Is just enzyme replacement therapy enough for Fabry disease treatment? Have we missed a trick? / ¿Es suficiente la terapia enzimática para tratar la enfermedad de Fabry? ¿Nos falta algún detalle?

Background and aim: In Fabry disease (FD), primary factors such as glycosphingolipid deposition that initiate kidney damage and secondary factors that advance kidney damage to fibrosis are different. Periostin is a molecule of proven importance in renal inflammation and fibrosis. It was previously shown that periostin plays an essential role in the process leading to renal fibrosis and its expression is increased in many kidney diseases. In the present study, we aimed to reveal the relationship between periostin and Fabry nephropathy. Material-method: This cross-sectional study included 18 FD patients (10 males, 8 females) with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) indications and 22 healthy control patients of similar age and gender. At the time of diagnosis, plasma alpha-galactosidase A (α-gal-A) and globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3), proteinuria, and kidney function tests of all FD patients before ERT were scanned from the hospital system. Periostin was studied from serum samples collected and stored before ERT. Parameters related to serum periostin levels in Fabry disease were investigated. Results: In FD patients, serum periostin was negatively correlated with age of first symptom and GFR; and positively correlated with proteinuria and lyso-Gb3. In regression analysis, we found that serum periostin was the only independent determinant of proteinuria in patients with Fabry disease. The serum periostin levels were significantly lower in patients with low proteinuria, and the serum periostin levels were correlated with proteinuria. Discussion: Periostin may be a valuable marker of Fabry nephropathy and proteinuria. Periostin seems to be one of the molecules that may have an important role in the management of the fibrotic process in Fabry nephropathy. We think that the role of periostin among these mechanisms is worth investigating... (AU)

Antecedente y objetivo: En la enfermedad de Fabry (EF), son diferentes los factores primarios tales como el depósito de glicoesfingolípidos que inicia el daño renal, y los factores secundarios que progresan de daño renal a fibrosis. Periostina es una molécula de importancia probada en la inflamación renal y la fibrosis. Se ha demostrado previamente que periostina juega un papel esencial en el proceso que causa la fibrosis renal, y que su expresión se incrementa en muchas enfermedades renales. En el presente estudio, nuestro objetivo fue revelar la relación entre la periostina y la nefropatía de Fabry. Material y método: Este estudio transversal incluyó 18 pacientes con EF (10 varones y 8 mujeres) con indicación de terapia enzimática (ERT) y 22 controles sanos con edad y sexo similares. En el momento del diagnóstico se escanearon del sistema hospitalario las pruebas de alfa-galactosidasa A (α-gal-A) plasmática y globotriaosilsfingosina (lyso-Gb3), proteinuria y función renal de todos los pacientes con EF antes de la ERT. Se analizó el nivel de periostina en las muestras séricas recogidas y almacenadas antes de realizar la ERT. Se investigaron los parámetros relacionados con los niveles séricos de periostina en la enfermedad de Fabry. Resultados: En los pacientes con EF, el nivel de periostina sérica se correlacionó negativamente con la edad del primer síntoma y la GFR, y positivamente con proteinuria y lyso-Gb3. En el análisis de regresión, encontramos que el nivel de periostina sérico fue el único determinante independiente de proteinuria en los pacientes con EF. Los niveles séricos de periostina fueron significativamente menores en los pacientes con baja proteinuria, correlacionándose los niveles séricos de periostina con proteinuria. Discusión: La periostina puede ser un marcador valioso de nefropatìa de Fabry y proteinuria.... (AU)

Production, characterization and therapeutic efficacy of egg yolk antibodies specific to Nosema ceranae.

