An Examination of the Effects of Propolis and Quercetin in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

The purpose of this study was to reveal the combined effects of propolis (P) and quercetin (Q) against diabetic peripheral neuropathy developing with streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Sixty-four adult male rats were divided into eight equal groups: control, P (100 mg/kg/day), Q (100 mg/kg/day), P + Q (100 mg/day for both), diabetes mellitus (DM) (single-dose 60 mg/kg streptozotocin), DM + P, DM + Q, and DM + P + Q. The rats were sacrificed, and blood and sciatic nerve tissues were collected. Blood glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased, while IL-6 and total antioxidant status decreased in the DM group (p = 0.016 and p = 0.047, respectively). Ultrastructural findings showed degeneration of the axon and myelin sheath. The apoptotic index (AI %), TNF-α, and IL-1ß immunopositivity increased significantly in the DM group (p < 0.001). Morphological structures approaching those of the controls were observed in the DM + P, DM + Q, and DM + P + Q groups. Morphometric measurements increased markedly in all treatment groups (p < 0.001), while blood glucose and MDA levels, AI (%), TNF-α, and IL-1ß immunopositivity decreased. In conclusion, the combined effects of propolis and quercetin in diabetic neuropathy may provide optimal morphological protection with neuroprotective effects by reducing hyperglycemia, and these may represent a key alternative supplement in regenerative medicine.

Relationship between systemic immune inflammation index and amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

AIM: The systemic immune inflammation index (SII) is a cost-effective biomarker calculated by lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts and is currently being studied in various diseases. Since there is no study examining the relationship between SII and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in the literature, our aim was to investigate the relationship between SII and amputation rate in DFU. METHODS: Type 2 DM 511 patients with DFU were screened from 2017 to 2021. Laboratory data obtained on the first day of hospitalization were considered. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and SII were calculated from routine blood count. Participants were divided into two groups as amputation (Group 1) and non-amputation (Group 2). RESULTS: Amputation rate was 18.8%. The A1c (8.80 (3.26) % vs. 9.52 (3.10) %, p = 0.007) and HGB (10.17 ± 2.16 g/dL vs. 12.05 ± 2.20 g/dL, p < 0.001) levels, and lymphocyte count (1.81 (1.16) vs. 2.05 (1.11), p = 0.015) were significantly lower in Group 1 than Group 2. The counts of WBC (14.01 (9.16) × 109/L vs. 10.41 (5.82) × 109/L), PLT (393.35 (196.98) × 109/L vs. 312.05 (141.33) × 109/L), neutrophil (11.52 (8.75) × 109/L vs. 6.93 (5.96) × 109/L), PLR (226.04 (159.24) × 109/L vs. 153.12 (101.91) × 109/L), NLR (6.64 (6.93) vs. 3.34 (3.99)) and SII (2505.86 (3957.47) × 109/L vs. 1092.50 (1476.08) × 109/L), and the levels of CRP (14.12 (12.66) mg/dL vs. 3.86 (12.63) mg/dL) and ESR (87.50 (50.50) mm/h vs. 63.00 (57.25) mm/h) were significantly higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (all p < 0.001). AUC of ROC analysis of PLR was 0.666 (95% CI, 0.604-0.728), NLR was 0.695 (95% CI, 0.638-0.752) and SII was 0.716 (95% CI, 0.661-0.772) for the predicting of amputation and the SII had the best AUC with 67.4% sensitivity and 63.3%specificty. CONCLUSION: SII is a cost-effective and readily available marker, but alone may not be sufficient to predict the risk of amputation in DFU. In our results, the predictive role of SII alone or with other markers for future DFU and its role in predicting other chronic diabetic complications will be evaluated in extensive studies.

