The effectiveness of shock indices on prognosis in burn patients admitted to the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Shock index (SI) is the ratio of heart rate (HR) to systolic blood pressure (SBP); modified SI (MSI) is the ratio of HR to mean arterial pressure; age SI (ASI) is age multiplied by SI; reverse SI (rSI) is the ratio of SBP to HR; and rSIG is rSI multiplied by Glasgow Coma Scale Score (rSIG). Studies have proven that shock indices are good tools in predicting mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of the shock indices SI, MSI, ASI, rSI, and rSIG in predicting mortality in burn patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. The vital signs of the patients were recorded and their shock indices were calculated at the time of emergency department admission. The effectiveness of the shock indices SI, MSI, ASI, rSI, and rSIG in predict-ing mortality was compared in the burn patients included in the study RESULTS: A total of 913 patients were enrolled. rSIG and MSI were the shock indices with the highest area under the curve (AUC) values in predicting mortality in the burn patients. The AUC values of rSIG and MSI were 0.829 (95% CI: 0.739-0.919, P<0.001) and 0.740 (95% CI: 0.643-0.838, P<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Vital signs are easily recorded and shock indices are easily calculated at the time of admission of burn patients to the emergency department; they also effectively predict mortality. rSIG and MSI are the best mortality predictors among the shock indices examined in this study.

Etiological risk factors in children with cerebral palsy.

To evaluate the etiological risk factors of cerebral palsy, especially the preventable ones. The study was carried out with the mothers of 210 children with cerebral palsy (CP) registered in Mardin Guidance and Research Center between February and May 2022. The data form prepared by the researchers was applied to the mothers by face-to-face interview technique. The data form consisted of 29 questions including sociodemographic characteristics of the child and mother, risk factors for CP, and secondary medical problems of the child. Of the 210 patients included in the study, 43.3% (91) were female and 56.7% (119) were male. The mean age of the children was 67.4 (SD = 50.6) weeks, and 73.3% of children were premature. The number of children with a birth weight below 2500 g was 48.1% (101). The mean birth weight was 2472.5 (SD = 871.8) g. The children with another disabled sibling consisted 6.2% of the population. Among the mothers, 41.9% stated that they were illiterate and 73.3% stated that their income status was low. The rate of the parents that were related to each other was 51%. In our study, it was noteworthy that most of the children were premature, had low birth weight, more than half of them had parents who were relatives, the education level of the mothers was low, the socioeconomic status of most of the families was low, and most of these risk factors were preventable.

Investigation of the protective effect of boric acid against hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic injury induced by acrylamide in rats / Investigación del efecto protector del ácido bórico contra lesiones hepatotóxicas y nefrotóxicas inducidas por acrilamida en ratas

SUMMARY: To investigate if the administration of boric acid (BA) would exert any protective effect against possible nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity induced by the exposure to acrylamide (ACR) in rats. In our study, we used a total of 28 rats that were divided into four equal groups. Group 1: the control group which was not treated with any procedure. Group 2: the ACR group that was administered ACR 50 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal (i.p) route for 14 days. Group 3: the BA group that was administered BA 200 mg/kg/ day via gavage via peroral (p.o) route for 14 days. Group 4: the ACR+BA group that was administered BA simultaneously with ACR. Total antioxidant and oxidant (TAS/TOS) capacities were measured in all groups at the end of the experiment. In addition, the specimens obtained were evaluated with histopathological examination. Studies showed that the ACR and ACr+BA groups were not significantly different in terms of hepatic TAS level while the TOS level was higher in the ACR group than the ACR+BA group. The groups did not show any significant difference regarding renal TAS and TOS levels. In the histopathological examination of the hepatic tissue, the histopathological injury score of the ACR group was significantly higher than those of the other groups whereas it was significantly lower in the ACR+BA group than the ACR group. Our study concluded that Boric acid had a protective effect against acrylamide- induced hepatotoxicity, but not against nephrotoxicity.