Nosema disease, caused by Nosema ceranae, one of the single-celled fungal microsporidian parasites, is one of the most important and common diseases of adult honey bees. Since fumagillin, which has been used for decades in the control of Nosema disease in honey bees (Apis mellifera), poses a toxic threat and its efficacy against N. ceranae is uncertain, there is an urgent need to develop alternative prophylactic and curative strategies for the treatment of this disease. The main aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of specific egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) on Nosema disease. For this purpose, the presence of N. ceranae was determined by microscopic and PCR methods in honey bees collected from Nosema suspicious colonies by conducting a field survey. Layered Ataks chickens, divided into four groups each containing 20 animals, were vaccinated with live and inactivated vaccines prepared from field isolates of N. ceranae. Eggs were collected weekly for 10 weeks following the last vaccination. IgY extraction was performed using the PEG precipitation method from egg yolks collected from each group, and the purity of the antibodies was determined by SDS-PAGE and Western Blot. The presence of N. ceranae-specific IgYs was investigated by Western Blot and indirect ELISA methods. It was determined that specific IgYs showed high therapeutic efficacy on Nosema disease in naturally infected bee colonies. In addition, honey bees collected from infected colonies were brought to the laboratory and placed in cages with 30 bees each, and the effectiveness of IgYs was investigated under controlled conditions. It was detected that specific IgY reduced the Nosema spore load and the number of infected bees significantly in both the field and experimental study groups treated for seven days. It was concluded that chicken IgYs, an innovative and eco-friendly method, had a significant potential for use as an alternative to antifungal drugs.

Overlooked factor in the etiology of pruritus in hemodialysis patients: Ultrafiltration volume.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the relationship between ultrafiltration (UF) volume and pruritus severity based on the idea that skin perfusion and inflammatory changes occur in dialysis patients with high UF volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study included 392 patients. Patients filled out the Numerical Rating Scale, Verbal Rating Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale, showing the severity of pruritis. UF volumes in the last 12 sessions were recorded and averaged. RESULTS: The rate of patients with pruritis was between 59.4% and 67.5% in the three scales. In three pruritis scales, the severity of pruritis, age, body mass index (BMI), UF volume, and UF volume/body weight ratio were positively correlated. UF volume/body weight ratio, age, and BMI were independent predictors of pruritis severity. CONCLUSION: Limiting interdialytic weight gain may be an important treatment approach in pruritus control.

Tonic-Clonic Seizure in Patient With SLE: Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome, or a Neuropsychiatric Manifestation of SLE?

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinically and radiologically diagnosed reversible sudden onset disease with many neurological symptoms. SLE is the most common cause of PRES among autoimmune diseases. Many factors, such as SLE activity, hypertension, hematological and renal diseases, lymphopenia dyslipidemia, and immunosuppressive treatments, can trigger PRES in SLE. We wanted to draw attention to the difference between neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and PRES in a patient with SLE and the triggers for developing PRES in SLE by presenting a hypertensive patient on immunosuppressive therapy who had just started haemodialysis treatment and had generalised tonic-clonic seizures.

Unknown criminals for kidney: Acute interstitial nephritis due to lavender tea.

INTRODUCTION: Spanish Lavender is an herbal from the lavender family and is widely used among people for the belief that it cures various diseases. Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is one of the common causes of acute kidney injury (AKI). Although drugs are the most common cause of AIN, the frequency of reporting AIN cases due to various herbals has been increasing in recent years. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 24-year-old male patient who developed AKI after consuming Spanish lavender tea to treat upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and was diagnosed with AIN. AIM AND DISCUSSION: With this case report, we wanted to explain the fact that medicinal herbs, which are used frequently and carelessly today, can have serious consequences, as in acute interstitial nephritis associated with Spanish lavender.

