Prevalence and Associations of Nonglaucomatous Optic Nerve Atrophy in High Myopia: The Ural Eye and Medical Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of nonglaucomatous optic nerve atrophy (NGOA) in highly myopic individuals. DESIGN: Population-based study. PARTICIPANTS: The Ural Eye and Medical Study included 5899 (80.5%) of 7328 eligible individuals (80.5%). METHODS: Nonglaucomatous optic nerve atrophy, graded into 5 arbitrary stages, was characterized by decreased visibility of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) on photographs, neuroretinal rim pallor, abnormally thin retinal arteriole diameter, and abnormally thin peripapillary RNFL as measured by OCT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nonglaucomatous optic nerve atrophy prevalence and degree. RESULTS: Of 5709 participants (96.9%) with axial length measurements, 130 individuals (2.3%) were highly myopic, of whom 116 individuals (89.2%; age, 57.8 ± 11.1 years; axial length, 27.0 ± 1.2 mm) had available fundus photographs and OCT images and were included into the study. Nonglaucomatous optic nerve atrophy prevalence was 34/116 individuals (29.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 21.0-38.0), and mean NGOA degree in eyes with NGOA was 1.7 ± 1.0 arbitrary units. Higher NGOA degree correlated (multivariable analysis; regression coefficient, r2 = 0.59) with longer axial length (ß, 0.22; P = 0.007), wider temporal parapapillary γ zone width (ß, 0.50; P < 0.001), higher prevalence of diabetes (ß, 0.20; P = 0.005), and higher systolic blood pressure (ß, 0.15; P = 0.03). Higher NGOA prevalence was associated with longer axial length (odds ratio [OR], 7.45; 95% CI, 2.15-25.7), wider temporal parapapillary γ zone (OR, 6.98; 95% CI, 2.61-18.7), and higher systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10). CONCLUSIONS: In this ethnically mixed population from Russia with an age of 40 years or more, high axial myopia showed a relatively high prevalence of NGOA, increasing with longer axial length and wider temporal parapapillary γ zone. For each 1 mm of axial elongation and γ zone widening, the odds for NGOA increased 7.45-fold and 6.98-fold, respectively. The axial elongation-associated and γ zone-related increase in the distance between the retinal ganglion cells and the optic disc may lead to a lengthening and stretching of the retinal ganglion cell axons and may be of importance pathogenetically. In highly myopic eyes, NGOA may be a reason for visual field and central visual acuity loss, unexplainable by myopic macular pathologic features. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Synthesis of D-π-A'-π-A Chromophores with Quinoxaline Core as Auxiliary Acceptor and Effect of Various Silicon-Substituted Donor Moieties on Thermal and Nonlinear Optical Properties at Molecular and Material Level.

Novel D-π-A'-π-A chromophores with quinoxaline cores as auxiliary acceptors and various donor moieties (aniline, carbazole, phenothiazine, tetrahydroquinoline) containing bulky tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy (TBDMSO) groups and tricyanofuranyl (TCF) acceptors with bulky cyclohexylphenyl substituents were synthesized via eight- to nine-step procedures, and their photo-physical and thermal properties were investigated. The values of the chromophores' first hyperpolarizabilities were calculated in the framework of DFT at the M06-2X/aug-cc-pVDZ computational level; the effect of the introduction of the TBDMSO group into the donor fragment is shown to be inessential, as this group is not coupled to the π-conjugated system of the chromophore. The chromophore with the tetrahydroquinoline donor has a first hyperpolarizability value of 937 × 10-30 esu, which is the highest for the studied chromophores. Atomistic modeling of composite materials with the studied chromophores as guests demonstrated that the presence of bulky substituent in the donor fragment prevents notable aggregation of chromophores, even at high chromophore content (40 wt.%). The nonlinear optical performance of guest-host materials with 25 and 40 wt.% of suggested chromophore content was studied using a second harmonic generation technique to give the NLO coefficient, d33 up to 52 pm/V.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy in a Russian Population. The Ural Eye and Medical Study.

