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BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate serum Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) levels in Sars-CoV-2 virus infection (COVID-19) patients and to investigate whether PTX-3 predicts the disease prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 88 confirmed COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized due to symptomatic pneumonia between April 15 2020 and August 15 2020. The patients were divided into two groups as survived patients and non-survived patients. Both groups were compared according to demographic features, comorbid conditions and measurement of the PTX-3 and other laboratory parameters of the patients. RESULTS: Of 88 patients with COVID-19, 59 (67%) were discharged with complete cure and 29 (33%) resulted in death. 46 (52.3%) of the patients were men. PTX-3 median value [IQR] was 3.66 ng/mL (0.9-27.9) in all patients, 3.3 ng/mL (0.9-27.9) in survivors and 3.91 ng/mL (1.9-23.2) in non-survivors which was significantly higher (p= 0.045). As a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis the cut-off value of PTX-3 for predicting mortality in patients was 3.73 with 65% sensitivity and 65% specificity (AUC: 0.646, 95% CI: 0.525-0.767, P= 0.045). Also, we found significant cut-off values with respect to D-Dimer, D-Dimer/ PTX-3, high-sensitivity troponin, high-sensitivity troponin/ PTX-3, lymphocyte, PTX-3/ lymphocyte, procalcitonin, procalcitonin/ PTX-3, CRP, and CRP/ PTX-3 (P

Background Some biomarkers have been reported to be related to the prognosis of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There are sparse data regarding the prognostic value of serum calprotectin in COVID-19 patients. Aims This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum calprotectin level and clinical severity of COVID-19 disease in hospitalized patients. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional cohort study included 80 consecutive hospitalized patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The study population was divided into two groups as patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) and patients hospitalized but not in the ICU. The serum calprotectin levels, other laboratory, and clinical parameters were compared between groups. Results The mean age of the patients was 66.5 ± 15.7 years. Of the patients, 42 were in the ICU and 38 were not. Serum calprotectin level and acute-phase reactants such as C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, ferritin, fibrinogen, and white blood cell were significantly higher in ICU patients than in non-ICU patients. ROC curve analysis identified that serum calprotectin level was a predictor for ICU requirement with an area under the curve of 0.641 (p = 0.031). Logistic regression analysis revealed that serum calprotectin was a significant determinant for whether or not patient required the ICU. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that serum calprotectin level seems to be a useful biomarker that can predict the severity of COVID-19 disease. Serum calprotectin is a significant predictor of ICU requirement in patients with COVID-19.

Bal Arısı(Apis mellifera L.) yetiştiriciliğinde temel kural kaliteli ana arılar ile çalışmaktır. Bal arısı kolonileri, her biri tek bir kraliçe arı tarafından yönetilen sosyal bir topluluktur. Kraliçe arı normal şartlar altında kolonide yumurta üreten tek dişidir ve koloninin devamlılığı için kaliteli ve sağlıklı kraliçe önem arz etmektedir. Ana arıda kaliteyi, damızlık koloni, transfer edilen larva yaşı, transfer ortamı, mevsim, yüksük çıkış ağırlığı, sperm deposu büyüklüğü, başlatıcı ve bitirici koloninin özellikleri gibi birçok çeşitli faktör etkilemektedir. Bu makalede, kaliteli bir ana arı yetiştirmede dikkat edilmesi gereken hususlar üzerinde durulmuştur. The basic rule in honeybee (Apis melliferaL.) rearing is to work with qualified queens. Quality queen means strong and healthy colonies. Honey bee colonies are a social community, each managed by a single queen bee. The queen bee is the only female that produces eggs in the colony under normal conditions, and the quality and healthy queen is important for the continuity of the colony. Many factors affect the quality of the queen bee, such as the rearing colony, the age of thetransferred larva and the transfer medium, the season, cell emergence weight, spermathecacharged,the characteristics of the starter and finisher hives. In this paper, the issues to be considered in raising a quality queen are emphasized.

Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) accounts for approximately 40% of retinal artery obstructive disease. The visual prognosis is relatively good, with the exception of recurrent BRAO. Recurrent BRAO may be idiopathic or associated with conditions such as systemic vasculitides, blood dyscrasias, floppy mitral valve syndrome, or Susac syndrome. This report describes a patient who presented with an inferior BRAO without any indication of systemic disease. There was a history of a superior BRAO in the same eye. Patients with a BRAO are at significant risk for future cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and these patients should be referred to a neurologist and a cardiologist immediately after diagnosis.

Objective: The study was investigate serum zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) concentrations in relation to hormone levels and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Materials and Methods: Fourty women between 18-40 years of age diagnosed with PCOS. We also seleceted 40 healty volunteers as the control group. Serum Zn, Cr, Mn, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), total testosterone (TT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), insulin, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C) and Low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) concentrations were determined. Results: Insulin, glucose, triglyceride, DHEA-S levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group, while FSH and Mn levels were significantly lower in the HOMA-IR group than in the control group (p< 0.05). Conclusions: A possible association is perceptible in our study between some of serum trace elements and women with PCOS. The association attains a connotative level with the involvement of IR in it. Additional studies evaluating the effects of these elements supplementation would be required to confirm the hypothesis as well as to ascertain whether insulin resistance in the presence of manganese deficiency can directly lead to oxidative stress.

Amaç: Tıbbi Biyokimya lisans dersi ile ilişkili mevcut eksikliklerin tespit edilmesi, yeni eğitim stratejilerin geliştirilmesi ve lisansüstü tıbbi biyokimya eğitimine olan yönelimin artırılması amacıyla bu çalışmayı planladık. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışmada 279 (Dönem-I (D-I)’den 106, Dönem-II(D-II)’den 99 ve Dönem-III(D-III)’ten 74) tıp fakültesi öğrencisine yüz yüze soru sorma tekniği kullanılarak anket uygulanmıştır. Anket soruları "Mezuniyet Öncesi Tıbbi Biyokimya Eğitimine İlişkin Tutum Ölçeği" ne ait 20 ve sosyodemografik özellikleri sorgulayan 11 olmak üzere toplam 31 sorudan oluşmaktadır. Ölçeğin 9 maddesi önem, 7 maddesi ilgi ve 4 maddesi ise memnuniyet alt boyutunu sorgulamaktadır. Bulgular: D-I, D-II ve D-III öğrencilerinin anket puan ortalamaları sırasıyla 63.52±12.56, 58.11±13.62, 69.09±11.00 bulundu. Toplam ve alt boyut puanları dönemlere göre karşılaştırıldığında D-I ve D-II arasında önem, ilgi ve toplam puanda; D-I ve D-III arasında önem puanında; D-II ve D-III arasında ise önem, ilgi, memnuniyet ve toplam puanda anlamlı fark saptandı(p

