Topotecan as salvage therapy of refractory small cell lung cancer

WOS: 000269496002443

Effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy treatment on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in patients with urinary lithiasis

WOS: 000242270700007PubMed: 17049149Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effects of electrohydraulic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) on the transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) of the patients on whom ESWL was applied for urinary stones. Methods: The study group consisted of 10 patients (7 male, 3 female) with unilateral urinary lithiasis on whom ESWL was applied in one course and 20 of their ears. The control group was chosen from patients who attended the Otolaryngology and Urology departments. Ten patients (7 male, 3 female) without urinary stones and ear problems and 20 of their ears constituted the control group. Only patients with normal hearing levels were included in the study. TEOAEs were recorded before the ESWL application (B-ESWL), on the first day (A-ESWL-1), and on day 15 (A-ESWL-15). Results: At B-ESWL, the mean stimulus for the control group was significantly higher than that of the study group. Three kilohertz percentage values were significantly decreased on A-ESWL-1. The difference between A-ESWL-1 and A-ESWL-15 and between B-ESWL and A-ESWL-15 of the study group at 3.0 kHz% was not significant. Conclusion: It was thought that the reason for only temporary damage at 3.0 kHz was a result of the resonance effect of the external auditory canal. It was concluded that no damage on the other frequencies was due to protective earheadings and short exposure time to the noise. Since all of our patients had protective earheadings on both ears during the ESWL procedure, they may have been protected from any permanent damage of the inner ear and hairy cells of the cochlea

Penicillium digitatum immobilized on pumice stone as a new solid phase extractor for preconcentration and/or separation of trace metals in environmental samples

WOS: 000255544300010PubMed ID: 17950994This study presents a column solid phase extraction procedure based on column biosorption of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(H) ions on Penicillium digitatum immobilized on pumice stone. The analytes were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The optimum conditions such as: pH values, amount of solid phase, elution solution and flow rate of sample solution were evaluated for the quantitative recovery of the analytes. The effect of interfering ions on the recovery of the analytes has also been investigated. The recoveries of copper, zinc and lead under the optimum conditions were found to be 97 +/- 2, 98 +/- 2 and 98 +/- 2%, respectively, at 95% confidence level. For the analytes, 50-fold preconcentration was obtained. The analytical detection limits for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) were 1.8, 1.3 and 5.8 ng mL(-1), respectively. The proposed procedure was applied for the determination of copper, zinc and lead in darn water, waste water, spring water, parsley and carrot. The accuracy of the procedure was checked by determining copper, zinc and lead in standard reference tea samples (GBW-07605). (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

DETERMINATION OF THE PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS PROPOSALSRELATED TO THE ORGANIZATION AND COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIESOF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVEMEMBERS IN IĞDIR PROVINCE

Bu çalışma Iğdır ilinde bulunan kırsal kalkınma kooperatiflerine üye üreticilerin örgütlenme konusundaki problemlerini belirlemek ve çözüm önerileri sunmak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmada Iğdır merkez ve ilçelerinde Basit Tesadüfi Örnekleme Yöntemi 'ne göre belirlenen kırsal kalkınma kooperatifine üye üreticilerle yapılan anketlerden elde edilen veriler kullanılmıştır. Üyelerininçoğunluğunun örgütlenme konusunda yeterli bilgiye sahip olmadıkları, yürütülen faaliyetlere yeterince katılmadıkları ve ayrıca finansman, yönetim, güven ve mevzuat ile ilgili problemlerin bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu kapsamda üyelere örgütlenme ve önemi konusunda eğitim verilmesi, yürütülen faaliyetlere aktif olarak katılmalarının sağlanması, finansman konusunda kolaylık sağlanması, örgüt içerisinde güven ortamının oluşturulması ve mevzuatın güncellenerek üretici ihtiyaçlarına göre yeniden düzenlenmesi gerektiği ortaya çıkmıştırThe study was conducted to determine organization related problems of producers were the members of rural development cooperatives and to preset solution proposals in Iğdır province. The data surveyed from rural development cooperative member producers determined in Iğdır and territories by simple random sampling method are used in this study. It is determined that agricultural cooperative members do not have enough information regarding establishing organizations, do not join the activities, and have problems with financing, management, trust and regulations. The members should be educated about the cooperatives and their importance. They should also be encouraged to join the activities effectively, provided enough flexibility in financing. Moreover, a trusting environment should be established in cooperatives and the regulations must be revised based on the current needs of producer