AIM: To assess prevalence and associated factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a Russian population. METHODS: Out of 7328 eligible individuals, the population-based cross-sectional Ural Eye and Medical Study included 5899 (80.5%) individuals aged 40+ years, who underwent a detailed medical and ophthalmological examination. Using ocular fundus photographs and optical coherence tomographic images, we assessed prevalence and degree of DR in 5105 participants. RESULTS: DR was present in 99/5105 individuals (1.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6, 2.3). Its prevalence increased from 6/657 (1.0%; 95% CI: 0.2, 1.6) in the age group of 45-50 years to 24/680 (3.5%; 95% CI: 2.1, 4.9) in the age group of 65-70 years, and decreased to 3/153 (2.0%; 95% CI: 0.00, 4.2) in the age group of 80+ years. DR prevalence within the 577 (11.4%; 95% CI: 10.5, 12.2) individuals with diabetes was 99/577 (17.2%; 95% CI: 14.1, 20.2). DR was the cause for moderate-to-severe vision impairment (best corrected visual acuity <6/18 but ≥3/60) in four individuals (4/5105; 0.07%). In multivariable analysis, higher DR prevalence was associated with higher serum glucose concentration (odds ratio [OR]: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.20, 141), longer diabetes duration (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.09), type of diabetes therapy (nil/diet/oral/insulin) (OR:4.19;95% CI:3.08, 5.70), lower educational level (OR:0.81;95% CI:0.67, 0.98), lower manual dynamometric force (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.94, 0.99), shorter ocular axial length (OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.96), and higher diastolic blood pressure (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06), or alternatively, higher estimated cerebrospinal fluid pressure (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.18). CONCLUSION: In this urban and rural Russian population aged 40+ years, DR prevalence was relatively low (1.9%; 95% CI: 1.6, 2.3), showed an inverted U-shaped association with age, and in a cross-sectional study design it was associated with shorter axial length and higher estimated cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among small mammals in Tatarstan, Russian Federation.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with a wide host range that includes humans, domestic animals and wild animals. Small mammals serve as intermediate hosts for T. gondii and may contribute to the persistence of this parasite in the environment. Mass mortality in wild animals and deaths in rare endemic species make the study of this parasite of growing importance. In this study, T. gondii infection prevalence was evaluated in brain tissues from 474 small mammals captured at 26 trapping points in urban and rural areas of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. Nested PCR was used to detect the T. gondii B1 gene in the samples. Overall, 40/474 samples (8.44%) showed B1 gene positivity. T. gondii infection among the wild small mammals trapped in the rural area was significantly higher as a whole than that of the urban area as a whole. Multivariate logistical regression analysis also showed that the trapping area (rural or urban) significantly contributed to T. gondii positivity. Vegetation in the trapping points, small mammal species, sex, age or distance from the trapping points to the nearest human settlements did not significantly affect T. gondii positivity in the sampled small mammals.

Composing NLO Chromophore as a Puzzle: Electrochemistry-based Approach to Design and Effectiveness.

A series of D-π-A, D-π-D'-π-A, D-π-A'-π-A nonlinear optical chromophores with vinylene π-electron bridges or bridges with π-deficient/π-excessive heterocyclic moieties along with the corresponding precursors D-vinylene, D-π-D', D'-π-A, D-π-A' and A'-π-A are synthesized and studied both experimentally and computationally. The effect of the heterocycle in the π-electron bridge on the oxidation/reduction potentials and the energy gap (ΔEel ) is investigated in detail. The properties of the D-π-A'(D')-π-A chromophores are shown to correlate with those of building blocks: the oxidation potential is determined by the D-vinylene, and the reduction potential is determined by A'(D')-π-A truncated compounds. The contribution of the acceptor to the oxidation potential of chromophores in comparison with those of the precursors was estimated and analyzed in terms of electronic communication between the end groups. A good correlation between the ΔEel and the chromophores' first hyperpolarizability is revealed.

