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Introduction Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the regulation of many neuronal processes, including neurogenesis. Therefore, it is thought to be closely associated with many psychopathologies with a neurodevelopmental basis, for example, schizophrenia. Methods The patients admitted to the Psychiatry Department of the Faculty of Medicine with a diagnosis of non-affective drug-naive first-episode psychosis (FEP) were included in the study. The relationship between laboratory and clinical findings and psychometric data (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) was examined. Results The study population consisted of 34 FEP and 34 healthy control (HC) volunteers. Mean BNDF levels of FEP and HC groups were 14.95 ± 6.13 and 17.89 ± 4.84 pg/ml, respectively. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (t = 2.197; p = .032). There was a negative correlation between mean BDNF levels and PANSS general psychopathology subscale scores (r = .358; p = .038), and total PANSS scores (r = .356; p = .039). Discussion There is a consensus on low serum BDNF levels both in FEP and in schizophrenia. However, it is still not clear which clinical findings are associated with lower serum BDNF levels. The relationship between BDNF levels and psychopathologies in schizophrenia has to be investigated.

Background Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common and serious complication in patients with leukemia. Hemostasis and inflammation are two interrelated systems in response to infection. We aimed to investigate the course of thrombin formation in febrile neutropenia attack of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods Thrombin generation was monitored in children treated for ALL at diagnosis of febrile neutropenia (FN) (t 0 ), at 48 th hour of FN (t1) and after recovery from neutropenia (t 2 ). Results Twenty-nine patients and 50 healthy children as control were enrolled into the study. Mean endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and mean peak value of thrombin results at t 1 were significantly higher than at t 0 , t 2 and control groups, respectively. A positive but statistically nonsignificant correlation between ETP values at t 1 and duration of neutropenia was observed. Conclusion Although thrombin generation is enhanced both due to chemotherapy or malignancy itself, our results revealed that thrombin formation also increased in neutropenic infection of children with leukemia.

Hypoxia may occur in the severe exacerbations of asthma. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) may increase in ischemia, in addition to oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim was to evaluate IMA levels in children during the asthma exacerbation and the asymptomatic period.Children with asthma who were followed up in our clinic were included and healthy children were selected as the control group. The severity of exacerbation was evaluated with Global Initiative for Asthma and Modified Pulmonary Index Score. Serum IMA levels were measured at the time of exacerbation and 4 weeks after treatment during asymptomatic period. Skin prick test and C reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured.A total of 26 patients and 26 controls were included. Mean IMA level was 0.45±0.12 absorbance units -ABSU- during asthma exacerbation and 0.32±0.08 ABSU in the control group (p=0.001). Mean IMA levels (0.41±0.14 ABSU) during the stable period were higher than the control group (p=0.005). There was no difference in terms of IMA levels when patients were grouped according to anti-inflammatory treatment, upper respiratory tract infection before exacerbation, CRP levels or sensitivity of skin prick tests. However, IMA levels were higher in patients with severe asthma exacerbation (p=0.009) in comparison with mild/moderate exacerbation. Positive correlation was observed between IMA levels and severity of exacerbation (r: 0.498, p=0.010).Asthmatic children had higher IMA levels than the control group, both in stable and exacerbated asthma. There was a positive relationship between IMA levels and severity of asthma exacerbation.Introducción. La albúmina modificada por la isquemia puede aumentar en el asma (IMA), estrés oxidativo y la inflamación. El objetivo fue evaluar las concentraciones de IMA en niños asmáticos durante períodos asintomáticos y de exacerbación. Población y métodos. Niños asmáticos y sanos en seguimiento (grupo de referencia). La gravedad de la exacerbación se evaluó mediante la Iniciativa global para el asma (GINA) y la puntuación del índice pulmonar modificado (MPIS). Se usaron pruebas intraepidérmicas y de proteína C reactiva para medir las concentraciones séricas de IMA durante la exacerbación y 4 semanas después del tratamiento. Resultados. Participaron 26 pacientes y 26 controles. Las concentraciones medias de IMA durante la exacerbación (0,45 ± 0,12 ABSU) y durante el período de estabilidad (0,41 ± 0,14 ABSU) fueron mayores que en los niños sanos (0,32 ± 0,08 ABSU): p= 0,001 y p= 0,005, respectivamente. No hubo diferencias en IMA al agrupar a los pacientes por tratamiento antiinflamatorio, infección de las vías respiratorias altas previa a la exacerbación, concentraciones de PCR o sensibilidad a las pruebas intraepidérmicas. Las concentraciones fueron más elevadas en los pacientes con exacerbación grave que leve/moderada (p= 0,009). La correlación entre IMA y la gravedad de la exacerbación (r: 0,498; p= 0,010) fue positiva. Conclusiones. Los niños asmáticos presentaron concentraciones de IMA más elevadas que el grupo de referencia, tanto en el período de estabilidad como durante la exacerbación. Hubo una relación positiva entre las concentraciones de IMA y la gravedad de la exacerbación.