The Evaluation of Patients with Tuberculosis Treated in Batman Tuberculosis Control Dispensary in 2003 Year

Tuberculosis is a very important problem for public health all around the world. In this study, 168 patients with TB who were treated in Batman Tuberculosis Control Dispensary in 2003 were retrospectively assessed. Ninety six of our cases were male, 72 were female. Eighty one patients who underwent for the tuberculous treatment were with pulmonary tuberculosis and 87 cases were with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Acid fast bacilli (AFB) at sputum was positive in 66.17% of the cavitary pulmonary TB cases before treatment and only one patient’s sputum was positive in pulmonary tuberculosis without cavity. Results of the tuberculosis treatment of cases revealed that one case left the treatment, 3 patients were inharmonious, 3 patients were dead, 161 patients were cured. Success rate of treatment was 95,83% (5 of these cases were cured and 156 patients completed the treatment). These data suggest that in order to increase the rate of the cure, bacteriological examination of the sputum should be considered at the end of the treatment like as the beginning

The presence of promatrix metalloproteinase-3 and its relation with different categories of coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

Extracellular matrix formation (ECM) and remodeling are critical events related to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinases play an essential role in degrading and remodeling the ECM. In this study, we tried to show the presence and correlation of promatrix metalloproteinase-3 (proMMP-3) (the inactive form of metalloproteinase-3) levels in coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) with different categories. The study population consisted of 44 coal miners with CWP (pos CWP). Coal miners without CWP (neg CWP, n = 24) and non-underground personnel (controls, n = 17) were taken as controls. All coal miners were stable and had no systemic infection or disease. Standard posterio-anterior chest radiographs and pulmonary function tests were performed to exclude any diseases other than CWP. Serum proMMP-3 was analysed using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according to the manufacturer's instructions (The Binding Site, Birmingham, UK). Mean proMMP-3 values of the all three groups were compared and a significant statistical difference obtained (p < 0.001). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between categories of the disease and proMMP-3 values (p < 0.05). The effects of age, exposure duration and cigarette smoking on proMMP-3 values in coal miners with CWP were investigated. There were no correlations between age, smoking and proMMP-3 values. However, a positive correlation was found between exposure duration and proMMP-3 values (r = 0.447, p = 0.008). In conclusion, proMMP-3 (prostromelysin 1) may play an essential role in degrading and remodeling the ECM in workers with pneumoconiosis. ProMMP-3 may also reflect the stage of pneumoconiosis disease

Neurološki simptomi koji su česti u pacijenata s COVID-19: retrospektivna opservacijska studija

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus outbreak spread rapidly all over the world. The virus is known to be neuroinvasive, but much is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to present the main neurologic symptoms in patients who were diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study was conducted retrospectively by phoning 156 patients in Turkey diagnosed with COVID-19 through real-time polymerase chain reaction; only 100 patients could be reached. Data about their demographics, initial symptoms, neurological symptoms, and sleeping habits were collected. During the disease process, 66% had at least one neurological symptom, 55% had central nervous system symptoms, 42% had peripheral nervous system symptoms, and 64% had sleep disturbances and myalgia. Impaired consciousness, smell and taste impairments, and sleep disturbances were significantly higher in patients with positive chest computed tomography imaging (p < 0.05). Neurological symptoms were observed in COVID-19, as in other coronaviruses. Headache in particular was the most common symptom in our population. In patients with respiratory system findings, the detection of certain neurological symptoms such as smell-taste impairments, impaired consciousness, and sleep disorders were more common. We concluded that COVID-19 patients should be approached in a more holistic way, taking the nervous system into account.U prosincu 2019. nova epidemija koronavirusa brzo se proširila cijelim svijetom. Poznato je da je virus neuroinvazivan, ali je pun nepoznanica. U ovoj studiji imali smo za cilj predstaviti glavne neurološke simptome kod pacijenata kojima je dijagnosticirana koronavirusna bolest 2019. (COVID-19). Studija je provedena retrospektivno telefoniranjem 156 pacijenata u Turskoj kojima je dijagnosticiran COVID-19 putem lančane reakcije polimeraze u stvarnom vremenu; moglo se doći do samo 100 bolesnika. Prikupljeni su podaci o njihovim demografskim podacima, početnim simptomima, neurološkim simptomima i navikama spavanja. U procesu bolesti, 66% je imalo barem jedan neurološki simptom, 55% je imalo simptome središnjeg živčanog sustava, 42% imalo je simptome perifernog živčanog sustava, a 64% imalo je poremećaje spavanja i mijalgiju. Poremećaji svijesti, mirisa i okusa te poremećaji spavanja bili su značajno veći u bolesnika s pozitivnim slikanjem računalne tomografije u prsima (p <0,05). Neurološki simptomi primijećeni su u COVID-19, kao što su ostali koronavirusi. Posebno je glavobolja najčešći simptom u našoj populaciji. U bolesnika s nalazima dišnog sustava češće je otkrivanje određenih neuroloških simptoma kao što su smetnje okusa mirisa, oslabljena svijest i spavanje. Zaključili smo da s pacijentima s COVID-19 treba postupati na cjelovitiji način, uzimajući u obzir živčani sustav

