Ultrasonographically detected hepatosteatosis independently predicts the presence and severity of coronary artery disease

BackgroundNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has shown to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD)ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the presence and severity of CAD and NAFLD.MethodsThe study group consisted of 153 patients who underwent coronary angiographies. Patients were categorized into CAD and non-CAD groups. CAD severity was determined by the number of CAD-involved arteries and the vessel score multiplied by Gensini score, the latter judging CAD severity. Fatty liver was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography (USG), with the patients being categorized by the degree of hepatosteatosis, as Grade 0, Grade 1, and Grade 2–3.ResultsAmong the whole study population, 47.1% of patients (n=72) were female and 52.9% of patients (n=81) were male. Forty-three patients had normal coronary arteries; 27 patients had non-critical CAD and side branch disease; and 83 patients had clinically significant CAD (stenosis>50%). The rate of CAD and Gensini score were significantly different between Grade 0, 1 and 2–3 hepatosteatosis groups (p<0.05). Patients with CAD had a significantly higher AST level than those without (p< 0.05).ConclusionsUltrasonographically detected hepatosteatosis independently predicts the presence and severity of CAD.     

Management of skin,mucosa and joint involvement of Behçet’s syndrome: A systematic review for update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of Behçet’s syndrome

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to inform the update of European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Recommendations for the management of Behçet’s syndrome (BS), on the evidence for the treatment of skin, mucosa and joint involvement of BS.

Systemic and myocardial inflammation in traditional and off-pump cardiac surgery

In this study, we attempted to determine the role of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the myocardial and systemic inflammatory responses. Twenty patients who underwent elective CABG were enrolled in this study. Ten patients underwent on-pump CABG, and 10 patients underwent off-pump CABG. There were no differences between patients in preoperative clinical variables. We took systemic venous blood samples for the measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin I, and we took myocardial biopsies from the interventricular septum for chemiluminescence assay of reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, and superoxide). There was no significant difference in the myocardial tissue release of hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl, hypochlorite, and superoxide between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The systemic tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in the off-pump group were significantly lower than in the on-pump group (P <0.01). The cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase-MB levels at 6, 12, and 24 postoperative hours were not statistically different between the 2 groups (P >0.05). We conclude that off-pump CABG appears to reduce systemic inflammation, without reducing myocardial oxidative stress and inflammation.     

Surgery of cardiac hydatid cysts. Experience of 39 years

In some countries, Hydatidosis is a common public health problem but cardiac hydatid cysts are rarely observed. The evaluations of operative results and follow up of cardiac hydatid cases. Twenty-five consecutive unselected patients suffering from cardiac hydatidosis and operated on between 1967 and 2006 in Siyami Ersek Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Center were retrospectively analyzed. In 10 of these patients the hydatid cyst was intracardiac, while in 13 patients cysts were extracavitary but located into the pericardium. In 2 patients the hydatid cyst was both intra and extracavitary. Mean age of the patients was 31+/-9.2. The female/male ratio was 17/8. The 12 patients with intracavitary and 2 patients wit extracavitary hydatid cysts were operated on with the aid of extracorporeal circulation. One patient died postoperatively. In one patient recurrence of the hydatidosis was observed. The majority of cases in previous publications were located in the left side of the heart. In our series, most were located in the right heart. In such cases clamping the pulmonary artery is mandatory to prevent pulmonary migration. Careful resection is important for prevention of recurrence.     

Case Report: Acute Abdomen Caused by Brucellar Hepatic Abscess

Brucellosis, a zoonosis that is common worldwide, is endemic in many countries, primarily those of the Mediterranean region (including Turkey). Human brucellosis is a systemic infection with a wide clinical spectrum. Although hepatic involvement is very common during the course of chronic brucellosis, hepatic abscess is a very rare complication of Brucella spp. infection. We present a case of hepatic abscess caused by Brucella melitensis, which resembled the clinical presentation of surgical acute abdomen.     

Current status of human arboviral diseases in Turkey

Infections caused by viruses transmitted via blood-feeding arthropods (arthropod-borne or arboviruses) have gained considerable attention and importance during the last decades due to their resurgence, impact on public health, and changing epidemiologic features. The complex transmission cycles affected by environmental, technological, and ecological changes place arboviral infections in the realm of emerging and reemerging infections that intermittantly reappear in epidemic form or display tendency to extend beyond endemic zones. A number of previously undetected arboviral diseases have emerged in Turkey during the last decade, although, in some cases, serologic evidence has been provided earlier. Since Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever first emerged in Turkey in 2002, there are now more than 4400 laboratory-confirmed cases of the disease. In addition, convincing evidence has accumulated to suggest that pathogenic flaviviruses, including West Nile virus, are in circulation. Recent studies have also revealed human exposure, central nervous system infections, and outbreaks of febrile diseases by sandfly fever viruses. In this study, reports published in local and international journals on surveillance and epidemiology of medically important arboviruses and associated diseases from Turkey have been reviewed, and current data on tick, mosquito, and sandfly vectors are incorporated.     

Effect of corneal thickness on intraocular pressure measurements with the Pascal dynamic contour,Canon TX‐10 non‐contact and Goldmann applanation tonometers in healthy subjects

Purpose: To investigate the effects of central corneal thickness (CCT) on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements of the Pascal dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), Canon TX‐10 non‐contact tonometry (NCT) and Goldmann applanation tonometry measurements (GAT) in healthy subjects. Methods: IOP values of 135 eyes with normal corneas of 135 healthy volunteers were determined by DCT, NCT and by GAT. The CCT was measured using an ultrasonic pachymeter after all IOP determinations had been made. Results: When DCT measurements were compared (IOP = 17.52 ± 2.0 mmHg) with NCT measurements (IOP = 16.54 ± 2.77 mmHg) and GAT measurements (IOP = 15.07 ± 2.35 mmHg), DCT measurements were significantly higher than NCT and GAT (p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between CCT with both NCT (r = 0.260, p = 0.003) and GAT measurements (r = 0.257, p = 0.005). There was a weak correlation that was not statistically significant between CCT and DCT (r = 0.160, p = 0.079). Conclusion: The IOP measurements with DCT seem to be less dependent on CCT. NCT appears to be more affected by variation in CCT than GAT.     

A clinical evaluation of resin-based composite and glass ionomer cement restorations placed in primary teeth using the ART approach: results at 24 months

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the 24-month performance of a packable resin-based composite/dentin bonding system and a high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (GIC) in restorations placed in primary molars with the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach. METHODS: Three dentists placed 419 restorations in 219 children aged 6 through 10 years who had bilateral matched pairs of carious posterior Class I and II primary teeth. They used a split-mouth design to place the two materials, which were assigned randomly to contralateral sides. The authors evaluated the restorations according to U.S. Public Health Service Ryge criteria. RESULTS: After 24 months, 96.7 percent of the Class I GIC restorations and 91 percent of the resin-based composite restorations survived, while the success rates for the Class II restorations were 76.1 percent and 82 percent for the GIC and resin-based composite restorations, respectively. The survival rate of the Class II resin-based composite restorations was 5.9 percent higher than that of the GIC restorations at the 24-month evaluation, but this difference was not statistically significant. However, the study results showed a statistically significant difference in survival rates between Class I and II restorations for both materials. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The two-year clinical performance of both materials was satisfactory for the restoration of Class I and II primary molars using the ART approach.