Value of copeptin and S100B protein in the differential diagnosis of central vertigo and peripheral vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of copeptin and S100B levels in the differentiation of central and peripheral vertigo. METHODS: Ninety patients were included in the study. Copeptin and S100B levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: The time between symptom onset and presentation to the emergency department was longer in the patients diagnosed with central vertigo. S100B and copeptin levels were significantly higher in central vertigo patients. The confirmed cut-off value was 17 for the S100B level and 1.65 for the copeptin level. CONCLUSION: Quick and reliable differentiation between central and peripheral vertigo is important to reduce the length of hospital stay of patients in the emergency department, and for patient comfort. S100B and copeptin levels are potential biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of central vertigo and peripheral vertigo for patients whose aetiology of vertigo cannot be differentially diagnosed with history-taking and physical examination.

The relationship between neutrophil/lymphocyte, monocyte/ /lymphocyte, platelet/lymphocyte ratios and clinical outcomes after ninety days in patients who were diagnosed as having acute ischemic stroke in the emergency room and underwent a mechanical thro.

AIM: To determine whether there was a relationship between the neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte//lymphocyte (MLR), and the platelet/lymphocyte ratios (PLR) measured in blood samples taken at admission and clinical outcomes (CO) on the 90th day in patients, who were diagnosed as acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the emergency department (ED) and underwent a mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHOD: Patients aged ≥ 18 years, who were diagnosed as AIS in the ED and underwent MT were included in the study. Patients, who received diagnostic codes of "Cerebrovascular Diseases" (CVD) according to the ICD-10 diagnostic codes were identified. One hundred fifty patients were enrolled in the study. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was used to determine neurologic status on the 90th day. The patients were divided into the two groups: good and poor CO (mRS 0-2 and mRS 3-6, respectively). The groups were compared in terms of age, sex, and NIHSS, ASPECT, and mRS scores. RESULTS: The rates of successful recanalization and good CO were 81.3 % and 38.7 %, respectively. The mortality rate was 22 %. The recanalization rates in the good and poor CO groups were 100 % and 69.6 %,respectively. Recanalization was achieved in 73.6 % of those with hyperlipidaemia and 88.5 % of those without hyperlipidaemia, which was statistically significant (p = 0.034). We observed a statistically significant relationship between the clinical outcome and NLR, MLR, PLR (p < 0.05). As the result of multivariate analysis, we found only NLR as an independent risk factor for poor CO (p = 0.043). There was also a statistically significant difference between mortality and NLR, PLR (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that NLR, MLR, PLR values were associated with CO after 90 days; high rates were associated with poor CO and low rates were associated with good CO (Tab. 7, Ref. 38). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: acute ischemic stroke; neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio; platelet/ /lymphocyte ratio; thrombectomy.

Characterization of Conjugation Effects in the Series of Quinoxaline-2-ones by Means of Vibrational Raman Spectroscopy.

A broad series of quinoxalinone-based π-conjugated donor-acceptor fluoro- and NLO-phores is characterized by means of Raman spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray analysis supported by quantum chemical computations. Intense Raman spectroscopic markers that allow the differentiation of even closely related structures are identified. The intensities of these bands are shown to be related to the conjugation of the different molecular moieties, and they can provide an estimation of its extent. The intensity redistribution between these markers serves as a source of auxiliary structural information capable of pointing to a distortion of the conjugation or to the influence of aggregation effects in the condensed state. A simple relation between the intensity of the marker and the position and oscillator strength of the lowest-energy electronic absorption band of quinoxalinones allows a linking of the Raman effect with the optical properties of these compounds, which can be used for the rational design of novel species with improved optical characteristics.

Prevalence of Myopic Maculopathy Among Adults in a Russian Population.

