ABSTRACT
Purpose@#We investigated the relationship between sonographic measurements of fatty liver and body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-Z score), abdominal wall fat thickness (AWFT), and serum biochemical parameters in childhood obesity. @*Methods@#Anthropometric, laboratory, and ultrasonography data were obtained from 174 children with BMI-Z score >1. After the qualitative grading of hepatosteatosis (grades 0–3), the quantitative liver–kidney echogenicity ratio (LKER) was calculated using a software tool. Groups according to sex, age (AG-I to AG-III), BMI-Z score (BMG-I to BMG-III), and hepatosteatosis degree (HS-I and HS-II) were formed. The differences and distributions of the variables were statistically analyzed and compared among the groups. @*Results@#Serum transaminase and glucose levels showed a positive correlation with LKER, whereas the HDL level showed a negative correlation. BMI-Z score and AWFT showed a positive correlation with fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR value. LKER was significantly higher in girls than in boys (p=0.008). In the AG-I group (age 3–8.9 years), the BMI-Z score was significantly higher, whereas AWFT was significantly lower than in the other age groups (p<0.001). The cutoff point of LKER for predicting grade 2 or higher steatosis (HS-II group) was determined to be 1.83. Cardiovascular disease risk was significantly higher in the HS-II group (p=0.035). @*Conclusion@#As a valuable quantitative measurement tool, LKER can be used for the sonographic screening of fatty liver. AWFT, on the basis of its correlation with fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR value, may be a useful sonographic parameter in the management of childhood obesity.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#We investigated the relationship between sonographic measurements of fatty liver and body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-Z score), abdominal wall fat thickness (AWFT), and serum biochemical parameters in childhood obesity. @*Methods@#Anthropometric, laboratory, and ultrasonography data were obtained from 174 children with BMI-Z score >1. After the qualitative grading of hepatosteatosis (grades 0–3), the quantitative liver–kidney echogenicity ratio (LKER) was calculated using a software tool. Groups according to sex, age (AG-I to AG-III), BMI-Z score (BMG-I to BMG-III), and hepatosteatosis degree (HS-I and HS-II) were formed. The differences and distributions of the variables were statistically analyzed and compared among the groups. @*Results@#Serum transaminase and glucose levels showed a positive correlation with LKER, whereas the HDL level showed a negative correlation. BMI-Z score and AWFT showed a positive correlation with fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR value. LKER was significantly higher in girls than in boys (p=0.008). In the AG-I group (age 3–8.9 years), the BMI-Z score was significantly higher, whereas AWFT was significantly lower than in the other age groups (p<0.001). The cutoff point of LKER for predicting grade 2 or higher steatosis (HS-II group) was determined to be 1.83. Cardiovascular disease risk was significantly higher in the HS-II group (p=0.035). @*Conclusion@#As a valuable quantitative measurement tool, LKER can be used for the sonographic screening of fatty liver. AWFT, on the basis of its correlation with fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR value, may be a useful sonographic parameter in the management of childhood obesity.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of ellagic acid and ebselen on sperm and oxidative stress parameters during liquid preservation of ram semen
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, sixty ejaculates from six mature Merino rams were used. In experiment 1, the ejaculates were diluted in base extender contained ellagic acid at 0 [control], 0.5, 1, and 2 mM. In experiment 2, ebselen at 0 [control], 10, 20, and 40 microM were added to the extender. Sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA integrity, lipid peroxidation [LPO], the antioxidant potential [AOP], and total glutathione [tGSH] were evaluated at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours of preservation
Results: Supplementation of ellagic acid at 1 and 2 mM resulted in higher sperm motility and viability at 0 hours of storage. Ellagic acid at 2 mM led to higher motility and viability compared to controls after 0, 24, and 48 hours of preservation and increased AOP after 24 and 72 hours. Higher tGSH was at 1 mM ellagic acid, compared to control after 72 hours. Addition of ebselen at a concentration of 40 microM increased motility at 24 and 48 hours and 10 microM produced the same effect after 48 and 72 hours of storage as well as higher viability, compared to the controls after 0 hours of storage. Sperm DNA integrity was significantly improved after 24, 48, and 72 hours with the addition of ebselen at 10 microM, and after 72 hours at 40 microM. Addition of 40 mM ebselen also reduced the LPO levels after 24 hours of storage compared to the controls
Conclusion: The results showed that supplementation of ellagic acid and ebselen in semen extender has a potential effect on sperm and oxidative stress parameters during liquid preservation of ram semen
ABSTRACT
Gastric hemangiomas are rare benign vascular tumors that can cause severe gastrointestinal system bleeding. We presented the case of a neonate with fresh bleeding and melena from the orogastric tube and detected gastric hemangioma in esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination. Propranolol is widely used in treatment of cutaneous hemangiomas and non-gastric gastrointestinal system hemangiomas. However, the surgical approach is preferred for treating gastric hemangiomas, and there are few reports of gastric hemangiomas associated with non-surgical treatment. Gastric hemorrhage decreased with antacid and somatostatin treatment. Propranolol treatment was initiated before the surgery decision. After three weeks of treatment, we observed regression in the hemangioma with endoscopic evaluation. During the course of treatment, the patient's gastrointestinal system bleeding did not recur, and there were no side effects associated with propranolol.