Relation between bone mineral content and clinical, hormonal and biochemical parameters in postmenopausal women

We studied factors related to bone mass after a natural or surgical menopause in 73 healthy women attending the menopause clinic of a university hospital. In the natural menopause group we found inverse correlations between bone mineral density (BMD) vs. menopausal duration; BMD vs. body mass index (BMI) and BMI vs. inorganic phosphate (Pi), borderline correlations between weight vs. thyroxin (T4) and weight vs. luteinising hormone (LH) and a positive correlation between androstenedione (D4A) vs. urinary calcium (Uca). In the surgical menopause group we found some negative correlations (BMD vs. menopausal duration, BMI vs. Pi; BMI vs. dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DS), weight vs. DS and cortisol vs. Uca) and some positive correlations (BMD vs. free testosterone (fT), BMD vs. calcium (Ca), and BMD vs. Uca). We concluded that the serum hormone levels we measured were not useful markers of current bone mineral status. Received: 3 January 1997 / Accepted: 3 January 1997     

Effects of pesticides on human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro: induction of DNA damage

Because of the widespread use of pesticides for domestic and industrial applications the evaluation of their genotoxic effects is of major concern to public health. Although various experimental data have provided evidence that pesticides can possess genotoxic properties in animals and in in vitro test systems after acute and chronic exposure, the information on the genotoxic effects of some of pesticides is limited and inconsistent. In the present study, the genotoxic potential of commonly used pesticides (i.e., dimethoate and methyl parathion from the organophosphate class, propoxur and pirimicarb from carbamates, and cypermethrin and permethrin from pyrethroids) have been evaluated. The genotoxic effects of these substances were examined using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay in freshly isolated human peripheral lymphocytes. The cells were incubated with 10, 50, 100 and 200 µg/ml concentrations of the test substances for 0.5 h at 37°C and DNA damage was compared with that obtained in lymphocytes from the same donor not treated with substances. Hydrogen peroxide, 100 µM, was used as a positive control. Within the concentration ranges studied, no significant cytotoxic effects were observed. Dimethoate and methyl parathion at 100 and 200 µg/ml; propoxur at 50, 100 and 200 µg/ml, and pirimicarb, cypermethrin and permethrin at 200 µg/ml significantly increased DNA damage in human lymphocytes.     

Does severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome alter retrobulbar blood flow? A color Doppler ultrasound study

Purpose

To evaluate extraocular orbital vessels with color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and investigate the effects of severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on retrobulbar blood flow.

Methods

Between February 2014 and September 2015, 30 patients with severe OSA (apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) > 30) and 28 controls were prospectively included in this study. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with a Goldmann applanation tonometer, and CDU was used to evaluate the retrobulbar vessels.

Results

The mean AHI score for the OSA group was 63.2 ± 21.5 per hour. The IOP values were significantly higher in the severe OSA group (p < 0.05). The central retinal artery peak systolic velocity (PSV) (p < 0.05) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) (p < 0.02), and the ophthalmic artery (OA) PSV and EDV, were found to be significantly lower in the OSA group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Severe OSA causes an increase in IOP and a decrease in flow velocity in the retrobulbar circulation.

     

Preauricular hydatid cyst: an unusual location for echinoccosis

Hydatid disease is an important medical problem in countries of the temperate zones. A 21-year-old female patient was admitted to our outpatient clinics with a complaint of a progressive swelling in the left preauricular region. The case of the patient with hydatid disease that developed in the left preauricular region is presented in detail. Hydatid cyst in this location is rare.     

Giant ethmoid osteoma with orbital extension presenting with epiphora

Paranasal sinus osteoma is a slow-growing, benign, encapsulated bony tumour that may be commonly asymptomatic, being detected incidentally in 1% of plain sinus radiographs or in 3% sinus computerized tomographic scans. In a patient presenting with epiphora and nasal obstruction, computed tomography disclosed a giant osteoma of the ethmoid. In this article, one patient having giant ethmoidal osteoma with orbital extension is described, and epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and pathological findings in paranasal sinus osteoma are reviewed.     

