Migraine - a borderland disease to epilepsy: near it but not of it.

BACKGROUND: Migraine and epilepsy are two paroxysmal chronic neurological disorders affecting a high number of individuals and being responsible for a high individual and socioeconomic burden. The link between these disorders has been of interest for decades and innovations concerning diagnosing and treatment enable new insights into their relationship. FINDINGS: Although appearing to be distinct at first glance, both diseases exhibit a noteworthy comorbidity, shared pathophysiological pathways, and significant overlaps in characteristics like clinical manifestation or prophylactic treatment. This review aims to explore the intricate relationship between these two conditions, shedding light on shared pathophysiological foundations, genetic interdependencies, common and distinct clinical features, clinically overlapping syndromes, and therapeutic similarities. There are several shared pathophysiological mechanisms, like CSD, the likely underlying cause of migraine aura, or neurotransmitters, mainly Glutamate and GABA, which represent important roles in triggering migraine attacks and seizures. The genetic interrelations between the two disorders can be observed by taking a closer look at the group of familial hemiplegic migraines, which are caused by mutations in genes like CACNA1A, ATP1A2, or SCN1A. The intricate relationship is further underlined by the high number of shared clinical features, which can be observed over the entire course of migraine attacks and epileptic seizures. While the variety of the clinical manifestation of an epileptic seizure is naturally higher than that of a migraine attack, a distinction can indeed be difficult in some cases, e.g. in occipital lobe epilepsy. Moreover, triggering factors like sleep deprivation or alcohol consumption play an important role in both diseases. In the period after the seizure or migraine attack, symptoms like speech difficulties, tiredness, and yawning occur. While the actual attack of the disease usually lasts for a limited time, research indicates that individuals suffering from migraine and/or epilepsy are highly affected in their daily life, especially regarding cognitive and social aspects, a burden that is even worsened using antiseizure medication. This medication allows us to reveal further connections, as certain antiepileptics are proven to have beneficial effects on the frequency and severity of migraine and have been used as a preventive drug for both diseases over many years. CONCLUSION: Migraine and epilepsy show a high number of similarities in their mechanisms and clinical presentation. A deeper understanding of the intricate relationship will positively advance patient-oriented research and clinical work.

Histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical effects of bee bread on stomach tissue of obese rats.

Obesity is a major health problem threatening humanity in medical, social and psychological dimensions. In this study, we aimed to determine the histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical effects of bee bread, added to diets of obese rats in different doses, on leptin and ghrelin expression. In the study, 40 female Sprague‒Dawley (200‒250 g) rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups and then assigned to control and obesity groups. The obesity group consisted of four subgroups: high­fat diet group, 100 and 200 mg/kg/bw groups, and metformin group. Histopathological evaluation revealed structural deterioration and necrotic areas in the epithelium and glands of the obese rats' stomach tissue, while in their serum and gastric tissues, the MDA level was significantly higher than in the other groups. There was a negative correlation between leptin and ghrelin levels. Apoptotic cells increased with obesity, but the application of beebread was similarly effective as metformin administration in reducing this increase (Tab. 5, Fig. 4, Ref. 51). Keywords: bee bread, leptin, ghrelin, stomach, obesity, rat.

Investigating the coumarin capability in chalcogenide 20TI2Se-80Pr2Se3 system based photovoltaics.

Chalcogenide films containing various contents of coumarin (CO) are deposited on the p-type Si substrates. Al/coumarin doped chalcogenide films/p-Si contact exhibits a rectifying behavior. The electrical and photoresponse properties of the prepared diodes are characterized by current and capacitance measurements under various illumination intensities. The addition of coumarin to TI2Se-Pr2Se3 significantly affects the characteristic parameters of diodes. Kohlrausch function is used as an appropriate way to obtain the photo charge density (ρph) and the relaxation time constant from the photocurrent/capacitance transients. It is shown that coumarin doped chalcogenide films have a potential to obtain the photocarrier generation.

