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The ability of respiratory mucosal surfaces to eliminate foreign particles and pathogens and to keep mucosal surfaces moist and fresh depends on mucociliary activity. Chronic renal failure (CRF) is an irreversible medical condition that may result in important extrarenal systemic consequences, such as cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory system abnormalities. Although there are studies describing nasal manifestations of CRF, data are lacking concerning the effects of the condition on nasal mucosa. The goal of the current study was to evaluate nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) time in patients with CRF. This prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary referral center included 32 non-diabetic end-stage CRF patients and 30 control individuals. The control group consisted of voluntary participants who had been referred to our clinic for symptoms other than rhinological diseases. The mean NMC times in CRF patients and control individuals were 12.51 ± 3.74 min (range 7–22 min) and 8.97 ± 1.83 min (range 6–13 min), respectively. The mean NMC time in patients with CRF was significantly longer than that in control individuals (p

Urinary calculi are a common and severe problem, which are formed by urolithiasis or by the formation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals in the kidneys. Many treatment options such as drugs, various herbal preparations, surgical removal of the stones, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy have been applied for this condition. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of the drug amlodipine in an experimentally induced urolithiasis rat model.The effect of 5 mg/kg amlodipine was studied in rats that were first treated with 1% ethylene glycol and 1% ammonium chloride for 21 days to induce urolithiasis. The weight differences and the levels of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate were measured in serum and urine. In addition, urine CaOx level was defined and histopathological analyses were performed on the kidneys.Urolithiasis caused a significant increase in both serum and urine parameters compared with healthy rats. Urolithiasis plus amlodipine administration increased the levels of these same parameters. Urine CaOx level was high in urolithiasis rats and was also increased by urolithiasis plus amlodipine administration. The weight of the rats decreased in the urolithiasis plus amlodipine group when compared with the urolithiasis group. Histopathological examinations revealed extensive intratubular crystal depositions and degenerative tubular structures in the urolithiasis group and the amlodipine treatment group.We showed that amlodipine may increase susceptibility to urolithiasis by raising hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria. Further studies should be performed to elucidate the urolithiasis activity of amlodipine and to confirm the data.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of urinalysis used for pre-diagnosis of urinary tract infections UTI as a rapid test with results of bacterial culture taken a long time and determination of their sensitivity and spesivity ratesMETHODS: Primarily, chemical and microscopic analysis of urine were carried out for the patients admitted to Kutahya State Hospital Nephrology policlinic and those diagnosed with UTI. Urine culture was requested from the patients whose positive one or more of leucocyte esterase, nitrite, proteinuria, pyuria tests by using fully autotomatic urine analyzer iQ 200 IRIS Diagnostics, U.S.A . The growth of ≥103 cfu/ml at presence of pyuria or pure growth of ≥105 cfu/ml with or without pyuria were accepted ‘culture + ’. The results were statistically compared. RESULTS: Urine cultures were positive in 75 53,2% out of total 141 patients that all were symptomatic. Positive predictive values of leucocyte esterase, nitrite, pyuria and proteinuria tests were 55,4%, 78,5%, 52,9% and 48,2% while negative predictive values were calculated as 60%, 57%, 40% and 39,3% respectively. The test that has highest sensitivity rate was pyuria 96% , that has highest specifity rate was nitrite 86,4% .CONCLUSION: Leucocyte esterase, pyuria and nitrite tests are not sufficient to diagnose for patients who are clinically compatible with UTI by themselves, so pyuria and nitrit tests should be together interpreted, an absolute correlation with culture results should not be expected. False positivities or negativities in urine strip tests, possible sterile pyuria reasons and very low colony counts ≤ 102cfu/ml be able to leave out of assesment may be causes., AMAÇ: İdrar yolu enfeksiyonlarının İYE ön tanısında hızlı bir test olarak kullanılan tam idrar analizinin, daha uzun zaman alan kültür sonuçları ile karşılaştırılarak duyarlılık ve özgüllük oranlarının belirlenmesi. YÖNTEMLER: Kütahya Devlet Hastanesi nefroloji polikliniğine başvuran idrar yolu enfeksiyonu ön tanısı alan hastalara öncelikle idrarın kimyasal ve mikroskopik analizi uygulandı. Tam otomatik idrar analizörü iQ 200 IRIS Diagnostics, U.S.A kullanılarak yapılan lökosit esteraz, nitrit, proteinüri veya mikroskopik analiz sonuçlarından biri veya birkaçı pozitif olan hastalardan idrar kültürü istemi yapıldı. Piyüri varlığında >=103 cfu/ml üreme ve piyürili/piyürisiz >=105 cfu/ml saf üreme kültür + olarak kabul edildi. Sonuçlar istatistiksel olarak karşılaştırıldı.BULGULAR: Tamamı semptomatik olan toplam 141 hastanın 75 %53,2 ’inde idrar kültürü + idi. Lökosit esteraz, nitrit, piyüri ve proteinüri testlerinin pozitif prediktif değerleri sırasıyla %55,4, %78,5, %52,9, %48,2 olarak bulunurken negatif prediktif değerleri sırasıyla %60, %57, %40, %39,3 olarak hesaplandı. Duyarlılık düzeyi en yüksek test piyüri %96 , özgüllük düzeyi en yüksek test ise %86,4 nitrit testi idi. SONUÇ: Klinik olarak İYE ile uyumlu hastalar için lökosit esteraz, piyüri ve nitrit testleri tek başlarına tanı koymak için yeterli olmayıp lökosit ve nitrit testleri birlikte değerlendirilmeli, kültür sonuçları ile mutlak korelasyon beklenmemelidir. Strip testlerinde yanlış pozitiflik ya da negatiflikler, muhtemel steril piyüri nedenleri ve kültürde değerlendirme dışı bırakılabilen çok düşük koloni sayıları

