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Aim of the study: Vitamin D deficiency is known to be associated with disease severity, unresponsiveness to treatment, and morbidity among patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C, autoimmune hepatitis, and alcoholic hepatitis. This study aims to research vitamin D levels in patients suffering from cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic phases of hepatitis D. Material and methods: 170 individuals in total were included in the study in the form of two groups: the first group of 100 patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD), 30 of whom had cirrhosis, and the second control group of 70 individuals with similar characteristics to those of the first group in terms of age, type, and seasonal sampling. Levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured in the serum collected from patients and the control group. Results: The lowest 25(OH)D levels were identified in patients with cirrhotic CHD. When these levels were compared with those of the control group, they were found to be significant (15.30 +/- 6.92 and 18.90 +/- 8.30 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.04). 25(OH)D deficiency (< 10 ng/ml) was detected at significantly higher rates in patients with both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic CHD compared to the healthy controls (30%, 25%, and 8.5%, respectively, p = 0.01). A significant correlation was established between 25(OH)D levels and bilirubin in patients with CHD (r = 0.252, p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that chronic hepatitis D (odds ratio [OR] = 3.608, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31-9.89, p = 0.013) and age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.08, p = 0.033) were associated with vitamin D deficiency. Conclusions: Frequency of 25(OH)D vitamin deficiency is higher in patients with CHD. The identification of vitamin D levels and the replacement of any deficiency may create a positive effect on disease progression, morbidity, and mortality levels.

Aim: To investigate the hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of gallic acid (GA) against obstructive cholestasis (OC) -induced liver damage in rats. Methods: Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 (n=10) was the sham-operated group. In group 2 and group 3, hepatoduodenal ligament dissection was performed after laparotomy. Once the common bile duct was made apparent, it was ligated with 4/0 silk surgical suture and cut between both sutures. Group 2 (n=10) was the control group. Group 3 (n=10) was the GA group. GA (50 mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage daily for 10 days. At the end of the experiment on day 10, the rats were anesthetized. Fibrosis, inflammation, ductal proliferation and necrosis were evaluated histopathologically. Serum levels of AST, ALT, TBIL, DBIL, LDH and GGT levels were determined. In the serum and liver, TAS, TOS, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL 10 levels were evaluated. Results: When group 2 and group 3 were compared histopathologically, fibrosis and inflammation were significantly lower in group 3. In group 3, all LFTs (except DBIL), liver and serum IL-6, IL-1, TOS, MDA, and TNF-α levels were significantly lower than group 2, whereas IL-10 and TAS values were increased. Conclusion: Findings of this research indicate that GA may be effective against OC-induced liver damage in a rat model. We presume that the beneficial effects of GA are closely associated with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, we think that using GA can save us time before resorting to the surgical method.

SUMMARY: Severe preeclampsia (HELLP syndrome) is a life-threatening pregnancy complication, usually a severe form of preeclampsia. In this study, we aimed to examine histopathologic changes and Endothelin-1 and KI-67 expression levels by immunohistochemical methods in severe preeclamptic placentas. Severe preeclampsia and obstetric characteristics and biochemical and hematological characteristics of healthy subjects were compared. Placenta sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for histopathological examination. In the histopathological examination of severe preeclamptic placenta, degeneration in synaptic and cytotrophoblastic cells, increase in insidious knots, fibrinoid necrosis, degeneration in endothelial cells, calcification and hyaline villous stains were observed. In the severe preeclampsia group, Ki-67 expression increased in decidua cells and inflammatory cells, while endothelial cells in the vessel wall and inflammatory cells in the villus and intervillous spaces increased. It is thought that angiogenetic and cellular proliferation is induced in a co-ordinated manner and significantly influences fetal development.

