Aim: In this study the effects of Thymus fallax F. (TF) leaves on the blood cholesterol and some other biochemical and hematologic parameters were investigated in rats fed with high cholesterol diet. Methods: The animals in the control group were fed with standard rat diet, the cholesterol group received high cholesterol diet and the TF group received high cholesterol diet with TF leaves (8.5%) for 90 days. The animals were weighed three times a week during the study. At the end of the study period, blood and tissue samples were obtained from the animals for biochemical and hematologic examination. Liver, aort and kidney tissues were obtained for histopathological examination. Results: In the cholesterol group serum alkalen phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, cholesterol, and high dansity lipoprotein (HDL) levels were higher than those in the control group. In the TF group serum aspartat aminotransferase (AST), urea, cholesterol cholesterol, and HDL levels were higher than those in the control group. In the TF group serum AST and cholesterol levels were higher while hematologic parameters except platelet count (PLT) were lower than those in the control group. While there was a 21.01% increase in body weight in the control group there were 1.95 % and 12.45 % decrease in body weight in the cholesterol and TF groups respectively. Histopathologic examination revealed no pathology in the aort and kidney tissues while there was widespread fatty degeneration in the liver tissue. Conclusions: As a result, thyme was not effective in reducing the blood cholesterol levels in the Sprague-Dawley rats fed with high cholesterol diet, and it decreased body weight and did not prevent fatty degeneration in liver.

Aim: Recently cardiac catheterization has become more important in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery diseases. The aim of our study was the results of patients underwent cardiac catheterization during three years period catheterization in our clinic. Material and Methods: Cardiac catheterization was performed on the patients diagnosed with suspected for coronary artery diseases by using Seldinger method via right femoral artery. Results: In our study, a total of 1206 patients to catheterization was performed 437 women, 769 men between April 2003 and March 2006. Of these patients, 8 had temporary pace-maker. The results of coronary angiography were as follows: 26.2 % of them were normal; coronary disease was present 73.8% of patient. Critical coronary artery diseases were observed in 80.3% of patients who have coronary artery disease. Coronary angioplasty was suggested to 231 patients since opening of our catheterization laboratory. Coronary angioplasty were performed to 186 patients. 193 (16%) coronary surgery and 28 patients (2.3%) valve surgery to were suggested. Renal angiography to 21, peripheral angiography to 27 and right heart catheterization to 15 patients were performed. Any major complication did not develop. Conclusion: Cardiac catheterization procedures have an important place in diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery diseases in our clinic like all over the world and Turkey.

Objective: Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the general population. The misuse of alcohol is common and frequently an occult problem. Epidemiological studies suggest that alcohol intake is associated with the risk of coronary arter disease. The challenge for the clinician is to detect alcohol misuse at an early stage. Five active isoenzymes of Lactate dehyrogenase (LDH) can be found in human tissues, and especially LDH5 isoenzyme is high in the liver tissue. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of alcohol consumption on the activities of total LDH and its isoenzymes. Methods: The study group consisted of 64 alcohol drinkers men, and the control group consisted of 48 healthy men. Venous blood samples were obtained from a cubital vein 8-12 hours after alcohol consumption or the dinner for study group or control group. Serum activities of GGT and total LDH were measured by commercial kit procedure, and LDH isoenzymes were determined by Helena electrophoresis. Results: LDH5 and GGT activities of the alcohol group were statistically higher than the control group (p<0.01), and LDH1 and LDH2 activities were lower than the control (p<0.01 and p<0.02, respectively). There is no statistically significant difference between alcohol group and control group in view of LDH3, LDH4 and total LDH activities. Conclusions: Alcohol group had higher LDH5 and GGT activities than control group. Therefore, the assay of LDH5 and/or GGT activities can be taken as early markers for alcohol abuse.

