Relationship between renal stone formation, mitral annular calcification and bone resorption markers

Mitral annular calcification [MAC] is associated with osteoporosis and there is evidence of reduced bone mineral density [BMD] in patients with renal stone formation [RSF]. Therefore, we designed this study to test if RSF was associated with MAC and if this association could be linked to bone resorption. Fifty-nine patients [mean age, 41.5 years] with RSF and 40 healthy subjects [mean age, 44.2 years] underwent screening for MAC and BMD, and measuurements were taken of serum and urine electrolytes, parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase and urine dypyridoline. MAC was diagnosed in 11 [18%] patients with RSF compared with 1 [2.5%] control [P=.01]. Urine phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride levels were lower [P<.001, P=.02, P<.001, P<.001 and P<.001, respectively], but serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium and potassium levels were higher [P=.008, P=.007 and P=.001, respectively] in patients with RSF versus those without RSF. None of these abnormalities were found in patients or subjects with MAC. Urine pyridoline levels were higher and T-scores were more negative [more osteopenic] in patients and subjects with MAC than in those without MAC [P=.01 and P=.004, respectively]. In a multivariate analysis, only T-scores and urine dipyridoline level were predictive of MAC [P=.03 and P=.04, respectively]. Screening for MAC and bone resorption markers in patients with RSF demonstrated a high incidence of MAC in these patients. The presence of MAC in patients with RSF was associated with bone resorption markers. This seemingly complex interrelationship between RSF, MAC and bone loss needs to be clarified in further studies

Effectiveness of Ankaferd blood stopper in the topical control of active bleeding due to cutaneous-subcutaneous incisions

To assess the effectiveness of Ankaferd blood stopper [ABS] in the topical control of bleeding due to cutaneous/subcutaneous incisions. We included in this study, 69 patients with cancer that were admitted for port insertion to the Emergency Department of Gaziantep University Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey, between May and July 2008. We used the wet compress form of ABS in 37 patients [group I], and regular dry sterile sponges in 32 patients [group II], to stop the bleeding that occurs during the clinically indicated vascular port insertion in patients with cancer. The success rate in terms of bleeding control, time needed to stop the bleeding, recurrence of bleeding, and complications were recorded. A total of 69 patients were included in this study. The average time needed to stop the bleeding was 32.97 +/- 29.9 seconds for group I, and 123.75 +/- 47.5 seconds for group II. Bleeding restarted in 24% in group I, and in 50% in group II. Among the patients in group I, 13.5% developed localized redness, and 8.1% minor swelling, while 8.1% reported local pain at the wound site; in 5.4% of the patients, the sutures at the wound site opened. The same parameters were recorded for group II; 9.4% for localized redness, 0.0% for minor swelling, 6.2% reported local pain, and the sutures at the wound site opened in 3.2% [p=0.592]. The Ankaferd blood stopper was proven to stop local bleeding in a shorter time, with a lower recurrence rate in comparison with the sterile sponge