Sukru Yildirim

Kikuchi–Fujimoto Disease: analysis of 244 cases

Kikuchi–Fujimoto Disease (KFD) was first described in Japan in 1972. The disease frequently mimics tuberculous lymphadenitis, malign lymphoma, and many other benign and malignant conditions. To our knowledge, there is no previous study comparing the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients from different geographical parts of the world. We searched literature records beginning from 1991 and analyzed epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data of 244 patients (including cases diagnosed in our institution) reported in 181 publications. Of the 244 cases, 33% were male and 77% were female. Mean age was 25 (1–64) and 70% was younger than 30. Most of the cases were reported from Taiwan (36%), USA (6.6%), and Spain (6.3%). Fever (35%), fatigue (7%) and joint pain (7%) were the most frequent symptoms, while lymphadenomegaly (100%), erythematous rashes (10%), arthritis (5%), hepatosplenomegaly (3%), leucopenia (43%), high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (40%), and anemia (23%) being the most common findings. KFD was associated with SLE (32 cases), non-infectious inflammatory diseases (24 cases), and viral infections (17 cases). SLE was more frequent in cases from Asia than Europe (28 and 9%, respectively). The disease was self-limiting in 156 (64%) and corticosteroid treatment was necessary in 16 (16%) of the cases. The mortality rate was 2.1%. Early diagnosis is crucial as the clinical and laboratory presentation generally imitates situations needing lengthy and costly diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Additionally, association with SLE needs further investigation.

COLOR: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Laparoscopic and Open Resection for Colon Cancer

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has proven to be safe and effective. However, the value of laparoscopic resection for malignancy in terms of cancer outcome can only be assessed by large prospective randomized clinical trials with sufficient follow-up. Methods: COLOR (COlon carcinoma Laparoscopic or Open Resection) is a European multicenter randomized trial which has started in September 1997. In 24 hospitals in Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, 1,200 patients will be included. The primary end point of the study is cancer-free survival after 3 years. Results: Within <2 years, more than 540 patients have been randomized for right hemicolectomy (45%), left hemicolectomy (10%) and sigmoidectomy (45%). 33 patients (6%) were excluded after randomization. The accrual rate is approximately 25 patients/month. Current survival rates for the whole study group are: stage I: 95%, stage II: 98%, stage III: 93%, stage IV: 64%. For all patients with stage I disease, the mortality was not cancer related. Conclusions: Although laparoscopic surgery appears of value in colorectal malignancy, results of randomized trials have to be awaited to determine the definitive place of laparoscopy in colorectal cancer. Considering the current accrual rate, the COLOR study will be completed in 2002.

Angiogenesis predicts poor prognosis in gastric carcinoma.

Background/Aims: New prognostic factors in gastric carcinoma to determine the prognosis of the disease or to identify patients who will benefit from adjuvant therapy are being researched. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between microvessel count (MVC) and various clinicopathologic features in gastric carcinoma in order to evaluate the role of angiogenesis on the prognosis of gastric cancer. Methods: Fifty-seven patients who underwent surgical intervention for gastric carcinoma between 1993 and 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. The relationship between MVC and various clinicopathological features was assessed. The effect of angiogenesis on overall survival and the role of MVC and other prognostic factors on distant metastases were assessed by multivariate analysis. Microvessels were outlined by anti-factor VIII, which is a specific monoclonal antibody to factor VIII in vessel endothelial cells, using the streptavidin-biotin method and counted under light microscopy ×200 magnification. Results: There was no correlation between MVC and age or sex of the patient, duration of symptoms or tumor size. Proximally located, undifferentiated, diffuse type, serosal invasion positive, lymph node invasion positive, advanced stage, or distantly metastasized tumors had higher MVCs. Higher MVCs affected the overall survival adversely. Lymph node metastasis, serosal invasion and MVC were found as independent prognostic factors affecting distant metastases. MVC was the sole factor affecting recurrent liver metastasis. Conclusion: It is concluded that MVC in gastric carcinoma may be a valuable prognostic factor to predict patients at high-risk for possible recurrences and to decide on postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Effect of N-acetyl cysteine on Helicobacter pylori.

Background: Use of mucolytic agents that result in reduced mucous viscosity of the gastric mucous has been suggested to have an additive effect in curing Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: Seventy H pylori–positive patients were given either eradication treatment consisting of 500 mg clarithromycin bid and 30 mg lansoprazole bid for 10 days plus 10 mL (400 mg) N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) liquid tid (AC group) or eradication treatment only (control group). The results were compared 1 month after the completion of the treatment. Results: Fifty-eight patients were available for statistical analysis. Of the 28 patients in the AC group, 14 (50.0%) eradicated the infection after treatment, whereas only 7 of 30 (23.3%) patients in the control group had negative results. The difference between the AC group and the control group was statistically significant (P = 0.034). In both groups, there was no difference in the number of smokers and in the eradication rates between smokers and nonsmokers. Eradication treatment with or without NAC caused no significant side effects in either group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that NAC has an additive effect on the eradication rates of H pylori obtained with dual therapy with lansoprazole and clarithromycin. NAC does not have any known activity against H pylori, but it may improve the delivery of antibiotics at the site of infection due to its ability to reduce the thickness of the mucus.