Evaluation of antineuronal antibodies and 8-OHdG in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to investigated the anti-Yo, anti-Hu, anti-Ri, anti-amphiphysin antibody levels and 8-OHdG in mothers of children with autism. METHODS: This study included 60 participants, 33 of whom were healthy mothers of 3-12-year-old children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the 27 others who constituted the control group, were healthy mothers with age-matched healthy children. Two groups were examined for plasma anti-Yo, anti-Hu, anti-amphiphysin and anti-Ri antibodies and, 8-OHdG levels. The participants were asked to accomplish a sociodemographic data form. The severity of ASD symptoms was evaluated according to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). RESULTS: Anti-amphiphysin antibody levels and anti-Ri antibody positivity were significantly higher in the case group (p = 0.001; p = 0.027, respectively). The two groups did not significantly differ in terms of anti-Yo and anti-Hu antibody levels and in terms of 8-OHdG levels (p = 0.065; p = 0.099; p = 0.490, respectively). The two groups did not significantly differ in terms of sociodemographic data (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the our study, maternal antineuronal antibodies, such as anti-amphiphysin and anti-Ri, may contribute to the risk of childhood autism. Studies with larger samples are needed.KEY POINTSMaternal factors associated with autism should be investigated in order to create early diagnosis and treatment opportunities for autism.Based on the importance of immunological and cerebellar pathologies in autism aetiology, we aimed to investigate antineuronal antibodies in mothers of children with autism.Maternal antineuronal antibodies, such as anti-amphiphysin and anti-Ri, may contribute to the risk of childhood autism.High anti-amphiphysin antibody levels in mothers of children with autism may also occur against the amphiphysin in the structure of the SrGAP3 gene, which is associated with autism.

Evaluation of thiol/disulphide balance in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum thiol disulphide levels in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) compared with a healthy control group and to investigate whether thiol/disulphide balance can be used as a new marker of oxidative stress in CL patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 47 patients diagnosed with CL and 46 healthy individuals without any disease. Native thiol, disulphide and total thiol levels were used in plasma. Disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol and native thiol/total thiol levels were measured. RESULTS: Disulphide, native thiol disulphide and total thiol disulphide levels were significantly lower in CL patients compared with the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between CL patients and the control group in terms of disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native thiol/total thiol values. CONCLUSION: Based on the data in our study, it can be said that the use of thiol/disulphide balance as a new oxidative stress marker in CL patients is not appropriate, but studies with a larger number of patients are needed.

Effects of anxiety and depression symptoms on oxidative stress in patients with alopecia areata.

INTRODUCTION: Increased oxidative stress (OXS) and a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders are seen in alopecia areata (AA). However, OXS and psychiatric disorders have been studied separately in AA patients. AIM: To determine the effects of anxiety and depression symptoms on OXS in AA patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The anxiety and depression levels of 33 AA patients and 33 normal controls (NC) were determined using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated by measuring serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels in AA patients and NC. RESULTS: The AA patients had higher anxiety and depression scores than NC (p < 0.001 for both). Total oxidant status (p = 0.002) and OSI (p < 0.001) values were higher, and TAS (p < 0.001) levels were lower, in patients with AA compared to NC. However, patients' anxiety and depression scores were not correlated with the TAS, TOS, or OSI values (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in TAS, TOS, or OSI values between patients with high and low anxiety or depression scores (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that OXS, anxiety, and depression scores were higher in patients with AA compared to NC. However, anxiety and depression scores were not associated with OXS in AA patients. More extensive studies should be performed to investigate the relationship between psychological status and OXS in patients with AA.

The relationship between platelet indices and ABO blood groups in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: ABO blood groups have been suggested to have a high correlation with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It has also been postulated that platelet indices, including mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW), are very important in the development and progression of CVDs. However, despite these common associations with CVDs, as far as we know, there are no studies investigating platelet indices in ABO blood groups. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether platelet indices are associated with ABO blood groups. METHODS: The study included 301 healthy volunteers (99 women and 202 men; mean age: 32.59 ± 7.52 years) whose blood groups were determined by the gel column method using agglutination techniques. Platelet indices were studied by an automated blood counter. RESULTS: No considerable differences in age, gender, or Rh factors were observed among ABO blood groups. MPV was detected to be considerably lower in O and A blood group subjects than in AB and B blood group subjects. Similarly, PDW was significantly lower in O and A blood group subjects than in B blood group subjects. Additionally, MPV in the O blood group subjects was significantly lower than in the non-O blood group subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Because MPV and PDW are used as markers of CVDs, individuals with O and A blood groups in this study may be considered to have a lower risk of CVDs than AB and B blood group subjects. However, prospective cohort studies involving a greater number of volunteers are needed to elucidate these relationships.

The effect of newly initiated exercise training on dynamic thiol / disulphide homeostasis in sedentary obese adults.

