WISP1 is a novel adipokine linked to metabolic parameters in gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: To investigate Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP1) levels and their correlation with metabolic parameters in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and non-GDM healthy pregnant women.

Materials and Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, the study group was composed of 62 women with GDM and 73 healthy pregnant women matched for age, body mass index (BMI) and gestational age. Blood samples were collected at 25–29th gestational week. Serum WISP1, betatrophin, glucose, fasting insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, C reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase and creatinine levels were measured. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values was calculated. The level of significance was accepted as p?Results: Circulating WISP1 in the GDM group was significantly higher than the control group (p?<0.001). Further, WISP1 was positively correlated with BMI, HOMA-IR values and fasting glucose, fasting insulin, triglyceride, betatrophin levels. BMI, HOMA-IR and betatrophin independently and positively predicted WISP1 levels.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate a relationship between WISP1 and the metabolic parameters of GDM. And, WISP1 might be involved in the pathophysiology of GDM. As a part of this pathophysiological mechanism, the activation of WISP1 and betatrophin might take place through several ways; WISP1 and betatrophin might either use same signaling pathways and potentiate each other or they might also constitute the sequential steps of a common pathway.     

The effects of exogenous amino acids on the relaxant responses of pig urethral smooth muscle evoked by stimulation of the inhibitory nitrergic nerves

Inhibitory innervation of urethral smooth muscle is mediated partly through release of NO. We investigated the mechanisms involved in the supply of the substrate l-arginine to NO synthase by examining the relaxant response of the muscle to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and the effects of addition of amino acids to the bathing medium. Relaxant responses persisted during hours of repetitive stimulation but were enhanced rapidly by addition of l-arginine (the arginine paradox). Addition of l-lysine (competes with l-arginine for transport on the y⁺ carrier) and l-glutamine (competing on the y⁺L carrier) attenuated the enhancement. Enhancement persisted after washing but was reversed by application of l-lysine, suggesting that exogenous l-arginine fills an intracellular pool and that l-lysine can trans-stimulate its efflux from the pool. After prolonged depolarization in high-K⁺, Na⁺-free solution the relaxant response became purely nitrergic. Addition of l-arginine during the exposure continued to enhance the subsequent responses but l-glutamine added with l-arginine, could no longer reduce this enhancement. The results show the arginine paradox in inhibitory nerves and suggest the involvement of y⁺ and y⁺L carriers in the transport of l-arginine.     

Role of presepsin in the diagnosis of late-onset neonatal sepsis in preterm infants

Objective: One of the most challenging aspects in the management of neonates with late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) is to make the diagnosis. Presepsin is a novel and promising marker of sepsis. The aim of this study was to assess the role of presepsin in the diagnosis of LOS in preterm infants.

Methods: Forty-two premature newborns ≤32 weeks gestational age with a diagnosis of LOS were prospectively involved in the study. Forty gestational and postnatal age-matched infants without sepsis served as controls. Levels of presepsin, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin were measured at enrollment and on the third and seventh days of sepsis.

Results: Initial presepsin levels in the LOS group were significantly higher than in the control group (1024?pg/mL, min–max: 295–8202; versus 530?pg/mL, min–max: 190–782; p?<?0.0001). The area under the receiver-operating curve for presepsin was 0.864. A presepsin value of 800.5?pg/mL was established as a cut-off value, with 67% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Presepsin levels gradually decreased during treatment.

Conclusion: Presepsin can be used as a reliable biomarker for LOS and treatment response in preterm infants. However, we could not demonstrate the efficacy of presepsin for the detection of disease severity or prognosis.     