SUMMARY: Traumatic injury to the spinal cord results in the delayed dysfunction and neuronal death. Impaired mitochondrial function, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation occur soon after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), while the activation of compensatory molecules that neutralize ROS occurs at later time points. The aim of the current study was to investigate the putative neuroprotective effect of Ganoderma lucidum in a rat model of SCI. In order to induce SCI, a standard weight-drop method that induced a moderately severe injury (100 g/cm force) at T10, was used. Injured animals were given either 20 mL/kg Ganoderma lucidum or saline 30 min post injury per day by gastric gavage. At seven days postinjury, rats were decapitated. Spinal cord samples were taken for histological examination or determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. SCI caused a significant decrease in spinal cord GSH content, which was accompanied with significant increases in MDA levels, MPO activity. On the other hand, Ganoderma lucidum treatment reversed all these biochemical parameters as well as SCI-induced histopathological alterations. Furthermore, impairment of the neurological functions due to SCI was improved by meloxicam treatment. The present study suggests that Ganoderma Lucidum, reduces SCI-induced oxidative stress and exerts neuroprotection by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, GSH depletion.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphometric and immunohistochemistry in umbilical cords from patients with severe pre-eclampsia with and without haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. The patient and control groups were similar according to baseline obstetric characteristics. White blood cell count in patients with HELLP syndrome and the control group was significantly increased among patients with HELLP syndrome (p < 0.001). Morphometric examination and endothelial core length were significantly different between the groups. In the umbilical cord cross-section of the HELLP group, endothelial cell degeneration in the vessel wall and basement membrane thickening were observed. In the muscle layer of blood vessels, the following disorders were found: increased collagen fibres in the muscle cell, hyperplasia and separation of muscle fibres as well as edema in the intermediate connective tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that endothelial cells, basal membrane and fibroblast cells in the HELLP group expressed high levels of CD44. Vessel wall and amniotic epithelial basement membrane thickening were observed in the HELLP group. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) was expressed. Fibroblast and smooth muscle cells were fusiform and showed a positive reaction to immunohistochemical staining of α-actin smooth muscle.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of L-glutamine (GLN) against liver and kidney injury caused by acute toxicity of deltamethrin (DLM). MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-two rats were indiscriminately separated into 4 groups with 8 rats each: control group (distilled water; 10 ml/kg, perorally [p.o.]), DLM group (35 mg/kg p.o. one dose.), GLN group (1.5 gr/kg, p.o. single dose.) and DLM (35 mg/kg p.o. one dose.) + GLN group (1.5 gr/kg, p.o. one dose after 4 hours.). Testing for total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) analyses were performed on tissue samples, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, and creatinine were analyzed on serum samples. Liver and kidney samples were histopathologically analyzed. RESULTS The TOS level in liver was significantly higher in the DLM group than in the control group, and the level in DLM+GLN group was considerably lower than in the DLM group. The TAS level in the DLM+GLN group was considerably higher than in the control and DLM groups. The TAS level in kidney tissues was considerably lower in the DLM group than in controls, but was similar to other groups. Histopathological analyses of liver tissues established a significant difference between DLM and DLM+GLN groups in terms of grade 2 hepatic injury. However, no significant difference was found between DLM and DLM+GLN groups in terms of kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS Glutamine leads to significant improvement in deltamethrin-induced acute hepatotoxicity in terms of histopathologic results, tissue oxidative stress parameters, and serum liver function marker enzymes.