We studied dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis, an indicator of oxidative stress, to investigate the effects of newly initiated exercise training on sedentary obese adults. Seventeen sedentary obese adults and 15 normal-weight controls were included in the sample for this study. The obese adults were given a physical exercise training program that lasted twelve weeks. Before and after the exercise training program, blood samples were collected, and serum thiol/disulphide parameters were measured by using a novel technique. Before the start of the exercise training, it was observed that thiol/disulphide homeostasis was impaired, and this impairment was positively correlated with body mass index in sedentary obese adults because of the higher reactive oxygen species production in adipose tissue. However, while the obese participants' body mass index significantly decreased, the thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters in the obese adults did not change over time as calculated at the baseline and compared to the calculation after the twelve weeks of exercise training. Despite a decrease in body mass index that occurred after the twelve weeks of exercise training, there was a lack of improvement in the obesity-induced impairment of thiol/disulphide homeostasis, which suggests that a newly initiated exercise training program may lead to oxidative stress.

The effect of pentavalent antimonial compounds used in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis on hemogram and biochemical parameters.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of pentavalent antimonials used in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) on hemogram and biochemical parameters. Material and methods: The study consisted of 168 patients diagnosed with CL after microscopic examination and treated with either systemic sodium stibogluconate (SSG) or meglumine antimonate (MA) 20 mg/kg/day for 14 days. The patients were divided into two groups as SSG and MA patients. Neutrophil count, leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, amylase, lipase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were compared before and on the 14th day of the treatment. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the neutrophil, lymphocyte, leukocyte, platelet counts, and hemoglobin and blood urea nitrogen levels on the 14th day of the treatment when compared to the pre-treatment values. A statistically significant increase was found in the ALT, AST, amylase and lipase levels. No significant change was found in the serum creatinine levels. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, pentavalent antimonials given standard doses in the treatment of CL can lead to an increase in the pancreatic enzymes and transaminases and bone marrow suppression. We do not recommend any change in the treatment if these conditions are not corroborated by clinical findings.

Evaluation of serum M30 and M65 activity in patients with stage-I endometrial cancer.

We aimed to analyse the prognostic value of serum oxidative stress parameters and apoptotic markers of serum M30/65 levels in endometrial cancer patients. Serum M30/65 levels and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated in 52 women with stage I endometrial cancer (n = 26) and a control group of healthy females (n = 26). The total antioxidant status (p = .002), oxidative stress index (p = .003) and serum M30/65 levels (p < .001) were significantly higher in women with stage-I endometrial cancer in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, serum M30/65 levels were significantly lower on postoperative day 8, compared to preoperative levels (p = .001 and p < .001, respectively), in the endometrial cancer group. Although impaired apoptotic activity plays a crucial role in the aetiopathogenesis of endometrial cancer, oxidative stress may be instrumental in malignant transformation. We concluded that measurement of M30/65 levels would be beneficial in the follow-up of women with endometrial cancer. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject: Although M30 has been evaluated as a marker of apoptosis in tissue samples from women with endometrial cancer (EC), no previous studies have simultaneously analysed serum M30 and M65 levels and oxidative stress in patients with stage-I EC. What the results of this study add: Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and serum M30/65 levels were significantly higher in women with stage I EC in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, serum M30/65 levels were significantly lower on postoperative day 8, compared to preoperative levels, in the EC group. The fact that pre-operative M30/M65 levels were higher than the post-operative levels may be very important in early-stage EC What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: Although impaired apoptotic activity plays a crucial role in the aetiopathogenesis of EC, oxidative stress may be instrumental in malignant transformation. The fact that serum M30/M65 levels decreased in accordance with the reduction of post-operative tumour burden led us to conclude that measurement of M30/65 levels would be beneficial in the follow-up of women with EC.

An Investigation of Oxidative Stress and Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Graves' Disease.