Importance: Although myopic maculopathy has become a major cause of vision impairment worldwide, few data from Russia and Central Asia on the prevalence of myopic maculopathy have been available. Objective: To assess the prevalence of myopic maculopathy and its associations with ocular and systemic parameters in a population in Russia. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Ural Eye and Medical Study, a population-based case-control study, was conducted in rural and urban areas in Bashkortostan, Russia, from October 26, 2015, to July 4, 2017. Data analysis was performed from September 13 to September 15, 2019. The Ural Eye and Medical Study included 5899 of 7328 eligible individuals (80.5%) aged 40 years or older. Exposures: A detailed ocular and systemic examination included fundus photography and optic coherence tomography for the assessment of myopic maculopathy. Main Outcomes and Measures: Prevalence of myopic maculopathy. Results: The present investigation included 5794 of the 5899 eligible individuals (98.2%; 3277 [56.6%] women; mean [SD] age, 58.9 [10.7] years) with available information about myopic maculopathy. Mean (SD) axial length was 23.3 (1.1) mm (range, 19.78-32.87 mm). Prevalence of any myopic maculopathy was 1.3% (95% CI, 1.0%-1.6%); myopic maculopathy stage 2, 0.8% (95% CI, 0.6%-10.0%); stage 3, 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.4%); and stage 4, 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.4%). The prevalence of moderate to severe vision impairment and blindness was 29.8% (14 of 47 participants; 95% CI, 16.2%-43.3%) in stage 2 myopic maculopathy, 57.1% (8 of 14 participants; 95% CI, 27.5%-86.8%) in stage 3, and 100% (13 of 13 participants; 95% CI, 100%-100%) in stage 4. In multivariable analysis, a higher myopic maculopathy prevalence was associated with longer axial length (odds ratio [OR], 4.54; 95% CI, 3.48-5.92; P < .001), older age (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07; P = .03), and thinner peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98; P < .001). After exclusion of glaucomatous eyes, the association between myopic maculopathy prevalence and thinner retinal nerve fiber layer remained significant (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98; P < .001). Myopic maculopathy prevalence was not significantly associated with sex; region of habitation; level of education; ethnicity; prevalence of arterial hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and inflammatory liver disease; hearing loss; depression score; or anxiety score. Conclusions and Relevance: In this ethnically mixed population from Russia, myopic maculopathy prevalence was mainly associated with elongated axial length and thinner peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, but was not associated with any major internal medical disease, level of education, ethnicity, or sex. Higher myopic maculopathy stage was associated with vision impairment and blindness. In addition to a known association between high axial myopia and glaucoma, myopic maculopathy may be associated with nonglaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Computed tomography depiction of normal inguinal lymph nodes in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to establish computed tomography (CT) characteristics, distribution and provide normative data about size of normal inguinal lymph nodes in a paediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred eighty-one otherwise healthy children (147 girls, mean age: 8.87, range 0-17 years) underwent pelvic CT in the setting of high-energy trauma were included in the study. Both axial and coronal 1.25-mm reconstructions were evaluated for the presence, location (deep or superficial), number, presence of fat attenuation, and shape of the lymph nodes, short-axis diameter of the biggest lymph node for each of right and left inguinal regions. RESULTS: A total of 7556 lymph nodes were detected in 481 subjects (the mean count of superficial and deep inguinal lymph nodes was 13.35 [range 6-23] and 2.36 [range 0-7] per subject, respectively): 15% (1135/7556) deep located, 85% (6421/7556) superficially located, 86.6% (6547/7556) with fat attenuation, 99.2% (7496/7556) oval in shape, 0.8% (60/7556) spherical. The short-axis diameter of the lymph nodes increased with age. Pearson's correlation coefficient for superficial and deep lymph nodes in boys and girls, respectively: 0.538 (p < 0.001), 0.504 (p < 0.001), 0.452 (p < 0.001) and 0.268 (p < 0.001). The mean maximum short-axis diameters in different age groups and gender varied between 6.33 ± 0.85 mm and 8.68 ± 1.33 mm for superficial, 3.62 ± 1.16 mm and 5.83 ± 1.05 mm for deep inguinal lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Inguinal lymph nodes were multiple, commonly contained fat, and were oval in shape. The data determined about inguinal lymph node size in different paediatric age groups may be applicable as normative data in daily clinical CT evaluation practice.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Russian Population: The Ural Eye and Medical Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Russian population. DESIGN: Population-based prevalence assessment. METHODS: The Ural Eye and Medical Study was conducted in a rural and urban area in the Russian republic of Bashkortostan. The study included 5,899 participants aged 40+ years old. AMD, defined according to the Beckman Initiative for Macular Research, was assessed by fundus photographs and optical coherence tomographic images of 4,932 (83.6%) participants. RESULTS: The prevalence of any AMD, early AMD, intermediate AMD, or late AMD, geographic atrophy, and neovascular AMD were 18.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.8-19.6), 11.6% (95% CI, 10.4-12.8), 5.0% (95% CI, 4.2-5.8), 1.6% (95% CI, 1.1-2.0), 0.7% (95% CI, 0.4-1.0) and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.6-1.3), respectively, for individuals >55 years old. Applying an age limit of 40+ years for the AMD definition, prevalence of any AMD, early AMD, intermediate AMD, late AMD, geographic atrophy and neovascular AMD were 14.1% (95% CI, 13.1-15.1), 9.4% (95% CI, 8.6-10.2), 3.8% (95% CI, 3.2-4.3), 1.0% (95% CI, 0.7-1.2), 0.4% (95% CI, 0.2-0.6) and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.3-0.7), respectively, for individuals aged 40+ years. Higher AMD prevalence was correlated with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.15; 95% CI, 1.13-1.16; P < 0.001), rural region (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.32-2.17; P < 0.001), lower diabetes prevalence (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.38-0.82; P = 0.003), and shorter axial length (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.79-0.99; P = 0.04). AMD prevalence was not significantly (all P ≥ 0.20) correlated with any systemic parameter examined, except for lower prevalence of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: In this typical, ethnically mixed, urban and rural population from Russia, a higher prevalence for AMD was associated mainly with older age, rural region of habitation, shorter axial length, and lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The AMD prevalence was lower than in Europeans and higher than in East Asians.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Pseudoexfoliation in a Russian Population: The Ural Eye and Medical Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) and its associations in a Russian population. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: Setting: Ufa capital of Bashkortostan, Russia and a rural region in Bashkortostan. PARTICIPANTS: the Ural Eye and Medical Study included 5,899 (80.5%) of 7,328 eligible individuals (mean age, 59.0 ± 10.7 years old; range, 40-94 years). OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: as part of an ophthalmological and general examination, presence and degree of PEX was assessed using slit-lamp biomicroscopy after medical pupillary dilation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: PEX prevalence. RESULTS: After excluding pseudophakic and aphakic individuals, the study included 5,451 (92.4%) participants. PEX prevalence (3.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]:3.1-4.1), increased from 0.5% (95% CI, 0.1-0.9) in individuals 40 to <50 years old to 10.4% (95% CI, 5.0-15.8) in individuals aged 80+ years. Higher PEX prevalence was associated (multivariate analysis) with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% CI, 1.07-1.11; P < 0.001), Russian ethnicity (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 2.09-1.11;P = 0.02), higher prevalence of open-angle glaucoma (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.36-4.23;P = 0.003), and higher intraocular pressure (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09;P = 0.001). PEX prevalence was not significantly associated with gender (P = 0.49), region of habitation (P = 0.11), body mass index (P = 0.68), level of education (P = 0.26), smoking (P = 0.11), alcohol consumption (P = 0.52), history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease (P = 0.94) and dementia (P = 0.77), prevalence of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.16), arterial hypertension (P = 0.45), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.73), chronic kidney disease (P = 0.09), and hearing loss (P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: In this typical, ethnically mixed, population from Russia with an age of 40+ years, PEX prevalence (3.6%; 95% CI, 3.1-4.1) was associated with older age, Russian ethnicity, higher intraocular pressure and open-angle glaucoma. It was independent of any systemic parameter including diabetes, arterial hypertension, previous cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and dementia.

