Shear wave elastography evaluation of kidneys in children with familial mediterranean fever.

Background and Aim: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder. Typical clinical manifestations are self-limiting attacks of recurrent fever, abdominal pain, arthralgia, and chest pain due to aseptic polyserositis. Renal involvement is common in FMF patients. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a noninvasive method that provides the measurement of tissue stiffness. In this study, we aimed to show that SWE can be used as an adjunctive method for evaluating renal involvement in children with FMF. Materials and Methods: Our study group consists of 79 pediatric FMF patients and 79 control individuals. The study was planned prospectively. The variables, such as age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of the patient and control groups, were kept in a similar way in order not to be affected by the differences. The right and left kidney sizes, parenchymal thicknesses, and SWE values in both groups were compared. The parenchymal stiffness degrees of the kidneys were quantified by shear modulus values in kilopascals. Results: In our study, no statistically significant difference was found between the control and patient groups in terms of the right and left kidney longitudinal dimensions, transverse dimensions, and parenchymal thicknesses. When the kidneys were evaluated in terms of the right and left kidney stiffness values, the stiffness values in the patient group were significantly higher in both kidneys compared with those in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: SWE can be a noninvasive quantitative imaging method that can be used to evaluate kidney involvement by detecting changes in kidney stiffness in children with FMF.

Immature platelet fraction as a useful marker in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance and diagnostic performance of the immature platelet fraction (%IPF) in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Samples obtained from 32 healthy control subjects and 40 CCHF patients (9 positive and 31 negative radiological findings) were evaluated in the study. The samples obtained from CT-positive subjects demonstrated higher IPF% values which also exhibited a positive correlation with mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet size deviation width (PDW) values.The patient group IPF% values were positively correlated with the duration of hospital stay. The ROC analysis also suggested the potential importance of IPF values higher than 10.5% in diagnosing CCHF patients with positive radiological findings.The results of our study showed that % IPF can be considered as a useful parameter in the follow-up of the disease course in patients with CCHF.

Immature platelet fraction as a useful marker in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

@#The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance and diagnostic performance of the immature platelet fraction (%IPF) in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Samples obtained from 32 healthy control subjects and 40 CCHF patients (9 positive and 31 negative radiological findings) were evaluated in the study. The samples obtained from CT-positive subjects demonstrated higher IPF% values which also exhibited a positive correlation with mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet size deviation width (PDW) values.The patient group IPF% values were positively correlated with the duration of hospital stay. The ROC analysis also suggested the potential importance of IPF values higher than 10.5% in diagnosing CCHF patients with positive radiological findings.The results of our study showed that % IPF can be considered as a useful parameter in the follow-up of the disease course in patients with CCHF.

The impact of dysmenorrhea on pulmonary functions.

BACKGROUND: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is characterized by symptoms including sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremulousness, usually begins adolescence, those can be associated with autonomic dysfunction affecting pulmonary functions. AIM: The aim of the present study is to investigate the impacts of PD on pulmonary function tests. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional design was selected. All subjects were invited to admit to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient unit for venous blood test detecting the levels of estrogen and progesterone during the follicular and luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. After drawing blood, women were taken to the pulmonary function tests laboratory to perform the test. The comparisons between Group PD and Group Control were performed by the independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Intragroup comparisons were completed by paired samples t-test. Results: The comparisons between Group PD and Group Control among estrogen and progesterone in follicular and luteal phase, pulmonary function test results did not show any significance (P > 0.05). The intragroup comparisons of estrogen and progesterone levels, and pulmonary functions test results revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that PD does not influence the spirometric measurements and also respiratory functions are not impaired by the different phases of menstrual cycle.

Effectiveness of myo-inositol oxygenase in the early diagnosis of experimental acute kidney injury.