AIMS Sepsis causes life-threatening tissue and organ dysfunctions caused by endogenous mediators in response to infection. Melatonin is a powerful endogenous anti-inflammatory agent and effective in reducing cellular damage. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in serum and liver tissue levels of VEGF, TGF-β and MMP-2 in melatonin-treated septic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one Wistar-albino male rats were included in this study. Rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 is sham-operated control (C) group, Group 2 is caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group and Group 3 is melatonin-treated (10 mg/kg) (M-CLP) group. Serum and tissue samples were analysed. All procedures were carried out according to the ethical rules specified in Helsinki Declaration. RESULTS Sera MMP-2 levels were found higher than tissue MMP-2 levels in C and CLP (respectively, P = .048, P = .01). In CLP and M-CLP, serum TGF-β levels were higher than tissue TGF-β levels(respectively, P = .05, P = .01). Serum VEGF levels in CLP were found to be significantly higher than both C and M-CLP(P

Objectives: To investigate the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters of the optic nerve head and peripapillary retina and to assess macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with limited scleroderma and to compare these results with those of healthy control subjects. Materials and Methods: 42 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of limited scleroderma and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were included in the study. OCTA was performed for the radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) whole image, inside disc, and peripapillary vessel densities in all participants with XR Avanti AngioVue OCTA (Optovue, Fremont, California, USA). OCT images were obtained with Spectralis OCT with eye-tracking dual-beam technology (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany), and peripapillary RNFL thickness was evaluated with circle program. The data from the right eyes of all participants were used for statistical analysis. Results: No significant difference was found between the radial RPCP whole image, inside disc, and peripapillary vessel density values or the RNFL parameters of the scleroderma patients when compared with the controls ( p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion: Decreased peripapillary vessel density on OCTA, which can be an early sign of glaucoma, could not be observed in scleroderma patients in this study. However, further long-term studies are still needed to identify glaucoma tendency in patients with scleroderma before clinically detectable glaucoma.

Acrolein (AC), a highly reactive hazardous pollutant, poses serious threats to human health. Whey protein (WP) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) have beneficial health implications. We investigated the protective effects of WP and CLA against AC-induced toxicity in rats. The animals were orally gavaged with CLA (200 mg/kg/day), WP (200 mg/kg/day), AC (5 mg/kg/day), CLA + AC (200 + 5 mg/kg/day), and WP + AC (200 + 5 mg/kg/day) six days per week for 30 days. The oral administration of AC significantly induced oxidative stress by increasing thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (PCOs) levels and decreasing glutathione (GSH) level in the spleen, thymus, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). It also increased the frequencies of micronucleus (MN) and megakaryocytic emperipolesis (ME) and decreased the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) in bone marrow. Slight alterations in urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were not significant. Co-treatment with CLA + AC or WP + AC ameliorated the values of oxidative stress, MN, PCE, and ME. These data suggest that CLA and WP can improve the antioxidant defenses and preclude the formation of genetic damage and ME.

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between diabetes (DM) and nitrite, nitrate and MDA levels and effect of melatonin and pentoxifylline. Methods: Sixty mice were randomly divided into four groups. Control: no action; Diabetes group (DM): after fasting-blood-glucose (FBG) was measured, 150 mg/kg alloxane was applied intraperitoneally three-times every other day; Diabetes + Melatonin (DM + MLT) and Diabetes + Pentoxifylline groups (DM + PTX): following the same procedures with DM, 10 mg/kg melatonin and 50 mg/kg pentoxifylline were administered subcutaneously six days, respectively. Following FBG analysis, brain tissues were taken under the anaesthesia. Nitrite, nitrate and MDA levels were measured. Results: In the all groups with alloxane, FBG were higher than in before application (p

Bu araştırma Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa Üniversitesi araştırma çiftliğinde 3 katlı bir kafes sisteminde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Her kafes bölmesinde 6 tavuk yerleştirilmiş ve her katta 5 tekerrür oluşturulmuştur. 24-42. haftalar arasında toplam 90 Atak-S tavuğundan 9:00 - 13:00 ve 16:00 saatlerinde mevcut yumurtalar toplanmıştır. Deneme süresince 90 tavuktan toplam 1442 yumurta elde edilmiştir. Kafes pozisyonu ile yumurtlama zamanı arasındaki ilişkinin belirlenmesi için uyum analizi uygulanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde SPSS paket programı kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlara göre farklı katlardaki tavukların farklı saatlerde yumurtlamaları istatistiksel olarak önemli bulunmuştur. Uyum analizi sonuçlarına göre değişkenliğin tek boyuttaki açıklama gücü %99,7 olup ikinci boyuttaki açıklama gücünün %0,3 olduğu belirlenmiştir. Birinci boyuttaki kafes katları bakımından değişkenlik incelendiğinde birinci katın açıklama gücünün %65,4 olduğu ikinci boyutta ise ikinci (%56,9) ve üçüncü katın (%41,8) açıklama gücünün daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Birinci boyuttaki yumurta toplama saatleri bakımından değişkenlik incelendiğinde saat 13:00’da toplama için açıklama gücünün %52,8 olduğu ikinci boyutta ise saat 16:00’daki toplama için açıklama gücünün %79,6 olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak birinci kattaki tavukların genellikle saat 9:00 sıralarında, 2. ve 3. kattaki tavukların ise 13:00 ile 16:00 saatleri arasında yumurtladığı belirlenmiştir. Yumurtaların ortam sıcaklığına göre değişiklik göstermekle birlikte üreticiler tarafından genellikle sabah saatlerinde toplandığı bilinmektedir. Bu nedenle yumurta toplama sıklığının hem ekonomik olarak hem de tüketici sağlığı açısından yeniden düzenlenmesi önem arz etmektedir. The research was carried out in a 3-floor cage system in the research farm of Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University. 6 chickens were placed in each cage compartment and 5 repetitions were created on each floor. Existing eggs were collected at 9:00 - 13:00 and 16:00 from a total of 90 Atak-S chickens between 24-42 weeks. A total of 1442 eggs were obtained from 90 chickens. To determine the relationship between cage position and laying time, correspondence analysis was applied. SPSS package program was used to analyze the data. According to the results, it was found statistically significant that chickens on different floors lay eggs at different times. According to the results of the correspondence analysis, the first dimension explanation power was 99.7% and the explanation power in the second dimension was 0.3%. When the inertia in terms of lattice layers in the first dimension was examined, it was determined that the explanation power of the first floor was 65.4%, and in the second dimension, the explanation power of the second (56.9%) and third floor (41.8%) was higher. When the variability in terms of egg collection hours in the first dimension was examined, it was determined that the explanatory power for egg collection at 13:00 was 52.8%, and in the second dimension, it was 79.6% for the egg collection at 16:00. As a result, it was determined that the chickens on the first floor lay eggs between 9:00 am and the chickens on the 2nd and 3rd floor between 13:00 and 16:00. Although the eggs vary depending on the ambient temperature, it is known that they are usually collected in the morning hours by the producers. Therefore, it is important to rearrange the frequency of egg collection both economically and in terms of consumer health.

