Evaluation of airway responsiveness and pulmonary function test results among obese and non-obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: In this research, we aimed to elucidate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and obesity on pulmonary volumes and bronchial hyperreactivity, and particularly the effect of supine position on pulmonary volume and functions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study with a total of 96 patients (age range, 20-65 years). Based on the body mass index (BMI) and Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) scores, the patients were divided into four groups: Group 1: AHI≥15/h, BMI≥30 kg/m2 (n=24), Group 2: AHI≥15/h, BMI<30 kg/m2 (n=24), Group 3: AHI<15/h, BMI≥30 kg/m2 (n=24), and Group 4: AHI<15/h, BMI<30 kg/m2 (n=24). All patients first had static and dynamic pulmonary function tests and carbon monoxide diffusion tests (TLco and Kco) in the sitting and supine positions. A bronchial provocation test with methacholine was applied to all patients in the sitting position one day later. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate linear regression was used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Airway responsiveness was observed in 4 of the patients included in the study, and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. A statistically significant decrease was observed in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), total lung capacity (TLC) and functional residual capacity (FRC), especially in  Group 1 in sitting position compared to Group 4 (p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.025, p=0.043, and p=0.001, respectively). Changes in pulmonary functions in the transition from sitting to a supine position did not show any significant difference in the study groups (p<0.05). We observed no difference in the diffusion capacity in the sitting and supine positions among the groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The severity of AHI and BMI particularly affect the lower airway, but changes in the position did not show any significant difference in the study groups.

Assessment of Palliative Care in Lung Cancer in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the symptoms of lung cancer in Turkey and to evaluate approaches to alleviate these symptoms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 1,245 lung cancer patients from 26 centers in Turkey. Demographic characteristics as well as information regarding the disease and treatments were obtained from medical records and patient interviews. Symptoms were evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and were graded on a scale between 0 and 10 points. Data were compared using the χ2, Student t, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Potential predictors of symptoms were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The most common symptom was tiredness (n = 1,002; 82.1%), followed by dyspnea (n = 845; 69.3%), appetite loss (n = 801; 65.7%), pain (n = 798; 65.4%), drowsiness (n = 742; 60.8%), anxiety (n = 704; 57.7%), depression (n = 623; 51.1%), and nausea (n = 557; 45.5%). Of the 1,245 patients, 590 (48.4%) had difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep. The symptoms were more severe in stages III and IV. Logistic regression analysis indicated a clear association between demographic characteristics and symptom distress, as well as between symptom distress (except nausea) and well-being. Overall, 804 (65.4%) patients used analgesics, 630 (51.5%) received treatment for dyspnea, 242 (19.8%) used enteral/parenteral nutrition, 132 (10.8%) used appetite stimulants, and 129 (10.6%) used anxiolytics/antidepressants. Of the 799 patients who received analgesics, 173 (21.7%) reported that their symptoms were under control, and also those on other various treatment modalities (dyspnea: 78/627 [12.4%], appetite stimulant: 25/132 [18.9%], and anxiolytics/antidepressants: 25/129 [19.4%]) reported that their symptoms were controlled. CONCLUSION: In this study, the symptoms progressed and became more severe in the advanced stages of lung cancer, and palliative treatment was insufficient in most of the patients in Turkey.

Diagnostic value of PET/CT in differentiating benign from malignant solitary pulmonary nodules.

