Determination of the mineral content of bee honeys produced in Middle Anatolia

The mineral content of 43 honey samples from the middle regions of Turkey was investigated. Minerals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometer. Calcium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus were the most abundant of the elements in all the studied honeys, with average concentrations ranging between 40.13 and 189.69 mg/kg for calcium, 161.01 and 598.62 mg/kg for potassium, 9.34 and 45.9 mg/kg for sodium, and 460.11 and 3,776.96 mg/kg for phosphorus. Cluster analysis of the honey data revealed that the mineral content of Çorum and Konya honeys was closer as they formed a cluster at a similarity level of 60%.     

The long-term outcomes of persistent childhood allergic asthma: A cross-sectional study from western Anatolia: Childhood persistent asthma in western Anatolia

BackgroundProspective cohort studies have provided useful knowledge about the natural history of asthma. However, most of the studies are conducted in western countries but the course of the disease and long-term outcomes may differ between countries due to environmental and cultural factors.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to describe the long-term outcomes of childhood asthma, with data from a follow-up study of at least 10 years, in western Anatolia, Turkey.MethodsFifty-two patients diagnosed with persistent allergic asthma participated in the study. The patient's demographics, findings on admission, age at onset of disease, time of diagnosis, history of other allergic conditions, history of parental asthma and allergic disorders, presence of pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy were obtained from patients’ records. The factors influencing remission at the end of 10 years follow-up were evaluated.ResultsA total of 20 patients (38.5%) were on remission at the end of 10 years. The type of allergen, multi-allergen sensitivity, eosinophilia and elevated serum immunoglobulin E on admission, accompanying allergic disorders and atopy in parents, and allergen immunotherapy did not affect the remission rate (p > 0.05).ConclusionChildhood persistent asthma is not a homogeneous clinical entity but high clinical remission rates are obtained in western Anatolia. There is no significant predictor of clinical remission in long term follow-up. Prospective studies should be performed in larger asthmatic populations to obtain further data about the natural course of childhood asthma.     

The effect of oral contraceptives on current wheezing in young women

BackgroundEmerging evidence suggests that sex steroid hormones may influence respiratory symptoms. The existing literature about the role of oral contraceptive pill (OCP) on respiratory disease is scarce and conflicting especially during the adolescent period. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of OCPs on current wheezing among adolescents and young adults.MethodsA questionnaire was administered face-to-face to adolescents and young women by a physician. The questionnaire included ISAAC survey-comprised questions on ever wheezing, current wheezing, allergic diseases, smoking history (active or passive), and family history of allergic diseases and questions on OCP usage status. The effect of OCPs on wheezing was evaluated by logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 487 subjects aged between 11.3 and 25.6 years participated in the study and 196 (40.2%) reported that they had used OCPs. 7.4% of the participants had physician-diagnosed asthma and 10.3% of them were active smokers. It was detected that OCPs were associated with increased risk for current wheezing (odds ratio, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.25–4.47 adjusted for asthma and current smoker) and this risk was related with the usage during the past year.ConclusionYoung women taking oral contraceptives had a higher rate of current wheezing, suggesting that sex steroids may be of importance for respiratory health.     

A technique for arthroscopic fasciotomy for the chronic exertional tibialis anterior compartment syndrome

Chronic exertional anterior compartment syndrome (CECS) is a condition that causes pain over the front of the shin bone that usually occurs in physically active people, especially runners. It may require sometimes an immediate fasciotomy. A longitudinal incision just over the fibula has used as surgical treatment bad cosmetic appearance. Although nowadays mini surgical incisions are preferred. The aim of this study to evaluate a simple fasciotomy technique with a minimal incision by using arthroscope. Nine legs of six patients that diagnosed as CECS has underwent fasciotomy operation with a 1 cm incision. Complaints had disappeared after operation. The mean follow-up time is 2 years. The results were good all of the patients and they never experienced exertional pain episodes. The arthroscopic assisted mini incisional fasciotomy technique has advantage such as early rehabilitation and good cosmetic appearance.     

Cyclosporine-associated facial paralysis in a child with renal transplant

Cyclosporine (CsA)-associated neurotoxicity has been reported in recipients of solid organ and bone marrow transplants. These neurological side effects are usually mild and resolve with temporary reduction or withdrawal of CsA. We report a 16-year-old renal transplant recipient who developed tremor, tinnitus, and peripheral facial paralysis during oral CsA treatment. Her serum magnesium level was below the normal range and her peripheral facial paralysis did not improve with the cessation of the drug.     

Evaluation of prosthetic mesh closure in semiopen-abdomen patients

Abstract Background. To avoid the adverse consequences of abdominal compartment syndrome and to reduce the high mortality the celiotomy wound in patients with abdominal sepsis was closed without tension using prosthetic mesh. This produces a semiopen situation that permits staged reinterventions together with the functional reconstitution of the continuity of the abdominal wall. Material and Methods. Twenty-five patients with intra-abdominal sepsis of various causes were evaluated retrospectively to assess the results of semiopen management of the septic abdomen and reoperations on demand in severe peritonitis. All of the patients were in a state of neglected peritonitis, and had at least one failing organ system. The Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) scoring system was used for stratification of abdominal sepsis. Results. The mean MPI score of 25 patients was 24, ranging 10 to 33. Eight (32%) patients were reexplored (MPI=21). There were overall 9 (36%) complications in patients with mean MPI score of 23. Six (24%) mesh-related complications (infection and enterocutaneous fistulas) developed (MPI=19). The mean MPI score of patients without complications was 24. Four (16%) patients died with index MPI score of 26 due to fulminant hepatitis, myocardial infarction, and multiple organ failure. The admission period averaged 63 days. Conclusions. In 25 critically ill patients with abdominal sepsis the mortality was lower than expected, relative to heterogeneous data from the literature; also, major complications occurred less frequently although the mean MPI score was high. The authors conclude that this approach is a reliable contribution to the complex treatment of these patients. Electronic Publication     

Surgical treatment of intrathoracic hydatid disease: A 5-year experience in an endemic region

Purpose  

To present our recent surgical experience in treating patients with intrathoracic hydatidosis.