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar si la administración de ácido bórico (BA) ejercería algún efecto protector frente a la posible nefrotoxicidad y hepatotoxicidad inducida por la exposición a acrilamida (ACR) en ratas. En nuestro estudio, utilizamos un total de 28 ratas que se dividieron en cuatro grupos iguales. Grupo 1: grupo control que no fue tratado. Grupo 2: grupo ACR al que se le administró ACR 50 mg/kg/día por vía intraperitoneal (i.p) durante 14 días. Grupo 3: grupo BA al que se le administró BA 200 mg/kg/día por sonda por vía peroral (p.o) durante 14 días. Grupo 4: grupo ACR+BA al que se administró BA simultáneamente con ACR. Las capacidades antioxidantes y oxidantes totales (TAS/TOS) se midieron en todos los grupos al final del experimento. Además, los especímenes obtenidos fueron evaluados con examen histopatológico. Los estudios demostraron que los grupos ACR y ACr+BA no fueron significativamente diferentes en términos del nivel hepático de TAS, mientras que el nivel de TOS fue mayor en el grupo ACR que en el grupo ACR+BA. Los grupos no mostraron ninguna diferencia significativa con respecto a los niveles renales de TAS y TOS. En el examen histopatológico del tejido hepático, la puntuación de lesión histopatológica del grupo ACR fue significativamente mayor que la de los otros grupos, mientras que fue significativamente menor en el grupo ACR+BA que en el grupo ACR. Nuestro estudio concluyó que el ácido bórico tiene un efecto protector contra la hepatotoxicidad inducida por acrilamida, pero no contra la nefrotoxicidad.

Vital indicators in predicting burn mortality: A comparison of shock indices and burn shock indices.

Background/aim: In many studies, shock indices have proven to be good tools for predicting mortality. In the present study, burn shock index (BSI), percentage of total body surface area burned (TBSA%) multiplied by shock index; burn modified shock index (BMSI), TBSA% multiplied by modified shock index; burn age shock index (BASI), TBSA% multiplied by age shock index; burn rivers shock index (BrSI), TBSA% multiplied by rivers shock index; burn rivers shock index multiplied by Glasgow Coma Scale score (BrSIG) were examined in burn patients. We defined these burn shock indices for the first time. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of shock indices and burn shock indices in predicting mortality in burn patients. Materials and methods: This study examines retrospectively of burn patients admitted to the emergency department of Dicle University Hospital between January 2010 and December 2022. The patients' vital signs were obtained at the time of presentation to the emergency department, and shock indices were calculated. The effectiveness of shock indices in predicting mortality was compared. Results: A total of 2445 patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 1793 were pediatric, and 652 were adults. BSI (AUC: 0.872, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.812-0.931, p < 0.001) had the highest area under the curve (AUC) value in predicting mortality in children. The optimal cut-off value for BSI in children was 21.79 and its was sensitivity 83.05%, specificity 79.64%, positive predictive value (PPV) 12.19%, negative predictive value (NPV) 99.28%. In adults, BASI had the highest value of AUC (AUC: 0.936, 95% CI: 0.887-0.984, p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value for BASI in adults was 62.5 and its sensitivity was 86.49%, specificity was 91.71%, PPV was 38.55%, and NPV was 99.12%. Conclusion: Shock indices are easy to calculate and effective in predicting mortality in burn patients admitted to the emergency department. Among the shock indices in the study, BSI was the best in predicting mortality in children, and BASI was the best in adults.

Factors affecting mortality in patients with splenic injuries.

there are not a sufficient number investigating the factors in splenic injuries influencing mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the factors affecting mortality in splenic injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 237 patients with splenic injury between 2005 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups, survivors and non-survivors. Age, gender, mechanism of injury, grade of splenic injury, pulse, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin levels, number of transfusions, surgical procedure, ISS, RTS and hospitalization period were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to compare survivors and non-survivors. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 32 and most (82.7%) were male. Mortality was observed in 18 patients (7.6%). Mortality was found significantly lower in patients who had isolated splenic injury (p=0.048). In univariate analyses, decreased RTS (p<0.001), increased number of blood transfusion (p<0.001), decreased hemoglobin level (p=0, 025) and increased ISS (p<0.001) were found significant in non-survivors. In multivariate analysis; number of transfusions, ISS and RTS were found as independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We found high number of transfusions, high ISS and low RTS as independent risk factors for mortality in patients with splenic injury. KEY WORDS: Mortality, ISS, RTS, Splenic trauma.

Effect of human development index parameters on tuberculosis incidence in Turkish provinces.