Aim: To investigate the effect of melatonin on ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat ovary. Material and Method: A total of 24 Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The rats were first numbered randomly and then randomly divided into four equal groups: sham, torsion, detorsion and melatonin groups. In group I (n = 6) sham, as well as in group II ovary torsion was not performed and no drug was administered. In group III, 1 hour of ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion were performed and no drug was given. In group IV, melatonin was dissolved in 1% ethanol just before use. Melatonin was injected 1 hour before torsion to the torsion plus melatonin group. Right ovaries were surgically removed in all groups. Result: Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. We suggested that administration of melatonin would be in treating ovaries from torsion/detorsion induced damage in humans. The histopathological changes such as vascular congestion, edema, hemorrhage, and follicular degeneration were found to be decreased in the melatonin + ischemia-reperfusion group. Ischemia-reperfusion group: PECAM-I expression is positive in vessel of the stromal area. The follicles and interfolicular area infiltrated with CD68 positive cells were increased in a time of ischemia-reperfusion exposure dependent manner. Conclusions: Melatonin after ischemia-reperfusion CD31 and CD68 expressions is weak, due to the reduction of the inflammatory effects and hemorrhage is thought that melatonin is effective.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is generally recognized to have important cardiotoxic side effects. Studies are contradictory about the interaction between hyperbaric oxygen (HBOTwenty-one rats were divided into three equal groups as follows: 1) Group 1 is a control group (without any intervention), used for evaluating the basal cardiac structures and determining the normal value of cardiacs and serum oxidative markers; 2) Group 2 is the doxorubicin group (single dose i.p. 20 mg/kg doxorubicin) for detecting the cardiotoxic and systemic effects of doxorubicin; 3) Group 3 is the doxorubicin and HBOThe doxorubicin treated animals (Group 2) had increased oxidative stress markers (both cardiac and serum) and severe cardiac injury as compared to the basal findings in the control group. Nevertheless, the highest cardiac oxidative stress index was detected in Group 3 (control vs. Group 3, p = 0.01). However, histological examination revealed that cardiac structures were well preserved in Group 3 when compared with Group 2.Our results suggest that HBO

Background: Recent technical developments have focused on the full automation of urinalyses, however the manual microscopic analysis of urine sediment is considered the reference method. The aim of this study was to compare the performances of the LabUMat-UriSed and the H800-FUS100 with manual microscopy, and with each other. Methods: The urine sediments of 332 urine samples were examined by these two devices (LabUMatUriSed, H800-FUS100) and manual microscopy. Results: The reproducibility of the analyzers, UriSed and Fus100 (4.1– 28.5% and 4.7–21.2%, respectively), was better than that with manual microscopy (8.5–33.3%). The UriSed was more sensitive for leukocytes (82%), while the Fus100 was more sensitive for erythrocyte cell counting (73%). There were moderate correlations between manual microscopy and the two devices, UriSed and Fus100, for erythrocyte (r = 0.496 and 0.498, respectively) and leukocyte (r = 0.597 and 0.599, respectively) cell counting however the correlation between the two devices was much better for erythrocyte (r = 0.643) and for leukocyte (r = 0.767) cell counting. Conclusion: It can be concluded that these two devices showed similar performances. They were time-saving and standardized techniques, especially for reducing preanalytical errors such as the study time, centrifugation, and specimen volume for sedimentary analysis; however, the automated systems are still inadequate for classifying the cells that are present in pathological urine specimens. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 27:312–316, 2013. C � 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Despite recent advances in antibiotic therapy, sepsis remains a major clinical challenge in intensive care units. Here we examined the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Ecballium elaterium (EE) on brain, and explored its therapeutic potential in an animal model of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) [induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)].Thirty rats were divided into three groups of 10 each: control, sepsis, and treatment. Rats were subjected to CLP except for the control group, which underwent laparatomy only. The treatment group received 2.5 mg/kg EE while the sepsis group was administered by saline. Twenty-four hours after laparotomy, animals were sacrificied and the brains were removed. Brain homogenates were prepared to assess interleukin 1beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant status (TOS). Brain tissue sections were stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to semi-quantitatively examine the histopathologic changes such as neuron degeneration, pericellular/perivascular edema and inflammatory cell infiltration in the cerebral cortex.We found a statistically significant reduction in brain tissue homogenate levels of TNF-α 59.5 ± 8.4/50.2 ± 6.2 (p = 0.007) and TOS 99.3 ± 16.9/82.3 ± 7.8 (p = 0.01) in rats treated with EE; although interleukin 6 levels were increased in the treatment group compared to the sepsis group, this was not statistically significant. Neuronal damage (p = 0.00), pericellular/ perivascular edema and inflammatory cell infiltration (p = 0.001) were also significantly lower in the treatment group compared to those in the sepsis group.These data suggest that Ecballium elaterium contains some components that exert protective effects against SAE in part by attenuating accumulation of proinflammatory cytokines, which may be important contributors to its anti-inflammatory effects during sepsis.Keywords: Sepsis associated, encephalopathy; Ecballium, elaterium; Sepsis; TNF-α; TOS

