Type D personality, anxiety, depression and personality traits in patients with isolated itching of the external auditory canal.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated type D personality, anxiety, depression and personality traits in patients with isolated itching of the external auditory canal. METHOD: A hundred consecutive out-patients with isolated itching of the external auditory canal and 100 controls were enrolled in the study. The Type D Scale, the abbreviated form of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used for data collection. Patients were also evaluated using the Modified Itch Severity Scale. RESULTS: In all, 43 per cent of patients and 15 per cent of controls met the criteria for a type D personality. Patients with a type D personality had higher anxiety and itching severity but lower extraversion compared with those without a type D personality. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that extraversion and type D personality were independently associated with itch severity. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that clinicians should consider psychological and personality features when evaluating and treating patients with isolated itching of the external auditory canal.

Melatonin Modulates the Immune System Response and Inflammation in Diabetic Rats Experimentally-Induced by Alloxan.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease, which causes an increase in the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and also proliferation of monocyte chemotactic protein. In the present study, the potential effects of melatonin on proinflammatory cytokines, hematological values, and lymphoid tissues were investigated in diabetic rats. In the study, 36 male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows: Control, Mel (melatonin), DM, and DM-Mel. For 15 days, an isotonic saline solution was given to the Control and DM groups; melatonin was administered to the Mel and DM-Mel groups intraperitoneally. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed by drawing the blood from their hearts under deep anesthesia. Samples of the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes were fixed in 10% formaldehyde for histologic analysis. Increases in proinflammatory serum cytokine concentrations, mast cells, and total white blood cell counts as well as tissue destruction in the lymphoid organs were determined in the DM group via biochemical, hematological, and histologic analyses. However, the findings for the DM-Mel group revealed decreases in serum IL-1ß concentration and mast cell densities, and destructions in lymphoid tissues by the melatonin administration. The present study suggests that melatonin treatment may control immune system regulation and inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines and tissue mast cell accumulation by preventing the destruction of lymphoid organs in the diabetic process.

Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on cisplatin ototoxicity.

PURPOSE: To report histological and electrophysiological data in rats treated with cisplatin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester. METHODS: We randomly divided 28 Wistar rats into four groups of seven, to be treated as follows: control (saline), cisplatin, CAPE and cisplatin-CAPE. Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were performed on day one (before drug administration) and day five under anaesthesia. All animals were killed under general anaesthesia on day five after the DPOAE measurement. The cochleae of each rat were histopathologically and immunohistochemically evaluated. RESULTS: The outer hair cells were mostly preserved in the control and CAPE groups. Moderate-to-severe and mild-to-moderate hair cell losses were detected in the cisplatin and cisplatin-CAPE groups, respectively. DPOAE assessments revealed significant deterioration in the cisplatin group (P < 0.05). The difference between the cisplatin and cisplatin-CAPE groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CAPE prevents cisplatin ototoxicity.

Serum omentin-1 levels in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Omentin-1, a novel adipokine identified in visceral adipose tissue, is negatively correlated with different conditions such as diabetes, obesity and inflammation. However, changes in serum Omentin levels associated with the degree of the renal dysfunction and metabolic risk factors in CKD patients has not yet been revealed. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the level of Omentin-1 and related para-meters in diabetic and non-diabetic CKD patients. METHODS: 64 (30 diabetic, 34 non-diabetic) CKD patients and 27 healthy control subjects enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric and laboratory assessment performed and malnutrition and inflammation components evaluated. Serum concentrations of Omentin-1 and insulin were measured by using ELISA. RESULTS: Serum Omentin-1 levels in CKD patients were significantly lower compared to the healthy controls. Further analyze revealed that decreased omentin in CKD patients was due to the reduced omentin levels in the diabetic subgroup. An increase in inflammation and malnutrition components was correlated with a decrease in the serum level of Omentin. Omentin levels were lower in stage 2 and 3 CKD but not stage 4 CKD patients compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that diabetes mellitus and inflammation should be associated with lower omentin levels in CKD population; however, this reduction resolves due to the failure of degradation and excretion of omentin when creatinine clearance falls below 30 ml/min (stage 4 CKD).

