A novel biomarker in the diagnosis of parapneumonic effusion: neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin

Background: The protein neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a mediator synthesized and released by neutrophils. Its physiological function is as yet unclear. Levels in blood increase in several inflammatory diseases. High serum values indicate poor prognosis for several diseases. Pleural effusion may appear as the result of various pathologies. The most common cause is heart failure (HF). Other common causes include parapneumonic (PPE) and malignant (MPE) pleural effusions, and pulmonary embolism. Tubercular effusion (TE) is commonly encountered in Turkey and similar developing countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of NGAL, a current inflammation marker, in discriminating between different etiological diseases that cause pleural effusion. Methods: The study was performed at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Medicine Chest Diseases Clinic. One hundred patients were included in the study, 25 with parapneumonic effusion, 25 with heart failure-related effusion, 25 with tubercular effusion and 25 with cancer-related effusion. NGAL was measured in patients' serum and pleural fluids. Results: Serum NGAL levels in PPE (171 ± 56 ng/ml) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those in HF (86 ± 31 ng/ml), CA (103 ±42 ng/ml) and TE (63 ± 19 ng/ml). Pleural NGAL levels were also significantly higher in PPE compared to HF, MPE and TE (p < 0.001). Serum NGAL levels exhibited a positive correlation with white blood cel (WBC), neutrophil, C-reactive protein (CRP), sedimentation, serum LDH, creatinine, pleural leukocyte and pleura neutrophil numbers. The most significant correlation was between NGAL level and WBC (p < 0.001, r= 0.579). Both serum and pleural NGAL levels are highly effective in differentiating patients with PPE from those without PPE (AUC: 0.910 and 0.790, respectively). Conclusions: NGAL can be used in the diagnosis of diseases with an acute inflammatory course. Serum and pleural NGAL levels can differentiate PPE from other diseases causing pleural fluid with high sensitivity and specificity. © 2014 Gümüs et al

1755 Lisbon earthquake and protection of cultural heritage from future earthquakes / With a comparative study about earthquake and risk preparedness in Istanbul

The 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, with an estimated magnitude of Mw ≈ 8.5, was one of the greatest earthquakes in history. It caused considerable damage in Lisbon, mainly concentrated in the Downtown due to the existence of densely arranged buildings on narrow streets; and on monumental structures due to the predominant earthquake frequencies. The ground movement was followed by a tsunami and fire, which increased the loss, both in terms of built environment and of human lives. Following the earthquake, Marquês de Pombal was given the responsibility for dealing with the emergency response, and later for the reconstruction of Lisbon. The survey known after his name and the answers given by the priests, provide even today an important source for studying the aftermath of the event. For the reconstruction of the city, Baixa and Chiado districts -which were almost completely destroyed- were razed, and rebuilt according to a new plan incorporating an orthogonal pattern with wider streets for increased safety. The buildings were constructed in a system called the Gaiola Pombalina, which wasn’t a new invention but an intelligent solution that could be “prefabricated”, and therefore correspond to a large-scale rebuilding process