Objective: This study investigated effect of zaprinast and avanafil on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bone morphogenic protein (BMP) 4 and 7, and vitamin D-3 levels against the negative effect of dexamethazone. Method: Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6). Control: Empty a syringe was immersed and removed subcutaneously. Dexamethasone (DEX): 120 mu g/kg DEX was injected subcutaneously once a day for 28 days. DEX + zaprinast and DEX + avanafil groups: 10 mg/kg zaprinast and avanafil were administrated to rats in addition to the same procedure in the DEX, respectively. VitaminD(3), VEGF, BMP4 and 7 levels by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and angiogenesis by histopathological/immunohistochemical were evaluated. Results: BMP4 values in the DEX were lower than the other groups (p < .05). DEX + zaprinast and DEX + avanafil exhibited an increase in all the parameters compared to the control and DEX (p < .05). However, these were not significant for the DEX + zaprinast (p > .05). Also, there was a significant increase in angiogenesis in the DEX + zaprinast and DEX + avanafil. Conclusion: Zaprinast and significantly avanafil induced vitamin D-3, BMP4 and 7 levels by increasing angiogenesis in renal.

Acrolein is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Whey protein and conjugated linoleic acid are widely used weight-loss supplements. We aimed to evaluate blood lipid profiles, oxidative stress and mitochondrial bioenergetics function in hearts of rats treated with acrolein and/or the weight-loss supplements. The animals were orally gavaged with acrolein, whey protein, conjugated linoleic acid, acrolein + whey protein or acrolein + conjugated linoleic acid for six days per week during 30 days. Acrolein caused dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in red blood cells and haert mitochondria. Moreover, it caused dysfunction in mitochondrial bioenergetics by decreasing levels of oxidative phosphorylation enzymes, tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes and ATP. Co-treatment with acrolein + whey protein and acrolein + conjugated linoleic acid ameliorated acrolein-induced oxidative stress and dysfunction in mitochondrial bioenergetics. This amelioration effect was more prominent in acrolein + conjugated linoleic acid group. Interestingly, co-treatment with acrolein + whey protein negatively affected some markers of cardiac injury such as creatinine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase and homocysteine. Conjugated linoleic acid may also cause dyslipidemia because it increased the levels of triacylglycerol, low density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins. In conclusion, using some weight loss supplements such as whey protein may adversely affect the biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular system.

Aydin, Birsen/0000-0002-5541-9365 WOS: 000426104000102 PubMed: 29571252 Capsaicin (CAP) and alpha-tocopherol (TOC) have antioxidant properties. We investigated effects of CAP and TOC on mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial bioenergetics in liver of mice fed HFD. AST, ALT, glucose, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index ((HOMA-IR)) and mitochondrial oxidative stress parameters increased, whereas oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzymes, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) enzymes, ATP level and mitochondrial metabolic function (MTT) decreased in mice fed a HFD compared to the fed a standard diet (NC). Treatment of HFD together with CAP (HFC group), TOC (HFT group) or TOC and CAP (HCT group) can ameliorate the examined parameters. Because co-treatment with CAP and TOC displayed a better ameliorating effect on liver redox status and mitochondrial bioenergetics functions, they can be useful to protect against HFD and oxidative stress-related in liver diseases. Scientific Research Funding of Amasya University (Turkey) [FBM-BAP-12-004] This study was financially supported by Scientific Research Funding (FBM-BAP-12-004) of Amasya University (Turkey) in 2012. We thank Mustafa Ince (Ondokuz Mayis University, Turkey) for helping in taking care of the animals.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the nervous system. Evidence about oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of MS is increasing day by day. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of oxidative DNA damage and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of MS disease. Blood samples were obtained from during an attack (Group 1), between attacks (Group 2) of MS patients (20 male and 10 female) and 30 healthy volunteers (Group 3). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as indicator of oxidized lipids were detected using fluorescence dedector with high pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC). DNA was extracted from leukocytes of control and patients with MS and then we measured 8-hydroxy- 2' -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and deoxyguanosin (dG) by using HPLC method with electrochemical and UV detector, respectively. Measurement of oxidized coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and reduced CoQ (CoQ10H) was performed by using UV detector with HPLC method. Serum MDA level of group 1 was significantly higher than those in group 2 and group 3 (p< 0.001). 8- OHdG/106 dG ratio of group 1 was significantly higher than those in group 2 and group 3 (p< 0.001). CoQ10/CoQ10H rates of group 1 were significantly increased compared with group 2 and group 3 (p

Aim: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which is found in certain foods and can be synthesized from its precursors with exposure of sunlight. It is known that serum 25- hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH Vit D) concentration is the best indicator of Vitamin D level. Main source of Vitamin D is the synthesis to the skin with sunlight exposure. In our study we investigated the vitamin D levels of patients administered to our hospital in Van. We aimed to determine any significant difference between age, sex and seasonal differences of the 25-OH vit D levels. Materials and Method: Patients admitted to Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Medicine Dursun Odabas Medical Hospital from 01.01.2013 to 01.01.2014 with 25- OH vit D levels were determined and evaluated respectively. Results: Mean age for males (n=306) was found as 46.65±16.62 and for females (n=1613) as 43.58±15.03. Mean 25-OH vit D in males was found as 18.95±7.93 ng/ mL and in females it was found as 14.79±9.42 ng/ml. 25-OH vit D levels of males were found significantly higher than that of females (p

Serum karbonhidrat antijeni 19-9 (CA 19-9) tumor iliskili glikosfingolipid yapida bir antijendir. CA 19-9 olcumune yonelik uluslararasi bir standart yontem yoktur. Immunoassay olcumlerde, plazma proteinleri (romatoid faktor, baglayici proteinler vb), heterofil antikorlar, ilaclar ve ilac metabolitleri, hemoliz ve capraz reaksiyon veren maddeler interferansa neden olabilirler. Bu yuzden farkli olcumlerde farkli tetkik sonuclari elde edilmesi olasidir. Ancak tedavi sonrasi kur elde edilmisse ve rekurrens ya da metastaz yoksa tedavi oncesine gore serum CA 19-9 duzeylerinin azalmasi hastanin takibi icin anlamlidir. Bu olgu sunumunda, serviks uterinin malign neoplazmi tanisi ile tedavi olan ve tedavi sonrasi laboratuvarimizda serum CA 19-9 seviyesi yuksek olculen ancak klinik bulgulari ile diger serum tumor belirtecleri uyumlu seyreden 57 yasindaki bir kadin hastanin, bu uyumsuz CA 19-9 duzeyi irdelenmistir. Hastada olasi heterofil antikor interferansi dusunulmus ve bunu saptamak icin, hastadan tekrar numune alinarak heterofil antikor blokan tup (HBT) ile serum CA 19-9 olcumu tekrarlanmistir. Tekrarlanan bu olcumde CA 19-9 seviyesi bu kez hastanin klinigi ile uyumlu olarak dusuk seviyede tespit edilmistir. Bu bulgu, immunoassay olcumlerde klinikle uyumsuz sonuc elde edildiginde; oncelikle en sik karsilasilan hemoliz, lipemi, ikter gibi interferans nedenlerinin ekarte edilmesi, sonrasinda ise heterofil antikorlardan kaynaklanabilecek interferansin akilda tutulmasi gerektigini gostermistir.

