Coexistence of Takayasu arteritis and chronic myeloid leukemia: Coincidental or paraneoplastic phenomenon?

Vasculitis may rarely be seen in the course of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). In vasculitis associated with hematological diseases, mostly small- and medium-vessel involvement is expected, aortitis is very rare. It is not exactly known whether large-vessel vasculitis associated with MPN is a paraneoplastic phenomenon or coincidental. We aimed to present an uncommon case diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia and Takayasu arteritis concurrently.

Does insulin resistance trigger thyroid nodule?

The relationship between insulin resistance and thyroid nodules is not clearly understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between insülin resistance and thyroid nodules in non-diabetic patients. 410 patients who applied to the Internal Medicine outpatient clinic from June 2018 to July 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 216 non-diabetic patients were divided into two groups. The relationship of 105 patients with thyroid nodules and 110 patients without thyroid nodules with insulin resistance was investigated. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value, serum triglycerides and total cholesterol level, and the ratio of women were higher in the group with thyroid nodules (p < 0.05). There was a positive and significant relationship between homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value and thyroid nodules (r + 0.29, p < 0.05). In non-diabetic thyroid nodule patients, a significant relationship was detected between nodule formation and insulin resistance. However, these data must be confirmed by other studies in the future.

Relationship Between the Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and the Presence and Size of Thyroid Nodules.

Aim To investigate the possible relationship between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value and the presence and size of thyroid nodules. Patients and methods Data of 216 patients between 18 and 65 years of age, who had presented to the internal medicine department of our hospital between February 2018 and September 2018, were collected retrospectively. A total of 216 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Results An ultrasonographic examination revealed thyroid nodules in 105 patients and no thyroid nodules in 111 patients. Among those with a nodule, 52 had a nodule size of ≤10 mm and 53 had a nodule size of >10 mm. These groups were compared with regard to age, gender, body mass index, thyroid function tests, neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet count, NLR, and mean platelet volume (MPV). Although the absolute counts of lymphocytes and neutrophils were lower in the group with nodules, no significant difference was observed between the groups. Among those with a nodule, no significant difference was determined between nodule size and thyroid function tests, NLR, or MPV. In the group of patients with a nodule, malignant pathology was reported in 2.7%. Conclusions Although there are studies suggesting a relationship between NLR, MPV, and the presence of malignancy and mortality, we determined no such relationship between nodule formation and their size in thyroid tissue.

Protective Effect of All-Trans Retinoic Acid in Cisplatin-Induced Testicular Damage in Rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in cisplatin (CP)-induced testicular damage in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, ATRA alone, ATRA+CP, and CP alone. Body weight, testicular weight, sperm count, sperm motility, percentage of abnormal sperm, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) in testicular tissue, and testicular histopathology were compared among groups. RESULTS: The sperm count and motility significantly decreased and the percentage of abnormal sperm significantly increased in the CP group compared to the control and ATRA groups. CP+ATRA administration significantly increased the sperm count and motility, but reduced the abnormal sperm count. CP administration significantly increased TOS and OSI compared to the control group and the other groups. Administering CP+ATRA significantly decreased TOS and the OSI in testicular tissue and reduced spermatogenesis, but increased the Johnsen score. CONCLUSIONS: The destructive effects of CP treatment on testicular tissue and spermatogenesis were reduced by administering ATRA.

All-trans retinoic acid prevents cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) use on cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicty. Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into four groups. The rats in the control group were injected a single dose of 1 ml/kg saline intra-peritoneally (IP) during 10 days. The rats in the ATRA group were injected a single dose of ATRA during 10 days. The rats in the ATRA+CP group were injected a single dose of CP on the fourth day of the 10 days of ATRA treatment. The rats in the CP group were injected a single dose of CP on the fourth day of 10 days without administering a treatment. After treatment, the groups were compared with regard to total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels in renal tissue and renal histopathology. The serum creatinine and urea values were statistically significantly higher in the CP group compared to the other groups. The serum creatinine and urea values were statistically significantly lower in the ATRA+CP group when compared to the CP group. Although the TOS and OSI levels were found to be lower in the ATRA+CP group compared to the CP group, the difference was not statistically significant. Administration of ATRA together with CP was observed to reduce the histopathologic destruction in the kidney and lead to mild tubular degeneration, vacuolization, and necrosis (57.1% grade 1; 28.6% grade2, and 14.3% grade 3 necrosis). The results of the present study have revealed that ATRA administration ameliorates CP-induced nephrotoxicity; however, further studies are required to identify this issue before clinical application.