Synthesis and antifungal activities of some aryl(benzofuran-2-yl)ketoximes

In this study, some aryl(benzofuran-2-yl)ketoximes and their ethers and esters were synthesised. The structure elucidation of the compounds was performed by IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopic data and elemental analyses results. Antifungal activities of the compounds were examined and notable activity was obtained.     

Theory and Applications of Biotelemetry

In this study, biotelemetry and its evolution is explained in detail. Bioelectric and physiological variables could be measured by biotelemetry systems. The development of a biotelemetry system and its principal operation are presented. The components of a biotelemetry system are explained. Biomedical data has been telemetered through every medium between two sites by using a variety of modulated energy forms. Designing of the link between transmitter and receiver is described. Important factors in designing a backpack or implanted telemeter are explained. The main features of implanted biotelemetry units are determined. Single-channel and multichannel biotelemetry systems are defined. The types of telemetry, and a comparison thereof, are given. The power sources of biotelemetry systems and features of different power sources are explained. A survey of biotelemetry applications on humans and animals is presented and advantages of using biotelemetry systems are determined.     

Sexual Issues and Concerns: Tales of Chinese Women with Spinal Cord Impairments

Background Much has been written about the pathophysiological impact of spinal cord impairment (SCI) on sexual function in women, yet the literature offers only sparse coverage of its psychological and emotional impacts on female sexuality, and the factors which may influence the maintenance of sexual identity as a woman with physical disability.Methodology To gain insights into sexual experiences and concerns, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 Chinese women with SCI. Narrative data on marital relationships, sexual identity, sexual knowledge, and sexual satisfaction was transcribed and the content analyzed.Results When disability intrudes in a woman’s life, sexuality is reshaped against the foundation of previous sexual experiences and expectations, especially for women who acquired disabilities in adulthood. Constructions of sexuality among these women encompassed broader areas than the sexual act alone. These included the couple’s adjustment to her disabilities, society’s perception of a woman’s image, internalization of messages about women’s roles within the family, the attitude of health professionals towards sexuality, and the onset of disability.Conclusion Sexuality is an important health concern for women who live with long-term physical disabilities and should be acknowledged by sensitive and responsive health practices. Health care professionals need to renounce the sexual myths and stereotypes and genuinely attempt to understand the possible impact of SCI on women’s sexuality.     

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis profile in Turkish children

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of disorders. Publications from different countries point to differences in the disease manifestation of JIA among different populations. The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory features of JIA in Turkish children. Methods: A total of 196 JIA patients who fulfilled International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) diagnostic criteria were included in this retrospective study. The data collected were age, gender, age at disease onset and at diagnosis, and follow‐up duration. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), and human leukocyte antigen B‐27 were evaluated for each patient. Results: There were 102 boys and 94 girls with a mean duration of disease of 4.1 years. The mean age at the first visit was 8.8 years, and the mean age at onset of disease was 6.8 years (range, 8 months–15 years). Polyarticular JIA was the most frequent onset type (37.2%). Other subtypes included oligoarthritis (34.2%), systemic arthritis (15.3%), psoriatic arthritis (1%), enthesitis‐related arthritis (9.7%), and other arthritis (2.2%). ANA was positive in 28 patients (14.2%). Chronic uveitis occurred in two patients with oligoarthritis; and two patients with enthesitis‐related arthritis had acute uveitis. Three patients (1.4%) developed amyloidosis. Conclusion: Compared to reports from Western countries, remarkably different features of JIA were found in Turkish children, which included higher frequency of polyarticular JIA, higher prevalence among boys, lower rate of ANA positivity and uveitis. Further studies are required to understand how genetic and environmental differences affect JIA expression.     

Mothers' perceptions of their preterm infants treated in an incubator or on a heated water-filled mattress: a pilot study

Ten Swedish and 23 Turkish mothers delivering premature infants with a birth weight of less than 2000 g were investigated concerning their attitudes and feelings towards their newborn babies when the infants were treated either in an air-heated incubator or on a heated water-filled mattress (HWM). The first interview took place during the first few days after delivery and the second interview in the case of the Swedish study two wceks later and in the Turkish study one week later. In the first interview, feelings of fear, unreality and insecurity predominated, although significantly more so among the mothers of the incubator group. These feelings had changed strikingly by the time of the second interview among the mothers whose infants were treated on the HWM, but persisted to a large extent among the mothers whose infants rcmained in an incubator. The results of both investigations indicate that the mothers' perceptions of their infants improves when the prematurely born infant is treated on an HWM instead of in an incubator.     

