Serum endocan levels in patients with habitual abortion.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a new factor in the etiology of recurrent loss of pregnancy. For this purpose, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels as indicators of oxidative stress, and endocan levels, a marker of vascular dysfunction, were investigated in patients diagnosed with habitual abortion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was conducted as a prospective case-control study. Patients aged 18-40 years with two or more consecutive pregnancy losses revealed by ultrasonographic or histopathological examination, and with no pathology capable of causing habitual abortion were included in the study group. Patients with no history of abortion, with at least one healthy pregnancy, who were planning pregnancies, and who presented to the outpatient clinic for routine prepregnancy tests were selected as the control group. Two groups were established-habitual abortion (n = 30) and control (n = 29). At the end of the menstrual cycle, blood samples were collected and centrifuged. Serum NO, MDA, and endocan levels were studied. RESULTS: Serum endocan, NO, and MDA levels were higher in women with habitual abortion compared to healthy controls. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between serum endocan levels and NO and MDA levels. A positive correlation was also observed between serum MDA and NO levels. Multiple regression was run to predict serum endocan levels from MDA and NO levels. These variables emerged as statistically significant predictors of endocan. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the presence of vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with habitual abortion.

A novel inflammatory marker for extensive ulcerative colitis; Endocan.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by mucosal inflammation. Endocan, a proteoglycan secreted by endothelial cells in response to inflammatory cytokines, has been reported to be overexpressed in inflammatory conditions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the utility of endocan level in determining the extent and severity of disease in patients with ulcerative colitis and to determine whether it can be a candidate marker for noninvasive evaluation and monitoring since there is not enough data in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five people were included in the study, including thirty-five with ulcerative colitis and thirty in the control group. Patients with first diagnosed ulcerative colitis clinically, endoscopically, and histopathologically, without any treatment, and with normal liver and kidney tests were included in the study. Endoscopic scoring of all patients was performed according to the Mayo endoscopic scoring (MES) system. Blood samples for CRP (C-reactive protein) and endocan were taken from the patients simultaneously. RESULTS: There was a significant statistical difference between all patients with ulcerative colitis and the control group in both endocan level and CRP level (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between endocan levels and CRP levels between the left-distal group and pancolitis (diffuse colitis) patients, but there was no statistical difference between age and MES. CONCLUSION: Serum endocan level can be useful in determining the extent of ulcerative colitis and planning treatment.

Effect of Origanum dubium, Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum, and Lavandula angustifolia essential oils on lipid profiles and liver biomarkers in athletes.

This study aims to determine the effects of essential oils of Origanum dubium (DUB), Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (HIR), and Lavandula angustifolia (LAV) on lipid profiles and liver biomarkers in athletes. Thirty-four trained athletes were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups or the control group (CON). The concentrations of serum lipids and liver biomarkers were assessed before and after the 14-day essential oil intervention. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed 68.0 and 82.1% carvacrol in DUB and HIR, respectively, and 34.50% linalyl acetate and 33.68% linalool in LAV essential oils. One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated a significant difference (p = 0.001) among the groups for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) when the associated preintervention values were used as a covariate. The related pairwise comparisons revealed that DUB (p = 0.001) and HIR (p = 0.024) had greater HDL-C values than CON. From the two-way ANOVA, an interaction between time (before vs. after) and the groups (DUB vs. HIR vs. LAV vs. CON) was found for HDL-C (p = 0.030). Findings indicated a significant increase in DUB (p = 0.0001) and HIR (p = 0.010) for HDL-C, and there was a significant decrease in DUB (p = 0.023) for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, there was no difference in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and all liver biomarkers.