Mean platelet volume is associated with glycaemic control and retinopathy in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / Volumen medio de plaquetas está asociado con el control glucémico y la retinopatía en pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and glycometabolic indices, to compare MPV according to HbA1c levels, and to analyse the difference in MPV between patients with and without microvascular complications. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on 60 Type 2 diabetic patients and 50 age- and sex-matched non-diabetic controls. We obtained demographic, clinical and laboratory data including MPV, platelet count, fasting and postprandial blood glucose (FBG and PBG), haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipid profile, creatinine, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) in patient and control groups, and diabetic microvascular complications including nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy in the patient group. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 15.0 for Windows. RESULTS: Mean platelet volume in the diabetic group was higher than in the control group (p = 0.001). Mean platelet volume was positively correlated with FBG and HbA1c levels (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively). It was also negatively related to platelet count (p < 0.001). Mean platelet volume in patients with HbA1c > 7% was significantly higher than those with HbA1c < 7% (p < 0.001). Mean platelet volume was significantly increased in patients with retinopathy compared to those without retinopathy (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that an increased MPV is closely associated with poor glycaemic control, which may be a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy. Nonetheless, further prospective studies are needed to assess the relationship between MPV, glycaemic indices and microvascular complications.

OBJETIVOS: Investigar la relación entre el volumen medio de plaquetas (MPV) y los índices glicometabólicos, comparar el MPV según los niveles de HbA1c, y analizar la diferencia de MPV entre los pacientes con y sin complicaciones microvasculares. MÉTODOS: Este estudio retrospectivo se realizó en 60 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, y 50 controles no diabéticos pareados por sexo y edad. Obtuvimos datos demográficos, clínicos y de laboratorio - incluyendo MPV, conteo de plaquetas, glucosa en sangre en ayunas (FBG) y postprandial (PBG), hemoglobina A1c (HbA1c), perfil lipídico, creatinina, presión arterial (BP) sistólica y diastólica en los grupos de pacientes y de control, así como complicaciones microvasculares diabéticas, incluyendo nefropatía, neuropatía y retinopatía en el grupo de pacientes. Todos los análisis se realizaron utilizando el SPSS versión 15.0para Windows. RESULTADOS: El volumen medio de plaquetas en el grupo diabético fue superior al del grupo control (p = 0,001). El volumen medio de plaquetas guardó una correlación positiva con el FBG y los niveles de HbAlc (p = 0.03 y p < 0.001, respectivamente). También se observó una correlación negativa con el conteo de plaquetas (p < 0.001). El volumen medio de plaquetas en los pacientes con HbA1c > 7% fue significativamente mayor que en aquellos con HbAlc < 7% (p < 0.001). El volumen medio de plaquetas aumentó significativamente en los pacientes con retinopatía en comparación con aquellos sin retinopatía (p = 0,04). CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio mostró que el aumento de MPV está estrechamente relacionado con un control glicémico pobre, lo cual puede ser un factor de riesgo para la retinopatía diabética. Sin embargo, otros estudios prospectivos son necesarios para evaluar la relación entre MPV, los índices glicémicos, y las complicaciones microvasculares.

Mean platelet volume is associated with glycaemic control and retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and glycometabolic indices, to compare MPV according to HbA1c levels, and to analyse the difference in MPV between patients with and without microvascular complications. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on 60 Type 2 diabetic patients and 50 age- and sex-matched non-diabetic controls. We obtained demographic, clinical and laboratory data including MPV, platelet count, fasting and postprandial blood glucose (FBG and PBG), haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipid profile, creatinine, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) in patient and control groups, and diabetic microvascular complications including nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy in the patient group. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 15.0 for Windows. RESULTS: Mean platelet volume in the diabetic group was higher than in the control group (p = 0.001). Mean platelet volume was positively correlated with FBG and HbA1c levels (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively). It was also negatively related to platelet count (p < 0.001). Mean platelet volume in patients with HbA1c > 7% was significantly higher than those with HbA1c ≤ 7% (p < 0.001). Mean platelet volume was significantly increased in patients with retinopathy compared to those without retinopathy (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that an increased MPV is closely associated with poor glycaemic control, which may be a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy. Nonetheless, further prospective studies are needed to assess the relationship between MPV, glycaemic indices and microvascular complications.

Hemobilia and occult cystic artery stump bleeding after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy: endovascular treatment with N-butyl cyanoacrylate.

Hemobilia is a rare phenomenon. In this case report we present an emergent transcatheter glue embolization (in which N-butyl cyanoacrylate is used as an embolizing agent) due to arteriobilary fistula occurred following the laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a 41-year-old woman.

