Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Histology Slide, John Farber

The Medicine Forum

A 45 year old Black female without significant past medical history was admitted with insidious cough, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, and progressive weight loss. She suddenly went into respiratory distress and succumbed to death. Autopsy subsequently showed widespread granulomatous disease. This slide of one of the lung lesions shows a noncaseating granulocyte with a fibrotic center surrounded by palisading histiocytes, consistent with a diagnosis of nodular sarcoma.

Cord Compression By Extramedullary Hematopoiesis In Polycythemia Vera, Lisa Reale, Steve Zrada, Jose Martinez

The Medicine Forum

A 73-year-old male with polycythemia vera and a history of prostate cancer presents to an outside hospital complaining of back pain of two months duration. He denied fevers, chills, night sweats, weight loss, lower extremity weakness and decreased sensation. Other than chronic constipation and urinary hesitancy, his review of systems was unremarkable. A spinal x-ray revealed a T12 vertebral fracture and the patient was transferred to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for further management.

Nevirapine Hepatotoxicity: Case Report And Discussion, Matt Baichi

The Medicine Forum

Nevirapine (viramune) is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor commonly used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The safety profile of nevirapine, as determined by review of prospective clinical trials, reports rash with an incidence of 16% as the most common side effect. Clinical hepatitis is reported to occur with an incidence of 1%. A review of the literature shows many case reports of nevirapine-induced hepatotoxicity in patients receiving both treatment and prophylaxis for HIV. The purpose of this case report is to stress the importance of early recognition and withdrawal of the offending drug.

Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonitis In Hiv-Infected Patients, Bobbak Vahid

The Medicine Forum

A 24 year old African-American male with a history of AIDS with a recent CD4 count of 57/uL, is admitted to the hospital with substernal chest pain and shortness of breath for the past two weeks. Dyspnea is mostly on exertion, and the patient denied productive cough or hemoptysis, fevers, chills, or night sweats. Three weeks prior to presentation, the patient underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which revealed an esophageal ulcer. Biopsies did not show any specific pathology and cultures were negative. Outpatient medications include prednisone, rabeprazole, fluconazole, clarithromycin, and ethambutol, bactrim.

Vitals on admission were as follows: temperature 97.2, pulse 80/min, and …

Research Profile: Dr.Boriana Marintcheva And Protein Synthesis, Andrew C. Holman

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Do Photoperiodic Changes In Melatonin Secretion Detrimentally Affect The Female Reproductive Cycle?, Riki Szlafrok

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Melatonin, better known as "the hormone of darkness," is secreted by the pineal gland during the night and helps us fall asleep. Because its internal regulation depends on light, melatonin is part of chronobiology, the study of biological mechanisms and their adaptations to lunar and solar related rhythms (Klein et al. 1991). Therefore, photoperiod changes greatly impact melatonin concentration, influencing changes in neuronal and hormonal mechanisms of the photo neuro-endocrine systems, namely reproduction. Research has shown that a disruption in the circadian rhythm of melatonin due to photoperiod changes detrimentally affects the rhythmic function of the female reproductive cycle. Research …

Is Laughter The Best Medicine? An Evaluation Of The Physiological Effects Of Laughter, Annette Dalezman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Laughter directly affects one’s physiology. Laughter causes various muscle contractions which, in turn, affect body systems. Specifically, the cardiovascular, immune, and respiratory systems are impacted by laughter. Stress levels and pain tolerance thresholds are also directly impacted by laughter. Research has been done on the effects of laughter in patients with cancer, dementia, and atopic dermatitis. Based on the review of multiple experiments, a direct correlation between laughter and multiple body systems and diseases seems to exist.