Is just enzyme replacement therapy enough for Fabry disease treatment? Have we missed a trick?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In Fabry disease (FD), primary factors such as glycosphingolipid deposition that initiate kidney damage and secondary factors that advance kidney damage to fibrosis are different. Periostin is a molecule of proven importance in renal inflammation and fibrosis. It was previously shown that periostin plays an essential role in the process leading to renal fibrosis and its expression is increased in many kidney diseases. In the present study, we aimed to reveal the relationship between periostin and Fabry nephropathy. MATERIAL-METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 18 FD patients (10 males, 8 females) with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) indications and 22 healthy control patients of similar age and gender. At the time of diagnosis, plasma alpha-galactosidase A (α-gal-A) and globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3), proteinuria, and kidney function tests of all FD patients before ERT were scanned from the hospital system. Periostin was studied from serum samples collected and stored before ERT. Parameters related to serum periostin levels in Fabry disease were investigated. RESULTS: In FD patients, serum periostin was negatively correlated with age of first symptom and GFR; and positively correlated with proteinuria and lyso-Gb3. In regression analysis, we found that serum periostin was the only independent determinant of proteinuria in patients with Fabry disease. The serum periostin levels were significantly lower in patients with low proteinuria, and the serum periostin levels were correlated with proteinuria. DISCUSSION: Periostin may be a valuable marker of Fabry nephropathy and proteinuria. Periostin seems to be one of the molecules that may have an important role in the management of the fibrotic process in Fabry nephropathy. We think that the role of periostin among these mechanisms is worth investigating. In addition to standard ERTs, periostin-reducing therapies may contribute to better kidney survival in Fabry disease. Progressive fibrosis processes caused by periostin in patients with Fabry disease are still a hidden issue waiting to be clarified. Progressive fibrosis processes caused by periostin in Fabry patients are still a hidden issue waiting to be clarified.

The relationship between FGF23 and anemia in HD and renal transplant patients.

PURPOSE: Recent studies claim that FGF23 is also associated with anemia and inflammation. In this study, the relationship between FGF23 and anemia in hemodialysis (HD) and renal transplantation patients (RTx patients) patients was investigated. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 40 RTx patients (13 females, 27 males; mean age, 45.93 ± 12.49 years) who had transplantation at least 6 months before, 25 HD patients (12 females, 13 males; mean age, 54.72 ± 15.5 years), and 20 healthy control subjects (13 females, 7 males; mean age, 36.7 ± 9.38 years). FGF23 was studied using Elisa method. Parameters such as iron, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation were assessed. RESULTS: FGF23 level was significantly higher in HD patients when compared with the RTx patients and control groups. In the bivariate correlation analysis, hemoglobin was positively correlated with albumin (r = 0.681, p = 0.000), ferritin (r = 0.446, p = 0.043), and negatively correlated with CRP (r = - 0.476, p = 0.016) and FGF23 (r = 0.493, p = 0.043). FGF23 was found to be an independent predictor of decreased hemoglobin in HD patients. In addition, this association was observed to disappear after transplantation. CONCLUSION: While FGF23 is closely related to hemoglobin levels in HD patients, we have shown that this relationship disappears after transplantation.

On-chip label-free impedance-based detection of antibiotic permeation.

Biosensors are analytical tools used for the analysis of biomaterial samples and provide an understanding about the biocomposition, structure, and function of biomolecules and/or biomechanisms by converting the biological response into an electrical and/or optical signal. In particular, with the rise in antibiotic resistance amongst pathogenic bacteria, the study of antibiotic activity and transport across cell membranes in the field of biosensors has been gaining widespread importance. Herein, for the rapid and label-free detection of antibiotic permeation across a membrane, a microelectrode integrated microfluidic device is presented. The integrated chip consists of polydimethylsiloxane based microfluidic channels bonded onto microelectrodes on-glass and enables us to recognize the antibiotic permeation across a membrane into the model membranes based on electrical impedance measurement, while also allowing optical monitoring. Impedance testing is label free and therefore allows the detection of both fluorescent and non-fluorescent antibiotics. As a model membrane, Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) are used and impedance measurements were performed by a precision inductance, capacitance, and resistance metre. The measured signal recorded from the device was used to determine the change in concentration inside and outside of the GUVs. We have found that permeation of antibiotic molecules can be easily monitored over time using the proposed integrated device. The results also show a clear difference between bilayer permeation that occurs through the lipidic bilayer and porin-mediated permeation through the porin channels inserted in the lipid bilayer.