INTRODUCTION: A country's development level is measured with a quantitative parameter called the human development index (HDI). The present study researched the effects of HDI parameters (such as healthcare standards, income, and education level) on the incidence of tuberculosis. METHODOLOGY: HDI data of 36 provinces of Turkey and the tuberculosis surveillance data were obtained from the Ministry of Development and the Ministry of Health, respectively. The associations between the incidence of tuberculosis and other HDI parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Higher population density (n/km2) (CI = 0.05 to 0.40) and higher relapse rate of tuberculosis (CI = 0.36 to 1.48) were identified to be independent predicting factors that increased the incidence of tuberculosis, whereas higher gross national product (CI = -0.06 to 0.00), the population that holds a green Medicare card (CI=-0.58 to -0.04), increased general practitioners per 100,000 people (CI=-0.66 to -0.01), female population (CI = -0.70 to -0.06), married population (CI = -1.34 to -0.03), were found to be significant negative predicting factors that were relevant to the incidence (protective against tuberculosis). CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis is a disease that is affected by multiple factors, including the components of HDI. Improvement of income level, facilitation of access to health services via health insurance, urbanization with lower population density strategy, and provision of enough general practitioners may be useful in reducing the incidence of TB' in provinces of developing countries such as Turkey.

Is montelukast as effective as N-acetylcysteine in hepatic injury due to acetaminophen intoxication in rats?

This study aims to investigate the acute protective effect of montelukast sodium in hepatic injury secondary to acetaminophen (APAP) intoxication. This study used 60 rats. The rats were grouped into 6 groups. The control group was administered oral distilled water 10 ml/kg, the APAP group oral APAP 1 g/kg, the montelukast sodium (MK) group oral MK 30 mg/kg, the acetaminophen+N-acetylcysteine (APAP+NAC) group oral APAP 1 g/kg, followed by a single dose of intraperitoneal NAC 1.5 g/kg three hours later, the acetaminophen+montelukast sodium (APAP+MK) group oral APAP 1 g/kg, followed by oral MK 30 mg/kg 3 h later, the acetaminophen+N-acetylcysteine+montelukast sodium (APAP+NAC+MK) group oral APAP 1 g/kg, followed by a single intraperitoneal NAC 1.5 g/kg plus oral MK 30 mg/kg 3 h later. Blood and liver tissue samples were taken 24h after drug administration. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin were studied from the blood samples. Liver tissue samples were used for histopathological examination. Compared with the control group, serum AST and ALT activities were higher in the APAP and APAP+NAC groups. APAP+NAC, APAP+MK, and APAP+NAC+MK groups had reduced serum ALT and AST activities than the group administered APAP alone. APAP+MK and APAP+NAC+MK groups had a lower serum ALP activity than the control group. Histopathologically, there was a difference between the group administered APAP alone and the APAP+MK and APAP+NAC+MK groups. MK is as protective as NAC in liver tissue in APAP intoxication in rats.

Malnutrition in Community-Dwelling Elderly in Turkey: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and explore the somatic, psychological, functional, and social or lifestyle characteristics linked to malnutrition in elderly people at a hospital in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 1030 patients older than 65 years of age who were seen at the internal medicine and geriatrics outpatient clinics of the study centers in Istanbul, Ankara, Duzce, Corum, Mardin, Malatya, and Diyarbakir provinces between January and December 2014. All patients underwent Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) tests via one-on-one interview method. The demographic properties of the patients were also recorded during this interview. RESULTS: Among 1030 patients included in this study, 196 (19%) had malnutrition and 300 (29.1%) had malnutrition risk. The malnutrition group and the other groups were significantly different with respect to mean GDS score, income status, educational status, the number of children, functional status (ADL, IADL), the number of patients with depression, and the number of comorbid disorders. According to the results of the logistic regression analysis, age (OR=95% CI: 1.007-1.056; p=0.012), BMI (OR=95% CI: 0.702-0.796; p<0.001), educational status (OR=95% CI: 0.359-0.897; p=0.015), comorbidity (OR=95% CI: 2.296-5.448; p<0.001), and depression score (OR=95% CI: 1.104-3.051; p=0.02) were independently associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that age, depression, BMI, comorbidity, and the educational status were independently associated with malnutrition in an elderly population.

Factors affecting mortality in patients with organophosphate poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between clinical and demographic characteristics and mortality in patients with organophosphate poisoning. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Dicle University,Diyarbakir,Turkey, and comprised data of patients who presented with organophosphate poisoning between April 2004 and April 2013. The records were assessed in two groups, with Group 1 having data related to recovery, and Group 2 having data related to mortality. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 296 patients, 219(74%) were women. Mortality was the outcome in 41(13.9%) cases. In Group 2, mean age, marital status, rural origin, presence of psychiatric disease, being illiterate, presence of nicotinic symptoms, and late admission were significantly higher than Group 1 (p<0.05 each). Logistic regression analysis indicated bradycardia as the most prominent independent predictor of mortality (p<0.001). Other independent predictors were age, glucose level, lactate dehydrogenase, coma and acidosis (p<0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: Independent predictors of mortality in patients with organophosphate poisoning as bradycardia, age, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase level and acidosis.

