A New Inflammatory Prognostic Index, Based on C-reactive Protein, the Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Serum Albumin is Useful for Predicting Prognosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cases

Dirican, Nigar,Dirican, Ahmet,Anar, Ceyda,Atalay, Sule,Ozturk, Onder,Bircan, Ahmet,Akkaya, Ahmet,Cakir, Munire Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.12

Purpose: We aimed to establish an inflammatory prognostic index (IPI) in early and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients based on hematologic and biochemical parameters and to analyze its predictive value for NSCLC survival. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 685 patients with early and advanced NSCLC diagnosed between 2009 and 2014 was conducted with collection of clinical, and laboratory data. The IPI was calculated as C-reactive protein ${\times}$ NLR (neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio)/serum albumin. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the prognostic value of relevant factors. Results: The optimal cut-off value of IPI for overall survival (OS) stratification was determined to be 15. Totals of 334 (48.8%) and 351 (51.2%) patients were assigned to high and low IPI groups, respectively. Compared with low IPI, high IPI was associated with older age, greater tumor size, high lymph node involvement, distant metastases, advanced stage and poor performance status. Median OS was worse in the high IPI group (low vs high, 8.0 vs 34.0 months; HR, 3.5; p<0.001). Progression free survival values of the patients who had high vs low IPI were determined 6 months (95% CI:5.3-6.6) and 14 months (95% CI:12.1-15.8), respectively (HR; 2.4, P<0.001). On multivariate analysis, stage, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase and IPI were independent prognostic factors for OS. Subgroup analysis showed IPI was generally a significant prognostic factor in all clinical variables. Conclusion: The described IPI may be an inexpensive, easily accessible and independent prognostic index for NSCLC patients, useful for clinical practice.

Seismic Assessment of a Historical Masonry Mosque by Experimental Tests and Finite Element Analyses

Ferit Cakir,Burcin S. Seker,Ahmet Durmus,Adem Dogangun,Habib Uysal 대한토목학회 2015 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.19 No.1

The mosques are the most important pieces of Islamic culture in terms of their architectural and structural properties. Although,thousands of these mosques are still being used all over the world, many historical mosques are at risk in terms of seismic events. This study mainly focuses on historical Lala Pasha Mosque, which is located in the city center of Erzurum, Turkey. The main purposeof this study is to assess the structural behaviors and to investigate the architectural features and components of the mosque. Thestudy was carried out in two main steps. Firstly, compression and three-point bending tests on the construction materials wereconducted to determine the mechanical properties of the materials. In the second step, a three-dimensional finite element model of themosque was developed and structural responses for the model were investigated by means of static and dynamic analyses. The resultsof the analyses show that the most critical parts of the mosque are the dome, pulley, and the supports of the main arch structures thatcarry the main dome. Additionally, the dynamic analyses prove that the most critical parts of the mosque are the sub-sections of themain columns, the window edges, and small domes.

Ischemia-Modifi ed Albumin Levels in Children with Chronic Liver Disease

( Murat Cakir ),( Suleyman Caner Karahan ),( Ahmet Mentese ),( Elif Sag ),( Umit Cobanoglu ),( Tugcin Bora Polat ),( Erol Erduran ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2012 Gut and Liver Vol.6 No.1

Background/Aims: Ischemia-modifi ed albumin (IMA) levels have been shown to correlate with the severity of liver failure in adults. However, the role of IMA levels has not been evaluated in children with chronic liver disease (CLD). We analyzed the clinical significance of IMA levels in children with CLD. Methods: Thirty-three children with CLD and 33 healthy children were included in the study. Blood was collected to analyze biochemical parameters, oxidant status, and IMA. Liver biopsies were re-evaluated for liver fibrosis; severe fibrosis (SF) was defi ned as fi brosis stage ≥4. Results: The IMA and and IMA to albumin ratios (IMARs) were signifi cantly higher in children with CLD than in those without (IMA: 0.545±0.095 vs 0.481±0.062, p=0.003; IMAR: 0.152±0.046 vs 0.126±0.018, p=0.04). The IMAR was positively correlated with the pediatric end-stage liver disease score (p=0.03, r=0.503) and fibrosis score (p=0.021, r=0.400). Patients with SF had higher IMARs compared to patients with mild fi brosis (0.181±0.056 vs 0.134±0.025, p=0.003). The area under the receiver operation curve (AUROC) for predicting SF was 0.78 (p=0.006). Using a cutoff ratio value of 0.140, the sensitivity and specificity were 84% and 70%, respectively. The AUROC for predicting the need for liver transplantation and/or death was 0.82 (p=0.013). With a cutoff value of 0.156, the sensitivity and specifi city was 83% and 82%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed increased morbidity and/or mortality in the group with an IMAR>0.156 (50% vs 4.3%, p=0.005). Conclusions: IMARs have been shown to provide important clues in predicting the fi brosis stage of the disease and determining the outcome in children with CLD. (Gut Liver 2012;6:92-97)

Intussusception: As the Cause of Mechanical Bowel Obstruction in Adults

( Murat Cakir ),( Ahmet Tekin ),( Tevfik Kucukkartallar ),( Metin Belviranli ),( Ebubekir Gundes ),( Yahya Paksoy ) 대한소화기학회 2013 대한소화기학회지 Vol.61 No.1

