Search

Our aim was to determine the levels of arginine decarboxylase (ADC), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and agmatine, ornithine, nitric oxide (NO) and arginase activity in the acute and subacute phases of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), by revealing the possible role of these levels in neuroinflammation and neurogenesis that are postulated to begin after AIS. 35 patients diagnosed with AIS and 35 controls were included in the study. ADC, ODC, agmatinase and NO levels were determined by ELISA kits. Arginase activity and ornithine levels were measured spectrophotometrically. There was no statistically significant difference between the levels of agmatinase, ornithine and arginase activity on days 1 and 7 in the AIS group and the levels measured in the control group (p > 0.05). High ADC and low ODC and NO values were found in the patients compared to the controls in both acute and subacute periods (p < 0.05). It was shown that polyamine synthesis decreased in both acute and subacute periods after AIS; and this was due to the decrease in ODC levels, the rate-regulating step of the major pathway. This reduction may be associated with both the inadequate stimulation of neurogenesis and the immune system with reduced NO synthesis. Keywords: polyamine synthesis enzymes, ornithine, ornitine decarboxylase, nitric oxide, arginine decarboxylase, agmatine, agmatinase, arginase activity, neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, immune system, acute ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to present an alternative technique for the pre-operative localisation of solely MRI-detected suspicious breast lesions using a computer-assisted MRI-guided radio-guided occult lesion localisation (ROLL) technique. Methods: Between January 2009 and June 2010, 25 females with a total of 25 suspicious breast lesions that could be detected only by MRI, and for whom breast surgery was planned, underwent the computer-assisted MRI-guided ROLL technique. A seven-channel biopsy breast array coil and computerised diagnostic workstation were used for the localisation procedure. Three-phase dynamic contrast-enhanced axial images were taken. After investigating the localisation co-ordinates with the help of intervention software on a workstation, an 18G coaxial cannula was placed in the exact position determined. Following verification of the cannula position by additional axial scans, 99mTc-labelled macroalbumin aggregate and MRI contrast material were injected. Post-procedure MRI scans were used to confirm the correct localisation. Results: All the procedures were technically successful. The mean lesion size was 10.8 mm (range: 4-25 mm). The mean total magnet and the mean localisation times were 28.6 min (range: 18-46 min) and 13.1 min (range: 8-20 min), respectively. Grid and pillar methods were used for localisation in 24 procedures and 1 procedure, respectively. On histopathological examination, 6 malignant, 10 high-risk and 9 benign lesions were identified. All patients tolerated the procedure well. There were no major complications. Conclusion: This is the first report documenting the application of MRI-guided ROLL. Based on our preliminary results, this technique is very efficient and seems to be a good alternative to wire localisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the levels of and the relationship between serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients with acute 2]: brucellosis. nd Mix-Rate x100 vital diagnostic device, respectively, in serum samples of 30 patients diagnosed with acute brucellosis and 40 volunteers with no systemic diseases. Results: Statistically significant difference was determined between patients and controls in terms of the levels of SAA, CRP and ESR (p<0.05). Although CRP levels and ESR were significantly correlated in the patient group (p<0.05), there was no significant correlation between CRP and SAA or ESR and SAA (p>0.05). Conclusion: CRP levels are significantly elevated in bacterial infections, however the increase is minimal in viral infections. SAA increases sooner and to greater levels during the course of infections. In addition, contrary to CRP, SAA is markedly elevated in both bacterial and viral infection. Consequently, these three acute phase reactants should be used together in order to obtain more reliable results in the differential diagnosis of infections [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening for latent tuberculosis infection before solid organ transplantation is mandatory, but this is not so easy in uremic patients on hemodialysis (HD) treatment. The newly developed interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-based QuantiFERON®–TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-G) seems to be superior to the other available tests. Objective. To investigate the acute effect of the low-flux HD process on the results of the QFT-G assay. Methods. A total of 56 HD patients participated in this prospective study. They were dialyzed under low-flux HD for at least 1 month before blood sampling for QFT-G assay. This assay was performed before and after the 4-h low-flux HD session. Results. Compared with the pre-dialysis level, there was an obvious reduction in the IFN-γ production level (in response to the TB-antigen cocktails) after the HD process ( P=0.00). The pre-dialysis test result was negative in 21 (37.5%), positive in 33 (58.9%), and indeterminate in 2 (3.6%) patients. One pre-dialysis negative result changed to positive after the HD process. On the other hand, 7 pre-dialysis positive and 2 indeterminate results become negative after HD ( P=0.012). Conclusion. In order to maintain the sensitivity of QFT-G assay in chronic renal failure patients on low-flux HD treatment, it is better to perform the test immediately before (not after) the HD process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on ways to improve power control within an induction steel heating furnaces (ISHF). Effects of the heat on the resistivity and magnetic permeability of the material within an ISHF; Implications of the fluctuation on the controllability of power within the furnace; Considerations on the potential benefits of developing new logic controller design appropriate for the purpose.

Breast cancer is a significant global health problem. It is the most common malignancy in women. Mammographic screening is recommended for women older than 40 yr for early detection of breast cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of screening mammography in ovarian cancer independent of age. Eighty-four patients with ovarian cancer were evaluated with bilateral mammography. Two hundred asymptomatic healthy controls with a similar age distribution were also imaged with screening mammography. Mammography results were classified according to the American College of Radiology criteria in five groups. The median age of the study group was 51.4 (range, 27-77) and 49.3 (range, 30-75) in the control group. Screening mammography detected four cases of malignancy (4.8%) in patients with ovarian cancer; two were the primary breast carcinomas(2.5%) and two were metastatic cancers from the ovary. Five subjects (2.5%) among healthy controls were also found to have breast cancer. Although the incidence of primary breast carcinoma was found to be similar in the two groups (2.5%), mammographic imaging detected metastatic disease to the breast from the ovaries. Mammography should therefore be considered in patients with ovarian cancer independent of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes are observed in patients with acute stroke and are related with the prognosis. Aims: To determine the frequency and significance of ECG changes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Material and Methods: In a prospective hospital-based study 87 patients with cerebral infarction were observed for ECG changes during their stay in the hospital. All the patients had ischemic stroke for the first time. The ECG changes observed were compared with those of the control group consisting of 87 patients. Results: Of the 87 patients of the study group, 47.1% were females and 52.9% males. The mean age was 65.5 ± 11.9. (range 31-91 yrs). The control group consisted of 50.6% females and 49.4% males. The mean age was 64.5 ± 9.1 (range 31-87 yrs). The frequency of the ECG changes observed in patients with cerebral infarct was 62.1% while it was 29.9% in the control group (P<0.0001). ECG changes observed were mostly related to myocardial ischemia. The six-month mortality rate in the patients with ECG changes was 38.9% whereas it was 15.2% in those with normal ECG (P<0.05). Conclusions: The observations of this study suggest that cardiac evaluation in patients with acute ischemic stroke is of prognostic importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]