Effects of body mass index and adenotonsillar size on snoring sound intensity levels at highest power

WOS: 000329959100011PubMed: 24268721Objectives: Snoring during sleep is a major clinical symptom of adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy in paediatric patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adenoid and tonsil size on snoring sound frequency and intensity in children. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy were included the study. Adenoid size was graded from 1+ to 4+ by rigid endoscopy. Patients were staged (I-III) according to body mass index (BMI) and tonsil and adenoid size. Snoring was recorded and analysed. The analysis focused on the highest power frequency (Fmax) and snoring sound intensity levels (SSILs). Results: SSIL and Fmax values for Stage III were significantly higher than those for Stages I and II. BMI for Stage III was higher than for Stages land II, and that for Stage II was higher than for Stage I. The BMI, SSIL, and Fmax values increased at each stage and tonsil/adenoid grade. Conclusions: SSIL seems to be related to Adenoid and Tonsils size and BMI. As stage increased, both Fmax and SSILs increased proportionally. Also, Fmax values shifted to higher frequencies. Physicians and parents should be aware of snoring, and be informed that a higher frequency and intensity may be related to obesity and/or adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Snoring analysis may be a useful tool for detecting cases of Adenoid and Tonsils hypertrophy and/or upper airway obstruction during sleep. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Telephonic Analysis of the Snoring Sound Spectrum

WOS: 000343639200003PubMed: 24913290Objective: Snoring is a sound caused by vibration of collapsed and/or unsteady airway walls of the pharynx and soft palate. We compared stored spectra of snoring sounds recorded via cell phone (CP) and a microphone placed over the head (head phone [HP]). Methods: Thirty-four snoring patients were included in this prospective study. Groups were identified by reference to body mass index (BMI) values: group I, BMI = 30 kg/m(2) (n = 16). Snoring sounds were recorded using CPs and HPs and digitally analyzed. We identified the frequencies with the highest snoring powers (F-max values) and snoring sound intensity levels (SSILs). Results: F-max ranged from 520 to 985 Hz in HP recordings and from 845 to 1645 Hz in CP recordings. Snoring sound intensity level values increased in proportion to BMI and were 6 to 24 dB in HP recordings and 19 to 52 dB in CP recordings. Thus, the CP values of F-max and SSIL were higher than the HP values. In obese patients of group 3, almost all F-max and SSIL values were higher than those of groups 1 and 2. In particular, the CP F-max values were elevated in such patients. The advanced technologies used in modern CPs may allow some snoring sounds in susceptible individuals to be defined as oronasal. Conclusion: Cell phone technology allows snoring to be evaluated in patients located in areas remote from a hospital. To explore the intensity of snoring and to postoperatively monitor the efficacy of surgery used to treat snoring, telephonic sound analysis is both new and effective and reduces the need for patient attendance at a hospital. Those experiencing severe snoring and/or who are obese should be told of what can be done to solve such problems.Continuous Education and Scientific Research AssociationThe author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Except data collection, preparation of this article including designing and planning was supported by the Continuous Education and Scientific Research Association

ALCAPs induce mitochondrial apoptosis and activate DNA damage response by generating ROS and inhibiting topoisomerase I enzyme activity in K562 leukemia cell line

WOS: 000292358500026PubMed ID: 21624350Endemic Alkanna cappadocica was used to isolate novel antitumor molecules from Turkish landscapes in our previous studies. In this study, deoxyalkannin (ALCAP1), beta,beta-dimethylacrylalkannin (ALCAP2), acetylalkannin (ALCAP3), and alkannin (ALCAP4) as well as the novel isolated compounds 5-methoxydeoxyalkannin (ALCAP5), 8-methoxydeoxyalkannin (ALCAP6), 5-methoxyacetylalkannin (ALCAP7), 5-methoxy-beta,beta-dimethylacrylalkannin (ALCAP8) were characterized. The topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitory activity of ALCAPs was investigated using in vitro plasmid relaxation assay and found that ALCAP2, 3, 4 and 7 were potent inhibitors at 2-6 mu M concentrations. Further, DNA damage response to ALCAP treatments was also studied by measuring the H2AX((S139)) and ATM((S1981)) phosphorylations. ALCAP2, 7 and 8 induced the DNA damage and apoptosis, consistently resulted in PARP cleavage at nanomolar concentrations in K562 leukemia cells. Moreover, when the free radical (ROS) generating capacity of the compounds was studied by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate assay using flow cytometry, we found that a known antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine almost completely abrogated the H2AX((S139)) phosphorylations and the caspase 3 cleavage and activation. Thus, gamma H2AX((S139)) foci formation remained higher than the control, and an increase in CHK2((T68)) phosphorylation was observed by ALCAP2 and 7 treatments suggested that, these compounds can be potential therapeutics against tumor cell growth because of their unique DNA damaging abilities additional to enzyme inhibition similar to those of doxorubicin. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [105S101, 106S200]; Ege UniversityEge University [06MUH004]We thank Dr. Serdar Senol for his invaluable assistance in collection and identification of the plant material. This research was supported by grants 105S101 and 106S200 from TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey), and a grant from Ege University BAP project 06MUH004 to EB and KSK

