Expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand on bone marrow plasma cells correlates with osteolytic bone disease in patients with multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: Increased bone resorption is a hallmark of multiple myeloma and is attributable to osteoclast activation. Recent studies showed that the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) is the key mediator of osteoclastogenesis and plays a crucial role in bone destruction in malignant bone disease. We found that human myeloma cells express RANKL and analyzed the association of the RANKL expression with the presence of osteolytic bone disease in patients with multiple myeloma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Flow cytometry was performed on bone marrow samples derived from controls and multiple myeloma patients with or without osteolytic bone lesions on conventional radiography. Plasma cells were identified as CD38++/CD138+ cells. The level of RANKL expression on the surface of bone marrow plasma cells was correlated with the bone status of the patients. RESULTS: The bone marrow plasma cells from controls showed no or only a weak surface expression of RANKL, and the median mean fluorescence index (MFI) was 6. In contrast, expression of RANKL could be detected on bone marrow plasma cells from all of the patients with multiple myeloma, and median MFI was 47. The difference in MFI for RANKL expression of bone marrow plasma cells from controls and myeloma patients was highly significant (P < 0.0005). Myeloma patients with osteolytic bone lesions showed a significantly higher expression of RANKL (median MFI = 60; range, 16-2494) compared with patients without osteolysis (median MFI = 16; range, 6-229; P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: These results show for the first time that the level of RANKL expression by myeloma cells correlates significantly with osteolytic bone disease.     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant properties of Cyclotrichium niveum, Thymus praecox subsp. caucasicus var. caucasicus, Echinacea purpurea and E. pallida

The dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of Cyclotrichium niveum (CN) and Thymus praecox subsp. caucasicus var. caucasicus (TP), Echinacea purpurea (EPU), and E. pallida (EPA) along with the essential oils of CN and TP were assessed for their anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and antioxidant activities. AChE inhibition was estimated using spectrophotometric method of Ellman. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferrous ion-chelating power tests. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of CN and TP were also tested. CN essential oil was found to contain isomenthone (56.21%) and pulegone (19.76%). The ethyl acetate (83.11–87.98%) and dichloromethane (73.45–84.02%) extracts of CN showed the highest AChE inhibition. The ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of TP exerted significant DPPH scavenger effect. The water extracts of CN and TP and the chloroform extract of the aerial parts of EPU displayed the highest ferrous ion-chelating effect. The leaf and flower essential oils of TP had the best FRAP.     

One-stage vs. two-stage adjustable sutures for the correction of esotropia

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability and the level of postoperative consciousness, nausea and vomiting, ocular pain, starting oral intake and activity, and cost-effectiveness in patients undergoing medial rectus recession surgery using an adjustable suture technique that was performed by two different methods. METHOD In this prospective study, we evaluated 78 patients undergoing medial rectus recession surgery. Thirty-eight patients were operated by a one-stage technique in which the whole operation was done under topical anesthesia and adjustment was done on the operating table, while 40 patients were operated by a two-stage technique in which the operation was done under general anesthesia and adjustment was done the following day at the patient’s bedside. The results were recorded and compared according to the parameters given above. A scoring system was used to assess all these parameters except for stability. The stability of the procedures was evaluated according to the degrees of squint immediately after the adjustment and at least three months thereafter. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the procedures with regard to stability and ocular pain. During the early postoperative period, the level of consciousness was better and nausea and vomiting occurred less frequently in the patients operated by the one-stage procedure. Postoperative activity and oral intake returned to normal status more quickly in the one-stage group and the one-stage procedure was cost-effective. CONCLUSION We conclude that although both procedures provide satisfactory and stable results, the one-stage procedure has significant advantages over the two-stage procedure for medial rectus recession surgery in suitable cases.     

Immune Dysregulation,Polyendocrinopathy, Enteropathy,X-linked Syndrome in Two Siblings: Same Mutation But Different Clinical Manifestations at Onset

Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is an early onset systemic autoimmune genetic disorder caused by mutation of the forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) gene. Enteropathy, endocrinopathy and skin manifestations are considered the classic triad of IPEX syndrome. However, patients with IPEX syndrome display a variety of phenotypes including life threatening multi-organ autoimmunity. Here, we present the case of two siblings with IPEX syndrome with the same hemizygous mutation, but with different types of symptomology at onset of the disease.     

