Assessment of serum granulysin and cathepsin-L levels in vitiligo patients.

OBJECTIVE: Cellular and humoral immunity plays a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. T lymphocytes and natural killer cells involved in cellular immunity carry out their cytotoxic activities through perforin/granzyme-dependent granule exocytosis, in which granulysin and cathepsin-L are also involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of serum granulysin and cathepsin-L in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo and their association with disease activity and severity. METHODS: This randomized, prospective case-control study was conducted with 46 vitiligo patients admitted to the hospital for vitiligo between January and November 2021 and 46 healthy volunteers of similar age and gender. Serum levels of granulysin and cathepsin-L were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: The mean serum levels of granulysin and cathepsin-L were statistically significantly higher in vitiligo patients compared with the control group (p=0.048 and p=0.024, respectively). There was no statistically significant correlation between serum granulysin and serum cathepsin-L levels and disease severity in the patient group (r=0.30, p=0.062 and r=0.268, p=0.071, respectively). Disease activity also showed no significant association with serum granulysin and cathepsin-L levels (p=0.986 and p=0.962, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although granulysin and cathepsin-L are molecules involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, the use of these molecules may not be helpful in assessing disease activity and severity. It may be helpful to conduct comprehensive and prospective studies to find new molecules to fill the gap in this area.

Effect of Propolis on Salivary Glands After Radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of increasing propolis doses on salivary glands exposed to radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: Thirty-seven rats were divided into 4 groups: The control group (G0, n: 7), G1 group (n: 10), G2 group (n: 10), and G3 group (n: 10). The rats in the G1 group received 15 Gray (Gy) RT only to the head and neck area. The rats in the G2 and G3 groups received 15 Gy RT for the head and neck area along with 100 mg/kg/ml and 200 mg/kg/ml of propolis. The parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands of rats were immunohistochemically stained with aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and aquaporin-5 (AQP-5). They were also evaluated for malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPO), total antioxidant (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS). RESULTS: AQP-1 and AQP-5 values were highest in G0 group followed by G3, G2, and G1 groups in decreasing order. The MDA and TOS values were highest in G1 group, which was followed by G2, G3, and G0 groups. The highest GPO, SOD, and TAS values were observed in G0 group followed by G3, G2, and G1 groups in decreasing order. CONCLUSION: It was found that propolis increased antioxidant products and decreased oxidative products in the salivary glands receiving RT in parallel with the dose increase. Similarly, in the groups receiving propolis, an increase in the immune expression of aquaporin molecules was detected in a dose-dependent manner. Based on these data, it could be stated that propolis has a healing effect on the salivary glands exposed to RT.

Assessment of serum granulysin and cathepsin-L levels in vitiligo patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Cellular and humoral immunity plays a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. T lymphocytes and natural killer cells involved in cellular immunity carry out their cytotoxic activities through perforin/granzyme-dependent granule exocytosis, in which granulysin and cathepsin-L are also involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of serum granulysin and cathepsin-L in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo and their association with disease activity and severity. METHODS: This randomized, prospective case-control study was conducted with 46 vitiligo patients admitted to the hospital for vitiligo between January and November 2021 and 46 healthy volunteers of similar age and gender. Serum levels of granulysin and cathepsin-L were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: The mean serum levels of granulysin and cathepsin-L were statistically significantly higher in vitiligo patients compared with the control group (p=0.048 and p=0.024, respectively). There was no statistically significant correlation between serum granulysin and serum cathepsin-L levels and disease severity in the patient group (r=0.30, p=0.062 and r=0.268, p=0.071, respectively). Disease activity also showed no significant association with serum granulysin and cathepsin-L levels (p=0.986 and p=0.962, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although granulysin and cathepsin-L are molecules involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, the use of these molecules may not be helpful in assessing disease activity and severity. It may be helpful to conduct comprehensive and prospective studies to find new molecules to fill the gap in this area.

