Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in children with iron deficiency anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

Paraoxonase-1 is an esterase enzyme and it has 3 types of activity, namely paraoxonase, arylesterase, and diazoxonase. It has been reported that paraoxonase-1 deficiency is related to increased susceptibility to development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in children with iron deficiency anemia and vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia. Thirty children with iron deficiency anemia, 30 children with vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia, and 40 healthy children aged 6 months to 6 years were enrolled in this study. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured with a spectrophotometer by using commercially available kits. Mean paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia group (103 ± 73 and 102 ± 41 U/L, respectively) were significantly lower than mean activities of control group (188 ± 100 and 147 ± 34 U/L, respectively; P < .001 for both) and iron deficiency anemia group (165 ± 103 and 138 ± 39 U/L, respectively; P < .05, P < .001), whereas there were no significant differences between iron deficiency anemia and control groups (P > .05). Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities significantly increased after treatment with vitamin B(12) in vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia; however, there were no significant changes in the activities of these enzymes after iron treatment in iron deficiency anemia group. Important correlations were found between vitamin B(12) levels and both paraoxonase and arylesterase activities (r = .367, P < .001; r = .445, P < .001). Our results suggest that vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia causes important reductions in paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and after vitamin B(12) therapy the activities of these enzymes returned to near-normal levels.     

Jab1 expression is associated with TGF-β1 signaling in chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis

Jab1, which is a fifth component of COP9 signalosome, plays an essential role in cell growth and proliferation. Jab1 is also shown to regulate transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling in carcinoma cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and the correlation of Jab1 and TGF-β1 in chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis. Here, we show the elevated expression of Jab1 and TGF-β1 in diseased mucosa without nasal polyps and a correlation between Jab1 and TGF-β1 expression. Forty-six samples (26 patients with nasal polyps, 10 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and 10 control subjects) were included to this study. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed for the assessment of Jab1 and TGF-β1 localization and the expression of proteins. Double staining of both proteins showed that Jab1 and TGF-β1 were colocalized in the epithelium, inflammatory cells and the vascular endothelium of nasal mucosa. There was a significant increase in the expression of TGF-β1 and Jab1 in patients without nasal polyps and a significant decrease in patients with nasal polyps compared to controls. Moreover, correlation was detected between the expression of Jab1 and TGF-β1 in chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis. Our results demonstrate that chronic rhinosinusitis is characterized by elevated expression of Jab1 and TGF-β1 compared to nasal polyposis and Jab1 may play a vital role in the pathogenesis of both chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis.     

Effect of verumontanum resection in transurethral resection of the prostate on postoperative voiding function and incontinence

Objective: We evaluated the effect of verumontanum resection after transurethral resection of the prostate on postoperative urination and incontinence symptoms in patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 68 patients who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate during the period between January 2006 and January 2009 were included in the study. The patients were separated into two groups. After transurethral resection of the prostate, a verumontanum resection was carried out in the first group of patients, but no additional operation was carried out in the second group. At the end of the third and sixth months, all patients were assessed in terms of the International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life and urinary incontinence. Results: At the end of the sixth month, the obstructive International Prostate Symptom Score of the group in which verumontanum resection was carried out was found to be significantly better, but in terms of other parameters, no significant differences were detected between the two groups. The results achieved at the end of the sixth month were significantly better then the third month's results in both groups. In one patient who had a verumontanum resection, total incontinence developed and, consequently, an artificial urinary sphincter was placed. Conclusion: Although verumontanum resection causes no serious urination changes in patients, it was shown that the verumontanum and its circumference can be safely resected without affecting the patient's continence status.     

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a new host cell in latent leishmaniasis

Some protozoan infections such as Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, and Plasmodium can be transmitted through stem cell transplantations. To our knowledge, so far, there is no study about transmission of Leishmania parasites in stem cell transplantation and interactions between parasites and stem cells in vitro. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between different species of Leishmania parasites and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). ADMSCs have been isolated, cultured, characterized, and infected with different species of Leishmania parasites (L. donovani, L. major, L. tropica, and L. infantum). Infectivity was examined by Giemsa staining, microculture, and polymerase chain reaction methods. As a result, infectivity of ADMSCs by Leishmania parasites has been determined for the first time in this study. According to our findings, it is very important that donors are screened for Leishmania parasites before stem cell transplantations in regions where leishmaniasis is endemic.     

Electrophysiological findings in neurofibromatosis type 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common, autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disorder in which any organ system, including the skin, skeleton and nervous system can be affected. In this study, we compared the electrophysiological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with NF1. Thirty-nine adolescent and adult patients (23 women and 16 men) diagnosed with NF1 with a mean age of 25.8±10 years (10-56) were included in this study. We collected data in the form of the results of neurological examinations, multimodal evoked potentials (EPs; brainstem auditory evoked potentials, BAEPs; somatosensory evoked potentials, SEPs; and visual evoked potentials, VEPs), cerebral/orbital/spinal MRIs, and electroneuromyography (ENMG). Twenty (51.3%) patients showed abnormal VEPs, 14 (35.9%) showed abnormal SEPs, and six (15.4%) showed abnormal BAEPs. All evoked potentials were abnormal in four (10.3%) cases. These electrophysiological findings occurred primarily in the absence of any clinical sign related to the affected system. MRI revealed pathologic findings in 26 of 39 patients, and these were not always correlated with visual, auditory, or somatosensory pathway abnormalities. ENMG showed polyneuropathy in two of 33 patients who underwent ENMG. Our study showed that MRI and electrophysiological abnormalities may be found in most patients with NF1, even in the absence of associated clinical symptoms or signs. Electrophysiological testing is helpful for monitoring the subclinical involvement of the central and peripheral nervous systems in patients with NF1.     