PURPOSE: Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) are round or oval lesions with a clear border with the surrounding parenchymal tissue and a radiologic diameter smaller than 3 cm which are not associated with atelectasis, pneumonia, lymphadenopathy, or chest wall pathologies. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of positron emission tomography (PET) / computerized tomography (CT) in differentiating benign from malignant SPNs. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 209 patients, who were diagnosed with SPN by thoracic CT and demonstrated positive or negative results for malignancy in the PET/ CT examination between January 2007 and June 2010, were enrolled. Among the 91 patients who gave consent for interventional procedures, performed were bronchoscopic endobronchial biopsy in 10, transbronchial biopsy in 15, bronchoscopic brushing in 4, transthoracic needle biopsy in 11, video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) in 4, lobectomy in 22, pneumonectomy in 2, and wedge resection in 23. The materials were histopathologically examined. RESULTS: 129 (61.72%) of the SPN cases were benign and 80 (38.27%) malignant. The mean SUVmax value for the benign SPNs was 2.06 ± 3.29 and 7.39±5.69 for the malignant SPNs (p=0.000). Positive correlation was found between the nodule diameter and risk for malignancy. A SUVmax value of 4 was found to have the best sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: PET/CT was shown to be an accurate method in the differential diagnosis of benign from malignant solitary pulmonary nodules.

Frequency of respiratory function disorders among dental laboratory technicians working under conditions of high dust concentration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dental laboratory technicians (DLTs) have much exposure to mineralogical dust that may have adverse effects on their lung health. The aim of our study was to investigate occupational dust exposure, and to determine the frequency of respiratory function disorders and radiologic abnormalities among DLTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 94 DLTs who were exposed to dust in dental laboratories and 94 control subjects. Dust concentrations in the workplaces were measured. RESULTS: The mean age of DLTs was 30.70 ± 9.84 years. No significant difference was found between the DLTs and the control groups for age or smoking status (p > 0.05). Spirometric values for the DLTs were found to be lower than the control group (p < 0.05). The mean working period for DLTs was 9.19±5.9 years. The pulmonary function test results for the DLTs showed that 65.9% had a normal pattern, 22.4% were restrictive, and 11.7% showed obstructive type pulmonary function disorder. Negative correlations were found between the working period time and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second in the DLTs (R = -0.675 p = 0.000). Negative correlations were also found between working period time and Forced Vital Capacity in the DLTs (R = -0.720 p = 0.000). All DLTs had chest X-rays and 16 (17%) of them showed radiological pneumoconiosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a negative association between level of respiratory function and working period in DLTs.

Characterization of antimicrobial compounds from a common fern, Pteris biaurita.

Methanol extract was prepared from the fronds of Pteris biaurita and partial purification was done by solvent partitioning with diethyl ether and ethyl acetate, followed by hydrolysis and further partitioning with ethyl acetate. The three fractions, thus obtained were bioassayed separately against five test fungi--Curvularia lunata, Fomes lamaoensis, Poria hypobrumea, Fuasrium oxysporum and a bacterium--Bacillus pumilus, by spore germination, radial growth and agar cup techniques. Results revealed that ethyl acetate fraction (III) contained the active principle. TLC plate bioassay of the active fraction revealed inhibition zone at an Rf of 0.5-0.65. Silica gel from this region was scraped, eluted in methanol and subjected to UV-spectrophotometric analysis. An absorption maxima of 278 nm was recorded. HPLC analysis of TLC-eluate revealed a single peak with retention time of 8.1 min. GC-MS analysis revealed six major peaks in the retention time range of 7.2-10.9 min. Comparison with GC-MS libraries revealed that the extracts may contain a mixture of eicosenes and heptadecanes.

Neutralising antibodies after streptokinase treatment for myocardial infarction: a persisting puzzle.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the development of titres of streptokinase (SK) neutralising antibodies after a single dose of SK, to establish when titres decrease to levels at which a second dose might be effective. DESIGN: Analyses of blood samples taken from patients at intervals after SK administration. SETTING: Australian public hospital. PATIENTS: 104 patients with acute myocardial infarction who were treated with SK and 27 controls who were not. OUTCOME MEASURE: SK neutralising antibodies were measured once in each of the 27 controls and on 166 occasions in the 104 treated patients. RESULTS: Titres of SK neutralising antibodies rose after SK administration but returned to control levels by 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: SK might be effective again as a thrombolytic agent as early as 2 years after a single dose. These results are at variance with most previously published data and the reasons for this are not clear. Data evaluating patency rates after standard doses of streptokinase in patients with increased titres of neutralising antibodies are necessary before re-exposure to streptokinase can be recommended.