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to research oxidative stress and thiol/disulphide homeostasis in Graves' patients. Materials and Methods: The study included 33 Graves' patients (research group) and 35 healthy subjects (control group). Serum oxidative stress and thiol/disulphide homeostasis (a new and automated spectrophotometric method developed by Erel and Neselioglu) parameters were studied and compared between the groups. Results: The native and total thiol levels and the native thiol/total thiol ratio were lower in patients with Graves' disease compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.006, respectively). TOS (total antioxidant status), PC (protein carbonyl), OSI (Oxidative stress index), and disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios were determined to be higher in the Graves' disease group than in the control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.004, and p = 0.006, respectively). In the Graves' disease group, the free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were significantly positively correlated with impaired thiol/disulphide homeostasis and oxidative stress parameters (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study demonstrated that oxidative stress and thiol/disulphide homeostasis increased towards disulphide formation due to thiol oxidation in Graves' disease. In addition, a positive correlation of FT3 and FT4 was observed with oxidative stress parameters and impaired thiol/disulphide homeostasis.

Comparison of Holladay equivalent keratometry readings and anterior corneal surface keratometry measurements in keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of the anterior corneal simulated keratometry (SimK) and the Holladay equivalent keratometry reading (EKR) provided by a Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam HR) with the keratometry (K) provided by a Placido system (T-Cone topography) in keratoconus and control eyes. METHODS: This prospective study included 40 consecutive patients with keratoconus and 40 voluntary participants with no ocular complaints. Any patients with corneal scar, corneal trauma, history of corneal surgery or contact lens usage were excluded from the study. Mean SimK and Holladay EKR measurements were taken with Pentacam HR in the 2, 3, and 4.5 mm corneal zones, and these values were compared with the T-Cone mean K value with the Placido topography system attachment on the Lenstar LS 900. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student's t test and the Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was determined between the Placido K and the Scheimpflug EKR 2, 3, 4.5 mm and SimK values in the keratoconus group (p < 0.05). In the analyses which showed a difference between the SimK and Holladay EKR, it was observed that as the diameter of the corneal zone increased, the 95% LoA values were extended. No statistically significant difference was determined between the SimK and EKR 2 mm values (p > 0.05). In the control group, there was no statistically significant difference between any of the keratometric values. CONCLUSION: In diseases which affect the posterior corneal surface, such as keratoconus, it is thought that because of the asymmetrical peripheral placement of the corneal apex, as the corneal diameter increases there could be an error increase of 1-3 mm in keratometric systems evaluating the anterior surface.

Colostrum immunoglobulins and oxidative capacity may be affected by infant sex and maternal age and parity

Background/aim: The aims of this study were to determine the levels of the total antioxidant status (TAS), the total oxidant status (TOS), the oxidative stress index (OSI), and the concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and M (IgM) in colostrum, and evaluate relationships between these parameters and maternal age, maternal parity, and infant sex. Materials and methods: The analysis was performed in serum samples of colostrum which were collected from 90 mothers on the first day of lactation between 10:00 and 12:00 AM Results: The measurements established that no significant association existed between the TAS level of colostrum and parity, maternal age, or infant sex. However, mothers 18 to 30 years of age had significantly lower colostrum TOS and OSI levels compared with mothers older than 30 years of age. IgA and IgM values of the colostrum of primiparous mothers were significantly higher than those of multiparous mothers, whereas no correlations existed with the age of the mother. Additionally, significantly higher colostrum IgA and IgM values were observed in female infants fed colostrum compared with male infants. Conclusion: In conclusion, sex-based hormonal changes in mothers during pregnancy may be associated with the different colostral immunoglobulin levels for male and female infants.

Effect of Blood Phenylalanine Levels on Oxidative Stress in Classical Phenylketonuric Patients.

Mental retardation, which occurs in phenylketonuric patients, is associated with increased levels of phenylalanine, increased oxidative stress, and an imbalance of amino acids in the brain. Recent studies have shown that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of phenylketonuria. In this work, we aimed to compare the influence of blood phenylalanine levels on oxidative stress parameters in phenylketonuric patients who divided patients into groups according to blood Phe levels during follow-up visits and compared these groups with healthy controls. Results showed significant differences in glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), coenzyme Q10 (Q10), Q10/cholesterol, and L-carnitine levels in phenylketonuria patients and the control group. GSHPx, Q10, and Q10/cholesterol levels were significantly lower in poor adherence patients than in the control groups. L-carnitine levels were significantly increased in good adherence patients than poor adherence patients and decreased in poor adherence patients than healthy controls. No correlations were observed between phenylalanine and L-carnitine concentrations in poor adherence group. No significant differences were observed in paraoxonase 1 (PON1), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels. As a result, in this work, poor adherence patients are prone to oxidative stress. Although the patients may have the same diagnosis, patients have different clinical characteristics and different prognosis. Antioxidants can be used as an adjuvant therapy in order to avoid neurological damage in these patients.

