Can argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region-associated protein amount be used for the detection of cardiac damage?

INTRODUCTION: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, nonirritant gas and CO poisoning affects all organ systems. AIM: We aimed to detect any possible effects of CO exposure on the argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region (AgNOR)-associated protein synthesis of heart cells and whether there is any relationship between AgNOR protein amount and both carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level and histopathological evaluation methods used for the detection of damage in heart tissue after CO exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups (control, 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm), each containing six rats. After CO intoxication, COHb levels were measured and the animals were killed on the 7th day. AgNOR staining was performed in the heart tissue. One hundred nuclei per rat were evaluated, and total AgNOR area/nuclear area and mean AgNOR number were analyzed for each nucleus. The CO exposure groups had significantly higher AgNOR values than the control group (p < 0.0001). According to cardiomyopathy (CMY) scoring methods, the differences between groups 3 and 4 and groups 1 and 2 were significant (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation between AgNOR values and both CMY and COHb levels were detected. CONCLUSION: The detection of AgNOR protein amount may give information about the CMY levels and be used to detect the CO intoxication levels instead of COHb in later periods.

To study the correlation between carrier status of nasal Staphylococcus aureus in patients on haemodialysis with hepatitis C, hepatitis B and their sociodemographic features.

AIM: To study the correlation of nasal Staphylococcus aureus carrier status in patients on haemodialysis, infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and their sociodemographic features. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A survey, including patients' sociodemographic features, was applied to patients by physicians in face to face interviews. Medical records regarding their serologic data were recorded from haemodialysis centres. Nasal swab samples of 2 cm depth from both nostrils of patients were obtained for nasal culture. Samples were inoculated in 5% sheep blood agar and incubated in an incubator at a temperature of 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The results were studied by the same microbiologist. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients were enrolled in the study. According to culture results, 14.1% of patients (n = 26) had methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and 1.1% (n = 2) had methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Status of viral hepatitis was 3.8% (n = 8), 10.8% (n = 20) for HBV and HCV respectively. Forty per cent (n = 8) of patients with HBV (+) had MSSA carrier status. Statistically significant positive correlation between MSSA and HCV carrier was detected (r = 0.325, p = 0.001) but not between HBV carrier and MSSA (p = 0.255). CONCLUSION: In the present study, significant positivity was detected between MSSA carrier status and HCV in patients on haemodialysis and who have lived together with < or = 2 family members at home. Particularly, statistically significant correlation between HCV(+) and MSSA carrier was observed.

Impacts of earthquake aftermath on indoor carbon monoxide levels in Turkish coffeehouses environment in duzce, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: In 1999, Duzce suffered two consecutive devastating earthquakes above magnitude 7 in August and November. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the indoor air quality of coffeehouses by determining carbon monoxide (CO) levels and their contributing factors in coffeehouses built before and after the earthquake. METHODS: We conducted our study in 76 Turkish coffeehouses in Duzce in winter (November 2007-March 2008) during rush hours (18:00-23:00). The Turkish coffeehouses included in the study were evaluated under four categories based on smoking status and construction date. The characteristics of the coffeehouses, such as their CO levels and temperatures both indoors and outdoors, were all measured. These analyses were carried out with the SPSS 15.0 program. RESULTS: The CO levels in Turkish coffeehouses were above the values indicated as being safe by the WHO. While stoves and cooking equipment were determined to contribute to indoor CO levels, cigarettes were found to be the main source. Indoor CO levels at second hour were very strongly correlated (r: 0.84, P<0.001) (r: 0.91, P<0.001) with indoor CO levels at initial and first hour as well as with smoking status (r: 0.69, P<0.001); they were also moderately correlated with the room volume (r: 0.34, P<0.001) and construction materials (r: 0.31, P<0.001) of the coffeehouse. CONCLUSION: Elevated CO levels in Turkish coffeehouses indicate the possible presence of other pollutants, particularly when the main source is smoking. In such cases, both individuals and the whole of society are affected negatively in many ways. Therefore, smoking should be prohibited by law in Turkish coffeehouses and national awareness programs should be developed based on peoples' lifestyles. Moreover, the standards for construction and management of Turkish coffeehouses should be improved as well.

Depression in dialysis patients.

Many psychiatric disorders can be seen in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Haemodialysis (HD), which is a renal replacement treatment, causes various psychiatric and psychosocial problems. Patients are dependent on treatment and the illness causes various problems. In addition, strict diet and continuous treatment are other stress factors (1,2). Various studies have been published in different regions and countries about the prevalence of depression and the relation between sociodemographic factors and depression in patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), which has gradually become common in Turkey. However studies, which reflect the authors' region, have become necessary (2,3).

