ABSTRACT
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer ranks the third among the cancer-related deaths. It is diagnosed at advanced stage in many patients due to malignant proliferation and has a poor prognosis. Currently, no instrument or biomarker has been proven to diagnose the disease before the advanced stages. This study aimed to measure the serum levels of galanin and obestatin, which were examined in various studies including cancer studies, and to discuss their diagnostic value in gastric cancers. METHODS: In this study, 30 adult patients with gastric cancer and 30 healthy adults in the control group were examined prospectively. The demographic characteristics and serum levels of galanin and obestatin in the patient and control groups were recorded. RESULTS: The mean serum level of galanin in the patient and control groups was 19.73±5.04 and 35.59±10.94 pg/mL, respectively. The mean serum level of obestatin in the patient and control groups was 40.21±5.82 and 15.15±3.32 ng/mL, respectively. A significant difference was found between the groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Serum levels of galanin were lower and serum levels of obestatin were higher in patients with gastric cancer compared to the healthy individuals. Serum levels of obestatin and galanin can be used as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of gastric cancer.
ABSTRACT
Bacillary Angiomatosis (BA) is frequently seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced immunodeficiency. Our patient was a case that developed granuloma-like lesions in the area of a burn, 8 days after being burnt on the upper right arm by scalding water. No indication of immune deficiency was observed and no history of direct contact with cats was evident. By the sixth day of the patient's admission to our clinic, some of the lesions had reached a diameter of 2.5 cm. An excision biopsy was carried out from the lesions present on the patient. Electron microscopy revealed solitary bacilli located close to the capillary wall. Oral erythromycin treatment was implemented at 250 mg, 4 times a day for 2.5 months. Within this period of treatment, the lesions regressed completely, and a complete cure was achieved. This case demonstrates that BA must be considered in the differential diagnosis of both HIV-infected and immunocompetent patients.