Un total de 32 ratas Wistar fueron divididas en cuatro grupos: (I) Sham, (II) isquemia, (III) reperfusion y (IV) Potentilla fulgens. En los grupos I y II, no se realizo la torsion de ovario y ni se administro ningun tipo de farmaco. En el grupo III, se produjo isquemia por 1 h seguido de reperfusion por 2 h (I/R), sin administracion de farmacos. El grupo IV recibio 400 mg/kg por dia de Potentilla fulgens via intraperitoneal durante cinco dias previo al protocolo de isquemia-reperfusion. Se observo que todos los parametros disminuyeron significativamente (P

Sefer Varol, Hasan Hüseyin Özdemir, Mehmet Uğur Çevik, Yaşar Altun, Ibrahim Ibiloğlu, Aysun Ekinci, Aslıhan Okan Ibiloğlu, Metin Balduz, Demet Arslan, Recep Tekin, Fesih Aktar, Mehmet Ufuk Aluçlu Department of Neurology, FacultyofMedicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey Background: Deltamethrin (DLM) is a broad-spectrum synthetic dibromo-pyrethroid pesticide that is widely used for agricultural and veterinary purposes. However, human exposure to the pesticide leads to neurotoxicity. Glutamine is one of the principal, free intracellular amino acids and may also be an antioxidant. This study was undertaken in order to examine the neuroprotective and antioxidant potential of L-glutamine against DLM toxicity in female Wistar albino rats. Materials and methods: The rats were divided into the following groups (n=10): Group I: control (distilled water; 10mL/kg, po one dose), Group II: L-glutamine (1.5g/kg, po one dose), Group III: DLM (35mg/kg, po one dose), and Group IV: DLM (35mg/kg, po one dose) and L-glutamine (1.5g/kg, po one dose after 4hours). Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels and apoptosis were evaluated in brain tissue. Results: DLM-treated animals had a significant increase in brain biochemical parameters, as well as TOS and TAS. Furthermore, the histopathological examination showed neuronal cell degeneration in the cerebral tissue. L-Glutamine treatment decreased the elevated brain levels of TOS and neuronal cell degeneration. There was no difference in tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels between the groups. Conclusion: L-Glutamine may reduce the toxic effects of DLM in the cerebral tissue through antioxidant properties. Keywords: deltamethrin, L-glutamine, rat

Senem Yaman Tunc,1 Elif Agacayak,1 Neval Yaman Goruk,2 Mehmet Sait Icen,1 Abdulkadir Turgut,1 Ulas Alabalik,3 Cihan Togrul,4 Cenap Ekinci,5 Aysun Ekinci,6 Talip Gul1 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Dicle University, 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diyarbakir Memorial Hospital, 3Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, 5Department of Histology and Embryology, 6Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of honokiol on experimental ischemia/reperfusion injury of rat ovary.Materials and methods: A total of 40 female Wistar albino rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into five groups as follows: sham (Group I), torsion (Group II), torsion + detorsion (Group III), torsion + detorsion + saline (Group IV), and torsion + detorsion + honokiol (Group V). Bilateral adnexa in all the rats except for those in the sham group were exposed to torsion for 3hours. The rats in Group IV were administered saline, whereas the rats in Group V were administered honokiol by intraperitoneal route 30minutes before detorsion. Tissue and plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide were determined. Ovarian tissue was histologically evaluated. Data analyses were performed by means of Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U-test (Bonferroni correction) in SPSS 15.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).Results: The torsion and detorsion groups had higher scores in vascular congestion, hemorrhage, and inflammatory cell infiltration compared with the sham group (P