Predisposing factors for delirium in the surgical intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a sign of deterioration in the homeostasis and physical status of the patient. The objective of our study was to investigate the predisposing factors for delirium in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) setting. METHOD: Between January 1996 and 1997, we screened prospectively 818 patients who were consecutive applicants to the general surgery service of Dicle-University Hospital and had been kept in the ICU for delirium. All patients were hospitalized either for elective or emergency services and were treated either with medication and/or surgery. Suspected cases of delirium were identified during daily interviews. The patients who had changes in the status of consciousness (n = 150) were consulted with an experienced consultation-liaison psychiatrist. The diagnosis of delirium was based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (revised third edition) criteria and established through psychiatric interviews. Patients were divided into two groups: the "delirious group" (DG) (n = 90) and the "non-delirious group" (NDG) (n = 728). During delirium, all abnormal findings related to physical conditions, laboratory features, and additional diseases were evaluated as probable risk factors of delirium. RESULTS: Of 818 patients, 386 (47.2%) were male and 432 (52.8%) were female. Delirium developed in 90 of 818 patients (11%). The cases of delirium in the DG were more frequent among male patients (63.3%) than female patients (36.7%) (chi2 = 10.5, P = 0.001). The mean age was 48.9 +/- 18.1 and 38.5 +/- 13.8 years in the DG and NDG, respectively (t = 6.4, P = 0.000). Frequency of delirium is higher in the patients admitted to the Emergency Department (chi2 = 43.6, P = 0.000). The rate of postoperative delirium was 10.9%, but there was no statistical difference related to operations between the DG and NDG (chi2 = 0.13, P = 0.71). The length of stay in the ICU was 10.7 +/- 13.9 and 5.6 +/- 2.9 days in the DG and NDG, respectively (t = 0.11, P = 0.000). The length of stay in hospital was 15.6 +/- 16.5 and 8.1 +/- 2.7 days in the DG and NDG, respectively (t = 11.08, P = 0.000). Logistic regression was used to explore the associations between probable risk factors and delirium. Delirium was not correlated with conditions such as hypertension, hypo/hyperpotassemia, hypernatremia, hypoalbuminemia, hypo/hyperglycemia, cardiac disease, emergency admission, age, length of stay in the ICU, length of stay in hospital, and gender. It was determined that conditions such as respiratory diseases (odds ratio [OR] = 30.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.5-98.4), infections (OR = 18.0, 95% CI = 3.5-90.8), fever (OR = 14.3, 95% CI = 4.1-49.3), anemia (OR = 5.4, 95% CI = 1.6-17.8), hypotension (OR = 19.8, 95% CI = 5.3-74.3), hypocalcemia (OR = 30.9, 95% CI = 5.8-163.2), hyponatremia (OR = 8.2, 95% CI = 2.5-26.4), azotemia (OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.4-15.6), elevated liver enzymes (OR = 6.3, 95% CI = 1.2-32.2), hyperamylasemia (OR = 43.4, 95% CI = 4.2-442.7), hyperbilirubinemia (OR = 8.7, 95% CI = 2.0-37.7) and metabolic acidosis (OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 1.1-17.7) were predicting factors for delirium. CONCLUSION: We determined that conditions such as respiratory diseases, infections, fever, anemia, hypotension, hypocalcemia, hyponatremia, azotemia, elevated liver enzymes, hyperamylasemia, hyperbilirubinemia and metabolic acidosis were predicting factors for delirium.

Interferon-alpha therapy in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

BACKGROUND: Acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) represents the most frequent hemorrhagic diathesis in childhood. Up to 30% of patients with ITP are regarded as refractory to standard therapy. The rare mortality from acute ITP in childhood is almost exclusively due to intracranial hemorrhage. This complication occurs in less than 1% of ITP patients. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) in eight patients whom did not respond to conventional therapy. METHOD: In spite of conventional therapies, the patient whose platelet count could not be increased to 50;10(9)/L were accepted as refractory ITP. Eight of these patients whose platelet count lower than 20;10(9)/L were included in the prospective cohort study. Interferon alpha 2b 5 MU/m(2) was administered subcutaneously three times a week, totalling 12 times in a month. According to the platelet count on the 28th day of therapy, we grouped the patients into three categories. After 60 days, the survey was re-evaluated according to the platelet count. RESULTS: The mean age of children was 3.5+/-2.5 (ranged between 3.5 and 9) years. Six of them were boys and two were girls. There was no response in one patient, partial response in one, and good response in six patients on the 28th day of therapy. The maximum rise in platelet count was observed from 7 to 14 days after the initiation of interferon. The median platelet count which was 15+/-5;10(9)/L before therapy, raised to 60+/-12;10(9)/L after therapy. However, on the 60th day of therapy, there were only two patients who had a platelet count over 100;10(9)/L. CONCLUSION: In our study, we did not observe the long-term benefit of IFN-alpha therapy in refractor ITP in childhood. However, in good responding patients, platelet levels were increased in a short time. Alpha-interferon may be alternative therapy for patients whom had a platelet count below 20;10(9)/L and not responding to standard therapy, or for patients whom immunosuppressive therapy is contraindicated.