Agmatin imidazolin reseptor agonisti olup cok sayida reseptorle etkilesebilen noroprotektif, anti-enflamatuvar, anti-stres, anti-depresan ozellikte, kognitif fonksiyonlarin duzenlenmesinde rol alan bir molekuldur. Agmatinin beyindeki inaktivasyonu, reuptake mekanizmalari ve enzimatik parcalanmayla gerceklesmektedir. Gerialimi diger norotransmitterlerden farkli olarak sicakliga bagli gerceklesmekte ve sadece yuksek konsantrasyonlarda doygunluga ulasabilmektedir. Ayrica, agmatinin streste arttigi, dolayisiyla major depresyon hastalarinda akut donemde tedavi sonrasi doneme gore plazma agmatin duzeylerinin daha yuksek oldugu da bildirilmistir. Bununla birlikte sizofreni gelismeden onceki surecte agmatin eksikliginden, sizofreni gelistikten sonraki donemde ise agmatin artisindan bahseden calismalar da literaturde mevcuttur. Bu derlemede agmatinin biyokimyasi, sizofreni ve depresyondaki rolu ve noroprotektif etkisi irdelenmistir.

Objectives: Agmatine is a cationic amine resulting from the decarboxylation of l-arginine. Agmatine has neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, and anti-depressant properties. In this study, plasma agmatine, arginine decarboxylase, and agmatinase levels were measured during manic episode and remission period in patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers and 30 patients who meet Bipolar Disorder Manic Episode diagnostic criteria were included in the study. Additionally, the changes in the patient group between manic episode and remission period were examined. We evaluated the relationship between levels of l-arginine and arginine decarboxylase in the agmatine synthesis pathway, and level of agmatinase that degrades agmatine. Results: Levels of agmatine and l-arginine were significantly increased than control group during manic episode (p < .01). All parameters were increased during manic episode compared to remission period (p < .05). Agmatinase was significantly decreased both during manic episode (p < .01) and remission period (p < .05) in comparison to the control group. Arginine decarboxylase levels did not show a significant difference between the groups (p > .05). Conclusions: This study indicate that there may be a relationship between bipolar disorder and agmatine and its metabolic pathway. Nonetheless, we believe more comprehensive studies are needed in order to reveal the role of agmatine in etiology of bipolar disorder.

Erkan-Turan K, Taylan-Sekeroglu H, Agin A, Sanac AS. Why and when to prefer botulinum toxin injection in childhood strabismus? Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 684-687. The aim of this study was to investigate the indications and outcomes of botulinum toxin injection in children with strabismus. The medical records of children who underwent botulinum toxin injection were reviewed. Eighteen patients (13 boys, 5 girls) with a mean age of 9.08±5.93 (6 months to 17 years) years were enrolled in the study. The main indication and diagnosis, initial and final deviation at primary position and the presence of abnormal head position were all evaluated. The most common diagnosis was sixth nerve palsy (7 patients) followed by Duane`s syndrome (4 patients), acquired esotropia (2 patients), acquired exotropia (2 patients), consecutive exotropia (2 patients) and sensory strabismus (1 patient). The leading indications for botulinum toxin injections were the presence of abnormal head position, diplopia and ocular misalignment at primary position. All patients received monocular injection. Fourteen patients had one, 4 patients had more than one injection. The mean follow-up period was 2.78±0.94 months for the first post-injection visit and 21.64±15.23 months for the last visit. Five patients underwent strabismus surgery due to inadequate response to injection. No complication related to injection was observed. Botulinum toxin injection may be preferred in pediatric age group particularly in case of extraocular muscle palsy, diplopia and concomitant deviation either to provide ocular alignment prior to surgery or to prevent the detrimental effect of diplopia on binocularity. The intervention seems to be safe and repeatable in children even though surgery is still inevitable in particular cases.

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem associated with many factors, and it affects more than 50% of women over 50 years old. In the current study, our purpose was to investigate the effects of phosphodiestarase-5 inhibitors on osteoporosis via the nitric oxide/3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase G signalling pathway. A total of 50 female albino Wistar rats were separated into five groups. The first group was appointed as the healthy control group with no ovariectomy. All animals in the other groups underwent a bilateral ovariectomy. Six months after the ovariectomy, vardenafil, udenafil and tadalafil were given to the third, fourth and fifth groups, respectively, but were not administered to the positive control group (10 mg/kg per day for two months). The bone mineral density values were determined using a densitometry apparatus for all groups pre- and post-ovariectomy as well as after treatment. The levels of nitric oxide, endothelial nitric oxidesynthase, asymmetric dimethylarginine, 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate, protein kinase G, phosphodiestarase-5, pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline, carboxyterminal telopeptide fragments and plasma carboxy terminal propeptide of type I collagen were determined using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine, deoxyguanosine and coenzyme Q10 were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. Additionally, the right femoral trabecular bone density and the epiphyseal plate were measured in all groups. Angiogenesis was histologically observed in the bone tissue. In addition, we determined that the inhibitors may have caused a positive impact on the increased bone mass density and reduction of bone resorption markers. We also observed the positive effects of these inhibitors on oxidative stress. In conclusion, these phosphodiestarase-5 inhibitors increase angiogenesis in bone tissue and improve the re-formation rate of bone in rats with osteoporosis. Chemical compounds studied in this article Udenafil (PubChem CID: 6918523); Tadalafil (PubChem CID: 110635); Vardanafil (PubCham CID: 110634). Impact statement The results in our study appear to establish the osteoporosis model and provide evidence of the positive effects of three separate PDE5 inhibitors (vardenafil, udenafil, and tadalafil). The positive effects of these PDE5 inhibitors are investigated and demonstrated by the bone mass density and bone resorption markers. These effects are associated with significant demonstrated antioxidant activities. Osteoporosis is a significant major public health problem especially in more aged populations. Advances in identifying and understanding new potential therapeutic modalities for this disease are significant. This study provides such an advance.

