Short communication: Investigation of intestinal coccidia in patients with diarrhea

The intestinal protozoa have been increasingly identified in immunocompromised patients. In this study, stool samples of 554 patients [288 male, 266 female; 11 (2%) of them were immunocompromised] with diarrhea were examined between June 2004 and June 2005 in the Parasitology Laboratory of Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey, in order to investigate the prevalence of intestinal coccidia. After formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation procedure, the samples were examined by both native lugol and Kinyoun acid-fast staining methods for the detection of Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Isospora spp. As a result, Isospora beffi oocysts were detected in the stool samples of two. patients (0.4%) of which one was HIV positive and the other had experienced liver transplantation. Seven (1.3%) and two (0.4%) of the immunocompetent subjects were found positive for Cryptosporidium spp. and for Cyclospora cayetanensis, respectively. In conclusion, Isospora is one of the important protozoa which should be taken into consideration by clinicians in the immunocompromised patients with diarrhea

Effect of High-Fluoride Water on Different Body Parts in Human

Fluoride can enter public water systems from natural sources, including runoff from weathering of fluoride containing rocks and soils and leaching from soil into groundwater. Fluoride pollution from various industrial discharges and emissions can also contaminate water supplies. Underground water in some regions of the world including Turkey is contaminated with high concentration of fluoride and resulting toxicity creates a major public health problem. In view of reports of increased fluoride levels in many foods and water supplies, it is urgent that further studies be conducted to examine whether there is a link in animals and humans between fluoride and disturbances of the development and function of the human body systems

Holter ECG assessment of the effects of three different local anesthetic solutions on cardiovascular system in the sedated dental patients with coronary artery disease

WOS: 000323324400016PubMed ID: 23728226Objective: The purpose of the study is to compare the effects of lidocaine alone, epinephrine-combined lidocaine and prilocaine with octapressin on the cardiovascular system during minor oral surgery of sedated cardiac dental patients under local anesthesia. Methods: Connected to a Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor for a total of 5 hours starting 1 hour before the procedure, twenty patients with high risk of coronary artery disease were included in the prospective cohort study. All the patients had three operations at 3 different appointments with at least one-week intervals and each operation was performed under local anesthesia achieved by 3.6 mL of 3% prilocaine with octapressin, 3.6 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:80.000 epinephrine and 3.6 mL of 2% lidocaine without a vasoconstrictor. Data of the Holter ECG device assessed at the end of every hour and evaluated statistically. Repeated measures ANOVA, Friedman test, and Wilcoxon signed ranks test were used to perform statistical analysis. Results: Heart-rate showed significant differences between lidocaine with epinephrine and pure lidocaine in an hour following the injection (p<0.05 for all). Cardiac rhythm showed significant differences between prilocaine with octapressin and pure lidocaine at the second hour after its administration (p<0.05 for all). There were no significant differences between 3 local anesthetics in terms of ST segment deviation. Conclusion: In minor oral operation on the sedated patients with cardiac disease, the use of 3.6 mL or a less amount of local anesthetic injection containing epinephrine appears to be a predictable and safe method

Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Association of CFH Y402H and LOC387715 A69S Polymorphisms in a Turkish Population

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease with multifactorial etiology characterized by irreversible loss of central visual acuity. The discovery of susceptive single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has progressed our understanding of AMD. Complement factor H (CFH) gene Y402H polymorphism and high-temperature requirement A-1 (HTRA1) LOC387715 gene A69S polymorphisms are the most important SNPs reported in the literature. Determination of genetic risk factors and genotype-phenotype relationship in AMD may result in rapid and cost-effective therapeutic applications for young and old population. In this study, we hypothesized a potential association between CFH gene Y402H and HTRA1 LOC387715 gene A69S polymorphism in Turkish AMD patients. In blood samples from a total of 252 individuals, 147 clinically diagnosed as AMD and the others control, polymorphic sites in CFH, Y402H (Tsp509I T/C), and HTRA1, LOC387715 A69S (FnuHI G/T), were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. There was significant difference between CFH genotypes in the AMD group, TT 21.8%, TC 48.3%, and CC 29.9%, and in the control subjects, TT 45% (p = 0.003), TC 41% (p = 0.0001), and CC 14% (p = 0.0001). Further, the A69S polymorphism of LOC387715 was investigated and found to be significantly associated with AMD. LOC387715 genotypes in the AMD group were GG 30.6%, GT 38.1%, and TT 31.3% and in the control subjects were GG 59% (p = 0.027), GT 39% (p = 0.0001), and TT 2% (p = 0.0001), respectively. We also found that Y402H C and A69S T allele were associated with AMD. This is the first study showing that Y402H and LOC387715 are associated with AMD in Turkish population

Continuous passive motion provides good pain control in patients with adhesive capsulitis

