Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Retrospective Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the lung with a high mortality and morbidity rate. Some of the inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocyte count are associated with COPD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in COPD patients comparing with the other well-known inflammatory markers. We retrospectively enrolled the laboratory results of 269 COPD patients of which 178 patients at stable period and 91 patients during acute exacerbation and 50 sex- and age- matched healthy controls. We found that NLR values of the stable COPD patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (P?<?0.001). During acute exacerbation of the disease there was a further increase compared to stable period (P?<?0.001). NLR values were also positively correlated with serum CRP levels and red cell distribution width (RDW) and negatively correlated with mean platelet volume (MPV) in both COPD groups. In conclusion, NLR could be considered as a new inflammatory marker for assessment of inflammation in COPD patients with its quick, cheap, easily measurable property with routine complete blood count analysis.     

Effects of lowering dialysate sodium on carotid artery atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Purpose

Our aim in this study was to examine the effects of low-sodium dialysate on carotid artery atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, and blood pressure (BP) in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

After baseline measurements were obtained, the dialysate sodium concentration was reduced from 140 to 137?mEq/L. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD %) were measured before and after 6?months of HD with low-sodium dialysate. Interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), pre- and post-dialysis BP, and dialysis-related symptoms were monitored during the study.

Results

Fifty-two patients were enrolled, and 41 patients completed the study. Twenty-one patients had hypertension and were receiving antihypertensive medications. The average number of antihypertensive drugs per patient was 1.9?±?0.8. There was no significant reduction in BP at the end of the study, but the average number of antihypertensive drugs was reduced to 1.2?±?0.4 (P?<?0.001). There were significant improvements in CIMT (P?=?0.003) and FMD (P?<?0.001) with low-sodium HD. The IDWG decreased significantly during the low-sodium dialysate treatment (P?<?0.001). However, hypotensive episodes and cramps were more frequent during the study period.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that the lowering of dialysate sodium concentration reduced CIMT, improved FMD, and provided better control of IDWG and BP, but increased the incidence of dialysis-related symptoms.     

Effects of curcumin and dithioerythritol on frozen-thawed bovine semen

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of curcumin and dithioerythritol added into bull semen extender on sperm parameters, lipid peroxidation, total glutathione and antioxidant potential levels of bull spermatozoa following the freeze/thawing process. Twenty-seven ejaculates obtained from three bulls were included in the study. Each ejaculate that was splitted into five equal groups and diluted in a Tris-based extender containing curcumin (0.5 and 2 mM), dithioerythritol (0.5 and 2 mM) and no additive (control) was cooled to 5 °C and frozen in 0.25-ml French straws. The extender supplemented with 0.5 mMdose of curcumin led to lower percentage of total abnormality (20.40 ± 2.36%) when compared to the control (30.60 ± 1.47%, P < 0.05). Curcumin and dithioerythritol at 0.5 mM provided a greater protective effect in the membrane functional integrity (54.40 ± 2.09% and 50.00 ± 2.68%), in comparison with control (37.20 ± 1.77%, P < 0.001). Supplementation with antioxidants did not significantly affect the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant potential levels, while the maintenance of total glutathione levels in curcumin 0.5 mM was demonstrated to be higher than that of control, following the freeze/thawing (P < 0.05). Supplementation with these antioxidants prior to the cryopreservation process may be recommended to facilitate the enhancement of sperm cryopreservation techniques.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor‐loaded poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microspheres‐induced lateral axonal sprouting into the vein graft bridging two healthy nerves: Nerve graft prefabrication using controlled release system

The most commonly used surgical technique for repairing segmental nerve defects is autogenous nerve grafting; however, this method causes donor site morbidity. In this study, we sought to produce prefabricated nerve grafts that can serve as a conduit instead of autologous nerve using a controlled release system created with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐loaded poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. The study was performed in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro studies, VEGF‐loaded PLGA microspheres were prepared. Thirty rats were used for the in vivo studies. Vein grafts were sutured between the tibial and peroneal nerves in all animals. Three groups were created, and an epineural window, partial incision, and microsphere application were performed, respectively. Walking track analysis, morphologic, and electron microscopic assessment were performed at the end of the eight weeks. Microspheres were produced in spherical shapes as required. Controlled release of VEGF was achieved during a 30‐days period. Although signs of nerve injury occurred initially in the partial incision groups according to the indexes of peroneal and tibial function, it improved gradually. The index values were not affected in the other groups. There were many myelinated fibers with large diameters in the partial incision and controlled release groups, while a few myelinated fibers that passed through vein graft in the epineural window group. Thereby, prefabrication was carried out for the second and third groups. It was demonstrated that nerve graft can be prefabricated by the controlled delivery of VEGF. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.