Left ventricular remodeling and aortic distensibility in elite power athletes

The aim of this study was to determine left ventricular (LV) morphology and aortic function in power athletes and to compare them with normal subjects. Thirty-two elite male wrestlers and 15 age-matched healthy male controls were included. All subjects underwent echocardiographic examination. Measurements included LV cavity dimension at systole and diastole, wall thickness, diastolic parameters, and aortic diameter, 3cm above aortic valve, at systole and diastole. Left ventricular mass and mass index were found to be higher in the athletes than in control subjects. The aortic distensibility index was found to be reduced in the athletes compared with controls (2.53 ± 0.91 vs 3.94 ± 1.77cm²dyne^–1 10^–6, P = 0.003), while the aortic stiffness index was significantly higher in the athletes than in controls (9.12 ± 3.23 vs 6.65 ± 2.35, P = 0.02). However, LV end-systolic wall stress was lower in the athletes than in controls. Furthermore, transmitral early (E) and late (A) peak velocity, peak velocity of the myocardial systolic wave (S _m), and early (E _m) and atrial (A _m) diastolic waves at the inferior wall were higher in the athletes than in controls. Reduced aortic distensibility in elite power athletes may be one of the cardiovascular adaptation factors which affect LV hypertrophy.     

Clinical significance of TT virus infection in children with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND: The pathogenic role of TT virus (TTV) is not clear in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The aims of the present study were to determine the frequency of TTV positivity in serum and saliva samples and the possible role of TTV in children with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Sera and saliva from 29 healthy children and 25 children with chronic hepatitis B were tested for TTV-DNA by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Fifty-two percent (13/25) of the serum samples and 32% (8/25) of the saliva samples were positive for TTV-DNA in children with chronic hepatitis B. In healthy non-transfused children, TTV-DNA was detected in 58% (17/29) of the serum samples and 41% (12/29) of the saliva samples. Six (46%) of 13 children with chronic hepatitis and 10 (59%) of 17 healthy children had TTV-DNA positivity both in serum and saliva samples. Two serum samples were negative for TTV-DNA while the saliva samples were positive for TTV-DNA in chronic hepatitis B and control groups. Mean age, sex, serum alanine aminotransferase levels, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA values were similar in TTV-positive and -negative children with chronic hepatitis B. However, total histologic activity index (HAI), periportal necrosis and portal inflammation scores were significantly higher in children with HBV-DNA and TTV-DNA viremia (P = 0.013, P = 0.008, P = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Because total HAI, periportal necrosis and portal inflammation scores were higher in children with TTV coinfection, TTV infection may contribute to the progression of liver damage in children with chronic hepatitis B.     

Traditional and “new” cardiovascular risk markers and factors in pediatric dialysis patients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the principal cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to analyze carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), endothelium-dependent dilatation (EDD), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) as the cardiovascular risk markers and to investigate the independent risk factors of these markers in pediatric dialysis patients. This study included 39 children and adolescents undergoing dialysis (15 hemodialysis and 24 peritoneal dialysis) and 15 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. The cIMT and EDD were assessed by high-resolution ultrasound, and LVMI was calculated from standard echocardiographic measurements. Compared with control subjects, cIMT standard deviation scores (SDS), LVMI, total homocysteine (tHcy), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) values were significantly higher in patients, but EDD values did not differ. The mean hs-CRP level was significantly higher in hemodialysis (HD) patients than in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The cIMT-SDS and LVMI were associated with several variables in univariate analysis. Stepwise linear regression analysis, indexed SBP (p = 0.017), and hemoglobin (p = 0.001) turned out to be independent variables for predicting LVMI, and a significant predictor of cIMT was indexed diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.035). The causes of atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy are multifactorial in children and adolescents with ESRD. Better management of hypertension and anemia may be priorities for preventing or improving CVD in these patients.     

Lung parenchymal changes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

AIM: To assess lung parenchymal changes in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). METHODS: We included 78 AS patients whose average age was 33.87 (18-56) years with a ratio of 53 males to 25 females who were followed up for 3.88 (1-22) years on average. neumonia and tuberculosis were excluded. In a detailed examination of lung HRCT findings, we investigated the presence of parenchymal micronodules,parenchymal bands, subpleural bands, interlobular and intralobular septal thickening, irregularity of interfaces,ground glass opacity, consolidation, mosaic pattern,bronchial wall thickening, bronchial dilatation, tracheal dilatation, pleural thickening, emphysema, thoracic cage asymmetry, honeycomb appearance, structural distortion, apical fibrosis and other additional findings.RESULTS: In detailed HRCT evaluations, lung parenchymal changes were found in 46 (59%) of all patients. We found parenchymal bands in 21 (27%) cases, interlobular septal thickening in 9 (12%), emphysema in 9 (12%), apical fibrosis in 8 (10%), ground-glass opacities in 7 (9%), parenchymal micronodules in 5 (6%), irregularity in interfaces in 3 (4%), bronchial dilatation in 3 (4%), mosaic pattern in 2 (3%), pleural thickening in 2 (3%), consolidation in 1 (1%), bronchial wall thick ening in 1 (1%) and a subpleural band in 1 (1%) case. Furthermore, we detected subsegmental atelectasis in 2 patients and a cavitary lesion in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Our study had the highest number of AS cases of all previous studies in evaluating lung paren chymal changes. The rate of lung parenchymal changes was slightly lower than that reported in recent literature.     

