Serum Levels of Soluble P-Selectin Are Increased and Associated With Disease Activity in Patients With Behçet's Syndrome

Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a relapsing, chronic, inflammatory disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction, atherothromboembogenesis, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis with complex immunologic molecular interactions. Generalized derangements of the lymphocyte and neutrophil populations, activated monocytes, and increased PMNLs motility with upregulated cell surface molecules such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin, which are found on the endothelial cells, leukocytes, and platelets, have all been demonstrated during the course of BS. Our aim is to investigate the association of serum concentrations of soluble P-selectin in patients with BS, and to evaluate whether disease activity has an effect on their blood levels. This multicenter study included 31 patients with BS (15 men and 16 women) and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy control volunteers (11 men and nine women). Neutrophil count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and acute-phase reactants as well as soluble P-selectin levels were determined. The mean age and sex distributions were similar (P > .05) between BS patients (35 years) and control volunteers (36 years). Serum levels of soluble P-selectin in patients with BS (399 ± 72 ng/mL) were significantly (P < .001) higher when compared with control subjects (164 ± 40 ng/mL). In addition, active BS patients (453 ± 37 ng/mL) had significantly (P < .001) elevated levels of soluble P-selectin than those in inactive period (341 ± 52 ng/mL). This study clearly demonstrated that serum soluble P-selectin levels are increased in BS patients when compared with control subjects, suggesting a modulator role for soluble P-selectin during the course of platelet activation and therefore, atherothrombogenesis formation in BS, especially in active disease

Our results of pars plana vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy Proli̇ferati̇f di̇abeti̇k reti̇nopati̇li̇ olgularda pars plana vi̇trektomi̇ sonuçlarimiz

Purpose: To evaluate the results and complications of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Material and Methods: Sixty-five eyes of 53 patients with a mean age of 53.5±13.6 years who had undergone PPV for treatment of PDR complications were included in the study. In all eyes, posterior hyaloid and preretinal membranes were removed after standard PPV. Pre- and postoperative visual acuities, anterior and posterior segment findings, follow-up time and encountered complications were recorded. Results: Mean follow-up time was 13.6±9.2 months. Anatomical success was achieved in 94.4% of patients with vitreous hemorrhage, and in 83.3% of patients with fractional retinal detachment. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved in 81.5% of eyes, remained stable or decreased in 18.4% of eyes. The most common intraoperative complications were retinal microhemorrhages and formation of iatrogenic retinal breaks. Transient intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and re-hemorrhages were the most common complications in the early and cataract formation in the late postoperative period. Conclusion: Pars plana vitrectomy is very effective in the treatment of PDR complications, but these patients should be closely followed up for possible complications

A comparison of electroretinographic values of patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy with normal individuals Bi̇etti̇'ni̇n kri̇stali̇n di̇strofi̇si̇ saptanan hastalarin elektroreti̇nografi̇ deǧerleri̇ni̇n normal olgular i̇le karşilaştirilmasi

Purpose: To determine the electroretinographic responses in patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy and to compare them with normal values. Materials-Methods: After a complete ophthalmologic examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), visual field examination and electrophysiological tests were performed in 11 patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy. Visual field examination was performed with Goldmann perimeter and electrophysiological examination with full-field electroretinogram (ERG). ERG values of these patients were compared with normal values of age-and sex matched 15 individuals. Results: There were diffuse or focal pigment epithelial atrophies determined by FFA in all patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy. Visual field examination revealed various defects except in two cases. Mean b-wave amplitudes of rod response, maximal combined response and cone response of ERG were 79.1±35.0 mV, 163.0±76.0 mV, and 69.0±27.0 mV, respectively. The values of these parameters in normal individuals were 114.8±38.7 mV, 231.1±26.4 mV and 88.0±13.9 mV, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant for all responses (for each, P< 0.05). Conclusion: ERG values are reasonably low in patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy when compared with normal values. ERG may be very useful in evaluation of visual prognosis and follow-up of these patients