The Effect of On-Pump and Off-Pump Bypass Operations on Oxidative Damage and Antioxidant Parameters

Objective. The aim of the study is to determine the oxidative status in on-pump and off-pump coronary artery surgery and contribute to possible surgical choices in clinical practices in accordance with the information obtained as a result of this study. Methods. 52 patients undergoing open heart surgery (26 patients in on-pump group and 26 patients in off-pump group) were included in the study. MDA, GPx, GSH, CAT, and SOD were investigated in blood samples. Results. In the on-pump group, it was determined that there were a significant increase in MDA level in the peroperative period compared to the preoperative and postoperative periods and a significant increase in GSH level in the postoperative period than in the preoperative period. Additionally, while there was a significant decrease in CAT activity in the postoperative period than in the peroperative period, there was a statistically significant increase in SOD enzyme activity in the postoperative period compared to the preoperative and peroperative periods. A statistically significant increase was observed in SOD enzyme activity in the postoperative period in on-pump compared to off-pump group. Conclusion. It is thought that this oxidative damage can be suppressed by administering a suitable antioxidant supplement in the preoperative and peroperative periods among patients undergoing the on-pump operation

Data-driven modeling and analysis for cardiovascular disease risk prediction and reduction

In recent decades, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of death in most countries of the world. Since many types of CVD could be preventable by modifying lifestyle behaviors, the objective of this study is to develop an effective personalized lifestyle recommendation approach for reducing the risk of common types of CVD. However, in practice, the underlying causal relationship between the risk factors (e.g., lifestyles, blood pressure, etc.) and disease onset is highly complex. Furthermore, it is also challenging to identify the most effective modification for different individuals by considering both individual’s preferences and the uncertainties in disease progression. Therefore, to address these challenges, this study developed a novel data-driven approach for personalized lifestyle behaviors recommendation based on machine learning and utility function model. The contribution of this work can be summarized into three aspects: (1) a classification-based prediction model is implemented to accurately predict the CVD risk based on the condition of risk factors; (2) a GAN-based approach is developed to capture the relationship between risk factors and generate feasible healthier lifestyle modifications; and (3) a novel personalized evaluation model incorporating utility function is proposed to identify the optimal modification with the consideration of individual’s cost of change and disease progression uncertainty. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through an open-access CVD dataset. The results demonstrate that the personalized lifestyle recommended by the proposed methodology can significantly reduce the potential CVD risk. Thus, it is very promising to be further applied to real-world cases for CVD prevention

The evaluation of the effect of vitamin D replacement on the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with low vitamin D levels

Aim: To evaluate the effect of vitamin D replacement on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms and signs in CTS patients with low vitamin D levels. Methods: This study was designed prospective observably. The patient population was admitted to the EMG (electromyography) laboratory in a tertiary hospital’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department between 1 January and 31 July 2018.  Initially, 55 patients were included in the study. The patients were categorized into two groups as group 1 (<10 ng / ml) and group 2 (10-20 ng / ml) according to the vitamin D levels. A total of 39 patients and 63 wrists, 17 patients in group 1 (28 wrists) and 22 patients in group 2 (35 wrists), were included in the analysis. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in visual analogue scale and quick arm-shoulder-hand disability score in two groups when compared before treatment. In two groups, there was a significant improvement in grip and pinch strength after treatment.  At the same time, after treatment we showed that there was a statistically significant increase in median nerve sensory amplitude in two groups. The increase in median nerve sensory velocity was significant in group 2 whereas it was not statistically significant between group 1 vs group 2. Conclusions: Vitamin D replacement can improve symptoms, functional status and electrophysiological findings in CTS patients with low vitamin D levels

ABNORMALNI TEST OPTEREĆENJA GLUKOZOM I BLAGI GESTACIJSKI DIJABETES

Objective. The status of carbohydrate metabolism of pregnant women with positive glucose challenge test (GCT), but normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and their neonates are not defined clearly. Study Design. Pregnant women with normal GCT (n: 120), with abnormal glucose challenge test (AGCT) but normal OGTT (n: 67) and with gestational diabetes (GDM, n: 67) were included into the study. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by fasting insulin level, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR); quantitative insulin check index (QUICKI) and ISOGTT. Serum insulin and glucose values during OGTT were documented. Perinatal outcome and delivery modalities were compared. Results. Both GDM (31.6±5.9 yrs) and AGCT groups (29.0±4.0 yrs) were older than controls (28.1±4.9 yrs). Body mass index (BMI) was the predominant factor affecting both AGCT and GDM groups (OR: 3.78 and 5.97 respectively). Despite there was no significance between insulin indices; serum glucose and insulin values were similarly different; macrosomic infant and caesarean section rates were higher than controls in both GDM and AGCT groups in favor of gestational diabetics (6.6% vs. 18.9%; p=0.0001 and 20% vs. 27.7% p=0.0001 respectively). Conclusion. Pregnant woman with abnormal glucose challenge test have impaired carbohydrate metabolism as in gestational diabetics with a lesser severe degree.Cilj istraživanja. Stanje metabolizma ugljikohidrata u trudnica s pozitivnim testom probira (glucose challenge test – GCT), a normalnim testom opterećenja glukozom (OGTT) te njihove novorođenčadi, nije jasno definirano. Način istraživanja. U studiju su uključene trudnice s normalnim GCT-om (n: 120), s abnormalnim GCT-om ali normalnim OGTT-om (n:67 te trudnice s gestacijskim dijabetesom (n: 67). Insulinska osjetljivost je vrednovana jutarnjiom vrijednošću insulina, modelom prosudbe homeostaze indeksom rezistencije na inzulin (HOMA-IR), kvantitativnim indeksom provjere insulina (QUICKI) i ISOGTT-om. Vrijednosti serumske glukoze i inzulina su analizirane. Uspoređen je perinatalni ishod i način poroda. Rezultati. Trudnice s GDM (31,6±5,9 godina) i one s AGCT (29,0±4,0 godina) su bile starije dobi od kontrolnih trudnica (28,1±4,9 godina). Indeks tjelesne težine (BMI) je bio presudni čimbenik u skupini s AGCT i GDM (OR: 3,78 odnosno 5,97). Unatoč tome nije bilo značajnosti među inzuilinskim indeksima; serumske vrijednosti glukoze i inzulina su bile slično različite; makrosomna djeca i stopa carskih rezova su u trudnica s AGCT i OGTT bile češće, posebice u trudnica s GDM (6,6% prama 18,9%, p = 0,0001; 20% prama 27,7%, p = 0,0001). Zaključak. Trudnice s abnormalnim testom probira na glukozu (AGCT) imaju poremećaj metabolizma ugljikohidrata kao i trudnice s gestacijskim dijabetesom (GDM), ali u nešto manjoj mjeri

