Determinants of reverse dipping blood pressure in normotensive, non-diabetic population with an office measurement below 130/85mmHg.

Objective: The role of dipping blood pressure pattern in normotensives is unclear. The study aims to search the circadian blood pressure rhythm and the clinical determinants related to reverse dipping pattern in a strictly selected, normotensive population.Methods: The study population was divided into three groups depending on the nocturnal dipping pattern as dipping, non-dipping, and reverse dipping. Basal clinical characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and spot urine samples from the first-morning void were collected. Clinical determinants related to the presence of reverse dipping pattern were tested by the Multiple Binary Logistic Regression analysis.Results: A total of 233 participants were involved in the study population (median age 45 years [40-50]). Dipping pattern was detected in 55.4%, non-dipping pattern in 33.0%, and reverse dipping pattern in 11.6% of the study population. There was no difference between the groups in terms of basal clinical features. Albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) (p < .001) and hs-CRP levels (p = .006) were also statistically significant across the groups. ACR (HR: 1.195, 95% CI: 1.067-1.338, p = .002) and hs-CRP (HR: 2.438, 95% CI: 1.023-5.808, p = .044) were found to be related to the presence of reverse dipping blood pressure pattern.Conclusions: The absence of nocturnal physiological dipping is seen at a remarkable rate in the normotensive Turkish population. ACR and hs-CRP are the clinical determinants related to the presence of reverse dipping blood pressure pattern.

Periaortic Fat Tissue: A Predictor of Cardiac Valvular Calcification, Malnutrition, Inflammation, and Atherosclerosis Components in Hemodialysis Patients.

Cardiac valvular calcification (CVC) in end-stage renal disease is shown to be a component of malnutrition, inflammation, atherosclerosis, calcification (MIAC) syndrome. Thoracic periaortic fat tissue (T-PAFT) is shown to be increased in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and has positive correlation with MIAC. Negative correlation between CVC and vitamin D is shown in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In this study, we investigated a relationship between body composition, T-PAFT, metabolic and inflammatory parameters, and CVC in HD patients. Seventy-six HD patients (49M) were included. CVC is defined as bright echoes of >1 mm on one or more cusps on echocardiography. Results were expressed as the number of calcified valves (0,1,2). Calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were studied from predialysis blood samples. T-PAFT was calculated using a method with manual definition of borders on images from multislice computed tomography. Basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, total and truncal fat mass were measured by bioimpedance analysis. There were 65.8% of patients who had CVC. Patients with CVC were older (63.5 ± 14.6 ± 17, P = 0.02). T-PAFT (1599 ± 596, 739.7 ± 179 mm(2) , P = 0.001) and CRP (15.8 ± 11; 11.1 ± 13.2 mg/dL; P = 0.04) were higher in the group with CVC. T-PAFT had positive correlations with CRP, MIAC, body mass index (BMI) and number of calcified valves, negative correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction, and no correlation with albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and PTH. The logistic regression analysis revealed that T-PAFT was a significant predictor of CVC. In this study, T-PAFT showed a positive correlation with inflammation, CVC, and MIAC score in HD patients. T-PAFT was a significant predictor of CVC.

Pulmonary hypertension associates with malnutrition and body composition hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is reported between 17 and 56% in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Pathogenesis of PH in HD patients is still unclear. Malnutrition associating impaired pulmonary function tests in HD patients previously reported. Present study aimed to investigate an association between PH and nutrition and inflammation HD patients. PATIENTS/METHODS: Total 179 HD patients (109 M, 70 F) were included. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and ejection fraction (EF) percentage was determined by echocardiography after a midweek HD session. Bioimpedance analyses were performed after dialysis. Percent body fat mass truncal fat (%), total body water (%), body-mass index was determined. Serum 25-OH vitamin D, albumin, lipid parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, ferritin levels, and hemogram were studied. RESULTS: Pulmonary hypertension (PAP>35 mmHg) was found in 48 (26.8%) of 179 patients studied. Body-mass index (BMI) was negatively correlated with PAP (r=-0.34; p=0.02). HD vintage, prevalence of diabetes, sex, type of vascular access were not different between patients with PH and without PH. Patients with PH were older (68.1±14.4; 61.3±14.7; p=0.005). Percent body fat (19.8±8.1% vs. 28.1±10%; p=0.001), albumin (3.4±0.5 g/dl vs. 3.9±3.3 g/dl; p=0.0001), truncal fat (16.8±10.7 vs. 26.4±10.5; p=0.001), triglyceride (147.9±88.5 vs. 182.1±97.7 mg/dl; p=0.03), and total cholesterol (146.9±34.5 vs. 169.5±43 mg/dl; p=0.004) levels were significantly lower in patients with PH than with no PH. Logistic regression analysis revealed that increased percent body fat, albumin, and total cholesterol associate with a decreased risk of PH. CONCLUSION: Present study demonstrated a significant association between malnutrition and PH in HD patients. Those results should be confirmed by further prospective studies including cytokine levels and spirometric measurements.