Serum Paraoxonase, Arylesterase, and GlutathioneS-Transferase Activities and Oxidative Stress Levels in Patients with Mushroom Poisoning

OBJECTIVES: Consumption of toxic species of mushrooms may have detrimental effects and increase oxidative stress. Paraoxonase, arylesterase and glutathione-S-transferase are antioxidants that resist oxidative stress. In this study, we analyzed the changes in these enzymes during intoxication due to mushrooms. METHODS: The study enrolled 49 adult patients with a diagnosis of mushroom poisoning according to clinical findings and 49 healthy volunteers as the control group. The patients with mild clinical findings were hospitalized due to the possibility that the patient had also eaten the mushrooms and due to clinical findings in the late period, which could be fatal. Paraoxonase, arylesterase, and glutathione-S-transferase concentrations, as well as total antioxidant and oxidant status, were determined in the 49 patients and 49 healthy volunteers by taking blood samples in the emergency department. RESULTS: While paraoxonase, arylesterase, and total antioxidant status were significantly decreased in the patient group (po0.05), glutathione-S-transferase, total oxidant status and the oxidative stress index were significantly higher (po0.05). There was a positive correlation between the hospitalization time and the oxidative stress index (r=0.752, po0.001), whereas a negative correlation was found with glutathione-S-transferase (r=-0.420, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: We observed a significant decrease in paraoxonase and arylesterase and an increase in glutathione-S-transferase and oxidative stress indexes in patients with mushroom poisoning, indicating that these patients had an oxidative status. In particular, a low total antioxidant status and high oxidative stress index may gain importance in terms of the assessment of hospitalization duration

MDCT Findings of Denim-Sandblasting-Induced Silicosis: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Denim sandblasting is as a novel cause of silicosis in Turkey, with reports of a recent increase in cases and fatal outcomes. We aimed to describe the radiological features of patients exposed to silica during denim sandblasting and define factors related to the development of silicosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty consecutive men with a history of exposure to silica during denim sandblasting were recruited. All CT examinations were performed using a 64-row multi-detector CT (MDCT). The nodules were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed by grading nodular profusion (NP) on CT images.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Silicosis was diagnosed radiologically in 73.3% of patients (44 of 60). The latency period (the time between initial exposure and radiological imaging) and duration of silica exposure was longer in patients diagnosed with silicosis than in those without silicosis (p < 0.05). Nodules were present in all cases with centrilobular type as the commonest (63.6%). All cases of silicosis were clinically classified as accelerated and 11.4% had progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Mild NP lesions were the most prevalent in all six zones of the lung. The NP score was significantly correlated with the duration of silica exposure, the latency period, presence of PMF, and pleural thickening. Enlarged lymphadenopathy was present in 45.5% of patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The duration of exposure and the latency period are important for development of silicosis in denim sandblasters. MDCT is a useful tool in detecting findings of silicosis in workers who has silica exposure.</p

Novel domain-specific POU3F4 mutations are associated with X-linked deafness: examples from different populations

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the POU3F4 gene cause X-linked deafness type 3 (DFN3), which is characterized by inner ear anomalies. METHODS: Three Turkish, one Ecuadorian, and one Nigerian families were included based on either inner ear anomalies detected in probands or X-linked family histories. Exome sequencing and/or Sanger sequencing were performed in order to identify the causative DNA variants in these families. RESULTS: Four novel, c.707A>C (p.(Glu236Ala)), c.772delG (p.(Glu258ArgfsX30)), c.902C>T (p.(Pro301Leu)), c.987T>C (p.(Ile308Thr)), and one previously reported mutation c.346delG (p.(Ala116ProfsX26)) in POU3F4, were identified. All mutations identified are predicted to affect the POU-specific or POU homeo domains of the protein and co-segregated with deafness in all families. CONCLUSIONS: Expanding the spectrum of POU3F4 mutations in different populations along with their associated phenotypes provides better understanding of their clinical importance and will be helpful in clinical evaluation and counseling of the affected individuals. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12881-015-0149-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

