginase and NO were estimated at 87% and 89%, with respective specificities of 65% and 66%. Between the patients with and without distant organ metastasis, there were no significant differences in arginine/NO levels and arginase activity (P > 0.05). Similarly, there were no significant differences in these parameters between the patients with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that plasma NO levels and arginase activity may be used as markers for the diagnosis of esophageal cancer. However, larger and more comprehensive studies are needed., Amaç: Çeşitli kanserlerde plazma arginin, arginaz ve nitrik oksit (NO) ile ilgili birçok çalışma yapılmış ve buparametrelerin kanser hastaları için belirleyici faktörler olabileceği ileri sürülmüştür. Bu çalışmada özofagus kanserlihastalarda plazma arjinin, arjinaz ve nitrik oksit seviyeleri değerlendirildi.Yöntem ve gereç: Çalışmaya özofagus kanseri tanısı konup henüz opere edilmemiş 51’i kadın ve 49’u erkek olmak üzere100 hasta dahil edildi. Olguların yaş ortalamaları 62,03 ± 12,4 idi. Radyoterapi veya kemoterapi alan hastalar çalışmayadahil edilmedi. Yaş ortalamaları 57 ± 12,4 olan 38 kadın ve 42 erkek olmak üzere 80 bireyden oluşan kontrol grubuoluşturuldu. Olguların plazma arginin ve NO düzeyi ile arginaz aktivitesi ölçüldü. Arginin düzeyi yüksek performanslılikit kromatografi yöntemi, nitrik oksit düzeyi Griess reaksiyonuyla, arginaz aktivitesi ise modifi ye Geyer ve Dabichmetoduyla ölçüldü.Bulgular: Plazma arginin konsantrasyonu özofagus kanserli hastalarda kontrol grubuna oranla belirgin derecededüşük, nitrik oksit düzeyi ve arginaz aktivitesi ise kontrol grubuna oranla önemli derecede yüksek bulundu (sırasıyla P< 0,0001, P < 0,0001 ve P = 0,005). Arginaz ve nitrik oksitin sensitivitesi % 87 ve % 89, spesifi tesi ise % 65 ve % 66 olarakhesaplandı. Arginin, nitrik oksit düzeyleri ve arginaz aktivitesi, uzak organ metastazı olan hastalar ile metastaz olmayanhastalarla kıyaslandığında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmadı (P > 0,05). Benzer şekilde bu parametreler yassıepitel hücreli karsinom ve adenokarsinomalı hastalar ile kıyaslandığında da istatiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark saptanmadı(P > 0,05).Sonuç: Elde ettiğimiz sonuçlar özofagus kanserli hastaların tanısında plazma NO düzeyi ile arginaz aktivitesininbir tümör belirteci olarak kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir. Ancak bununla ilgili daha kapsamlı ve ileri düzeydeçalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Heavy metals can accumulate in the environment and cause serious damages to ecosystems and human health. Boron is considered to be essential micronutrient with its well established biological functions and the antioxidant effects of boric acid (BA) are controversial. However, the potential of important boron compounds in cellular activities remains unexplored. Therefore, we aimed to assess the efficacies of some boron compounds (BA, borax, colemanite and ulexite) on the genotoxicity induced by heavy metals (arsenic trioxide, colloidal bismuth subcitrate, cadmium chloride, mercury chloride and lead chloride) in human blood cultures. For this aim, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) assays were performed to establish DNA damages in lymphocytes. Besides, oxidative stress was monitored by estimating the changes of main antioxidant enzyme activities and the levels of total glutathione (TGSH) in erythrocytes. The present study showed that heavy metal treatments increased the frequencies of SCE and MN and the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level; decreased the antioxidant enzyme activities and the level of TGSH compared to controls. Whereas, the tested boron compounds (5-20 ppm) significantly reduced the genotoxic effects induced by low doses of heavy metals. Our results revealed that the protective roles of boron compounds occurred with the effectiveness on their anti-oxidant capacity. In conclusion, these compounds could be useful in the development of functional food and raw materials of medicine.

Eighteen finger pulp defects were reconstructed using a homodigital dorsal middle phalangeal neurovascular island flap procedure based on a single neurovascular pedicle preserving the length of the finger. All flaps survived and achieved adequate functional and cosmetic results. The mean follow-up time was 22 months. The mean value of static two-point discrimination test of the healed flaps was 7 mm and the mean value of moving two-point discrimination test was 5 mm. Range of motion was considered satisfactory in all reconstructed fingers except one, in which a 20° extension deficit at the proximal interphalangeal joint was observed. This flap represents a useful alternative for reconstruction of the fingers with large pulp defects.