Effect of sperm pooling with seminal plasma collected in breeding or nonbreeding season on Saanen goat sperm cryosurvival.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of both the removal of seminal plasma (SP) and the pre-freezing addition of seminal plasma collected during the breeding or nonbreeding season on goat sperm survival after thawing. Semen samples were pooled. One aliquot of pooled semen was used as a control group. Four aliquots were then centrifuged, and the SP was removed in Group I, pipetted but not removed in Group II, removed and then pooled for animals collected in the breeding season in Group III and removed and pooled for animals collected in the nonbreeding season in Group IV. Group samples were frozen and then were assessed for rates of sperm motility, plasma membrane functional integrity hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST), defective acrosomes (FITC-PSA), DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) and mitochondrial membrane damage (Rhodamine 123). The results showed that pre-freezing addition of SP collected in breeding season maintained post-thaw sperm characteristics at 0 hr better than SP removal group, but removing seminal plasma showed positive effects on spermatozoa, as incubation time increased to 5 hr. In conclusion, the pre-freezing addition of seminal plasma did not maintain post-thaw goat sperm characteristics as successfully as in the groups with seminal plasma removed after an incubation period.

Composite CuFe1-xSnxO2/p-type silicon photodiodes.

CuFe1-xSnxO2 composite thin film/p-type silicon diodes were prepared on substrate by sol-gel method (x=0.00, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07). The structure of CuFe1-xSnxO2 composite thin films was studied using XRD analysis and films exhibited amorphous behavior. The elemental compositions and surface morphology of the films were characterized using SEM and EDX. EDX results confirmed the presence of the compositional elements. The optical band gap of CuFe1-xSnxO2 composite thin films was determined using the optic spectra. The optical band gaps of the CuFe1-xSnxO2 composite thin films were calculated using optical data and were found to be 3.75, 3.78, 3.80, 3.85 and 3.83eV for x=0.00, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07, respectively. The photoresponse and electrical properties of the Al/CuFe1-xSnxO2/p-Si/Al diode were studied. The barrier height and ideality factor were determined to be averagely 0.67eV and 2.6, respectively. The electrical and photoresponse characteristics of the diodes have been investigated under dark and solar light illuminations, respectively. The interface states were used to explain the results obtained in present study. CuFe1-xSnxO2 photodiodes exhibited a high photoresponsivity to be used in optoelectronic applications.

Impact of QRS morphology on heart rate turbulence and heart rate variability after cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: Impairment of heart rate turbulence (HRT) and heart rate variability (HRV) are associated with poor prognosis in chronic heart failure (CHF). Although previous studies have demonstrated that patients with a left bundle branch block (LBBB) have a better outcome with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), the effect of QRS morphology on HRV and HRT is not known. We aimed to evaluate the effect of QRS morphology on HRV and HRT after CRT implantation in patients with CHF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who had been implanted a CRT device with cardioversion-defibrillation feature were included to the study. Forty-three patients with LBBB (group 1) were compared with 21 patients without LBBB (group 2). HRV and HRT parameters were compared before and one month after CRT implantation. RESULTS: We compared the echocardiographic and electrocardiographic changes in both groups after CRT. Cardiac output (CO) was found to be significantly much more increased in group 1 (1.1 ± 0.4 vs. 0.6 ± 0.4, p = 0.001). Similarly, except SDNN and LF, all HRT and HRV parameters were significantly changed in the patients with LBBB (TO 1.4 ± 0.3 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2, p = 0.001; TS -1.8 ± 0.7 vs. -0.9 ± 0.7, p = 0.001; RMSSD -15.7 ± 9.9 vs. -6.3 ± 6.2, p = 0.001; PNN50 -7.0 ± 4.6 vs. -1.7 ± 1.1, p = 0.001; HF -13.3 ± 6.7 vs. -4.3 ± 3.5, p = 0.001; LF/HF 1.9 ± 0.4 vs. 1.5 ± 0.2, p = 0.001) compared to those without LBBB. Lineer regression analysis showed that the CO (ß = 0.2, t = 2.8, p = 0.007) and QRS configuration (ß = 0.6, t = 0.5, p = 0.001) were independent parameters affecting TO. CONCLUSIONS: HRV and HRT are improved after CRT but these improvements are more remarkable in patients with LBBB. CO, QRS configuration (but not duration) were two independent parameters affecting TO, LF and LF/HF ratio after CRT.

