Aliye Yıldırım Güzelant

Is 25(OH)D Associated with Cognitive Impairment and Functional Improvement in Stroke? A Retrospective Clinical Study

BACKGROUND In recent years, vitamin D deficiency has been suggested as a risk factor for ischemic stroke and stroke severity in both animal models and clinical studies. In this retrospective study, we investigated the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and functional outcomes in stroke patients during neurological rehabilitation program. We also investigated whether there is an association between 25(OH)D levels and cognitive impairment. METHODS The study included the medical records of 120 stroke patients who participated in a neurological rehabilitation program. The motor and cognitive components of the Functional Independence Measurements of all patients at admission and discharge were recorded. The Functional Ambulatory Scale was used to assess motor functional status, and the Turkish-validated version of the minimental state examination test was used to assess cognitive status. RESULTS A significant correlation was found between 25(OH)D level and cognitive impairment among patients who had ischemic strokes. High levels of 25(OH)D were associated with greater functional gain during the rehabilitation program in both ischemic stroke patients and hemorrhagic stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS High 25(OH)D levels might be associated with greater functional improvement and with less cognitive impairment in stroke patients.

Are biological agents toxic to human chondrocytes and osteocytes

PurposeThe aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of biological agents (BAs) on human chondrocytes and osteocytes in vitro.MethodsPrimary cell cultures obtained from gonarthrosis patients were divided into four groups, two of which were designated as control cultures of chondrocyte and osteocyte, and the other two groups were exposed to BAs administered via the culture medium. Cultured cells were characterized by immunophenotyping. Before and after administration of the agents, the cultures were observed by inverted and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The number of live cells and the proliferation rate were monitored by MTT assay.ResultsRituximab and adalimumab were the least toxic agents to chondrocytes, whereas adalimumab and etanercept were to osteocytes.ConclusionDuring periods of intense active inflammation, the concentration of the preferred BAs after inhibition of inflammation needs to be emphasized when their effects on cartilage and bone tissue are considered at the cellular level if the clinical practice is to continue.

Are chondrocytes damaged when rheumatologic inflammation is suppressed

Abstract Aim: The use of biological agents (BAs) for treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathy, and systemic lupus erythematosus to reduce inflammation has been fruitful. Especially as part of the increasing number of studies on the intra-articular application of BAs, the effects of BAs on cartilage have been widely investigated. In the present study, the effects of rituximab, abatacept, and adalimumab, all approved antirheumatic agents, on human primary chondrocytes were investigated comparatively and on the molecular level through viability, proliferation, and toxicity analyses. Materials and methods: Osteochondral tissues from the distal femur and proximal tibia were resected during total knee arthroplasty from patients (n = 3) with confirmed gonarthrosis in whom all medical or conservative treatments had failed. Standard human primary chondrocyte cell culturing was carried out. Immunophenotyping was performed on the cells that adhered to the flask, and their chondrotoxicity was observed using a flow cytometry device. Images of the cells showing chondrotoxicity were analyzed using invert and environmental scanning microscopes, and microimages were obtained. The MTT-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was performed to observe the toxic effects of BAs on the proliferation of chondrocytes at 24 and 48 h. The results were analyzed using the number of cells and proliferation; statistical comparisons among the groups were carried out using one-way ANOVA. The alpha significance level was set at <0.01. Results: These pharmaceutical agents were chondrotoxic, especially on viability and proliferation (p = 0.0000). Conclusion: BAs are generally used during active inflammation, and following the management of inflammation, their dosage should be determined taking into consideration their cellular-level toxic effects on chondrocytes.

Are treatment guides and rational drug use policies adequately exploited in combating respiratory system diseases

The aim of the present study was to increase awareness regarding the rational use of medicines. The data were obtained via the Material Resources Management System Module of the Ministry of Health. For the appropriateness of treatments, the Global Initiative for Asthma, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, and the guidelines for the rational use of medicines were used. We also investigated whether any de-escalation method or physical exercise was performed. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics to determine the mean, standard deviation, and frequency. The results showed that healthcare providers ignored potential drug reactions or adverse interactions, and reflecting the lack of adherence to the current treatment guides, 35.8% irrational use of medicines was recorded. Thus, de-escalation methods should be used to decrease costs or narrow the antibiotic spectrum, antibiotic selection should consider the resistance patterns, culturing methods should be analyzed, and monotherapy should be preferred over combination treatments.