Deltamethrin (DEL) and thiacloprid (THIA) are the two commonly used synthetic insecticides applied either separately or as a mixture. The aim of this study was to assess thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and the serum levels of thyroid hormones exposure to these compounds in rats. The animals were orally gavaged with a single dose of DEL (15 mg/kg), THIA (112.5 mg/kg) or DEL + THIA (15 + 112.5 mg/kg) for 24 h (acute treatments) or DEL (3 mg/kg per day), THIA (22.5 mg/kg per day) or DEL + THIA (3 + 22.5 mg/kg per day) for 30 days (subacute treatments). Although all independent and combined treatments with DEL and THIA changed the levels of TSH, these alterations were not significant. Statistically significant increases in free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) serum hormone levels were observed in the independent treatment with THIA and the combined treatment with DEL and THIA for 30 days. The results of this study suggest that in vivo exposure to subacute treatments of commercial formulations of THI and mixture of DEL + THIA increased serum FT3 and FT4 levels in rats. Further studies are required to determine the effects of endocrine disruptors and potential health risks of these insecticides in human, especially in children because of the importance of these hormones during growth and development.

Amaç: Bu çalışmada Behçet hastalığı olan kişilerde hastalığın demografik ve klinik özellikleri, prognostik faktörleri, oküler ve sistemik bulgularının tanımlanması ve araştırılması amaçlandı.Hastalar ve yöntemler: Çalışmaya Uluslararası Behçet Hastalığı Çalışma Grubu'nun sınıflama kriterlerini karşılayan 406 hasta dahil edildi. Başlangıç yaşı, cinsiyet, oküler tutulum tipi, görme keskinliği, sistemik bulgular ve başlangıç bulguları dahil olmak üzere klinik ve demografik özellikler ve tedavi yöntemleri gözden geçirildi.Bulgular: Ortalama başlangıç yaşı erkeklerde 27.6±7.2 yıl, kadınlarda ise 29.0±9.3 yıl idi. Oküler tutulum sıklığı (erkeklerde %68.9, kadınlarda %65; p=0.163) ve her iki gözde tutulum sıklığı (erkeklerde %56.2, kadınlarda %53.0; p=0.67) açısından, her iki cinsiyet arasında anlamlı fark yoktu. Hastalığın en sık görülen ilk başlangıç bulgusu %71.9 ile oral aftöz ülser iken, bunu %23.4 ile oküler tutulum izliyordu. Başlıca klinik bulgu oral aftöz ülser iken (%100), bunu genital ülser (%82.8) ve oküler tutulum (%80.3) izliyordu. HLA-B51, 372 hastanın 170'inde pozitifti (%45.7). HLA-B51 pozitifliğinin oküler inflamatuvar atakların sıklığı ve ciddiyeti üzerinde bir etkisi yoktu. Üç yüz altı erkeğin 141'inde (%46.1) ve 100 kadının 29'unda (%29.0) ağır oküler atak mevcut olup, erkeklerin %34.6'sında (n=106) ve kadınların %21'inde (n=21) sık oküler tutulum izlendi. Erkeklerdeki ataklar, kadınlarınkine göre daha sık (p=0.03) ve daha ağırdı (p=0.015). Siklosporin A, sık atak geçirenlerde en sık tercih edilen ilaçtı (%24.3; p=0.019).Sonuç: Behçet hastalığında oküler tutulum erkeklerde anlamlı olarak daha sık ve ağır seyreder. Görme keskinliğini etkileyen başlıca prognostik kriter, oküler tutulumun sıklığı ve şiddetidir. Objectives: In this study, we aim to describe and investigate the demographic and clinical features, prognostic factors, ocular, and systemic manifestations of the patients with BehÇet's Disease. Patients and methods: The study included 406 patients (306 males, 100 females; 36.1 years; range 12 to 76 years) who met the classification criteria of the International Study Group for BehÇet's Disease. The clinical and demographic characteristics including age at onset, sex, type of ocular involvement, visual acuity, systemic manifestations, and initial signs, and treatment modalities were reviewed. Results: The mean age at onset was 27.6±7.2 years in male patients and 29.0±9.3 years in females. There were no significant differences between both sex in terms of the frequency of ocular involvement (68.9% in male, 65.0% in female, p=0.163) and bilaterality of the ocular involvement (56.2% in male and 53.0% in female, p=0.67). The most common initial presenting manifestation of the disease was oral aphthous ulcer which was seen in 71.9% of the patients, followed by ocular involvement (23.4%). The leading clinical features were oral aphthous ulcers (100%), followed by genital ulcers (82.8%) and ocular manifestations (80.3%). HLA-B51 was positive in 170 of 372 patients (45.7%). HLA-B51 positivity had no effect on the frequency and severity of the ocular inflammatory episodes. Of 306 males, 141 (46.1%) and of 100 females 29 (29.0%) had severe ocular episodes, while 34.6% (n=106) of males and 21% (n=21) of females had frequent ocular involvement. Males had more frequent (p=0.03) and more serious (p=0.015) ocular inflammatory episodes than females. Cyclosporine A was the most commonly preferred agent for patients with frequent episodes (24.3%; p=0.019). Conclusion: Ocular involvement in BehÇet's disease is significantly more frequent and severe in men. The main prognostic criteria affecting the visual acuity are the severity and frequency of ocular involvement.

Aim: Liver and kidney are exposed to a lot of oxidant substances that are both from exogen and endogen sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of C vitamine, Melatonine (MLT) and N-acetylcystein (NAC) in carbon tetrachlorur (CCl4) induced oxidative stress in mouse. Methods: The study involved 6 groups; control group (Group 1), CCl4 group (Group 2), CCl4 + C vitamine group (Group 3), CCl4 + MLT group (Group 4), CCl4 + NAC group (Group 5) and combined (CCl4 + C vitamine + MLT + NAC) group (Group 6) with each group containing 10 mice. Starting from the 4th day of the study 0,4 ml/kg CCl4 were given intraperitoneally (i.p.) to all groups except the control group. In Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6; 150 mg/kg/day C vitamine, 10 mg/kg/day MLT, 150 mg/kg/day NAC and C vitamine + MLT + NAC combination, respectively, were given for 7 days. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutatyon peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were measured in the tissues of liver and kidney of the mice. Results: The MDA and MPO levels in the tissues of liver and kidney of the toxicity group (Group 2) were significantly higher than those of the control group (p

A study was conducted with male broilers to determine the effects of early and late feed restriction or feed withdrawal. In the experiment five treatments were represented by three replicate floor pens, each containing 20 broilers. The experimental procedure was a completely randomized design. The treatments were ad libitum (AL), 25% (FR-25) and 50% (FR-50) feed-restricted or 8 h (FW-8) and 16 h (FW-16) feed withdrawal regimes, respectively FW-16 regime significantly reduced weight gain to 21 days of age compared to AL or FR-25 regimes (P

