Uric Acid is an Important Predictor for Hypertensive Early Atherosclerosis

Introduction  

The association between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular disease in hypertensive subjects is controversial. Attempts to elucidate the possible association between hyperuricemia and early atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients may provide alternative prevention or therapy targets for future cardiovascular events.     

Effects of hearing aids on cognitive functions and depressive signs in elderly people

With the physical, emotional and cognitive effects of senility, elderly people, especially those with impaired hearing, need rehabilitation for improving their life conditions. Hearing aids are frequently used to improve their daily life communications and activities. The aim of this study was to report the cognitive and psychological benefits of using hearing aids by the elderly people, over the age of 65. This was a prospective, single-arm interventional study in 34 elderly subjects with hearing impairment who answered the geriatric depression scale-short form (GDS) questionnaire and the mini mental state examination (MMSE) test, prior to, and 3 months following the use of hearing aid, after obtaining the patients’ consent to participate in study. Patients with evidence of focal neurological loss with clinical examination, a confusional state, sudden hear loss and severe tinnitus were not included in the study. Scores of the effects of hearing aids on mood and cognitive functions were compared for each subject, before and after, and between males and females. After 3 months of using a hearing aid, all patients showed a significant improvement of the psychosocial and cognitive conditions, and all of them showed betterment of their problems, i.e., the social communication and exchanging information. In conclusion, for the elderly people with the effects of hearing aids in presbycusis and due to the significant improvement in psychological state and mental functions, using and being adaptable to hearing aids is a good solution.     

Comparison of the effects of different electrocautery applications to peripheral nerves: an experimental study

Background

This study was designed to investigate the effects of bipolar and mononopolar electrocauterization on peripheral nerve tissue. The comparison on the deleterious effects of the different cautery modalities and the importance of probe tip placement are evaluated using electrophysiological, electron microscopic and biochemical assessment parameters.

Methods

Ninety-eight male Wistar albino rats, each weighing 250?C275?g, were randomly divided into 14 groups. Each group consisted of seven animals. Monopolar and bipolar electrocautery were performed at 15 watts. The application was performed either directly on the nerve or 1?mm lateral to the longitudinal axis of the nerve for ??near the nerve groups??, respectively.

Results

The electrophysiological findings showed that the mean amplitudes were at the lowest value in the first day for all the groups. At the end of the 3rd week, we recognised that the electrophysiological recovery continued. Electron microscopic evaluation showed myelin disruption in all groups. Myelin disruption of healthy neurons was at the highest level in the 1st day of application in accordance with the electrophysiological findings. Biochemical evaluation revealed statistical significance between the control and the two of the ??near the nerve groups?? (GIII and GV) for NO (nitrite and nitrate) serum level.

Conclusion

The data of the present study might suggest that electrocautery, independent of the type and form of application, may result in significant damage in histological and electrophysological basis. Although the relative proportions cannot be ascertained, the time course of recovery suggests that both axon and myelin damage have occurred. The probable electrocautery damage may be of substantial importance for the situation that the nerves are displaced by tumor masses or atypical neural traces.     

Evaluation of inhaler technique,adherence to therapy and their effect on disease control among children with asthma using metered dose or dry powder inhalers

Objective: To address the problems about correct use of inhaler devices, adherence to inhaler corticosteroid treatment and the effects of these problems on the control of asthma. Methods: Children with asthma were evaluated for the correct use of inhaler devices and adherence to therapy using a questionnaire. Effect of these on control of asthma was defined. Results: A hundred and seventy-one patients and/or their families were interviewed. The mean age was 8.29?±?4.65 years (1–19) and 62.6% were male. Metered dose inhaler (MDI) with spacer was used by 119 (69.5%) patients and 52 (30.5%) used dry powder inhalers (DPIs). The devices were used correctly by 68.1% of patients using MDI and 34.6% of patients using DPI (p?<?0.001). The most common improper step was “breathe in from the spacer 5–6 times or 10?s” for MDI (24.4%) and “exhale to residual volume” for DPI (51.9%). Frequency of correct use was higher in patients trained 3 times (p?<?0.001). Asthma was controlled more frequently among correct users (p?<?0.001). Partial or poor adherence was showed 22.8% of patients. Patients with mothers who had lower educational status had higher frequency of incorrect use of inhaler device (p?=?0.007). Conclusion: It was found that asthma control was better among correct users. Repetitive training about using devices may contribute improving inhaler technique. Especially children whose mothers had low education level and patients using DPI should be evaluated more carefully.     

Germline mutations of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (<Emphasis Type="Italic">AIP</Emphasis>) gene and somatostatin receptor 1–5 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">AIP</Emphasis> immunostaining in patients with sporadic acromegaly with poor versus good response to somatostatin analogues

Objective

To determine aryl hydrocarbon interacting protein (AIP) gene variations and AIP and somatostatin receptor (SSTR) 1–5 immunostaining in patients with apparently sporadic acromegaly with poor versus good response to somatostatin analogues (SRLs).

Methods

A total of 94 patients (66 with poor and 28 with good response to SRLs) were screened for the AIP gene variations using Sanger sequencing. Immunostaining was performed in 60 tumors.

Results

Several variations, albeit some with undetermined significance, were detected, especially in poor responder patients. The prevalence of AIP mutation was 2.1% in the whole group and 1.5% in patients with poor response to SRLs. AIP, SSTR2A, and SSTR2B immunostainings were decreased in patients with poor response (p?<?0.05 for all), and other SSTRs did not differ between the groups (p?>?0.05 for all). Patients with low AIP had decreased levels of SSTR2A and SSTR3 (p?<?0.05 for all). AIP and SSTR2A immunostainings were positively correlated to the treatment response and age at diagnosis was negatively correlated (p?<?0.05 for all). In poor responder patients with high SSTR2A immunostaining, SSTR2B immunostaining and preoperative tumor size were positively and negatively correlated, respectively, to SRL response (p?<?0.05 for all).

Conclusions

Lack of response to SRLs does not necessarily increase the risk of harboring AIP mutations. The finding of decreased AIP, SSTR2A, and SSTR2B immunostaining in patients with poor response to SRLs and decreased SSTR2A and SSTR3 level in those with low AIP immunostaining suggests a possible interaction between AIP and some SSTR subtypes that might alter SRL sensitivity.

     

Decreased bone mineral density in adult familial Mediterranean fever patients: a pilot study

We investigated the association between familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and osteoporosis (OP) in adult patients. Thirty-five attack-free FMF patients (28 females, 7 males; mean age 36.9 +/- 5.7 years) were individually matched to control subjects on the basis of age (within 2 years) and sex. All patients were taking regular colchicine. Subjects having any condition that can cause decreased bone mineral density (BMD) were excluded from the study. BMD was measured at the spine and femur by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Data was given as the median (IQR). T scores of the spine were -0.700 (-1.097 to -0.262) and -0.450 (-0.830 to 0.112) in FMF patients and healthy controls, respectively (p > 0.05). T scores of the femur neck were -0.900 (-1.480 to -0.570) and -0.430 (-1.472 to 0.247) in FMF patients and healthy controls, respectively (p > 0.05). Total femur T scores were significantly lower in FMF patients than healthy controls (-0.780 [-1.222 to -0.085] vs. -0.100 [-0.765 to 0.537], respectively, p = 0.021). Total femur T scores were significantly decreased in adult patients with FMF. Ongoing subclinical inflammation may be associated with decreased bone mineral content in those patients.