BACKGROUND: COPD is characterized by chronic air-flow limitation. Smoking is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of COPD. Smoking is associated with increased oxidative stress in the lungs. In this study our aim was to evaluate the differences in the burden of oxidative stress in patients with COPD, smokers, and non-smokers by measuring hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-isoprostane levels in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples. METHODS: Eighty subjects were included in the study. Group I (no. ‫؍‬ 25) had COPD, Group II (no. ‫؍‬ 26) was smokers, and Group III (no. ‫؍‬ 29) was nonsmokers. The severity of the COPD and dyspnea was assessed according to the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 58 ؎ 8.9 years. While 8-isoprostane and H 2 O 2 levels were significantly higher in subjects with COPD (44.8 ؎ 40.2 pg/mL and 1.9 ؎ 0.8 mol/L) and smokers (41.3 ؎ 26 pg/mL and 1.7 ؎ 0.7 mol/L) than non-smokers (15.8 ؎ 6.9 pg/mL and 0.8 ؎ 0.4 mol/L), levels were similar between smokers and COPD subjects. MDA levels were similar between the 3 groups (P ‫؍‬ .31). There was no correlation between 8-isoprostane and H 2 O 2 levels and PFT parameters. There was a significant positive correlation between dyspnea grade on the MRC scale and 8-isoprostane levels (r ‫؍‬ 0.805, P < .001). CON-CLUSIONS: Even if respiratory function tests are within normal limits, oxidant burden in lungs of smokers is equivalent to that in COPD patients. 8-isoprostane could be useful in assessing symptom severity and health status of COPD patients.

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In nasal septal surgery, fixing the caudal portion of the nasal septum to the anterior nasal spine is difficult with the present techniques. N-2-butyl cyanoacrylate is a form of cyanoacrylate which is bioabsorbable and biocompatible. The feasibility and efficacy of the compound, which is easy to apply to the tissues, for the above purpose is investigated in this experimental study. Fourteen New Zealand rabbits were included in the study. The nasal septum was exposed with the open approach (transcolumellar). In the study group (n=10), the septum was detached from the nasal floor and attached to a point 3 mm lateral to the nasal spine on the right side, using 2-butyl cyanoacrylate. In control group (n=4) it was deviated 3 mm to the right side and left for spontaneous healing without using any fixation method. Beginning on the third postoperative week, one animal was sacrificed under general anesthesia, every week in the study group and every third week in the control group, and the septum was analysed. Foreign body reaction, histotoxicity, and the structure of the regenerative tissue in the junction of bone and cartilage were analysed with histopathology. The success of stabilization in the study group, where the septum was attached with N-2-butyl cyanoacrylate, was significantly superior to the control group where no fixation method was used (P<0.05). Histopathologically, there were no differences between the two groups with respect to foreign body reaction, histotoxicity, and the tissue that formed between the bone and cartilage (P>0.05). This study demonstrated that N-2-Butyl cyanoacrylate was successful in the fixation of the caudal edge of the nasal septum to the anterior nasal spine. No serious infections, foreign body reaction, necrosis or histotoxicity were observed.

AIMTo determine the laboratory and radiologic parameters, including the platelet count (PC)-to-spleen diameter (SD) ratio as a non-invasive marker that may predict the presence of esophageal varices (EV) in children with cirrhosis.METHODSEighty-nine patients with cirrhosis, but without a history of variceal bleeding were prospectively included. The children were grouped into 6-12 and 12-18 years of age groups. These groups were also divided into 2 sub-groups (presence and absence of EV). All of the patients underwent a complete biochemical and radiologic evaluation. The PC (n/mm3)-to-SD (mm) ratio was calculated for each patient.RESULTSSixty-nine of 98 (70.4%) patients had EV. The presence of ascites in all age groups was significantly associated with the presence of EV. There were no differences in serum albumin levels, PC, SD and the PC-to-SD ratio between the presence and absence of EV groups in both age groups (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONLaboratory and radiologic parameters, including the PC-to-SD ratio as a non-invasive marker (except for the presence of ascites), was inappropriate for detecting EV in children with cirrhosis.

LTD₄, but not LTE₄, concentrations in EBC were higher in asthmatic smokers than asthmatic nonsmokers. LTE₄ concentrations in EBC were higher in asthmatics than healthy non-smokers. In smoking asthmatics usage of agents that block the effects of LTD₄ can be beneficial; however, new clinical studies are required.

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GirişRotaviruslar, Reoviridae ailesinden çift sarmallı, parçalı RNA içeren, dünyanın her tarafında yenidoğan gastroenteritlerinin en önemli etkeni olarak bilinen viruslardır. İnsan gastroenteritleriyle ilişkili olan viruslar genel olarak grup A rotavirus olarak sınıflandırılırlar. AbstractObjective: This study aims at evaluating the distribution of antigen positivity and retrospective correlation with demographic data in stool specimens which were sent to the laboratory for rotavirus antigen testing from patients with gastroenteritis between January 2006 and December 2009. Methods: Group A virus antigen was examined with the immunochromatographic test (RIDA Quick Rotavirus, R-Biopharm, Germany) in stool specimens according to the recommendations of the manufacturer. Results: Ages of the 302 patients were between 0-14 years and the average age was 3.4 years. Rotavirus antigen was most frequently found in 0-2 age groups (n=163, 54%). Of 302 patients tested, 134 (44%) were female and 168 (56%) were male. Request for rotavirus screening was highest in winter, especially in December. Of 302 stool samples, 75 (25%) were identified as positive for rotavirus antigen. Conclusions:The results of our retrospective study show that rotavirus, which is the most common cause of childhood diarrhea, should be examined in all the stages of childhood. Furthermore, rotavirus data from Istanbul, a socioeconomically improved metropol, are similar to the data of the other regions of Turkey.