Lycium barbarum extract provides effective protection against paracetamol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Lycium barbarum (LB) extract against paracetamol-induced acute oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in rats. The subjects were divided into 6 groups of 8 rats each. The rats in the LB group were administered a dose of 100 mg/kg LB extract dissolved in saline via the intraperitoneal route for 7 days. Subsequently, after last dose of LB, PCT was given in a single dose of 1 g/kg diluted in saline via the oral route. Twenty-four hours later, blood samples were drawn from all of the subjects for serum Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Total antioxidant status (TAS) and Total oxidant status (TOS) tests, and liver tissue samples were obtained for histopathological evaluation. The mean TAS level of the group that was subjected to PCT intoxication was significantly lower than those of the other groups. Additionally, the mean TOS, Oxidative stress index (OSI), ALT and AST values were significantly higher in this group. Though the mean TAS level in the PCT + LB group was significantly higher than that of the PCT group, the TOS, OSI, ALT, and AST levels were significantly lower. When the PCT + LB group and the PCT only group were compared in terms of liver damage during the histopathological evaluation, a statistically significant difference was observed in Grade I and Grade III damage (P=0.013 and P=0.038, respectively). We conclude that Lycium barbarum extract leads to a significant improvement in PCT-induced acute hepatotoxicity in terms of the histopathological results, serum oxidative stress parameters, and serum liver function marker enzymes.

The protective effect of goji berry extract in ischemic reperfusion in testis torsion.

This study investigated whether goji berry extract (GBE), a known antioxidant, reduces ischemic reperfusion injury when administered to rats exposed to experimental testis torsion. A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into 4 groups, including the control (sham), goji, torsion, and torsion-goji groups. The treatment groups received intraperitoneal GBE prior to torsion. The left testes of the animals were subjected to torsion via 5 hours of ischemia and 6 hours of reperfusion. TAC (total antioxidant capacity), TOS (total oxidant status) and OSI (oxidative stress index) levels were calculated. Approximately 5-µm-thick sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and examined under a light microscope. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS 15 software package. The mean serum TAC level was significantly increased in Groups 2 and 4 compared with Groups 1 and 3 in biochemical analyses (for both P < 0.001). The mean serum TOS level was significantly increased in Group 3 compared with Groups 1, 2, and 4 (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). Comparison of the groups with regard to histopathological examination revealed that Group 4 exhibited a significantly higher rate of hemorrhage and congestion compared with Groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.038). The groups did not differ significantly with respect to degeneration. Ischemic reperfusion injury associated with testis torsion was reduced by the antioxidant effect of GBE. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to confirm the agent's efficacy for this indication.

Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in dipper and non-dipper prehypertensive subjects.

Paraoxonase-1, a high-density lipoprotein linked enzyme complex, was shown to be decreased in several cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to explore whether serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities differ in dipper and non-dipper prehypertensive subjects compared to healthy controls.Sixty prehypertensive subjects and 30 controls were enrolled. All subjects underwent echocardiographic assessment and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). According to the blood pressure (BP) course on ABPM, prehypertensive subjects were categorized into two: non-dipper prehypertensive (NDPH) and dipper prehypertensive (DPH) groups. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were detected spectrophotometrically.Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in patients with NDPH compared to both DPH and control groups. Both paraoxonase and arylesterase activities showed significant negative correlations with BP and left ventricular mass index.We have demonstrated that NDPH subjects have lower paraoxonase and arylesterase activities compared to DPH subjects and normotensives. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify the role of paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in the development of overt hypertension in prehypertensive subjects.

Fire disaster caused by LPG tanker explosion at Lice in Diyarbakir (Turkey): July 21, 2014.