New perspective on fatigue in hemodialysis patients with preserved ejection fraction: diastolic dysfunction : Fatigue and diastolic dysfunction.

The relationship between diastolic dysfunction and fatigue in hemodialysis patients with preserved ejection fraction is unknown. In this context, the objective of this study is to assess fatigue using the relevant scales and to demonstrate its relationship with diastolic dysfunction. The patients who underwent hemodialysis were evaluated prospectively. Patients' fatigue was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale to Evaluate Fatigue Severity (VAS-F). The echocardiographic works were performed as recommended in the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. A total of 94 patients [mean age 64.7 ± 13.5 years, 54 males (57.4%)] were included in the study. The median VAS-F score of these patients was 68.5 (33.25-91.25), and they were divided into two groups according to this value. Peak myocardial velocities during early diastole (e') and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) values were found to be significantly lower in the group with high VAS-F scores, whereas the early diastolic flow velocities (E)/e' ratio and pulmonary artery peak systolic pressures (PAP) were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05, for all). E/e' ratio (r 0.311, p 0.002) and PAP (r 0.281, p 0.006) values were found to be positively correlated with the VAS-F score, as opposed to the TAPSE (r - 0.257, p 0.012) and e' (r - 0.303, p 0.003) values, which were found to be negatively correlated with the VAS-F score. High fatigue scores in hemodialysis patients may be associated with diastolic dysfunction. In addition, in our study, we determined the correlation of VAS-F score with E/e' ratio, PAP and TAPSE.

Prognosis of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia in a tertiary hospital in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV2/COVID-19 emerged in China and caused a global pandemic in 2020. The mortality rate has been reported to be between 0% and 14.6% in all patients. In this study, we determined the clinical and laboratory parameters of COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality in our hospital. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the relationship between demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters on COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTINGS: Tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia from March until the end of December were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relationship between demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters and the morbidity and mortality rates of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. SAMPLE SIZE: 124 patients RESULTS: The mortality rate was 9.6% (12/124). Coronary artery disease (P<.0001) diabetes mellitus (P=.04) fever (>38.3°C) at presentation (P=.04) hypertension (P<.0001), and positive smoking history (P<.0001) were significantly associated with mortality. Patients who died were older, had a higher comorbid disease index, pneumonia severity index, fasting blood glucose, baseline serum creatinine, D-dimer, and had lower baseline haemoglobin, SaO2, percentage of lymphocyte counts and diastolic blood pressure. Patients admitted to the ICU were older, had a higher comorbidity disease index, pneumonia severity index, C-reactive protein, WBC, D-dimer, creatinine, number of antibiotics used, longer O2 support duration, lower hemoglobin, lymphocyte (%), and baseline SaO2 (%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results were consistent with much of the reported data. We suggest that the frequency, dosage, and duration of steroid treatment should be limited. LIMITATIONS: Low patient number, uncertain reason of mortality, no standard treatment regimen, limited treatment options, like ECMO. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Pulmonary hypertension in hemodialysis patients without arteriovenous fistula: the effect of dialyzer composition.

Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) increases mortality rate in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Numerous clinical, hemodynamic, and metabolic abnormalities have been suggested to be associated with the development of PHT in HD patients. We aimed to investigate the acute effects of two different dialyzer membranes on pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) throughout a HD session in maintenance HD patients. Seventy-four HD patients dialyzed through permanent tunneled jugular central venous catheter were enrolled. A first-use cellulose acetate and high-flux polysulfone dialysis membrane were tested using a crossover design. For each membrane, pre- and post-dialysis pulmonary artery pressures were measured echocardiographically. Elevated pulmonary artery pressure was observed in 68.8% of patients (n = 51), whereas mild PHT was observed in 28.3% of patients (n = 21) and moderate PHT in 40.5% (n = 30). Decrease in pulmonary artery pressure following HD procedure performed using high-flux polysulfone membrane was significantly higher than the decrease observed following HD procedure performed using cellulose acetate membrane (p < 0.05). Significant decrease in pulmonary artery pressures was observed only after HD procedures performed using high-flux polysulfone membrane (p < 0.05). Ultrafiltered volume was only significantly correlated with the decrease in pulmonary artery pressure observed after HD procedure performed through high-flux polysulfone membrane (ß = 0.411, p < 0.05). PHT seems to be prevalent among HD patients even in the absence of AV fistula and abnormal cardiac functions. Membrane composition seems to be important, which may overwhelm the improving effects of ultrafiltration.

Nephrotic-range proteinuria with small glomerular fibrillary deposits in a patient on diphenylhydantoin treatment.

BACKGROUND: Although the exact role of the diphenylhydantoin treatment on the immune system is still unclear, prolonged administration of diphenylhydantoin has been suggested to be associated with immune-based disorders and syndromes. CASE REPORT: A case of fibrillary glomerulonephritis associated with DPH treatment is reported. This is the first reported case of fibrillary glomerulonephritis associated with this commonly used common anticonvulsive drug. CONCLUSIONS: A more routine surveillance for proteinuria in patients receiving DPH is recommended.

Serum stem cell factor level in renal transplant recipients with posttransplant erythrocytosis.

The etiology of posttransplant erythrocytosis (PTE) remains unclear, and the most frequently suggested causative factors are still a matter of controversy. We aimed to investigate serum-soluble stem cell factor (sSCF) along with serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) with PTE. Thirteen RTRs with PTE, 42 RTRs without PTE, and 42 healthy controls were included. Serum sSCF and EPO levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Expected and observed/expected EPO levels were calculated. Serum sSCF levels and observed/expected EPO were significantly higher in RTRs with PTE than both RTRs without PTE and controls. In RTRs with PTE, sSCF level was significantly correlated with hematocrit and observed/expected EPO, respectively. Significant correlation was also observed between hematocrit level and observed/expected EPO in RTRs with PTE. Increased sSCF level and inadequate suppression of EPO production seem to have a role in the pathogenesis of PTE.

Assessment of vascular inflammation and subclinical nephropathy in exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise test.

OBJECTIVES: Exaggerated blood pressure response (EBPR) to exercise tests is an additional cardiovascular risk factor and predictor of future development of hypertension. However, there are conflicting data on the diagnostic threshold of EBPR and its clinical importance in kidney disease. The aim of this study was to investigate vascular inflammation and subclinical nephropathy in otherwise healthy volunteers with EBPR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 170 middle-aged, healthy volunteers (mean age: 43.3±6.9; range: 35-65 years: 100 men and 70 women). Participants performed a treadmill exercise test until they reached their age-adjusted maximum heart rate and were divided into EBPR and normal/physiological blood pressure response groups. Before exercise tests, serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio were measured to evaluate vascular inflammation and subclinical nephropathy, respectively. Anthropometrical measurements, fasting serum glucose, fasting lipid profile, and the full blood count of participants were also evaluated. RESULTS: EBPR was detected in 31 (18.2%) participants. Hs-CRP levels (1.03 vs. 0.46 mg/l) (P<0.001) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio levels (6.90 vs. 5.22 mg/g) (P=0.002) were higher in the EBPR group. BMI, abdominal obesity, and hs-CRP levels were found to be related to increased development of EBPR. CONCLUSION: EBPR is an overlooked clinical finding during exercise tests and should be evaluated in apparently healthy, middle-aged populations for the early detection of possible subclinical nephropathy.