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in vitiligo patients.

INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder with melanocyte destruction. AIM: To examine the thiol/disulphide balance in vitiligo patients and to compare the results with a healthy control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with vitiligo and 35 healthy individuals were included in the study. Native thiol, disulfide and total thiol levels in plasma were evaluated using a new and automated spectrophotometric method. Disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol and native thiol/total thiol levels were measured. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups when the patient and control groups were compared in terms of thiol/disulphide balance (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in native thiol, disulphide and total thiol levels for vitiligo when compared with the control group (p > 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In recent years, there have been numerous studies on the role of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo. In this study, we investigated in vitiligo patients whether thiol/disulphide balance is a new oxidative stress marker. The results were compared with a healthy control group. We measured the thiol/disulphide balance by a new method developed by Erel and Neselioglu. The serum thiol/disulphide levels were similar in the vitiligo patients and the control subjects, which indicated that the thiol/disulphide balance was not affected by vitiligo. We are of the opinion that new investigations to determine serum levels of thiol/disulphide may shed light on the possible roles of these molecules in vitiligo.

The effects of calcium channel blockers on nephropathy and pigment epithelium-derived factor in the treatment of hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a dihidropiridin calcium channel blocker amlodipin and a non-dihidropiridin calcium channel blocker verapamil on nephropathy and serum pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) levels of type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension. Forty-one type 2 diabetic patients with uncontrolled hypertension in spite of using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized in two groups. First group received amlodipin (5-10 mg/d) and second group verapamil (120-240 mg/d) for 6 weeks. The difference between two calcium channel blocker treatments was investigated by analyzing urinary albumin excretion and plasma PEDF levels of patients at the end of 6 weeks. Urinary microalbumin/creatinine values were decreased in both amlodipin and verapamil groups but it was not statistically significant. Plasma PEDF levels also decreased significantly in both groups at the end of the treatment (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). At the end of the treatment there was no significant difference between changes in values of systolic BP, diastolic BP, microalbumin/creatinine and PEDF percentage in both groups (p = 0.788, p = 0.926, p = 0.908, p = 0.140, respectively). PEDF values showed a positive correlation with microalbumin/creatinine, hb A1c, FBS, systolic and diastolic BP levels. It was observed that both of the drugs have similar effects on nefhropathy and PEDF at the end of the treatment. In this study, we suggest that calcium channel blockers may have renoprotective effects by different mechanisms except their antihypertensive effects and this may be important to determine the selection of antihypertensive drug combinations in diabetic nephropathy.

Are oxidative stress markers useful to distinguish schizoaffective disorder from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder?

OBJECTIVE: Schizoaffective disorder is a disease with both affective and psychotic symptoms. In this study, we aimed to compare oxidative metabolism markers of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenic patients. Furthermore, we also aimed to investigate whether schizoaffective disorder could be differentiated from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in terms of oxidative metabolism. METHODS: Total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured in the blood samples that were collected from schizoaffective patients (n = 30), bipolar disorder patients (n = 30) and schizophrenic patients (n = 30). Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated by dividing TOS by TAS. RESULTS: TOS and OSI were found to be higher in patients with schizoaffective disorder compared with those in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients. TAS was not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Schizoaffective disorder was found to be different from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in terms of oxidative parameters. This result may indicate that schizoaffective disorder could differ from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in terms of biochemical parameters. Increased TOS levels observed in schizoaffective disorder may suggest poor clinical course and may be an indicator of poor prognosis.

An examination of the effect of exercise and creatine monohydrate on oral tissues.

