Choice of marker for assessment of RV dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism : NT-proBNP, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, mean arterial pressure, or blood pressure index.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the value of NT-proBNP, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), blood pressure index (BPI), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the determination of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 547 patients diagnosed with APE were included in the study. Demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions of patients were recorded in patient files. For blood pressure measurement, a calibrated digital blood pressure monitor was used at regular intervals. Blood samples were taken from patients at the time of admission for hemogram, biochemical, and hemostasis blood tests. Echocardiography was performed on all patients to detect RVD and evaluate pulmonary artery pressure. RESULTS: PASP (p < 0.001), MAP (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), D­dimer (p = 0.001), NT-proBNP (p = 0.001), white blood cell (p < 0.001), and platelet (p = 0.001) counts were higher in APE patients with RVD compared with those without RVD, whereas the mean BPI level (p < 0.001) was lower. BPI had a negative correlation with PASP, NT-proBNP, platelet count, and triglyceride levels in patients with RVD. In regression analysis, BPI and PASP were found to be independent predictors of RVD. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, BPI (AUC ± SE = 0.975 ± 0.006; p < 0.001) was found to be the best predictor of RVD with a higher sensitivity (92.8%) and specificity (100%). CONCLUSION: We found that BPI had a better diagnostic discrimination for RVD compared with PASP and NT-proBNP.

Impact of 6% Starch 130/0.4 and 4% Gelatin Infusion on Kidney Function in Living-Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Since the first liver transplantation, pretransplantation or post-transplantation renal problems are still among the main causes of mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fluid replacement solutions used intraoperatively on renal functions in elective living-donor liver transplantation. METHODS: After Ethics Committee approval, informed consents were obtained from patients. Patients with normal renal functions and scheduled for elective living-donor-liver transplantation were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to infusion with 6% hydroxyehylstarch 130/40 (HES group) and 4% Gelofusine (GEL group). Blood samples were obtained before the induction of anesthesia (baseline), at the end of the operation, and postoperative days 1 and 4. Different estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) formulas using creatinine (modification of renal disease, chronic kidney disease-epidemiology collaboration and Cockraud Gault) were used to calculate the eGFR. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included in the study (GEL group = 18; HES group = 18). Patient characteristics, modified end stage liver disease-Child Pugh score, American Society of anaesthesiologist scores, and intraoperative data were similar between groups. Postoperative measurements showed that creatinine was significantly higher in the GEL group compared with the baseline, which was not the case for the HES group. Similarly, postoperative eGFR levels, as measured using MDRD and CKD-EPI, were found to be significantly lower in the GEL group. Postoperative urine albumin:creatinine ratios were significantly higher in the GEL group compared with baseline. Total crystalloid amount used, colloid, blood, fresh frozen plasma values, extubation, and intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay were similar in both groups. Postreperfusion syndrome developed in 6 patients in each group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Gelofusine seem to cause more impairment in renal functions in elective living-donor liver transplantation.

The levels of serum pentraxin3, CRP, fetuin-A, and insulin in patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between disease severity and biochemical parameters such as pentraxin3, CRP, fetuin-A, insulin and HOMA-IR levels in patients with psoriasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 58 patients with psoriasis and 30 healthy controls admitted to Ankara Numune Teaching and Research Hospital between January 2011-August 2012. Serum pentraxin3, CRP, fetuin-A and insulin concentrations were determined. Also, HOMA-IR values were calculated. RESULTS: The serum values for CRP, insulin, HOMA-IR, pentraxin-3 and fetuin-A in patients with psoriasis were elevated than control subjects (p values=0.002, 0.003, 0.003, 0.006 vs 0.007, respectively). According to the PASI score, patients were divided into three groups, minimal, moderate and severe psoriasis. There were positive correlation between the levels of CRP and insulin, HOMA-IR, PASI score. In addition, PASI score values were positively correlated with insulin, HOMA-IR and fetuin-A levels. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of pentraxin3, CRP, fetuin-A, insulin and HOMA-IR might play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Higher CRP, fetuin-A, insulin and HOMA-IR concentrations were associated with the severity of the psoriasis.

Serum biochemical markers of central nerve system damage in children with acute elemental mercury intoxication.