Background: Urinary tract infections UTI are most common causes of bacterial infections in adults. The causative agent spectrum and resistance patterns are affected by many factors. In this study, we aimed to determine the microorganisms that cause UTI and their antibiotic resistance rates and efficient several demographic features. Method: In this study, between December 2008-May 2010, microorganisms isolated from midstream urine specimens sent to Kütahya State Hospital Microbiology laboratory with pre-diagnosis of UTI from various clinics, their antibiotic resistance rates and several demographic features age, gender, policlinic / service/intensive care unit ICU where the sample was sent of these patients were retrospectively analysed. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS version 15.0. Results: Out of 4100 urine samples, in 935 22,8% , significant bacteriuriae was determined. In order of frequency isolated microorganisms were Enterobacteriaceae spp 77,2% , Enterococcus spp 8% ve non-fermenting NF gram negative bacteria 5,3% , Staphylococcus spp 4,8% ve Candida spp 3,9% . NF bacteria and Enterococcus spp were isolated in significantly higher rates in men, 65 years of age and over and service/ICU patients. Conclusion: Because of variations in the causative agent spectrums and in the resistance rates of antibiotics using for empiric treatment in outpatients and inpatients, identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of UTI isolates and screening for extended spectrumlu beta lactamase ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae should necessarily be performed for a successful treatment. Statistical analysis of this type of laboratory data at the local, provincial or national level with the several intervals will be very instructive for the relevant clinicians about empiric therapy., Amaç: : İdrar yolu enfeksiyonları İYE yetişkinlerde bakteriyel enfeksiyonların en sık görülen sebebi olup etken spektrumu ve direnç paternleri birçok faktörden etkilenmektedir. Bu çalışmada İYE’na neden olan mikroorganizmaları, antibiyotik direnç oranlarını ve etkili bazı demografik özellikleri belirlemeyi amaçladık. Yöntem: Bu çalışmada, Aralık 2008 ile Mayıs 2010 tarihleri arasında Kütahya Devlet Hastanesi Mikrobiyoloji laboratuvarına çeşitli kliniklerden İYE şüphesi ile gönderilen orta akım idrar örneklerinden izole edilen mikroorganizmalar, bu hastalara ait demografik bazı özellikler yaş, cinsiyet ve numunenin gönderildiği poliklinik/servis/yoğun bakım ünitesi YBÜ ve antibiyotik direnç oranları retrospektif olarak araştırıldı, istatistiksel analiz SPSS 15.0 programı kullanılarak yapıldı. Bulgular: Toplam 4100 idrar örneğinin 935 %22,8 ’inde anlamlı bakteriüri saptandı. Sıklık sırasına göre izole edilen mikroorganizmalar, Enterobacteriaceae spp %77,2 , Enterococcus spp %8 ve nonfermenter NF gram negatif bakteriler %5,3 , Staphylococcus spp %4,8 ve Candida spp %3,9 idi. NF bakteriler ile Enterococcus spp erkeklerde, 65 yaş ve üzeri ve servis/yoğun bakım hastalarında belirgin olarak yüksek oranda izole edildi. Sonuç: Ayaktan ve yatan hastalarda ampirik tedavi için kullanılan antibiyotiklere direnç oranları ve etken patojen spektrumundaki farklılıklar nedeniyle, başarılı bir tedavi için İYE etkenlerin tanımlanması, antibiyogram testlerinin yapılması ve genişlemiş spektrumlu beta laktamaz GSBL çalışması da mutlaka yapılması gerekir. Bu sonuçları içeren laboratuvar verilerinin, hastane veya il bazında ya da ulusal düzeyde belli aralıklarla istatistiksel olarak analiz edilmesi, gerek ayaktan gerekse yatan hastalar için klinisyenlere ampirik tedavide önemli ölçüde yol gösterecektir.