Lacidipine, thiamine pyrophosphate and their combination on the ocular ischemic syndrome induced by bilateral common carotid artery ligation

AIM: To investigate the effect of lacidipine, thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) and the combination of lacidipine and TPP against oxidative and inflammatory eye damage induced by bilateral common carotid artery ligation in rats. METHODS: Male albino Wistar rats were categorized as those who underwent sham surgery (SG), right and left common carotid cross-clamping and unclamping procedure (CCU), lacidipine+CCU (LCCU), TPP+CCU (TCCU), and combination of lacidipine and TPP (LTC)+CCU (LTCCU). One hour before anesthesia, the LCCU (n=6) received lacidipine (4 mg/kg, orally) and the TCCU (n=6) received TPP (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The SG (n=6) and CCU (n=6) received the same volume of distilled water from the same route. After anesthesia (60 mg/kg ketamine, intraperitoneally), the necks of the rats were opened in the midline. Ischemia was created for 10min by placing clips on the right and left common carotid arteries. Rats in the SG only underwent subcutaneous incision. After 10min, the clips were removed and reperfusion was achieved for six days. Then, the animals were euthanized (120 mg/kg ketamine, intraperitoneally) and the levels of oxidant, antioxidant and proinflammatory cytokines in the eye tissues were determined. The retinal tissue of the eye was also examined histopathologically. RESULTS: Lacidipine, TPP, and LTC significantly prevent the increase in malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 levels, decrease in total glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and histopathological retinal damage in eye tissue induced by bilateral common carotid artery ligation in rats. The impact of these drugs on protection is determined to be LTC>lacidipine>TPP. CONCLUSION: As a result of the study, it is concluded that LTC may be more effective than lacidipine and TPP alone in treating ocular ischemic syndrome.     

Clitoris metastasis from a retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma: A case report

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare form of cancer commonly found in the retroperitoneum, uterus, stomach, small intestine and vascular tissue. Surgery with a wide margin of resection is the most effective treatment. Nevertheless, metastasis is common and generally occurs within the first 3 years. The liver and lungs are the most common sites of metastasis in leiomyosarcoma. Other sites of metastasis include bone, spleen, soft tissues and brain. Metastatic tumours of the clitoris are extremely rare. As cited in the literature, the most common cancers that metastasize to the clitoris are breast, bladder, renal and gastric. Here, we report a case of a clitoral mass in a 64-year-old woman who received an operation for retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma 4 years prior. Mass resection was performed. The pathological diagnosis was a leiomyosarcoma metastasis. The patient also presented with brain and lung metastases at the time of the clitoral metastasis. This is the first case of clitoral and brain metastases originating from a retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma.     

The role of gel application in decreasing pain during speculum examination and its effects on papanicolaou smear results

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effects of water-based gel application in reducing pain or discomfort associated with speculum examination, and compared the presence of unsatisfactory Papanicolaou smear results between gel-applied and control groups.

Methods

In this prospective randomized controlled study, a total of 1,580 patients were analyzed. The subjects were randomized to a gel group and a control group. For the collection of the smear sample, water-based gel was used in the gel group and dry speculum was used in the control group. All patients were asked to score their pain on a numeric pain scale at two time points during the procedure (insertion and opening phase of speculum). Cytopathologists who analyzed the smear cytology were blinded to the study. Pain intensity during speculum examination, as well as unsatisfactory smear results, were analyzed between the groups.

Results

The pain scores obtained at two different time points of speculum application were significantly lower in the gel group compared to the control group both in premenopausal and postmenopausal women (p < 0.001). The ratios of unsatisfactory cytopathologic examination results were 1.13 and 1.39 % for the gel-applied and control groups, which were not significantly different.

Conclusion

Lubrication of the outer superior and inferior blade of the plastic vaginal speculum with a small amount of a water-soluble lubricant gel decreases the pain associated with insertion and opening of the vaginal speculum in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women without affecting the quality of the cytology results during the collection of Papanicolaou test specimens.     