Time dependant functional and morphological recovery of the kidney after relief of obstruction in patients with impacted ureteral stones.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the course of functional and morphological recovery of the kidney following the relief of obstruction with ureteral JJ stent in cases with unilateral impacted stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 adult patients who were admitted to our clinic with unilateral obstructing impacted ureteral stones requiring JJ stent placement were included in the study. The course of functional recovery was assessed by evaluating the serum creatinine levels, renal resistive index (RRI) values and urinary levels of kidney injury molecule-1, neutrophil gelatinaseassociated lipocalin as well as microalbumin before at 1 day, 1 week and 4 weeks after JJ stent placement. Course of morphologic recovery was evaluated by evaluating the degree of hydronephrosis, kidney size, perirenal straining and ureteral diameter. RESULTS: Our results showed that all relevant parameters began to decrease after 24 hours and continue to normalize during 1 week evaluation; majority of these variables indicating the functional and morphological recovery were in normal range after 4 weeks. Decompression of the obstructed kidneys with JJ stent placement in patients with impacted ureteral stones was found to be effective enough with recovery of normal renal functional and morphological status after a minimum time period of 4 weeks. Morphological recovery of affected kidneys following JJ stenting was obtained with a significant difference between baseline and 1-month evaluation findings (p = 0.001, p < 001, p < 001, respectively). KIM-1 excretion began to decline to normal levels after 4 weeks (3.52 ± 0.99 ng/ml versus 2.84 ± 0.66 ng/ml, p < 0.001). The same findings were observed for the urinary excretion levels of NGAL, which normalized at the 1-month evaluation (604.55 ± 140.28 ng/ml versus 596.87 ± 80.17 ng/ml p = 0.895). Urinary microalbumin excretion levels however remained high even until 1-month follow-up with a statistically significant difference when compared with the normal excretion values (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in RRI values between baseline and 1-month follow-up findings in obstructed kidney (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Elective management of the obstructing impacted ureteral stone(s) will be safer with limited risk of infective complications after functional and morphological normalization in such kidneys following 4 weeks of JJ stent placement.

Exercise in the cold causes greater irisin release but may not be enough for adropin.

When irisin and adropin were discovered, it was popularly hoped that they would become therapies for metabolic disorders that threaten global health. However, contradictory results have been reported in the subsequent period. Irisin, induced by exercise or cold exposure, is believed to be a myokine that causes the browning of adipose tissue thus increasing energy expenditure. Adropin is thought to be beneficial for health by regulating blood flow, capillary density, and playing an active role in glucose and insulin homeostasis. However, there were no experimental studies investigating the simultaneous effect of exercise and cold exposure in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate irisin and adropin responses in young healthy individuals performing aerobic exercise in different environmental temperatures. Twenty-seven young, healthy individuals participated in this study. Participants performed 40 min of aerobic running exercise in environmental temperatures of 0°C, 12°C, and 24°C. Venous blood samples were taken pre- and post-exercise. Irisin and adropin levels were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The principal findings showed that while serum irisin concentrations significantly increased after aerobic exercise was performed at an environmental temperature of 0°C, there was no significant difference between pre- and post-exercise recordings for physical activity performed at 12°C and 24°C. Adropin concentrations, however, remained unchanged between pre- and post-exercise at 0°C, 12°C, and 24°C. Interestingly, the exercise at 0°C caused an increase in adropin (12.5%), but this amount was not enough to be a statistically significant result. The findings of this study suggest that aerobic exercise in a cold environment causes greater irisin release. However, the combined effect of exercise and cold exposure may not be enough to statistically increase adropin level.

Galectin-3: can it be a diagnostic tool for pneumonia in covid-19 patients?

Background/aim: Biochemical markers are needed to show lung involvement in COVID-19 disease. Galectin-3 is known to play a key role in the inflammation and fibrosis process. We aimed to evaluate the predictive role of galectin-3 levels for pneumonia in patients with COVID-19. Materials and methods: Total of 176 patients with COVID-19, confirmed with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, admitted to the Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital was analyzed. The study was designed as a cross sectional. The baseline data of laboratory examinations, including galectin-3 were collected at the time of diagnosis. CT images evaluated by a single radiologist according to the recommendation of the Radiological Society of North America Expert Consensus Document for pulmonary involvement. The severity of COVID-19 pneumonia was assessed using the total severity score. Results: The mean galectin-3 level in patients with typical pneumonia was found to be significantly higher than those patients with atypical (p < 0.01) and indeterminate appearance (p < 0.01) and patients without pneumonia (p < 0.01). The severity of lung involvement was significantly associated with Galectin-3 levels (p < 0.01 r: 0.76). Stepwise logistic regression model showed that the levels of ferritin (odds ratio [OR] = 0.05, p: 0.08) and galectin-3 (OR = 0.1, p < 0.01) were significantly and independently associated with typical pneumoniain COVID-19 patients. When COVID-19 patients were evaluated in terms of typical pneumonia, we determined a cut-off value of 18.9 ng/mL for galectin-3 via ROC analysis (87% sensitivity; 73% specificity; area under curve (AUC): 0.89; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Galectin-3 was found as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19 associated typical pneumonia and as an indicator of both pneumonia and its severity.

