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Although there are more sensitive and earlier diagnostic markers for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), measurement of creatine kinase (CK) MB isoenzyme (CKMB) using the immunoinhibition method is still widely used in stat laboratories. In this study, 3,290 patients with the prediagnosis of AMI underwent physical examinations, electrocardiography, and repetitive measurements of CK, CKMB activity, and CKMB mass, and 304 of them were diagnosed as having AMI. Electrophoresis of CK and CKMB mass was performed for the samples from 415 patients whose CKMB activity values were found to be increased and were not correlated with total CK levels. According to CKMB activity, CK electrophoresis, and CKMB index (100 x CKMB activity/CK) values, macro-CK (MCK) and/or increased CKBB levels were detected in 27 cases (MCK-I in 10 cases, MCK-II in 9, increased CKBB in 5, and both MCK-II and increased CKBB in 3). CKMB activity was found to be increased for all except one patient (96.3%), and the CKMB index was >25% in 25 (92.5%) of 27 cases. CKMB mass values were within the normal range in 25 of the cases with MCK. Two patients with MCK-I were diagnosed as having AMI because of increased CKMB mass and positive electrocardiography findings. The incidence of MCK and/or high CKBB levels (0.82%) in the whole group was similar to that reported for a normal population. MCK existence and increased CKBB levels may cause misleading diagnoses if CKMB mass measurements and/or CKMB index values are not used together for patients with suspected AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health professionals, particularly clinicians and nurses in the community have an important role in preventing to start smoking. In our study; we aimed to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence level and the effects of low price tobacco sale among healthcare personal in a military hospital. A questionnaire was applied to healthcare personal, which evaluates their smoking habits, nicotine dependence level with Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the effects of low cost cigarette sale on smoking habits. Seventy male and 46 female among 138 healthcare personals (84%) responded to the questionnaire. Mean age of participants was 33.7 ± 5.6. Among all participants, 53.4% were smoking. There was no significant difference between male and female participants in case of smoking prevalence (p> 0.05). Seven participants who started smoking regularly after they appointed to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus explained why they started smoking as secondary to lower cigarette prices in this country. 48.3% of participants (40% of male smokers and 59.3% of female smokers) reported increased cigarette consumption as a result of low cost cigarette sales. There was a significant difference between male and female participants in case of increase in cigarette consumption (< 0.05). According to results of FTND, about 70% of participants were low and very low-dependant, and about 22% were high and very high- dependant smokers. Smoking prevalence of healthcare personal who participated in our study was higher than that reported for community and for other healthcare personal.