Template-free preparation of iron oxide loaded hollow silica spheres and their anticancer proliferation capabilities

Hollow silica spheres (HSS) exhibited high-specific surface area, low toxicity, low density, and good biocompatibility. The effectivity of HSS material can be improved further by loading nanoparticles for smart biological applications. In this work, magnetic nanoparticle (iron oxide; Fe₃O₄)-loaded pure HSS (c-HSS-Fe) were synthesized successfully using a template-free chemical route and investigated for their anticancer cell proliferation capabilities against cancerous cell lines: human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT-116). The structure, morphology, chemical bonding, and thermal stability of the prepared HSS derivatives were studied using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Our analyses confirmed the successful preparation of Fe₃O₄ loaded HSS material (sphere diameter ∼515 nm). The elemental analysis revealed the existence of Fe along with Si and O in the Fe₃O₄ loaded HSS material, thus reaffirming the production of the c-HSS-Fe product. The effects of silica spheres on HCT-116 cells were examined microscopically and by MTT assays. It was observed that the c-HSS-Fe demonstrated dose-dependent behavior and significantly reduced the cancer cell proliferation at higher doses. Our results showed that c-HSS-Fe was more effective and profound in reducing the cancer cells'' activities as compared to unloaded HSS material where the cancer cells have undergone nuclear disintegration and fragmentation. It is concluded that c-HSS-Fe is a powerful bio-active material against cancerous cells.

Hollow silica spheres were loaded with Fe₃O₄ NPs (u-HSS-Fe) and calcined further to remove the non-degradable phenyl groups (c-HSS-Fe) for anticancer applications.     

Raman spectroscopy coupled with chemometric methods for the discrimination of foreign fats and oils in cream and yogurt

The adulteration of milk fat in dairy products with cheaper non-milk based fats or oils is frequently encountered in the dairy industry. In this study, Raman spectroscopy with chemometric was used for the discrimination of foreign fats and oils in milk cream and yogurt. Firstly, binary mixtures of cream and oils (corn and sunflower oil), and vegetable fat blends which are potentially or currently used by the dairy industry were prepared. All fat or oil samples and their binary mixtures were examined by using Raman spectroscopy. Then, fat content of skim milk was adjusted to 3% (w/w) by the milk fat, external oils or fats, and binary mixtures, and was used in yogurt production. The lipid fraction of yogurt was extracted and characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The spectral data were then pre-processed and principal component analysis (PCA) was performed. Raman spectral data showed successful discrimination for about the source of the fats or oils. Temperature effect was also studied at six different temperatures (25, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C) in order to obtain the best spectral information. Raman spectra collected at higher temperatures were more intense. Obtained results showed that the performance of Raman spectroscopy with PCA was very promising and can be expected to provide a simple and quick way for the discrimination of foreign fats and oils in both milk cream and yogurt. Fermentation and yogurt processing affected clustering of fat samples by PCA, probably depending on some lipolysis or production of new products that can affect the Raman scattering. However, those changes did not affect differentiation of samples by Raman spectroscopy.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of modified De Gramont and modified FOLFOX4 regimens for adjuvant therapy of locally advanced rectal cancer

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of modified De Gramont (mDG) and FOLFOX4 (mFOLFOX4) regimens in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: Patients that received adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) for the treatment of LARC (stage II and III) were retrospectively evaluated. Results: A total of 231 patients were examined. Median age was 58 (range, 18-83) and, of these patients, 36 (15.6%) had stage II and 195 (84.4%) had stage III disease. While the patients with stage II disease received only mDG regimen (36, 100.0%), of the patients with stage III disease, 71 (36.5%) received mDG and 124 (63.5%) received mFOLFOX4 regimen. Patients with stage III disease showed recurrences more often, but this difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, for the patients with stage III disease, there was no statistically significant relation between the adjuvant CT regimen received and the rate of recurrence. In patients with stage II disease, who received mDG, median DFS was 101 months and median OS was 106 months. For the patients with stage III disease, the patients that received mDG showed a median DFS of 78 months and a median OS of 96 months, while the patients that received mFOLFOX4 had a median DFS of 51 months and a median OS of 78 months. Although, for the patients with stage III disease, there are major differences between the two different regimens of CT in terms of DFS and OS, this difference was not statistically significant.When the results were evaluated from the perspective of toxicity, the patients that received mFOLFOX4 showed more toxicity. Neurotoxicity, which was seen in the patients that were given mFOLFOX4, was the most prominent toxicity. Conclusions: mDG and mFOLFOX4 regimens are applicable regimens as adjuvant CT for the treatment of LARC.