Serum paraoxonase 1 and 3 activities in benign and malignant diseases of the prostate and changes in levels following robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Background/aim: This study aimed to examine serum paraoxonase 1 and 3 (PON1 and PON3) activities in benign and malignant diseases of the prostate, to determine lipid profile and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and to investigate changes in levels following robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP). Materials and methods: A total of 137 patients, including a control group, were enrolled in the study and assigned into four groups. Group 1 (n = 33) consisted of patients previously undergoing RALRP with no recurrence, group 2 (n = 36) consisted of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) and undergoing RALRP, and group 3 (n = 34) consisted of patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The control group (n = 34) consisted of healthy individuals. Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride, cholesterol, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PON1, PON3, and MDA values were measured. In addition, group 2 MDA, PON1, PON3, and PON1/HDL levels were investigated preoperatively and at the first month postoperatively. Results: Significant changes were found in PON1, PON3, and MDA levels. PON1 and PON3 levels decreased significantly in patients with PCa, while MDA levels increased. PON1 and PON3 increased postoperatively in the PCa group, while MDA decreased. BPH group PON1, PON3, and MDA levels were higher than those of the control group. Conclusion: An increase in free oxygen radicals in the body or a decrease in endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels can result in malignant and benign diseases of the prostate. Surgical excision of malignant tissue in PCa causes a decrease in oxidative stress.

Acute and chronic effects of aerobic exercise on serum irisin, adropin, and cholesterol levels in the winter season: Indoor training versus outdoor training.

The aim of this study is to investigate the acute and chronic effects of aerobic training performed indoors and outdoors on irisin, adropin, and cholesterol levels in winter. Thirty-two healthy males participated in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: outdoor group (n = 16) and indoor group (n = 16). They then performed 40-min aerobic running exercises 4 days/week for 18 weeks. The outdoor group trained at -5°C-5°C environmental temperature, while the indoor group trained at 21°C-25°C. Blood samples were collected before and after the 18-week training period and immediately after the first training. The results showed that single aerobic exercise induced minimal increase in serum irisin concentrations in both groups. In addition, irisin levels did not change in the outdoor group but significantly decreased in the indoor group after the 18-week training period. Aerobic exercise had no acute or chronic effects on serum adropin levels in the indoor group. However, the aerobic training caused a decrease in adropin levels chronically, but there was no acute effect after single aerobic exercise in the outdoor group. Furthermore, there was no acute effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol after single aerobic exercise in both groups. However, after the 18-week training period, there was a significant increase in HDL-C levels in both groups. Moreover, the increase in HDL-C in the outdoor group was higher than in the indoor group. Thus, this study provides evidence for the beneficial chronic effects of aerobic exercise and cold on HDL-C levels as well as the beneficial acute effects on irisin concentrations.