Restoration Project For The Summer Residence Of Princess Atiye

Tez (Yüksek Lisans) -- İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, 2004Thesis (M.Sc.) -- İstanbul Technical University, Institute of Science and Technology, 2004Bu çalışmanın amacı, uzun süredir kullanılmayan Prenses Atiye Köşkü’ nün kullanım olasılıklarını araştırarak yapıya uygun bir fonksiyon belirlemek ve bunun için yapılması gerekli müdahaleleri saptamaktır. Çalışma yapının bugünkü durumunu belgeleyen rölöve, özgün halini ve zaman içindeki değişimleri gösteren restitüsyon ve önerilen işlev doğrultusunda yapılacak teknik müdahaleleri açıklayan restorasyon projelerinin hazırlanmasını kapsamaktadır. Vaziyet planı 1/500, plan, kesit ve görünüşler 1/50 tekniğindedir. Tavan ve duvarlardaki alçı bezemeler 1/20 tekniğinde çizilmiştir. Yapıda kullanılan malzemeler, farklı dönemler ve hasarlar çizimler üzerinde lejantla gösterilmiştir. Çalışmanın metin kısmında öncelikle köşkün bulunduğu çevre ve Türk Evi ile ilgili yazılı ve görsel kaynaklardan edinilen bilgiler ortaya konmuş; bu çevrede, aynı dönemde inşa edilmiş olan benzer yapılar belirlenerek üslup özellikleri araştırılmıştır. Prenses Atiye Köşkü’ nün detaylı tanımı da çizimler ve fotoğraflara referans gönderilerek yapılmıştır.The objective of this study is to find a suitable function for the Summer Residence of Princess Atiye and to determine the interventions to be made. The scope of the work is to prepare measured drawings presenting the extant state of the building, a restitution project showing the original structure and the alterations that have been made throughout time and a restoration project explaining the necessary technical interventions. The site plan is in the scale of 1/500 whereas plans, sections and elevations 1/50. Decoration on the ceilings and walls are drawn in the scale of 1/20. Analysis concerning the chronology, materials, and deteriorations are made and indicated with legends on the scaled drawings. In the text, information on the environs of the residence and the ‘Turkish House’ is gathered. In addition similar buildings and their architectural styles are studied. A detailed description of the Summer Residence of Princess Atiye is made, referencing the measured drawings and photographs.Yüksek LisansM.Sc

Proteomic and genomic approach to lung cancer

İstanbul Bilim Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi.Akciğer kanseri dünyada, erkeklerde en sık rastlanılan, kadınlarda ise görülme oranı hızla artan ve en sık ölüme neden olan kanser türüdür. Sıklıkla ileri evrede tanı konulması nedeniyle hastaların yaşam oranları düşüktür. Evre I’de bile küratif tedavilere rağmen yaşam süresinin kısa olması, araştırmacıları daha farklı belirleyiciler araştırmaya yöneltmiştir. Bu derlemede gen ekspresyonunu saptama yöntemleri ve bu konuda yapılan çalışmalar irdelenmektedir.Worlwide lung cancer is the most common cause of death, it is seen frequently in men but also rapidly increasing in women. Survival rate of the patients is low due to usual diagnosis of disease in the late stages. These low survival rates even in stage I disease, after curative treatments has guided investigators to search different biomarkers in lung cancer. In this review, methods of gene expression profiling and sudies done in this field are discussed

1755 Lisbon earthquake and protection of cultural heritage from future earthquakes / With a comparative study about earthquake and risk preparedness in Istanbul

The 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, with an estimated magnitude of Mw ≈ 8.5, was one of the greatest earthquakes in history. It caused considerable damage in Lisbon, mainly concentrated in the Downtown due to the existence of densely arranged buildings on narrow streets; and on monumental structures due to the predominant earthquake frequencies. The ground movement was followed by a tsunami and fire, which increased the loss, both in terms of built environment and of human lives. Following the earthquake, Marquês de Pombal was given the responsibility for dealing with the emergency response, and later for the reconstruction of Lisbon. The survey known after his name and the answers given by the priests, provide even today an important source for studying the aftermath of the event. For the reconstruction of the city, Baixa and Chiado districts -which were almost completely destroyed- were razed, and rebuilt according to a new plan incorporating an orthogonal pattern with wider streets for increased safety. The buildings were constructed in a system called the Gaiola Pombalina, which wasn’t a new invention but an intelligent solution that could be “prefabricated”, and therefore correspond to a large-scale rebuilding process

Topotecan as salvage therapy of refractory small cell lung cancer

WOS: 000269496002443

The use of Jackson-Pratt silicone flat drains as prolonged pleural catheters for the management of pleural effusions