A case of crescentic IgA nephropathy treated with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerulonephritis in the world, and currently is known to be an important cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Hypertension, proteinuria more than 1 g/d, and the presence of severe lesions on initial renal biopsy such as crescents and interstitial fibrosis are the most significant predictive factors for progression to ESRD. Despite its prevalence and clinical importance, there is no consensus for the treatment of patients with risk factors for a worse prognosis. Our aim is to describe here a case of crescentic IgAN, and to emphasize the effect of immunosuppressive treatment.

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging may provide prognostic information in osmotic demyelination syndrome: report of a case.

Hyponatremia and its rapid correction may cause osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) with damage to the pontine and extrapontine areas of the brain. The damage may become persistent or may regress and disappear during follow-up. We describe the case of a 35-year-old woman with chronic renal failure who was admitted to the emergency department with profound hyponatremia which was corrected rapidly after hemodialysis treatment. During follow-up, she developed quadriparesis and dysartria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated abnormalities characteristic of ODS in the pons as well as the basal ganglia with increased signal intensity on T2 and diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI and low apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. After the sixth day, her clinical status improved progressively. Control MRI revealed rapid normalization of the ADC values during the first week and month parallel to the clinical improvement. However, the hyperintensities on T2-weighted images persisted. Four months later the MRI findings were completely normal. The close relationship between the ADC abnormality and the clinical status suggests that DW-MRI may be useful in predicting the prognosis of ODS.

Luteinizing hormone pulse frequency and amplitude in azoospermic, oligozoospermic and normal fertile men in Turkey.

AIM: To investigate the LH pulse frequency and amplitude in azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients and to compare them with normal fertile subjects. METHODS: In this controlled clinical study, 10 normal fertile male volunteers and 20 infertile patients (10 oligozoospermic and 10 azoospermic) were enrolled. Blood samples were taken every 30 minutes for 12 hours. FSH, LH and T levels were determined. LH was observed at all the blood samples, but FSH and testosterone only at the first, middle and last samples. RESULTS: The mean LH levels were significantly different between all the groups, but there was no statistical difference in the FSH levels between the fertile and oligozoospermic groups. The mean LH levels increased from the fertile towards the azoospermic groups (P<0.01). The LH pulse amplitude and frequency were significantly different between all the 3 groups. The former increased while the latter decreased from the fertile to the azoospermic groups. The T levels were different statistically only between the fertile and the azoospermic groups. CONCLUSION: The more prominent is the testicular defect, the lower will be the LH pulse frequency and the higher the amplitude.

Multicentral clinical evaluation of the aetiology of erectile dysfunction: a survey report.

Patients with erectile dysfunction, who admitted to 4 different urological centres in Turkey were evaluated in terms of aetiological factors to establish the aetiology of erectile dysfunction in our population and compare it with the data derived from Western communities. After the history, physical examination, psychological evaluation and laboratory testing, a clinical diagnosis was established as primarily psychogenic, organic, or mixed aetiology. Mean patient age was 43.5 years (range 17 to 69), and 9 of the patients were unmarried. Of the patients 53 had vascular risk factors, and 10 reported a history of alcohol abuse. Eleven patients were using drugs that might interfere with the disorder. In this multicentral study of 115 impotent men, an organic cause was found in 43%, psychogenic in 47%, and mixed in 19%. Mean age of the overall patients was 43.48. When the ages of the patients with organic erectile dysfunction and those with psychogenic erectile dysfunction were compared, it was clearly seen that those with organic erectile dysfunction were much older (52.73 versus 33.02).

Micro-spoon technique in estimation of sperm concentration in rat epididymis.

Several technical procedures were described for estimation of epididymal sperm concentration until today. In all of the described techniques, epididymal material was drawn into a micro-pipette before counting procedure. We aimed to proceed this stage without using any pipette because of the difficulty in aspirating very viscous epididymal material into a micro-pipette. For measuring epididymal material we used a 2 microl reservoir which we named as a micro-spoon. It was filled with the epididymal material and layered in a tube with Ringer's solution of 2 ml containing sodium hyaluronate. Then, it was mixed in order to obtain 1/1000 diluted suspension. Sperm cells in this suspension were counted on a Makler chamber under a light microscope. The procedure was easy and time saving, compared to the other techniques.