WOS: 000290670300006, PubMed: 21545312, Background: In this study, we aimed to determine the nasal carriage rate of Staphylococcus aureus and risk factors in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: One hundred eighty-four HD patients were evaluated. A second sample was taken from the subjects, the wipe samples of whom were isolated as S. aureus. And subjects whose second samples' results were the same were deemed as S. aureus carriers. Results: Fifty-two (28.3%) patients were identified as S. aureus carriers. In the control group, S. aureus carriage has been found out as 14.9% in 116 healthy subjects. The isolation rate of S. aureus has been found statistically significantly high in the age group of 41-61 years. But, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolation ratio has been statistically high in the group over the age of 61 years. Sepsis history and gastrointestinal system disease development is closely related to bacterial isolation. MRSA isolation ratios have been found high in chronic lung disease patients, diabetic patients, patients with infection history, and patients with impaired general state of health. The carriage ratios have been found higher in the patients who are settled in urban areas, are subjected to dialysis for more than 10 years, and are hospitalized in the past year. However, the difference between the other groups is not statistically significant. Conclusions: S. aureus carriage must be screened on regular intervals in HD patients. Nasal S. aureus carriage follow-up and treatment is a process that will protect patients from more severe clinical pictures.

Objectives: We compared the short-term results of antiinflammatory drugs alone or in combination with local injection of a corticosteroid and anesthetic mixture in the treatment of tennis elbow.Methods: The study included 21 patients (12 males, 9 females; mean age 45 years; range 19 to 72 years) with tennis elbow. The patients were randomized to oral and topical anti-inflammatory drugs alone (group 1, n=10) or combined with a single local injection of a corticosteroid and anesthetic mixture (group 2, n=11). The patients were evaluated with a pain score (0 to 10 points) and clinical examination before and one month after treatment.Results: Complete or near-complete relief of pain and unlimited function were obtained in four patients (40%) in group 1, and in 10 patients (90.9%) in group 2. On physical examination, two patients (20%) in group 1 and eight patients (72.7%) in group 2 were pain-free upon pressure on the lateral epicondyle or dorsiflexion of the wrist. Pain scores differed significantly in both groups after treatment (p=0.026 and p=0.003, respectively); however, combination treatment was associated with a significantly higher efficacy (p=0.036).Conclusion: It was concluded that significantly enhanced efficacy of the combination treatment used in this study might be limited to the short-term and that adverse effects of steroids on the tendons should be taken into consideration., Amaç: Tenisçi dirseği tedavisinde antienflamatuvar ilaç tedavisinin tek başına ve lokal kortikosteroid ve anestezik karışımı enjeksiyonla birlikte kullanılmasının erken dönemdeki etkinliği karşılaştırıldı.Çalışma planı: Çalışmaya, lateral epikondilit tanısı konan 21 hasta (12 erkek, 9 kadın; ort. yaş 45; dağılım 19-72) alındı. Rastgele seçimle 10 hastaya (grup 1) sadece oral antienflamatuvar ilaç ve topikal antienflamatuvar ilaç tedavisi, 11 hastaya (grup 2) ise, buna ek olarak, bir kez lokal kortikosteroid ve lokal anestezik ilaç enjeksiyonu uygulandı. Hastalar tedavi öncesinde ve tedaviden bir ay sonra ağrı skorlaması (0-10 puan) ve klinik muayene ile değerlendirildi. Sonuçlar: Grup 1’de dört hastada (%40), grup 2’de 10 hastada (%90.9) ağrı yakınması tam veya tama yakın derecede düzeldi ve fonksiyon kısıtlılığı kalmadı. Fizik muayenede, grup 1’de iki hasta (%20), grup 2’de sekiz hasta (%72.7) lateral epikondil üzerine bastırmakla ve el bileği dorsifleksiyonu ile ağrısızdı. Tedavi öncesine göre iki grupta da ağrı skorlarında anlamlı derecede düşüş sağlandı (p=0.026 ve p=0.003); ancak, grup 2’de uygulanan tedavinin etkinliği anlamlı derecede daha fazlaydı (p=0.036). Çıkarımlar: Çalışmamızda uygulanan kombinasyon tedavisi kısa dönemde büyük yarar sağlasa da, bu etkinin geçici olabileceği ve steroidlerin tendonlar üzerindeki yan etkilerinin de dikkate alınması gerektiği sonucuna varıldı.