Objectives: We investigated whether pomegranate extract plays a protective antioxidant role against mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion injury (IR), which can lead to a systemic response and damage distant organs, such as the lung, liver, and kidney. Methods: Forty female Wistar-Albino rats were separated into four groups: laparotomy, laparotomy + PG, mesenteric IR, and mesenteric IR and pomegranate (IR + PG). In the laparotomy + PG and IR + PG groups, pomegranate (225 mg/kg) was given by oral gavage at the beginning of the study. Ischemia was induced for 30 minutes, and reperfusion was subsequently allowed for 60 minutes in the IR and IR + PG groups. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant activity (AOA) levels were evaluated in blood samples. Additionally, all tissues were removed for the measurement of AOA and total oxidant status as well as for subsequent histopathological evaluation. The oxidative stress index was calculated. Results: Histopathological changes in all organs were significantly higher in the IR group and significantly lower in the IR + PG group vs. the other groups. Serum MDA levels were significantly lower in the IR + PG group than in the IR group. No significant difference was found in AOA levels of the groups. Discussion: These data may explain the positive protective effects of pomegranate based on the histopathologic findings in ischemic conditions in an intestinal IR injury model.

Objectives: Despite decreasing incidence of gastric cancerin worldwide, it is still a major health problem. Everyyear, 30.000 new gastric cancer cases emerging, and itis the second most common cancer in Turkey. Gastriccancer is a complex multifactorial disease, emerging byinteraction between genetic and environmental factors.Survivin, apoptosis inhibitory protein is over-expressed incancer tissue. In this study, association between Survivin-31G/C polymorphism and gastric carcinoma was investigated.Materials and Methods: 46 gastric carcinoma patientswho had been admitted at Düzce University Researchand Practice Hospital, Laboratory of Pathology and 42healthy individuals have been included in the study. Sampleshave been subjected to genetic analysis by PCRRFLPmethod in Medical Genetics Department laboratoryat Düzce University.Results: GG genotype was found in 16 (34.8%), GCgenotype in 21 (45.7%), CC genotype in 9 (19.6%) in patientgroup. In control group, genotype distribution werefound 13 (31%), 26 (61.9%) and 3 (7.1%) respectively.The statistically significant difference was not found whencompared between patient and control groups. However,we observed the increased occurrence of gastric cancerassociated with CC genotype (OR=1.52).Conclusions: In our knowledge, this study is the first toevaluate the relationship between gastric carcinoma andSurvivin -31G/C polymorphism in Turkish population. Ourresults show that there is no any association betweengastric carcinoma and Survivin -31G/C polymorphismin the community which is represented by our study andcontrol groups. However, it was concluded that CC genotypemay create the susceptibility to gastric cancer.Key words: Polymorphism, gastric carcinoma, survivinggene, apoptosis

En los ultimos anos, los trastornos relacionados con el desarrollo y la funcion del tracto reproductivo masculino han aumentado, lo que genera una disminucion importante en el volumen de semen y el conteo de espermatozoides. Se examinaron los efectos de niveles bajos en proteinas y estrogeno en el comportamiento sexual y la maduracion testicular en ratas macho. Tambien se examinaron FSH, LH y los niveles de testosterona y el dano histologico de tejido testicular. Las ratas macho fueron sometidas al tratamiento y administracion estandar a largo plazo con estradiol por vias oral y parenteral. El numero de montajes, eficiencia de copulacion y latencias de eyaculacion para el grupo de dieta de proteinas parenteral (DPP) fue significativamente menor que los del grupo con una dieta baja en proteinas (PBD) y de proteina oral baja (POB) grupos (P