Evaluation of the urinary podocalyxin and nephrin excretion levels to determine a safe time interval between two sessions of SWL for renal stones: a non randomized exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the role of nephrin and podocalyxin in determining the intervals between shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) sessions and how soon the kidney damage was recovered. METHODS: This work was a prospective study that included 30 patients with unilateral kidney stones. The patients' midflow urine samples were collected before SWL and 1 h, 1 day and 1 week after the procedure. Nephrin and podocalyxin levels in the urine samples were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: Among the 30 patients who underwent SWL, 19 were males and 11 were females. The mean age of the SWL group was 34.7 ± 13.2. Both biomarkers did not correlate with age, creatinine values, body mass index, stone side, stone size, energy, frequency and shock numbers. Nephrin and podocalyxin levels were significantly higher at the pre-SWL point (p < 0.05). After the procedure, a significant decrease was observed in both biomarker levels (p < 0.05). At the end of first day, these levels started to increase progressively up to the end of the first week (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nephrin and podocalyxin may help to determine early period kidney damage associated with SWL. Post-SWL podocalyxin and nephrin values may be used to determine the interval between SWL sessions.

Serum YKL-40 and MDA levels in Behcet disease.

OBJECTIVE: To measure plasma levels of chitinase-3-like 1 protein and its association with malondialdehyde in Behcet's disease patients. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted at Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University Erzurum, Turkey, from October 2012 to March 2014, and comprised patients with Behcet's disease and healthy subjects. The patients were divided into two groups, as active and inactive, based on the classification of phases of activity in Behcet's disease. Differences between groups were analysed. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 79 participants, 51(64.56%) were patients and 28(35.44%) were controls. The mean age of the first group was 29.45±7.82 years and the second group was 32.21±9.61 years. Among patients, 37(72.55%) were categorised as "active" and 14(27.45%) as "inactive". Median serum Chitinase-3-like 1 protein and malondialdehyde levels were 37.57 ng/mL (interquartilerange: 13.7-293.0 ng/mL) in patients and 26.25 ng/mL (interquartile range: 17.0-44.7 ng/mL) in controls. There was no significant correlation between Chitinase-3-like 1 protein and malondialdehyde (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Chitinase-3-like 1 protein might be associated with Behcet's disease. Elevated malondialdehyde levels were not only the cause of inflammation but also indicator of oxidative stress in Behcet's disease.

The Frequency of Some Thrombophilic Mutations in Eastern Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Factor V / Factor II / Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, gene polymorphisms are closely associated with thrombophilia. Regional frequencies of these mutations may show a characteristic state. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of commonly seen Factor V / Factor II / Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms in Eastern Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 433 patients sent to the laboratory with the suspicion of thrombophilia, using whole blood samples, an automated Nucleic Acid Test was used for mutation determinations in Verigene System. The kit module was designed to detect the Factor V G1691A / Factor II G20210A / Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T single nucleotide polymorphisms. RESULTS: In 433 patients, 8.7% for Factor V G1691A polymorphisms were heterozygous genotype, 3.9% for Factor II G20210A polymorphisms were heterozygous genotype, and 43.9% for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C>T polymorphisms were heterozygous genotype and 3.0% homozygous mutation genotype. CONCLUSION: Detection of these commonly seen Factor V / Factor II / Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase single nucleotide polymorphisms can help to identify patients in high risk group and to evaluate the interaction of genetic and acquired risk factors. Our findings suggest that commonly seen thrombophilic allele mutation frequency in our region is the same as the data reported in the literature.

The effect of inflammatory cytokines and the level of vitamin D on prognosis in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease. Its pathogenesis basically involves endothelial damage. The aim of this study was to determine serum IL2, IL6, IL 10 and 25 OH Vitamin D levels in patients with CCHF and also to reveal their role in the clinical course and prognosis of the disease. Diagnosis of CCHF was confirmed using the positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and/or positive IgM antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and total 25 OH Vitamin D levels were also measured using ELISA. Eighty CCHF patients and 110 healthy controls were enrolled. IL2, IL6 and IL10 levels were significantly higher in the patient group. IL 6 and IL 10 levels were significantly higher in the fatal group. There was a positive correlation between Vitamin D and AST (r=0.402; P<0.001), and another positive correlation between IL-6 and CK (r=0.714; P<0.001). High IL6 and L10 levels are a significant indicator of fatality. Cytokines are only one of the factors responsible for mortality. We conclude that the pathogenesis of the disease can be better understood by elucidating the complicated cytokine network.