Monitoring of bacteremia in oncological patients

The aim of the present study was analysis of bacteremia occurring among oncological patients treated in 3 departments of Regional Center of Oncology, in period 1997-2000. A total number of 255 blood cultures from 89 patients were tested using the automatic system to early detection of positive blood-cultures Bactec 9050 (Becton Dickinson). The strains were identified in the automatic VITEK system using commercial strips with biochemical tests and in manual system API (bioMerieux). The total number of positive blood cultures was 70 (27.45%). The most frequently isolated causal agents were the Gram-positive microorganisms (65.79%). Among 28 examined patients with positive blood cultures 10 were with lymphoma and 9 with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. 9 patients (32.14%) had sepsis, 4 patients with sepsis died. Constant monitoring of bacteremia in oncological patients should be fundamental element in control of hospital infection program.     

Antibody response to measles vaccination in Turkish children

Summary In recent years, there has been a remarkable increase in measles cases among preschool and secondary school children in Turkey, as in many other countries. The seroconversion and coverage rates of measles vaccine should therefore be evaluated in order to obtain data that could be used to determine the vaccination policy for Turkey. Measles immunity status was studied by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) test determining the anti-measles IgG antibody levels. Measles specific IgG antibodies were found to be positive in 77.88% of the entire study group of 800 children aged 11 months to 12 years, while 21.25% had negative sera. Seven (0.87%) subjects had borderline results. The results of this study indicate the need to administer a second dose of measles vaccine, preferably at 18 months of age concomitant with other vaccines. This vaccination policy, together with an increase in the extent of immunization coverage, may help to achieve the World Health Organization's (WHO) target of the complete eradication of measles.

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Antikörperantwort auf Masernimpfung bei türkischen Kindern

Zusammenfassung Masernfälle haben in den letzten Jahren bei Vorschul- und Schulkindern in der Türkei erheblich zugenommen. Diese Beobachtung wurde auch in anderen Ländern gemacht. Es ist daher nötig, Untersuchungen zur Serokonversion und Durchimpfung mit Masernimpfstoff durchzuführen, um Daten zu haben, die als Grundlage für die Impfstrategien in der Türkei verwendet werden können. Der Masern-Immunstatus wurde mittels enzymgebundenem Immunsorbent-Assay (ELISA) bestimmt. Die Messung der anti-Masern IgG-Antikörperspiegel ergab einen positiven Befund bei 77,88% der gesamten Gruppe von 800 Kindern im Alter von 11 Monaten bis 12 Jahren. 21,25% der Seren wurden als negativ beurteilt. Sieben Kinder (0,87%) hatten grenzwertige Ergebnisse. Die Daten der Studie sprechen dafür, vorzugsweise im Alter von 18 Monaten eine zweite Dosis Masernimpfstoff zu applizieren, wenn auch andere Impfungen erfolgen. Mit dieser Impfstrategie und einer besseren Durchimpfung könnte das Ziel der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO), Masern völlig auszurotten, leichter erreicht werden.

     

Bone-marrow immunophenotypic analysis allows the identification of high risk of progression and immune condition-related monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Background. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) progresses to plasma cell dyscrasia at a rate of 1% per year. A high prevalence of MGUS has been noted in series of patients with immune disorders or chronic infections.

Methods. Retrospective cohort and a cross-sectional study to analyze the prognostic value of aberrant (CD38^{+ +}CD138⁺ CD19^-CD45^weak) to normal phenotype (CD38^{+ +}CD138⁺ CD19⁺CD45⁺) bone-marrow plasma cells ratio (A/N ratio) for the development of a plasma cell dyscrasia and the association with the presence of a chronic immune disorder.

Results. A total of 322 patients were included with a median follow-up of 46 months. Analysis for progression revealed an increased A/N ratio as the main independent prognostic variable. A significant association between a reduced A/N ratio and the diagnosis of a chronic immune condition was found. Using receiver-operating characteristic analysis we created an A/N ratio range from 4 to 0.20. Values of 4 or higher define a group at high risk of progression (OR 10.7). A/N values of 0.20 or lower are associated with immune disorders or chronic infections (OR 20.9).

Conclusions. Extreme values of the A/N ratio seem to be related with two different conditions: high risk of progression, and immune condition-related MGUS.