Can blood eosinophil count be used as a predictive marker for the severity of COPD and concomitant cardiovascular disease? The relationship with the 2023 Version of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Staging.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between eosinophil count and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the correlation between eosinophil count and the risk of exacerbations in COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 405 patients who met the study inclusion criteria. Of the participants, 100 (25%) were classified as Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) A, 105 (26%) as GOLD B, and 200 (49%) as GOLD E. Routine blood tests (including leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and platelet count) were carried out using an automated hematology analyzer. RESULTS: The eosinophil count and eosinophil percentage were significantly higher in 158 patients with COPD and concurrent CVD than in the COPD patients without concurrent CVD [2.95 (2.4), p=2.309e-11, 1.9 (2), p=5.02e-08, respectively). The prevalence of CVD was higher in the GOLD E group that experienced prominent exacerbations, and while the eosinophil count was also higher (p=.03) in this group, the eosinophil percentage did not differ significantly in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate a strong relationship between eosinophils and cardiovascular events in COPD subjects, particularly in subjects at high risk of exacerbations and cardiovascular complications.

Temperature rises in the round window caused by various light sources during insertion of rigid endoscopes: an experimental animal study.

OBJECTIVES: The instruments used in endoscopic surgery include rigid endoscopes of different diameters and angles, sources of light and monitors. In this study, we explored temperature rises in the round window caused by insertion of rigid endoscopes of different diameters into the middle ear; the endoscopes were fitted with different light sources. DESIGN: An experimental animal study. SETTING: We subjected seven guinea pigs to simulate otological surgery at room temperature. We monitored body temperatures, along with temperature rises caused by the use of 0° rigid endoscopes of diameters 3 or 4 mm, fitted with light sources including a halogen light, a light-emitting diode (LED) and a xenon light. Data were collected every second from a sensor placed in the round window. PARTICIPANTS: An experimental study on 7 guinea pigs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rise of the temperature on round window. RESULTS: Rigid endoscopes caused the temperature of the tympanum to rise when xenon and halogen light sources were used, regardless of endoscope diameter. However, the temperature rise was less when a LED light source was employed. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic instruments used in middle ear surgery caused the temperature of the round window to rise. The rise varied with endoscope diameter and the type of light source used.

Evaluation of preoperative and postoperative S-100B levels in children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: Upper air obstruction leads hypoxia, it is also known that S-100B levels increase by glial activations indicate cerebral hypoxic injury. This study aimed to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative S-100B levels in children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 40 patients with indications for tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy following a diagnosis of chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy and 40 age-gender matched control patients. Blood samples were taken from the patients preoperatively and at four weeks postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative serum S-100B levels were analyzed. RESULTS: The serum S-100B levels in the preoperative period were found to be significantly higher compared to those of the control group (p < 0.05). The S-100B levels were significantly decreased in the postoperative period (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The development of chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy would play a role in increased S-100B levels. This indicates that neuronal damage would exists in patients with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Evaluation of total oxidative stress parameters in patients with nasal polyps.

Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidative defense activity, is believed to have a role in the development and pathogenesis of nasal polyps (NPs). Based on this assumption, several known oxidants and antioxidants have been studied in patients with NPs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between oxidative stress parameters with a more valid and reliable method in patients with NPs. Seventy-three patients with NPs, septal deviations and middle concha hypertrophies were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups; group 1 (n = 38) consisted of patients with NPs, and group 2 (n = 35) included patients with septal deviations and middle concha hypertrophies. Polyp specimens were taken from all patients who underwent endoscopic surgery for NPs. Control specimens were obtained from patients who underwent an operation for septoplasty or middle concha hypertrophy. Blood and tissue samples were obtained to assess total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI). Compared to group 2, group 1 had significantly higher TOS and OSI and lower TAS levels both in serum and tissue samples (p < 0.001 for all). In group 1, tissue TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher, and TAS levels were significantly lower than in serum (p < 0.001 for all), whereas no significant difference was found in TOS, OSI and TAS levels either in serum or tissue samples in group 2 (p = 1.0; p = 1; p = 0.208, respectively). In group 1, serum OSI levels were significantly correlated with age (r = 0.442, p = 0.005). Our study demonstrated that oxidative stress, both in serum and tissues in patients with NPs, was higher than in patients without NPs. Our study differs from previous studies in that we used a more reliable method that measures both TOS and TAS.