Background Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily of cytokines, plays an important role in cell growth, signal transduction, and apoptosis regulation. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate serum GDF-15 levels and their relationship with disease-related variables in patients with Behcet9s disease (BD). Methods Forty-six patients diagnosed with BD and 30 demographically matched healthy control subjects participated in the study. GDF-15 levels were measured in blood samples from patients and controls. Behcet9s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) was used to evaluate the disease activity of BD. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to C-reactive protein (CRP), mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate, age, body mass index and mean GDF-15 levels (p>0.05). The serum GDF-15 levels were positively correlated with peripheral arthritis, CRP, BDCAF erythema nodosum, BDCAF arthralgia, and BDCAF arthritis scores. The patients with BD were divided into twogroups according to the presence of peripheral arthritis; nine subjects (20%) were positive for peripheral arthritis. Serum ESR, CRP, white blood cell, and GDF-15 levels were significantly higher in the group that was positive for peripheral arthritis (p Conclusions GDF-15 may play a role in the progression and pathway of Behcet9s joint involvement and erythema nodosum independent of classic inflammatory response measures. References Wong RC, Ellis CN, Diaz LA et al Behcet9s disease. Int J Dermatol 1984; 23: 25–32. Takeuchi M, Keino H, Suzuki J et al. Possibility of inducing anterior chamber-associated immune deviation by TGF-beta 2 treatment of monocytes isolated from Behcet9s patients. Exp eye res 2006; 83: 981–988 Yazmalar L, Batmaz I, Sariyildiz MA et al. Sleep quality in patients with Behcet9s disease. Int J Rheum Dis 2014; doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.12459. Canete JD, Celis R, Noordenbos T et al. Distinct synovial immunopathology in Behcet disease and psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis res ther 2009; 11: R17 Disclosure of Interest None declared

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The etiopathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is not known completely. In most of the cases, CAE is associated with atherosclerosis; however, isolated CAE has a nonatherosclerotic mechanism. The association between atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and apelin has been examined in previous studies. However, the role of plasma apelin in isolated coronary artery ectasia has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the relationship between plasma apelin levels and isolated coronary artery ectasia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population included a total of 54 patients. Twenty-six patients had isolated CAE (53.6±8.1 years); 28 patients with normal coronary arteries (51.6±8.8 years) and with similar risk factors and demographic characteristics served as the control group. Apelin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay kit. RESULTS: Apelin level in the CAE group was significantly lower (apelin=0.181±0.159 ng/mL) than that in the control group (apelin=0.646±0.578 ng/mL) (p=0.033). Glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, we showed that patients with isolated CAE have decreased plasma apelin levels compared with the control group. Based on the data, a relationship between plasma apelin and isolated CAE was determined.

The rolling belts on argicultural machinery attract children who unconsciously grab them. The injuries produced include friction burns, injuries to flexor tendons, digital nerves and arteries, skin in Zone 2 and fractures. Subtotal or total amputation may occur. We present the results of such injuries to 44 fingers in 16 children aged 1 to 9. The functional results are not satisfactory. In order to grade the results we have devised a classification to this injury. The survival rate for all fingers was 71%, but in the fingers with circulatory problems the survival rate was 50%. On functional assessment seven patients had a good result, seven moderate, and two fair.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pomegranate (PMG) extract and carvacrol (CARV) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced oxidative stress and bone marrow toxicity. Methods: Wistar albino rats (32 rats) were divided into four groups (n=8): Group 1 was control; Group 2 was given a single intraperitoneal injection of methotrexate (20 mg/kg); Group 3 was treated with carvacrol (73 mg/kg i.p.) one day before MTX (20 mg/kg i.p.) injection; and, Group 4 received a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg i.p) while PMG was administered orally for seven days at 225 mg/kg. After animals were euthanized, blood samples were taken to evaluate hematological parameters and oxidative stress. In addition, the femur was cropped and bone marrow was extracted for examination. Results: White blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count were found to be decreased in the MTX group, but these changes were prevented in the groups that received CARV and PMG. Furthermore, decreased bone marrow cellularity was found in the groups treated with MTX, whereas the PMG and CARV groups had cellularity similar to controls. Strikingly, oxidative stress increased in the MTX group, but was ultimately decreased in the rats that received the antioxidants PMG and CARV. Conclusion: Carvacrol and PMG were found to be protective against methotrexate-induced oxidative bone marrow damage. Use of these antioxidants, in combination with chemotherapeutics, may help to reduce some adverse effects of methotrexate.

Four patients who developed combined tendon and overlying skin defects following operative repair of ruptured Achilles tendon were presented. Three patients had an infected wound. The average interval from the first operation for repairing the ruptured Achilles tendon and the reconstructive procedure was 46.2 days (range, 5-65 days). All patients were treated with a one-stage operation including radical debridement, reconstruction of the Achilles tendon defects using vascularized or nonvascularized tendon grafts, transfer of peroneus brevis for augmentation, and skin coverage with a free flap. The patients recovered uneventfully. The average follow-up period was 39.2 months (range, 18-79 months). In all patients, an evaluation of the clinical outcome, the performance of the calf muscles using a computerized dynamometer, and structural changes of the reconstructed Achilles tendon using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were made. The clinical outcome was excellent in three patients and good in one. In isokinetic testing (Cybex-Norm), strength was found to be normal in one patient and abnormal in three patients. MR images revealed an intratendinous area of homogenous and normal intensity signal, and a significant increase in thickness and width in all levels of the reconstructed Achilles tendon. The authors conclude that it is possible to obtain satisfactory function in patients with complex wounds in the region of the Achilles tendon.