A disaster can be defined as a situation where the affected society cannot overcome its own resources. Our aim was to present the case of a fire disaster caused by a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker-based explosion on the Diyarbakir-Bingöl road in Lice to determine the various kinds of challenges and patient groups that an emergency department faces and to discuss more effective interventions for similar disasters. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. To find out the factors that affected mortality, we investigated the patient conditions presented at the time of admission. Among 69 patients included in the study, 62 were male (89.9%) and seven were female (10.1%). The average age of patients was 32.10±14.01 years, and the burn percentage was 51.1±32.2. One patient died during the first response, and a total of 34 patients (49.3%) died during the patient follow-up. Factors statistically related to mortality were determined to be inclusion in the severe burn group, presence of inhalation injuries, use of central venous catheter on patients, application of fasciotomy, presence of a tracheostomy opening, use of endotracheal intubation and sedoanalgesia, and transfer to centers outside the city (p-values <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, 0.001, and 0.003, respectively). In conclusion, although fire disasters caused by LPG tanker explosions are rare, the frequency of such disasters will increase with the increase in LPG use. The factors affecting mortality should be determined to decrease mortality. We recommend that all personnel members who engage in work related to LPG from production to use, in addition to rescue and first-response personnel, be trained comprehensively and that advanced technological fire equipment be used to prevent such disasters.

Glutamine provides effective protection against deltamethrin-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats but not against nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of L-glutamine (GLN) against liver and kidney injury caused by acute toxicity of deltamethrin (DLM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two rats were indiscriminately separated into 4 groups with 8 rats each: control group (distilled water; 10 ml/kg, perorally [p.o.]), DLM group (35 mg/kg p.o. one dose.), GLN group (1.5 gr/kg, p.o. single dose.) and DLM (35 mg/kg p.o. one dose.) + GLN group (1.5 gr/kg, p.o. one dose after 4 hours.). Testing for total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) analyses were performed on tissue samples, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, and creatinine were analyzed on serum samples. Liver and kidney samples were histopathologically analyzed. RESULTS: The TOS level in liver was significantly higher in the DLM group than in the control group, and the level in DLM+GLN group was considerably lower than in the DLM group. The TAS level in the DLM+GLN group was considerably higher than in the control and DLM groups. The TAS level in kidney tissues was considerably lower in the DLM group than in controls, but was similar to other groups. Histopathological analyses of liver tissues established a significant difference between DLM and DLM+GLN groups in terms of grade 2 hepatic injury. However, no significant difference was found between DLM and DLM+GLN groups in terms of kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS: Glutamine leads to significant improvement in deltamethrin-induced acute hepatotoxicity in terms of histopathologic results, tissue oxidative stress parameters, and serum liver function marker enzymes.

Acute Pancreatitis and Splenic Vein Thrombosis due to Hypertriglyceridemia.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a condition characterised by the activation of the normally inactive digestive enzymes due to an etiological factor and digestion of the pancreatic tissues, resulting in extensive inflammation and leading to local, regional, and systemic complications in the organism. It may vary from the mild edematous to the hemorrhagic and severely necrotising form. The most common causes are biliary stones and alcohol abuse. In this case study, we would like to present a patient with AP due to hypertriglyceridemia (HPTG), which is a rare cause of pancreatitis, and splenic vein thrombosis, which is a rare complication of pancreatitis.

How was Felt Van Earthquake by a Neighbor University Hospital?

OBJECTIVES: Natural disasters, which are defined as events causing great damage or loss of life, are events of natural origin unpreventable by human beings that occur in a short period of time and lead to loss of life and property. The aim of the study is to analyze which patient groups and problems at a university hospital after the earthquakes in Van. METHODS: For the purposes of this study, 169 patients who presented to our emergency room following the earthquakes that occurred on the 23rd of October, 2011 and the 9th of November, 2011 in Van and were treated as an outpatient or inpatient were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups. Patient data including the clinical and demographic characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 169 patients included in our study, 97 (57.4%) were male and 72 (42.6%) were female. The mean age was 26.95±16.44 years in Group 1 and 39.80±23.08 years in Group 2. In our study, the majority of the patients in Group 1 had orthopedic injuries, while internal problems were more common in Group 2. The need for intensive care was greater among the patients in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p<0.05). The leading cause of death in Group 1 was multi-systemic trauma in 7 out of the 10 patients (70%) and internal problems in Group 2 with 5 out of 12 patients (41.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Our country is in a geographical location where earthquakes are responsible for great losses of life and property. An efficient disaster relief plan may help to minimize the possible damage of earthquakes.

Imaging features of cerebral and spinal cystic echinococcosis.

