Browsing by Author "Mercan, R."

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Does Hepatitis C Virus Infection Increase Hematocrit and Hemoglobin Levels in Hemodialyzed Patients
(Dustri-Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle, 2003) Sahin, I.; Arabaci, F.; Sahin, H.A.; Ilhan, M.; Ustun, Y.; Mercan, R.; Eminov, L.
Objective: Some case reports indicated that red cell status increased after hepatitis C viral infection. The aim of study was to define the influence of hepatitis C infection (HCV) on red cell status in hemodialyzed patients. Materials and methods: A total of 49 (21 anti-HCV-positive and 28 anti-HCV-negative) patients with ESRD were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were blood transfusion and massive blood loss in the last 6 months preceding the study. None of the patients used any drug containing aluminum. Results: The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was 42.8%. Mean age was 51.6 ± 14.3 in anti-HCV (+) group and 50.4 ± 17.0 in anti-HCV (-) group. There was no statistically significant difference between the ages of the 2 groups. Mean duration time of hemodialysis was significantly longer in patients with anti-HCV antibody (+) group (54.9 ± 34.2 months) compared to anti-HCV-negative group (12.5 ± 9.0 months) (p < 0.001). Mean hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Htc) levels were significantly higher in anti-HCV-positive patients than in anti-HCV-negative patients (Hb: 10.4 ± 1.8 g/dl, Htc: 30.5 ± 5.5% vs Hb: 8.8 ± 1.7 g/dl, Htc: 26.1 ± 5.3%) (for Hb p < 0.005, for Htc p < 0.007). There was no significant difference regarding the usage of rHuEPO between the 2 study groups (57.1% in anti-HCV antibody (+)/59.3% in anti-HCV antibody (-)) (p > 0.05). All patients not receiving rHuEPO did so because of economical reasons. Serum AST and ALT levels were significantly higher in the anti-HCV antibody-positive group compared with the anti-HCV antibody-negative group. (AST p < 0.04, ALT p < 0.04). Conclusion: Anti-HCV antibody-positive ESRD patients have higher hemoglobin and hematocrit levels compared to HCV-negative patients.
The Effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Alone and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Plus Low-Dose Acetylsalicylic Acid on Radiolucent Gallstones
(2003) Tuncer, I.; Harman, M.; Mercan, R.; Öztürk, M.; Arslan, I.; Meral, C.; Türkdoǧan, M.K.
Background/aims: Mucin, a high molecular weight glycoprotein secreted by the gallbladder and biliary duct epithelium, is a pronucleating agent in experimental and human gallstone disease. Blockage of mucin release with aspirin inhibits the formation of primary gallstones in animal models. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid alone and plus low-dose aspirin on dissolution of solitary or multiple gallstones. Methods: There were three treatment groups comprising 43 patients with cholesterol gallstones: Group I (n=16, 13 females, three males) was givenursodeoxycholic acid (15 mg. kg. day) alone and Group II (n=14, 12 females, two males) was treated with aspirin (100 mg/day) in addition to ursodeoxycholic acid cholic. Group III was a control group of 13 cases (11 females, two males) who were monitored without medical treatment. Stone dissolution rates were evaluated sonographically in all patients at three month intervals during the treatment period. Results: After 12 months of treatment, stone dissolution was found in six (37.5%) of the patients in Group I and six (42.8%) of the patients in Group II. The difference in both treatment groups was significant compared to controls (p<0.05) but there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups (p>0.05). Of the cases in whom dissolution was achieved, all patients had multiple gallstones except for one with a solitary stone in Group I. Gallstones were not dissolved of any subject of group III. Conclusions: The results showed that ursodeoxycholic acid cholic therapy is more effective in the dissolution of multiple gallstones than of solitary ones. Combination with aspirin did not potentiate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid cholic.
Male Breast Cancer (Case Report)
(2003) Alici, S.; Kösem, M.; Çalka, Ö.; Kotan, Ç.; Mercan, R.
In this report, a 65 year-old man diagnosed as breast cancer with lung metastasis is presented. The patient was misdiagnosed as infection many times for the previous 4 years. Although breast cancer is rare in males, the importance of biopsy and histopathologic examination in nonhealed infiltrative skin lesions of male breast, is emphasized.
Raynaud's Phenomenon in Healthy Population Who Admitted To the Hospital in Van Region, Turkey
(2003) Şahin, I.; Onbaşi, K.T.; Onbaşi, O.; Üstün, Y.; Mercan, R.; Şahin, H.A.; Görpelioǧlu, S.
Raynaud's phenomenon is a vasospastic disease and is characterized with ischemia of the digits, nose and ears. The vasospasm can be triggered by cold weather, cold water or emotional stress and is followed by triphasic color changes. First white color (ischemia), than blue color (congestion and cyanosis) and at last red color change (reactive hyperemia) can be observed. The prevalence is reported between 0,5 to 20 percent in different studies and is dependent on genetic, occupational, and environmental factors. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of RP in a eastern part of Turkey among healthy subjects. A total of 251 people were included to the study. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2000 and July 2000 at the University Hospital and at the State Hospital in Van, Turkey. The participants were interviewed and examined to diagnose RP and a questionnaire and color charts were used. A total of 251 (134 women (53.4%), 117 men (46.6%)) subjects participated in this study. The overall mean age was 28.93±11.15. Definite RP was detected in 10 subjects according to at least two color changes (3.98%). They consisted of 6 women and 4 men. Mean age was 23.5±5.38. Four patients responded positively two color changes and six patients for three color changes. All patients who had symptoms had told their symptoms appeared in both hands. Probable RP was diagnosed in 20 patients with only one color change (7.96%). Mean age was 27.05±11.01 in probable RP group. Only 11 of 30 patients applied to any medical unit for RP (36.6%). The prevalence of RF was less found than literature perhaps it can be said that there is a strong influence of the climate in comparison to other contributing factors.
Tissue Transglutaminase Expression in Duodenal Mucosa of Patients With Celiac Disease and of Normal Subjects
(2003) Tuncer, I.; Bayram, I.; Kaba, I.; Mercan, R.; Uǧraş, S.
Background/aims: Our aim in the present study was to investigate tissue transglutaminase expression by immunohistochemistry in duodenal mucosa of patients with celiac disease. Methods: A total of twelve patients with celiac disease were examined. The patients had different clinical and histopathologic degrees of severity and responded to gluten withdrawal with clinical improvement. Ten subjects with various unrelated diseases served as controls. Serum endomysium antibodies were measured by an indirect immunofluorescence method using a commercial kit. Duodenal biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemical staining for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies was performed using commercial kit. Results: Serum endomysium antibodies and evaluation of small bowel biopsy specimens were normal in all control subjects. However, serum endomysium antibodies were positive in all of the celiac patients. Immunohistochemical staining pattern of duodenal biopsy specimen performed using anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies was similar in celiac patients and control subjects. Conclusion: Tissue transglutaminase expression by immunohistochemical methods in untreated celiac mucosa is not suitable for diagnosis of celiac disease.