Serum and urinary angiotensinogen levels as prognostic indicators in acute kidney injury: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The delayed increase in serum creatinine levels poses challenges in the timely diagnosis of acute kidney injury. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum angiotensinogen and urinary angiotensinogen levels and the prognosis of renal function in patients diagnosed with acute kidney injury. METHODS: A total of 79 newly diagnosed acute kidney injury patients aged 18 years and older were enrolled. Serum angiotensinogen and urinary angiotensinogen levels were measured at the onset of the disease, as well as on the 15th and 30th days of follow-up. After 3 months, renal function was evaluated by measuring serum creatinine levels. RESULTS: Among the acute kidney injury patients, those in Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stage 3 exhibited significantly higher urinary angiotensinogen/urine creatinine levels compared with stages 1 and 2 patients at the time of diagnosis (p<0.05). Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the urinary angiotensinogen/urine creatinine level at the time of diagnosis and the serum creatinine level at the third month (r=0.408, p=0.048). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that urinary angiotensinogen levels can serve as an indicator of the severity of acute kidney injury. Monitoring urinary angiotensinogen levels could potentially contribute to the prognosis assessment and management of acute kidney injury patients.

Clinical importance of serum and pleural fluid prominin-1 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α concentration in the evaluation of lymph node involvement in patients with malignant pleural effusion.

Introduction: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) presence are poor prognostic factors that have importance for cancer patients. The study objective was to determine whether hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and prominin-1 (CD133) in pleural fluid (P) and serum (S) could be used as biomarkers for diagnosis of lymph node involvement in patients with MPE. Materials and methods: Fifty-six patients with MPE and 30 healthy control subjects were included. Computerized tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) were used to diagnose pleural effusion. Patients with malignant cells in pleural fluid cytological examination were included in the MPE group. Thirty-five patients with lymph node metastases on CT were included in the LNM-positive MPE group. Serum and pleural fluid HIF-1α and CD-133 concentrations were measured manually via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Serum concentrations of HIF-1α and CD133 were higher in MPE patients. It was found that CD133/HIF-1α (S) ratio was higher in the malignant patient group with positive lymph node involvement than in the negative group, while concentrations of HIF-1α (P) were lower. Pleural fluid HIF-1α and CD133/HIF-1α (S) ratio had sufficient performance in diagnosing lymphatic metastases in patients with MPE (AUC = 0.90 and 0.83, respectively). Conclusions: In conclusion, serum HIF-1α and CD133 concentrations were higher in patients with MPE, consistent with our hypothesis. Concentrations of HIF-1α (P) and CD133/HIF-1α (S) ratio can be used as biomarkers in diagnosing lymph node involvement in MPE patients, according to this experiment.

Association of eNOS gene 4a/4b VNTR and T786C polymorphism with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

The most common viral hemorrhagic fever is Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms have been linked to both hemorrhagic fevers and viral diseases. The study's goal is to evaluate if the eNOS gene 4a/4b and T786C polymorphisms are related to CCHF. The study included 54 CCHF RNA-positive patients and 60 control subjects. The Bosphore CCHF virus Quantification Kit v1 was used to obtain CCHF RNA, and the Magnesia 16 isolation device was used to isolate DNA (Anatolia Gene works, Turkey). Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were used to genotype the samples. The frequency of the eNOS 4a/4a, 4a/4b, and 4 b/4b genotypes in patients and the control was 6.6% versus 1.7%, 37.0% versus 43.3%, and 57.4% versus 55%, respectively. 4a: 24.07% of patients and 23.33% of controls; and 4 b: 75.92% of patients and 76.66% of controls. The frequency of the eNOS-786 T/C, T/T, T/C, and C/C genotypes in patients and the control group was 35.2% versus 68.3%; 51.9% versus 26.73%; and 13.0% versus 5.0%, respectively. The allele and genotype frequencies of the eNOS T786C variant differ statistically between patients and the control (p < 0.05). The eNOS T786C variant could be a genetic determinant for susceptibility to CCHF. To our knowledge, this is the first study to figure out the association between eNOS gene T786C polymorphisms and CCHF disease.

