Increased Circulating Copeptin Levels Are Associated with Vaso-Occlusive Crisis and Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Sickle Cell Anemia

ObjectiveVaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is a common clinical manifestation of sickle cell anemia (SCA) and is associated with increased proinflammatory mediators. Copeptin is the C-terminal part of the prohormone for provasopressin and seems clinically relevant in various clinical conditions. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction significantly appears in SCA patients due to pulmonary hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the association of copeptin levels in VOC patients and evaluate RV dysfunction.Materials and MethodsA total of 108 patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty-eight SCA patients in steady state (30.2 ± 0.9 years), 25 SCA patients in VOC (36.8 ± 11.8 years), and 55 healthy individuals (31.9 ± 9.4 years) with HbAA genotype were included. Clinical, echocardiographic, and laboratory data were recorded. ELISA was used for the determination of serum levels of copeptin.ResultsVOC patients had significantly higher copeptin level compared both with controls and SCA subjects in steady state (22.6 ± 13.0 vs. 11.3 ± 5.7 pmol/L, 22.6 ± 13.0 vs. 12.4 ± 5.8 pmol/L, p = 0.009 for both). Additionally, the copeptin level was significantly higher in SCA patients with RV dysfunction than those without RV dysfunction (23.2 ± 12.2 vs. 15.3 ± 9.5 pmol/L, p = 0.024). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and copeptin levels were found to be associated with VOC.ConclusionThis study showed that copeptin and hs-CRP levels were increased in patients with VOC, and it was found that RV dysfunction was more common in SCA patients with VOC than in the control group. Copeptin can be considered for use as a potential biomarker in predicting VOC crisis in SCA patients and in the early detection of patients with SCA who have the potential to develop RV dysfunction.     

The role of genetic counseling on decisions of pregnant women aged 35 years or over regarding amniocentesis in Turkey

We investigated the effects of genetic counseling given before amniocentesis that is given based on maternal serum screening (using the cut-off value of 1/250) and genetic sonogram results (+/- abnormal ultrasound marker) on pregnant women who are 35 years and older age. Their attitudes towards amniocentesis after genetic counseling were evaluated. Among 340 women, 223 (65.6%) were in the high-risk group and 117 (34.4%) were in the low-risk group according to non-invasive test results. After counseling, 216 pregnant women (167 cases have high-risk, 49 cases who had low-risk) decided to have amniocentesis while 124 women (56 with high-risk and 68 with low-risk) declined it. Fourteen abnormal karyotypes were detected. All pregnant women who had fetuses with chromosomal aberrations were in high-risk group. Our study shows that screening by non-invasive prenatal diagnostic tool has an effect on families' choice of amniocentesis. The use of these test results during counseling decreased the number of amniocentesis in a ratio of 36.5%.     

The prevalence of joint hypermobility among high school students

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of joint hypermobility among high school students and to define the characteristics of patients with joint hypermobility.Methods The students underwent complete history and physical examination. In order to designate marfanoid habitus, body weight, height, and span/height and upper/lower segment ratios were recorded. The degree of joint hypermobility was scored by the Beighton scoring system. The following features were also examined: arthralgia, myalgia, low back pain, sciatica, spinal deformities, temporomandibular joint pain and crepitus, effusion, swan neck deformity, arachnodactyly, joint dislocation, joint sprain, Raynauds phenomenon, stria, varicose veins, abdominal and inguinal hernia, heart disease history, myopia, dropping eyelids, and antimongoloid slant.Results Eight hundred sixty-one students (433 females and 428 males) with a mean age of 15.4±1.1 years (range 13–19) were examined. Joint hypermobility was observed in 101 (11.7%) of the students. According to the Beighton scoring system, the majority of these (61.4%) were observed to score 4. Our results show that phenotype has no relation with joint mobility. Of the total number of students, there were 31 male (7.2%) and 70 female (16.2%) hypermobile subjects. The difference between sexes was highly significant (P=0.00005). Joint sprain was detected in 14 of hypermobile students (13.9%) and 50 of nonhypermobile students (6.6%). Its presence was the only significant parameter between hypermobile and nonhypermobile students (P=0.0094).Conclusions Joint hypermobility was found in 11.7% of the students in our study, and the results are in harmony with the previous studies on Western populations. Although hypermobility does not seem to be very problematic in young people, as in our focus group, we believe that it is important for physicians to recognize this problem to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment, since it may lead to mimic rheumatic diseases in the future.     

Prognostic factors in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a two-center experience

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is usually at advanced stage when it is diagnosed. There is no consensus about the standard treatment in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Generally, data regarding elderly patients with NSCLC are withdrawn from general NSCLC studies based on subgroup analyses and suggestions. We evaluated prognostic factors in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. We reviewed retrospectively 338 patients from August 2005 to July 2009 in two centers in Turkey. Medical records of the patients ≥65 years with advanced NSCLC were collected. Collected data included demographic informations, clinical assessments and information on treatment, toxicities and outcomes. Survival was estimated by using Kaplan–Meier method and prognostic factors were evaluated with log-rank and Cox regression tests. The median overall survival (OS) for the entire group was 15.4 months (95% CI: 12.7–18.0). In univariate analysis, weight loss, stage, combination therapy, second-line chemotherapy and tumor response (P < 0.01) and performance status significantly affected OS (P < 0.05). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10 months (95% CI: 8.4–11.6). In univariate analysis, there was only a significant association between tumor response and PFS (14.6 vs. 8.5 months; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that only response to therapy was an important prognostic factor for OS (P < 0.001). Survival of elderly patients with advanced NSCLC is significantly influenced by performance status, weight loss, stage, combination therapy, second-line chemotherapy and response to therapy. Not only age but also these factors may be kept in mind in the treatment planning of the elderly patients with NSCLC. These results may be of benefit in changing clinical practice in elderly patients with NSCLC who are often undertreated.     