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of the myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) enzyme was investigated in the diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: In total, 40 rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 8, for each group) while left kidney ischemia-reperfusion was implemented in groups 2, 3, 4 and 5. Group 1 was the control group. Group 2 underwent 1­hour ischemia and 2­hour reperfusion. Group 3 underwent 1­hour ischemia and 4­hour reperfusion. Group 4 underwent 2­hour ischemia and 2­hour reperfusion. Group 5 underwent 2­hour ischemia and 4­hour reperfusion. RESULTS: Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in all ischemia-reperfusion groups were higher than in the control group (p<0.001). Serum MIOX level was higher in groups 2, 3 and 4 than in group 1 (p=0.002). Tissue MIOX level was lower in groups 2, 4, and 5 than in group 1 (p=0.039). Serum and tissue neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels were not significantly different between the groups. The injury level in histopathologic examination was as follows: group 1

Significance of Gastric Wall Thickening Detected in Abdominal CT Scan to Predict Gastric Malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of gastric cancer is one of the most important parameters affecting the survival of the disease. In this study, we aimed to stress the importance of antrum wall thickness in CT examination. METHOD: The study included 111 patients between ages of 18 and 95 who had antral wall thickening in computed tomography and also had endoscopic evaluation performed in the same clinic. The patients were divided into two groups as benign and malignant according to the pathology results. The thickness of the antrum wall in computed tomography, hemoglobin and albumin levels, and age was compared among these two groups. Parameters with significant differences were further analyzed by multivariate analysis using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 111 patients included in the study, 57 were male and 54 were female. Mean age was 65 years. Fifty-one patients were classified as benign and 60 patients as malignant. Mean age of the malignant patients was 70, while that of benign patients was 59 (p < 0.05). Antrum wall thickness was 13.68 ± 3.27 mm in malignant patients and 9.22 ± 2.17 mm in benign patients (p < 0.05). Similarly, hemoglobin level was significantly different in malignant and benign patients (10.78 ± 1.57 g/dl and 12.64 ± 1.43 g/dl, respectively; p < 0.05). Albumin levels were 3.36 ± 0.57 mg/dl in malignant patients and 3.97 ± 0.57 mg/dl in benign patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of antrum wall thickness, age, hemoglobin, and albumin values together may contribute to distinguishing the benign and malignant pathologies involving this region in patients with suspected stomach wall thickening in abdominal CT scan.

Colonic Wall Thickening Reported in Abdominal CT: Does It Always Imply Malignancy?

AIM/BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of patients with colon cancer is one of the most important parameters affecting the survival of patients. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of the age, hemoglobin (Hb), albumin, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), thrombocyte lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet values (MPV) on the separation of benign and malignant diseases in patients with suspected colon wall thickness (CWT) observed in abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination. METHOD: The study included 116 patients between the ages of 18 and 95 who had CT examination where the colon wall could be evaluated and who also had colonoscopy. Patients suspected for CWT in CT with difficulties in differential diagnosis were divided into two groups according to colonoscopic-histopathological evaluations. Normal or benign pathological causes were included in the first group, while malignant causes constituted the second group. Whether the two groups differed in terms of CWT, Hb, age, albumin, NLR, PLR, and MPV values was investigated with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients (74 males, 42 females) with CT examinations and colonoscopic sampling were included in the study. After colonoscopic and histopathological evaluations, there were 64 cases in the first group and 52 in the second group. According to the results of the univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression, CWT, Hb, NLR, and MPV were identified to be independent variables for determining colon cancer. CONCLUSION: A combined evaluation of Hb, NLR, and MPV values in patients with CWT in abdominal CT examination may contribute to the separation of benign and malignant pathologies.

Evaluation of biochemical changes in dental tissues after different office bleaching methods.

The color of the teeth is an important topic for many people and can be influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic stains. There is an increasing demand for whitening of the teeth year by year. The most popular way of whitening is "bleaching," which is the result of the breakdown of pigments located in the enamel and/or the dentin, caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from bleaching agents. These bleaching agents could increase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated collagen degradation in dentin. The aim of this study was to compare biochemical changes and oxidative stress levels of the human premolar dentin-pulp complex after three different bleaching methods containing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching agents. Individuals, whose first four premolars were extracted for orthodontic purposes, included into the study. Group 1-Laser: bleaching gel containing 46% H2O2 (LaserWhite20 whitening gel, Biolase Technology Inc., San Clemente, CA, USA) and a diode laser activation (Ezlase 940 nm system). Group 2: 35% H2O2 containing whitening gel (Whiteness HP Maxx, FGM) and halogen light source activation (Optilux 501, Kerr, Orange, CA, USA). Group 3: 35% H2O2 containing whitening gel (Whiteness HP Maxx, FGM). Group 4-Control: No whitening treatment. According to the test results, there were no significant differences among groups in the values of cathepsin B and MMP proteolytic activities ( p > 0.05). The total ROS values released from the dentin tissue were higher than those obtained from the pulp tissue ( p < 0.05). There were significant differences among the bleaching groups in the ROS values released from the dentin tissue.