Electrochemical-based ''antibiotsensor'' for the whole-cell detection of the vancomycin-susceptible bacteria.

In this study, we aim to develop an antibiotic-based biosensor platform 'Antibiotsensor' for the specific detection of gram-positive bacteria using vancomycin modified Screen Printed Gold Electrodes (SPGEs). Through this pathway, vancomycin molecules were first functionalized with thiol groups and characterized with quadrupole time of flight (q-TOF) mass spectroscopy analysis. Immobilization of thiolated vancomycin molecules (HS-Van) onto SPGEs was carried out based on self-assembled monolayer (SAM) phenomenon. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to test the detection and showed a considerable change in impedance value upon the binding of HS-Van molecules onto the electrode surface. Atomic Force Microscopy analysis indicated that SPGE was successfully modified upon the treatment with HS-Van molecules based on the shift in surface roughness from 173 ± 2 nm to 301 ± 3 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy proved the EIS and AFM results as well by showing characteristic peaks of immobilized HS-Van molecule. As a proof-of-concept, EIS-based susceptibility testing was performed using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium smegmatis bacteria to prove the specificity of obtained SPGE-Van. EIS data showed that the charge transfer resistance (Rct) values changed from 1.08, 1.18 to 26.5, respectively, indicating that vancomycin susceptible S. aureus was successfully attached onto SPGE-Van surface strongly, while vancomycin resistance E. coli and M. smegmatis did not show any significant attachment properties. In addition, different concentration (108-10 CFU/mL) of S. aureus was performed to investigate sensitivity of proposed sensor platform. Limit of detection and limit of quantitation was calculated as 101.58 and 104.81 CFU/mL, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis also confirmed that only S. aureus bacteria was attached to the surface in a dense monolayer distribution. We believe that the proposed approach is selective and sensitive towards the whole-cell detection of vancomycin-susceptible bacteria and can be modified for different purposes in the future.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Some Characteristic Features of People Recovered from COVID-19 in Turkey.

Background and objectives: The whole world is spending an extraordinary effort by implementing various measures to control and prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of the preventive measures is greatly influenced by the public's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards the disease. In this study, KAP values and some characteristic features of people recovered from COVID-19 were determined by conducting a questionnaire survey. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire survey was conducted between 1 and 10 January 2021 on people who recovered from COVID-19 in a total of 150 different locations in Turkey. The questionnaire consisted of 46 questions: 14 for determining demographic and some characteristic features of the participants, and 32 for determining their knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The data obtained were evaluated using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: It was determined that 63% of the participants had at least one chronic illness, 3.9% suffered from the disease twice, and 45.2% changed their smoking habits. The average knowledge score of the participants about COVID-19 was calculated as 10.25 (SD = 2.37; range 0-15). The participants were found to have a high level of knowledge about the symptoms and prevention methods in general, and positive changes in post-illness attitudes and behaviors. However, there was a great instability regarding the drugs and vaccines used in the treatment of COVID-19. Conclusions: This was the first study carried out in Turkey to determine knowledge, attitudes, practices, and some characteristic features of people who recovered from COVID-19. It was suggested that health authorities in the country need to develop more effective strategies and policies to find out permanent solutions in order to control and prevent the COVID-19 pandemic by taking into account the concerns of the public, particularly with regards to the drugs used in the treatment and vaccination.

Rapid fabrication of teflon apertures by controlled high voltage pulses for formation of free standing planar lipid bilayer membrane.