Objectives: To evaluate dry eye symptoms and clinical tear film alterations in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Materials and methods: Thirty-five non-diabetic CRF patients undergoing hemodialysis, and 31 healthy individuals were enrolled. An ocular surface disease index questionnaire (OSDI) was administered, and after a complete ocular examination, Schirmer and tear break-up time (TBUT) tests were performed. Results: OSDI scores were significantly higher (p

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a global economic burden due to treatment costs and attendant complications. Albuminuria is the precursor of end stage renal failure and is an inflammatory process. In the recent past, it has been reported that the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is a cost-effective and accessible marker, may be a favorable indicator of the inflammatory status. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and the presence and level of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Material and methods: A total of 112 patients with type-2 DM who were followed by our internal medicine and nephrology clinics between February 2013 and June 2014 were included in this pilot study and were retrospectively evaluated. All participants had a 24-hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE) record. Demographic parameters, biochemical parameters and albuminuria levels were recorded. Patients were divided into three groups according to their level of albuminuria. Results: Significant differences were detected between the groups in terms of NLR (p < 0.001). There was a linear increase in NLR in parallel to the increase in 24-hour UAE mean values (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was detected between NLR and C-reactive protein, urea, creatinine, and red cell distribution width. However, 24-hour UAE was negatively correlated with lymphocyte count (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A high degree of correlation was determined among albuminuria, glomerular filtration rate and NLR levels. These results may suggest the notion that diabetic nephropathy involves an inflammatory process. Copyright © 2016 Termedia & Banach.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive demyelinating disease presenting with a relapsing-remitting course and affects large areas of the brain and the spinal cord. Surgical stress often induces exacerbation of MS symptoms. It is mandatory to prepare the MS patient very carefully for the surgery and anaesthesia with an effective premedication and an effective postoperative analgesia following a safe and minimal-risk anaesthesia management. In recent reports, results of general and regional anaesthesia in MS patients have been discussed. To our knowledge this is the first case report of the use of desflurane anaesthesia in a patient with MS. In conclusion, desflurane anaesthesia is a safe and useful method for MS patients. Copyright © 2010 Termedia & Banach.

Increased platelet activation contributes to cardiovascular mortality in chronic kidney disease patients (CKD). Larger platelets are more active and this increased activity had been suggested as a predictive biomarker for cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate mean platelet volume (MPV) as an inflammatory marker in a broadened group of CKD patients. Our study is unique in literature as it covers all types of CKD including renal replacement therapies.200 patients (50 renal transplanted, 50 hemodialysis, 50 peritoneal dialysis, 50 chronic renal failure stages 3-4) were investigated who were between 18 and 76 years of age. The collected data included demographic properties, platelet count, MPV, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and hemoglobin. All of the patients had at least 12 month of therapy of either renal replacement modality.The mean CRP value was detected statistically significantly higher in hemodialysis (HD) patients compared to the resting three groups of patients (p 0.01). Mean CRP level was detected significantly higher in the pre-dialysis group compared to transplanted and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients (p 0.01). There is no statistically significant difference detected among the mean MPV values of all patient groups (p 0.05).ESR and CRP were significantly increased in hemodialysis patients compared to the other groups. We did not detect a significant difference among MPV between the groups. ESR was detected lowest in transplanted patients. Transplantation is coming forward as the favorable choice of renal replacement therapy which decreases inflammation.