Painful stiffening of the shoulder, 'frozen shoulder' is a common cause of shoulder pain and disability. Continuous passive motion (CPM) is an established method of preventing joint stiffness and of overcoming it. A randomized, comparative prospective clinical trial was planned to compare the early response with different rehabilitation methods ECPM vs. conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) protocol] for adhesive capsulitis taking into consideration the clinical efficacy. A total of 57 patients with frozen shoulder were included in this study. Patients were assigned randomly to receive daily CPM treatments or CPT protocol. Parameters were measured at baseline, and at weeks 4 and 12. All patients were evaluated with respect to pain (visual anologue scale) at rest, pain at movement, pain at night, measurement of range of motion (shoulder flexion, abduction, internal-external rotation were assessed), constant functional shoulder score and the shoulder pain and disability index. The first group (n =29) (CPM group) received CPM treatments for 1 h once a day for 20 days during a period of 4 weeks. The second group (n = 28) (CPT group) had a daily physiotherapy treatment protocol including active stretching and pendulum exercises for 1 h once a day for 20 days during a period of 4 weeks. All patients in both groups were also instructed in a standardized home exercise programme consisting of passive range of motion and pendulum exercises to be performed every day. In both groups, statistically significant improvements were detected in all outcome measures compared with baseline. Pain reduction, however, evaluated with respect to pain at rest, at movement and at night was better in CPM group. In addition the CPM group showed better shoulder pain index scores than the CPT group. CPM treatment provides better response in pain reduction than the conventional physiotherapy treatment protocol in the early phase of treatment in adhesive capsulitis

Comparison of Water-Based and Land-Based Exercise Programs on Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis

Objectives: To compare the effects of water exercise and land exercise on balance, quality of life and depression in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Evaluation of Sympathetic Skin Response and F Wave in Fibromyalgia Syndrome Patients

Objectives: This study was planned to perform an electroneuromyographic evaluation of the sympathetic skin response (SSR) and F wave in order to determine whether there is an autonomic dysfunction in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)

Investigation of the H reflexes, F waves and sympathetic skin response with electromyography (EMG) in patients with stroke and the determination of the relationship with functional capacity

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between sympathetic skin responses (SSR), electrodiagnostic reflex activities (F wave, H reflex), and functional capacity in post-stroke patients. The study comprised 40 hemiplegia patients (mean age 57.8 +/- 10.9 years) and 40 healthy volunteers (mean age 557 +/- 85 years). In electrophysiological studies, SSR, F wave and H reflex were evaluated and for the functional capacities of patients, FIM scores and Brunnstrom stages were calculated. There was no statistical significant difference between SSR latency and amplitude in the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic extremities of patients (p > 0.05). SSR latency values of patients were higher than those of controls (p < 0.05). Amplitude values of paretic arms were significantly lower than the control group extremities (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between SSR amplitude values and FIM scores. A significant increase in H (max)/M (max) amplitude rate was detected in the affected side (p < 0.05) and F-wave mean latency values of the affected side were found to be significantly lower in the control group (p < 0.05)

Water-Based versus Land-Based Exercise Program for the Management of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical effect of land-based and water-based exercise programs in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome

The effect of risedronate treatment on serum cytokines in postmenopausal osteoporosis: a 6-month randomized and controlled study

There is much evidence suggesting that the decline in ovarian function after menopause is associated with spontaneous increases in proinflammatory cytokines. Treatment with risedronate is accompanied by significant changes in bone turnover and bone mineral density. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of risedronate treatment on the level of serum cytokines including receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The study group consisted of 61 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Patients were randomly divided in two groups: In group 1 (n = 41) postmenopausal women received oral risedronate (35 mg/week), calcium (1,000 mg/day), and vitamin D (400 IU/day) for 12 months. In group 2 (control group; n = 20) patients received only oral calcium (1,000 mg/day) and vitamin D (400 IU/day). Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine (L1-L4) and proximal femur were determined using dual X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after one year. Venous blood samples were obtained for determination of serum cytokines including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), RANKL, osteoprotegerin, and markers of bone formation and resorption. Levels of serum cytokines were measured before therapy and after three and 6 months. Markers of bone metabolism were studied before therapy and after 6 months. In group 1 (risedronate plus calcium/vitamin D-treated patients), serum levels of RANKL and IL-1 beta significantly decreased and the level of osteoprotegerin significantly increased after three and 6 months, but no significant difference was found in TNF-alpha level. In group 2, however, the level of serum cytokines did not change after three and 6 months. In cases of bone turnover, both markers of bone resorption and formation significantly decreased after 6 months in group 1. In conclusion risedronate could improve osteoporosis by increasing osteoprotegerin and reducing RANKL and IL-1 beta