Lamivudine and interferon-alpha combination treatment of childhood patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of combined interferon-alpha and lamivudine in children with chronic hepatitis B infection and two durations of treatment (6 and 12 months). METHODS: Combination of interferon-alpha 2b (10 MU/m2 of body surface) and lamivudine 4 mg/kg (maximum, 100 mg) were given synchronously to 30 patients for 6 months (Group 1) and to 27 patients for 12 months (Group 2). Biochemical, virologic and serologic features were compared between two groups at the end of therapy and 6 months after therapy. RESULTS: Hepatitis B e antigen clearances were 33 and 59% at the end of treatment and 37 and 56% 6 months after therapy in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P > 0.05). Hepatitis B virus DNA clearances were 97 and 100% at the end of treatment and 97 and 96% 6 months after therapy in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P > 0.05). In both groups normalization of alanine aminotransferase was maintained at the end of therapy and 6 months after therapy (P < 0.05). Sustained complete responses were obtained in 20 and 37% of patients at the end of therapy and 6 months after therapy, respectively (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: When the combination of large dosage interferon-alpha 2b and lamivudine therapy in children was compared at the end of therapy and 6 months after therapy, normalization of alanine aminotransferase and the clearances of hepatitis B e antigen and hepatitis B surface antigen in both groups were directly proportional to the duration of treatment. However, the higher complete response rate at 12 months of combination therapy was not statistically different from that at 6 months.

Looking at trauma and deaths: Diyarbakir city in Turkey.

There were 329 trauma related deaths in Diyarbakir in 1997. Of these 226 were male (69%) and 103 were female (31%). The median age was 20 years old (range 1-82 years). Of the deaths, 30.5% were under 10, 51% were under 20 and 67% were under 30 years old. Two hundred and eleven deaths occurred in the hospital while 118 deaths occurred prehospital. Seventy-seven percent of hospital deaths (191) occurred in the first day. The most common cause of death was multiple injuries (151, 46%). Head injuries were the main reason for 128 deaths (46%). The most common mechanism of death was motor vehicle accident (131, 40%). The second was falls from a residential building (117, 33.7%).

Neonatal tetanus: a continuing challenge in the southeast of Turkey: risk factors, clinical features and prognostic factors.

Neonatal tetanus (NT) still causes significant mortality in developing countries, although in 1989 WHO adopted the goal of eliminating the disease by 1995-2000. To characterize the regional characteristics, clinical charts of 55 neonates (42 males and 13 females) admitted to the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Ward of Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey with the diagnosis of NT from 1991 to 1997 were reviewed. Mean age at admittance was 8.9+/-4.3 days with a range of 3-25 days. Mean period for the appearance of first symptoms was 5.8 days ranging between 1 and 21 days. Mean birth weight of the patients was 3369+/-560g. All patients were from rural areas and were delivered at home by untrained traditional birth attendants with no prior antenatal healthcare services. Razor blade (55%), scissors (27%), and knife (18%) were the instruments used to cut the cord in non-hygienic conditions. No mothers had prior vaccination with tetanus toxoid during their pregnancy. Spasticity (76%), lack of sucking (71%), trismus (60%), fever (49%), omphalitis (44%), irritability (24%), risus sardonicus (22%), and opithotonus (15%) were the most common presenting signs and symptoms. Age at admission < 7.5 days and symptoms of onset <4.9 days, risus sardonicus and opisthotonus were associated with fatal outcome. All patients were treated with human tetanus immunglobulin or equine tetanus antitoxin where available, antibiotic therapy by penicillin G (100.000 U/kg/day) and intravenous high dose diazepam (40 mg/kg/day). Overall mortality rate was 40% (22 cases), without any equipment for mechanical ventilation. Health education of mothers and birth attendants, promotion of hospital delivery and prenatal tetanus immunization of all pregnant women particularly in rural areas are recommended, if NT is to be prevented.