Aim : To evaluate the routine surgical abdominal exploration method in abdominal penetrating stab wounds and the results of this management. Material and Method: The abdominal penetrating wounds were managed by routine surgical exploration method in our emergency surgical clinic between the years of 1996 (February) and 1999 (March). The results of this management modality were analysed retrospectively. Patients’ files, emergency admission records, surgery notes and pathology reports were investigated. Unnecessary laparotomy was accepted as the sum of the nontherapeutic and negative laparotomies. Findings: The laparotomy decision was made with local wound exploration in 111 patients, with peritoneal lavage in 60 patients, with omental or intestinal organ evisceration in 14 patients, with signs of peritoneal irritation in 11 patients and with shock or persistant hypotension in 8 patients. Among the 204 patients, who had been investigated, 186 (91%) were male and 18 (9%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 28.46 years (age range: 8-53 years). Single organ was wounded in 112 (55%), two organs were wounded in 42 (20%) and more than two organs were wounded in 14 (7%) patients in our series. Organ damage was present in 159 (81%) of 194 patients with one, in 6 (85%) of 7 with two and in all 3 (100%) patients with three penetrating abdominal stab wounds. According to the laparotomy results, there was no organ damage in the remaining 36 (18%) patients (negative laparotomy). The intervention was nontherapeutic laparotomy in 59 (29%) patients. Hence the rate of unnecessary laparotomy (95 patients) was calculated as 47%(%18 + %29). Biliary fistula in one patient, colonic fistula and intraabdominal abscess in one patient, intestinal fistula in one patient, pulmonary infection in 2 patients, atelectasia in two patients and wound infection in 4 patients were the complications seen in the postoperative period. Conclusion : We conclude that routine surgical abdominal exploration method increases the negative and nontherapeutic laparotomy rates in abdominal penetrating stab wounds. Hence selective observation method, instead of routine exploration, should be employed in such wounds to decrease the rates of unnecessary laparotomies.

Aim: In this study the effects of regular exercise and smoking on immune system of 80 students of YYU campus having similiar activities and nutrition habits have been examined. Methods : Depending on their smoking and exercise habits, students have been divided into four groups, each consisting of 20 individuals. The classification : 1- Those who do regular exercise and smoke, 2- Those who do regular exercise and do not smoke, 3- Those who have a sedentary life and who smoke 4- Those who have a sedentary life and do not smoke. Complete blood count, neutrophile and lymphocyte counts, sub-tyse of lymphocyte such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and (CD3- CD16+56 +), and cell ratios have been determined by taking blood samples. Results: In this study, NK cell ratio of sedentary and smoking groups has been found to be lower but not statistically significant (P>0,05). The ratio of CD3 and CD8 has been found to be statistically higher in the regular exercise and not smoking groups, while CD19 positive cell ratio is higher in sedentary and smoking group (P<0,05).The high ratio of CD19 positive cells in these groups has been accepted as being relatively due to the highness of CD3 and CD8 positivity. The amount of lymphocyte has been found high in sedentary low ratio and smoking group, and the T cell ratio has been found high in exercising and non- smoking group. Conclusion: This study has shown that regular exercise and not smoking have positive effects especially on cytotoxic tcells in immune system.

Diffuse idiopathic sceletal hyperosteosis (DISH) is a disease unknown etiology which is encountered over 5th decade with an and charactherised with ossification of the anterior and lateral part of the vertebral body. Dysphagia is one of the symptom in cervical vertebra involvement. Our case was admitted with complaints of dysphagia and weakness of upper and lower limbs after trauma. Quadriparesia was present at the neurological examination of the patient. The diagnosis of the patient was cervical central cord syndrome and DISH. The diagnostic, clinic and radiological features of DISH were evaluated with respect to literature.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the adrenal gland is rare. it is difficult to make distinction between tumors during preoperatory phase . the most often form is the one with large cells. Adrenal lymphomas generally detected incidentally. Even adrenal insuffîciency detected in more than 1/3 of patients with primary adrenal lymphomas the insufficiency, generally, is in subclinicall level and recognised using laboratory test. We describe a case 52-year-old male who presented with primary adrenal insufficiency and bilateral adrenal masses on computerized tomography of the abdomen. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of B-cell origin was proven by ultrasound-guided biopsy of the adrenal gland.

To date, the only Parvoviridae member known to be pathogenic in humans is Parvovirus B19, which is responsible for Fifth diseases in children. A new Parvovirus, human Bocavirus (HBoV) was firstly isolated from clinical samples of children with lower respiratory tract infections in Sweden in 2005. Phylogenetic analyses of the complete genome of HBoV showed that the virus is most closely related to canine minute virus and bovine parvovirus which are members of the genus Bocavirus, family Parvoviridae. Recently the role of HBoV in respiratory tract illness was unknown however with recent studies it was demonstrated that this virus is a cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections especially in children younger than five years.