Serum and urinary angiotensinogen levels as prognostic indicators in acute kidney injury: a prospective study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The delayed increase in serum creatinine levels poses challenges in the timely diagnosis of acute kidney injury. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum angiotensinogen and urinary angiotensinogen levels and the prognosis of renal function in patients diagnosed with acute kidney injury. METHODS: A total of 79 newly diagnosed acute kidney injury patients aged 18 years and older were enrolled. Serum angiotensinogen and urinary angiotensinogen levels were measured at the onset of the disease, as well as on the 15th and 30th days of follow-up. After 3 months, renal function was evaluated by measuring serum creatinine levels. RESULTS: Among the acute kidney injury patients, those in Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stage 3 exhibited significantly higher urinary angiotensinogen/urine creatinine levels compared with stages 1 and 2 patients at the time of diagnosis (p<0.05). Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the urinary angiotensinogen/urine creatinine level at the time of diagnosis and the serum creatinine level at the third month (r=0.408, p=0.048). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that urinary angiotensinogen levels can serve as an indicator of the severity of acute kidney injury. Monitoring urinary angiotensinogen levels could potentially contribute to the prognosis assessment and management of acute kidney injury patients.

The relationship between radial artery spasm and adropin levels in patients undergoing transradial coronary angiography.

Introduction: Transradial coronary angiography (TRA) is associated with a lower incidence of bleeding rate and access site complications and is associated with better outcomes compared to transfemoral angiography. However, radial artery spasm (RAS) is an important limitation of TRA procedures. Little is known regarding the relationship of serum vasodilator and inflammatory markers with RAS. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between serum adropin level and RAS in patients undergoing TRA. Methods: From February 2020 to January 2021, 39 consecutive patients who underwent elective daiagnostic TRA and experienced RAS during the procedure, and 42 age and sex matched controls who did not experience RAS were prospectively included into the study. The groups were compared regarding serum adropin levels and inflammatory markers. Results: Although adropin levels were found to be lower in the RAS group, this difference was not statistically significant between the the patients with RAS and controls (14.9 vs. 16.1, P=0.105). However, inflammatory parameters monocyte count and MHR (monocyte/HDL cholesterol ratio) were found to be statistically significantly higher in the RAS group compared to controls (P=0.001 and P=0.010, respectively). Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between the monocyte count and RAS (r:0.360, P<0.001), and between MHR and RAS (r:0.288, P=0.009). Furthermore, multivariate analysis demonstrated that monocyte count (OR:1.671, 95%CI:1.312-2.094, P=0.001) and MHR (OR:1.116, 95%CI:1.054-1.448, P=0.022) were found to be independent predictors of RAS. Conclusion: Serum vasodilator and inflammatory markers may be useful in the prediction of RAS in patients undergoing TRA procedures.

The effect of systemic application of propolis on tongue damage and oral mucositis in rats exposed to radiation.

PURPOSE: In this experimental study, the effect of dose-dense systemic application of propolis on oral mucosity, histological changes in papilla, and inflammatory and hypoxic markers in rats exposed to radiation was investigated. METHODS: Seven rats were in the control and 30 rats in the experimental group. Three experimental groups were formed. In Group 1 RT (15 Gy) was delivered only to the head and neck region. In Group 2, RT (15 Gy) and systemic administration of 100 mg/kg/ml propolis, in Group 3, RT (15 Gy) and systemic administration of 200 mg/kg/ml propolis were applied. Oral mucositis index (OMI) was scored in control and experimental groups. Proinflammatory markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] hypoxia markers [glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)] were studied histomorphologically. RESULTS: The significantly highest OMI score was observed in the G1. OMI score was statistically significantly decreased in experimental groups receiving systemic propolis, especially in G3. Proinflammatory markers increased significantly only in the experimental RT group, G1. Serum levels of MPO and TNF-α significantly decreased in the dose-dense systemic propolis arm. The highest levels of hypoxia markers (HIF-1α and GLUT-1) were detected in the RT group, then in G2, G3, and control groups in order of decreasing frequency. However, the difference between the groups did not reach the level of statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Systemic propolis can be reduced acute mucositis with its anti-inflammatory effect without developing resistance to RT (tumor protection). However, greater number of clinical studies should be designed to arrive at definitive conclusions.

