Tevfik Aktoz

Bio: Tevfik Aktoz is an academic researcher from Trakya University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Gangrene. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 31 publications receiving 394 citations.

Serum, urinary and stone zinc, iron, magnesium and copper levels in idiopathic calcium oxalate stone patients

Abstract: Many theories have been put forward to explain the mechanism of stone formation and growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the urinary, serum and stone levels of zinc, iron, magnesium, and copper in patients with calcium oxalate stones and to investigate urinary and serum element levels in healthy controls and to find a possible connection between the elements and calcium oxalate stone formation. A total of 104 patients with calcium oxalate stones ranging in age from 3 to 79 years (mean 44.0 ± 18.1) and 77 healthy controls ranging in age from 18 to 77 (mean 44.2 ± 17.9) were included in this study. The mean urinary iron and copper levels in stone patients were significantly higher than healthy controls (P = 0.000). The mean urinary zinc and magnesium levels in healthy controls were significantly higher than stone patients (P = 0.000). There was no significant difference in the serum levels of magnesium and copper in stone patients and healthy controls. Serum zinc and iron level were significantly high in healthy controls as compared to stone patients. Each stone had all 4 elements. Zn and Mg have inhibitory effect on calcium oxalate stone formation. Fe and Cu could be promotor of the calcium oxalate stone formation.

A life-threatening infection: Fournier's gangrene.

Abstract: Fournier's gangrene is a life-threateningdisorder in which infection of the perineum andscrotum spreads along fascial planes, causingsoft tissue necrosis. If urgent surgery isdelayed, the disease will soon result in septicshock, multiorgan failure, and death. In thisstudy, we present 21 patients with Fournier'sgangrene who were treated in period between1994 and 2001. Patients' charts were reviewedretrospectively and are discussed in the lightof literature.All patients received aggressive surgicaldebridment. Penicillin or Ceftriaxone,aminoglicoside and metronidazole wereadministered intravenously. Of the 21 patients,5 had scrotal carbuncle, 1 had urethralstricture, 1 had chronic indwelling urethralcatheterization, 2 had perirectal abscess, and1 had hemorrhoidectomy. In eleven patients wecouldn't identify any cause. Twelve patientshad diabetes mellitus, and two had chronicalcoholism. Escherichia coli was isolatedin 12 purulent tissue cultures, and Bacteroides fragilis in eight. Seventeenpatients survived, whereas four died.Fournier's gangrene is considered a surgicalemergency. Early surgical intervention isessential, as the gangrene can spread rapidlyat rates reaching 2 mm per hour. So thatFournier's gangrene is an abrupt, rapidlyprogressive, gangrenous infection of theexternal genitalia and perineum and is a realurologic emergency.

Protective effects of quercetin on testicular torsion/detorsion-induced ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of quercetin (QE) on testicular torsion/detorsion-induced ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury A total of 24 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control, I/R and I/R treated with QE; each group contain eight animals Testicular torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction The ischaemia period was 5 h and orchiectomy was performed after 5 h of detorsion QE (15 mg kg(-1) , ip) was administered only once, 40 min prior to detorsion Left orchiectomy was performed in all I/R groups To date, no histopathological changes on testicular torsion/detorsion-induced I/R injury in rats by QE treatment have been reported Spermatogenesis and mean seminiferous tubule diameter were significantly decreased in I/R groups were compared with the control group Furthermore, QE treated animals showed an improved histological appearance in I/R group Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of TUNEL, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and a rise in the expression of testosterone in testes tissue of I/R treated with QE therapy We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of QE may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment on testes injury after I/R in rats