Summary The aim was to investigate the serum levels of leptin, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, insulin, and growth hormone in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer and cachexia. A total of 39 patients with various advanced stage (stage IV) gastrointestinal malignancies were enrolled. These cancer patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of cachexia. Fifteen healthy adults were recruited as the control group. Body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) was calculated. Serum leptin, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α interleukin (IL)-1 beta, interleukin (IL)-6, growth hormone, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and CRP were measured. In both cancer groups (cachectic and non-cachectic) body mass index and serum leptin levels were lower than controls (p

Breast cancer is a hormone-dependent neoplasm. Conflicting results regarding the clinical correlation between breast cancer and thyroid diseases have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the goiter prevalence, thyroid hormones and antithyroid antibody levels in patients with breast cancer. For this purpose, thyroid ultrasonography was performed and serum levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3 ), free thyroxine (FT4 ), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO ab) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TG ab) were determined in 50 operable breast cancer patients at the time of diagnosis and 30 healthy individuals as control group. Goiter prevalence was found to be significantly higher in the study group (50% vs 10%). FT3 , FT4 , and TSH levels of patients were not different compared to controls, whereas anti-TPO ab and anti-TG ab levels were significantly higher in patients than in the control group. In conclusion, goiter prevalence and thyroid antibody levels were found to be increased in breast cancer patients and thyroid functions should be monitored.

Hypothyroidism is associated with a number of functional renal disorders primarily affecting water and salt handling. In this study, we aim to investigate functional renal disorders in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. We utilised urinary beta-2 microglobulin (beta2M) as a sensitive marker of tubular dysfunction. Urinary beta2M excretion and tests for renal functions were repeated before and after T4 replacement therapy. Forty-four patients (28 with overt disease, 16 with subclinical disease) and 31 healthy control subjects were involved in the study. There was a significant increase in urinary beta2M in both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism (p < 0.05 in both). TSH levels were correlated with beta2M excretion. Effects of hypothyroidism on renal functions were readily reversible by 3 weeks of thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Urinary beta2M was a sensitive marker of renal tubular dysfunction associated with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism.

In this study, we investigated the effects of erythropoietin (Epo), and pentoxifylline (Ptx) on the oxidant and antioxidant systems in the experimental short bowel syndrome. Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and all animals underwent 75% small bowel resection. Group E was treated with 500 IU kg− 1 Epo subcutaneously (s.c.), group P with 50 mg kg− 1 day− 1 s.c. Ptx and group E+P with 500 IU kg− 1 s.c. Epo plus 50 mg kg− 1 day− 1 s.c. Ptx for a period of 28 days. In group C, which is the control group, no drug treatment was given. At the end of 28 days the experimented rats were killed and ileum samples excised for biochemical and histopathological testing. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were determined in ileum homogenates. When compared to group C, the MDA and GSH-Px levels were significantly decreased (p 0.05) in groups P and E+P, whereas both MDA and SOD and also GSH-Px activities were not changed significantly in group E (p > 0.05). The average villous length, crypt depth, muscular thickness and mucosal length were measured in all groups. The average crypt depth and mucosal length were statistically higher in the group P than group C (p

To examine whether there is a relationship between serum cholesterol level and sleep-related violence, we evaluated 15 patients with violent behavior during sleep (VBS) and 15 normal control subjects. The patient and control groups were matched for sex, age, and weight. There were 13 women and two men in each group. The patients with VBS had lower serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels than the healthy subjects. Low cholesterol may effect serotonergic neuronal activity and some types of 5-HT receptors, then may be related to violent behavior during sleep.

Venous thromboembolism has multifactorial origin and occurs in the context of complex interactions between environmental and genetic predisposing factors. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the physiopathology of venous thrombosis. Current study examined the role of oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine in the development of DVT with the parameters such as serum malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase, ADMA, homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12levels. Serum MDA levels were found significantly (P<0.005) high in patients with DVT compared with control group. Additionally, serum B6levels were found significantly (P<0.009) low in patients with DVT compared with healthy volunteers. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the other parameters (P>0.05). This study showed that patients with DVT have increased oxidative stress compared with the healthy volunteers whereas there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of serum ADMA levels. Thus serum ADMA levels seemed to be not related with development of DVT.

