Is the mycobacteria-derived purified protein response in atopic asthmatic children different? A case study from Istanbul, Turkey

Background: The response to mycobacteria-derived purified protein (PPD) is mediated primarily by T-helper-1 response and is expected to be inhibited in atopic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the PPD response is different in atopic asthmatic children. Methods: 40 atopic asthmatic children (mean age 8.3 +/- 4.9 years) and 40 healthy age- and sex-matched children who had received bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination were included in the study. Five PPD units were administered intradermally to all children and were interpreted after 48 h. Results: There was no correlation between serum total IgE level and PPD induration (p = 0.054). The PPD induration was not statistically different between the children who used inhaled corticosteroid and those who did not. Although the PPD positivity (induration 6 5 mm) rate was higher in atopic asthmatic children (50%) than in healthy children (32.5%), the difference was not found to be statistically significant. The PPD induration in atopic asthmatic children (7.41 8 5.58 mm) was found to be greater than the one in healthy children (5.21 +/- 3.39) (p < 0.039). The induration in atopic asthmatic children (5.21 +/- 3.77) and healthy children (4.43 +/- 2.32) did not show a difference in children who where vaccinated only once with BCG, but it was found to be statistically significantly greater in atopic asthmatic children (12.50 +/- 5.90) than healthy children (7.08 +/- 4.70) who were vaccinated with BCG twice (p < 0.012). The proportion of having a PPD induration of 6 10 mm was found to be higher in atopic asthmatic children than in the healthy ones (32.5 vs. 12.5%) (p < 0.032). Conclusion: Our data showed that the PPD response was stronger in BCG-vaccinated atopic asthmatic children than in healthy BCG-vaccinated ones. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Relationship Between TSH Level and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adolescents

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between TSH levels and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight/obese adolescents by gender. Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the data from 343 overweight/obese adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years. The degree of obesity was calculated as the body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS). Hypertension, dyslipidaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance were defined as cardiometabolic risk factors. The patients' TSH and free T4 levels were recorded, and the subjects with normal free T4 levels were included. Findings: A positive correlation was found between TSH level and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), insulin and triglyceride levels (p=0.001, 0.001, 0.006, respectively). In the linear regression analysis, in which age, gender and BMI-SDS values were taken as covariates, a 10% increase in the geometric mean of TSH was associated with a 0.13 fold increase in HOMA-IR, and a 10% increase in TSH level was associated with a onefold increase in geometric mean of insulin level (p=0.003, 0.002, respectively), but the relationship between TSH and triglyceride levels disappeared. Conclusions: TSH levels were found to be related to the glucose metabolism. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of this relationship

Analysis of clinicopathological prognostic parameters in adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia

Background : The optimal extent of resection for carcinoma of gastric cardia remains a subject of controversy. Although both total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) have their own advantages, similar survival rates were given for both. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether the extent, of resection is an important prognostic factor in carcinoma of the gastric cardia

Sexual abuse among female high school students in Istanbul, Turkey

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of sexual abuse in female adolescents in Istanbul, Turkey from data collected as part of a school-based population study on health and health behaviors

Violent behaviour among Turkish high school students and correlates of physical fighting

Background: The purpose of this study was to provide data about the prevalence of violent behaviour among high school students living in Istanbul and to determine the correlates of physical fighting. Method: This study involved the completion of a modified version of 'Health Behaviour in School Age Children (HBSC) 1997/1998' survey questionnaire by 4153 grade 9-11 students. Chi square tests and forward stepwise multiple logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses. Results: During the last 12 months preceding the survey 42% of students (n=1720) reported that they had been in a physical fight; 7% (n=274) reported that they were involved in a fight which required medical treatment. During the last school term 19% (n=768) bullied others at school; 30% (n=1255) reported having been bullied at school; 7% (n=309) reported that they had been bullied with a weapon on school grounds; 8% (n=346) reported that they carried a weapon on school grounds. In logistic regression analyses being male, poor mental health score, being sexually active, current cigarette use, illicit drug use, not using seat belts, bullying, being bullied with a weapon, carrying a weapon, spending more time with friends, poor school image and physical abuse were found to be associated with fighting. Conclusion: Violent behaviour is common in high school students. There is a strong need for violence prevention programmes in schools