PURPOSE: The main objective of this study was to describe the characteristic imaging features of cerebral and spinal hydatid disease (HD) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in order to provide more effective differential diagnoses in endemic regions. We also aimed to use MRI and CT to evaluate whether the World Health Organization's (WHO) new classification of hepatic cystic echinococcosis (CE) could be used in the classification of cerebral HD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the CT and MR images of 30 patients who were diagnosed with cerebral and spinal HD between 1990 and 2014. The imaging findings were noted. All hydatid cysts were classified according to the WHO classification of hepatic CE, consisting of six types. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 49 CEs in 27 patients with cerebral HD and 12 CEs in three patients with spinal HD. Of the cysts, 14 were type CL (cystic lesion), 29 were type CE1, 11 were type CE2 and seven were type CE3. In other words, 54 cysts were in the active group and seven were in the transition group. Most of the cysts were type CL and CE1. CONCLUSIONS: Even though characteristic imaging features could be used in the differential diagnosis of HD, sometimes the differentiation of HD from other cystic lesions may be difficult. The use of WHO classification will provide standardisation of uniform treatment modality, as the treatment of HD, according to the stage of the disease, may be surgical or medical.

The potential role of BMI, plasma leptin, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels in the early detection of pancreatic necrosis and severe acute pancreatitis: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Early prediction of disease severity in acute pancreatitis (AP) is crucial. The aim of this study was to investigate the body-mass index (BMI), plasma leptin, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels as potential markers predicting peripancreatic necrosis and severity in acute pancreatitis. METHODS: In the study period, 97 consecutive patients with AP were prospectively analysed. Severe AP was defined according to the Atlanta Criteria. BMI was also calculated. To measure plasma Leptin, Nesfatin-1 and Ghrelin concentrations, the blood samples were obtained from patients within 24 hours of admission. RESULTS: Out of 97 patients, 92(70 females, 22 males) were considered eligible for analysis. Of the 92 patients, 30 patients (32.6%) were assessed as severe pancreatitis. BMI and leptin levels were significantly higher in patients with severe pancreatitis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of BMI as a predictor for the development of pancreatic necrosis were 0.90(95%CI = 0.56-0.99) and 0.70(95%CI = 0.58-0.79), respectively; with an overall area under curve value of 0.78.The pooled sensitivity and specificity of leptin levels as a predictor for development of pancreatic necrosis were 1(95%CI = 0.69-1) and 0.73(95%CI = 0.62-0.82),respectively; with an overall area under curve value of 0.82.Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels showed no significant difference in patients with mild pancreatitis (6.97 ± 0.84 ng/ml and 2.3(1.0-9.9);respectively) and severe pancreatitis (6.74 ± 0.65 ng/ml and 2.0(1.9-9.9); respectively) (p = 0.1923 and 0.8531;respectively). CONCLUSION: BMI and plasma leptin levels both were correlated with the severity of pancreatitis. Leptin levels showed better area under the curve, sensitivity and specificity values compared to BMI in prediction of pancreatic necrosis.Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels were not found to be predictors of the severity of disease.

A Case of Uncorrected Tetralogy of Fallot Undiagnosed Until Adulthood and Presenting With Polycythemia.

Congenital heart defects with right-to-left shunt are one of the hypoxia-related causes of acquired secondary polycythemia (SP). Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common congenital cyanotic heart disease in children. Cases of uncorrected ToF in adult ages are rare. This paper reports a woman detected with elevated hemoglobin level during routine tests performed for infertility therapy and subsequently diagnosed SP with related ToF.

Role of surrogate markers of atherosclerosis in clinical and subclinical thyroidism.

Background. Data on the relationship between homocysteine, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and carotid intima media thickness (CA-IMT) is plenty but contradicting and the majority of the studies investigated this issue in only specific thyroidism groups. The aim of this paper was to investigate these relations in patients with subclinical and clinical hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 16 patients from each thyroidism group and 20 healthy cases were enrolled. Fibrinogen levels and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) activity were assessed. CA-IMT was determined by gray-scale high-resolution color Doppler ultrasound. Results. Serum homocysteine levels were higher in hypothyroidic patients compared to the control (P = 0.003). Fibrinogen levels were higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism compared to other groups (P < 0.05). There was no difference between groups regarding PAI-1. Whereas total cholesterol, homocysteine, and LDL were correlated with CAIMT, hs-CRP, PAI-1, and fibrinogen were not. In the clinical hypothyroidism group, the correlation of homocysteine with CA-IMT was derived from the correlation between CA-IMT and homocysteine. Conclusions. Homocysteine and fibrinogen levels are higher in patients with clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism, respectively. Homocysteine level is associated with CA-IMTonly in patients with clinical hypothyroidism.