Erhan Tabakoğlu

Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in primary school children in Edirne, Turkey, two surveys 10 years apart

Selcuk ZT, Demir AU, Tabakoglu E, Caglar T. Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in primary school children in Edirne, Turkey, two surveys 10 years apart.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e711–e717.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

The bronchoalveolar epithelial permeability in house painters as determined by Tc-99m DTPA aerosol scintigraphy

Purpose: Isocyanates are highly reactive chemicals used in a number of industries including paints. Therefore, house painters are known to be at risk for occupational exposure to isocyanates. Our objectives in this study were: (1) to investigate the possible effects of isocyanate exposition on the bronchoalveolar epithelial permeability in house painters by using Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol lung scintigraphy; (2) to assess whether or not some differences exist between asthmatic and non-asthmatic house painters, and (3) to determine the relationship between Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol lung scintigraphy and the spirometric measurements, and the work duration of house painters.Materials and Methods: Ten non-smoking house painters (28.8±8.8 yrs) and ten healthy volunteers underwent Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol lung scintigraphy. Following inhalation of radiotracer through a nebulizer for 5 minutes, dynamic scintigrams (1 frame/min, up to 10 min) were taken from both lungs. ROIs were drawn over the both lung area, and time-activity curves were obtained, from which the half-time (T1/2) of Tc-99m DTPA clearance was calculated. Spirometric lung function test was measured in all house painters.Results: Mean T1/2 values (min±SD) were 93.74±32.79 for house painters, and 90.96±40.02 for control subjects. There was no significant difference in T1/2 values of Tc-99m DTPA clearance between house painters and controls, and between asthmatic and non-asthmatic house painters as well. No correlation was observed between T1/2 values of Tc-99m DTPA clearance and spirometric measurements. In house painters, there was a positive correlation between T1/2 values of Tc-99m DTPA clearance and work duration (r=0.73, p=0.016).Conclusions: Our findings indicate that in house painters, occupational exposure to isocyanates has no effect on bronchoal veolar epithelial permeability, and the rate of Tc-99m DTPA clearance shows no difference between asthmatic and non-asthmatic house painters. The positive correlation between the rate of Tc-99m DTPA clearance and work duration needs to be confirmed in larger cohorts.

Levels of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

The aim of the present study is to determine whether patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) are subject to oxidative stress. For this purpose, we measured the activities of red blood cell superoxide dismutase, which is an antioxidant enzyme, and the level of plasma malondialdehyde, which is one of the lipid peroxidation markers, in a group of patients with PSP. The study was carried out with 16 patients with PSP and 24 healthy individuals. The two groups were similar to each other in terms of sex, age and smoking attitudes. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity was found to be significantly lower in patients with PSP than in the control group (p < 0.01). The plasma malondialdehyde levels were significantly high in patients with PSP (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of PSP.

A prospective, multicentre clinical trial comparing cisplatin plus gemcitabine with cisplatin plus etoposide in patients with locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective:  Cisplatin‐gemcitabine (PG) and cisplatin‐etoposide (PE) combinations are active regimens for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study aimed to compare PG with PE in the treatment of patients with stage IIIB and IV NSCLC.

A New Clinical Model in Pulmonary Embolism and Its Correlation With V/P Scan Results

The study was prospectively designed to assess the correlation between a new clinical model empirically developed for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and ventilation/perfusion (V/P) scan results. One hundred sixty consecutive patients with suspected acute PE underwent clinical evaluation before V/P scintigraphy. The clinical probability of PE was categorized according to a structured clinical model empirically developed as low, intermediate, or high, and the results were compared with those of V/P scintigraphy. Forty, 61, and 59 patients were classified as low, intermediate, and high clinical probability, respectively. Seventy-five percent (30/40) of the patients with low clinical probability were also of low scintigraphic probability or had a normal result (rs: 0.39, p=0.000); 28% (17/61) of the patients with intermediate clinical probability demonstrated intermediate scintigraphic probability (rs: 0.20, p=0.012); and 68% (40/59) of the patients with high clinical probability were also of high scintigraphic probability (rs: 0.43, p=0.000). Overall, the correlation of two scoring systems was statistically significant (rs: 0.39, p=0.000). Unilateral leg swelling (p=0.027), syncope or near syncope (p=0.002), amputation of a hilar artery (p=0.007), and electrocardiographic signs of right ventricular overload (p=0.000) prevailed in patients with high scintigraphic probability. “Syncope-near syncope or hemodynamic collapse” PLUS “electrocardiographic signs of right ventricular overload or hypoxemia” combination had the most significant correlation with a high scintigraphic probability (rs: 0.31; p=0.000). In conclusion, the new clinical model empirically developed was significantly successful to provide comparable results with V/P scan. This consistency was particularly prominent in patients with low or high clinical probability for PE.

