Serum Lipoprotein‐Associated Phospholipase A2 and C‐Reactive Protein Levels in Association With Periodontal Disease and Hyperlipidemia

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of serum lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp‐PLA₂) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) in association with periodontal disease and hyperlipidemia. Methods: A total of 123 subjects with hyperlipidemia and 68 systemically healthy controls were included in the study. Subjects with hyperlipidemia were divided into two groups: the suggested‐diet (HD) and prescribed‐statin (HS) groups and then into three subgroups: the healthy (HDh and HSh), gingivitis (HDg and HSg), and periodontitis (HDp and HSp) groups. Periodontal parameters were recorded and included the plaque index, gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and percentage of sites with bleeding on probing (BOP). Fasting venous blood samples were obtained, and serum lipid, Lp‐PLA₂, and hsCRP levels were evaluated. Results: Median values for the GI, PD, BOP(%), and CAL in the HSg group were statistically significantly higher than those in the HDg and systemically healthy with gingivitis (Cg) groups. The HSp group had higher percentages of BOP compared to those of the chronic periodontitis and HDp groups. The HDg group had higher serum Lp‐PLA₂ and hsCRP levels compared to those of the Cg and HSg groups. The ratio of total cholesterol to high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL) was significantly associated with the GI, PD, and BOP(%) in both groups with hyperlipidemia. Serum Lp‐PLA₂ and hsCRP levels were significantly correlated with TC/HDL, the GI, PD, and BOP(%) in the HD group. Conclusions: Serum Lp‐PLA₂ and hsCRP levels may play an important role in the association between periodontal disease and hyperlipidemia, and the control of these mediators may affect the inflammatory control of patients with hyperlipidemia and periodontal disease.     

Hemodynamic changes after strabismus surgery

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic changes that may occur in the retrobulbar circulation after strabismus surgery, using color Doppler ultrasonography (CDI). METHODS. Fifteen healthy volunteers (control group, n=15) and sixteen patients diagnosed with strabismus were enrolled in the study. Either recession or resection was planned on one horizontal rectus muscle in the eyes of Group 1 (n=11) and on two horizontal rectus muscles in the eyes of Group 2 (n=10). CDI was performed to measure peak systolic velocity (V max ), end-diastolic velocity (V min ) and mean blood flow velocity (V mean ) in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA) and posterior ciliary artery (PCA) in the control group and in Groups 1 and 2, both preoperatively and 2-7 days postoperatively. RESULTS. The postoperative resistivity indexes in Groups 1 and 2 were found to be different from those in the control group. Preoperative V max and postoperative V min and V mean values of the vessels in Group 2 were different from those in both Group 1 and the control group (p<0.001). In both treatment groups, the differences between postoperative and preoperative measurements of the parameters in the OA, CRA and PCA demonstrated statistical significance (p<0.001). CONCLUSION. After strabismus surgery on the horizontal recti, there are some alterations in the retrobulbar blood flow with a significant difference between pre- and postoperative blood flow velocities after single and double rectus surgery. The clinical significance of these results needs to be determined because CDI may be a useful tool in the investigation of hemodynamic alterations after anterior segment interventions that may cause anterior segment ischemia.     

Sodium selenite protects against diabetes-induced alterations in the antioxidant defense system of the liver

BACKGROUND: Free radical genesis of disorder is one of the major subjects of discussion in the explanation of pathological conditions. In this study, the effects of micro molar quantities of sodium selenite treatment on diabetes-induced alterations in the antioxidant defense system were investigated. METHODS: Diabetes was induced by administration of streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg body weight) and both diabetic and control animals were treated with sodium selenite (5 micromol/kg/day) for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Our results have shown that induction of diabetes in the liver tissue of animals for 5 weeks resulted in decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities and concomitantly increased lipid peroxidation (LPO). CONCLUSION: Sodium selenite treatment of the diabetic rats resulted in almost full restoration of all the parameters mentioned above. Metallothionein, which is known to be one of the major antioxidants and a central protein in heavy metal regulation, is altered by diabetes, and sodium selenite treatment restored this alteration as well.     