Effect of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) seminal plasma on the post-thaw quality of ram semen cryopreserved in a soybean lecithin-based or egg yolk-based extender.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of rainbow trout seminal plasma (RTSP) (0.1%, 1% and 10%) in extenders containing either egg yolk or lecithin for use in Awassi ram semen cryopreservation. Pooled sperm were diluted in a two-step dilution method to a final concentration of 1/5 (semen/extender) in egg yolk or lecithin extender containing no RTSP, 0.1%, 1% or 10% RTSP (v/v). Semen samples were assessed for sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity [hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) and Hoechst 33258] and defective acrosomes [FITC-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC)] at the following five time points: after dilution with extender A; after equilibration; and post-thaw at 0h, 3h and 5h. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was examined only after thawing. Freezing and thawing procedures (dilution, equilibration and post-thaw incubation at 0h, 3h and 5h) negatively affected the motility (P<0.001) and acrosome integrity (P<0.001). Additionally, freezing and thawing negatively affected the plasma membrane integrity, as determined by the HOST and Hoechst 33258 (P<0.001). The extender group affected the motility (P<0.001) and the HOST results (P<0.001). Levels of MDA in the egg yolk extender with 1% RTSP group were significantly lower than in the lecithin control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the egg yolk extender groups that were supplemented with 10% and 1% RTSP provided greater cryoprotective effects for semen survivability during 5h incubation than the other extender groups.

Combined experimental-theoretical characterization of chelidamate nickel complex with 4-methylpyrimidine.

A new chelidamate complex of nickel(II) ion, [Ni(chel)(H2O)2(mpd)]·2H2O [chel: chelidamate or 4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate, mpd: 4-methylpyrimidine] was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. Intermolecular O-H⋯O and O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions appear to be effective in the stabilization of the crystal structure. Theoretical calculations have been carried out by using Hartree-Fock (HF)/6-31G (d) and Density Functional Theory (DFT)/6-31+G (d). Molecular geometry from X-ray experiment of Ni(II) complex in the ground state was compared using unrestricted hybrid density functional B3LYP. HOMO-LUMO energies, absorption wavelengths and excitation energy were computed by time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) method with polarizable continuum model. The observed FT-IR vibrational frequencies are analyzed and compared with theoretically predicted vibrational frequencies. The natural charges on the atoms and second-order interaction energies were derived from natural bond orbital analysis (NBO).

Evaluation of malnutrition detected with the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) and the quality of life in hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have impaired quality of life, but the relationship between their nutritional status and quality of life has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between quality of life and nutritional status in hospitalized COPD patients. METHODS: Demographic data, quality of life and nutritional status of 90 inpatients with a mean age of 68.76 ± 10.85 years were enrolled in the study. The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) tool was used to evaluate their nutritional status. The quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. The correlation analysis was used for the relationship between SF-36 subscales and nutritional status variables. RESULTS: Of the 90 COPD patients included in the study, 54.4 % were men, and 45.6 % were women. Moderate, severe, and very severe COPD were detected in 37.8 %, 38.9 %, and 23.3 % of the patients, respectively. At risk of malnutrition were 55.6 % of the 90 COPD patients, whereas 44.4 % were not. The scores for physical function, physical role functioning, pain, general health, emotional role functioning, vitality, social function, and mental function subscales were lower in the patients at risk of malnutrition (p <0.001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between malnutrition score and the subscores of SF-36 related to physical function, physical role functioning, pain, general health, emotional role functioning, vitality, social function, and mental function (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: COPD patients were found to have a high risk of malnutrition that adversely affects their quality of life. Therefore, the evaluation of the nutritional status of COPD patients should be an integral part of their clinical treatment plans aiming towards improving their quality of life. Hippokratia 2016, 20(2):147-152.