OBJECTIVE: Acute mercury intoxication among children can occur through unintentional exposure, and neurotoxicity is one of the main findings in acute exposures. In this study, we aimed to study the central nerve system markers, namely neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100B, and glutamate receptor (GRIA 1) levels and discuss the mechanisms of central nerve system damage and whether these parameters could be used as markers of acute elemental mercury intoxication neurotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a case-control study which includes 169 children with acute elemental mercury intoxication, who were exposed to mercury in the school laboratory from a broken jar, and 45 sex- and age-matched controls without mercury exposure. Patient group were divided into three subgroups according to the neurological examination performed during the admission. Neuropathy Group included the children with neurological symptoms including peripheral neuropathy and decreased muscle strength (n = 39) (with or without dilated pupils). Dilated Pupil Group included the children who had mid-dilated/dilated pupils (n = 52). Asymptomatic Exposure Group included the children who did not have any neurological symptoms (n = 78). Serum NSE, S100B, GRIA 1, blood, and urine mercury levels were determined. RESULTS: NSE, S100B, GRIA 1, and blood mercury levels were significantly higher in exposed group than the nonexposed subjects (Median values NSE 22.4 ng/mL, 17.2 ng/mL; S100B 0.09 ng/mL, 0.08 ng/mL; GRIA 1 70.6 pg/mL, 54.1 pg/mL, and blood mercury 15.2 µg/L, 0.23 µg/L for exposed and nonexposed groups, respectively). GRIA 1 levels found to differ between exposed and nonexposed groups and it has also been found to be increased in the subgroups with positive neurological findings compared to that in neurological finding negative groups. S100B levels were found to be increased in exposed and having neurological symptom groups. There was not a significant difference between exposed-not having neurological symptom patients and control group. NSE levels were found to be higher in all subgroups when compared to those in controls, however there was not a significant difference between the subgroups. CONCLUSION: Serum NSE, GRIA 1, and S100B were increased with mercury exposure. GRIA 1 and S100B levels were observed to have the power to discriminate neurological symptom positive and negative groups. The increase in S100B levels are thought to be protecting the neurons and preventing further NSE elevations.

Serum adenosine deaminase levels in diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is found in most tissues including lymphoid cells and lymph nodes. It is a marker of T lymphocyte activation. The role of type 1 and type 2 T helper cells in appendicitis has been investigated experimentally. Serum ADA levels in acute appendicitis have not previously been studied. AIM: To assess the serum levels of ADA in patients with acute appendicitis. METHODS: Serum levels of ADA were investigated in 30 cases with acute appendicitis (mean age 26 years; male/female 17/13) and 21 healthy controls (mean age 40 years; male/female 11/10). Levels of ADA were compared in patients with acute appendicitis and healthy controls. Correlation analysis between ADA and other inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and white blood cell count) was also performed. RESULTS: Mean (SD) serum ADA levels were significantly higher in those with acute appendicitis than in the control group (13.41 (3.56) U/l vs 9.39 (1.22) U/l; p<0.001). There was no correlation between ADA and the other inflammatory markers investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Although serum levels of ADA do not correlate with other known inflammatory markers, its serum level is increased in acute appendicitis and it has a higher positive predictive value.

Association between nitric oxide and oxidative stress in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis is a major complication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, and the mechanisms involved in the pathology are important if the success rate of treatment strategies is to increase. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 50 CAPD patients (25 with 25 episodes of peritonitis and 25 with no clinical or laboratory signs of infection) were included in the study. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in serum and dialysate effluents were determined. RESULTS: The dialysate/serum (D/S) ratio of the NO metabolites and serum NO metabolite concentrations were significantly higher in the peritonitis group. Serum and dialysate MDA concentrations were also significantly higher in the peritonitis group. The D/S ratio of MDA was significantly higher in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Local peritoneal NO production and oxidative stress seem to increase in CAPD patients during the peritonitis attack.

Cardiovascular risk factors in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of mortality and morbidity of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. We aimed to investigate the cardiovascular risk factors and their correlation with CVD in groups of HD and CAPD patients. METHODS: Thirty HD patients, 30 CAPD patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Apolipoprotein A-l (apo A-l), apolipoprotein B (apo B), apolipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) were measured with a Beckman Coulter nephelometer, and homocysteine (Hcy) was determined with an Agilent HPLC analyzer. Lipid profile was determined with a Synchron LX 20 Pro analyzer. RESULTS: Hcy levels were 41.9+/-19.4, 41.8+/-38.5 and 9.3+/-3.5 micromol/L; Lp(a) levels were 325+/-315, 431+/-367 and 130+/-97 mg/L; hs-CRP levels were 3.78+/-3.21, 4.34+/-3.39 and 2.07+/-1.67 mg/L; apo A1/apo B ratios were 1.46+/-0.6, 1.36+/-0.5 and 1.80+/-0.59; total cholesterol levels were 3.56+/-0.7, 4.84+/-1.1 and 4.39+/-0.5 mmol/L; triglycerides were 1.44+/-0.5, 1.60+/-0.8 and 0.85+/-0.5 mmol/L in the HD, CAPD and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: HD and CAPD patients had higher Hcy, hs-CRP and Lp(a) levels and lower apo A/B ratios than controls. There was no significant difference between the HD and CAPD groups. Hypertension, age and hs-CRP showed a positive correlation with CVD.