Association of genetic polymorphisms with endothelial dysfunction in chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: Endothelial dysfunction can be shown very early in the cardiovascular disease. In the present study the association between congestive heart failure (CHF), endothelial function and 3 gene polymorphisms was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 104 healthy controls and 104 CHF patients, endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) gene polymorphisms were assessed. The cause of CHF was ischemic in 68 patients and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) in 36 patients. High resolution brachial artery ultrasound was used in 37 CHF patients and 37 healthy controls to assess the endothelial function. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDD) and endothelium-independent vasodilation (EID) were determined. RESULTS: There no was difference between controls and CHF patients for the ACE, ecNOS, and AT1R genotype frequencies. Compared to controls CHF patients had significantly impaired EDD (9.0+5% vs 16±7%, p < 0.001) and EID (13±6% vs 19+8%, p = 0.001). EDD (7±4% vs 12+6%, p = 0.005), but not EID, was significantly impaired in ischemic CHF as compared to DCMP patients. In the CHF group ecNOS a allele and AT1R C allele influence the EDD. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial dysfunction was present in CHF group and the presence of ecNOS a allele and AT1R C allele further impaired EDD.

The effects of ethanol on insulin-like growth factor-I immunoreactive neurons in the central nervous system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of chronically ethanol treatment on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) synthesis in various adult brain regions using immunocytochemistry. METHODS: We performed this study at the Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey from March 2006 to October 2007. The vascular perfusion was utilized to fix the adult rat brains (10 for each group). After applying the routine histological techniques, the tissues were embedded in the paraffin. The immunohistochemical protocol was applied to the 10 um thick sections and the expression of IGF-I positive cells were observed in the neuro-anatomic areas. RESULTS: The distribution of IGF-I immunoreactive cells differed between the layers of the normal cerebral cortex and in the thalamic areas. In the alcoholic brain, the amount of IGF-I immunoreactive cells were decreased compared to the similar neuro-anatomical areas examined in the normal brains. CONCLUSION: The presence of IGF-I immunoreactivity in the neurons of the various neuro-anatomic areas demonstrates clearly that, these particular neurons are active in IGF-I synthesis. The decrease in the immunoreactivity of IGF-I in the chronically ethanol treated adult rat brain areas, show clearly that, ethanol effects negatively on the IGF-I synthesis.

Massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding in typhoid fever.

Typhoid fever is an infectious disease that is usually treated medically and rarely needs surgical intervention. In this paper, we report three cases of severe colonic involvement in salmonella infection in patients traveling in or coming from endemic areas, resulting in ulceration and massive anorectal bleeding.

The role of ultrasonographic measurements of the median nerve in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

AIM: The aim of study was to assess the usefulness of ultrasonographic measurements of the median nerve in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients with carpal tunnel syndrome confirmed by electromyography and 45 asymptomatic controls were included in the study and underwent high-resolution ultrasonography of the wrists. The cross-sectional area and flattening ratio at the level of the pisiform bone of the proximal carpal tunnel were measured. Data from the patient group and control group were compared to determine the statistical significance. The accuracy of the ultrasonographic diagnostic criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-eight wrists of 86 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and 76 wrists of 45 control patients were examined. All measurements showed significant differences between patients and controls. Increased cross-sectional area of the median nerve was the most predictive measurement of carpal tunnel syndrome. Using the ROC curve, a cut-off value of >10.5 mm2 at the level of pisiform bone provided a diagnostic sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 94.7% CONCLUSION: The ultrasonographic measurement of the median nerve cross-sectional area is a sensitive, specific and useful non-invasive method for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The diagnostic value of troponin T and myoglobin levels in acute myocardial infarction: a study in Turkish patients.

This study compares the diagnostic value of troponin T (TnT) and myoglobin with creatinine kinase (CK) for myocardial infarction (MI) in a tertiary care centre in a developing nation. The study group comprised 33 acute myocardial infarction patients and 27 healthy controls. Receiver operating characteristic curves for TnT, myoglobin and CK were drawn and areas under the curve calculated. At admission, myoglobin levels had greater diagnostic sensitivity than TnT or CK levels. After 2 h, myoglobin and TnT had equal sensitivity and specificity, whereas CK still had lower sensitivity than myoglobin and TnT. After 4 h there was no difference between the tests. It was concluded that myoglobin levels on admission and TnT at 2 h had the greatest diagnostic rate, whereas all the tests were similar after 4 h for MI.

A case of Noonan syndrome with pulmonary and abdominal lymphangiectasia.

Noonan syndrome is characterised by a Turner-like phenotype and a normal karyotype. Although it is reported to be associated with abnormalities of the lymphatic system, involvement of the pulmonary lymphatics is rare. We present a case of Noonan syndrome where a whole body scintigraphy revealed lymphangiectasia of the lower extremities, abdomen and lungs.

Brucellosis in a mother and her young infant: probable transmission by breast milk.

Brucellosis, although primarily a zoonotic infection, is also a threat for human health. Infection can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals, products of conception, or animal discharges, and through consumption of potentially infected milk, milk products, or meat. Human-to-human transmission is rare. There have been case reports of transmission via blood transfusion and bone marrow transplantation from infected donors. Sexual intercourse is a possible means of transmission. Neonatal infection can be acquired transplacentally or during delivery. This report describes a mother with brucellosis who probably transmitted the infection to her 3-month-old baby by breast milk.

Genotoxic potential of cyclosporin A in patients with renal transplantation.

We analyzed the induction of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) by cyclosporin A (CsA) as a marker of genotoxic potential. In 30 patients undergoing renal transplantation, SCE induction was tested before the introduction of CsA and 3 months later. We found that SCE frequency increased significantly at the end of 3 months. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating in vivo induction of SCE by CsA in humans. We conclude that CsA has a genotoxic potential on human lymphocytes.

Ocular findings in familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) lesions are predictive congenital phenotypic markers for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This prospective screening study aims at assessing the incidence and significance of these lesions in FAP patients and their family members. METHODS: Sixty-two members from three families including five patients with the diagnosis of FAP have been ophthalmologically surveyed. All RPE lesions were documented with fundus photography and fluorescein angiography was performed in 13 subjects. Sigmoidoscopy and/or radiological examination were performed annually in 9 family members with typical RPE lesions during 4 years to allow early diagnosis of FAP. RESULTS: Typical RPE lesions were present in five FAP patients and 15 family members. Telangiectatic dilatations in the retinal periphery with small dot-like hemorrhages were detected in 6 subjects from 3 families These lesions were particularly evident on fluorescein angiography. Annual colon analysis showed polyps in 3 out of 9 subjects who were positive for RPE lesions. CONCLUSION: RPE lesions are valuable as a clinical marker in predicting FAP. The co-existing peripheral vascular alterations which have not been reported before, are probably related to FAP.