Successful ram semen cryopreservation with lyophilized egg yolk-based extender.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lyophilized egg yolk extender on ram semen cryopreservation. Ejaculates with a thick consistency, rapid wave motion (3-5 on a 0-5 scale) and >75% initial motility were pooled. Sperm were diluted to final concentration of 1/5 (semen/extender) in lyophilized egg yolk or fresh egg yolk extenders using two-step dilution method. The equilibrated semen was frozen in 0.25 mL straws. Semen samples were assessed for sperm motility, plasma membrane functional integrity using hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), damaged acrosome using FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) and DNA integrity using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) at three time points: after dilution with extender A, equilibration and post-thaw. The results showed that freezing and thawing procedures (dilution, equilibration and thawing) had negative effects on motility (P<0.001), plasma membrane integrity (P<0.001), acrosome integrity (P<0.001) and DNA integrity (P<0.001). In the study, there were no significant differences between lyophilized and fresh egg yolk extenders when comparing motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and DNA integrity between groups. In conclusion, lyophilized egg yolk extender provided similar cryoprotective effects with fresh egg yolk extender to cryopreserve ram semen.

An experimental and theoretical approach of spectroscopic and structural properties of a new chelidamate copper (II) complex.

The crystal structure of new chelidamate complex of copper (II) ion, [Cu(chel)H2O(pym)]·H2O [chel: chelidamate or 4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate; pym: 2-Pyridylmethanol] has been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallographic method. The complex was characterized by IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. The magnetic environment of copper (II) ion has been defined by electron paramagnetic technique (EPR). The central copper (II) ion is six-coordinate with a distorted octahedral geometry, which exhibits Jahn-Teller distortions along one of the O-Cu-O axes with tetragonality of 0.81. Chelidamate behaved as a tridentate ligand was bonded to Cu(II) ion through carboxyl oxygens with nitrogen. The crystal structure is stabilized by O-H⋯O hydrogen bond and π-π interactions. Theoretical calculations have been carried out by using the DFT method. The modeling of copper (II) complex was made by geometric optimization. The geometry optimization and EPR study were carried out using the following unrestricted hybrid density functionals: LSDA, BPV86, B3LYP, B3PW91, MPW1PW91 and HCTH. Frontier molecular orbital energies, absorption wavelengths and excitation energy were computed by time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) method with polarizable continuum model. IR spectra were discussed and compared to other relevant complexes together with theoretical results. The natural charges on the atoms and second-order interaction energies were derived from natural bond orbital analysis (NBO).

Glucocorticoid sensitivity in Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity is highly variable among individuals and has been associated with susceptibility to develop (auto-)inflammatory disorders. The purpose of the study was to assess GC sensitivity in Behçet's disease (BD) by studying the distribution of four GC receptor (GR) gene polymorphisms and by measuring in vitro cellular GC sensitivity. METHODS: Healthy controls and patients with BD in three independent cohorts were genotyped for four functional GR gene polymorphisms. To gain insight into functional differences in in vitro GC sensitivity, 19 patients with BD were studied using two bioassays and a whole-cell dexamethasone-binding assay. Finally, mRNA expression levels of GR splice variants (GR-α and GR-ß) were measured. RESULTS: Healthy controls and BD patients in the three separate cohorts had similar distributions of the four GR polymorphisms. The Bcll and 9ß minor alleles frequency differed significantly between Caucasians and Mideast and Turkish individuals. At the functional level, a decreased in vitro cellular GC sensitivity was observed. GR number in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was higher in BD compared with controls. The ratio of GR-α/GR-ß mRNA expression levels was significantly lower in BD. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in the GR gene are not associated with susceptibility to BD. However, in vitro cellular GC sensitivity is decreased in BD, possibly mediated by a relative higher expression of the dominant negative GR-ß splice variant. This decreased in vitro GC sensitivity might play an as yet unidentified role in the pathophysiology of BD.