To compare the effectivity of suprascapular nerve blockade, intraarticular steroid injection and injection with high volume in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Adeziv kapsülitli hastalarda supraskapular sinir blokajı, intraartiküler steroid enjeksiyonu ve yüksek volümlü enjeksiyonun etkinliğinin karşılaştırılması. HASTALAR VE METOD: Çalışmamıza omuz ağrısıyla beraber iki düzlemde EHA'da kısıtlılığı olup adeziv kapsülit tanısı alan 80 omuz 74 hastayı randomize şekilde dört gruba ayırarak aldık. Fizik tedavi ile birlikte; birinci gruba kortikosteroid ve lokal anestezik kullanılarak yapılan supraskapular sinir blokajı, ikinci gruba intraartiküler kortikosteroid ve lokal anestezik enjeksiyonu, üçüncü gruba intraartiküler volüm oluşturacak şekilde kortikosteroid, lokal anestezik ve salin enjeksiyonu uyguladık. Dördüncü gruba ise sadece fizik tedavi verdik. Standart gonyometre ile hastaların tüm düzlemlerde aktif ve pasif olarak EHA'larını ölçtük. Omuz ağrı ve dizabilitesinin değerlendirilmesinde Omuz Ağrısı ve Dizabilite İndeksi'nin (SPADI) Türkçe versiyonunu kullandık. İstirahat ve hareketteki ağrıları 10 cm Vizüel Analog Skala (VAS) kullanarak değerlendirdik. Hastaların EHA ölçümleri, SPADI ve VAS değerlendirmeleri; sadece fizik tedavi alan grupta başlangıca göre 10. ve 90. günlerde, diğer enjeksiyon yapılan üç grupta ise başlangıca göre 1,10 ve 90. günlerde yapıldı. Hastaların psikolojik durumunu başlangıçta ve 90. günde Beck Depresyon Ölçeği kullanarak değerlendirdik. BULGULAR: Dört tedavi grubu da EHA'da artış, ağrı ve dizabilitede azalma, Beck Depresyon ölçümünde düzelme bakımından istatistiksel anlamlı olacak şekilde etkili bulundu. Sadece üçüncü grupta ikinci gruba göre 90. gün aktif eksternal rotasyon ölçümünde istatistiksel anlamlı artış saptandı. Bunun dışında gruplar arası karşılaştırmada tedavi etkinliği açısından istatistiksel bir fark saptamadık. SONUÇ: İyi düzenlenmiş ve denetimli egzersiz içeren fizik tedavi programı adeziv kapsülit tedavisinde tek başına etkilidir. Fizik tedavi programına supraskapular sinir blokajı, intraartiküler kortikosteroid enjeksiyonu veya volümlü intraartiküler kortikosteroid enjeksiyonu ilave edilmesinin çalışmamızda anlamlı katkısı saptanmamış olmakla beraber tek başına fizik tedavinin etkili olmadığı dirençli hastalarda girişimsel tekniklerin ilavesi göz önünde bulundurulmalıdır.To compare the effectivity of suprascapular nerve blockade, intraarticular steroid injection and injection with high volume in patients with adhesive capsulitis. PATİENTS AND METHOD: We randomly divided 74 patients who had shoulder pain with restricted motion in two planes diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis (80 shoulders in total) into four groups. With applying physical theraphy; we performed suprascapular nerve blockade with corticosteroid and local anesthetic injection on the first group, intraarticular corticosteroid and local anesthetic injection on the second group and corticosteroid, local anesthetic and saline injection on the third group. The fourth group is treated only by physical threapy. Patients? active and passive shoulder motions are measured in the all planes by using a universal goniometer. To assess the shoulder disability and pain, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) is used. The pain at rest and in activity is measured by using 10 cm. Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Measurements of motion, SPADI and VAS are conducted after the 10th and 90th days of treatment for the fourth group and after the the 1st, 10th and 90th days of treatment for the other injection groups. Also, Beck depression index was used at the first day and the 90 days of treatment. RESULTS: Each four groups improve motion and exhibit reduction in pain, disability and depression with statistically effective results,. Only after 90 days of treatment, there was a statistically improvement in external rotation in the third group with comparing the second group. From the point of view of treatment effectivity, no statistically meaningful differences between the groups are observed. CONCLUSION: A well planned physical therapy with exercise programme is effective alone in treatment of adhesive capsulitis. Although we did not find an evidence for increasing the effectiviness of physical theraphy to combine suprascapular nerve blockade, intraarticular corticosteroid injection or intraarticular corticosteroid injection with volume, it seems reasonable to combine these invasive techniques for the patients when only physical theraphy was not enough for remission