Prognostic value of thiol/disulfide homeostasis in symptomatic patients with heart failure.

We aimed to examine the role of thiol/disulphide homeostasis (TDH) in heart failure and its stages and the prognosis of heart failure. A total of 140 subjects were included in the study. Total and native thiol levels were higher in the control group compared to the patient groups (p < .001). While the average disulphide/total thiol ratio was similar in groups 1 and 2, it was found to be significantly lower in the control group compared to other groups and significantly higher in group 3 compared to other groups (p < .05). Mean native thiol and total thiol levels were found lower in patients with mortality compared to surviving patients (p < .001). In ROC curve analysis, it was determined that the total thiol level had 81.8% sensitivity and 83.1% specificity, and native thiol level had 81.8% sensitivity and 84.3% specificity. We found that TDH was impaired in favour of disulphide in cases of heart failure.

Injuries related to animal sacrifice during the Feast of Sacrifice in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The Feast of Sacrifice is a significant annual religious festival in Muslim countries. In these festivals, thousands of animals are usually sacrificed by inexperienced individuals. Thus, many injuries occur during sacrificing of animals. OBJECTIVES: Describe injuries related to animal sacrifice or meat processing. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. SETTINGS: Three hospitals in different cities of Turkey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Severity and type of injuries that occur during animal sacrifice or meat processing after the sacrifice and hospital costs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification and classification of sacrifice related injuries. SAMPLE SIZE: 301 injured individuals. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 42.5 (14.8) years and 83.1% of the subjects were male. Most (90.0%) injuries were penetrating injuries and 10.0% were blunt traumas. Upper and lower extremity injuries were identified in 77.4% and 17.9% of cases, respectively. Almost half of the injuries were on the left hand (49.8%). Almost all (96.6%) cases were treated and discharged from emergency services. Median hospital cost per patient was 103.14 Turkish Liras (35.95-852.66 Turkish Liras) (19.53 USD [6.80-161.48 USD]). CONCLUSIONS: Even though injuries related to animal sacrifice are usually caused by minor sharp objects, they can be severe and life threatening on rare occasions. To minimize the injuries that may occur during this period, public education and more convenient sacrifice centers may be helpful. LIMITATIONS: Small sample, single country, and short duration of the study. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

The Effect of Lower and Higher Calorie Meal on the Parameters of Ventricular Repolarization in Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular modulation following meal consumption has been known. Little and conflicting data is present regarding electrocardiographic QT and QTc intervals after a meal, and status of ventricular repolarization following meal is not known comprehensively. AIM: To inquire the electrocardiographic status of ventricular repolarisation thoroughly after lower and higher calorie meal consumption in a comparative manner. METHODS: A group of 61 healthy individuals were studied before and after lunch. They were divided into two groups according to the calorie consumed (higher calorie and lower calorie; median 1580 and 900 kcals, respectively). Calorie consumed was estimated using dietary guidelines. Data was collected from 12-lead ECG both in a fasted state and 2nd postprandial hour for each participant. Parameters of ventricular repolarization, namely, JTp, Tp-e, QT, QTc intervals and their ratios, as well as RR intervals, were compared between fasted and postprandial states for every participant. RESULTS: Tp-e and QTc intervals, and Tp-e/QTc ratio do not significantly change after both higher- and lower-calorie meals. JTp and QT intervals significantly shorten in both groups, regardless of the calorie consumed. While JTp shows a positive correlation with RR interval both before and after a meal in lower calorie intake group, no correlation was found with RR interval after a meal in higher calorie group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher calorie intake during a meal is a predictor for greater shortening in JTp and QT, compared to lower calorie meal. CONCLUSION: Our study may guide future studies on ventricular repolarisation, particularly those conducted on various disease conditions or drug effect of cardiac electrophysiology.