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.     

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.     

Volumetric determination of medial epicondyle and lateral epicondyle of humerus in male and female volleyball players

The aim of this study was to assess the volume of the medial epicondyle and lateral epicondyle in comparison with the distal end of humerus volume in male and female elite athletes participating in an impact loading sport (volleyball). The volleyball group consisted of 17 female, aged 20.47 +/- 2.47 years (mean +/- SD), 16 male aged 21.68 +/- 3.47 years (mean +/- SD); training for about 8 hours/week. The control group consisted of 15 nonactive females aged 21.73 +/- 2.68 years (mean +/- SD) and 14 nonactive males aged 23.35 +/- 4.16 years (mean +/- SD). Anthropometric determinations (height, weight, limb length, girth of arm and forearm) were made on each subjects. Range of motion was evaluated by standard goniometric technique. Comparative plain films of both elbows were obtained in an anteroposterior projection. The volumes of the medial epicondyle and lateral epicondyle were determined by the principle of Cavalieri which is an effective stereologic volume calculation method. In the volleyball players, increased medial epicondyle volume was recorded in the dominant and nondominant arms as compared with the control subjects (P < 0.05). Wrist flexors are highly involved in spiking, blocking and serving in volleyball. In this study we founded volume of medial epicondyle which is the connection point of flexor muscle was increased because of loading.     

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.     

Is enalapril adequate for the prevention of renal tissue damage caused by unilateral ureteral obstruction and/or hyperoxaluria?

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and hyperoxaluria (HOX) can lead to end-stage renal disease with tubulointerstitial fibrosis. We investigated the effects of enalapril (E), an ACE-inhibitor, on rat kidneys with either UUO or HOX. Sham-operated, UUO, HOX, UUO+HOX, UUO+E and HOX+E rats were killed 14 days after UUO and/or HOX was initiated. Rat kidney sections were histologically scored for tissue damage and monocyte/macrophage infiltration was demonstrated with ED1 antibody and measured by computer image analysis software. Serious glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage was found for UUO and HOX, consisting of glomerular basement membrane thickening, tubular dilatation/collapse, tubular basement membrane thickening and the infiltration of mononuclear leucocytes (mainly macrophages). For HOX, calcium oxalate crystals were visible. Neither the scored histological parameters nor monocyte/macrophage infiltration was significantly decreased when E-treated were compared with untreated groups. We conclude that E did not ameliorate the parameters scored in either UUO or HOX. This being contrary to findings by other research groups, we hypothesize that E may be effective only in short-term UUO/HOX, with transforming growth factor, TGF-beta1, formation becoming partly independent of Ang II in late-stage UUO/HOX, or other fibrogenic cytokines than TGF-beta1 becoming predominant.     

A giant renal cyst in a 89-year-old patient with a malign clinic

International Urology and Nephrology -