Free standing artificial lipid bilayers are widely used in the study of biological pores. In these types of studies, the free standing planar lipid bilayer is formed over a micron-sized aperture consisting of either polymer such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon) or glass. Teflon is chemically inert, has a low dielectric constant, and has a high electrical resistance which combined allow for obtaining low noise recordings. This study investigates the reproducible generation of micropores in the range of 50-100 microns in diameter in a Teflon film using a high energy discharge set-up. The discharger set-up consists of a microprocessor, a transformer, a voltage regulator, and is controlled by a computer. We compared two approaches for pore creation: single and multi-pulse methods. The results showed that the multi-pulse method produced narrower aperture size distributions and is more convenient for lipid bilayer formation, and thus would have a higher success rate than the single-pulse method. The bilayer stability experiments showed that the lipid bilayer lasts for more than 33 h. Finally, as a proof-of-concept, we show that the single and multi-channel electrophysiology experiments were successfully performed with the apertures created by using the mentioned discharger. In conclusion, the described discharger provides reproducible Teflon-pores in a cheap and easy-to-operate manner.

Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients in the city of Zonguldak, Turkey.

PURPOSE: Patients on maintenance hemodialysis are vulnerable to viral infections like COVID-19 because of the low chance of obedience and complying with rules besides the need for transfer to distant dialysis facilities. We investigated the impact and clinical effect of treatment of COVID-19 in dialysis patients. METHODS: We included patients on maintenance hemodialysis at different healthcare facilities in Zonguldak city. With the diagnosis of the first infected HD case, all other patients who shared the same session were screened. Hospitalized and clinically confirmed cases were included. COVID-19 diagnosis was made based on clinical, biochemical along radiologic findings. RESULTS: 34 (F/M:19/15, mean age 62 ± 13.2 years, dialysis duration 66.9 ± 57.7 months, length of hospital stay 16.2 ± 7.9 days) were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. The prevalence of COVID-19 was found to be 18.4% of our exposed population. 38.2% of our patients were initially diagnosed by CT screening while asymptomatic. 35.3% had a fever as the first presenting symptom. Lymphopenia was the most common laboratory finding. Except for one, all had at least one comorbidity. Out of 12 (35.3%) patients admitted to ICU 6(17.6%) died. The deceased patients were older, presented with lower serum albumin and lymphocyte count, and had higher CRP and fibrinogen levels. High CRP level on admission was the only significant predictor of mortality. CONCLUSION: Early detection will lower mortality. In this study, with a low prevalence of COVID-19, the importance of early screening of both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients was shown to be highly important. Further studies are still needed to find out the most appropriate medical management.

Investigation of the Effect of Channel Structure and Flow Rate on On-Chip Bacterial Lysis.

Successful lysis of cells/microorganisms is a key step in the sample preparation in fields like molecular biology, bioengineering, and biomedical engineering. This study therefore aims to investigate the lysis of bacteria on-chip and its dependence on both microfluidic channel structure and flow rate. Effects of temperature on lysis on-chip were also investigated. To perform these investigations, three different microfluidic chips were designed and produced (straight, zigzag and circular configurations), while the length of the channels were kept constant. As an exemplary case, Mycobacterium smegmatis was chosen to represent the acid-fast bacteria. Bacterial suspensions of 1.5 McFarland were injected into the chips at various flow rates (0.6- [Formula: see text]/min) either at room temperature or 50° C. In order to understand the on-chip lysis performance fully, off-chip experiments were carried out at durations which are equal to those bacteria spent in the channel from inlet to the outlet at different flow rates. We also performed COMSOL multiphysics program simulations to evaluate further the effect of the applied parameters. As a result, we found that the structure and the flow rate do not affect lysis over all in all investigated channel types, however on-chip experiments at room temperature produced more effective lysis compared to the on-chip and the off-chip samples performed at higher temperatures. Interestingly on-chip experiments at higher tempratures do not result in effective lysis.

Label-free molecular detection of antibiotic susceptibility for Mycobacterium smegmatis using a low cost electrode format.

