Neopterin and Soluble Urokinase Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor as Biomarkers in Dogs with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗThe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common cause of mortality in dogs. This study aims to investigate the diagnostic value of markers C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and neopterin in dogs with SIRS. The materials of the study consist of 30 dogs with SIRS and 15 healthy dogs that show no clinical symptom, 45 dogs in total. CRP, suPAR and neopterin levels of the serum samples were determined by ELISA using commercial kits. In the study, it was found that CRP, suPAR and neopterin levels of dogs with SIRS were significantly higher (P < 0.001, P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively) than those in the healthy group. The cut-off values for the healthy dogs and dogs with SIRS for CRP, suPAR and neopterin were determined to be 11.20 mg/L, 223.68 ng/L and 3.23 nmol/mL, respectively. At these cut-off values, sensitivity levels were determined as high (92.90%) for CRP, moderate (63.30%) for neopterin, and low (53.30%) for suPAR, and high specificities (93.30%) were determined for all. In conclusion, it was determined that CRP showed the best performance for the detection of systemic inflammatory response in dogs and neopterin and suPAR could be used as an alternative to CRP. It was also argued that further studies were necessary in order to determine diagnosis and prognosis of diseases

Monocyte-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio is associated with Ascending Aorta Dilatation in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Background: The importance of monocyte count-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio (MHR) in cardio- vascular diseases has been shown in various studies. Ascending aortic dilatation (AAD) is a common complication in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between MHR and the presence of aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. Methods: The study population included totally 347 patients with bicuspid aortic valve.169 patients with aortic dilatation (ascending aorta diameter 65 4.0 cm) and 178 patients with no aortic dilatation. Echocardiographic and laboratory measurement was done and compared between groups. Results: The mean age of the participants was 44.7 \ub1 15.4 years and average ascending aorta diameter was 3.2 \ub1 0.3 cm in dilatation negative group and 4.4 \ub1 0.4 cm in positive group. MHR was significantly increased in in patients with aortic dilatation. MHR and uric acid level was independently associated with the presence of aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. Conclusion: We found a significant relationship between MHR and aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve

Marjolin's ulcers at a university teaching hospital in Northwestern Tanzania: a retrospective review of 56 cases

Marjolin's ulcer is a rare but highly aggressive squamous cell cancer that is most often associated with chronic burn wounds. Although many individual case reports exist, no comprehensive evaluation of Marjolin's ulcer patients has been conducted in our setting. This study was conducted to describe the clinicopathological presentation and treatment outcome of this condition in our local setting and to identify predictors of outcome. This was a retrospective study of histologically confirmed cases of Marjolin's ulcer seen at Bugando Medical Centre over a period of 10-years between January 2001 and December 2010. Data were retrieved from patients' files and analyzed using SPSS computer software version 15.0 A total of 56 patients were studied. Male to female ratio was 2.1:1. Burn scars (89.3%) were the most common causative lesions of Marjolin's ulcer. The mean latent period between original injury and diagnosis of Marjolin's ulcer was 11.34 ± 6.14 years. Only 12.0% of the reported cases were grafted at the time of injury (P < 0.00). Most patients (48.2%) presented between one and five years of onset of illness. The lower limb (42.9%) was the most frequent site for Marjolin's ulcers. The median tumor size at presentation was 8 cm and the vast majority of patients (85.7%) presented with large tumors of ≥ 5 cm in diameter. Lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis was recorded in 32.1% of cases and distant metastasis accounted for 26.9% of cases. Squamous cell carcinoma (91.1%) was the most common histopathological type. Wide local excision was the most common surgical procedure performed in 80.8% of cases. Post-operative complication rate was 32.1% of which surgical site infection was the most common complication in 38.9% of patients. Local recurrence was noted in 33.3% of cases who were treated surgically. The mean length of hospital stay for in-patients was 7.9 ± 2.3 days. Mortality rate was 7.1%. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, stage and grade of the tumor and presence of local recurrence were the main predictors of death (P < 0.001). Marjolin's ulcers are not rare in our environment and commonly occur in burn scars that were not skin grafted and were left to heal secondarily. A high index of suspicion is required in the management of chronic non-healing ulcers and all suspected lesions should be biopsed. Early recognition and aggressive treatment of Marjolin's ulcers and close follow-up are urgently needed to improve outcomes in our environment

Copernicus Ocean State Report, issue 6

The 6th issue of the Copernicus OSR incorporates a large range of topics for the blue, white and green ocean for all European regional seas, and the global ocean over 1993–2020 with a special focus on 2020

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]

Actual reason for bone fractures in the case of a patient followed-up with the osteogenesis imperfecta: Gaucher's Disease

Gaucher's disease (GD) is a rare disease characterized by a glucocerebroside accumulation in the reticulo-endothelial system. Patients may refer to the clinic with complaints of bone pain, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, growth retardation, interstitial pulmonary disease, pulmonary hypertension, and skeletal disorders. Skeletal system involvement is observed commonly in Gaucher patients and a significant cause of morbidity. Our patient was followed for several years as a glass child - osteogenesis imperfecta and he had joint deformities due to skeletal fractures. We wanted to present this case to raise awareness of GD's skeletal involvement and effects of late diagnosis

Quantitative changes in palatal donor site thickness after free gingival graft harvesting: a pilot study

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how donor sites thickness quantitatively change over time and at different points of donor site in spontaneous palatal wound healing after free gingival graft (FGG) harvesting. Materials and Methods: Forty individuals were enrolled and divided into the following two groups based on the residual tissue thickness (RTT) after harvesting: Group 1, <2 mm; and Group 2, ?2 mm. FGGs were standardized according to their dimensions and thickness and then harvested. Tissue filling was measured at three points of the defect area (mesial, central and distal) at various time points (baseline, after harvesting, and at 1, 3 and 6 months). Results: The thickness of newly formed tissue from the baseline to 1 month after harvesting was greater in Group 2 than in Group 1, whereas the thickness from 1 to 3 months and from 3 to 6 months after harvesting was greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.005). RTT was positively correlated with tissue filling in all the groups at all time points (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The palatal mucosal thickness after FGG harvesting might affect the filling of the defect. Within the study period, the periphery of the palatal wounds filled earlier and to a greater extent compared with the centre of the wounds. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Lt

The impact of perceptions of managerial attitudes on occupational health and safety behaviors

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