Neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte rate and their seasonal differences in ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis patients using anti-TNF medication.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, neutrophil-lymphocyte rate (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte rate (PLR) are reported to be increasing in plenty of rheumatological diseases and the latter rates to be disease activity indicators. In our study, we aimed to search for the difference in NLR and PLR before and after the treatment, their relationship with the disease activity and their seasonal differences in patients using anti-TNF medication for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) while. METHOD: Sixty-eight RA and 203 AS patients using anti-TNF medication for at least 6 months were included in the study. Patients with acute infection, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, renal failure and liver failure were excluded from the study. NLR, PLR, seasonal differences and the disease activities of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: We determined that NLR and PLR are strongly correlated with disease activity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and c-reactive protein (CRP). In addition, we determined that disease activity, thrombocytes and PLR are increased in spring and winter, especially in patients with RA. CONCLUSION: NLR and PLR are simple, cheap, and easily accessible parameters which can be used to evaluate disease activity and treatment response before and after anti-TNF treatment. Further studies are needed to enlighten the effect of seasonal differences on disease activity (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 43).

Determination of ceruloplasmin, some other acute phase proteins, and biochemical parameters in cows with endometritis.

AIM: The aim of this study is to determine serum ceruloplasmin levels in cows with endometritis of varying degrees of severity and to establish whether or not there is a correlation between acute phase protein (APP) levels and biochemical parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 100 Brown Swiss cows (3-8 years of age) on days 28-32 postpartum. Cows were divided into endometritis (mild, moderate, and severe endometriosis) and healthy groups based on ultrasonography, vaginoscopy, and cytological examination. Blood samples were collected from all cows. Levels of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin, albumin, and some biochemical parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Hp, SAA, and ceruloplasmin levels were higher in cows with endometritis than in healthy cows (p=0.001), and the levels of these APPs increased as endometritis became more severe (p=0.001). Some significant correlations were found between APPs and the biochemical parameters that were analyzed. In conclusion, it was determined that ceruloplasmin levels increase significantly in the presence of endometritis and proportionate to the severity of endometritis. A significant correlation was found between ceruloplasmin levels and Hp and SAA levels. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that ceruloplasmin levels can be used in the diagnosis of endometritis as an alternative to Hp and SAA levels.

Clinical use of deslorelin implants for the long-term contraception in prepubertal bitches: effects on epiphyseal closure, body development, and time to puberty.

Long-acting GnRH agonists have been used both for canine estrus induction and prevention. The objective of the study was to investigate the use of a deslorelin implant as a long-term and reversible contraceptive in prepubertal bitches with special regard to the time of epiphyseal closure. Thirteen healthy, crossbreed, medium-sized prepubertal female dogs were used in this study. An implant containing 9.4 mg (G1, n = 5) and 4.7 mg (G2, n = 4) deslorelin acetate (Suprelorin) or a placebo (sodium chloride 0.9%; G3, n = 4) was inserted subcutaneously in the interscapular region. Estrus was monitored once daily by physical and sexual behavioral changes. Body development, vaginal cytology, and serum progesterone and estradiol 17ß concentration were monitored weekly for the first 5 weeks, and then every 3 weeks throughout the treatment period. Radiographic examinations were performed monthly to determine the epiphyseal closure. Half of the deslorelin-treated bitches (G1: n = 2 and G2: n = 2) came into estrus during the 83-week observation period. All animals in the control group showed estrus between the 39th and 64th weeks of observation. Time to puberty averaged 82.7 ± 8.9 and 61.9 ± 9.7 weeks in the deslorelin-treated (G1 and G2) and the control bitches, respectively (P < 0.02). Both deslorelin implants (9.4 and 4.7 mg) can be used efficiently for the long-term prevention of estrus in prepubertal bitches; however, epiphyseal closure is clearly delayed which was without any clinical effect in the present study.

The effect of injectable trace minerals (selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese) on peripheral blood leukocyte activity and serum superoxide dismutase activity of lactating Holstein cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous supplementation of 300 mg of zinc, 50 mg of manganese, 25 mg of selenium, and 75 mg of copper on peripheral blood leukocyte activity and serum ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations at 10 ± 2 days in milk (DIM), and on serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity during the transition period and subsequent lactation of multiparous Holstein cows. A total of 250 multiparous cows were randomly allocated into one of two treatments groups, namely, trace mineral supplemented (TMS) or control. Cows in the TMS group were injected at 230 and 260 days of gestation, and 35 days postpartum. Serum SOD activity was measured at enrollment, and 10, 60 and 100 DIM. Serum BHBA concentration and leukocyte function were assessed at 10 DIM. Overall serum SOD activity for TMS and control was 16.01 and 12.71 U/mL, respectively. The interaction between treatment and time of serum collection was significant. Additionally, overall serum SOD activity was 12.85 and 14.78 U/mL for cows diagnosed with mastitis and unaffected cows, respectively. Treatment did not affect leukocyte function. For parity >2, TMS cows had lower serum BHBA concentrations than control cows; BHBA concentrations were 0.41 and 0.27 mmol/L for control and TMS cows, respectively. In conclusion, cows diagnosed with mastitis had decreased serum SOD activity, and trace mineral supplementation increased serum SOD activity although leukocyte function was not affected by supplementation.