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and X-band EPR of [Cu(H(2)O)(2)(imH)(4)] x Sq single crystals.

The copper salt [Cu(H(2)O)(2)(imH)(4)] x Sq has been synthesized at room temperature. Crystal structure of the [Cu(H(2)O)(2)(imH)(4)] x Sq (Sq is squarete dianion (C(4)O(4)(2-)) and imH is imidazole (C(3)H(4)N(2))) complexes has been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and the environment of copper ion has been identified by EPR. The single crystal is triclinic with the space group P1. The unit cell dimensions of the crystals are a=9.317 Angstrom, b=9.958 Angstrom, c=12.130 Angstrom, alpha=69.99 degrees , beta=76.61 degrees and gamma=78.13 degrees . The unit cell contains two molecules. The Cu(II) atom has an octahedral arrangement in which the Cu(II) ion lies on the inversion canter and is coordinated by four imidazole ligands with the equatorial plane and two water molecules with the octahedral axial. The complex shows a normal magnetic moment and the single crystal EPR spectra consist of two sets of four hyperfine lines of copper. The ground wave function of the hole of the Cu(2+) is an admixture of d(x(2) - y(2)) and d(z(2)) states.

Determination of vitreous interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) levels in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

We measured interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the vitreous humour and serum of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), in order to determine the role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of the disease. Vitreous and serum samples were collected from 21 patients with PDR who were undergoing pars plana vitrectomy. Control vitreous samples were obtained from cadavers and control serum samples from healthy subjects. The cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Vitreous IL-1beta and TNF-alpha concentrations in patients with PDR exceeded those of controls (P<0.05), as did serum IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. We suggest that increased vitreous IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of PDR, which features abnormal cell proliferation and neovascularisation.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in subjects admitted to a cardiology clinics in Turkey.

A seroepidemiological study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) and antibodies to hepatitis C virus (Anti-HCV) in 14,196 patients hospitalized in our cardiology clinics. Threehundred and fifty five (355) patients (2.43%) were found to be positive for HBs Ag, a hundred and sixty six (166) patients (1.09%) were positive for Anti-HCV and ten patients (0.07%) were positive for both. The presence of HBs Ag and Anti-HCV was similar in patients living in rural and urban areas. The presence of risk factors was greater in the patients with Anti-HCV. The prevalences of HBs Ag and Anti-HCV were found to be comparable with those reported in other mediterranean countries in Europe.

Effects of atrial pacing on QT dispersion in patients with coronary artery disease without angina pectoris and ST segment depression.

The aim of this study was to investigate QT dispersion during atrial pacing in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) without clinical ischemia, such as angina pectoris and ST segment depression. Thirteen patients with normal coronary arteries and 42 patients with CAD (12 with single-vessel, 16 with two-vessel and 14 with three-vessel disease) having no angina pectoris or ST segment depression during atrial pacing with maximum rate of 120/minute were enrolled in the study. Twelve-lead surface ECGs were recorded at 100 mm/second paper speed before pacing, at maximum pacing rate, and during the recovery period for measurement of QT interval parameters. Corrected QTd (QTcd) increased from 43.4 +/- 8.1 to 49.3 +/- 9.5 ms (p < 0.05) in the control group, from 46.1 +/- 8.1 to 74.3 +/- 7.7 ms (p < 0.0001) in the single-vessel disease group, from 48.5 +/- 10.4 to 93.8 +/- 22.1 ms in the two-vessel disease group (p < 0.0001), and from 49.7 +/- 13.6 to 128.5 +/- 31 ms (p < 0.0001) in the three-vessel disease group at peak atrial pacing period. A positive correlation was found between the severity of CAD and QTcd (r = 0.49, p < 0.0001). It was found that pacing-induced QTc dispersion identifies coronary disease extent, even when there is no ST depression or T wave inversion during pacing.