This article reports our experiences treating soft tissue and bone defects in the lower extremity with free flaps. One of the most common causes for lower extremity wounds are high-energy injuries. These kinds of injuries contain soft tissue and bone defects beyond neurovascular complications. The rate of infection and nonunion is very high in these injuries. Between 1988 and 1996, we applied 33 flaps to 28 patients. The numbers and kinds of the free flaps are as follows: 12 latissimus dorsi, nine radial forearm, seven lateral arm, three vascularised fibula grafts with skin, one gracilis, and one medial plantar flap. Three free flaps were lost (12%). The success rate is 88%. The advantage of free flaps is that they allow the reconstruction of the large defects in one-session operations. Thus, they decrease the rate of infection and increase that of nonunion. The patient returns to his active life at an earlier stage.

Between July 1986 and July 1994, we studied 125 total finger amputations due to crush and avulsion type injuries at the Izmir Hand and Microsurgery Hospital. Of the 125 fingers replanted, 88 were successful, for a general survival rate of 70.4%. In the period between 1986 and 1991, we performed end-to-end anastomoses and achieved a survival rate of 48.3% (Group I). Between 1991 and 1994, with the application of a primary interpositional vein graft for the required indications in this type of injury, the general survival rate increased to 77.1% (Group II; P < 0.05). We conclude that the significant increase in the survival rate in Group II is related to both the increased experience of the surgical team and the application of the primary interpositional vein graft.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, the importance of the computational tests such as non-HDL cholesterol and Total cholesterol to HDL ratio for evaluating blood lipid levels were investigated.METHODS: The measured and calculated lipid parameters of 683 patients whose test inputs were done from Family Medicine Clinic were evaluated. The number of the patients were determined who had high Non-HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol / HDL cholesterol however the the routine lipid parameters were in the acceptable range.RESULTS: According to our results, 45 6.6% patients had high non-HDL cholesterol values and 127 %18,6 patients had high TC / HDL-cholesterol levels. Also, there were 11 1.6% patients with high non-HDL-cholesterol levels, and 39 %5,7 patients with high TC / HDL cholesterol ratio, while all routine lipid parameters were in acceptable limits. CONCLUSION: The addition of Non-HDL cholesterol and TC / HDL-cholesterol ratio to routine laboratory results would be beneficial because it can create an alert to clinicians in terms of lipid disorders., AMAÇ: Çalışmamızda, kan lipid düzeylerinin değerlendirilmesinde, hesaplamalı test olan Non-HDL kolesterol ve Total kolesterol/HDL kolesterol değerlendirilmesinin önemi incelenmiştir.YÖNTEMLER: Aile hekimliği polikliniğinden yapılan laboratuvar istemlerinden 683 hastanın hem ölçülen hem de hesaplanan lipid parametreleri değerlendirildi. Rutinde çalışılan lipid parametrelerine göre kabul edilebilir aralıkta olup da Non-HDL kolesterol ve Total kolesterol/HDL değerine göre hedef değerlerin üstünde kalan hasta sayıları belirlendi. BULGULAR: Çalışmamızın sonuçlarına göre, 45 %6,6 hasta yüksek Non-HDL kolesterol değerlerine ve 127 %18,6 hasta yüksek TK/HDL-K oranına sahiptir. Tüm rutin lipid parametreleri kabul edilebilir sınırlarda iken, Non-HDL kolesterol değerleri yüksek olan 11 %1,6 hasta ve ve TK/HDL kolesterol oranı yüksek olan 39 %5,7 hasta saptandı. saptandı.SONUÇ: Non-HDL kolesterol değerinin ve TK/HDL-K oranının rutin lipit sonuçlarına eklenmesi, klinisyenlere lipit bozukluğu açısından uyarı oluşturabileceğinden faydalı olacaktır.

WOS: 000356549000033, Due to high operating temperature (800-1000 degrees C) of SOFC's, limited number of alloys can be employed for the purpose of current collection. The electrical conductivity of these alloys usually decreases during the operation of SOFC because of highly corrosive cathode (air side) environment. Cr evaporation from such alloys is also an important problem of performance degradation. A spinel Mn1.5Co1.5O4 and perovskite La0.60Sr0.40FeO3 mixture is coated on Crofer alloy for corrosion and chromium protection in the cathode side of a SOFC. In study firstly, the performance of the fuel cell with the Crofer 22 APU as interconnect material was measured up to 100 h without any coating. Secondly, using a screen printing method, bare Crofer 22 APU was coated with Mn1.5Co1.5O4 and finally Mn1.5Co1.5O4 + La0.60Sr0.40FeO3 ceramic powder slurries were employed as the coating material. Then, the performances of a SOFC short stack with interconnects coated by two methods were compared with uncoated interconnect. Results show that uncoated interconnect experienced a significant performance lost from 4.5 W to 3.8 W. On the other hand the cells with screen printing coated with a mixture Mn1.5Co1.5O4 and La0.60Sr0.40FeO3 exhibited decreases only from 5.78 W to 5.42 W in the short-term performance tests. Copyright (c) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.