Axial length and its associations in a Russian population: The Ural Eye and Medical Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the normal distribution of axial length and its associations in a population of Russia. METHODS: The population-based Ural Eye and Medical Study included 5,899 (80.5%) individuals out of 7328 eligible individuals aged 40+ years. The participants underwent an ocular and systemic examination. Axial length was measured sonographically (Ultra-compact A/B/P ultrasound system, Quantel Medical, Cournon d'Auvergne, France). RESULTS: Biometric data were available for 5707 (96.7%) individuals with a mean age of 58.8±10.6 years (range:40-94 years; 25%, 50%, 75% quartile: 51.0, 58.0, 66.0 years, respectively). Mean axial length was 23.30±1.10 mm (range: 19.02-32.87mm; 95% confidence interval (CI): 21.36-25.89; 25%, 50%, 75% quartile: 22.65mm, 23.23mm, 23.88mm, resp.). Prevalences of moderate myopia (axial length:24.5-<26.5mm) and high myopia (axial length >26.5mm) were 555/5707 (8.7%;95%CI:9.0,10.5) and 78/5707 (1.4%;95%CI:1.1,1.7), respectively. Longer axial length (mean:23.30±1.10mm) was associated (correlation coefficient r2:0.70) with older age (P<0.001;standardized regression coefficient beta:0.14), taller body height (P<0.001;beta:0.07), higher level of education (P<0.001;beta:0.04), higher intraocular pressure (P<0.001;beta:0.03), more myopic spherical refractive error (P<0.001;beta:-0.55), lower corneal refractive power (P<0.001;beta:-0.44), deeper anterior chamber depth (P<0.001;beta:0.20), wider anterior chamber angle (P<0.001;beta:0.05), thinner peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (P<0.001;beta:-0.04), higher degree of macular fundus tessellation (P<0.001;beta:0.08), lower prevalence of epiretinal membranes (P = 0.01;beta-0.02) and pseudoexfoliation (P = 0.007;beta:-0.02) and higher prevalence of myopic maculopathy (P<0.001;beta:0.08). In that model, prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (any type: P = 0.84; early type: P = 0.46), diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.16), and region of habitation (P = 0.27) were not significantly associated with axial length. CONCLUSIONS: Mean axial length in this typically multi-ethnic Russian study population was comparable with values from populations in Singapore and Beijing. In contrast to previous studies, axial length was not significantly related with the prevalences of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy or region of habitation.

