Browsing by Author "Mete N."

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    Sensitization to cat allergens in non-cat owner patients with respiratory allergy
    (American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 2003) Gulbahar O.; Sin A.; Mete N.; Kokuludag A.; Kirmaz C.; Sebik F.
    Background: Cats represent one of the most important sources of indoor allergens. The sensitization rate can reach up to 60% in western countries. Keeping cats indoors is uncommon in big cities in Turkey, but cats living in the streets are common. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of sensitization to cats in patients with respiratory allergy from Izmir, Turkey, and its relationship to home cat allergen levels. Methods: A total of 387 patients (70.8% female; mean age, 34.3 years) with respiratory allergic diseases (rhinitis and/or asthma) were included in this study. Skin prick test to cat was performed. House dust samples were collected from the living room of 25 patients and 14 healthy subjects. The major cat allergen (Fel d 1) levels were measured by Dustscreen. Fel d 1 levels given by the manufacturer were as follows: 0.05, 0.13, 0.40, 1.1, and 6.2 mU/mL. Results: The prevalence of cat sensitivity was 44.7% (n = 173). Only 6 patients (1.6%) had a history of feeding a cat in their houses. Thirty-six (92%) of 39 houses had detectable levels of cat allergen (mean Fel d 1 level, 2.24 ± 2.69 mU/mL). The mean Fel d 1 levels were 1.58 ± 2.51 mU/mL in the healthy group, 1.91 ± 2.61 mU/mL in the asthmatic group, and 3.26 ± 2.85 mU/mL in the group with allergic rhinitis (P = 0.12). The prevalence of cat sensitivity in patients who had 1.1 mU/mL of Fel d 1 in their homes was 57.1%. This rate was five times lower (11.1%) in patients who had the highest Fel d 1 level (6.2 mU/mL) in their homes. Conclusions: The prevalence of cat sensitivity in Izmir, where cats are generally not kept within homes, is as high as in western countries. The sampled houses have measurable levels of Fel d 1 even in the absence of indoor cats. High prevalence of cat sensitivity in Izmir is probably due to indirect exposure.
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    Is the menstrual cycle affecting the skin prick test reactivity?
    (2004) Kirmaz C.; Yuksel H.; Mete N.; Bayrak P.; Baytur Y.B.
    Allergen skin prick tests (SPT) are very sensitive and specific tests to detect allergic sensitization in atopic patients. Certain factors like antihistamines, antidepressant therapies or circadian rhythms can alter the results of SPT. In women, the changes in endogenous hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle may affect the allergic responses and natural course of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the probable influence of the phases of the menstrual cycle on SPT reactivity to allergen extracts and histamine. Forty-two female patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were enrolled in the study. Skin prick test reactivities to allergens and histamine were measured at the beginning of the menstrual cycle (3rd or 4th day), mid-cycle (14th or 15th day) and end-cycle (27th or 28th day) consecutively. Serum estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were determined simultaneously. We observed the most significant reactions to allergens when SPT is performed at mid-cycle. However, SPT reactivity to histamine did not vary throughout the menstrual cycle. Serum estradiol and LH levels showed positive correlation with SPT reactivity to allergens at mid-cycle. Our results suggest that SPT give the best results when they are performed at mid-cycle. Additionally, allergens seem to cause mast cell degranulation to a greater extent in subjects in which endogenous hormones like estradiol and LH are elevated.
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    A multicenter nationwide reference intervals study for common biochemical analytes in Turkey using Abbott analyzers
    (Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2014) Ozarda Y.; Ichihara K.; Aslan D.; Aybek H.; Ari Z.; Taneli F.; Coker C.; Akan P.; Sisman A.R.; Bahceci O.; Sezgin N.; Demir M.; Yucel G.; Akbas H.; Ozdem S.; Polat G.; Erbagci A.B.; Orkmez M.; Mete N.; Evliyaoglu O.; Kiyici A.; Vatansev H.; Ozturk B.; Yucel D.; Kayaalp D.; Dogan K.; Pinar A.; Gurbilek M.; Cetinkaya C.D.; Akin O.; Serdar M.; Kurt I.; Erdinc S.; Kadicesme O.; Ilhan N.; Atali D.S.; Bakan E.; Polat H.; Noyan T.; Can M.; Bedir A.; Okuyucu A.; Deger O.; Agac S.; Ademoglu E.; Kaya A.; Nogay T.; Eren N.; Dirican M.; Tuncer G.; Aykus M.; Gunes Y.; Ozmen S.U.; Kawano R.; Tezcan S.; Demirpence O.; Degirmen E.