Effect of acute or subchronic stress on T cell response in peripheral blood: Regulatory role of vitamin D

The immune response, orchestrated by helper (Th1, Th2, and Th17) and regulatory (Treg) T cells, is modulated by stress and Vitamin D (Vit-D). Although the immunomodulatory functions of both are known, their specific roles on Th cells have not been fully clarified, yet. On this background, we aimed to investigate the effect of acute or subchronic stress on the distribution of peripheral T lymphocytes, as well as the immunomodulatory role of Vit-D. Young adult male, Swiss-albino mice (30–40g) were allocated to the control, acute stress (AS), subchronic stress (ChS), control+Vit-D, AS+Vit-D, and ChS+Vit-D groups (n=11/group). The combined cold (2-h at 4°C)-immobilization (2-h in a restrainer) stress protocol was employed as one day in AS groups and five consecutive days in ChS groups. Vit-D (2μg/kg ip) was applied every other day, until the end of the protocol. Serum cortisol, Vit-D and cytokine levels (IL-4, IFN-γ, and IL-17A) were measured, and lymphocytes from blood samples were subtyped by flow-cytometry. Stress exposure caused differential Th and Treg responses, acute stress shifting the response to Th1, and subchronic stress shifting the response to Th2. Th17 and Treg cells were lower in subchronic stress exposed mice. These changes became comparable to control values in Vit-D treated groups. The T cell response, crucial for immune system function, differs on the basis of stress exposure as such the Vit-D treatment. The tolerogenic profile created by Vit-D should be considered for management of stress-related diseases. Our results may help to provide a better understanding of disease pathogenesis

Congenital Agenesis of Right Internal Carotid Artery: A Report of Two Cases

Congenital unilateral agenesis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare anomaly. Due to proper sufficient collateral circulation via the circle of Willis most cases are asymptomatic, but patients can also present with ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebrovascular insults. The absence of the bony carotid canal is essential to differentiate this anomaly from chronic ICA occlusion. Awareness of this situation by clinicians and radiologists is essential because these patients have an increased incidence of various intracranial pathologies. We report two cases of this rare developmental congenital abnormality occurring in two young patients and describe the presentation, diagnosis, determined developmental causes, imaging findings, and complications

Evaluation of Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

Purpose. To compare the macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome and PEX glaucoma with the normal eyes of healthy controls. Materials and Methods. In this prospective study, 30 eyes of 30 patients with PEX syndrome, 28 eyes of 28 patients with PEX glaucoma, and 30 eyes of 30 age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Choroidal thicknesses in the macular and peripapillary areas were measured by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Results. Gender, age, and axial length did not significantly differ between the groups (all, p>0.05). The mean values of choroidal thickness in the macular and peripapillary areas (except the superior quadrant) in the patients with PEX syndrome and PEX glaucoma were lower compared with controls (all p<0.05). The mean values of the macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness in the PEX glaucoma group were lower compared with PEX syndrome group; however this difference was not significant. Conclusions. The findings of this study revealed that macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were decreased in PEX syndrome and PEX glaucoma cases. The role of choroid in the development of glaucomatous damage in patients with PEX syndrome remains unclear

Length-weight relationships of 28 fish species caught from demersal trawl survey in the Middle Black Sea, Turkey

This study provides updated the length-weight relationships and Fulton's condition factor of 28 fish species belonging to 23 families from the Black Sea. Samples were collected along the depths between 0-100 meters by demersal trawl surveys conducted seasonally from May 2017 to September 2019. A total of 83,885 specimens were collected. The length-weight relationships and Fulton's condition factor, minimum, maximum and mean lengths, total weights, descriptive statistics, and growth type were provided for all the species. The results indicate that LWR parameters of b varied from 2.2039 to 3.737 and Fulton's condition factor varied between 0.004 and 1.18. These findings could be useful for monitoring and management of sustainable fisheries and habitat health