The interleukin-10 promoter genotype predicts diastolic dysfunction in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) predominantly acts as an anti-inflammatory factor. Polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene promoter determine quantitative cytokine production. Doppler echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) are superior to conventional echocardiography to evaluate diastolic dysfunction. The IL-10 gene promoter polymorphism at position (-1082) was studied for its association with conventional and Doppler echocardiographic and TDI parameters in 112 hemodialysis (HD) patients. Blood pressure, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and albumin levels were also examined for the association study. The genetic association study showed that among the HD patients, there was no difference in the prevalence of systolic and diastolic dysfunction between genotypes on conventional echocardiography. However, using Doppler echocardiography and TDI, high producers for the IL-10 -1082 promoter (-1082/GG) have higher E velocities, E/A values, lateral, and septal E' velocities and a lower isovolumic ventricular relaxation time than low (-1082/AA) and intermediate producers (-1082/GA). Significantly higher levels of serum CRP levels and lower plasma albumin levels were found in low and intermediate producers for the IL-10 -1082 promoter than high producers. The IL-10 genotype may balance the effects of inflammatory cytokines on the myocardium and may be a determinant of LV function in HD patients.

The prevalance, epidemiology and risk factors for onychomycosis in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis has a high prevalance among immunocompromised patients such as diabetics and hemodialysis patients. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis among hemodialysis patients with and without diabetes mellitus, and to find out the factors likely to be associated with the development of onychomycosis among hemodialysis patients. METHODS: One hundred and nine hemodialysis patients were enrolled. Fifty-seven of hemodialysis patients had the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Nail scrapings were obtained from 76 patients who had dystrophic nail changes. Samples were examined with 20% potassium hydroxide solution and all of the samples were inoculated on Saboraud's dextrose agar, potateus dextrose agar and mycobiotic agar. Diagnosis of onychomycosis was based on the presence of both positive clinical signs and positive potassium hydroxide test. RESULTS: Onychomycosis was diagnosed in 26.6% of hemodialysis patients. Diabetes mellitus was present in 68.9% of patients with onychomycosis. Toenail scraping cultures were reported to be positive in 19.7% of patients with dystrophic nail changes. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of diabetes mellitus and the mean duration of hemodialysis were the significant predictors associated with the development of onychomycosis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dystrophic nail changes and onychomycosis is increased among hemodialysis patients. The dialysis duration and the presence of diabetes mellitus are the independent risk factors associated with the development of onychomycosis in uraemic patients.

The determinants of endothelial dysfunction in CKD: oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is related to endothelial dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease. Increased asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels are among the main causes of ED. We aim to investigate any association between ED and ADMA levels, as well as levels of oxidative stress markers, in patients with chronic kidney disease. METHODS: One hundred fifty-nine patients without diabetes with chronic kidney disease were studied. Staging was performed according to glomerular filtration rate, determined as stages 1 to 5 according to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (n = 30, 33, 28, 32, and 36, respectively). The control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects. Oxidative stress markers (plasma malondialdehyde [MDA], erythrocyte superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px]), trace elements (erythrocyte zinc [EZn], erythrocyte copper [ECu]), plasma selenium (Se), and serum ADMA were studied. Brachial artery endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (FMD) was calculated for all. RESULTS: FMD, SOD, GSH-Px, EZn, ECu, and Se values were lower, whereas MDA and ADMA levels were higher in patients than controls. Glomerular filtration rate correlated negatively with MDA and ADMA levels and positively with FMD, SOD, and GSH-Px values. These parameters were significantly different among patients with stages 2, 3, 4, and 5 (hemodialysis group; P < 0.001 for all). Regression analysis showed that ADMA (beta = -0.228; P < 0.01), SOD (beta = 0.405; P < 0.001), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels (beta = -0.428; P < 0.001) were related independently to FMD, whereas glomerular filtration rate was not involved in the model. CONCLUSION: The present results imply that FMD, oxidative stress, and ADMA levels all are associated with stage of chronic kidney disease. Additionally, levels of oxidative stress markers and ADMA independently determine endothelial function.