    Background: A nationwide multicenter study was organized to establish reference intervals (RIs) in the Turkish population for 25 commonly tested biochemical analytes and to explore sources of variation in reference values, including regionality. Methods: Blood samples were collected nationwide in 28 laboratories from the seven regions (≥400 samples/region, 3066 in all). The sera were collectively analyzed in Uludag University in Bursa using Abbott reagents and analyzer. Reference materials were used for standardization of test results. After secondary exclusion using the latent abnormal values exclusion method, RIs were derived by a parametric method employing the modified Box-Cox formula and compared with the RIs by the non-parametric method. Three-level nested ANOVA was used to evaluate variations among sexes, ages and regions. Associations between test results and age, body mass index (BMI) and region were determined by multiple regression analysis (MRA). Results: By ANOVA, differences of reference values among seven regions were significant in none of the 25 analytes. Significant sex-related and age-related differences were observed for 10 and seven analytes, respectively. MRA revealed BMI-related changes in results for uric acid, glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyltransferase. Their RIs were thus derived by applying stricter criteria excluding individuals with BMI >28 kg/m2. Ranges of RIs by non-parametric method were wider than those by parametric method especially for those analytes affected by BMI. Conclusions: With the lack of regional differences and the well-standardized status of test results, the RIs derived from this nationwide study can be used for the entire Turkish population. © by De Gruyter 2014.
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    A nationwide multicentre study in Turkey for establishing reference intervals of haematological parameters with novel use of a panel of whole blood
    (Biochemia Medica, Editorial Office, 2017) Ozarda Y.; Ichihara K.; Bakan E.; Polat H.; Ozturk N.; Baygutalp N.K.; Taneli F.; Guvenc Y.; Ormen M.; Erbayraktar Z.; Aksoy N.; Sezen H.; Demir M.; Eskandari G.; Polat G.; Mete N.; Yuksel H.; Vatansev H.; Gun F.; Akin O.; Ceylan O.; Noyan T.; Gozlukaya O.; Aliyazicioglu Y.; Kahraman S.; Dirican M.; Tuncer G.O.; Kimura S.; Eker P.
    Introduction: A nationwide multicentre study was conducted to establish well-defined reference intervals (RIs) of haematological parameters for the Turkish population in consideration of sources of variation in reference values (RVs). Materials and methods: K2-EDTA whole blood samples (total of 3363) were collected from 12 laboratories. Sera were also collected for measurements of iron, UIBC, TIBC, and ferritin for use in the latent abnormal values exclusion (LAVE) method. The blood samples were analysed within 2 hours in each laboratory using Cell Dyn and Ruby (Abbott), LH780 (Beckman Coulter), or XT-2000i (Sysmex). A panel of freshly prepared blood from 40 healthy volunteers was measured in common to assess any analyser-dependent bias in the measurements. The SD ratio (SDR) based on ANOVA was used to judge the need for partitioning RVs. RIs were computed by the parametric method with/without applying the LAVE method. Results: Analyser-dependent bias was found for basophils (Bas), MCHC, RDW and MPV from the panel test results and thus those RIs were derived for each manufacturer. RIs were determined from all volunteers’ results for WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, MCV, MCH and platelets. Gender-specific RIs were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, iron, UIBC and ferritin. Region-specific RIs were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, UIBC, and TIBC. Conclusions: With the novel use of a freshly prepared blood panel, manufacturer-specific RIs’ were derived for Bas, Bas%, MCHC, RDW and MPV. Regional differences in RIs were observed among the 7 regions of Turkey, which may be attributed to nutritional or environmental factors, including altitude. © by Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.