İstanbul Bilim Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi.Introduction: Imbalance between secretion and absorbtion of pleural fluid results in pleural effusion. Emergence of pleural effusion ipsilateral or contralateral to the side drained previously is named recurrent effusion. There is currently no standart approach for the management of recurrent pleural effusions. Materials and methods: Eighteen patients, treated between 2011 and 2012 for recurrent pleural effusions due to various etiologies, not considered for surgical or other treatments, and underwent placement of prolonged pleural catheters ( Jackson-Pratt drain ) were included in this study. Twenty two prolonged pleural catheters were inserted in 18 patients. There were 10 females and 8 males, with mean age 59 (35-77). In 20 patients the catheters were inserted by an anterior approach, and by a posterior approach in one patient. Daily drainage above 1,500 mL was not permitted in order to avoid pulmonary edema. Catheters were removed in patients who had lung expansion and drainage under 50 mL/day

MALIGNANT MESENCHYMOMA OF THE CHEST WALL FOLLOWING RADIOTHERAPY FOR BREAST CANCER

WOS: 000208855803037

Gemcitabine, Vinorelbine, and Cisplatin in the Treatment of Advanced Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

WOS: 000266733600010PubMed ID: 19433960Objectives: Currently, cisplatin-based doublet combinations are accepted to be the first-line chemotherapy for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although triplet chemotherapeutics have been shown to be more effective and active than doublets, their toxicity was higher as expected. Therefore, we conducted this phase 11 trial using the combination of gemcitabine-cisplatin-vinorelbine with lower than usual but acceptable doses of gemcitabine and cisplatin to obtain higher response rate than doublet but less toxicity than triplet combinations. Methods: In this trial, stage IIIB and IV chemotherapy naive NSCLC patients with measurable disease and performance status of 0 to 2 were included. Gemcitabine and vinorelbine at the doses of 900 mg/m(2) and 25 mg/m(2), respectively were administered on days I and 8, and cisplatin at a dose of 50 mg/m(2) on day 1, every 21 days. Results: Three of the 39 patients included in the trial were complete responders (7.7%). The overall response rate was 56.4%, median time to the progression was 6 months, median overall survival time was 12 months, and 1-year survival rate was 49.6%. Grade 11 to III neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 24% and 30% of the patients, respectively. Febrile neutropenia was observed in 13.5% of the patients and only these patients received G-CSF. Platelet and erythrocyte transfusions were required in 12 (32.4%) patients. No toxic or early death was observed. Conclusions: This combination of gemcitabine-cisplatin-vinorelbine with lower doses of cisplatin and gemcitabine was effective and active in advanced NSCLC. The overall response rate, I-year survival and median survival time were nearly similar to previous trials in which higher doses of these 3 drugs were used. The toxicities were more acceptable and manageable than the regimes with higher doses; therefore, we may suggest a treatment option for advanced stage NSCLC

Real World Survival Data of A Rare Malignancy: Anal Cancer Results in Hiv Negative Patients From Turkey

Background/Aims: An organ preservation approach using chemoradiotherapy has been established for anal cancer. This retrospective cohort study aimed to define the clinico-demographic characteristics and outcomes of cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative anal carcinoma during a period of 20 years in a single comprehensive cancer institute. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients who were treated between January 1995 and January 2015. The primary outcome measures that were investigated included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), colostomy rates, and colostomy-free survival (CFS). Results: A total of 28 patients who were principally treated with standard 5-fluorouracil + mitomycin combination chemoradiotherapy were eligible for analysis. The 3- and 5-year PFS rates were 92.4% and 63%, respectively. The lower T stage was found to be associated with a prolonged PFS (p=0.001). The 3- and 5-year CFS rates were 84.3% and 74.9%, respectively. A longer CFS was observed with lower T stages (p=0.05). At the last follow-up, 75% of the patients with anal cancer were alive, and 71.4% of the patients were disease free. The median OS was not reached with a median follow-up of 54 months (range, 6-115 months). The 3- and 5-year OS rates were 82% and 71.1%, respectively. No late toxicity was observed during the follow-up period. Discussion: The short- and long-term prognoses of HIV-negative patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma were good, and low-grade toxicity was rare, thereby demonstrating that these patients can be successfully treated in a real-life setting with favorable outcomes.Wo