Increased oxidative stress is a well-known phenomenon in dialysis patients. However, the contribution of hypertension to the oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients has not yet been assessed. The present study aimed to investigate if hypertension had an additional effect on oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients. A total of 50 patients treated with peritoneal dialysis were divided into two groups: The patients with mean of last three blood pressure results as 135/90 mmHg and above were considered hypertensive, the patients with lower blood pressure were considered normotensive. The control group included 25 healthy individuals. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were measured in all groups. MDA level, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was significantly higher in the hypertensive group compared to the control group, while the increase in the normotensive group was not significant. However, the difference between the hypertensive and normotensive groups was significant. The levels of AOPP, an indicator of protein oxidation level, and MPO, an indicator of neutrophil activation, were not different between the groups, while the activities of antioxidant CAT and GSH-Px decreased in both normotensive and hypertensive groups compared to the control group, and there was no significant difference between the patient groups. This study shows that both normotensive and hypertensive peritoneal dialysis patients have increased-oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant levels and hypertension might have an additional effect on oxidative stress by increasing MDA level in peritoneal dialysis patients. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dear Editor, We experienced a case of sub-internal limiting membrane (ILM) hemorrhage successfully treated with an argon green laser (AGL) posterior hyaloidotomy. We could not identify any report in the ophthalmic literature describing spectral domain optic coherence tomography (OCT) localization of AGL spots or preoperative exact anatomic localization in valsalva retinopathy. A 35-year-old man presented with sudden blurred vision in the right eye that occurred one day before examination. Dilated fundus examination of the right eye showed a well-circumscribed large sub-ILM hemorrhage in the temporal macular area (Fig. 1A). Fluid was noted in the upper part of the hemorrhage. OCT (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) revealed a dome-shaped hypo-reflective area, consistent with blood beneath a hyper-reflective band at the macula (Fig. 1B). OCT scans just above the level of sedimented blood revealed two distinct membranes overlying a preretinal hemorrhage. The membrane on the retinal side, more apparent and reflective, was identified as ILM. The slight and patchy overlying membrane was identified as posterior hyaloid, and a mild vitreous hemorrhage was noted (Fig. 1C). A dense preretinal hemorrhage produced shadowing that precluded analysis of the retina and subretinal space. We used AGL photocoagulation (Lightlas 532 Green Laser; Lightmed, San Clemente, CA, USA) to perforate the hyaloid and ILM in order to drain the sub-ILM blood into the vitreous cavity. Four exposures of AGL were performed at the inferior margin of the hematoma's anterior surface with a spot size of 100 µm, exposure duration of 0.1 seconds, and power of 200 mW. Patient informed consent was obtained. Consequently, the hemorrhage was rapidly drained inferiorly into the vitreous cavity (Fig. 1D). Fundus photography revealed strong resolution of the hemorrhage (Fig. 1E). OCT revealed laser perforation points along the ILM and hyaloid (Fig. 1F). The hyporeflective space between the ILM and the nerve fiber layer was possibly due to the presence of residual blood. In addition, blood in the vitreous cavity was still observable on the OCT (Fig. 1G). At a two-year follow-up visit, visual acuity was stable at 1.0, and the patient did not mention any symptoms of metamorphopsia. Although the hemorrhage was completely resolved (Fig. 1H), laser perforation points were incurred during the procedure, and a lamellar hole and failed reattachment of ILM were observed in the temporal macular area in the OCT at final follow-up (Fig. 1I). The OCT also revealed that the detached ILM had attached to the posterior hyaloid (Fig. 1J). Fig. 1 (A) Fundus photograph of the right eye showed a huge sub-internal limiting membrane (ILM) hemorrhage in the temporal macular area. (B) Spectral domain optic coherence tomography (OCT) revealed a dome-shaped hypo-reflective area, consistent with blood ... The anatomical location of premacular hemorrhage, either under the ILM (sub-ILM) or subhyaloid, is still controversial and is not possible to distinguish using indirect fundus examination [1,2]. Intraoperative findings and time-domain and spectral domain OCT images in recent articles support previous histologic reports of premacular hemorrhage beneath the ILM in Valsalva retinopathy [3]. In the present case report, the sub-ILM location of the hemorrhage was confirmed in spectral domain OCT. Thus, in our opinion, valsalva retinopathy caused the sub-ILM hemorrhage. In this sense, the term subhyaloid hemorrhage is a misnomer. We think that the term sub-ILM hemorrhage should be used instead of subhyaloid hemorrhage. According to our previous experience, Nd:YAG laser membranotomy requires relatively many spots with higher energy levels for the treatment of the premacular hemorrhage [4]. We used AGL with low energy to stretch the posterior hyaloid and the ILM. OCT revealed localization of the ILM and hyaloid membrane disruptions and attachment caused by the laser spots and the safety of the procedure, with minimal involvement of the underlying retinal layers after two years of follow-up. We punctured the posterior hyaloid face and ILM with an AGL in order to drain a premacular hemorrhage into the vitreous and to allow absorption of the blood in the vitreous space. We concluded that spectral domain OCT evaluation of laser treatment for valsalva retinopathy can confirm the cleavage plane of a valsalva hemorrhage. In order to avoid retinal tissue damage, exact anatomical localization of hemorrhage was determined using spectral domain OCT. This method can also be used for follow-up after laser application. The treatment of AGL seems to be helpful in the rapid clearing of a premacular hemorrhage by causing disruption of the ILM. However, larger case studies are required to compare the effects of the different laser techniques.

Background: Activation products from neutrophils and the complement system might cause endothelial dysfunction, which is central to the aetiology of pre-eclampsia. This study aimed to investigate the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and its association with advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), in women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Materials and method: Twenty-one pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, 11 pregnant women with eclampsia and 19 healthy pregnant women were studied. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), AOPP, ascorbic acid (AA) and activities of MPO and catalase (CAT) were measured using a colorimetric method. Results: The MDA level was significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia (3.15 ± 0.28 nmol/mL) and eclampsia (4.01 ± 0.66 nmol/mL) groups than in controls (1.85 ± 0.18 nmol/mL); the difference between MDA levels in the pre-eclampsia and eclampsia groups was not statistically significant. MPO activity was significantly higher in the eclampsia (347.59 ± 88.06 U/L) group than in the pre-eclampsia (196.17 ± 30.8) and control (93.22 ± 9.52) groups, and there was also no significant difference in these levels between the pre-eclampsia and control groups. CAT activity was significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia (166.35 ± 31.75 U/L) and eclampsia (166.98 ± 40.31 U/L) groups than in controls (81.28 ± 7.41 U/L), and AA level was significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia (0.54 ± 0.15 mg/dL) group than in controls (0.18 ± 0.01 mg/dL); the differences in AA and CAT activity between the pre-eclampsia and eclampsia groups were not statistically significant. AOPP levels did not change significantly among the control, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia groups (106.88 ± 5.62, 98.89 ± 6.47, 111.89 ± 6.8 µmol/L, respectively). Conclusions: We suggest that increased oxidative stress might contribute to the pathophysiological mechanisms of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, and that AA and CAT might have a protective role via free radical-scavenging properties. However, further study is needed.

Hyperthyroidism is associated with increased bone turnover. Besides the hormones of calcium metabolism, locally produced factors are important in maintaining normal bone metabolism. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), in particular, has a major influence on bone turnover. In this study, serum IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels, as well as bone turnover markers and relationships between them, were investigated in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. A total of 20 female patients with hyperthyroidism, 15 with subclinical hyperthyroidism, 16 with hypothyroidism, and 15 with subclinical hypothyroidism constituted the patient groups. In all, 15 age-matched healthy female volunteers were recruited as controls. When compared with controls, serum TNF-alpha levels showed no significant difference in any of the patient groups (P>.05). In the groups with hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism, IL-6 levels were significantly higher compared with control group values (P

Preeclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Endothelial cell dysfunction is important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. An imbalance between free radical induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system has been suggested as a possible pathogenic factor for impaired endothelial cell function. Ceruloplasmin is a glycoprotein which has an antioxidative effect due to prevention of metal ion-catalyzed oxidation of lipids in the cell membrane. This study was designed to evaluate maternal serum levels of ceruloplasmin in preeclampsia. Thirty women with preeclampsia were included in the study. Preeclampsia was defined as hypertension in combination with proteinuria developing after 20 weeks’ gestation. Patients with a history of anti-hypertensive drug therapy systemic disease HELLP syndrome were excluded from the study. Normotensive pregnant women were carefully matched with 30 women with preeclampsia with regard to age and gestational age (within two weeks). None of the control patients had medical or obstetric complications. (excerpt)

Objective: To examine serum lipid levels in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and to test whether panic symptoms affect lipid concentrations in OCD patients. Methods: We assessed 33 OCD patients and 33 healthy control subjects matched for sex and age. Results: OCD patients had higher low-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein, and tryglyceride levels, but lower high-density lipoprotein levels, than normal control subjects. We also found that only OCD patients with panic attacks had higher serum lipid concentrations, compared with normal control subjects. Serum lipid levels of pure OCD patients did not differ from control values. Conclusion: These findings suggest that high serum lipid concentrations are related to panic anxiety rather than other symptoms of the illness.