The Role of Serum Resolvin D1 Levels in Determining the Presence and Prognosis of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BackgroundResolvin D1 (RvD1) can play a determining role in inflammatory cell migration and reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines to enhance cardioprotection. The aim of this study was to compare serum RvD1 levels in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and individuals with normal coronary arteries (NCAs) and to evaluate the association between serum RvD1 levels and prognostic markers of STEMI.Methods140 subjects (88 patients diagnosed with the indication of STEMI and 52 healthy individuals with NCA) were studied.ResultsRegression analysis revealed that RvD1 levels were independently associated with STEMI. While RvD1 levels were negatively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, pro-brain natriuretic peptide, peak troponin, and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction thrombus grade, they were positively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction. An RvD1 cut-off value of 5.07 (ng/mL) was effective in predicting STEMI with a sensitivity of 79.5% and specificity of 96.2%.ConclusionSerum RvD1 levels were found to be lower in the group with STEMI compared to the control group. Levels of RvD1 at admission were associated with poor prognostic markers of STEMI.     

Does corticosteroid usage in rhinoplasty cause mood changes?

In this study, the psychological effects of single-dose corticosteroids administered to patients who had undergone rhinoplasty were assessed. A total of 30 rhinoplasty patients were included in the study and were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Preoperatively, patients completed the Bech Rafaelsen Mania Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. Dexamethasone 10 mg was given intravenously just before surgery to the first group, but no medication was administered to the second group. On the first postoperative day, patients were seen again, and the Bech Rafaelsen Mania Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory were again completed. Periorbital edema and ecchymosis were graded, and psychological well-being was measured on a standard visual analog scale. All patients and physicians were blinded to treatment until the end of the study. Results show that administration of a single-dose of dexamethasone 10 mg caused neither euphoria nor depression. No significant differences were observed between steroid and control groups in terms of patients’ psychological well-being. With single-dose dexamethasone, periorbital edema was significantly reduced on the first 2 postoperative days, and upper eyelid ecchymosis was significantly decreased only on the first postoperative day. However, preoperative steroid administration had no influence on ecchymosis of the lower eyelid. The authors conclude that single-dose dexamethasone 10 mg can be used safely to reduce periorbital edema and ecchymosis in rhinoplasty patients.     

Can the unnecessary operations for suspected thyroid nodules be avoided by the combined use of the strain ratio and elastography score?

IntroductionOnly 5%–15% of thyroid surgical specimens are reported as malignant. Most of the operations are performed due to suspicion of malignancy as a result of fine needle aspiration biopsy but invasiveness, non-diagnostic results and potential repeat biopsies are disadvantages of fine needle aspiration biopsy.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of simultaneously using both the strain ratio and elasticity score in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, as well as to assess the compatibility of these two methods.MethodsA total of 144 nodules were included in the study. The final histopathologic diagnosis was used as the reference standard. The area under the curve sensitivity, specificity, and cut-off values of the strain ratio and elasticity score were determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The compatibility and comparison of strain ratio and elasticity score were also performed.ResultsTwenty eight nodules (19.4%) were malignant. The strain ratio and elasticity score results were found to be significantly successful in predicting thyroid malignancy (p < 0.001 for both). Moreover, the area under the curve for the strain ratio and elasticity score were found to be 0.944 and 0.960, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the elasticity score was found to be superior to that of the strain ratio, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.456). When the compatibility of the strain ratio and elasticity score was examined, the two evaluations were revealed to be statistically consistent with each other (Kappa = 0.767; p < 0.001). When the strain ratio and the elasticity score were used together, the specificity of capturing the correct diagnosis increased from 84.5% to 93.1%.ConclusionWhen the strain ratio an elasticity score were used together for the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, more accurate results were obtained. Thus, combining both methods may be a promising alternative to fine needle aspiration biopsy in order to prevent unnecessary surgical interventions for suspected thyroid nodules.