Genetically Modified T-Cells Expressing Chimeric Antigen Receptors In The Treatment Of Cancer, Efrat Bruck

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Carl June and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania have succeeded in treating patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia using gene therapy. Two of the three patients treated sustained a complete remission and one a partial remission. The procedure involved transducing the patients’ T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors which target a particular protein found on both healthy and cancerous B cells. Following infusion of the newly transduced T cells, each patient developed clinical symptoms associated with an intense immune response. Shortly thereafter, tumors were completely eliminated in two of the patients and partially eliminated in the third. …

Epigenetics: A Possible Mechanism Of Memory, Aliza Grossman Rubenstein

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the introduction to this article: The mind-body connection has fascinated philosophers and scientists for centuries. How is it possible that consciousness arises from a lump of matter known as the brain? How does neurons’ firing affect choice and beliefs? How do the electrochemical properties of the brain allow for the memory of events long after they’ve occurred? One of the most studied of these areas is that of memory. Researchers seek to understand the biological basis behind memory and how that biology is affected in individuals suffering from memory disorders.

Modified-Release Drugs, Chedva Farkas

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the introduction to this article: Ever since the discovery of bacteria and their role in the disease process in the mid-1800s, scientists have been heavily involved in the discovery and development of drug therapies and their mechanism of action in the human body. Shortly after the initial discovery came the era of drug discovery of the late 1800s-early 1900s, also known as the “drug revolution” (Dash and Cudworth 1998). Although the drug revolution led to the rapid discovery of many new drugs, pharmacological factors such as dosage forms, drug delivery systems, plasma drug levels, …

Su People, Yuhan Xu, Paula Meseroll, Kathleen Haley, Jay Cox, Jim Reilly, Carol L. Boll

Syracuse University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Deficits On The Clock Drawing Test In Parkinson’S Disease, Ashley Rober

Undergraduate Review

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects 1% of the world population over the age of 65—anywhere from four to six million people (National Parkinson Foundation, 2010). Although most people identify PD as a movement disorder, cognitive deficits are also present. Poor performance on tasks such as set shifting, internal control of attention, and sequencing is commonly reported by PD patients (Stout & Johnson, 2005), as are visual and verbal memory impairments (Moody, Bookheimer, Vanek, & Knowlton, 2004). Visuospatial skills are also problematic, including depth perception, spatial orientation, and spatial organization (Bowen, Burns, Brady, & Yahr, 1972).

Effects Of Etomidate On Blood Cortisol, Insulin, And Glucose Levels And Ponv Rates In Smokers, Cevdet Sümer, Ömer Lütfi̇ Erhan, Ayşe Beli̇n Özer, Fuat Yildiz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To observe differences in the effects of etomidate, used for anesthesia induction, on surgery-induced endocrine response and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) among nonsmokers and smokers. Materials and methods: Eighty adult patients with ASA I-II risk status were randomly divided into 2 groups: smokers (Group I, n = 40) and nonsmokers (Group II, n = 40). Patients were then further divided into subgroups according to the drug used for anesthesia induction, either propofol (Group IP and Group IIP) or etomidate (Group IE and Group IIE). Blood cortisol, insulin, glucose, and white blood cell (WBC) levels were measured and PONV scores …

Evaluation Of The Antibacterial Activity Of Zataria Multiflora Boiss., Rhus Coriaria L. (Sumac), Mentha Piperita L., And Ocimum Basilicum L. Extracts On Brucella Strains Isolated From Brucellosis Patients, Yousef Motaharinia, Mohammad Ali Rezaee, Mohammad Saleh Hazhir, Farid Zandi, Reza Shapouri, Mohammad Saied Hakhamaneshi, Ahmad Rashidi, Mohammad Reza Rahmani

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Since brucellosis has been called a chronic illness and treatment of patients infected with this bacterium has not been successful, the present study aim ed to evaluate the effects of several medicinal plant extracts on clinical Brucella strains. Materials and methods: First, Brucella strains were isolated from brucellosis patients. Then an antibiotic resistance assay was performed for these strains, while the antibacterial activity of the above-mentioned extracts was evaluated. Results: After performing accurate evaluations, the obtained results showed that all of the isolated Brucella strains were sensitive to tetracycline, doxycycline, and gentamicin, and the rates of antibiotic resistance to rifampin …

