Dicle University

About: Dicle University is a education organization based out in Diyarbakır, Turkey. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 3007 authors who have published 6368 publications receiving 94797 citations. The organization is also known as: Dicle Üniversitesi & Zanîngeha Dîcleyê.

Musculoskeletal involvement of brucellosis in different age groups: a study of 195 cases

Abstract: Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution and characteristics of arthritis in 195 patients with musculoskeletal involvement due to brucellosis in different age groups in the southeastern region of Turkey. Patients and methods; We carried out a retrospective analysis of 283 patients with brucellosis records and identified 195 with musculoskeletal involvement. Patients were classified into acute-subacute ( 12 months) brucellosis. Patients were also classified into three age groups: <15 years old (group A), 15-45 years (group B), and over 45 years (group C). In addition, patients were classified into five subgroups according to type of arthritis: peripheral arthritis, polyarthritis, spondylitis, sacroiliitis, and spondylitis/sacroiliitis. Results: 195 (69%) ofthe 283 patients [138 female (49%), 145 male (51%)] had musculoskeletal involvement. Of the patients with musculoskeletal involvement 113 (58%) were female and 82 (42%) were male, ranging in age from 3 to 71 years (mean age 33.14 ′ 15.03). Of 195 patients studied, 39 (14%) were <15 years old (group A), 122 (43%) were aged 15-45 (group B), and 34 (12%) were over 45 (group C). The most commonly affected joints were the sacroiliac joint in 108 patients (55%), peripheral joints in 106 (54%), and spondylitis in 60 (31%). Of 108 patients with sacroiliitis, 19 were in group A, 76 in group B, and 13 in group C. Bilateral sacroiliitis was less common in group B (23 patients) than in groups A (3) and C (3) (p <0.05). Spondylitis was more common in group B (18%). Sacroiliitis and polyarthritis were more common than other types of musculoskeletal involvement in females, whereas in males the distribution of all types was similar. In patients aged under 15 and 15-45, sacroiliitis and polyarthritis were common compared with other types of arthritis, but the distribution was similar in patients over 45. Conclusion: In southeastern Anatolia musculoskeletal involvement in brucellosis is frequent. The series presented suggests that musculoskeletal involvement in group A is higher than groups A and C. The prevalence of musculoskeletal involvement appears to differ according to age, sex and clinical type.

Subclinical hypothyroidism may be associated with elevated high-sensitive C-reactive protein (low grade inflammation) and fasting hyperinsulinemia

Abstract: The ssociation between coronary heart disease and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is unclear. We aimed to determine hs-CRP concentrations in patients with SCH. Seventy-seven patients (age 34.6 ± 13.7 yr) with SCH (TSH >4.2 μIU/ml and serum free thyroxine level between 0.932–1.71 ng/dL), and 80 control subjects (age 33.9 ± 13.3 yr) were studied. Thyroid hormones, C-reactive protein, insulin, glucose, total, HDL, LDL and VLDL-cholesterol levels and HOMA-IR index were also determined. TSH levels of SCH group were higher than control (7.4 ± 2.9 and 1.55 ± 0.78 μIU/ml, respectively, p = 0.0001). However, FT4 levels were lower than control subjects (1.18 ± 0.22 ng/dL and 1.38 ± 0.26, respectively, p = 0.001). Serum hs-CRP levels of subjects with SCH were higher than control subjects (4.2 ± 0.8 mg/l and 1.05 ± 0.3 mg/l respectively, p = 0.0001). Insulin levels of SCH group were higher than control (8.5 ± 4.3 μU/ml and 7.1 ± 3.1 μU/ml respectively, p<0.02) but, Homa-IR levels of the two groups were not different. Mean total and LDL-cholesterol levels of SCH group were higher than control (p = 0.01 and p<0.02). We also found a positive correlation between hs-CRP levels and insulin (r = 0.362, p = 0.002 in men, r = 0.358, p = 0.0001 in women), TSH (r = 0.611, p = 0.0001 in men, r = 0.411 p = 0.0001 in women), and prolactin (r = 0.340, p = 0.01 in men r = 0.553, p = 0.0001 in women). Conclusions: Patients with SCH, irrespective of gender, have higher serum hs-CRP, insulin, total and LDL-cholesterol levels than healthy subjects. 2- High hs-CRP level, and thereby low grade inflammation may be associated with fasting hyperinsulinemia before insulin resistance becomes evident in patients with SCH.

Whole body exposure of rats to microwaves emitted from a cell phone does not affect the testes

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of radiofrequency radiation emitted from cellular phones on the lipid composition, malondialdehyde concentration, p53 immune reactivity, sperm count, morphology, histological structure of testes, and on rectal temperature of rats exposed to microwave radiation emitted from cellular phones. Sixteen Spraque-Dawley rats were separated into two groups of eight, sham exposed (control) and experimental. The rats were confined in plexiglas cages specially designed for this study, and cellular phones were placed 0.5 cm under the cages. For the experimental group, cellular phones were activated 20 min per day (7 days a week) for 1 month. For the control group, the cellular phones were placed beneath the cages for 20 min a day, but the phones were turned off. Rectal temperatures were measured weekly. For 250 mW radiated power, the whole body average SAR (rms) is 0.52 W/kg and 1 g averaged peak SAR (rms) is 3.13 W/kg. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical comparisons of groups. No statistically significant alteration in any of the endpoints was noted. This study found no evidence suggesting an adverse effect of cell phone exposure on measures of testicular function or structure.

Efficacy of low power laser therapy and exercise on pain and functions in chronic low back pain.

Abstract: Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether low power laser therapy (Gallium– Arsenide) is useful or not for the therapy of chronic low back pain (LBP). Study Design/Materials and Methods: This study included 75 patients (laser þ exercise—25, laser alone— 25, and exercise alone—25) with LBP. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Schober test, flexion and lateral flexion measures, Roland Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) were used in the clinical and functional evaluations pre and post therapeutically. A physician, who was not aware of the therapy undertaken, evaluated the patients. Results: Significant improvements were noted in all groups with respect to all outcome parameters, except lateral flexion (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Low power laser therapy seemed to be an effective method in reducing pain and functional disability in the therapy of chronic LBP. Lasers Surg. Med. 32:233– 238, 2003. 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.