The effect of prepartum intravaginal bacteriophage administration on the incidence of retained placenta and metritis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prepartum intravaginal administration of an anti-Escherichia coli bacteriophage cocktail on uterine health and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows. The study was conducted on a commercial dairy farm located near Ithaca, New York, from March to September 2012, and 107 cows were enrolled. The cows were divided randomly into 2 groups (treatment and control); treatment group cows were submitted to 3 intravaginal administrations of 20 mL of a bacteriophage cocktail including 10 different phages in a lysate with titration of approximately 10(9) plaque-forming units, on d 230, 260, and 275 of gestation. Control cows were not treated with a placebo, and physical examination and sample collection was conducted equally for both groups. Vaginal swabs were collected at d 230, 260, and 275 d of gestation, cervical swabs were collected at 3±1 d in milk, and blood was collected at 275 d of gestation for nonesterified fatty acids and interleukin (IL)-6 serum level measurements and at 10 DIM for ß-hydroxybutyrate and IL-6 serum level measurements. The bacteriophage cocktail significantly increased the incidence of retained placenta and metritis. Swab samples were cultured for E. coli and no difference was found between treatment and control groups. The lysate contained 6×10(9) IU of lipopolysaccharide/mL and could have caused prepartum overstimulation of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-chemokine pathway, leading to a weaker immune response. However, IL-6 was not affected by treatment, although sample size was insufficient to prove a treatment effect on the suppression of the chemokine cascade and innate immune system. Bacteriophage treatment had an excellent bactericidal effect in previous in vitro trials; however, special attention must be given to production of the cocktail to obtain a purified solution free of E. coli bacterial products and fragments, particularly lipopolysaccharide.

Translation and validation of the Turkish version of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQOL) questionnaire.

The Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire is a disease-specific measure of needs-based quality of life developed in the UK and the Netherlands. This study describes translation, validation, and reliability of the scale into Turkish population. The ASQoL was translated into Turkish using the dual-panel process. Content validity was assessed via cognitive debriefing interviews with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Patients with AS according to modified New York criteria were recruited into the study from 12 hospitals of all part of Turkey. Psychometric and scaling properties were assessed via a two administration survey involving the ASQoL, the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), and Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Classical psychometrics assessed reliability, convergent validity (correlation of ASQoL with NHP, BASFI, and BASDAI) and discriminative validity (correlation of ASQoL with perceived AS-severity and general health). Cognitive debriefing showed the new Turkish ASQoL to be clear, relevant, and comprehensive. Completed survey questionnaires were received from 277 AS patients (80% Male, mean age 42.2/SD 11.6, mean AS duration 9.4 years/SD 9.4). Test-retest reliability was excellent (0.96), indicating low random measurement error for the scale. Correlations of ASQoL with NHP sections were low to moderate (NHP Sleep 0.34; NHP Emotional Reactions 0.83) suggesting the measures assess related but distinct constructs. The measure was able to discriminate between patients based on their perceived disease severity (p < 0.0001) and self-reported general health (p < 0.0001). The Turkish version of ASQoL has good reliability and validity properties. It is practical and useful scale to assess the quality of life in AS patients in Turkish population.

Heat and ultraviolet light treatment of colostrum and hospital milk: effects on colostrum and hospital milk characteristics and calf health and growth parameters.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different physical treatments of bovine colostrum and hospital milk on milk bacteriology, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and lactoferrin concentrations, calf serum IgG concentrations and calf health, growth and survivability. Pooled colostrum samples (n=297) were heat treated (HTC; 63°C for 60 min), exposed to ultraviolet light (UVC; 45 J/cm(2)) or untreated ('raw', RC). Hospital milk (n=712) was subjected to high temperature short time pasteurization (HTST; 72°C for 15s), ultraviolet light irradiation (UVH; 45 J/cm(2)) or was untreated. Neonatal Holstein heifer calves (n=875) were randomly enrolled (309 HTC, 285 UVC, 281 RC) and block randomized (by colostrum treatment) into hospital milk treatments HTST (n=449) or UVH (n=426). HTC was more effective than UVC and HTST was more effective than UVH in reducing bacterial counts. IgG and lactoferrin concentrations were significantly lower in HTC and UVC than in RC. Lactoferrin concentrations were significantly lower in HTST than in UVH or untreated hospital milk. There were no significant differences in serum IgG concentrations among calves fed HTC, UVC or RC. Colostrum and hospital milk treatments did not have any significant effect on calf body weight gain, survivability, or frequency of diarrhea or pneumonia.

Hydroxychloroquine-induced hyperpigmentation: a case report.

The antimalarials are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in medical practice, for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis as well as malaria. They are generally well-tolerated and the possible side effects of synthetic antimalarials, though infrequent, are well known. Besides the familiar adverse reactions, a localized mucocutaneous bluish-grey to black discolouration can sometimes be seen with antimalarial drugs. The aim of this report was to draw attention to the localized mucocutaneous bluish-grey hyperpigmentation induced by hydroxychloroquine with a case presentation and a review of the literature.

