EVALUATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PLASMA PENTRAXIN-3 LEVELS WITH CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS AND HIGH-SENSITIVE CRP IN PATIENTS WITH SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM.

Context: Inflammation-related markers may predict cardiovascular diseases. Objective: In this study, it was aimed to assess pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) levels and its relationship with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Design: Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included 60 patients (aged 30-60 years) with subclinical hypothyroidism and 30 healthy volunteers as controls. The demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were performed in all patients and controls. In addition, sonographic carotid artery examination, thyroid functional tests, lipid profile, hsCRP, and PTX-3 levels of the participants were investigated. Results: The PTX-3, hsCRP levels and CIMT were higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism when compared to controls (p=0.008, p=0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The PTX-3 level was strongly correlated with hsCRP (r=0.865; p<0.001), but no such correlation was detected with CIMT (r=-0.255; p=0.50). In binominal logistic regression analysis, it was found that CIMT and serum uric acid levels were independent parameters associated with subclinical hypothyroidism. In ROC analysis, a cut-off value of >3.75 ng/mL for serum PTX-3 level predicted subclinical hypothyroidism with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 60.7% (AUC: 0.672, p=0.004). Conclusion: Showing inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, the PTX-3 may be a helpful marker in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Effects of glucagon as a neurohormone on the central nervous system and glucose homeostasis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elucidate the possible effects of the acute/long-term infusion of glucagon in the brain as the regulatory role on the endocrine secretions of the pancreas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety male Wistar albino rats were divided as Control, artificial Cerebrospinal Fluid (aCSF) (120 min), Glucagon (120 min), pancreatic denervation (PD)+aCSF (120 min), PD+Glucagon (120 min), aCSF (7 days), Glucagon (7 days), PD+aCSF (7 days) and PD+Glucagon (7 days). Glucagon and solvent (aCSF) were administered after pancreatic denervation (PD) by Hamilton syringe and osmotic mini pump (1 µg/10 µl/min) in the third ventricle of the brain. RESULTS: Acute intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of glucagon resulted in an elevation of glucagon levels and a concurrent reduction in blood glucose levels. Furthermore, in both the PD+aCSF (7 days) and PD+Glucagon (7 days) groups, there was a notable decrease in propiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related protein (AgRP). Significant changes were observed in feed consumption and body weight, as well as pancreatic glucagon levels, with a simultaneous decrease in insulin levels in the PD (7 days), Glucagon (7 days), and PD+Glucagon (7 days) groups. These alterations were statistically significant when compared to the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The research outcomes established that pancreas-secreted glucagon functions as a neurohormone within the brain, activating central pathways linked to blood glucose regulation. The presence of glucagon led to a decrease in POMC levels. Surprisingly, this reduction in POMC resulted in the suppression of AgRP. Contrary to expectations, the suppression of AgRP led to an increase in food intake rather than a decrease. As already highlighted in the results section, it was emphasized that POMC may play a more significant role than AgRP in influencing feeding behavior.

Effects of VDR and CYP24A1 gene polymorphisms on the outcome of supraglottic larynx cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D has been demonstrated to play a protective role in carcinogenesis. Polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes and 24-α-hydroxylase (encoded by CYP24A1) may affect the outcome of some cancers. This study examines the effects of the VDR gene and CYP24A1 single nucleotide polymorphisms on the outcome of supraglottic larynx cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with supraglottic larynx cancer between 2017 and 2022 were enrolled. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the VDR gene (rs2228570, rs731236, rs7975232, rs11574113, rs11168267 and rs11168266) and CYP24A1 gene (rs4809960, rs6022999, rs6068816, rs2259735 and rs2296241) were investigated. All patients were followed up for any evidence of local recurrence, regional recurrence, distant metastasis, and second primary tumor development. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. RESULTS: 87 patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 45.02±24.47 months. Cox regression analysis for locoregional recurrence revealed that the hazard ratio of rs731236 GG was 2.098 (95% CI, range: 1.047-4.202, p=0.037). Locoregional recurrence for rs731236 AA, AG, and GG were 38.6%, 23.1%, and 53.3%, respectively. In the presence of rs731236 GG polymorphism, disease-specific survival was significantly shorter (47.63±7.48 months, p=0.015), and disease-free survival (45.71±6.3 months) was significantly shorter (p=0.040). Rates of metastases and second primary tumors were not significantly different between SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the possible effects of VDR rs731236 SNP on the locoregional recurrence and prognosis of supraglottic larynx cancer.

Interdigital foot infections: Corynebacterium minutissimum and agents of superficial mycoses

Interdigital foot infections are mostly caused initially by dermatophytes, yeasts and less frequently by bacteria. Erythrasma caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum can be confused with superficial mycoses. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of the etiologic agents of superficial mycoses and the frequency of Corynebacterium minutissimum in interdigital foot infections. All the samples obtained from the 121 patients with interdigital foot infections were examined directly with the use of 20% potassium hydroxide mounts and Gram stain under the microscope and cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar plates. In identification of superficial mycoses, the rate was found to be 14% with the cultural method and 14% with direct microscopic examination. Using a combination of direct microscopic examination and culture, a 33.8% ratio was achieved. In the culture of these samples, the most isolated factor was Trichophyton rubrum (33.7%). In 24 of the patients (19.8%) Corynebacterium minutissimum was detected by Gram staining, in 6 of these patients Trichophyton rubrum was found, Trichophyton mentagrophytes was found in 2 and Trichosporon spp. was found in 1. The examination of interdigital foot lesions in the laboratory, the coexistence of erythrasma with dermatophytes and yeast should be considered.