Assesment of Hand grip Strength in Patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

1 Aliye Yıldırım Güzelant1, Nicel Taşdemir2, Ayşe Banu Sarıfakıoglu1, Remzi Abalı2, Cem Çelik2 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Namik Kemal University School of Medicine, Tekirdag, Turkey El Kas Gücü ve Pelvik Organ Prolapsusu / Hand grip Strength and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Assesment of Hand grip Strength in Patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Are We Using Slow-Acting Symptomatic Chondroprotective Drugs Conscious Enough?

Background: Osteochondral injuries constitute an entity that is widespread and can be seen in patients of all ages. Actual treatment modalities aim to relieve pain, obtain full range of movement of the joint, and improve the quality of life. There are many slow-acting chondroprotective agents prevalently used in the United States that are classified as nutritional support but not as medicines . This study presents the importance of clinical adverse effect profiles as well as the pharmacological mechanism of action and application of combinations of drugs that are widely prescribed and not subjected to control. Methods: Electronic databases were searched with keywords about the chondroprotective drugs without any language restriction. Evaluations of the descriptive statistics were represented via Microsoft Office Excel 2010 lists in the form of a mean±standard deviation or frequency (%). The first evaluation showed that 1502 studies were potentially relevant. Following exclusion of the 1277 studies which were not clinical, full versions of the remaining 225 studies were subjected to further evaluation. No controlled, blinded, randomized and/or comparative studies met the inclusion criteria of the study, and no studies evaluated the comparative clinical results of the hyaluronan of different molecular weights. Results: The findings of this study concluded that especially when prescribing drugs with ingredients like GS and CS, many patients’ pre-existing conditions must be considered, such as whether the patient has a glucose intolerance or not. Additionally, mineral toxication should be considered since the drugs contain minerals, and after the application of injected hyaluronan, complications should be considered. Conclusion: Clinical, controlled and comparative studies about the use of chondroprotective drugs must be performed to define the benefits of these drugs, if any, in order to determine the most suitable time for operative intervention.

Horner’s Syndrome-Torticollis Relation; a Case Report [Horner Sendromu Tortikollis İlişkisi; bir Olgu Sunumu] -

Horner Syndrome is a rare condition characterized with ptosis, miosis, unilateral anhidrosis and rarely enophtalmos resulting from the sympathetic innervation loss by interruption of oculosymathetic pathway. Congenital muscular torticollis is a musculoskeletal system malformation resulting from fibrosis, therefore shortening of sternocleidomastoid muscle. In this report, Horner’s syndrome secondary to congenital muscular torticollis and diagnosis in rehabilitation period are discussed. Three-month-old baby girl was referred to our unit by pediatrics clinic with congenital muscular torticollis diagnosis. Her history comprised of cesarean delivery following a 34-week pregnancy as twin, and no intensive care need; her parents realized asymmetry in neck when she was a-month-and-a-half old and they admitted to pediatrics. Craniofacial asymmetry, cervical left lateral flexion, restricted left rotation and olive sign were detected in physical examination. During rehabilitation, anhidrosis in the right side of face, soft left miosis and ptosis were also observed, and patient was diagnosed with Horner’s syndrome. Other possible reasons were ruled out with differential diagnosis and etiology was linked to torticollis. Consequently, while evaluating patients with torticollis, it must be considered that Horner’s syndrome, rarely accompanies, and since clinical findings may be soft, diagnosis may easily be missed out.

Is there a new finding added to the fibromyalgia syndrome

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine depression and anxiety related arrhytmia risk in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with the diagnosis of FMS and 20 control participants were included in the study. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Visual Pain Scale (VPS) surveys were applied to determine the severity of the disease. Beck Anxiety (BAS) and Beck Depression scales (BDS) were applied to all participants. Electrocardiograms were obtained from all participants. P-wave dispersions (Pd) were estimated to determine the risk of the atrial arrhythmia, and QT wave dispersion (QTd) and corrected QT(QTdd) values were used to predict the risk of ventricular arrhythmia. RESULTS: BAS and BDS results were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group (p˂0001). In the patient group, Pd was significantly longer (p=0.034). Other clinical, and demographic data did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, the risk of arrhythmia in FMS was evaluated and increased Pd in patients with FMS compared to the control group was detected. This finding shows increased risk of atrial fibrilation (AF) in patients with FMS. If we consider that patients with fibromyalgia consist relatively of young patients together with the increased risk of AF with age, it is important to follow-up these patients in later ages for AF risk.