Browsing by Author "Demir K."

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Cyclosporine Therapy as a Rescue Treatment in Steroid Refractory Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Real Life Data From a Tertiary Center
(2022-06-01) Evirgen S.; İliaz R.; Akyüz F.; Çavuş B.; Göktürk S.; Örmeci A.; Mutluay Soyer Ö.; Baran B.; Pınarbaşı B.; Karaca Ç.; Demir K.; Beşışık F.; Kaymakoğlu S.
BACKGROUND: Cyclosporine is a rescue treatment alternative to avoid colectomy in corticosteroid refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of cyclosporine therapy in acute severe ulcerative colitis patients. METHODS: Acute severe ulcerative colitis (basal Lichtiger score > 10) patients who did not respond to 40 mg intravenous methylpredniso- lone therapy after 3-5 days were included in the study. The presence of clinical response and remission was assessed at 1st week, 1st, 6th, and 12th month according to the Lichtiger index. RESULTS: In this study, 40 patients, whose steroid refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis and basal Lichtiger score > 10 points were enrolled. The median disease duration was 49.3 months (2-204). All patients received cyclosporine for 132 ± 78 days (7-270). Clinical response was obtained on seventh day in 82.5%. The clinical response rates of the first and sixth months were 72.5% and 62.5%, respectively. A total of 17/40 (42.5%) patients underwent colectomy within 1 year. In the patients who underwent colectomy, the basal LS (14.2 ± 1.9 vs 12.3 ± 1.7) (P = .002) was higher and the basal hemoglobin value (11.8 ± 2.3 vs 10.1 ± 1.5) (P = .037) was lower than those who did not undergo colectomy. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that cyclosporine treatment may be successfully and safely used in steroid refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis patients. Cyclosporine is a drug that has recently started to come up again with the introduction of new maintenance treatments. Especially in patients who develop a loss of response to infliximab therapy, or where infliximab therapy is contraindicated, or who have azathioprine intolerance, or are unresponsive.
Radiological evaluation of the use of clay brick and pumice brick as a structural building material
(2018-11-01) Turhan; Demir K.; Karataşlı M.
In this study, clay brick (CBRICK) and pumice brick (PBRICK) samples used as structural material in the construction of dwellings, schools, workplaces and factories in Turkey were compared with each other from a radiological viewpoint. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K naturally occurring in CBRICK and PBRICK samples collected from different regions of Turkey were determined by using a gamma-ray spectrometer with a high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in CBRICK and PBRICK samples were found as 35.4 ± 3.3, 37.5 ± 2.4 and 593.7 ± 42.7 Bq kg−1 and 81.9 ± 2.5, 65.8 ± 6.0 and 1066.0 ± 46.6 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radon surface exhalation rate (EXS) and radon mass exhalation rate (EXM) of CBRICK and PBRICK samples were measured by using an active radon gas analyzer with an accumulation container. The average value of EXS and EXM of CBRICK and PBRICK samples found as 45.9 ± 2.9 mBq m−2 h−1 and 3.7 ± 2.9 mBq kg−1 h−1 and 100.9 ± 4.7 mBq m−2 h−1 and 9.9 ± 0.5 mBq kg−1 h−1, respectively. Radiological parameters related to external and internal exposure to members of the public such as the radiation protection index, alpha index, and indoor absorbed gamma radiation dose rate and the corresponding annual effective dose from external exposure, annual effective dose from inhalation of radon, and the lifetime cancer risk were estimated for CBRICK and PBRICK samples. The results were compared with each other and with the international recommended limits or criteria. The results reveal that the average values measured and estimated for CBRICK samples are approximately two times lower than those measured and estimated for PBRICK samples. Thus, from the radiological viewpoint, clay brick is preferable to pumice brick as a structural material in the building sector.