Endovascular Treatment Of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms With Endologix® Stent Graft: Single-Site Experiences And Short-Term Follow-Up Outcomes, Mustafa Kayan, Turhan Yavuz, Mustafa Etli̇, Şeyma Benzi̇n, Seda İbi̇şoğlu, Esma Di̇lek Üstün, Mert Köroğlu, Ergün Ceylan, Ulaş Sağlam

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term results of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms with the Endologix IntuiTrak Powerlink XL® (Endologix) stent graft and to share our clinical experiences in our center. Materials and methods: Endovascular stent graft treatment was applied in 16 cases with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (13 men and 3 women; mean age: 70.2 years) in 2009 and 2010. Before treatment, all of the patients were examined with 128-slice computed tomography (CT) angiography for the assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The Endologix stent graft (bifurcated system) was used for all of the patients. …

Dysregulation Of Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity And Bcl-2 And Caspase-3 Gene Expressions In Renal Tissue Of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats, Hüseyi̇n Aktuğ, Vi̇ldan Bozok Çeti̇ntaş, Buket Kosova, Fati̇h Oltulu, Şi̇ri̇n Bakti Demi̇ray, Türker Çavuşoğlu, Saadet Özen Akarca, Altuğ Yavaşoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate the effects of diabetes on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and on gene expressions of B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2) and caspase-3 in the renal tissues of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rats. Materials and methods: Twenty rats were analyzed in 2 equally distributed groups of healthy controls and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Rats with blood glucose levels of >=250 mg/dL were considered diabetic. Renal tissue sections were analyzed histomorphologically and immunohistochemically. Gene expressions of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Bcl-2 expression significantly decreased in the diabetic group, both at the gene and protein level. …

Is The Six-Minute Walk Test Correlated With Disease Control And Quality Of Life In Children With Asthma?, Hasan Yüksel, Özge Yilmaz, Bülent Gökşen, Senem Üstün, Ayhan Söğüt

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate the changes in a 6-min walk test (6MWT) and quality of life (QoL) before and after asthma control is achieved in children. A 6MWT is used in the determination of disease severity in many chronic childhood diseases. Materials and methods: Thirty-six asthmatic children, aged 6 to 15 years, were enrolled before asthma control was achieved. Disease severity parameters during the previous 3 months were recorded. All of the children completed an asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) and received a symptom score; a 6MWT was performed during enrollment and 1 month later, when asthma control was achieved. Results: The initial …

The Effects Of Stress Urinary Incontinence On The Quality Of Life Of Turkish Women In The Reproductive Age Group, Elçi̇n Balci, Özlem Gürlevi̇k, İskender Gün, Osman Günay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

This study was performed in order to evaluate the effect of urinary incontinence (UI) on the quality of life of women in the reproductive age group. Materials and methods: Included in the study were 150 women with UI [stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or mixed urinary incontinence (MUI)] and 150 healthy women, ranging in age between 15 and 49 years. Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) were filled in by the women in both groups and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) was filled in only by the women in the UI group. Unpaired t-tests and the general …

Clinical And Electrophysiological Evaluation Of Shoulder Functions In Spinal Accessory Nerve-Preserving Neck Dissection, Özgür Tarkan, Ülkü Tuncer, Hacer Bozdemi̇r, Tunay Sarpel, Süleyman Özdemi̇r, Özgür Sürmeli̇oğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of this study was to evaluate shoulder functions after neck dissection with preservation of the spinal accessory nerve by objective physical examination, electromyographic findings, and subjective patient complaints, and also to investigate the effect of the type of neck dissection. Materials and methods: The present study included 29 patients on whom unilateral selective or modified radical neck dissection was performed for head and neck cancer and/or metastasis to the neck. Electromyographical findings, range of motion, and pain scores of the shoulder joint were determined for the operated and nonoperated (control) sides. Results: An electromyographic examination of the trapezius …