Prolidase activity and oxidative stress parameters in patients with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oxidative stress is believed to have a role in the development of nasal polyps (NPs). It is also known that prolidase activity increases secondary to chronic inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between prolidase activity and oxidative stress parameters in patients with NPs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with NPs, septal deviations and the concha hypertrophies were recruited to the study. Patients were divided into two groups; group 1 (n=30) consisted of patients with NPs, and group 2 (n=30) included patients with septal deviations and concha hypertrophies. Polyp specimens were taken from all patients who underwent endoscopic surgery for NPs. Control specimens were acquired from patients who underwent an operation for septoplasty or concha hypertrophy. Blood and tissue samples were obtained to assess lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), catalase (CAT) and prolidase activity. RESULTS: Compared to group 2, group 1 had significantly higher LOOH and prolidase levels, and lower CAT levels both in serum and tissue samples (p<0.05 for all). Prolidase activity was correlated with increased LOOH and decreased CAT levels (r = 0.507 p = 0.004; r = - 0.579, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that oxidative stress and prolidase activity, both in serum and the tissue in patients with NPs, were higher than in patients without NPs.

The preoperative and postoperative oxidative status of children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative oxidative status of children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 25 patients with indications for tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy following a diagnosis of chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy and 25 age-gender matched control patients were included to the study. Blood samples were taken from the patients preoperatively and at four weeks postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative serum total oxidant (TOS) and total antioxidant (TAS) levels were measured and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. RESULTS: The serum total oxidant level and oxidant stress index values in the preoperative and postoperative periods of the patients were found to be significantly high compared to those of the control group. While the preoperative serum total oxidant level values were found to be significantly high compared to the postoperative values, no statistical significance was found between the total antioxidant and oxidative stress index values. CONCLUSION: The development of chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy plays a role in oxidative status and therefore, to neutralize high levels of oxidants in patients, the use of antioxidants for a period preoperatively and postoperatively is thought to be necessary.

Oxidative stress index may play a key role in patients with pemphigus vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation are seen in many dermatologic disorders, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, acne vulgaris, pemphigus vulgaris (PV), lichen planus and alopecia areata. In PV, the increased production of ROS from activated neutrophils reduces the concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to determine the oxidative stress index (OSI) by studying serum total oxidant capacity (TOC), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in PV patients. METHODS: The study included 27 PV patients and a control group consisting of 24 healthy volunteers. Serum TOC, LOOH and TAC levels were examined and OSI was measured in the PV patients and the control group. RESULTS: TOC (P = 0.001) and LOOH (P = 0.001) levels as well as OSI (P = 0.001) were found higher in the PV patients, relative to the control group. Serum TAS (P = 0.221) did not differ between groups. Serum TOC, LOOH and TAC levels and OSI in PV patients with mucosal involvement were not different than those in mucocutaneous PV patients. CONCLUSION: Serum TOC and LOOH levels and OSI were higher in the PV patients, in comparison with the control group. Serum TAC level was not different.

The effect of component position on clinical outcomes in resurfacing hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between component position and clinical results in resurfacing hip arthroplasty. METHODS: Resurfacing hip arthroplasty was performed on 41 hips of 38 patients (22 male, 16 female; mean age: 53.7 years; mean follow-up time: 20.1 ± 5.8 months). The femoral and acetabular component orientation angles in the coronal plane were evaluated on anteroposterior radiographs. Harris and Oxford hip scores were used in the clinical evaluation. RESULTS: The mean angle between the collum and diaphysis was 139.5 ± 8.8 degrees. In 22 hips, the femoral component angle between collum and diaphysis was less than 5 degrees valgus position when compared with the same anatomical femur angle. In the other 19 hips, the femoral component angle was greater than 5 degrees valgus position. The mean inclination angle of the acetabular component was 46.1 ± 7 degrees. In 22 hips, the mean inclination angle of the acetabular components was 45 degrees or less. There was no significant difference in the clinical outcomes between patients with femoral component angles of greater than 5 degrees valgus position and those with angles of less than 5 degrees valgus position (p>0.05). There was also no significant difference between the clinical results of patients with an acetabular inclination of 45 degrees or less and those with an acetabular inclination exceeding 45 degrees (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The orientation of femoral and acetabular components in the coronal plane does not appear to have an effect on clinical outcomes in resurfacing hip arthroplasty.