Spontaneous Infarction in a Fibroadenoma of the Breast

SUMMARY: BACKGROUND: Fibroadenomas are common neoplasms in young women but occur in a wide age range from adolescent females to octogenians. CASE REPORT: A 21-year-old female patient presented with a 10-week history of a mass in her breast. Ultrasound examination demonstrated a 3.5 × 3 cm, well-circumscribed, semisolid mass. An excisional biopsy but no fine needle aspiration was performed. The patient had no history of pregnancy or lactation, or trauma or infection to the area of the lesion. The histopathological examination showed a spontaneously infarcted fibroadenoma. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous infarction is an uncommon complication in fibroadenoma of the breast, and there are very few reported cases in the literature.     

Bone healing regulated by nitric oxide: an experimental study in rats

Nitric oxide has many functions in wound healing and metabolism of bone. In the current study the role of nitric oxide on bone healing was investigated. Thirty-six young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, nitroso-bovine serum albumin, and aminoguanidine. Five millimeter segmental defects were created in the middle of the right femora. A polyethylene plate and screw posts were used for rigid fixation. Demineralized bone matrix served as the graft material in all groups. Nitroso-bovine serum albumin (an active nitric oxide congener) carried by demineralized bone matrix was applied locally at the defect in the nitroso-bovine serum albumin group. Aminoguanidine (an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) group received oral aminoguanidine treatment. Formation and healing of bone were determined by radiographic and histologic analyses. In comparison to the control group the healing rate was faster in both experimental groups as indicated by radiographic and histologic data. If accompanied by bone graft with a suitable delivery system, nitric oxide may be useful as a therapeutic adjuvant in clinical situations when local formation of bone is needed. Moreover, when combined appropriately, treatment with orthotopic nitric oxide supplementation and systemic inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition may enhance bone healing.     

Nitric oxide levels and lipid peroxidation in plasma of patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: The aim was to investigate the levels of malondialdehyde and total NO(2)(-) plus NO(3)(-) marker for NO(*) generation in gastric carcinoma and to correlate their levels with the cancer stage. METHOD: The pretreatment plasma samples were obtained from 38 patients with gastric cancer (seven patients at stage II, 19 at stage III and 12 at stage IV). Nitrite (NO(2)(-)) and nitrate (NO(3)(-)) levels, the end products of nitric oxide (NO(*)), were determined in these samples. NO(2)(-) was measured by using the Griess reaction and after enzymatic conversion of NO(3)(-) into NO(2)(-) by nitrate reductase, the resultant NO(2)(-) was also measured by the same method. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker, was measured by the thiobarbituric acid method. RESULTS: The levels of plasma MDA, NO(*) and NO(3)(-) were significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer compared with the healthy control group. Higher levels of MDA, NO(*) and NO(3)(-) were observed as the stage of the disease increased. CONCLUSION: We found that increased NO(*) production and MDA levels were present in plasma of patients with gastric cancer. These increases can be associated with the oxidant-antioxidant status in these patients.     

Ochronotic arthropathy

Ochronotic arthropathy is the musculoskeletal manifestation of alkaptonuria. an uncommon inherited metabolic disorder associated with various clinical and radiologic abnormalities due to the deposition of homogentisic acid. We report on a 35-year-old man with ochronotic arthropathy who presented with the main characteristic radiological findings. The differential diagnosis of this rare condition is discussed with a review of the literature.     

Diurnal variation of intraocular pressure and its correlation with retinal nerve fiber analysis in Turkish patients with exfoliation syndrome

Purpose The purpose was to evaluate the diurnal variation (DV) of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with exfoliation syndrome (XS), to measure retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness by using scanning laser polarimetry, and to compare these measurements with those of normal subjects. Methods Forty-five subjects with XS and 40 healthy, age/sex matched subjects were recruited into the study. A detailed ophthalmologic examination was performed. IOP measurements were obtained at 08:00 am, 12:00 pm, 03:00 pm, and 06:00 pm. The XS group was further divided into DV ≥5 mmHg and DV<5 mmHg groups and also according to the existence of IOP fluctuation. The IOP measurements and RNFL thickness measurements were compared between the groups. Results The mean IOP value was found to be highest in the morning both in the XS and control groups. IOP showed a gradual decrease from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm in the control group, whereas a second peak at 03:00 pm was observed in the XS group. There was a fluctuation in 53.3% of the XS group, while none of the healthy subjects showed fluctuation. Superior and inferior ratios were statistically lower in XS patients than those in control subjects (p<0.05). Moreover, in patients with XS showing a DV ≥5 mmHg and/or a fluctuation, the superior ratio, inferior ratio, the number, superior average and superior integral were significantly different (all p values <0.05) from those of control subjects. Conclusions As the XS patients with high diurnal IOP variation and fluctuating pattern of IOP had lower RNFL thickness measurements, it is crucial to follow up these patients by performing scanning laser polarimetry in order to discover any possible glaucomatous damage at an earlier stage than with the use of conventional visual field analysis.