Protective effect of beta-glucan on contrast induced-nephropathy and a comparison of beta-glucan with nebivolol and N-acetylcysteine in rats

Background

It has been shown that beta-glucan (BG), which has antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects, attenuats renal ischemia–reperfusion injury. We aimed to investigate whether BG might have a preventive role against the development of contrast-induced nephropathy and to compare its effect with nebivolol (Nb) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

Methods

Thirty-six Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into six groups (n?=?6 each): control, contrast media (CM), BG, BG?+?CM, Nb?+?CM, and NAC?+?CM. With the exception of control and CM groups, the others were given drugs orally once a day for 5?days. Kidney function parameters, inflammatory parameters, and serum and renal tissue oxidative stress markers were measured.

Results

Increases of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly higher (p?p?p?p?Conclusion This study suggests that BG protects or ameliorates against contrast-induced nephropathy. Its beneficial effects may be similar to or greater than those of Nb or NAC.     

Single-Stage Adjustable Strabismus Surgery under Topical Anesthesia and Propofol

Aim: To present our experience with single-stage adjustable strabismus surgery (SSASS) under topical anesthesia and propofol. Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients who either had diplopia before the surgery or were at risk of developing diplopia after the surgery were selected for this operation after evaluating their tolerance for an eyelid speculum. Recession of the lateral recti, recession, resection and advancement of the medial recti, anteriorization of the inferior oblique and marginal myotomy to the superior rectus were the procedures done under topical anesthesia and propofol. The operations were done in two phases; in the first phase, the patients were sedated for 10 minutes with intravenous propofol (2 mg/kg) and the operation was done under topical anesthesia with 2% lidocaine. In the second phase, the patients were conscious and the adjustments were made. Results: None of the patients complained of significant pain during the surgery. No complications occurred during and after the procedure and no patients had diplopia during the postoperative follow-up. Conclusions: Single-stage adjustable surgery is practical and avoids the risks of regional and general anesthesia. The only disadvantage is the pain that some patients experience. We found that it is feasible to use propofol for this surgery; it provides deep sedation and prevents pain from being felt during the operation, and its short elimination half-life provides rapid awakening for the adjustment phase.     

Associations between apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and atherogenic lipid profile in dialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein-E (ApoE) gene polymorphism has an important role in lipoprotein metabolism and could participate in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is also regarded as a risk factor for CVD. The aim of the present study is to further investigate the possible link(s) between ApoE gene polymorphism and plasma PAI-1 antigen and serum lipid profile in peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 72 PD patients (38 female, mean age 49.9 +/- 16.1 years), 72 HD patients (22 female, mean age 57.4 +/- 14.6 years), and 42 healthy subjects (21 female, mean age 50.1 +/- 18.6 years). Serum lipid parameters, plasma PAI-1 levels, and ApoE genotypes were determined in all subjects. RESULTS: The distribution of ApoE genotypes and alleles frequencies was similar in dialysis patients and healthy controls. In PD patients, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C, and ApoB levels were significantly higher than that of HD patients. HD patients with E3/4 genotype had elevated TC, LDL-C and ApoB levels compared with E3/3 genotype. TC and triglyceride levels were also higher in E3/4 genotype than that of E2/3 genotype. PD and HD patients showed a significantly increased PAI-1 levels compared with controls, whereas PAI-1 levels were highest in HD patients. There was no significant relation between ApoE genotypes and PAI-1 levels. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that ApoE polymorphism significantly affects serum lipid profile in HD patients and epsilon4 allele carriers are more susceptible to have atherogenic lipid profile.     

Life quality and daily life activities of elderly people in rural areas, Eski?ehir (Turkey)

Certain difficulties in daily life activities appear and quality of life (QoL) begins to deteriorate with old age. This study aimed at determining QoL and activities of daily living (ADL) of elderly people in rural areas of Eski?ehir, and at identifying applicable factors in this regard. Cross-sectional study managed to reach 1301 (81.3%) of elderly people. Face-to-face interviews and the WHOQOL-BREF QoL scale and questionnaire were applied to evaluate daily life activities, as well as instrumental activities all of which contained sociodemographic features. WHOQOL-BREF life quality scale comprised of four domains with grades between 0 and 20. Those who received help from others in the execution of these activities were labelled as "dependent", those who received partial aid during the execution of these activities were labelled as "partially dependent", and those who did not receive any help in their daily activities were labelled as "independent" individuals. Average age of 1301 people contacted was 71.52+/-5.18 (ranging 65-91 years); 675 of them were women (51.9%), 626 were men (48.1%). Three hundred and eighty-seven of these elderly people (29.7%) had no medically diagnosed illnesses, whereas 18 of them (1.4%) were bedridden. With older age, with the exception of social and environmental areas, life quality got even worse in women, widows, illiterates, bedridden and those with medically diagnosed diseases. As women were more dependent on issues such as housework, shopping, traveling, transporting and bathing, men were more dependent on areas such as meal preparation. No distinction between men and women were identified in areas such as dressing, toilet use, urine and bowel continence and eating. As a conclusion, in cases where medically diagnosed diseases were present, quality of life in women that were dependent somehow in daily activities was worse. It was concluded that medicosocial services for the elderly would be prioritized and studies on chronic diseases would be re-evaluated.