Evaluation of the Relationship between Acromiohumeral Distance and Supraspinatus Tendon Thickness Measured by Ultrasonography and Rotator Cuff Pathologies, Pain, and Function.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In this study, we aimed to evaluate acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and supraspinatus tendon (ST) thickness measurements and their relationship with pain and function in ST pathologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 111 patients and 25 healthy controls (HC). Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their diagnosis: non-tear tendinopathy (NTT), partial thickness tear (PTT), and full thickness tear (FTT). The AHD and ST thickness of the participants were measured with ultrasound. The pain and functional status of the patients were evaluated with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), The QuickDASH shortened version of the DASH Outcome Measure - Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (QDASH), and Simple Shoulder Test (SST). RESULTS: The AHD value was significantly higher in the NTT group (p=0.000). The AHD value was significantly lower in the FTT group (p=0.000). ST thickness value was significantly lower in the PTT group compared to the NTT group (p=0.000). There was a positive correlation between ST thickness and BMI (r=0.553,p<0.01). There was a negative correlation between ST thickness and SST and a positive correlation between ST thickness (r=-0.223,p<0.05) and QDASH (r=0.276,p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found that AHD and SST thicknesses significantly differed in the NTT, PTT, FTT, and HC groups. This difference may be important for diagnosis. In addition, the effect of obesity on ST thickness and the relationship between ST thickness and functional scores may be considered. Weight control may be effective at this point. KEY WORDS: acromiohumeral distance, supraspinatus tendon thickness, ultrasound.

microRNA profiling for early detection of nonmelanoma skin cancer.

BACKGROUND: microRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, noncoding RNA molecules. Given the vast regulatory potential of miRNAs and their often tissue-specific and disease-specific expression patterns, miRNAs are being assessed as possible biomarkers to aid diagnosis and prediction of different types and stages of cancers, including skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). BCC originates from the basal layer of the epidermis, while SCC arises from epidermal keratinocytes or from the dermal appendages. Although NMSCs are currently the most common types of malignancies, both BCC and SCC have a better than 95% cure rate if detected early. AIM: To identify plasma miRNAs suitable for early detection of NMSC. METHODS: Expression profiles of 741 miRNAs were evaluated using high-throughput real-time quantitative PCR from plasma samples in 42 patients with NMSC and 282 healthy controls (HCs). RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that in patients with NMSC, compared with HCs, expression levels of miR-30e-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-186-5p and miR-875-5p were significantly (P < 0.05) upregulated, while those of miR-19a-3p, miR-25-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-451 and miR-576-3p were significantly downregulated. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the miRNAs with significant changes in expression (miR-19a-3p, miR-25-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-145-5p and miR-186-5p) could serve as novel noninvasive biomarkers for detection of NMSC.

Can M-30, M-65, and IL-6 serum levels be useful markers in the diagnosis of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the maternal and fetal serum M-30, M-65 and IL-6 levels in preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in both maternal and cord blood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with preeclampsia (n=30), GDM (n=30), and uncomplicated pregnancy (n=28) were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. After clamping during delivery, the serum M-30, M-65, and IL-6 levels were measured in both maternal venous blood and cord blood. RESULTS: The serum M-30, M-65, and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in preeclampsia and GDM patients' maternal blood and cord blood samples compared to the control group. In the preeclampsia group, M-65 was significantly higher in cord blood compared with the level in maternal serum, but there was no significant difference between the GDM and control groups. The control group's IL-6 level in cord blood was statistically significantly lower than the other groups. Although the M-30 value in both maternal and cord blood was statistically lower in the control group than in the GDM group, there was no significant difference between the two groups when compared to the preeclampsia group. CONCLUSIONS: M-30 and M-65 molecules appear to have the potential to serve as biochemical markers in placental diseases, particularly preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Due to the insufficient sample sizes, more research is needed.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and pregnancy.

We present a retrospective study of 42 consecutive cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and pregnancy followed and delivered during the period 2002-2007 in our department. The mean patient age was 28.6 years and the nulliparity rate was 45.2%. Disease flare up occurred in 9.5% of patients. Lupus anticoagulants, anticardiolipin IgG and IgM antibodies were positive in 33%, 16.6% and 19% of patients, respectively. Mean gestational age at delivery was 36.9 +/- 4.2 and mean birth weight was 2,750 +/- 844 g. Stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia and pre-term delivery rates were 7.1%, 14.3%, 2.4% and 23.1%, respectively. Cases with uterine artery Doppler abnormalities had significantly poorer obstetric outcomes. Antiphospholipid antibodies, renal involvement and lupus activation did not have any significant influence on poor obstetric outcome. Multidisciplinary approach to the care of pregnant women with SLE is mandatory for good maternal and fetal outcomes. Uterine artery Doppler seems to be a good prognostic factor for adverse obstetric outcomes.

Alternative treatment protocols in giardiasis: a pilot study.

The aim of the study was to test new treatment protocols for giardiasis, which are less toxic, cheaper, and easier to use than the conventional treatment. 48 children who had been diagnosed as having giardiasis in a health-screening program involving 2 schools, were randomized to receive four different treatment protocols. The children were split into 4 treatment groups: I, mebendazole 100 mg t.i.d. for 1 day; II, mebendazole 100 mg t.i.d. for 7 days; III, metronidazole 15 mg/kg as one dose for 7 days; and IV, ornidazole 40 mg/kg as a single dose. The results were evaluated by microscopic examination of stools. The responses to the treatments revealed that the effectiveness of ornidazole was 100%, metronidazole 92.9%, mebendazole for 7 days 58.3%, and mebendazole for 1 day 41.7%. Minor side-effects were seen in only 3 children receiving ornidazole: 1 had urticaria, while the other 2 suffered from vertigo and nausea. The results of this study show that ornidazole as a single dose can be used as an alternative protocol for treating giardiasis. Further studies should be done to determine the safest effective total single dose.