Basaloid large cell lung carcinoma presenting concurrently with metastatic uveal tumor.

A 51-year-old man complaining of cough, hemoptysis, and decreased visual acuity was admitted to our hospital. Chest radiography revealed a left hilar mass and pleural effusion in the left hemithorax. In his ophtalmological examination, there was total retinal detachment in the left eye. Ultrasonographic examination and orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reported as choroidal metastasis. A computed tomography (CT) confirmed the mass in the left hilum and multiple mass lesions consistent with metastasis in the liver and in the body of 12th thoracic vertebra. Bronchoscopic biopsies revealed large cell carcinoma with basaloid features. He died after 4 months with rapid progression of the disease in spite of combined chemotherapy. Although primary lung cancer with concurrent eye metastasis is an uncommon entity, it should always be kept in mind for patients with ocular symptoms.

Association between mitral annular calcification and carotid atheroma.

Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a strong predictor of stroke and represents a potential source of cerebral emboli. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an association exists between mitral annular calcification and carotid atheroma. In addition, the characteristics of carotid atheromas were compared between patients with and without mitral annular calcification. The authors found that there was a significant association between the presence of mitral annular calcification and carotid atheroma. Mitral annular calcification in the elderly may be a form of atherosclerosis.

QT dispersion in single coronary artery disease: is there a relation between QT dispersion and diseased coronary artery or lesion localization?

It has been shown that QT dispersion (QTD) increases during episodes of myocardial ischemia or infarction. However, no extensive data on the relation between the diseased coronary artery or the localization of stenosis and the QTD are available. The aim of the study was to examine the relation between QTD and diseased coronary artery and lesion localization during exercise stress test in patients with single coronary artery disease without prior myocardial infarction. One hundred nineteen patients with single coronary artery disease and 53 patients with normal coronary arteries were enrolled in study. All patients underwent exercise stress test with modified Bruce protocol, and QT interval parameters were measured at rest and at minute 2 of the recovery (rec-2) period. QT dispersion at rest was found higher in all single-vessel disease groups compared with that in the control group, and corrected QT dispersion at rec-2 period was also markedly higher in left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary artery groups compared with that in the control group. No relation was found between QT dispersion and diseased coronary artery or the lesion localization. In conclusion, no qualitative difference was found between QT dispersion and diseased coronary artery or proximal or distal lesion localization. However, it was observed that patients with single-vessel disease had wider baseline QT dispersion as compared with that in the control group, which further increased significantly with exercise. This finding supports the idea that severity of localized ischemia rather than extent of coronary artery disease would be expected to have a greater effect on inducible QT dispersion.

Pars plana vitrectomy in ocular Behçet's disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of pars plana vitrectomy in Behçet patients with dense vitreous opacities, and its effect on intraocular inflammatory episodes and visual prognosis. METHODS: The study group consisted of nine patients (one eye in eight patients, both eyes in one) with Behçet's disease who underwent pars plana vitrectomy because of dense vitreous opacification. The indications for vitrectomy, the effect of vitrectomy on the frequency of severe intraocular inflammatory episodes, and visual prognosis were investigated in these patients. All the patients were male, and their ages ranged between 28-45 years. Combined lensectomy was performed on those with complicated cataracts. The postoperative follow-up was between 12-66 months. RESULTS: In all of the patients preoperative visual acuity was hand motions. Postoperatively there was no change in vision in five eyes, however visual acuity improved in five eyes, between counting fingers and 0.4. None of the patients showed any severe postoperative intraocular inflammatory episodes, and phthisis did not develop in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, pars plana vitrectomy was found to have a beneficial effect on the prognosis of vision. There was also a decrease in the frequency of severe intraocular inflammatory episodes in patients with Behçet's disease with severe vitreous opacities, who did not respond to maximum medical treatment. However, further studies on larger groups should be performed in order to confirm the findings of this study.