Adverse effect of TNF-alpha blocker? Demyelination in an ankylosing spondylitis patient: a case report.

Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha agents promise better disease control for treatment of inflammatory arthritides which are resistant to classical disease-modifying treatment and provide better functional outcome. But these agents are not free of adverse events. The exact relationship between use of anti-TNF drugs and development of demyelination cannot be established yet. Here we present a case of a 36-year-old man who developed demyelination in the cervical spinal cord while he was being treated with etanercept for ankylosing spondylitis.

Atypical cyclopia in a brown swiss cross calf: a case report.

In this report, an atypical form of cyclopia is described in a stillborn Brown Swiss cross male calf. The changes were confined to the head. The most significant malformation was the presence of a median orbita-like opening that did not contain an eyeball. Other defects included prosencephalic aplasia, brachygnathia superior and arrhinia. The possible cause of this congenital defect could not be ascertained.

Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in Antalya, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Antalya, Turkey. A cross-sectional study was performed face-to-face using a structured interview. Subjects were asked whether they had arthritis at present or previously. Subjects suspected of having RA were invited to the hospital for physical examination and laboratory investigations. Diagnosis of RA was confirmed if the patient fulfilled 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA. A total of 3173 subjects were interviewed. The diagnosis of RA was established in 12 subjects. The prevalence of RA was determined as 0.38% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16-0.59]. The mean age was 49.92+/-11.56 years in subjects with RA and greater than that of other subjects (p<0.001). Of 12 subjects with RA, 9 had previously been diagnosed with the disease. Rheumatoid factor was detected in the sera of eight subjects. RA is less frequent in Turkey than in Northern Europe. Different genetic and environmental factors may have a role in this result.

The prevalence of symptomatic knee and distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis in the urban population of Antalya, Turkey.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of symptomatic knee and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint osteoarthritis (OA) in the elderly (> or =50 years of age) urban population of Antalya, Turkey. According to the 1997 national census, Antalya's population was 508,840. By random cluster sampling, 655 individuals aged 50 years or more were interviewed face-to-face and subjected to structured interviews regarding knee pain, worsening pain on exertion, and the gelling phenomenon. They were also asked about performing namaz (a fundamental act of worship in Islam performed five times a day), smoking, type of residence, type of toilet, work style, and duration of walking per day. They were also questioned about swelling in DIP joints. In the case of suspicion of knee OA, the individuals were invited to the hospital for further evaluation by physical examination and direct roentgenogram. The diagnosis of knee OA was based on clinical or clinical and radiographic findings. The prevalence of symptomatic knee OA was determined as 14.8% in the population aged 50 years or over. Advanced age, female sex, namaz, and type of residence were found to be associated with knee OA. The rate of symptomatic knee OA was significantly lower in smokers and those walking more than 2 h per day. Female sex was also strongly associated with OA DIP joints. OA of DIP joints was found significantly associated with symptomatic knee OA. The latter is a major health problem in the elderly population, especially in about one fourth of women aged 50 years or over. These data suggest that advanced age, female sex, and type of residence are risk factors.

The association of milk consumption with the occurrence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of nutritional factors with symptomatic knee OA. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed face-to-face using a structured interview. Individuals who had a diagnosis of symptomatic knee OA and were aged 50 years or over were included in this study. The frequency of consumption of dairy products, meat/poultry, fish, cereals, vegetables, tea and coffee were also determined. The diagnosis of knee OA was made clinically or clinically and radiologically according to the ACR criteria for knee OA. RESULTS: A total of 655 subjects was interviewed. The frequency of symptomatic knee OA was significantly lower in daily milk consumers (p < 0.05). Tea consumption was also inversely associated with symptomatic knee OA (p < 0.05), although other nutritional elements showed no significant relationship with OA. CONCLUSION: Milk consumption may have beneficial effects on symptomatic knee OA.

Quantitative sacroiliac joint scintigraphy in normal subjects and patients with sacroiliitis.

The aim of this study is to determine the sacroiliac index (SII) of healthy subjects and to compare these values with patients having sacroiliitis (SI). Quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy (QSS) was performed with Tc-99m hydroxy methylene diphosphonate (HMDP) and whole sacroiliac joint-to-sacrum ratio was calculated as a SII by the region of interest (ROI) method. Forty-seven nonarthritic healthy subjects and 13 patients with SI were studied. Effects of aging, gender and laterality on SII were evaluated in 47 healthy subjects. The sacroiliac index was higher in men than women (p < 0.05). SII did not change significantly in aged men, but it decreased significantly in aged women (p < 0.05). Eleven of 13 patients with SI had a higher SII than healthy subjects (> mean + 2SD). In the other two cases by using small ROIs, SIIs were found to be higher than the normal range. Our results suggest that QSS is a sensitive method for the diagnosis of early stage SI and every institution should establish its own normal SII.