Today, the emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is considered an important problem for society. Excessive consumption of antibiotics, long-term treatments, and inappropriate prescriptions continually increase the severity of the problem. Improving antibiotic stewardship requires improved diagnostic testing, and, therefore, in vitro antibiotic susceptibility testing is becoming increasingly important. This research details the development of an antibiotic susceptibility test for Mycobacterium smegmatis using streptomycin as antibiotics. This strain was selected because it is a member of the slow growing Mycobacterium genus and serves as a useful surrogate organism for M. tuberculosis. A commercially available and low-cost screen-printed gold electrode in combination with a specifically developed nucleic acid probe sequence for the 16SrRNA region of the mycobacterial genome was employed to monitor M. smegmatis nucleic acid sequences using the techniques of square-wave voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that it was possible to detect M. smegmatis sequences and distinguish antibiotic-treated cells from untreated cells with a label-free molecular detection. As a result, the in vitro antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that M. smegmatis showed sensitivity to streptomycin after a 24-H incubation, with the developed protocol representing a potential approach to determining antibiotic susceptibility more quickly and economically than current methods.

Assessment of Farmers' Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance.

The aim of this study was to determine knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of farmers dealing with animal husbandry in eastern Turkey with regard to antibiotic knowledge, use, and resistance. A face to face questionnaire survey, consisting of five sections with 42 questions in total, was applied to 360 farmers located in the region. The questions in the first and fifth sections were closed-ended while those in other sections were prepared using the Likert scale. It was determined that knowledge of the farmers about antibiotic use, duration, storage, and resistance was well below desired levels. This was particularly remarkable in the participants with a low level of education, living in rural areas, and those at 48 years of age or over. In contrast, younger and highly educated participants living in urban areas were more knowledgeable about antibiotic use and they were well aware of the fact that resistance might pose a great risk for public health. Providing appropriate antibiotic use in animals through systematic training of livestock farmers is crucial in tackling the resistance problem.

Resveratrol Enhances Apoptotic and Oxidant Effects of Paclitaxel through TRPM2 Channel Activation in DBTRG Glioblastoma Cells.

Numerous studies have reported a strong association between increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the pathobiology of several diseases, and cancer in particular. Therefore, manipulation of cellular oxidative stress levels represents an important therapeutic target. Recently, resveratrol (RESV), a naturally occurring phytochemical, has been shown to sensitize several cell lines to the anticancer effects of other chemotherapeutic agents, including paclitaxel (PAX). However, the molecular mechanisms of action of RESV through oxidative sensitive TRPM2 channel activation remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combination therapy of RESV and PAX on activation of TRPM2 in DBTRG glioblastoma cells. DBTRG cells were divided into four treatment groups: control, RESV (50 µM), PAX (50 µM), and PAX + RESV for 24 hours. Our data shows that markers for apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and mitochondrial function, intracellular steady-state ROS levels, caspase 3 activity, TRPM2 current density, and Ca2+ florescence intensity were significantly increased in DBTRG cells following treatment with PAX and RESV, respectively, although cell viability was also decreased by these treatments. These biochemical markers were further increased to favor the anticancer effects of PAX in DBTRG cells in combination with RESV. The PAX and RESV-mediated increase in current density and Ca2+ florescence intensity was decreased with a TRPM2 blocker. This suggests that for this combination therapy to have a substantial effect on apoptosis and cell viability, the TRPM2 channel must be stimulated.

Ischemic modified albumin as a new biomarker in predicting oxidative stress in alopecia areata

Background/aim: Results show that oxidative stress is a pathophysiologic factor for alopecia areata (AA); however, the markers used can be confounding. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of AA through an evaluation of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA); other markers of the oxidant/antioxidant system, such as SOD, CAT, GSH-ST, and MDA; and contributing clinical risk factors. Materials and methods: The usefulness of IMA as a new marker for oxidative stress was compared with that of other markers and evaluated in patients with AA. Results: The mean serum level of IMA was of higher statistical significance in AA patients than in the control group (IMA: 0.57 ± 0.01 vs. 0.52 ± 0.02 ΔABSU, P < 0.0001). IMA (P = 0.03, OR = 25.8, 95% CI = 1.4­482.7) was found to be an independent predictor of oxidative stress in patients with AA. Increased severity of AA was found as an independent risk factor for IMA. Conclusion: Long-lasting disease, male sex, >1 site of involvement of disease, and increased severity of disease were correlated with increased oxidation. Presence of AA, male sex, and severe disease were determined to be independent risk factors for antioxidant and oxidant systems. IMA has great potential as a biomarker of oxidative stress in AA when compared to other studied biomarkers.