Objectives: Ellagic acid is a plant-derived polyphenolic compound. The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro effects of ellagic acid on the proliferation and viability of rat C6 glioma cell lineage depending on dose and time and also is to evaluate ultrastructural changes in C6 glioma spheroids. Materials and methods: Effects of ellagic acid on rat C6 glioma cell line were investigated by using two-dimensional models of tumor cell culture depending on dose and time. The effects of Ellagic acid was evaluated as cell proliferation, cell viability, and synthesis phase of cell cycle, and cell structure at 24th, 48th, 72nd hours. Cell structure was evaluated at 24th and 72nd hours in three dimensional cell culture spheroid models. Results: Reducing effect of ellagic acid on cell proliferation and cell viability was seen in two dimensional cultures (p0. 05). Electron micrographs in which three dimensional cell culture spheroid models was investigated, structural changes was found to be different from the control group. Conclusions: In the evaluation of effects of ellagic acid on rat C6 glioma cells using two-dimensional culture models, it was observed that ellagic acid caused reduced cell viability, deterioration in cell structure and prevented cell proliferation., Amaç: Elajik asit bitkilerden elde edilen polifenolik bir bileşiktir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, elajik asidin sıçan C6 glioma hücre dizilerinde proliferasyon ve yaşama yeteneği üzerine in vitro etkilerini doz ve zamana bağlı olarak araştırmak ve C6 glioma küremsi cisimlerinde oluşan elektronmikroskopik değişiklikleri değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve yöntem: Elajik asidin sıçan C6 glioma hücre dizisi üzerine etkileri doz ve zamana bağlı olarak iki boyutlu tümör hücre kültürü kullanılarak araştırıldı. Elajik asidin etkileri için üç boyutlu hücre kültürü küremsi modellerinde; hücre çoğalması, hücre yaşamsallığı, hücre döngüsünün sentez fazı ve hücre yapılarının 24, 48 ve 72. saatlerdeki durumu değerlendirildi. Bulgular: İki boyutlu hücre kültürlerinde hücre yaşama yeteneği ve hücre çoğalması üzerinde elajik asidin baskılayıcı etkisi görüldü (p0.05). Üç boyutlu hücre kültürü küremsi modellerinde, elektronmikroskopik incelemede kontrol grubundan farklı yapısal değişiklikler bulundu. Sonuç: İki boyutlu kültür modelleri kullanıldığında, elajik asidin sıçan C6 glioma hücre kültürleri üzerine olan etkilerinin değerlendirilmesi sonucunda; elajik asidin hücre yaşayabilirliğini azalttığı, hücre yapısında bozulmalara neden olduğu ve hücre çoğalmasını engellediği bulundu.

BACKGROUND: Recent technical developments have focused on the full automation of urinalyses, however the manual microscopic analysis of urine sediment is considered the reference method. The aim of this study was to compare the performances of the LabUMat‐UriSed and the H800‐FUS100 with manual microscopy, and with each other. METHODS: The urine sediments of 332 urine samples were examined by these two devices (LabUMat‐UriSed, H800‐FUS100) and manual microscopy. RESULTS: The reproducibility of the analyzers, UriSed and Fus100 (4.1–28.5% and 4.7–21.2%, respectively), was better than that with manual microscopy (8.5–33.3%). The UriSed was more sensitive for leukocytes (82%), while the Fus‐100 was more sensitive for erythrocyte cell counting (73%). There were moderate correlations between manual microscopy and the two devices, UriSed and Fus100, for erythrocyte (r = 0.496 and 0.498, respectively) and leukocyte (r = 0.597 and 0.599, respectively) cell counting however the correlation between the two devices was much better for erythrocyte (r = 0.643) and for leukocyte (r = 0.767) cell counting. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that these two devices showed similar performances. They were time‐saving and standardized techniques, especially for reducing preanalytical errors such as the study time, centrifugation, and specimen volume for sedimentary analysis; however, the automated systems are still inadequate for classifying the cells that are present in pathological urine specimens.

Paraoxonase-1, a high-density lipoprotein linked enzyme complex, was shown to be decreased in several cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to explore whether serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities differ in dipper and non-dipper prehypertensive subjects compared to healthy controls. Sixty prehypertensive subjects and 30 controls were enrolled. All subjects underwent echocardiographic assessment and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). According to the blood pressure (BP) course on ABPM, prehypertensive subjects were categorized into two: non-dipper prehypertensive (NDPH) and dipper prehypertensive (DPH) groups. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were detected spectrophotometrically. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in patients with NDPH compared to both DPH and control groups. Both paraoxonase and arylesterase activities showed significant negative correlations with BP and left ventricular mass index. We have demonstrated that NDPH subjects have lower paraoxonase and arylesterase activities compared to DPH subjects and normotensives. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify the role of paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in the development of overt hypertension in prehypertensive subjects.