[From the fight against tuberculosis to AIDS: Dr. Turgut Altug (1921-2008)]. / Tüberküloz savasindan AIDS'E: Dr. Turgut Altug (1921-2008).

Dr. Turgut Altug was a doctor who was raised in the early Republican era of Turkey who later continued his professional career in the United States. He graduated as a military doctor from Ankara University in 1946, later obtaining a specialty in bacteriology and infectious diseases and working as the hospital director at the Heybeliada Sanatorium during 1953-1958. His first visit to the US was in 1958, when he spent time in at various military hospitals in Washington DC as an observer. He continued his career in the US in various hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Waco, Texas. During the years that he worked in Boston, he also taught courses at the Tufts University Medical School Subsequently Dr. Altug worked in hospitals within the U.S. Veterans' Administration from 1980 until 1995 when he retired. Dr. Altug received a 60-Year Honorable Service Award from the Istanbul Physicians' Association in 2006.

Life-threatening disorders of mucous membranes.

Oral mucosa is one of the first barriers to the outside world which encounters various antigens, microorganisms and physical agents. Numerous oral pathologies challenge the dermatologists. Some may be the first sign of an underlying immunosuppression, while others are the inevitable serious outcomes of long-lasting mucosal disease. The differential diagnosis is crucial in terms of prompt and effective treatment.

Arterial distensibility as determined by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in patients with Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystem disorder characterized by genital and oral aphthae, skin lesions, uveitis, and tendency to thrombosis. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an important factor in determining cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. It is an index of arterial wall stiffness and inversely related to the arterial distensibility. In this study we investigated the arterial distensibility in BD by PWV. We studied 14 patients with BD (18-44 years old, 10 men) and 28 healthy subjects (18-39 years old, 21 men) without known cardiovascular disease. Arterial distensibility was assessed by automatic carotid-femoral PWV measurement using the Complior Colson device. PWV is calculated from measurements of pulse transit time and the distance traveled by the pulse between two recording sites, according to the following formula: pulse wave velocity (m/s)=distance (m)/transit time(s). The mean ages, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate, and PWV of Behçet's disease and control subjects were 32.1+/-7.4 vs 27.9+/-6.1 years, 112.9+/-12.0 vs 108.7+/-10.0 mmHg, 72.1+/-10.7 vs 67.7+/-7.5 mmHg, 40.7+/-12.2 vs 41.0+/-10.7 mmHg, 74.1+/-10.2 vs 77.2+/-10.1 bpm, and 8.4+/-1.4 vs 8.5+/-1.1 m/s, respectively. Differences between all parameters studied were not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05). The carotid-femoral PWV, an index of arterial stiffness and a marker of atherosclerosis, is not increased in patients with BD compared with control subjects.

Dapsone.

Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, DDS) was synthesized a century ago and continues to be a powerful therapeutic tool in many skin diseases. We have tried to retrieve and present the available knowledge and relevant information on this old but still very useful drug with the hope of encouraging and guiding practicing dermatologists to adapt it for various indications. Our objective is to familiarize the clinician with how this agent works, in what disease states it is effective, how to administer it, what adverse effects may occur, and how to monitor the patient receiving this drug.

Comparison of two surgical approaches for treating vitiligo: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical techniques have recently been introduced for patients with vitiligo. Randomized controlled trials have not been performed. AIM: To compare the efficacy and side-effects of two surgical methods (suction blister vs. thin split-thickness graft technique) for the treatment of vitiligo. METHODS: Three suction blisters, approximately 0.8 cm in diameter, made with a special tool attached to a vacuum extractor, which were converted to erosions by removal of the roofs of the bullae, and one round erosion of approximately the same diameter, made using a silver knife, were created. One roof of a blister and two cutaneous thin split-thickness grafts taken from the gluteal region were transferred onto recipient vitiliginous areas; one was left alone. The results were evaluated by one non-blind and two blind observers bimonthly during the 3-month follow-up period. RESULTS: Repigmentation rates were 25-65% in the suction blister technique and 90% in the thin split-thickness graft technique (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The thin split-thickness graft technique is superior to the suction blister technique in treating vitiligo.

Comparación entre dos procedimientosquirúrgicos para tratar el vitíligo: estudiopreliminar / Comparison of two surgical approaches for treating vitiligo: a preliminary study

Antecedentes: Recientemente se han introducido varias técnicas quirúrgicas para tratar a los pacientes con vitíligo. No se han realizado hasta ahora ensayos controlados y aleatorios. Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia y los efectos secundarios de dos métodos quirúrgicos (técnica de injerto de ampollas de succión frente a técnicas de injerto de capas finas de piel) para el tratamiento del vitíligo. Métodos: Se elaboraron tres ampollas de succión de 0,8 cm de diámetro, aproximadamente, con un instrumento especial unido a un extractor de vacío, que se convirtieron en erosiones al extraer las cúpulas de las ampollas, y una erosión redonda de aproximadamente el mismo diámetro, con un bisturí de plata. La cúpula de una ampolla y dos injertos de capas finas de piel extraídos de la región glútea se trasladaron a las zonas de vitíligo receptoras; una se dejó sin tocar. Los resultados se evaluaron por un observador no ciego y dos ciegos, dos veces al mes, durante el período de seguimiento de tres meses. Resultados: Se observaron tasas de repigmentación del 25-65 por ciento con la técnica de ampollas de succión y del 90 por ciento con la técnica de injerto de capas finas de piel (p<0,001).Conclusiones: La técnica de injerto de capas finas de piel es mejor que la técnica de ampollas de succión para tratar el vitíligo (AU)