Assessment of renal function in obese and overweight children with NGAL and KIM-1 biomarkers / Valoración de la función renal en niños con sobrepeso y obesidad con las moléculas NGAL y KIM-1

Aim and background: the incidence of obesity has increased among children, and obesity has been considered an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease. We aimed to determine the degree of kidney function impairment by evaluating urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: in total, 15 obese, 26 overweight, and 26 control adolescents aged 10 to 16 years were enrolled into the study. Urine samples were evaluated for NGAL and KIM-1 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. We investigated the association between obesity and related comorbidities with urinary NGAL and KIM-1 excretion. RESULTS: no significant differences were noted between the obese, overweight, and control groups in urinary NGAL and KIM-1 excretion (p = 0.327 and p = 0.917, respectively). In the obese and overweight groups urinary NGAL levels were 50.39 [30.88-74.22] in females and 26.67 [23.24-45.59] in males (p = 0.013). Also, urinary NGAL levels were increased in obese and overweight adolescents with LDL dyslipidemia at 64.12 [30.98-114.32] as compared to those without LDL dyslipidemia: 39.51 [25.59.56.37] (p = 0.024). Furthermore, a correlation was observed between insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance levels with the NGAL/creatinine ratio in the overweight group (r = 0.515; p = 0.008, and r = 0.483; p = 0.014, respectively). Such correlation was not found in the obese group. CONCLUSION: the effect of obesity on renal function could not be determined in children. A longer exposure may be required for obesity-induced disruption of renal function in children. Renal function may be disrupted by dyslipidemia in obese adolescents. Furthermore, obesity impaired renal function in female adolescents. The normalization of these urinary markers as related to urine creatinine should be discussed

INTRODUCCIÓN: la incidencia de la obesidad en la edad infantil ha aumentado. Se considera la obesidad como un factor de riesgo independiente para el desarrollo de la enfermedad renal crónica. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar el grado de alteración de la función renal evaluando los niveles urinarios de NGAL y KIM-1. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: el estudio incluyó a 15 adolescentes con obesidad, 26 con sobrepeso y 26 controles sanos. Las edades de los participantes estaban entre los 10 y los 16 años. Los niveles de NGAL y KIM-1 en orina se determinaron mediante un kit ELISA. Se investigó la asociación entre la obesidad y su comorbilidad con la excreción urinaria de NGAL y KIM-1. RESULTADOS: no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la excreción urinaria de NGAL y KIM-1 entre los sujetos con obesidad, los sujetos con sobrepeso y los controles sanos (p = 0,327 y 0,917, respectivamente). En el grupo con sobrepeso y obesidad, los niveles de NGAL en las niñas fueron de 50,39 (30,88-74,22), mientras que en los niños fueron de 26,67 (23,24-45,59) (p = 0,013). Para los sujetos con dislipemia de LDL, el nivel de NGAL fue de 64,12 (30,98-114,32) frente a 39,5 (25,59-56,37) entre los que no la tenían (p = 0,024). Se encontró correlación entre los nivles de insulina, el HOMA-IR y la ratio NGAL/creatinina en el grupo con sobrepeso (r = 0,515; p = 0,008, y r = 0,483; p = 0,014, respectivamente). En el grupo con obesidad no se encontró dicha correlación. CONCLUSIONES: se precisa una duración más prolongada para encontrar alterada la función renal en los niños con exceso de peso. La función renal puede alterase por la dislipemia en el caso de los adolescentes con obesidad. La función renal se afecta más en las adolescentes femeninas. En el artículo se discute la normalización de estos marcadores urinarios con la creatinina en orina

Assessment of renal function in obese and overweight children with NGAL and KIM-1 biomarkers.