Background and Objective: Renal transplant is the best form of treatment for most patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), because that therapy improves quality of life, prolongs survival, and is cost-effective. The objective of the study being reported was to compare the sociodemographic characteristics and registration status for renal transplantation of ESRD patients in Turkey who were registered for transplant or not. Methods: The study was conducted between June and September 2012 on patients of several Dialysis Centers. They all were informed in a one on one interview about the risks and benefits of renal transplants; they were also asked to fill out the questionnaires given to them. The study questionnaire was designed with the help of already published reports to include among others the patient’s age, sex, waiting time and educational status. Results: Patients who had been registered in the cadaver kidney waiting list were aged 43.85±13.48 in the average, with a balanced sex ratio, average dialysis duration 57.30±51.46 months. Of these patients 45 had finished high school, 87 lived in rural areas and 67 had an income equivalent to expenses. Conclusion: There was a significant difference among the groups depending on the patients’ residence in an urban or rural environment. Such a difference might be following the greater ease of obtaining relevant information in the urban areas.

Meropenem is one of the most commonly used antibacterial agents with relatively few side effects. Serious adverse reactions reported with meropenem are rare with an incidence of 1 %. Recently we came across two rare adverse effects of meropenem in one patient with acute renal failure. There was pancytopenia and sepsis, respectively. To the best of ourknowledge, a only few cases have been reported in the literature that document an association between meropenem administration and pancytopenia, and about half of these cases were sepsis. With the use of meropenem becoming more widespread, these two rare but fatal complications of meropenem should be borne in mind.Keywords: Meropenem, Pancytopenia, Sepsis, Fatal complications

Objective: Recently, it has reported that nebivolol might be useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus foot ulcers. The aim of this study was to examine treatment of the wounds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with topical nebivolol. Methods: Two 15 × 15 mm-sized wounds were created in 56 streptozotocin-induced rats. A total of 56 diabetic wounds were studied in eight groups (n = 7). No treatment was administered to the first and second groups. The third and fourth groups consisted of diabetic rats that were administered 1:1 mixture of lanolin and vaseline for 7 and 14 days, respectively. Five percent nebivolol plus 1:1 mixture of lanolin and vaseline was administered to rats in the fifth and sixth groups for 7 and 14 days, respectively, and 10% nebivolol plus 1:1 mixture of lanolin and vaseline was administered to rats in the seventh and eighth groups for 7 and 14 days, respectively. On days 7 and 14, wound healing was observed, and the percent of wound healing was determined by measuring its size and histopathologic examination. The ratio was calculated by the formula, healing ratio (%) = 100 × (1-wound area/initial wound area). Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA with Tukey's HSD test and Mann-Whitney U test, using SPSS 15.0 software. Results: On days 7 and 14, rates of wound healing in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth groups were 57.42%, 89.16%, 60.80%, and 91.80%, respectively. Multiple comparison showed that rates of wound healing were significantly higher in rats administered 5% and 10% nebivolol than those in rats administered a mixture of lanolin and vaseline and in the untreated group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Topical nebivolol therapy may be useful for wound healing in diabetic rats. Further studies are needed to support these data. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

IgA nephropathy is one of the most common forms of glomerulopathies. It is an immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis diagnosed by the presence of mesangial IgA deposits that are often associated with mesangial cell proliferation. The IgG, C3, IgM, or other immunoglobulin light chains may be co-existed with IgA. Its pathogenesis suggested that it is responsible for enhancing the production of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has also been implicated as a modulator of disease activity. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder caused by thrombocytopenia that is not associated with a systemic disease. Its pathogenesis suggested an autoimmune disease in which IgG is thought to damage megakaryocytes, which are the precursors of platelet cells. Several studies reported that PDGF levels were higher in normal subjects than in patients with ITP. Moreover, ITP is a disease related to the antibody. Thus, our aim is to examine whether a similar pathophysiological relationship exist between ITP and IgAN that may be mediated by PDGF and/or IgG. © 2014 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

