Browsing by Author "Oksel, F"
Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Environmental exposure to cadmium and lead in the pediatric age groupOnag, A; Oksel, F; Taneli, B; Hakerlerler, HLead additives in automotive fuel, smog from a nearby industrial center warranted an investigation on cadmium and lead in Manisa, a city of tabacco processing. Hundred and one children were screened in view of lead and cadmium exposure. In 23 children between the ages of 0-2 years the mean (+/-SEM) serum lead level was 7.15 +/- 0.10 mu g/dl, in 28 between the ages of 3-6 years was 7.20 +/- 0.10 mu g/dl and in 50 between the ages of 7-15 years was 7.20 +/- 0.10 mu g/dl, respectively, with no significant differences. Serum cadmium levels in the same groups of children was 0.066 +/- 0.008 ng/ml, 0.078 +/- 0.008 ng/ml 0.088 +/- 0.006 ng/ml, respectively. The difference in cadmium levels between the age groups of 0-2 years and 7-15 years was significant (p<0.038). This significant increase in blood cadmium level is also shown by simple linear regression analysis: Cadmium (ng/ml) = 0.049 + 0.005 (age), and p<0.0001, F Ratio = 50.578, coefficient of correlation = 0.581. Our study revealed that lead is not a serious environmental contaminant for children, yet; however, the increasing trend seen in exposure to cadmium warrants serious consideration and urgant preventive measures.Item Zinc-deficient sprouting blight potatoes and their possible relation with neural tube defectsUlman, C; Taneli, F; Oksel, F; Hakerlerler, HMaternal nutritional zinc deficiency is blamed in the pathogenesis of neural tube defects. In animal and plant domains zinc is required for growth and development. The objective of the present study was to show that sprouting blighted potato tuber is zinc deficient. In five potato varieties, zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in wet-ashed paired slices of edible potato tuber and in its peel, in blighted potato tuber and in its sprout. Zinc contents were measured as the mean (+/- SEM) and the following values were found, 0.388 +/- 0.036,0.623 +/- 0.059,0.550 +/- 0.030 and 1.089 +/- 0.181 mg per 100 g wet weight, respectively. In conclusion, we believe that long-term consumption of zinc-depleted, blight potato tuber by pregnant woman could be potentially teratogenic with the consequent birth of a baby with neural tube defects. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.Item Corneal Hysteresis, Corneal Resistance Factor, and Intraocular Pressure Measurement in Patients with Scleroderma Using the Reichert Ocular Response AnalyzerEmre, S; Kayikçioglu, Ö; Ates, H; Çinar, E; Inceoglu, N; Yargucu, F; Pirildar, T; Oksel, FPurpose: The Reichert ocular response analyzer (ORA) measures corneal biomechanical properties in vivo by monitoring and analyzing the corneal behavior when its structure is submitted to a force induced by an air jet. This study was designed to examine corneal biomechanical properties and intraocular pressure in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to compare with control eyes. Patients and Methods: ORA measurements were performed on the right eyes of 29 patients with SSc (group 1) and 29 healthy people who served as the control group (group 2). Corneal hysteresis, conical resistance factor (CRF), and intraocular pressure [Goldmann correlated (IOPg) and conical compensated] were recorded with ORA. Results: Mean age of patients with SSc and control groups were 51.7 +/- 11.1 and 50.3 +/- 10.8 years, respectively. Mean (+/- SD) of the corneal hysteresis and CRF readings were 9.8 +/- 1.7 versus 9.5 +/- 1.2 mm Hg (P>0.05) and 10.0 +/- 1.5 versus 9.2 +/- 1.4 mm Hg (P<0.05), in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean (+/- SD) of the IOPg and intraocular pressure corneal-compensated recordings were 15.9 +/- 2.5 versus 14.1 +/- 2.4 mm Hg (P<0.05) and 16.9 +/- 3.2 versus 15.6 +/- 2.9 mm Hg (P>0.05), in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences for CRF and IOPg between the study groups. Conclusions: The mean CRF and IOPg values of patients with SSc were higher when compared with normal controls. According to the results of our study, one can conclude that corneal biomechanical properties would be changed in patients with SSc and this can be determined by CRF.Item Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials in different reproductive stages of femalesYilmaz, H; Mavioglu, H; Erkin, EF; Oksel, F; Lacin, SEstrogens increase after puberty and remain at high levels in the reproductive period and decrease with menopause. These changes occuring in the level of estrogens affect dopamine metabolism indirectly by causing changes