Role of Gal-3 and H-FABP in the early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the plasma levels of biomarkers such as: serum Gal-3, H-FABP, cTnI, and CK-MB in patients, who were admitted to the emergency room with chest pain, and to determine whether these biomarkers have early diagnostic value of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: The study was performed in 60 patients aged ≥ 18 years, who were admitted to emergency room. These patients were divided into 3 groups: patients with STEMI (group I, n = 20), patients with NSTEMI (group II, n = 20), and patients with USAP (group III, n = 20). Serum Gal-3, H-FABP, cTnI, and CK-MB levels were measured at admission, and at the 2nd and 4th hours. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of Gal-3 levels at admission, and the 2nd and 4th hours (p = 0.007, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of H-FABP levels at admission, and the 2nd and 4th hours (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.003, respectively).There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of cTnI levels at admission, and the 2nd and 4th hours (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the study, cTnI, H-FABP, and Gal-3 are useful parameters that can be used in the early diagnosis of ACS (Tab. 4, Ref. 36).

Comparison of pentraxin-3 and ischemia-modified albumin with troponin in early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, our aim was to evaluate clinical utilities of Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and Ischemia-modified Albumin (IMA) in diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and compare these two biomarkers with a conventional diagnostic marker, cardiac troponin I (cTnI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty adult patients with ACS diagnosis were involved into this prospective study. Additionally, 20 healthy subjects were determined as control group (Group IV). Patients were divided into 3 groups as follows: Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (STEMI Group, n=20, Group I), patients without ST elevation but with elevated cTnI levels (NSTEMI Group, n=20, Group II), and patients with unstable angina pectoris (USAP Group, n=20, Group III). Blood measurements were obtained for each marker at admission and in the 4th hour. RESULTS: Troponin level was significantly different between groups I and II at both admission and in the 4th hour. Additionally, PTX 3 level was significantly different at admission and 4th hour between groups II and III. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that cTnI is the most sensitive test in ACS diagnosis at the admission to Emergency Department. Our results also revealed that PTX 3 may be a useful diagnostic tool for ACS at admission, however, IMA alone cannot be used for diagnosis of ACS. Similarly, in the 4th hour, cTnI was found to be the most useful marker in ACS diagnosis, however, PTX 3 and IMA were found to be inadequate for diagnosis of ACS (Tab. 3, Ref. 19).

