The evaluation of serum cystatin C, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant status in patients with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine if serum cystatin C (Cys C) levels are affected by metabolic syndome and whether they correlate with lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant status (TAS) in this disorder. MATERIAL/METHODS: Cases with metabolic syndrome diagnosed according to the ATP III criteria (18 females, 12 males) were compared with healthy control subjects (20 females, 17 males) matched by age and gender. Plasma Cys C, malondialdehyde (MDA), and TAS levels were studied. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, Cys C and MDA levels were significantly higher (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), whereas TAS was lower (p<0.001) in metabolic syndrome patients. A significant positive correlation between MDA and Cys C (r=0.308, p<0.05) and a significant negative correlation between TAS and Cys C levels (r=-0.358, p<0.01) were found. CONCLUSIONS: As Cys C and MDA levels increased but TAS decreased, Cys C may be an important indicator in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome.     

Genotoxicity of aspartame

In the present study, the genotoxic effects of the low-calorie sweetener aspartame (ASP), which is a dipeptide derivative, was investigated using chromosome aberration (CA) test, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test, micronucleus test in human lymphocytes and also Ames/Salmonella/ microsome test. ASP induced CAs at all concentrations (500, 1000 and 2000 microg/ml) and treatment periods (24 and 48 h) dose-dependently, while it did not induce SCEs. On the other hand, ASP decreased the replication index (RI) only at the highest concentration for 48 h treatment period. However, ASP decreased the mitotic index (MI) at all concentrations and treatment periods dose-dependently. In addition, ASP induced micronuclei at the highest concentrations only. This induction was also dose-dependent for 48 hours treatment period. ASP was not mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains in the absence and presence of S9 mix.     

Antioxidant response at early stages and low grades of simple coal worker's pneumoconiosis diagnosed by high resolution computed tomography

In miners exposed to coal dusts, coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) can occur. The purpose of the present study is to better understand the relations between coal dust exposure and activities of blood plasma antioxidant enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and lipid peroxidation end product malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in coal workers with early and low grade simple CWP diagnosed by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Forty-three coal workers who had profusions of 0/1-2/2 according to ILO 1980 chest X-ray (CXR) classification, 43 coal workers without CWP (control group 1) and 44 healthy subjects (control group 2) who were randomly selected from the population register or recruited from the hospital staff were enrolled. Coal workers were reevaluated by HRCT (Hosoda-Shida classification) due to its higher sensitivity than standard CXR. Then, blood plasma SOD and GSH-Px activities and MDA plasma levels were measured. CWP was found positive in 46 of 89 coal workers by HRCT evaluation. Profusion 0 (P0, CWP not present), profusion 1 (P1, early CWP) and profusion 2 (P2, low grade CWP) were found in 43, 23 and 19 of patients found to have CWP by HRCT, respectively. We had no worker with profusion 3 (P3). Complicated CWP was shown in four of 46 patients and thesecases were excluded as the study was restricted to early and low-grade pneumoconiosis. In respect to the plasma levels of MDA and plasma activities of SOD and GSH-Px, statistically significant differences were found between CWP cases and control groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.001 respectively). Statistical differences were also obtained for the plasma activities of SOD and GSH-Px and levels of MDA in relation to HRCT profusions (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these findings suggest an oxidative stress due to increased free radicals and reactive oxygen metabolite production in early stages and low grades of simple CWP diagnosed by HRCT.     

Possible therapeutic role of vitamin D3 in aggressive fibromatosis

Desmoids, also known as aggressive fibromatoses, are locallyinvasive tumors that are intermediate in their biological behaviorthat lies between benign fibrous proliferations and low-gradefibrosarcomas. In this report, we present a case of a youngfemale patient with a huge tumoral mass located in the rightshoulder region that recurred after total resection and wasresistant to radio-chemo-hormonal therapy. Eventually, she respondedto 1,25-(OH)₂-vitamin D₃ treatment.     

Erdosteine ameliorates PTZ-induced oxidative stress in mice seizure model

The role of oxygen-derived free radicals has been suggested in genesis of epilepsy and in the post seizure neuronal death. The aim of this study was to investigate whether erdosteine has a preventive effect against epilepsy and postepileptic oxidative stress. The mice (n=27) were divided into three groups: (i) PTZ-induced-epilepsy group (n=9); (ii) PTZ-induced-epilepsy+erdosteine group (n=9); (iii) control group (n=9). The animals were observed for a period of 30 min for latency to first seizure onset, total seizure duration, the number of seizure episodes. Then they were sacrificed and the brains were quickly removed, and frozen for biochemical analysis. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities were carried out in the brain tissue. The latent period between PTZ induction and seizure are longer in the PTZ+erdosteine group than in PTZ-induced-epilepsy group (P<0.05). Biochemical analyses of brain tissue, revealed a significant increase in the MDA, XO and NO levels in the PTZ group according to erdosteine group. SOD level did not change in this group. While MDA and XO levels are significantly lower, SOD level is significantly higher in the PTZ+erdosteine group compared to PTZ and control groups (P<0.01). The present study demonstrated that erdosteine treatment both may increase latent interval between seizures and may decrease oxidative stress, thus may ameliorate neuronal death in brain during seizures. It may be used as an adjunct therapy in epilepsy.     