WOS: 000280519300018, PubMed: 20639669, Objective: To present a case of a rare variation of the renal artery and multiple (7) renal arteries by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 36-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital as a potential living donor for renal transplantation. An MDCT angiography was performed using a 16-detector row CT scanner to obtain a detailed image of vascular structures and associated pathologies. The MDCT clearly revealed the presence of 3 right and 2 left renal arteries arising from the abdominal aorta. Additionally, the accessory renal artery arose from the inferior mesenteric artery on the left side and from the common iliac artery on the right side. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of awareness of renal artery variations if surgical procedures are indicated in this region. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Nebivolol is a β-blocker that is highly selective for β1-adrenergic receptors with vasodilating properties. This property can be attributed to an endothelial release of nitric oxide (NO). It has been reported that nebivolol also reduces intracellular oxidative stress. There are some studies conducted in humans and animal models which have shown that NO is an important regulator of bone metabolism. However, oxidative stress and antioxidant systems may play important roles in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. In this paper, we hypothesized that nebivolol may have beneficial effects via nitric oxide and antioxidant action in osteoporosis treatment.

Coskun, Abdurrahman/0000-0002-1273-0604; Annakkaya, Ali Nihat N/0000-0002-7661-8830 WOS: 000266882200007 PubMed: 19494536 Objective: To investigate serum levels of CA 19.9, CA 125 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in patients with different stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients and Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients (50 males, 3 females, mean age 67.6 +/- 10.1 years) with COPD were included in this study. Serum levels of CA 19.9, CA 25 and CEA were determined by the chemiluminescent immunometric method. Based on values obtained from pulmonary function tests, the patients were divided into 3 groups: moderate (21), severe (18) and very severe (14). Data were analyzed with a Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The mean serum levels of CA 125 and CA 19.9 were significantly higher in patients with very severe COPD (p = 0.013 and p = 0.017, respectively) than in patients with severe and moderate COPD (p < 0.05). Patients with cor pulmonale had significantly high mean serum levels of CEA, CA 19.9 and CA 125 (p < 0.05). Patients using a long-acting beta-agonist and theophylline showed significantly higher mean serum levels of CA 125 than patients who were not (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Data showed that the increased serum tumor markers in patients with COPD might be due to the severity of COPD, medication and cor pulmonale. Copyright (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

SummaryFamilial Mediterranean fever is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by periodic attacks of fever and polyserositis, while Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. We suggest that common autoimmune mechanisms may underlie both disorders, describe their clinical co-existence in a patient, and discuss a possible causal link between them.

WOS: 000253399700012, PubMed: 18287802, Objective: To present a case of myocardial infarction due to Behcet's syndrome. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 27-year-old man who was known to have Behcet's syndrome for 1 year presented with retrosternal fluctuating chest pain, which radiated to the epigastrium 5 h prior to admission. Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, which was successfully treated with coronary stent implantation. Conclusion: This case shows that patients with Behcet's syndrome who had acute chest pain should be thoroughly examined for any signs of acute myocardial infarction. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Aim: Approximately 10-20% of general population has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and/or urolithiasis (U) and it seems that there is a significant association between them. Methods: We randomly took consecutive patients with and without IBS, among the cases applying to internal medicine polyclinic. U was diagnosed either by medical history or current findings. Results: Female/male ratio of IBS cases was 1.62. On the other hand, U was detected in 111 cases, totally, and female/male ratio was 0.94. So the rates of U were 13.7 and 15.2% in female and males, respectively. As a significant finding, U was detected in 61 (17.9%) of cases with IBS, whereas this ratio was 11.6% (50 in number) among the cases without (p < 0.01). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between groups of IBS and U according to obesity and hyperuricemia (p > 0.05 for both). Conclusions: Although IBS predominantly keeps females, relationship between IBS and U is still significant. IBS is probably a cascade of many physiological events, being initiated with infection, inflammation, psychological disturbances like many stresses and eventually terminating with gut dysfunction. So U may be one of the terminating points of the physiological events' cascade, IBS. By this way, the giant gap about the underlying etiologies of most of U cases may be explained by the high incidance of IBS in society. Keeping in mind this association will be helpful during prevention, treatment, and follow up of these pathologies.