The efficacy of cinacalcet in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism in Turkish hemodialysis patient population

WOS: 000393291900012OBJECTIVE: Cinacalcet reduces parathyroid hormone levels by increasing the sensitivity of the parathyroid gland to calcium. in this study, we firstly aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cinacalcet in Turkish hemodialysis patients. MATERIAL and METHODS: 4483 hemodialysis patients were screened and 469 patients who had used cinacalcet were included in the study. the patients were divided into 4 groups according to drug usage durations (Group 1: 3 months, Group 2: 6 months, Group 3: 9 months and Group 4: 12 months). the patients' Parathormone, Ca, P and CaxP levels at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months were compared to the start of treatment and previous months. RESULTS: the levels of Parathormone, Ca, P and CaxP significantly decreased compared to their initial levels in all groups (from 1412 pg/ml to 1222 pg/mL for Parathormone, p< 0,001) in the 3rd month. However, this reduction was not continued in the subsequent months (Parathormone: 1381 pg/ml for the 12th month). CONCLUSION: Cinacalcet may not provide adequate benefit in control of hyperparathyroidism in Turkish hemodialysis patient population

Laryngoscopic Examination During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Turkish Voice Speech and Swallowing Disorders Society and Turkish Professional Voice Society Recommendations

COVID-19 is highly transmissible and spreads rapidly in the population. This increases the occupational risk for health care workers. In otolaryngology clinic practice, patients with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms are common. Also, routine head and neck examinations such as oral cavity examination, nasal/nasopharyngeal examination, or video laryngostroboscopic evaluation are highly risky because of the aerosol formation. To emphasize this issue, two leading otolaryngology organizations in Turkey; 'Voice Speech and Swallowing Disorders Society', and 'Professional Voice Society' gathered a task force. This task force aimed to prepare a consensus report that would provide practical recommendations of the safety measurements during routine clinical care of laryngology patients. To fulfill this, universal aim, on the 2nd and 9th of May 2020, two web-based meetings were conducted by 20 expert physicians. This eighteen items list was prepared as an output

The association between therapeutic outcomes and VEGF G-1154A and C-936T gene polymorphisms in patients with glomerulonephritis

WOS: 000337949800013PubMed: 24673399Background: In this present study, we aimed to investigate the association between therapeutic outcomes and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) G-1154A and C-936T gene polymorphisms in patients with glomerulonephritis. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with glomerulonephritis diagnosed by renal biopsy were included to the study. All patients had proteinuria at least 1 gram (g)/day in urine analysis. At the end of a yearly therapy, patients with proteinuria less than 0.5 g/day were accepted as in complete remission and they were termed as group 1. The patients with proteinuria over 0.5 g/day were accepted as in no remission and they were termed as group 2. Results: The mean age of patients in group 1 and group 2 was 35.88 +/- 13.80 years and 37.30 +/- 13.89 years, respectively. There were nine (50%) male and nine (50%) female patients in group 1. In group 2, seven (35%) male and 13 (65%) female patients were present. Although VEGF G-1154A (GG) gene polymorphism was found in 55% of group 2 patients, and 22.2% of group 1 patients, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. There were no statistical differences between groups in terms of other gene polymorphisms. Namely, we obtained no statistical differences between therapeutic outcomes and gene polymorphisms. Conclusions: There is a significant difference between groups in terms of VEGF G-1154A (GG) gene polymorphism, but the minority of the patient population has led to not to reach statistical significance. So, this gene polymorphism has to be investigated in larger studies

Does gallbladder angle affect gallstone formation?

Introduction: Morphology of gallbladder varies considerably from person to person. We believe that one of the morphological variations of gallbladder is the "gallbladder angle". Gallbladder varies also in "angle", which, to the best of our knowledge, has never been investigated before. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of gallbladder angle on gallstone formation. Methods: in this study, 1075 abdominal computed tomography (CT) images were retrospectively examined. Patients with completely normal gallbladders were selected. Among these patients, those with both abdominal ultrasound and blood tests were identified in the hospital records and included in the study. Based on the findings of the ultrasound scans, patients were divided into two groups as patients with gallstones and patients without gallstones. Following the measurement of gallbladder angles on the CT images, the groups were statistically evaluated. Results: The gallbladder angle was smaller in patients with gallstones (49 +/- 21 degrees and 53 +/- 19 degrees) and the gallbladder with larger angle was 1.015 (1/0.985) times lower the risk of gallstone formation. However, these were not statistically significant (p>0,05). Conclusion: A more vertically positioned gallbladder does not affect gallstone formation. However, a smaller gallbladder angle may facilitate gallstone formation in patients with the risk factors. Gallstones perhaps more easily and earlier develop in gallbladders with a smaller angle

An evaluation of intra-hospital transport outcomes from tertiary neonatal intensive care unit

Introduction: Patient transport has more important side effects in patients in the newborn age group than in other age groups. This study was performed to evaluate the intra-hospital transport of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU).Methods: A total of 284 babies hospitalized in the neonatal unit and transported inside the hospital were divided into three groups based on their weights at the time of transport. Their places of transport and important changes in the vital functions of the newborn that might have been caused by transport were recorded with a view to understand the vital effects of intra-hospital transport on the newborn.Results: In our unit, the primary reasons for transport were determined to be echocardiography and radiology (26.4% and 25.7%, respectively). In our study, hyperglycemia and hypothermia were among the statistically most significant side effects associated with transport (p0.05). As expected, the complication rate was higher in babies with low weight.Conclusions: Current weight is useful for assessing the risks of untoward outcomes associated with intra-hospital transport. Protecting patients from hypothermia during the time spent outside of the NICU would reduce the risk of complications

Chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oil of Perovskia atriplicifolia from Pakistan

The current study describes the phytochemical profile, antimicrobial, mutagenic, and antimutagenic activity of Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth. essential oil, collected in Pakistan. The sample of essential oil was obtained from aerial parts of the plant by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. From the 18 compounds identified, the major compounds were camphor (28.91%), limonene (16.72%), alpha-globulol (10.21%), trans-caryophyliene (9.30%), and alpha-humulene (9.25%). Antimicrobial activity of the oil was evaluated using agar diffusion method and agar dilution method. The antimicrobial test results showed that the oil had a significant potential antimicrobial activity against 10 bacteria and 5 fungal strains. Furthermore, the mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of the oil was investigated through the Salmonella/microsome test system, with and without S9 metabolic fraction in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. None of the tested concentrations of oil was found mutagenic. However, all tested concentrations did show an increase in antimutagenic activity with or without S9 fraction against 2-aminofluorene and daunomicina, but not sodium azide. Results presented here suggest that the essential oil of P. atriplicifolia possesses antimicrobial properties and is therefore a potential source of antimicrobial ingredients for the food and pharmaceutical industry. In addition, that it also has antimutagenic activity raises the importance of this essential oil in this area

Investigation of the effects of systemic meperidine administration on fascia healing in an experimental rat model.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of meperidine on fascial healing