in cathecholamine sensitivity of the brain. To assess the role of estrogens on the formation of pattern reversal evoked potentials (PRVEPs), three groups of patients were considered: prepubertal group, reproductive age group and postmenopausal group. PRVEPs of all subjects were recorded. Mean latency was shortest in the reproductive age. While no statistical difference was present between the mean latencies of prepubertal and the reproductive period groups, the mean latencies of both of these groups were statistically significantly shorter than that of the postmenopausal group(p<0.005).Item Platelet-activating factor and P-selectin activities in thrombotic and nonthrombotic Behcet's patientsTunc, SE; Aksu, K; Keser, G; Oksel, F; Doganavsargil, E; Pirildar, T; Turk, T; Terzioglu, E; Huseyinov, AObjective: The aim of this study was to compare plasma Platelet-activating factor (PAF) and P-selectin (CD62P) activities in Behcet's disease patients with and without thrombosis. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, 30 consecutive Behcet's patients were included, 15 of them with venous thrombosis. All patients were also divided into two subgroups according to the presence or absence of clinical activity. Plasma PAF levels, basal and Ca++ ionophore (A23187)-induced leukocyte (cellular) PAF activities, and platelet-rich plasma Delta CD62P activity (the mean fluorescent density difference between CD62P phycoerythrin-positive and -negative stains) were evaluated. Results: In the thrombotic group, plasma PAF (P=0.001), basal leukocyte PAF (P=0.017), induced leukocyte PAF (P=0.024), and Delta CD62P (P=0.023) levels were significantly higher than in the nonthrombotic group. In the whole group of Behcet's patients, there was a positive correlation between plasma PAF and Delta CD62P levels (r=0.533, P=0.002). When we compared clinically active and inactive patients with respect to the above parameters, there was no significant difference, irrespective of thrombosis. Plasma PAF (P=0.001), basal leukocyte PAF (P=0.004), and Delta CD62P (P=0.038) levels were significantly higher in the presence of both clinical activity and thrombosis than of clinical activity alone. Conclusion: Platelet-activating factor and CD62P may contribute to endothelial injury and thrombosis development in Behcet's disease. These two parameters seem related to the presence of thrombosis rather than clinical activity.Item THE COST OF CARE OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS PATIENTS IN TERTIARY CARE RHEUMATOLOGY UNITS IN TURKEYMalhan, S; Pay, S; Ataman, S; Dalkilic, E; Dinc, A; Erken, E; Ertenli, I; Ertugrul, E; Gogus, F; Hamuryudan, V; Inanc, M; Karaaslan, Y; Karadag, O; Karakoc, Y; Keskin, G; Kisacik, B; Kiraz, S; Oksel, F; Oksuz, E; Parildar, T; Sari, I; Soy, M; Senturk, T; Taylan, AItem The cost of care of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients in tertiary care rheumatology units in TurkeyMalhan, S; Pay, S; Ataman, S; Dalkilic, E; Dinc, A; Erken, E; Ertenli, I; Ertugrul, E; Gogus, F; Hamuryudan, V; Inanc, M; Karaaslan, Y; Karadag, O; Karakoc, Y; Keskin, G; Kisacik, B; Kiraz, S; Oksel, F; Oksuz, E; Pirildar, T; Sari, I; Soy, M; Senturk, T; Taylan, AObjectives To determine the direct and indirect costs due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in Turkey. Methods An expert panel was convened to estimate the direct and indirect costs of care of patients with RA and AS in Turkey. The panel was composed of 22 experts chosen from all national tertiary care rheumatology units (n=53). To calculate direct costs, the medical management of RA and AS patients was estimated using cost-of-illness methodology. To measure indirect costs, the number of days of sick leave, the extent of disability, and the levels of early retirement and early death were also evaluated. Lost productivity costs were calculated using the human capital approach, based on the minimum wage. Results The total annual direct costs were 2,917.03 Euros per RA patient and 3,565.9 Euros for each AS patient. The direct costs were thus substantial, but the indirect costs were much higher because of extensive morbidity and mortality rates. The total annual indirect costs were 7,058.99 Euros per RA patient and 6,989.81 for each AS patient. Thus, the total cost for each RA patient was 9,976.01 Euros and that for an AS patient 10,555.72 Euros, in Turkey. Conclusion From the societal perspective, both RA and AS have become burden in Turkey. The cost of lost productivity is higher than the medical cost. Another important conclusion is that indirect costs constitute 70% and 66% of total costs in patients with RA and AS, respectively.