Background/Aims: Intussusception in adults is rarely seen and causes misdiagnosis due to its appearance with various clinical findings. The cause of intussusception in adults is frequently organic lesions. In this study, the underlying etiologic factors, diagnostic methods and alternative methods of treatment are discussed in the light of the literature. Methods: In this study, a retrospective evaluation was performed on 47 cases with the diagnoses of intussusception, who were operated on for bowel obstruction between 1990-2011 in Department of Surgery of Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty. Data related to presentation, diagnosis, treatment and pathology were analyzed. Results: Twenty-four of the patients (51%) were female, and 23 were male (49%). Mean age (year) was 49 (range: 23-78) in female group, and 50 (range: 17-72) in male group. All patients presented mechanical bowel obstruction findings and underwent operation. Intussusception was caused by benign and malignant tumors in 38 patients, and other reasons in 3 cases. No reason could be determined in the other 6 cases. Only small intestine resection was applied in 29 cases, and large intestine resection was also applied in 17 cases. Reduction and fixation surgery was performed in one patient. No postoperative mortality was observed. Conclusions: Adult intussusception remains a rare cause of abdominal pain. Diagnosis of intussusception in adults is still difficult. Main treatment was surgical in most cases. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2013;61:17-21)

Eyelid Tumors: Clinical Data from an Eye Center in Ankara, Turkey

Gundogan, Fatih Cakir,Yolcu, Umit,Tas, Ahmet,Sahin, Omer Faruk,Uzun, Salih,Cermik, Hakan,Ozaydin, Sukru,Ilhan, Abdullah,Altun, Salih,Ozturk, Mustafa,Sahin, Fahri,Erdem, Uzeyir Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.10

Introduction: The aim of the study was to explore the distribution of eyelid tumors in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, from a histopathological point of view. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 1,502 patients who had eyelid surgery because of tumoral lesions were retrospectively reviewed after obtaining institutional review board approval. A total of 1,541 lesions with histopathologic diagnosis were included. Inflammatory tumoral lesions were excluded. The lesions were categorized into three groups according to the origin: epidermal, adnexal tumors and 'others', including melanocytic, neural and vascular lesions. Results: Of the total of 1,541, 908 lesions were epidermal in origin. Only 22 (1.5%) were malignant, and 6.0% was premalignant lesions such as actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease. Twenty-one of 22 malignant lesions were basal cell carcinoma. There was only one patient with squamous cell carcinoma and no sebaceous cell carcinoma. Among the benign tumors (92.5%), squamous papilloma was the most frequent (21.8% of all lesions). The other frequent lesions were nevus (17.6%), seborrheic keratosis (17.3%), hydrocystomas (10.6%), xanthelasma (7.6%) and epidermal cysts (7.2%). Conclusions: The results of this study are in accordance with published literature. The absence of sebaceous cell carcinomas needs to be stressed.

Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil and Hexane Extract of Florence Fennel [Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum (Mill.) Thell.] Against Foodborne Microorganisms

Bülent Çetin,Hakan Özer,Ahmet Cakir,Tas¸kin Polat,Atilla Dursun,Ebru Mete,Erdog˘an O¨ ztu¨rk,Melek Ekinci 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.1

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical compositions of the essential oil and hexane extract isolated from the inflorescence, leaf stems, and aerial parts of Florence fennel and the antimicrobial activities of the essential oil, hexane extract, and their major component, anethole, against a large variety of foodborne microorganisms. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that the essential oils obtained from inflorescence, leaf stems, and whole aerial parts contained (E)-anethole (59.28–71.69%), limonene (8.30–10.73%), apiole (trace to 9.23%), β-fenchyl acetate (3.02–4.80%), and perillene (2.16–3.29%) as the main components. Likewise, the hexane extract of the plant sample exhibited a similar chemical composition, and it contained (E)-anethole (53.00%), limonene (27.16%), γ-terpinene (4.09%), and perillene (3.78%). However, the hexane extract also contained less volatile components such as n-hexadecanoic acid (1.62%), methyl palmitate (1.17%), and linoleic acid (1.15%). The in vitro antimicrobial assays showed that the essential oil, anethole, and hexane extract were effective against most of the foodborne pathogenic, saprophytic, probiotic, and mycotoxigenic microorganisms tested. The results of the present study revealed that (E)-anethole, the main component of Florence fennel essential oil, is responsible for the antimicrobial activity and that the essential oils as well as the hexane extract can be used as a food preservative. This study is the first report showing the antimicrobial activities of essential oil and hexane extract of Florence fennel against probiotic bacteria.

The effects of flavanoid on the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome

Talha Atalay,Murat Cakir,Ahmet Tekin,Tevfik Kucukkartallar,Suleyman Kargin,Adil Kartal,Adnan Kaynak 대한외과학회 2013 Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research(ASRT) Vol.85 No.5

Purpose: Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an arterial oxygenation disorder brought about by advanced liver failure and pulmonary vascular dilatations. The reason why hypoxia develops in hepatopulmonary syndrome depends on the broadening of perialveolar capillary veins. Our study aims to investigate the effects of Flavanoid on hepatopulmonary syndrome through its inhibition of nitric oxide. Methods: Three groups, each having 8 rats, were formed within the scope of our study. Group I (the control group) only received laparatomy, group II received choledoch ligation, and group III was administered Flavanoid (90% flavonoid diosmin, 10% flavonoid hesperidin) following choledoch ligation. The rats were administered Flavanoid at week two following choledoch ligation. The rats’ livers and lungs were examined histopathologically following a five-week follow-up and the perialveolar vein diameters were measured. Arterial blood gases and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Results: It was seen that fibrosis and oxidative damage in the liver with obstructive jaundice as well as hypoxia with pulmonary perialveolar vein sizes were significantly lower than the other group with cirrhosis formed through the administration of Flavanoid. Conclusion: We have concluded that Flavanoid administration might be useful in the treatment of hypoxia in hepatopulmonary syndrome and the delay of cirrhosis contraction.