Effects of topical application of mitomycin-C and 5-fluorouracil on myringotomy in rats.

OBJECTIVE The effects of topical application of Mitomycin-C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for maintaining myringotomy patency were investigated in this experimental study. STUDY DESIGN We performed simple myringotomy with a knife on 140 tympanic membranes of 70 rats. Rats were divided in two study groups and a control group. Each study group had 60 tympanic membranes, and the control group had 20. We applied Mitomycin-C (0.4 mg/ml) in Group A, 5-fluorouracil (50 mg/ml) in Group B topically, and sterile saline in the control group for 10 minutes. Examination was made with otoendoscope on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70, and patency rates were recorded. RESULTS MMC and 5-FU Groups remained open for a mean of 46.17 days and 14.62 days, respectively. The control ears healed within 10.4 days. Fibrosis of the MMC-treated group was the same as that of 5-FU-treated groups. Fibrosis of both study groups was significantly lower than that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS MMC is more effective than 5-FU, which is more effective than the simple myringotomy procedure in extending the patency of myringotomies in rat tympanic membranes (p < 0.05). Both medications are useful as an adjunct in preventing myringotomy closure.

Does N-acetyl cystein affect the sensitivity and specificity of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test?

Background. N‐acetyl cystein, a mucolytic agent, might make Helicobacter pylori antigens shed more easily to stool, and might therefore contribute to the diagnostic accuracy of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test. The aim of this study is to investigate if N‐acetyl cystein contributes to the diagnostic accuracy of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test by increasing the sensitivity and specificity of the test.

The effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on gastric juice and blood ammonia concentrations and on visual evoked potentials in cirrhotics.

The primary source of ammonia is the gut. Ammonia can also be generated by the urease activity of Helicobacter pylori in the gastric mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of H. pylori eradication on blood and gastric juice ammonia levels and on visual evoked potential (VEP) recordings in cirrhotic patients.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the delay procedure.

Background: This study evaluates the possibility of enhancing the beneficial effect of the delay procedure by using hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and the possibility of lessening the time required for maximal effect of delay procedure. Methods: Eight male Wistar rats were used in each of 10 groups. The surgical delay method was applied to the caudally based dorsal rat flap by incising the longitudinal borders and undermining the flap. In the first five groups, 3-, 7-, 10-, 14-, and 21-day delay periods were applied, and in the other five groups, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was applied during the delay periods. Blood circulation was measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter, and flap survival lengths were recorded. Histological analysis for vascular counting and determining vascular areas and microangiographic analysis for monitoring vascular status were performed. Results: In addition to the flap viabilities being increased, the maximum effect of the delay procedure could be achieved earlier with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Blood circulation in the flaps, vascular counts, and vascular areas were increased by applying hyperbaric oxygen during the delay period. Microangiographic results confirmed the beneficial effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Conclusions: Hyperbaric oxygen treatment during the delay period can lessen the time period needed for the delay procedure and increase the effect of the delay itself.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the adverse effects of octreotide on wound healing.

Objective Octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue, has been used in the treatment of various disorders. Octreotide has significant detrimental impacts upon wound healing. We tested the hypothesis that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may overcome octreotide-mediated suppression of wound healing. Design Prospective, randomised, parallel-group animal study. Methods Operated rats were divided into four groups: (1) controls, (2) octreotide therapy, (3) hyperbaric oxygen therapy and (4) combination of octreotide and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Wound healing was assessed by breaking-strength measurements, hydroxyproline levels and fibrosis scores. Results Octreotide decreased the breaking-strength measurements, hydroxyproline levels and fibrosis scores to 72%, 88% and 55%, respectively, of the control group. In the combination group, hyperbaric oxygen therapy increased breaking-strength measurements and hydroxyproline levels to 137% and 126%, respectively, of the control group. In the combination group, hyperbaric oxygen therapy tended to increase the fibrosis scores to 111% of the control group, but without statistical significance. Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen therapy tends to reverse the octreotide-induced impairment of wound healing.

Helicobacter pylori isolation, serology and cagA, cagE and virB11 detection in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia from Turkey: Correlation with histopathologic findings

Colonization with Helicobacter pylori (HP) may have major clinical consequences and HP virulence factors are associated with more severe gastroduodenal pathologies. In this study, prevalence of HP in patients with Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia (NUD) was determined by rapid urease test and culture and correlations of histopathologic changes with bacterial virulence factors and serologic profiles were investigated. Gastric biopsies from sixty-nine patients admitted to Haydarpasa Training Hospital Department of Gastroenterology were evaluated for rapid urease, HP isolation and examined histopathologically. PCR was employed for HP confirmation and detection of HP cagA, cagE and virB11 genes. For each patient, IgG and IgA antibodies and anti-cagA antibodies were also determined by ELISA tests. HP was isolated and confirmed by PCR in 74% (51/69) of the patients. Anti-HP IgG and IgA were detected in 96% (49/51) and 53% (27/51), respectively. Anti-cagA were present in 51% (26/51). cagA, cagE and virB11 were positive in 56.8% (29/51), 60.7% (31/51) and 58.8% (30/51) of the patients, respectively. Statistically significant correlation was observed between cagA PCR and inflammation/activity scores. Detection of cagA by molecular assays can be an alternative test that can be employed for individual patient assessment.