Alveolar epithelial permeability in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax as determined by Tc-99m DTPA aerosol scintigraphy

PurposePrimary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) occurs subsequent to a disruption in the continuity of visceral pleura and escape of air into the pleural space. The cause of PSP is most often the rupture of subpleural blebs or bullae. It is usually difficult to detect evidence of pulmonary pathology. The purposes of the present study were (1) to investigate the changes of pulmonary alveolar epithelial permeability in patients with PSP as determined by Tc-99m DTPA aerosol lung scintigraphy, (2) to assess whether or not some differences exist between apical and basal parts of the lungs, and (3) to determine the relationship between the clearance rate of Tc-99m DTPA and the PFT results, the recurrence rate of PSP, and the percentage of pneumothorax in affected lung.Material and MethodsThirteen PSP patients (two females, 11 males; mean age 32.5 ± 11.8 years) with normal chest X-ray were studied. Thirteen healthy non-smoking volunteers (1 female, 12 males; mean age, 35.8 ± 10 years) were selected as a control group. Tc-99m DTPA aerosol lung scintigraphy and PFT were performed in all patients and controls. Clearance rates (%/min) of Tc-99m DTPA aerosol in right and left lung field, and apical and basal parts of each lung were calculated from dynamic images for 15 min.ResultsThere was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between patients and controls, or between apical and basal parts of each lung. No correlation was found between the clearance rate of Tc-99m DTPA and PFT results, the recurrence rate of PSP, or the percentage of pneumothorax.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that pulmonary epithelial permeability is not altered in PSP patients; the clearance rate of Tc-99m DTPA shows no difference between apical and basal parts of each lung.

Relation of the frequency and mortality of pulmonary thromboembolism with meteorological parameters

Objective:The objective of this study is to find the relationship between incidence rate and mortality of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), and seasonal and meteorological factors. Materials and methods: The data from 234 patients who were hospitalized due to acute PTE in the emergency service or policlinics between 2001 and 2008 were investigated retrospectively. Cases that developed APE (acute pulmonary embolism) in the hospital were excluded. Seasons and months in which acute PTE was diagnosed were recorded. Mortality rates by months and seasons were evaluated. The mean pressure, temperature and humidity values were evaluated for periods of three days, seven days and one month before the day of presentation. The effects of meteorological factors on the severity (massive or non-massive) and mortality of APE were investigated. Results: The incidence rate of acute APE showed a significant difference according to seasons (p=0.000). APE was diagnosed most commonly in spring and winter. The mean pressure values for three days, seven days and one month and the mean humidity values for three days for the dead patients were found to be significantly lower than those of the survived ones (p<0.05). The mortality rate for patients admitted in summer was significantly higher than the rates for other seasons (p=0.02). There were no seasonal differences among the massive APE incidences. Mortality rates were higher in summer because of the nonmassive APE patients rather than the massive patients. Conclusion: Acute PE is a disease whose incidence and mortality rates are affected by meteorological factors. (www.actabiomedica.it)OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to find the relationship between incidence rate and mortality of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), and seasonal and meteorological factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The data from 234 patients who were hospitalized due to acute PTE in the emergency service or policlinics between 2001 and 2008 were investigated retrospectively. Cases that developed APE (acute pulmonary embolism) in the hospital were excluded. Seasons and months in which acute PTE was diagnosed were recorded. Mortality rates by months and seasons were evaluated. The mean pressure, temperature and humidity values were evaluated for periods of three days, seven days and one month before the day of presentation. The effects of meteorological factors on the severity (massive or non-massive) and mortality of APE were investigated. RESULTS The incidence rate of acute APE showed a significant difference according to seasons (p=0.000). APE was diagnosed most commonly in spring and winter. The mean pressure values for three days, seven days and one month and the mean humidity values for three days for the dead patients were found to be significantly lower than those of the survived ones (p<0.05). The mortality rate for patients admitted in summer was significantly higher than the rates for other seasons (p=0.02). There were no seasonal differences among the massive APE incidences. Mortality rates were higher in summer because of the nonmassive APE patients rather than the massive patients. CONCLUSION Acute PE is a disease whose incidence and mortality rates are affected by meteorological factors.

Resistance Rates of Antituberculosis Drugs in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Producing Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Objective: Determination of antituberculosis drug resistance rate in pulmonary tuberculosis patients producing Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Material and Method: 134 pulmonary tuberculosis patients producing Mycobacterium tuberculosis in cultures in the Trakya University Medical Faculty Hospital between the years 2005-2007 were enrolled in the study. Four major antituberculosis drugs (H, R, streptomycin (SM), ethambutol (EMB)) resistance and multidrug resistance rates were investigated. using the BACTEC 460 TB system. Results: 134 pulmonary tuberculosis patients producing Mycobacterium tuberculosis were detected and 31 female patients were found and 103 male patients . Acid resistant bacilli were found in 58.2% of the patients with EZN. Antituberculosis resistance rates were established as H 10.4%, R 3%, EMB 0.7%, SM 0.7%. Conclusion: It was determined that a follow up of drug resistance patterns in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis will be useful in determining treatment protocols and preventing drug resistance. (Tur Toraks Der 2011; 12: 111-3)