Antinociceptive Activity Of Some Scorzonera L. Species, Özlem Bahadir Acikara, Hayri̇ye Gülçi̇n Saltan, Hanefi̇ Özbek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Scorzonera species are mainly used to relieve pain in Turkish traditional medicine. The roots of Scorzonera latifolia (Fisch. & Mey) DC., S. tomentosa L., S. suberosa C.Koch subsp. suberosa, and S. mollis M.Bieb. subsp. szowitzii collected from different regions of Anatolia, and yakı sakızı, which is prepared by drying the latex obtained from the roots of Scorzonera latifolia, were evaluated for their antinociceptive activities. Materials and methods: For antinociceptive evaluation, Scorzonera latifolia (Fisch. & Mey) DC., S. tomentosa L., S. suberosa C.Koch subsp. suberosa, S. mollis M.Bieb. subsp. szowitzii, and yakı sakızı were tested on mice, and acetic acid-induced writhing …

The Effect Of Early Loss Of Anterior Primary Tooth On Speech Production In Preschool Children, Melek Di̇lek Turgut, Gülsüm Aydan Genç, Fi̇gen Başar, Meryem Uzamiş Tekçi̇çek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a progressive dental caries in children that may cause premature loss of the anterior primary teeth. In this study, the aim was to investigate the effects of primary anterior tooth loss and removable dentures on the speech of children with ECC. Materials and methods: Included in the study were 15 patients with ECC who required extraction of the primary anterior teeth and needed dentures (case group), and 15 healthy children (control group). The articulation of the control group was evaluated once and that of the case group was evaluated before and after extraction, before and …

Characteristics Of Patients Transferred By Air: A Descriptive Epidemiologic Study, Ataman Köse, Beri̇l Köse, Ayça Açikalin Akpinar, Özlem Köksal, Şule Aydin, Erol Armağan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To analyze the characteristics of patients transferred by air ambulance in the eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated the records of patients transferred by air ambulance between January 2010 and December 2010. Demographics and medical data of the patients, geographic conditions, and flight duration data were all analyzed. Results: A total of 241 patients were included in the study, of whom 51% were men and 49% were women. The majority of the patients were between 0 and 1 year old (40.2%). In the adult patients, the most commonly seen diagnoses were trauma (31.6%), obstetric problems …

Prediction Of Mortality In Stroke Patients Using Multilayer Perceptron Neural Networks, Necdet Süt, Yahya Çeli̇k

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

We aim ed to predict mortality in stroke patients by using multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural networks. Materials and methods: A data set consisting of 584 stroke patients was analyzed using MLP neural networks. The effect of prognostic factors (age, hospitalization time, sex, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, embolism, stroke type, infection, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease) on mortality in stroke were trained with 6 different MLP algorithms [quick propagation (QP), Levenberg-Marquardt (LM), backpropagation (BP), quasi-Newton (QN), delta bar delta (DBD), and conjugate gradient descent (CGD)]. The performances of the MLP neural network algorithms were compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) …

The Effects Of Stobadine On Purine Metabolism In Rats Treated With Carbon Tetrachloride, Ni̇lüfer Bayrakdar, Seda Duygulu Devay, Mi̇ne Yavuz Taşlipinar, Suna Ömeroğlu, Seyhan Gümüşlü, Mustafa Kavutçu, Orhan Canbolat

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl_4) and adenosine deaminase (ADA), 5'-nucleotidase (5'NT), xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The effect of stobadine on purine metabolism was also evaluated. Materials and methods: This study measured the effect of CCl_4 on ADA, 5'NT, XO enzyme activities, and MDA levels, and measured the histopathologic changes in liver cells. Results: Our research found that ADA, XO activities, and MDA levels increased in the CCl_4 group when compared with the control group. This was also supported by the histopathological …

Effects Of L-2-Oxоthiazolidine-4-Carboxylic Acid On The Lung Antioxidant Defense System In An Asthma Mouse Model, Lyudmil Georgiev Terziev, Veneta Lyubenova Shopova, Violeta Yordanova Dancheva, Galya Tzvetanova Stavreva, Angelina Milcheva Stoyanova