The aim of the study was to compare serum levels of cytokeratin-18 of patients with bladder cancer with those of the healthy controls, and to investigate the relation between cytokeratin level and the tumor stage.Serum cytokeratin-18 levels of 38 patients with bladder cancer and of 25 healthy people were determined. Tumor stage was T(1) in 12 patients, T(2) in 9 patients, T(3) in 10 patients and T(4) in 7 patients. The serum cytokeratin-18 levels in these cases were analyzed with respect to the stage of the tumor.Cytokeratin-18 level in the patient group was found to be significantly higher than that of the control group (p0.010) when the groups were totally compared. However, when the levels in patients with different tumor stages were compared with that of the controls, the difference was not significant in patients with stage 1 and 2 tumors (p0.05). Regarding the cut off value as 4.0 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity for serum cytokeratin-18 were found to be 53% and 72% respectively. When sensitivity was calculated with respect to tumor stages, it was 8% for T(1,) 33% for T(2,) 90% for T(3) and 100% for T(4.) On the other hand, considering higher stage (T(3) and T(4)) tumors only, the sensitivity was calculated as 94%, but the sensitivity for lower stage (T(1) and T(2)) tumors was 19%.It is clear that serum cytokeratin-18 level increases in patients with bladder cancer. However, it can only be useful as a tumor marker in the diagnosis of T(3) and higher staged tumors. This study indicated that cytokeratin-18 does not have any diagnostic value in lower stage bladder cancers.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta are pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing myocardial dysfunction and a negative inotropic effect. The drugs used to treat heart failure affect the production of cytokines. Digoxin, on which this study was focused, is one of the drugs for the treatment of heart failure. AIM: The present study was designed to examine the early effects of high doses of digoxin on the production of cytokines in healthy dogs. METHODS: Digoxin was given parenterally to dogs at 0.15 mg/kg. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production and levels of digoxin in the serum were measured 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h following administration of digoxin. RESULTS: As the levels of serum digoxin taken at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of administration were considered significantly high compared with preceding values (p < 0.001), no notable change in serum IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that high doses of digoxin do not cause a significant cytokine production in heart muscle in the early phase.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary treatment on serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidative enzyme activity of patients with Type 2 diabetes.A total of 30 patients with newly diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes were enrolled to the study. A total of 30 healthy subjects served as controls. Diabetic patients were given standard dietary treatment that was composed of 50% to 55% carbohydrate and 30% fat for 2 months. No diet was applied for controls. For both groups serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were obtained at first and at the end of 2 months.Diabetic patients had higher serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation than those of controls before dietary treatment(p0.05). However, there was no absolute differences in erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px (p0.05). At the end of 2 months of dietary treatment, while diabetics had still higher glucose and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation than controls (p0.05), serum lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte SOD, and GSH-Px levels did not differ significantly from those of controls (p0.05). In diabetic patients, after 2 months of dietary treatment, whereas serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation decreased, erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities showed significant increase (p0.05).Our results showed significant alteration in serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme status of patients with Type 2 diabetes by dietary treatment. However, whether such alterations have clinical importance for diabetic patients needs further investigation.

The relationship of free radicals with some types of carcinomas is known, these studies have been performed on samples taken from the tumor tissue. In this study, the malondialdehyde levels in the serum of patients with skin cancer were studied and compared with a control group. The differences between malondialdehyde levels in these two groups were evaluated using Mann Whitney-U. There was a very statistically significant increase in malondialdehyde levels in serum of the skin cancer patients compared with the control group (p=0.0095, z=−2.59). Thus, increased serum malondialdehyde levels may be a sign of carcinoma.

Bu calisma, Nigde ili sut sigirciligi isletmelerinin bugunku durumunun ortaya konulmasi, oncelikli sorunlarin tespiti ve bu sorunlarin cozumune iliskin cesitli onerilerin gelistirilmesi amaciyla yurutulmustur. Calismada, ilin tamamini temsil edecek sekilde tabakali ornekleme yontemiyle secilen toplam 95 sut sigirciligi isletmesi ornek olarak alinmistir. Analiz sonuclari; sut sigiri yetistiricilerin buyuk bir kisminin (%60) ilkokul mezunu, sigircilik yapma suresinin ortalama 15,2 yil oldugunu; iscilik olarak onemli oranda (%92) aile isgucunun kullanildigini, sigir irki olarak isletmelerin %54’unun sadece Holstein, %19’unun Holstein ve Simental, %15’inin sadece Montofon, %6’sinin sadece Simental, %4’unun Holstein ve Montofon, %2’sinin de Montofon ve Simental yetistirdiklerini; isletme basina ortalama hayvan sayisinin 33 bas, sagmal inek sayisinin ise 13 bas oldugunu, sagmal hayvan basina gunluk ortalama sut veriminin ise 16,6 kg oldugunu gostermistir. Yetistiriciler, oncelikli sorunlar olarak sirasiyla yem ve iscilik gibi temel girdilerin pahali olmasi, kesif yem temini, urunlerin deger fiyattan satilamamasi, kaba yem ve mera sorununu gostermislerdir. Ayrica, Likert olcegi skorlarina gore yetistiricilerin en fazla memnun olduklari ilk bes konunun sirasiyla; yetistirilen hayvan irki (3,95), uyesi olunan yetistirici orgutunun hizmetleri (3,94), sagim islemleri (3,76), buzagi dogum ve bakim isleri (3,74) ile kayit tutma ve hayvan takip sisteminin (3,71) oldugu gorulmustur. Yetistiriciler acisindan memnuniyet duzeyi en dusuk olan ilk bes konunun ise sirasiyla; sigircilikla ilgili Bakanlik politikalari (1,83), uretilen hayvanlarin satis fiyati ve pazar durumu (1,96), uretilen sutun satis fiyati ve pazar durumu (2,04), yem ve iscilik gibi temel girdilerin temini ve maliyeti (2,06) ile kredi ve finansal destekler (2,08) oldugu gorulmustur.

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology, and recognised as a multi-system vasculitis. It has been postulated that an imbalance of the oxidant and antioxidant systems related to the disease are important in its pathogenesis. Previous publications have reported increased levels of enzymatic antioxidant defence systems in patients with BD. The non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, including vitamin C and uric acid, were looked for in the present study. For this aim, the serum malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, and vitamin C and uric acid, as endogenous antioxidants, were determined in 20 patients with BD (11 in active and 9 in inactive periods) and 20 healthy subjects. The MDA level was significantly higher in both the active and inactive period patients compared with the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). The MDA level was also significantly higher in the active period patients compared with the inactive period patients (p < 0.05). The vitamin C levels were significantly lower in both the active and inactive period patients compared with the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference in the vitamin C level between the active and inactive period patients (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in uric acid levels between the groups (p > 0.05). In the patients group, a negative correlation was found between the levels of serum MDA and vitamin C (r=-0.517; p < 0.05). Our results indicate that decreased vitamin C and increased MDA levels reflect the increased levels of oxidative stress in BD patients, and this situation may be important in relation with its pathogenesis.