Association of serum proprotein convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) level with thyroid function disorders.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at demonstrating the effect of thyroid function status on proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and determining the effect of thyroid hormones on lipid metabolism by comparing the PCSK9 levels of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 124 patients with thyroid disorders, aged between 18 and 65 years, were included in this study. The participants were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 comprised 52 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, Group 2 comprised 40 patients with overt hypothyroidism, and Group 3 comprised 32 patients with hyperthyroidism. In all of these groups, the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, total cholesterol, fasting serum glucose, antithyroid peroxidase antibody, antithyroglobulin antibody, and PCSK9 levels were measured. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the 3 groups in terms of age, gender, and body mass indices. Median PCSK9 measurements were 14.55 ng/mL in Group 1, 14.895 ng/mL in Group 2, and 9.775 ng/mL in Group 3. There was a significant difference in the PCSK9 levels between Group 1-Group 3 and Group 2-Group 3 (p <0.0001 and p <0.0001, respectively). A positive correlation between PCSK9 and the TSH levels (r = 0.211, p= 0.019), and a negative correlation (r = -0,239, p = 0.009 and r = -, 0.218, p = 0.015) between the fT3 and fT4 levels were found. CONCLUSIONS: The serum PCSK9 levels were shown to be associated with thyroid dysfunction. However, no relationship was observed between the serum PCSK9 level and thyroid autoantibody positivity, and obesity in this study.

Reduction of the incidence of neuroma formation by proximal epineural stripping: an experimental study in rats.

The effect of proximal epineural stripping on neuroma formation was studied in the peroneal nerve stumps of the rat. After transection of the peroneal nerve, the epineurium of the proximal stump was stripped back by 6 to 8mm and the nerve fascicles left uncovered in the study group. The transected nerve was left untreated in the control group. All nerves were evaluated by light microscopy 6 months after the operation. Two neuromas occurred in 20 stumps after epineural stripping while 15 neuromas occurred in the control group. Based on histological data, we conclude that stripping of the epineurium may inhibit neuroma formation in the rat.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma and squamous carcinoma derived from a burn scar.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in late adult life. The tumour may be seen rarely in burn scars and accompanying other kinds of malignancies. We herein report a case of a tumour that derived from an old burn scar on the scalp. The histological examination revealed that the tumour contained both malignant fibrous histiocytoma and squamous carcinoma areas. Malignant transformation in a burn scar is a well-known development; therefore, a new lesion occurring within the scar should not be neglected.

Lymphangiosarcoma in chronic lymphoedema. Stewart-Treves syndrome.

A case of post-mastectomy lymphangiosarcoma is reported. Lymphangiosarcoma is an extremely rare but highly lethal complication of chronic lymphoedema. Our patient was treated by amputation and died 6 months later. Treatment of post-mastectomy lymphangiosarcoma is still unsatisfactory. Early recognition and radical ablative surgery seem to provide best chance for survival.

Z-plasty and microvascular anastomosis.

An experimental study in rats was designed to determine the effects of z-plasty on the patency of microvascular anastomosis. Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats of mixed sex were divided into two groups. In all animals, the left carotid arteries were used. In the first group (n = 40), a single z-plasty was done at the anterior side of the carotid artery before end-to-end anastomosis was performed. In the second group (n = 40), end-to-end anastomosis with interrupted sutures was done. Patency and the appearance of the anastomosis were evaluated 1 hr later, on the seventh postoperative day, and at the end of the third postoperative week. There was no vasospasm demonstrated in the first group. Patency rates were 100 percent for both groups after 1 hr. On the seventh postoperative day, one anastomosis in the first group (patency rate, 97.5 percent) and two anastomoses in the second group had failed (patency rate, 95 percent). Patency rates were similar at the third week. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.5). Histologic examinations demonstrated that z-plasty did not cause any adverse effects at the vessel wall or at the anastomosis.

Osteogenic potential of infant dural grafts in different recipient beds.

An experimental study in adult rats was designed to test whether infant dura, when transplanted as an isograft to different recipient beds, can maintain its osteogenic potential. There was bone regeneration in more than 50% of the defects in all animals in which infant dura was present. There was minimal bone regeneration in defects in which adult dura remained alone and in which the dural defect repaired with adult dural graft. Ectopic bone did not form on the abdominal fascia or in the abdominal muscles from either infant or adult dural transplantation.