Although physical exercise is extremely important for health and a good lifestyle, it can trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle fatigue. The aim of this study was to determine changes in dental tissues and the mandible created by creatines monohydrate (CrM) supplementation together with low and high-intensity exercise (HIE). The study material comprised Balb/c male mices, which were separated into two groups for the application of low and HIE on a running band. CrM supplement was administered together with the exercise. At the end of the experiment period, dental tissue samples were surgically removed and examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically (TNF-α and lL-1ß).As a result of the histopathological examinations, in the pulp, oedema, vascular congestion, and capillary dilatation were seen to be statistically significantly increased in the Group 3 mices that performed HIE compared to the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, p = 0.001, respectively). A statistically significant increase was observed in periodontal ligament (PDL) degeneration, and disruption of the continuity and separation of collagen fibers in Group 3 compared to the control group (p = 0.001). In the immunohistochemical examination, TNF-α and IL-1ß positivity was observed in Group 3, and this was significantly increased compared to the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.000).Exposure of the mices to low and HIE caused histological and immunohistochemical changes in dental pulp and PDL, and it was determined that the use of CrM could have a protective effect against these changes. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The results of this study showed negative effects of HIE in the dental pulp and PDL, which play an important role in dental health. CrM was seen to be effective in preventing these negative effects.

Evaluation of Thiol/Disulfide Interrelation in Major Depressive Disorder.

Objective: Although major depressive disorder (MDD) constitutes a significant part of mental health problems, its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. The inadequacy of diagnostic tests specific to MDD causes difficulty in diagnosis. Therefore, we investigated the situation of thiol/disulfide imbalance, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, in MDD patients. Methods: Forty-five MDD patients and 40 non-patient volunteers participated in our study. Sociodemographic data form, Beck Depression Scale, and Clinical Global Impression Scale were used in making the diagnosis and evaluation process. Results: There was a significant difference between the MDD and non-patient groups in native thiol and total thiol levels, disulfide/native thiol, disulfide/total thiol, and native thiol/total thiol ratios. No significant difference was detected in terms of disulfide level between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference between the patients' thiol disulfide ratios and the severity of depression. There was no significant difference between the patients' symptom duration and thiol disulfide ratios. Nevertheless, a negative correlation was identified between the duration of the patients' symptoms and their disulfide levels. Conclusion: When the results were examined in terms of thiol and disulfide ratios, they showed that thiol and disulfide ratios were impaired in depression. We think that thiol/disulfide parameters may be a biomarker candidate that can help in the diagnosis of MDD.

Determination of Serum Differential Carnitine Ester Levels in HIV(+) Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that carnitine deficiency is observed in various viral infections and in the follow-up of the prognosis of some diseases. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine how carnitine ester derivatives change in HIV-positive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 25 HIV-infected patients who applied to Harran University Faculty of Medicine Education Research and Practice Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Outpatient Clinic and who did not receive any antiretroviral treatment, as well as 25 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Carnitine ester levels in serum samples were measured by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method (Shimadzu North America, Columbia, MD, USA). RESULTS: While suberoylcarnitine (C8DC), myristoleylcarnitine (C14:1), tetradecadienoylcarnitine (C14:2), palmitoleylcarnitine (C16:1), and linoleylcarnitine (C18:2) levels in HIV(+) patients were quite low compared to the control group, tiglylcarnitine (C5:1) levels were high (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, C5:1 and C14:2 index parameters according to VIP score, and C5:1 and C14:1/C16 index parameters according to ROC analysis were determined as markers with high potential to distinguish HIV(+) patients from healthy volunteers. CONCLUSION: This study showed that levels of acylcarnitine derivatives might be altered in HIV(+) patients, and the results obtained may contribute to a better understanding of carnitine metabolism.

Diffusion-weighted MRI of the testis in hydrocele: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of increased pressure due to the accumulated fluid around testis in hydrocele on testis diffusion and whether this effect (if any) is correlated with the amount of fluid and duration of hydrocele. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 49 patients with unilateral hydrocele were evaluated by magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging. RESULTS: In the study group, while the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the testicles with hydrocele differed significantly before and 3 months after the hydrocelectomy (p = 0.001), the ADC values of the testicles without hydrocele were not statistically different (p = 0.101). There was a significant negative correlation between the ADC values of the testicles with hydrocele and the amount of the liquid aspirated during the hydrocelectomy (r = -0.615, p = 0.001). There was no correlation between the ADC values of testis and the duration of hydrocele (r = -287, p = 0.156). This is supported by the findings of the present study of reduced ADC values of testis, meaning reduced diffusion of the testis, with an increasing amount of fluid. CONCLUSION: The pressure of the fluid was suggested to show a mechanical effect that plays an important role in the dysfunction of the testis. The possible dysfunctions of the testicular tissue suggest that they may have a negative effect on fertility.