The adolescent varicocele: diagnostic and treatment patterns of pediatricians. A public health concern?

PURPOSE: We determine whether practice patterns of pediatricians contribute to delays in diagnosing and treating adolescents with varicoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey consisting of 11 multiple-choice questions was mailed to 5,000 pediatricians selected by zip code in New York State. Zip codes were chosen to reflect urban, suburban and rural counties. RESULTS: A total of 544 of the 5000 (10.9%) surveys were returned, and 92 (16.9%) pediatricians acknowledged that they did not routinely perform physical examinations of the genitalia of adolescent males patients. Of 497 pediatricians who routinely or occasionally examine the genitalia 54 (10.9%) did not examine for the presence of varicoceles. When pediatricians were asked how they assess for the presence of varicoceles, 13 of 521 (2.5%) only used visual inspection, 50 (9.6%) only examined patients in the supine position and 379 (72.7%) of these pediatricians never used Valsalva maneuvers. Of 517 respondents 442 (85.5%) referred patients with varicoceles to a urologist for followup and 72 (13.9%) did no further evaluation. When asked to indicate what they thought was the greatest concern regarding the pediatric varicocele, 327 of 497 (65.0%) pediatricians indicated deterioration of future infertility, 120 (30.0%) indicated testicular growth retardation, 105 (24.2%) indicated pain and 18 (4.3%) indicated cosmesis. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of pediatricians do not routinely perform physical examinations for varicoceles or appropriately examine for varicoceles, despite the majority being aware of the potential significance of varicoceles. This study demonstrates the need for increased educational efforts among pediatricians regarding the need for physical examination of the genitalia, the techniques for appropriate physical examination, and the need for appropriate referral and followup of adolescents with varicoceles.     

Disseminated cryptosporidium infection in an infant with hyper-IgM syndrome caused by CD40 deficiency

We report the case of an infant with severe respiratory infections, chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, and disseminated Cryptosporidium parvum infection. Laboratory investigations disclosed a diagnosis of hyper-IgM syndrome caused by CD40 deficiency.     

Against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism as a predicting factor for the outcome of amblyopia treatment

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether with-the-rule (WTR) or against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism influences the treatment outcome of anisometropic amblyopia. DESIGN: A cohort study. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with unilateral amblyopia due to anisometropia without strabismus. Ninety-eight patients with simple, compound, mixed, oblique myopic, and hyperopic astigmatism were divided into seven groups based on the type of astigmatism. The groups were reviewed as to the amount of anisometropia, duration of occlusion, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was statistically significant longer duration of occlusion and less lines gain of BCVA among patients with hyperopic ATR astigmatism compared with patients with hyperopic WTR astigmatism (P =.0143 and P =.0000, respectively) and myopic ATR patients compared with myopic WTR patients (P =.0392 and P =.0192, respectively). For the same parameters, group differences were also statistically significant when all hyperopic or myopic simple/compound/mixed ATR patients were compared with all hyperopic or myopic simple/compound/mixed WTR patients (P =.0015 and P =.0000, respectively). CONCLUSION: The outcome of amblyopia treatment seems to be less favorable in patients with either hyperopic or myopic ATR astigmatism. Near vision impairment may be more amblyogenic than distance vision impairment during visual development.     

Cataract surgery in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI). METHODS: We studied the records of 35 patients with FHI who underwent cataract extraction. Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) was performed by phacoemulsification through a scleral flap in 9 patients and by manual delivery of the nucleus through a corneal section in 26 patients. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up time of 24 (3-60) months, the visual acuity in 21 eyes (60%) was 20/20, and all eyes had 20/40 or better vision. Six eyes with implanted regular PMMA IOL developed a marked anterior uveitis, which was resolved within 3 weeks with topical steroids. Only 1+ or 2+ cellular reaction was observed postoperatively in patients with heparin-coated lens implantation and patients who underwent phacoemulsification. Biomicroscopic evidence of giant cell activity was observed in two patients with heparin-coated IOL and in 11 with regular PMMA IOLs after ECCE (two after phacoemulsification). Four eyes developed intraocular pressure elevation that reverts to normal within 24 weeks with medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the surgical outcomes of FHI patients after cataract surgery appear to be better when the phacoemulsification technique is used or when heparin-coated lenses are implanted.