Serum Endothelin-1 and Transforming Growth Factor-β Levels in the Newborns With Respiratory Distress

The purpose of this present study was to evaluate the serum levels of ET-1 and TGF-β in the newborns with respiratory distress. In this study, newborns with respiratory distress hospitalized into the Newborn Intensive Care Unit were included. The highest values of ET-1 and TGF-β were obtained from newborns with diagnosis as meconium aspiration syndrome (5.70 ± 5.87 pg/mL and 3.75 ± 1.94 pg/mL, resp) in the sample obtained in the first six hours after birth, and these are statistically different from control group (P < .05). Also, same results were obtained for newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (3.37 ± 1.59 pg/mL and 2.05 ± 0.98 pg/mL, resp). After oxygen treatment, ET-1 values obtained in the first six hours of life were decreased regularly in the following days (P < .05). In the differentiating diagnosis of the respiratory distress of newborns, the investigation of ET-1 and TGF-β levels is meaningful. The ET-1 levels investigated in the first six hours is more useful in determining the prognosis, and repeating ET-1 levels in the following days is more meaningful to determine clinical response

Serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α Levels in Early Diagnosis and Management of Neonatal Sepsis

Aim. To determine serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels in neonatal sepsis at the time of diagnosis and after therapy, and to show the meaningful on the follow up. Methods. This prospective study was performed on newborns who were hospitalized for neonatal sepsis and who were classified as culture-proven sepsis (n=12), as culture-negative sepsis (n=21), and as healthy newborns (n=17). Results. At the time of diagnosis, serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels of culture-proven sepsis were significantly higher than those of the control groups (P<.05). At the time of diagnosis, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels of culture-proven sepsis and culture-negative sepsis were significantly higher than levels at the seventh day after antibiotic treatment. Conclusion. Serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α are mediators of inflammation and can be used at the diagnosis and at the evaluation of the therapeutic efficiency in neonatal sepsis

Serum Cytokine Levels and Anxiety and Depression Rates in Patients with Alopecia Areata

Objective: Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease characterized by patchy hair loss. Although the etiopathogenesis of AA is still unclear, it has been hypothesized that immune system dysfunction and stress are involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible associations between AA and depression, anxiety and serum levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. Materials and Methods: Forty-three patients who were diagnosed with AA were prospectively enrolled into the study. Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included as the control group. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety were used. For children between the ages of 7 and 16, the Children’s Depression Inventories was completed. Serum levels of the cytokines IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were analyzed by ELISA. Results: No significant differences were observed between patients and controls with respect to serum cytokine levels (p>0.05). Depression rates were found to be 50% and 30% in AA patients and controls, respectively (p<0.05). Similarly, anxiety rates were found to be 63% and 23.3% in AA patients and controls, respectively (p<0.05).Conclusion: Depression and anxiety were found more frequent in AA patients than healthy individuals. Therefore, when considering management therapy, an entire psychiatric evaluation should also be performed. However, no differences were found in serum cytokine levels of patients and controls

Immunological follow-up of hydatid cyst cases

Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefit of monitoring cases with hydatid cyst by means of immune components in patients in a long-term follow-up after surgery. Eighty-four preoperative and postoperative serum samples from 14 cases undergoing surgery for hydatid disease were evaluated in terms of immune parameters, such as total and specific IgE, IgG, IgM, IgA and complement. Total and specific IgE were determined by ELISA. Specific IgG levels were measured by indirect hemaglutination.Total IgG, IgM, IgA and complement (C3 and C4) were detected by nephelometry. Imaging studies were also carried out during the follow-up. In none of the patients hydatid cysts were detected during the follow-up. Total IgE levels in the sera of the patients decreased to normal six months after surgery. Although specific IgE against echinococcal antigens decreased one year after operation, levels were still significantly high. There were no changes in the levels of anti-Echinococcus IgG and total IgG in follow-up period. Additionally, other parameters, such as IgA, IgM, C3 and C4, were not affected

Evaluation of Paraoxonase 1 Activities in Patients Infected with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1b and Genotype 4 in the Kayseri Province of Turkey

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important cause of chronic liver disease and is associated with oxidative stress. The type of treatment given for chronic HCV infection depends on the genotype of the virus. Genotype 1b is known to be associated with poor prognosis, although knowledge about genotype 4 is not sufficient. In this study, we aimed to compare serum paraoxonase (PON1) activities in HCV genotype 1b-infected patients with those in HCV genotype 4-infected ones, and the relationship of PON1 activity with hepatic damage demonstrated as liver fibrosis

The Serum High-Sensitive C Reactive Protein and Homocysteine Levels to Evaluate the Prognosis of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of death worldwide and is most often caused by thrombotic processes. We investigated the changes in hsCRP and homocysteine levels, two of these risk factors, during the acute period of ischemic stroke and evaluated the relationship between these levels and the short-term prognosis. HsCRP and homocysteine levels were measured at the 2nd, 5th, and 10th days in forty patients admitted within second of an ischemic stroke. The clinical status of the patients was simultaneously evaluated with the Scandinavian stroke scale. The results were compared with 40 healthy control subjects whose age and sex were matched with the patients. The mean hsCRP levels of the patients were 9.4±7.0 mg/L on the 2nd day, 11.0±7.4 mg/L on the 5th day, and 9.2±7.0 mg/L on the 10th day. The mean hsCRP level of the control subjects was 1.7±2.9 mg/L. The mean hsCRP levels of the patients on the 2nd, 5th, and 10th days were significantly higher than the control subjects (P<.001). The patients' mean homocysteine levels were 40.6±9.6μmol/L on the 2nd day, 21.7±11.1μmol/L on the 5th day, and 20.7±9.2μmol/L on the 10th day. The mean homocysteine level of the control subjects was 11.2±1.1μmol/L. The homocysteine levels of the patients were higher than the control subjects at all times (P<.01). In conclusion, patients with stroke have a higher circulating serum hsCRP and homocysteine levels. Short-term unfavorable prognosis seems to be associated with elevated serum hsCRP levels in patients with stroke. Although serum homocysteine was found to be higher, homocysteine seems not related to prog nosis

Immunological follow-up of hydatid cyst cases

Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefit of monitoring cases with hydatid cyst by means of immune components in patients in a long-term follow-up after surgery. Eighty-four preoperative and postoperative serum samples from 14 cases undergoing surgery for hydatid disease were evaluated in terms of immune parameters, such as total and specific IgE, IgG, IgM, IgA and complement. Total and specific IgE were determined by ELISA. Specific IgG levels were measured by indirect hemaglutination.Total IgG, IgM, IgA and complement (C3 and C4) were detected by nephelometry. Imaging studies were also carried out during the follow-up. In none of the patients hydatid cysts were detected during the follow-up. Total IgE levels in the sera of the patients decreased to normal six months after surgery. Although specific IgE against echinococcal antigens decreased one year after operation, levels were still significantly high. There were no changes in the levels of anti-Echinococcus IgG and total IgG in follow-up period. Additionally, other parameters, such as IgA, IgM, C3 and C4, were not affected