Primary cardiac osteosarcoma in a pregnant woman

Primary cardiac osteosarcomas are uncommon tumors. Their growth pattern is aggressive and the prognosis is poor. A 34-year-old, 7-month pregnant woman with a primary cardiac osteosarcoma associated with the anterior mitral leaflet and connected to the interatrial septum, causing nearly subtotal obstruction of the mitral valve, presented with a clinical picture of heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated an abnormal mass located in the mitral anterior leaflet, prolapsing into the left ventricle. Radical resection of the mass and replacement of the mitral valve were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Histopathology showed a low-grade osteosarcoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 16th day after surgery. She gave birth after 2 months to a healthy baby after the successful operation. She and her baby did not have any problem during 3 months of follow-up.     

Microbiological results of bronchoalveolar lavage that was performed for opportunistic pulmonary infections

Between 2001-2002; in 62 cases, 33 (53%) male, 29 (47%) female, mean age 51.4 +/- 18.1 years) bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed for diagnosis of opportunistic pulmonary infection and specimens were evaluated for results of microbiological examinations. There was hematological malignancy in 18 (29%) and solid organ malignancy in 13 (21%) cases. Thirty-one (50%) cases were immunocompromised for reasons other than malignancy. By endoscopic evaluation endobronchial lesion was seen in 2 (3%) cases, indirect tumor signs were seen in 2 (3%) cases and signs of infection were seen in 11 (18%) cases. Forty-even (76%) cases were endoscopically normal. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) direct examination was positive in 3 (5%) cases. In 4 (6%) cases mycobacterial culture was positive, Mycobacterium tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also positive in these four cases. Examination of gram-stained smears for bacteria was associated with infection in 14 (23%) cases. Bacteriologic cultures were positive for single potential pathogen in 10 (16%) cases, and for mixed pathogens in 7 (11%) cases for a total number of 17 (27%). Fungal cultures were positive in 3 (5%) cases all of which had hematological malignancy. As a result in 24 (39%) cases microbiological agent of infection is determined: in four mycobacteria, in 17 bacteria other than mycobacteria and in three fungi.     

Multiple coronary artery aneurysm formation one year and four years after sirolimus-eluting coronary stent implantation

A 61 years old male patient having the complaint of angina pectoris underwent coronary angiography that revealed critical luminal stenosis at left anterior descending artery (LAD) and diagonal branch. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed and sirolimus eluting stents (CYPHER; Johnson & Johnson – Cordis) 2.75 ×10 mm and 2.75×10 mm were deployed respectively. One year after the procedure coronary angiography revealed coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) formation in diagonal branch and mild ectasia in LAD stent area. Last coronary angiography four years and three months after initial intervention showed multiple CAA at diagonal branch and LAD. This case report is an example of late formation of CAA by sirolimus-coated coronary stent.     

Particle enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay for the determination of urine cystatin C on Cobas c501

ObjectiveUrinary cystatin C has been reported to be a good marker for tubular damage and acute kidney injury. The aim of this study was to develop a high throughput assay for the quantification of urine cystatin C.MethodsAntigen-excess, imprecision, interference, linearity, recovery, sample stability and reference values were evaluated on Cobas c501.ResultsThe assay was linear over the dynamic range of the study (R² = 0.9994). The total assay imprecision was below 5%. The assay recovery was estimated at 87–100%. No tendency to antigen-excess (up to 35 mg/L), nor interference with haemoglobin (1.25–10 g/L) was observed. Cystatin C was stable for 1 day at ambient temperature (19–23 °C) but for 2 days at + 4 °C. The reference interval for cystatin C in urine was < 0.414 mg/L.ConclusionsThe urinary cystatin C assay verified to be a reliable assay with convenient performance characteristics, enabling routine testing on clinical chemistry platforms.