Tracheobroncopathia osteochondroplastica: Three case reports with literature review.

Tracheobroncopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a benign disease of the large airways seen very rarely. It is characterized by 1-3 mm sized ossified nodular lesions in submucosa. Its etiology is unclear, but it is stated that malignancy, chronic inflammation, amyloidosis, and genetic factors might have an effect on it. It was first described by Wilks in a 38-year-old man diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1857. Generally, patients are asymptomatic and TO is diagnosed incidentally. But symptoms become significant with infections and obstruction in tracheabronchial tree. Generally chest radiography is normal, so thorax computed tomography can be remarkable in diagnosis of TO. Besides, final diagnosis can be established by viewing ossified nodules in trachea and bronchus through the fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Amyloidosis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, bronchial carcinoma, and tracheobronchial calcinosis must be remembered in differential diagnosis. Also ossifications in submucosa and proof of bone marrow in histopathological examinations are important in diagnosis of TO. Mostly palliative treatment is performed to the symptoms . We want the clinicians to keep in mind for this very rarely seen tracheal disease with three case reports.

Serum osteopontin and CD44 levels in lymphoreticular malignancies in children.

OBJECTIVE: Osteopontin (OPN) is an adhesive glycoprotein that interacts with a variety of cell surface receptors, including several integrins and CD44. OPN is expressed and secreted by numerous human malignancies. CD44 play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. We aimed to evaluate serum levels of osteopontin and CD44 in patients with lymphorethicular malignancies in childhood. METHODS: We studied serum levels of CD44 and OPN levels of 54 patients (26, 18 and 10 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), respectively) at the diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean levels of OPN were significantly higher in patients (5.42±8.24 ng/ml) than in controls (3.89 ±1.96 ng/ml). The mean levels of CD44 levels were also significantly higher in patients (3.82±2.31 ng/ml) than in controls (1.96±0.62 ng/ml), and significantly higher in the advanced stages than in early stages. The mean levels of the CD44 in NHL, HL and ALL were 3.49±2.00, 3.56±1.74, and 5.15±3.50 respectively. OPN and CD44 levels were found to be increased in parallel (p=0.003). A more advanced disease and/or poor prognostic factors were seen in 9 patients who had both serum CD44 and OPN levels higher than 2SD of the control. CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of both CD44 and OPN at the diagnosis may predict an unfavorable outcome in childhood leukemias and lymphomas (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 44).

Genotoxic effects of 1064-nm Nd:YAG and 532-nm KTP lasers on fibroblast cell cultures.

BACKGROUND: Several different laser types are used in cutaneous surgery. The neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) and frequency-doubled Nd:YAG (KTP, potassium titanyl phosphate) lasers are widely used in dermatology. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possible genotoxic effects on fibroblasts of irradiation with a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser and a 532-nm KTP laser. METHODS: Fibroblast cell cultures were exposed to each of the lasers, using 10-mm spot size at 60 ms pulse duration with 10, 20, 40 J/cm(2) and 3, 6, 12 J/cm(2) fluences, respectively. Fibroblasts in passages 1-6 were used. During laser irradiation, 96-well microplate cultures were kept on a cooling block and transported on ice and in the dark, and processed immediately for single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay (also known as a comet assay). RESULTS: DNA damage was determined by computerized assessment of comet assay. There was increasing damage with increasing numbers of passages. For the Nd:YAG laser, the greatest damage occurred on passages 5 and 6, whereas the greatest damage appeared at passages 3 and 4 for KTP and returned to baseline at passages 5 and 6. Damage also increased with each dose increment for both wavelengths. At the highest dose for both wavelengths (Nd:YAG 40 J/cm(2) and KTP 12 J/cm(2)), damage was higher with the Nd:YAG laser. CONCLUSIONS: Different patterns of cellular damage were seen for different cell-culture passages, treatment doses, and laser wavelengths. These dose ranges are generally used for the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions and for rejuvenation purposes. As replicative ageing or cell senescence is one of the critical factors determining the extent of cell damage induced by laser therapy, these results may have important implications for clinical practice.