Use of serum and peritoneal CEA and CA19-9 in prediction of peritoneal dissemination and survival of gastric adenocarcinoma patients: are they prognostic factors?

Introduction To evaluate the impact of serum and peritoneal levels of tumour markers on peritoneal carcinomatosis and survival in gastric adenocarcinoma. Materials and methods Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were evaluated with regard to serum and peritoneal carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9. Numeric values and groupings based on serum and peritoneal cutoff values were used. Development of peritoneal carcinomatosis, including positive washing cytology, was regarded as main outcome. Gastric cancer outcomes as disease free and overall survival were analysed. Results There were 67 patients with a mean age of 60 ± 11 years. Positive peritoneal washing cytology was significantly associated with serum CA19-9 and high serum CA 19-9 group (P = 0.033 and P = 0.011, respectively). High peritoneal CEA was shown to be significantly associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis (P = 0.032). After a median follow up of 17 months, 48 patients (71.7%) were alive. Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis showed significant poorer prognosis as shown by overall survival rate of 28.6%. Only serum CEA was significantly associated with lower disease free and overall survival (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). Discussion and conclusion Serum CEA is shown to be significantly associated with poor prognosis for gastric cancer patients. Serum level of CA19-9 and high peritoneal CEA levels are significant predictors for positive peritoneal washing cytology and the development of peritoneal carcinomatosis, respectively. Therefore, the possible impact of serum and peritoneal tumor markers especially on the staging and prognosis of gastric cancer remains to be clarified by future studies.

Water-soluble polyol-methanofullerenes as mitochondria-targeted antioxidants: Mechanism of action.

The mechanism of an antioxidant action of water-soluble polyol - methanofullerenes C60[C9H10O4(OH)4]6 and C60[C13H18O4(OH)4]6 as the mild uncouplers of an oxidative phosphorylation and respiration is postulated. According to this mechanism, hydroxyl group of methanofullerenols can be protonated under excess of protons in the intermembrane space of hyperpolarized mitochondria. Protonation of fullerene derivatives is confirmed by the decrease in their negative Zeta potential in the pH below 5.4. Heavily protonated methanofullerenols become positively charged and move into the mitochondrial matrix. As a consequence, the proton gradient is dissipated, which causes a decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) and reduction in ROS production.

The ameliorative effects of vinpocetine on apoptosis and HSP-70 expression in testicular torsion in rats.

Vinpocetine is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger. We investigated the effects of vinpocetine on torsion/detorsion (T/D) induced testicular damage, HSP-70 expression and germ cell apoptosis in rats. Sixty Wistar albino adult male rats were divided into five groups of 12. The groups comprised a control group, a sham treated group, a T/D group, a vinpocetine treated group, and a T/D plus vinpocetine treated group. The left testis of each rat was subjected to unilateral torsion followed by detorsion after 2 h. Vinpocetine was administered intraperitoneally immediately and for 10 days following detorsion. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed and their testes removed and processed. HSP-70 expression, apoptosis and histopathological damage scores were determined for each group. Testicular T/D caused significant increases in apoptosis and HSP-70 expression, and a significant decrease in Johnsen's testicular biopsy scores and mean seminiferous tubule diameter. Vinpocetine ameliorated testicular histopathology and HSP-70 expression in the T/D + vinpocetine group. Consequently, vinpocetine may prevent testicular injury following testicular torsion owing to its antioxidant effects.

Novel water-soluble methanofullerenes C60[C13H18O4(OH)4]6 and C60[C9H10O4(OH)4]6: Promising uncouplers of respiration and phosphorylation.

Here, we report for the first time on two novel water-soluble polyol-methanofullerenes which uncouple respiration and oxidative phosphorylation. A cytofluorimetric JC-1-based ratiometric assay was used to quantify mitochondrial potential Ψm in Yarrowia lipolytica cells exposed to the fullerenes tested. Both methanofullerenes significantly downregulated Ψm, thereby decreasing the subset of cells with high mitochondrial potential compared with intact control cells. The Ψm-low subset of Yarrowia lipolytica cells resulted from methanofullerenes exposure preserved physiological cell size and granularity patterns.