INTRODUCTION: Aim and background: the incidence of obesity has increased among children, and obesity has been considered an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease. We aimed to determine the degree of kidney function impairment by evaluating urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. Materials and methods: in total, 15 obese, 26 overweight, and 26 control adolescents aged 10 to 16 years were enrolled into the study. Urine samples were evaluated for NGAL and KIM-1 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. We investigated the association between obesity and related comorbidities with urinary NGAL and KIM-1 excretion. Results: no significant differences were noted between the obese, overweight, and control groups in urinary NGAL and KIM-1 excretion (p = 0.327 and p = 0.917, respectively). In the obese and overweight groups urinary NGAL levels were 50.39 [30.88-74.22] in females and 26.67 [23.24-45.59] in males (p = 0.013). Also, urinary NGAL levels were increased in obese and overweight adolescents with LDL dyslipidemia at 64.12 [30.98-114.32] as compared to those without LDL dyslipidemia: 39.51 [25.59.56.37] (p = 0.024). Furthermore, a correlation was observed between insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance levels with the NGAL/creatinine ratio in the overweight group (r = 0.515; p = 0.008, and r = 0.483; p = 0.014, respectively). Such correlation was not found in the obese group. Conclusion: the effect of obesity on renal function could not be determined in children. A longer exposure may be required for obesity-induced disruption of renal function in children. Renal function may be disrupted by dyslipidemia in obese adolescents. Furthermore, obesity impaired renal function in female adolescents. The normalization of these urinary markers as related to urine creatinine should be discussed.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la incidencia de la obesidad en la edad infantil ha aumentado. Se considera la obesidad como un factor de riesgo independiente para el desarrollo de la enfermedad renal crónica. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar el grado de alteración de la función renal evaluando los niveles urinarios de NGAL y KIM-1. Material y métodos: el estudio incluyó a 15 adolescentes con obesidad, 26 con sobrepeso y 26 controles sanos.Edades de los participantes entre los 10 y los 16 años. Los niveles de NGAL y KIM-1 en orina se determinaron mediante kit ELISA. Se investigó asociación entre obesidad y su comorbilidad con excreción urinaria de NGAL y KIM-1. Resultados: no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la excreción urinaria de NGAL y KIM-1 entre los sujetos con obesidad, los sujetos con sobrepeso y los controles sanos (p = 0,327 y 0,917, respectivamente). En el grupo con sobrepeso y obesidad, los niveles de NGAL en las niñas fueron de 50,39 (30,88-74,22), mientras que en los niños fueron de 26,67 (23,24-45,59) (p = 0,013). Para los sujetos con dislipemia de LDL, el nivel de NGAL fue de 64,12 (30,98-114,32) frente a 39,5 (25,59-56,37) entre los que no la tenían (p = 0,024). Se encontró correlación entre los nivles de insulina, el HOMA-IR y la ratio NGAL/creatinina en el grupo con sobrepeso (r = 0,515; p = 0,008, y r = 0,483; p = 0,014, respectivamente). En el grupo con obesidad no se encontró dicha correlación. Conclusiones: se precisa una duración más prolongada para encontrar alterada la función renal en los niños con exceso de peso. La función renal puede alterarse por la dislipemia en el caso de los adolescentes con obesidad. La función renal se afecta más en las adolescentes femeninas.

Serum Interleukin-23/17 Levels in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Treated with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Etiopathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a major subtype of a group of chronic inflammatory diseases known as spondyloarthropathies, is not clearly understood yet. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interleukin 23 (IL-23)/interleukin-17 (IL-17) pathway, which is a new cytokine pathway in inflammatory diseases. We evaluated serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels after 1-year follow-up in AS patients using only nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (at need or continue). Forty-four AS patients and 40 healthy controls were included in the study. Clinical evaluations of disease activity were performed. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 levels were evaluated. IL-17 and IL-23 levels of the patient group at baseline and 12 months were lower than the control group. There was no significant difference between the baseline and 12th month evaluations of the patient group. TNF-α levels were similar in all groups (in the baseline and 12th month of the patient group and in the control group). Although our results are in contrast to the literature findings, the IL-23/IL-17 pathway is a newly discovered pathway, and there may still be unknowns. New studies involving larger patient groups are needed for the factors affecting serum IL-23/IL-17 levels in patients with AS. We also think that it will be useful to make more comprehensive and long-term studies about which patients will respond well to IL-23/IL-17 blockade.

Biological and genetic evaluation of IL-23/IL-17 pathway in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Ankylosing spondylitis is the most common form of the chronic inflammatory disease group known as spondyloarthritides. Recent discoveries of the CD4+ Th17 cells and IL-23/IL-17 axis have changed the paradigms in many autoimmune diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the importance of IL-23/IL-17 pathway and IL-23 receptor polymorphism in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis. Blood samples for this study were obtained from 109 ankylosing spondylitis patients and 40 healthy control subjects. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 were measured by the ELISA method. The IL-23R gene polymorphisms rs11209026 (Arg381Gln) and rs4131362 (Val362Ile) were performed by the Sanger Sequence method. IL-6 levels were higher in the active and inactive ankylosing spondylitis groups than in the control group. However, levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were lower in the patient group. The frequency of IL-23R gene rs11209026 and rs4131362 polymorphism were 3.7% and 8.3% in the patient, respectively. As a result, dysregulation of the IL-23 / IL-17 pathway, which is caused by reduced levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in systemic circulation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease by systemically producing chronic autoimmune inflammation.