Efficacy and safety of intravenous iron therapy for HCV-positive haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Iron supplementation is the cornerstone of anaemia management in haemodialysis (HD) patients. However, efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) iron therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive HD patients is yet to be elucidated. METHODS: Sixty-six maintenance HD patients with suboptimal response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rh-EPO) were administered IV iron. Each patient received 100 mg/session IV iron sucrose for ten consecutive HD sessions and then the dose was decreased to 50-100 mg weekly or biweekly. Patients were followed for haemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, rh-EPO dose requirements, transaminase levels, and adverse drug reactions. RESULTS: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as Hb, ferritin, transaminase levels, rh-EPO and iron doses were similar between HCV-positive (n = 32) and HCV-negative patients (n = 29). After 5 months of follow-up, a significant increase in ferritin and Hb levels and decrease in rh-EPO doses were observed in both groups. The incidence of adverse drug reactions was not associated with HCV serology. Significant elevation in both alanine and aspartate aminotransferase levels were detected in HCV-positive patients. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that IV iron administration reverses suboptimal response to rh-EPO administration in HD patients regardless of HCV serology. There is however subtle increase of transaminase levels in HCV-positive patients. Further studies are warranted to reveal the impact of variation in serum transaminase levels during IV iron administration in HCV-positive HD patients.

Low baseline proBNP associated with increased risk of intraoperative hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for cesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has a role in the regulation of body fluid volume and blood pressure (BP). BNP remains within a normal range during spinal anaesthesia (SA) in patients undergoing cesarean delivery. However, the effect of BNP on changes in BP during the perioperative period has not been evaluated. We aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative serum BNP on the risk of hypotension during cesarean delivery with SA. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Patients were randomly selected among the patient group who were attending routine clinic visits for pregnancy monitoring. All had a healthy pregnancy and no other acute or chronic disease by their obstetrician. The study design was cross-sectional. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who had uncomplicated pregnancy process and no known medical dis.ease were selected consecutively during their last outpatient clinical examination. Baseline BP was recorded before SA. Simultaneously, blood samples were drawn for routine biochemistry and BNP. BP, SaO2, and electrocardiography were monitored during surgery. Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) was defined as >=25% decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) at the 5th minute of SA. RESULTS: In 41 term pregnant women, 18 of the 41 patients (43.9%) fulfilled the criteria for IOH, while 23 (56.1%) showed a decrease 13.1 (11.3%) and were classified as normotensive. Baseline BNP was significantly lower in patients with IOH compared with normotensive patients 45.7 (26.9) vs.70.2 (40.5); P=.05. Baseline BNP had no significant correlation MAP at any time point. Age, body mass index, hemoglobin, baseline MAP and heart rate were not different between patients with and without IOH. CONCLUSION: Those findings suggest that higher baseline BNP levels might have a protective role in development of hypotension in healthy term pregnant women during SA for cesarean delivery.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is associated with pulmonary hypertension in older patients with chronic kidney disease and proteinuria.

PURPOSE: Hyperparathyroidism is associated with pulmonary vascular calcification and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in a chronic kidney failure dog model, and increased prevalence of PH and a PH-hyperparathyroidism relationship in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis patients are reported. This study investigated the prevalence of PH and relationships between PH and metabolic abnormalities in patients with stage 1-4 proteinuria CKD. METHODS: One-hundred and ninety patients (mean age 61 ± 17.4, 116 males) with proteinuria CKD and no coronary diseases, congestive heart failure, smoking history, and pulmonary diseases were enrolled. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was 39.7 ± 23 ml/min. CKD etiology was diabetes mellitus in 52 (27.3 %), chronic glomerulonephritis or tubulointerstitial nephritis in 56 (29.4 %), hypertension in 36 (19 %), and other etiologies (nephrolithiasis, obstructive nephropathy, and amyloidosis) in 46 (25.3 %) patients. Echocardiography was performed, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and left ventricular ejection fraction were determined. Laboratory tests examined lipid parameters, serum albumin, urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, C-reactive protein, parathyroid hormone, ferritin, and hemoglobin levels. RESULTS: PH (PAP >35 mmHg) was detected in 68 patients (35.9 %). Patients with PH were older (68 ± 12.3 vs. 52.1 ± 16.7, p = 0.03), had lower ejection fractions (51.3 ± 13.4 vs. 60.8 ± 9.1 %, p = 0.003), lower hemoglobin (11.3 ± 1.5 vs. 12.1 ± 1.9, p = 0.05), and higher parathyroid hormone (218 ± 159.3 vs. 127.7 ± 67.4 pg/ml, p = 0.05) levels. The remaining parameters were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, lower ejection fraction, and secondary hyperparathyroidism may contribute to PH in stage 1-4 proteinuria CKD.