Impact of Myocardial Acceleration during Isovolumic Contraction in Evaluating Subclinical Right Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Aim: In diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, left ventricular dysfunction is widely evaluated and established by conventional diagnostic methods, whereas right ventricular (RV) function is not as sufficiently evaluated. The aim of this study is to assess the preclinical effects of DM on RV function by using novel Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI)‐derived indices. Methods: The study included 96 patients with type II DM [60 with DM only and 36 patients with coexisting DM and hypertension (DMHT)] and 40 healthy controls. Conventional parameters and TDI‐derived systolic velocities of tricuspid annulus [isovolumic myocardial acceleration (IVA), peak myocardial velocity during isovolumic contraction (IVV), peak systolic velocity during ejection period (Sa), RV Tei index] were measured. Results: TDI‐derived RV IVA was significantly lower in both DM and DMHT patients compared to controls indicating subclinical impairment in RV systolic function in the study patients (P = 0,0001). However RV IVA was similar in DM and DMHT subgroup supporting RV systolic impairment in DM was independent from HT. In correlation analysis, RV IVA was significantly correlated with the existence of diabetic nephropathy (r =?0,38; P = 0,003), retinopathy (r =?0,35; P = 0,006), insulin resistance (r =?0,52; P = 0,0001). Conclusions: Diabetes is associated with subclinical RV systolic dysfunction, regardless of coexisting hypertension. Tissue Doppler‐derived IVA; is a novel, non‐invasive parameter which may be used in early detection of RV systolic dysfunction in patients with DM. (Echocardiography 2010;27:1211‐1218)     

Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Propolis from Apis Mellifera Caucasica from the Ardahan and Erzurum Provinces of Turkey: A Comparative Study

The aim of this study was to compare the biological activities of ethanolic propolis extracts of Apis mellifera caucasica obtained from Ardahan and Erzurum provinces of Turkey. Samples were tested for antioxidant, anticytotoxic, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, and antifungal potentials using different techniques. Propolis samples from the two provinces had different mineral and organic compositions related to their geographical origin. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test showed superiority of Ardahan propolis over the Erzurum. Regardless of origin and the presence of mitomycin C in the culture medium, propolis enhanced human peripheral lymphocyte viability, which depended on the duration and propolis concentration. Antiperoxidative activity on MCF-7 breast cancer cells was concentration-dependent. Erzurum propolis showed the highest anticarcinogenic activity at the concentrations of 62.5 μg/mL and 125 μg/ mL, which dropped at higher concentrations. All propolis samples also showed antibacterial activity against the tested human pathogens similar to ampicillin and penicillin controls, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, they did not exert any antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Yarrowia lipolytica. In conclusion, propolis samples from both provinces showed promising biological activities, but further research should focus on finding the right concentrations for optimal effect and include the cell necrosis pathway to get a better idea of the anticarcinogenic effects.Key words: anticarcinogen, antimicrobial, biological activity, mineral, mitomycin C, organic composition     

Assessment of paraoxonase activity and lipid peroxidation levels in diabetic and senile subjects suffering from cataract

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate antioxidant effect of paraoxonase 1 activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as a marker of oxidative stress in patients suffering from cataract due to diabetes and aging.Design and methods:One hundred cataract patients (senile and diabetic) and age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Paraoxonase 1 and arylesterase activities in plasma samples were measured using paraoxon and phenylacetate as substrates, respectively. The magnitude of lipid peroxidation was established by measuring plasma MDA and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox LDL) levels. One-way ANOVA was employed for analysis of results.Results:We observed significantly lower plasma paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in senile and diabetic cataractous patients as compared to respective controls (p < 0.001). Plasma MDA and ox LDL levels were found to be higher in patients suffering from cataract (p < 0.001).Conclusions:The results of present study suggest that the observed decrease in PON1 activity may be due to increase in oxidative stress. It can be concluded that lower paraoxonase activity could contribute to the higher risk of cataract formation.