Ultrasound measurement of liver longitudinal length in a North Anatolian population: A community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Liver size can be influenced by various factors, including malignant diseases, infective processes, and anthropometric variations among individuals from different geographical locations and races. Therefore, the exact definition of hepatomegaly in the ultrasonographic measurement of liver size is controversial. Moreover, the majority of studies regarding the study of liver size are not community-based. AIMS: The aim of this study is to establish a range of normal liver sizes by ultrasonography with respect to age and sex in healthy individuals and to identify factors affecting liver size. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, community-based study. METHODS: Liver size was measured ultrasonographically from the midclavicular line in 822 individuals, of which 49.3% (n = 405) were male and 51.7% (n = 417) were female. Following physical examination, all participants provided blood samples. Height, weight, and waist circumference were recorded. The mean liver length was calculated for males, females, and for the whole study group. It was also determined whether there was an association between liver size and age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), body surface area, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzyme levels. Results: The mean liver length was significantly different between males (150.04 ± 14.84) and females (147.57 ± 18.32, P = 0.034). Weight and BMI were the most strongly associated with liver size. There was a significant difference between liver size in individuals with normal and elevated levels of AST and ALT enzymes (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In a northern Anatolian Turkish population, liver size was greater among males than females. In light of these data, we believe our study may serve as a reference source for the evaluation of liver size.

Is hemorrhage the reason in crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever patients with neurological signs and symptomsa.

PURPOSE: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease can result in mortality varying from 3.0% to 50.0%. In this study, we wished to discuss computed tomography (CT) findings together with clinical and laboratory findings in patients who had disease-related neurological signs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients who were diagnosed with CCHF. Seventeen patients that had neurological signs were enrolled as the patient group. As a control group, 40 patients diagnosed with CCHF and did not have neurological signs were enrolled. Patients who had neurological signs were examined with brain CT. Radiological and clinical findings of both groups were compared. RESULTS: There were pathological findings in three patients while brain CT's of 14 patients were evaluated as normal. Blood urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, total bilirubin, neutrophil, activated partial thromboplastin time, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in the group with neurological signs whereas platelet count and calcium levels were significantly lower in this group. Six of 57 patients died during the follow-up period. Six patients who died were in the group, in which central nervous system (CNS) imaging study was performed. CONCLUSION: As the presence of CNS signs is a bad prognostic indicator in CCHF, they should be investigated carefully.

The evaluation of abdominal findings in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

OBJECTIVE: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widely seen, fatal disease and is endemic to some countries. It affects many organs in the abdomen. Comprehensive radiological study of CCHF is quite rare. This study will use multiple detector computed tomography (MDCT) to investigate if there is a relationship between clinical laboratory measurements and abdominal findings in CCHF and discuss our findings in the light of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 443 patients diagnosed with CCHF in our hospital between April 1, 2008 and September 30, 2014. Fifty-one patients had undergone abdominal MDCT examination. RESULTS: The most common findings seen in abdominal MDCT were intra-abdominal free fluid and hepatomegaly. Gallbladder wall thickening, heterogeneity in mesenteric, omental fatty tissue, and splenomegaly were other common findings. Subcutaneous fat tissue edema, intramuscular hemorrhage, duodenal wall thickening, colon wall thickening, pancreatitis, and acute renal failure were among the rare findings seen in abdominal MDCT. Comparison of these findings to the clinical laboratory parameters showed a strong relationship between intra-abdominal free fluid and platelet count. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first comprehensive study on abdominal MDCT findings of CCHF. We detected a strong relationship between patients' platelet count and abdominal free liquid. Therefore, it should be kept in mind that abdominal free fluid can be among clinical manifestations in patients with platelet counts ≤50000 and that this manifestation can become aggravated.