Increased frequency of gallbladder stone and related parameters in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of gallbladder stone (GBS) is shown to be increased in some studies in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nevertheless, some other studies did not confirm these findings. The controversial results about the prevalence of GBS in hemodialysis (HD) patients demand new studies to search GBS prevalence and associating risk factors in HD patients. In the present study, we aimed to investigate GBS prevalence and risk factors in our HD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 104 HD and 149 control patients were involved. Complete physical examinations, including measurements of dry body weight and height, were done. Abdominal ultrasonography was conducted by the same experienced radiologist. Blood samples were drawn via venipuncture from the study participants after they had fasted overnight just before a midweek hemodialysis session for laboratory examinations. RESULTS: The prevalence of GBS in HD patients was 34.6 % (36/104), and that was significantly higher than that of control group 12.9% (17/149; p=0.0001). In all study participants (HD patients and control group), patients with GBS were older than patients with no GBS (63.2±14.2 vs 53.7±16.7; p=0.0001). However, in HD patients, mean age was similar in patients with GBS and no GBS (64.3±13.8 vs 60.1±16.6; p>0.05). Patients with GBS had a higher prevalence of units of blood transfusions than patients with no GBS in hemodialysis patients (2.0±2.9 vs 0.9±1.3; p=0.047) CONCLUSION: The present study showed an increased prevalence of GBS in HD patients compared to healthy controls. The number of blood transfusions and autonomic neuropathy may be responsible for the increased prevalence of GBS in HD patients.

Unusual aortic localization of a malignant epithelial tumor metastasis of unknown origin.

Both primary aortic tumors and aortic metastasis of primary cancers is extremely rare. In most cases, diagnosis is established late in the course of the disease and management is challenging. We present a unique case of a 68-year-old woman with an unusual aortic localization of a metastasis of unknown origin.

Crataegus orientalis associated multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction and acute renal failure.

Patients, especially those with chronic disease and disorders are increasingly relying on complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAMT). Because the use of CAMT is escalating worldwide, it is essential to be aware of the clinical and adverse effects, doses and potential drug-herb interactions. Crataegus orientalis or hawthorn is a small tree with red fruits. A number of studies appear to demonstrate that Crataegus spp. have a clinically detectable positive cardiac inotropic action. The ingredients, characteristics of metabolism and elimination, and adverse effects of hawthorn remain largely unknown. We report a case of multisystem hypersensitivity reaction and progressive acute renal failure associated with the consumption of Crataegus orientalis.

The correlation of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count with insulin resistance in patients with slow coronary flow.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that coronary endothelial dysfunction plays an important pathogenetic role in patients with slow coronary flow (SCF). Insulin resistance is defined as impairment of insulin-stimulated glucose and/or lipid metabolism, while endothelial dysfunction is defined as paradoxical or inadequate endothelial-mediated vasodilation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate insulin resistance in patients with SCF. METHODS: The study population included 25 patients with SCF and 28 healthy controls. Insulin resistance was estimated via homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Patients with SCF had higher high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and HOMA-IR scores (P<0.05) than controls. Mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count had significant correlation with hs-CRP, fasting plasma insulin levels and HOMA-IR score (r=0.566, P<0.05; r=0.883, P<0.05; r=0.884, P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with SCF, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame counts and hs-CRP are correlated with increased insulin resistance and thus, it can be suggested that insulin resistance and inflammation may, in part, have a role in the pathogenesis of SCF.