Serum prolidase level in ankylosing spondylitis: low serum levels as a new potential gold standard biomarker for disease activity

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that mainly affects the sacroiliac joints and axial skeleton. The aim of this study was to assess serum prolidase level (SPL) and its association with disease activity in patients with AS. This prospective study included 75 AS patients. Thirty age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. AS patients were considered as active if BASDAI score was ≥4 or inactive if BASDAI score was <4. There were 34 AS patients in the active group and 41 AS patients in the inactive group. Anti-TNF-monoclonal antibody treatment was started in patients in the active group. These active patients were reassessed 6 months later. BASDAI, ASDAS, visual analogue scale, short-form-general health survey questionnaire, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and SPL were measured in all AS patients before and after treatment. The SPL was significantly lower in inactive AS patients than in control group, and also, SPL was significantly lower in active AS patients than in inactive patients. All activity parameters were successful in separating active and inactive AS patients. However, the only parameter that could distinguish active patients from inactive patients was prolidase. The optimum cutoff point of SPL to identify patients with active AS was 23.13 ng/mL with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 100 %. Serum prolidase level was successful in measuring disease activity and had as high sensitivity and specificity as BASDAI and was superior to other activity parameters.     

Tadalafil significantly reduces ischemia reperfusion injury in skin island flaps

Introduction:

Numerous pharmacological agents have been used to enhance the viability of flaps. Ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury is an unwanted, sometimes devastating complication in reconstructive microsurgery. Tadalafil, a specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 is mainly used for erectile dysfunction, and acts on vascular smooth muscles, platelets and leukocytes. Herein, the protective and therapeutical effect of tadalafil in I/R injury in rat skin flap model is evaluated.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty epigastric island flaps were used to create I/R model in 60 Wistar rats (non-ischemic group, ischemic group, medication group). Biochemical markers including total nitrite, malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were analysed. Necrosis rates were calculated and histopathologic evaluation was carried out.

Results:

MDA, MPO and total nitrite values were found elevated in the ischemic group, however there was an evident drop in the medication group. Histological results revealed that early inflammatory findings (oedema, neutrophil infiltration, necrosis rate) were observed lower with tadalafil administration. Moreover, statistical significance (P < 0.05) was recorded.

Conclusions:

We conclude that tadalafil has beneficial effects on epigastric island flaps against I/R injury.KEY WORDS: Free radicals, ischemia, island flap, reperfusion injury, tadalafil     

MRI findings of hypoxic cortical laminar necrosis in a child with hemolytic anemia crisis

European Radiology - We present magnetic resonance imaging findings of a 5-year-old girl who had a rapidly installing hemolytic anemia crisis induced by trimethoprim–sulfomethoxazole,...     

Reconstruction of Heel Defects With a Proximally Based Abductor Hallucis Muscle Flap

The main goals of reconstruction of plantar defects include appropriate soft tissue coverage to facilitate weight bearing, and sufficient blood supply to prevent osteomyelitis. This retrospective study presents the clinical results of 11 patients who received a proximally based abductor hallucis muscle flap for coverage of calcaneal defects. The mean patient age was 43 years (range, 23-69 years). Four patients were women and 7 were men. Seven were non-diabetic patients with neurologic deficits of varying etiology or patients who had pressure ulcers after prolonged hospitalization. Four patients had diabetes with or without neurological deficits, and 6 patients had calcaneal osteomyelitis. In 6 patients, the origin of the muscle was dissected and rotated over the defect. The flap was elevated as an island flap in 5 patients. Postoperatively, partial flap loss was observed in 1 patient, who was then treated successfully with a fasciocutaneous flap. Two patients developed seroma and hematoma at the donor site, which resolved uneventfully after surgical drainage. The 6 patients with calcaneal osteomyelitis showed no recurrence after 1 year of follow-up. The abductor hallucis muscle flap provides enough stability and sufficient blood supply for calcaneal defects up to 3 x 6 cm.     

Intrathecal gadolinium-enhanced MR-cisternography in spontaneous intracranial hypotension associated with Behcet's syndrome

We report a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and Behcet's Syndrome. Suspicion of SIH was based on cervical MRI findings, and magnetic resonance (MR)-cisternography revealed dural leaks bilaterally at lumbar region. MR-cisternography is a recently performed technique and gaining importance in demonstration of CSF fistula.