The value of serum Bcl-2 levels in advanced lung cancer patients

Overexpression of the Bcl-2 protein was associated with a favorable prognostic factor for survival in lung cancer patients, especially nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. The present study was conducted to investigate the value of serum Bcl-2 levels in advanced lung cancer patients. Fifty patients with advanced lung carcinoma pathologically verified and 18 healthy controls were investigated. Serum samples were obtained on the first admission before the chemotherapeutic treatment were given. Serum Bcl-2 levels were determined by using anti-Bcl-2 monoclonal coating antibody. The baseline serum Bcl-2 levels were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in the control group (p<0.001). Serum Bcl-2 levels were elevated in 48 (96%) advanced lung cancer patients. None of the prognostic parameters analyzed, such as age of patient, gender, histology, stage of disease, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum albumin, hemoglobin, CEA, NSE, LDH, performance of patient, weight loss, and response to chemotherapy, was significantly correlated with Bcl-2 serum concentrations. The serum Bcl-2 concentrations were not changed with cisplatin-based cytotoxic chemotherapy regardless of response (p=0.76). No prognostic value of serum Bcl-2 was determined. In conclusion, the results of the present study, which is the first study to determine serum Bcl-2 levels in lung cancer, suggest that decreased apoptosis occurred due to the effect of serum Bcl-2 elevation in lung cancer patients. Serum Bcl-2 level was of diagnostic but not prognostic value in lung cancer patients. However, more studies are needed to define the role of Bcl-2 in the diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer.     

Effects of micronised purified flavonoid fraction on pain, spermiogram and scrotal color Doppler parameters in patients with painful varicocele

PURPOSE: Micronised purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) is a phlebotropic drug improving venous tone, elasticity and lymphatic drainage, decreasing venous distensibility, venous emptying times, reflux time of venous blood and capillary hyperpermeability, and having antioxidant activities. Since varicocele is a venous pathology, we evaluated the effects of MPFF on pain, spermiogram and color Doppler parameters in patients with painful varicocele. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Semen analyses and Doppler sonography were performed in 16 patients (aged 20-62 years, mean 31.2 +/- 10.9) before and after 1,000 mg/day MPFF treatment. Pain change was assessed with visual analogue scale scored between 0 and 10. Patient satisfaction with outcome and side effects were recorded. RESULTS: Mean pain scores at 1, 3, and 6 months were 1.25 +/- 1.34, 0.25 +/- 0.68, and 0.12 +/- 0.34, respectively, all being significantly lower (p < 0.001 for each) than baseline (4.93 +/- 1.77). Mean score at 12 months (0.93 +/- 1.06) was still lower than baseline (p < 0.001) but higher than at 6 months (p = 0.019). Respectively, 14 (87.5%) and 2 (12.5%) patients reported complete and very significant resolution of pain at the 6th month. All patients were very satisfied with the outcome. While semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration and morphology did not change significantly, motility increased significantly (p = 0.009) due to decrease of grade 0 sperms (p = 0.006) and increase of grade 3 + 4 sperms (p < 0.001). Reflux time of left spermatic vein during the Valsalva maneuver decreased significantly (p = 0.003). No significant change occurred in reflux time of the right spermatic vein. No side effect was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this preliminary study suggest the safety and efficacy of MPFF in the treatment of varicocele-associated pain. However, no recommendation for the use of MPFF in the treatment of pain associated with varicocele can be made before these preliminary results are confirmed by a randomized placebo-controlled trial.     

The actual incidence of bladder perforation following transurethral bladder surgery

PURPOSE: In this prospective study we evaluated the incidence of bladder perforation after transurethral bladder tumor resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 patients (33 male, 3 female, mean age +/- SD 65.6 +/- 11.43 [range 26 to 81]) with a solid mass in the bladder (mean 20.3 +/- 8.7 mm, range 5 to 40) were included in the study. Transurethral resections were performed with a 24Fr resectoscope. After the procedure an 18Fr Foley catheter was inserted into the bladder and 400 ml of 1/4 saline diluted contrast solution was instilled under gravity from 60 cm above the bladder. Complete filling and post-drainage radiographs were taken and examined for any evidence of extravasation. Regular evaluations with cystoscopy and ultrasound/computerized tomography were done to detect possible tumor recurrence and perivesical seeding. RESULTS: Histopathological examination of the tumors showed transitional cell carcinoma in 35 patients and chronic eosinophilic cystitis in 1. Review of the cystograms revealed various degrees of extraperitoneal contrast extravasation around the resected area in 21 patients (58.3%). The only statistically significant difference between patients with and without extravasation was in tumor size (logistic stepwise regression p = 0.030,) among factors tested including patient age and localization, number of foci, tumor grade and stage. No apparent clinical problems requiring medical or surgical intervention other than urethral catheterization developed and no evidence of extravesical tumor seeding as per ultrasound and/or computerized tomography was seen during a mean followup of 21.9 months (range 7 to 40). CONCLUSIONS: The extravasation of urine (asymptomatic perforation) after transurethral bladder tumor resection may occur much more frequently than believed or reported. It seems that this extravasation does not impose a significant risk of extravesical tumor seeding.