Başkent University

About: Başkent University is a education organization based out in Ankara, Turkey. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Transplantation & Population. The organization has 4652 authors who have published 10380 publications receiving 143117 citations. The organization is also known as: Başkent Üniversitesi.

Minocycline treatment inhibits lipid peroxidation, preserves spinal cord ultrastructure, and improves functional outcome after traumatic spinal cord injury in the rat.

Abstract: Study design A prospective, randomized experimental research. Objective To evaluate the short- and long-term neuroprotective effects of minocycline on the secondary injury process of an experimental traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) model. Summary of background data Traumatic SCI is a devastating problem of health that results in high morbidity and mortality rates. The loss of function after SCI results from both the primary mechanical insult and the subsequent, multifaceted secondary response. Methods A total of 80 adult male Spraque-Dawley rats (breeded by the Baskent University Animal Research Center) were randomly divided into 4 groups. A T10 contusion injury was produced by using modified Allen technique in all groups except the control group. No medication was administered to the rats in the trauma group. Minocycline was administered intraperitoneally and intravenously to the treatment groups. Short-term and/or long-term neuroprotective effects of minocycline on the lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, glutathione), apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling), ultrastructure of spinal cord (tissue electron microscopy), and behavioral assessments (Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan) were evaluated. Results As compared with the trauma group, tissue malondialdehyde and glutathione levels demonstrated that minocycline significantly diminishes lipid peroxidation. Electromicroscopic study showed that minocycline preserves the ultrastructure of spinal cord tissue in the early post-traumatic period. Minocycline treatment significantly reduced the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling positive cells both 1 day and 28 days after SCI. Behavioral assessments showed significant improvement in the hind limb functions of minocycline receiving rats starting 7 days after the SCI. Any statistically significant difference was not found between intraperitoneal or intravenous routes for minocycline injection. Conclusion Minocycline is neuroprotective and contributes to functional improvement after traumatic SCI by eliminating the destructive process of secondary injury. Having both satisfying anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in experimental models, it promises to be of therapeutic use in human SCI.

Effect of one-step polishing systems on surface roughness of different flowable restorative materials.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of one-step polishing systems on the surface roughness of different flowable composites and a microhybrid composite. A total of 120 disks were fabricated and divided into six groups according to the different composite restorative materials tested (n=20). Each group was further divided into four subgroups according to the polishing system (n=5). For the control group, samples were left undisturbed after removal of Mylar strip. For the other three subgroups, samples were polished with PoGo, OptraPol, or Sof-Lex disks. Surface roughness was determined using a profilometer and observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Duncan′s multiple range test. For Tetric Flow, Grandio Flow, Filtek Supreme XT Flow, and Admira Flow, their lowest surface roughness values were obtained in Mylar Strip and PoGo groups. For Compoglass Flow, there were no significant differences between Mylar Strip, PoGo, and OptraPol. For Filtek Z250, the lowest surface roughness value was obtained with Mylar Strip. In light of the surface roughness results obtained, one-step polishing systems seemed to be a good choice for polishing flowable composites.

Urologic complications in 1523 renal transplantations: The Baskent University experience.

Abstract: Urologic complications, observed since the beginning of renal transplantation, cause significant morbidity and mortality. In the first few years the procedure was performed, incidence of urologic complications was reported to be 10% to 25%. Recently, the incidence of urologic complications after renal transplantation has decreased to 2.5% to 12.5%; unfortunately, a higher incidence exists in pediatric recipients, reaching approximately 20% with an associated 58% and 74% graft survival rates for cadaveric and living-related transplantation, respectively. We retrospectively analyzed the postoperative urologic complications reported in the medical charts of 1523 consecutive kidney transplantations (1130 men, 74.2%; 393 women, 25.8%; mean age, 31.9 +/- 10.9 years; range, 7 to 64 years; 354 cadaveric, 23.2%; 1169 living, 76.8%) performed by our team since 1975. The first 321 procedures took place at Hacettepe University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey, and the remaining 1202 were performed at Baskent University Hospital in Ankara. Urologic complications occurred in 46 (3%) recipients. Twenty-three (1.5%) of these patients had urine leakage, 15 (1%) had urinary obstruction due to ureteral stricture, 6 (0.4%) had distal ureter necrosis, and 2 (0.1%) developed renal calculi in the late postoperative period. Twenty-four out of 46 required reoperation for urologic complications. The remaining 22 patients were treated conservatively in our interventional radiology department with excellent results. In conclusion, urologic complications will always occur in the posttransplant period. Early diagnosis by experienced personnel and use of interventional radiology can greatly reduce the need for surgical treatment.

Public awareness of testicular cancer and self-examination in Turkey: A multicenter study of Turkish Urooncology Society

Abstract: Background Testicular self-examination is the easiest and cheapest way to scan testicular cancer. However, the public awareness about testicular self-examination is very low. We aimed to investigate the public awareness of Turkish people about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination. Methods We performed a survey consisting of 10 questions concerning testicular cancer and testicular self-examination in 799 students in the first year of 12 different medical schools. Aiming for a common method of data collection, the questionnaires were administered to the students during a class just before the lesson started. The whole data from all of the centers were pooled in a common data-base file. Results Eighty-nine (11.1%) of the participants reported that they had knowledge about testicular cancer, but only 11 (1.4%) of them answered all the questions about testicular cancer correctly. Eight (1%) of the participants reported that they had been performing testicular self-examination routinely once a month. Four (0.5%) of them were both well informed about testicular cancer and had been performing testicular self-examination once a month as suggested. Conclusion The present study showed that awareness on testicular cancer and testicular self-examination is very low and suggests a need for efforts in Turkey to increase public awareness and education.

Efficacy of olopatadine HCI 0.1%, ketotifen fumarate 0.025%, epinastine HCI 0.05%, emedastine 0.05% and fluorometholone acetate 0.1% ophthalmic solutions for seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: a placebo-controlled environmental trial.

Abstract: . Purpose: We aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and ocular surface variables of olopatadine, ketotifen fumarate, epinastine, emedastine and fluorometholone acetate ophthalmic solutions in preventing the signs and symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC). Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study. A total of 100 patients with SAC were randomly assigned to one of five groups, in which they were administered olopatadine, ketotifen fumarate, epinastine, emedastine or fluorometholone acetate, instilled twice daily for 2 weeks. One eye of each patient was treated with the study drug and the other was treated with a placebo. Signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis (itching, redness, tearing, chemosis and eyelid swelling) were scored on a 4-point scale. Each symptom was assessed at baseline and then again after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment. Ocular surface variables were assessed by conjunctival impression cytology. Results: At weeks 1 and 2, all antiallergic agents were significantly more effective than placebo in alleviating itching, redness, tearing, chemosis and eyelid swelling. Fluorometholone acetate was significantly less effective than the other agents in reducing itching and redness at all control visits. Ocular surface findings by impression cytology improved significantly after all treatments compared with placebo. Conclusions: In patients with SAC, olopatadine, ketotifen, epinastine and emedastine are more efficacious than fluorometholone acetate in preventing itching and redness. All the antiallergic agents gave similar results in terms of reducing tearing, chemosis and eyelid swelling. Our data showed that impression cytology parameters improved after treatment with antiallergic agents in patients with SAC.