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The aim of this study was to measure the alterations in serum trace elements, including zinc and copper in patients with chronic hepatitis and to compare with the results of healthy individuals. The serum zinc and copper concentrations were measured by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer in sera of patients with chronic hepatitis and statistically compared with those of healthy individuals. One hundred and five subjects, 71 patients with chronic hepatitis B (46 asymptomatic carriers, 25 chronic active hepatitis B) and 34 healthy individuals were included in this study. Sera of patients with chronic hepatitis and statistically compared with those of healthy individuals. Serum zinc concentrations were 104+/-24.98 microg/dl in asymptomatic carriers, 97+/-16.03 microg/dl in chronic active hepatitis and 108+/-21.07 in healthy controls, respectively. Serum copper concentrations were 88+/-17.8 microg/dl in asymptomatic carriers, 86+/-20.02 microg/dl in patients with chronic active hepatitis B and 88+/-13.59 microg/dl in healthy controls, respectively. Serum zinc and copper concentrations were not statistically different in patients with chronic hepatitis B compared with those of healthy individuals (p>0.05). Serum trace element concentrations did not show statistical alterations in patients with chronic hepatitis B compared with healthy subjects.

Objective: Dizziness is one of the most frequently seen unresolved diseases in primary health care. Regardless of its reason or characteristics; effects of dizziness in patients' daily life are very significant. This study is planned to adapt the Dizziness Handicap Inventory to Turkish and to use it in practice; an inventory which can be used to determine the alterations in the life qualities of the outpatients or inpatients consulted with the dizziness complaint. Method: 178 patients were included in the study, who was admitted to Turgut Ozal University Medical Faculty Otorhinolaryngology and Family Physician polyclinics with dizziness complaint for last 1 month. A semi-structured interview form and Dizziness Disability Inventory were used as data collection means. Results: Dizziness Disability Inventory; consists of 25 clauses which determine the aggravating factors associated with dizziness and shakiness and also the emotional and functional results of vestibular system diseases. The inventory consists of 3 sub-dimensions, intended to determine physical, emotional and functional effects of the vestibular system diseases. All of the sub-dimensions have high internal-confidence and their Cronbach Alfa values are between 0,67 and 0,82. Also the Cronbach Alfa values of the sub-inventory groups were similar with the general inventory. Conclusion: The findings obtained from the study show that this inventory may be used on dizziness patients in Turkey, and it has satisfactory validity and reliability coefficients. It may be concluded that, by using this inventory, dizziness complaint and its effects on life quality can be monitored via more objective criteria. ÖZETAmaç: Birinci basamakta en çok karşımıza çıkan ayrışmamış hastalık durumlarından biri, baş dönmesidir. Sebebi ve karakteristiği her ne olursa olsun baş dönmesinin hastaların günlük yaşamlarına olan etkisi oldukça önemlidir. Bu çalışma; baş dönmesi yakınması ile başvuran, ayaktan ya da yatarak tedavi edilen hastaların yaşam kalitelerindeki değişikliği belirlemede kullanılabilecek Baş Dönmesi Engellilik Envanterinin (Dizziness Handicap Inventory), Türkçeye uyarlanması ve pratikte kullanılması amacıyla planlanmıştır. Yöntem: Çalışmaya Turgut Özal Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Kulak Burun Boğaz ve Aile Hekimliği Polikliniklerine son bir aydır devam eden baş dönmesi yakınması ile başvuran 178 hasta dahil edilmiştir. Veri toplama araçları olarak yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ve Baş dönmesi Engellilik Envanteri kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Baş Dönmesi Engellilik Envanteri, hastaların baş dönmesi ve denge bozukluğu ile ilgili ağırlaştırıcı faktörlerin yanı sıra vestibüler sistem hastalıklarında duygusal ve fonksiyonel sonuçları belirleyen 25 maddeden oluşmaktadır. Envanter, vestibüler sistem hastalıklarının fiziksel, duygusal ve fonksiyonel etkilerini belirlemeye yönelik üç alt envanter içermektedir. Tüm alt envanterlerin iç güvenirlikleri yüksek ve Cronbach alfa değerleri 0,67 ile 0,82 arasındadır. Envanterin genelinde olduğu gibi alt envanter gruplarından elde ed...

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute nitric oxide synthase inhibition on mean arterial blood pressure, oxidative stress markers such as plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities such as copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and catalase and on trace elements important for activity and stability of Cu/Zn-SOD. Wistar-Kyoto rats (approx 150 g) (n=11) were treated with Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME) (0.5 mg/mL) for 2 d. Age- and bodyweight-matched rats (n=10) were used for control group. Their systolic blood pressures and heart rates were recorded daily during the experimental period and also before their blood samples were drawn. Plasma MDA, plasma and red cell zinc and copper concentrations, and red cell Cu/Zn-SOD and catalase activities were determined. A progressive rise in systolic arterial blood pressure was observed compared to the control group (p<0.001). The heart rate of the experimental group was reduced on the third day (p<0.05). Plasma MDA concentration and red cell catalase activity were increased in the experimental group (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Plasma copper and red cell zinc concentrations were also increased significantly in the experimental group (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). In conclusion, impairment in endothelium-derived relaxation altered mean arterial blood pressure, oxidant status, and trace element concentrations.