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

We aim ed to study the effect of a glutathione precursor, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTCA), on the lung antioxidant defense system in an animal asthma model. Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 24 female C57BL/6 mice. The mice were divided into 4 treatment groups: group 1 - control group; group 2 - injected with ovalbumin (OVA) and given an OVA inhalant; group 3 - treated with OTCA and phosphate-buffered saline inhalant; and group 4 -injected with OVA and OTCA and given an OVA inhalant. Under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia the animals were killed by exsanguination 48 h after the …

Rating Of Perceived Exertion In Cycle Ergometer: Effect Of Maximal Capacity Difference, Özgür Kasimay Çakir, Bariş Çakir, Ömer Utku Erzengi̇n, Hizir Kurtel

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cardiopulmonary responses of individuals with different fitness levels according to predetermined rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scores and to investigate the correspondence between the heart rate reserve percentage (HRR%) and the RPE scale by using fit and unfit subjects. Materials and methods: RPE scores of sedentary volunteers were recorded at different HRR% levels during graded exercise tests on a cycle ergometer. Following the tests, subjects were divided into 2 groups, high metabolic equivalent [(MET) MET >= 10; n = 9] and low MET (MET < 10; n = 11), according to maximal O_2 uptakes (VO_{2max}). Participants performed the steady-state exercise test at the 13th-14th level of their perceived exertion 48 h after the first test. Variance and regression analyses were performed. Results: For all HRR% values, RPE levels were not different between groups. During the graded exercise test, perceived exertion was significantly higher in the low MET group than in the high MET group. Predetermined RPE score results were significantly greater in the low MET group with relative O2 consumption as compared to the high MET group (P < 0.05-0.001). Conclusion: In individuals with different VO_{2max} levels, exercise intensity can be prescribed using HRR% or RPE scale methods while adjusting for individual differences in oxygen consumption.

Sciatic Nerve Injury Due To Intramuscular Injection: Electrophysiological Findings And One-Year Follow-Up, Selda Bağiş, Mehmet Adam, Ümmühan Berri̇n Leblebi̇ci̇, Meti̇n Karataş, Adi̇le Zeynep Güven, Ayşe Reyhan Çeli̇ker

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the electrophysiological findings of sciatic nerve injury following intramuscular injection and follow-up progression. Materials and methods: Included in the study were 26 patients (16 men, 10 women) with sciatic nerve injuries due to intramuscular injections who were admitted to our electrophysiology laboratory. The age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), along with the clinical and electrophysiological findings of each of the patients, were recorded. Tibial and peroneal nerve motor conduction studies, sural and superficial peroneal nerve sensorial conduction studies, and needle electromyography were performed. The patients were reevaluated for electrophysiological evaluation at 3 and 6 months and 1 …

Limb Remote Ischemic Postconditioning Is Effective But Also Time-Course-Limited In Protecting The Brain From I/R Injury, Ce Xu, Chengju Yi, Haidong Guo, Qiangqiang Liu, Li Wang, Hongxia Li

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the effect of limb remote ischemic postconditioning (LIPoC) against cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats and the relationship between cycle number or remote postconditioning episode duration and the protective function of LIPoC. Materials and methods: Transient focal ischemia/reperfusion was induced by 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with nylon monofilament and 22 h of reperfusion in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals underwent LIPoC consisting of 1, 2, or 3 cycles, with each occlusion or release lasting for 5 min (5/5), 10 min (10/10), or 15 min (15/15) of bilateral femoral artery occlusion/release. Neurological score, infarct volume, water …

Development Of A High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method For Warfarin Detection In Human Plasma, Yung An Chua, Wan Zaidah Abdullah, Siew Hua Gan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Most of the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods that have been developed to measure warfarin levels use the preextraction spiked internal standard method. We developed a new liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and reversed-phase HPLC method that uses a postextraction spiked internal standard for the determination of plasma warfarin. Materials and methods: The effect of varying the 1) mobile phase pH, 2) type and composition of organic solvents, 3) type and concentration of buffer solutions, 4) column temperatures, 5) flow rates, 6) organic modifier, and 7) ultraviolet wavelengths were tested. Results: Optimum separation was achieved by using 30:70 (v/v) acetonitrile and potassium …