The protective effects of melatonin and vitamin E against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were shown to contribute to the cellular damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the efficiency of melatonin and vitamin E in the reduction of injury induced by ROS in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion. Twenty-four Wistar-albino rats were divided into four groups. Rats in the Sham group were given saline 1 mL/kg, intraperitoneally (ip) 72 h, 48 h, 24 h, and 30 min before the sham operation. Rats in ischemia-reperfusion (IR), IR+Melatonin, and IR+Vitamin E groups were given saline (1 mL/kg), melatonin (10 mg/kg), and vitamin E (100 mg/kg) ip, respectively, 72 h, 48 h, 24 h, and 30 min before the ischemia for 60 min, followed by reperfusion for 60 min. The blood samples and kidney tissues of the rats were taken under anesthesia. Ischemia-reperfusion significantly increased urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Histopathological findings of the IR group confirmed that there was renal impairment by cast formation and tubular necrosis in the tubular epithelium. In the IR+Melatonin group, while MDA levels significantly decreased, SOD activities increased. In the IR+Melatonin group, the level of tubular necrosis and cast formation are significantly decreased than those seen in the ischemia-reperfusion group. Melatonin in particular was effective to reverse hot ischemia of kidney by its antioxidant effects. These results may indicate that melatonin pretreatment protects against functional, biochemical, and morphological damage better than vitamin E in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Influence of N-acetylcysteine on renal toxicity of cadmium in rats.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to prevent cadmium (Cd)-induced renal damage and whether NAC would reverse cadmium damage to the kidney Fifty adult male rats were divided into five experimental groups: group 1 received tap water for 3 months and 7 days, group 2 received cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) for 3 months, group 3 (NAC cotreatment group) received CdCl(2) and 05% NAC in tap water for 3 months, group 4 received CdCl(2) in tap water for 3 months and 3 months later received only tap water for 7 days, and group 5 (NAC posttreatment group) received CdCl(2) in tap water for 3 months and 3 months later received 2% NAC in tap water for 7 days NAC significantly decreased the elevated kidney malondialdehyde levels, as a marker of lipid peroxidation, in both cotreatment and posttreatment modalities Cotreatment and posttreatment with NAC significantly increased kidney superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and glutathione level but did not change kidney catalase enzyme activity NAC decreased fractional excretion of sodium in posttreatment group Neither Cd nor NAC affected the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) Cotreatment and posttreatment with NAC reduced the effects of Cd on proximal tubules It was found that NAC showed these effects without changing kidney accumulation of cadmium Exogenously administrated NAC might reduce toxic effects of Cd on the kidney without any reduction in tissue Cd level

Toxicological Profile for Cadmium

Abstract: This public health statement tells you about cadmium and the effects of exposure to it.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation. These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for long-term federal clean-up activities. Cadmium has been found in at least 1,014 of the 1,669 current or former NPL sites. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known, the possibility exists that the number of sites at which cadmium is found may increase in the future as more sites are evaluated. This information is important because these sites may be sources of exposure and exposure to this substance may be harmful.When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Such a release does not always lead to exposure. You can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact.If you are exposed to cadmium or cadmium compounds, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and state of health.

Prediction of Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality With Erectile Dysfunction A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Abstract: Background— Erectile dysfunction (ED) carries an independent risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. We conducted a meta-analysis of all longitudinal studies for determining the ability of ED to predict risk of clinical events and to dissect factors influencing this ability. Methods and Results— We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases through July 2012. Longitudinal studies that reported relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were included. Of the 14 studies included (92 757 participants; mean follow-up, 6.1 years; 16 articles), 13 (14 articles) reported results on total CV events (91 831 individuals), 4 on CV mortality (34 761 individuals), 4 on myocardial infarction (35 523 individuals), 6 on cerebrovascular events (27 689 individuals), and 5 on all-cause mortality (17 869 individuals). The pooled RRs for the above-mentioned end points were 1.44 (95% CI, 1.27–1.63), 1.19 (95% CI, 0.97–1.46), 1.62 (95% CI, 1.34–1.96), 1.39 (95% CI, 1.23–1.57), and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.12–1.39), respectively, for men with versus without ED. The RR was higher in intermediate- compared with high- or low-CV-risk populations and with younger age. The RR for studies that diagnosed ED with the use of a questionnaire compared with a single question was higher (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.38–1.86 versus RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.18–1.37, respectively; P =0.006). Conclusions— ED is associated with increased risk of CV events and all-cause mortality. RR is higher at younger ages, in intermediate-risk groups, and when a questionnaire is used instead of a single question.