Seroprevalence and some correlates of Helicobacter pylori at adult ages in Gülveren Health District, Ankara, Turkey

The purpose of the study was to detect the frequency and distribution of Helicobacter pylori in the Gülveren Health Centre service area among residents aged between 25 and 64 years and to evaluate the relation of H. pylori infections with general health status, socioeconomic status, and some lifestyle habits. The study included a representative sample of Gülveren Health Centre residents, aged between 25 and 64 years. A stratified random sample of 1672 individuals was selected for study purposes out of 10,569 residents, stratified by age and gender. A standardized questionnaire was completed for all study participants using a face-to-face interview and all participants were invited to the local health centre for a thorough physical examination and blood tests. The overall prevalence of H. pylori was found to be 77.5 % among individuals aged between 25 and 64 years. The frequency of H. pylori was higher among individuals with low socioeconomic status; those who migrated to Ankara after the age of 20 years; members of large families (household size of 4 or above); non-alcohol drinkers; and those who regularly drink tea.     

Prolonged hyperglycemia in the early subacute period after cerebral infarction: effects on short term prognosis

Although the adverse effect of admission hyperglycemia in cerebral infarction on prognosis is well known, studies generally have not questioned the effect of hyperglycemia in the early subacute period on prognosis after a stroke. Forty-six patients with acute ischemic stroke were seperated into 3 groups: Group 1) Known diabetes or admission blood glucose (ABG) > or = 140 mg/dl and HbA1c > or = 8,0%); Group 2) ABG > or = 140 mg/dl and HbA1c < 8,0%; and Group 3) ABG < 140 mg/dl and HbA1c < 8,0%. Blood glucose was followed-up 4 times a day for 10 days after the stroke and the mean of these measurements was calculated as the mean of glycemic regulation (MGR). Neurological evaluation was done at presentation and on day 10 and 30 with the National Institute of Health (NIH) scale. Oedema, lesion size and presence of hemorrhagic transformation were evaluated using CT. The MGR was significantly higher in group 1 compared to the other two groups (p < 0,001 and p < 0,01) and in group 2 compared to group 3 (p < 0,001). Patients with clinical worsening had a significantly higher MGR (p < 0,05). Patients with marked cerebral edema had a significantly higher MGR (p < 0,01) compared to patients with lesser edema. No correlation was found between MGR and lesion size or hemorrhagic transformation. Our results show that hyperglycemia in the early subacute period after cerebral infarction is associated with more pronounced cerebral edema and has an adverse effect on short term prognosis. We suggest that studies investigating the effect of insulin infusion on stroke prognosis should also consider infusions for a longer period than 24 hours.     

Prognostic significance of seizure in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

BACKGROUND: Several prognostic factors have been described but there are few studies evaluating the prognostic importance of seizure in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). AIMS: To evaluate the prognostic importance of seizure at the time of the diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and compare it with other known prognostic factors. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Between January 1994 and December 2000, 81 patients underwent irradiation for intracranial GBM at our institution. The criteria for inclusion in this study were biopsy-proven GBM, being treated for primary disease. Seventy-six patients were retrospectively evaluated and the remaining five patients could not be enrolled due to lack of details. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prognostic importance of age, sex, performance status, a history of seizure at diagnosis, extent of surgery, radiotherapy field and dose were studied. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Kaplan-Meier method, the Log rank test, the Cox proportional hazard model and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Survival at first and second years was 19.74% and 4.81%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed age, performance status, history of seizure, and radiotherapy dose as significant prognostic factors and with multivariate analysis age, history of seizure and radiotherapy dose were positive prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that in GBM, history of seizure prior to diagnosis of GBM was a positive prognostic factor.     

Cardiac hydatic cyst causing cerebral emboli in a child

Cardiac hydatic cyst is rarely encountered. In this article, a case of hydatid cyst localized in the left ventricle causing cerebral emboli is reported.     

The effects of hypertonic NaCl (7.5%) in dogs with induced acute pulmonary artery obstruction

The study was performed on 11 female and 9 male dogs to investigate the effect of hypertonic NaCl in severe hypotension and shock caused by acute pulmonary artery obstruction. The investigation was performed in Dicle University Healt Research Center (DUHRC). The youngest subject was six months old and the oldest was two years old. Their mean body weight was found as 19 kg. All the subjects were operated under general anesthesia. Invasive measurements of arterial pressure were performed through the right femoral artery by monitorization. All subjects were performed left thoracotomy, entrance to thorax was through 5th intercostal space, and first left then right pulmonary artery were circumferenced loosely with tape. After this, mean pulmonary artery pressures are recorded with the help of monitor by inserting canulla into the pulmonary artery. Pulmonary artery pressures at 3rd, 5th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 18th and 21st minutes after ligation of right main pulmonary artery and left lower lobe pulmonary artery, and mean artery pressures are recorded. Sodium nitroprusside is given to half of the subjects and nitroglycerine is given to the other half in order to lower pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary arterial pressure measurements following administration of these drugs are recorded. 7.5% of NaCl infusion to subjects is performed in case of hypotension and shock. Isotonic NaCl solution is used in the control group. Mean arterial pressures in group receiving sodium nitroprusside + 7.5% NaCl solution are found significantly higher statistically when compared to group receiving sodium nitroprusside + 0.9% NaCl isotonic solution. Difference in mean arterial pressures were not found statistically significant in the group receiving nitroglycerin + 7.5% NaCl when compared to group receiving nitroglycerin + 0.9% NaCl solution.