Usefulness of ischemia-modified albumin in predicting oxidative stress in patients with vitiligo.

AIM: To investigate the emphasis of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of vitiligo through an evaluation of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA). Results/methodology: IMA was of higher statistical significance in patients than in the control group (IMA: 0.57 ± 0.2 vs 0.52 ± 0.2 ΔABSU; p < 0.0001). IMA (p < 0.0001; OR: 8.9; 95% CI = 3.1-26.1) was found as an independent predictor of oxidative stress. Increases in affected body surface area and age were found to be independent risk factors for IMA. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values and capacity of IMA were higher than other studied biomarkers. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: IMA can be detected in the condition of oxidative stress in vitiligo; it has great potential as a biomarker of said condition, when compared with other studied biomarkers.

Resistin: New serum marker for predicting severity of acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of resistin in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Patients with acute pancreatitis who presented at the Gastroenterology Clinic, Erzurum Education and Research Hospital, Turkey were enrolled in this prospective study. White blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and resistin levels were measured on admission and at 24 h, day 3 and day 7 following admission, along with other blood parameters. Patients were divided into two groups: mild acute pancreatitis and moderate/severe acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: Of 59 patients with acute pancreatitis (mild, n = 37; moderate/severe, n = 22), significant between-group differences were found in terms of resistin and CRP levels. Receiver operating curve analysis showed that resistin levels were better for predicting severe cases of acute pancreatitis than CRP or WBC levels on day 3 (area under the curve [AUC], 0.88 versus 0.81 and 0.63, respectively). Resistin levels on day 3 were better than CRP levels for predicting necrosis development (AUC, 0.70 versus 0.69, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Resistin may represent a new, effective indicator to predict the severity of acute pancreatitis and presence of necrosis in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Mean platelet volume in a patient with male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: the relationship between low testosterone, metabolic syndrome, impaired fasting glucose and cardiovascular risk.

Isolated male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) can be congenital or acquired. Mean platelet volume (MPV), determinant of platelet function, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate MPV values in male IHH and the relationships between MPV, low testosterone levels, metabolic syndrome, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and cardiovascular risk. Thirty-one patients with untreated, normosmic, isolated, male IHH (mean age 22.5 ± 7.58 years) and 30 age and BMI-matched healthy individuals (mean 22.51 ± 4.94 years) were included in the study. All hormonal analyses were done by chemiluminesance assay. All study participants were evaluated by biochemical and platelet parameters. MPV were significantly higher in IHH than controls (8.6 ± 0.65 and 7.6 ± 0.54 fl, respectively; P = 0.000). MPV had a positive correlation between metabolic syndrome (r = 0.444; P = 0000), IFG (r = 0.371; P = 0.04), insulin (r = 0.820; P = 0.02), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR (r = 0.822; P = 0.0023) and BMI (r = 0.373; P = 0.012). MPV had a negative correlation between total testosterone (r =  -0.586; P = 0.0000), free testosterone (r =  -0.634; P = 0.0000), luteinizing hormone (r =  -0.471; P = 0.0000) and FSH (r =  -0.434; P = 0.0000). Although control patients did not have metabolic syndrome and IFG, IHH patients had metabolic syndrome and IFG significantly more often (P < 0.001, P = 0.003, respectively). Age, metabolic syndrome, IFG, BMI, fasting glucose, insulin, CRP and HOMA-IR were independent predictive factors of MPV in the multiple regression analysis. These results suggest that men with IHH are susceptible to increased platelet activation and increased MPV values that contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. From this study, it has been observed that IHH with low testosterone may be a feature of the metabolic syndrome, IFG, increased MPV levels and cardiovascular risk in young adult males.