Chromosomal findings and sequence analysis of target exons of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) gene in patients with Sagliker syndrome

Background/aim: Sagliker syndrome (SS) develops as a continuation of chronic kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism conditions. It was thought that there are some genetic predisposition factors leading to SS. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is essential for calcium homeostasis in the body. We aimed to examine SS patients for chromosome aberrations (CAs) and CaSR gene abnormalities in exons 2 and 3. Materials and methods: Twenty-three patients and 23 control subjects were admitted to Balcalı Hospital of the Medical Faculty of Çukurova University in Turkey between 2009 and 2011. Chromosomal analysis was performed according to standard cytogenetic methods. Full sequencing of exons 2 and 3 of the CaSR gene was done. Results: We found base alterations and deletions in exons 2 and 3 of the CaSR gene. We also found a statistically significant increase in the rate of CAs in patients compared to controls. In total we evaluated 639 metaphase plaques in 23 patients and found 241 CAs, of which 88% were structural and 12% were numerical abnormalities. Conclusion: There is no relation between the etiology of SS and nucleotide alterations that we could find in exons 2 and 3 of the CaSR gene. Our data suggest that there may be a correlation between CAs and the progression of SS.Background/aim: Sagliker syndrome (SS) develops as a continuation of chronic kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism conditions. It was thought that there are some genetic predisposition factors leading to SS. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is essential for calcium homeostasis in the body. We aimed to examine SS patients for chromosome aberrations (CAs) and CaSR gene abnormalities in exons 2 and 3. Materials and methods: Twenty-three patients and 23 control subjects were admitted to Balcalı Hospital of the Medical Faculty of Çukurova University in Turkey between 2009 and 2011. Chromosomal analysis was performed according to standard cytogenetic methods. Full sequencing of exons 2 and 3 of the CaSR gene was done. Results: We found base alterations and deletions in exons 2 and 3 of the CaSR gene. We also found a statistically significant increase in the rate of CAs in patients compared to controls. In total we evaluated 639 metaphase plaques in 23 patients and found 241 CAs, of which 88% were structural and 12% were numerical abnormalities. Conclusion: There is no relation between the etiology of SS and nucleotide alterations that we could find in exons 2 and 3 of the CaSR gene. Our data suggest that there may be a correlation between CAs and the progression of SS

The incidence of sialolithiasis and gall stones in patients with urolithiasis

Bu çalışmada, ürolitiazisli hastalarda, sialolitiazis ve safra kesesi taşı görülme insidansı araştırılmıştır. Çalışma esnasında ürolitiazisi olan, geçmişte ürolitiazis dolayısı ile tedavi görmüş veya kendiliğinden taş düşürmüş olan 43 erişkin hasta, çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Hastalardan ayrıntılı hikaye alınmış, vücut kitle indexleri hesaplanmış, fizik muayene ve kulak burun boğaz muayenesi yapılmıştır. Kan ve idrar incelemelerinden sonra grafi çektirilip, üriner sistem, safra kesesi, bilateral submandibuler gland ve parotis gland ultrasonografileri yapılmıştır. Hastaların %7'sinde ürolitiazis safra kesesi taşı, %2.3'ünde ürolitiazis sialolitiazis olduğu belirlenmiştir.In this study, we investigated the incidence of sialolithiasis and gallstones in patients with urolithiasis. The forty-three adult patients with urolithiasis at the time of study and the patients with previous urolithiasis history which were treated or spontaneously excreted the stone, were included into the study. All patients were evaluated by detained history, body-mass index, physical and ear nose throat examinations. After blood and urine examination, X-ray and urinary, biliary and submandibular and parotid ultrasonographies were managed. The incidence of urolithiasis gallstone was found in 7 % of the patients. The incidence for urolithiasis sialolithiasis was found in 2.3 % of the patients