The Role of Small Dense LDL Cholesterol and Ischemia Modified Albumin in Patients with Hyperlipidemia

Background: The analysis of lipid profiles is a crucial step for cardiovascular risk evaluation, prevention, and therapeutic management. Small dense LDL (sdLDL) is one of the distinct subfractions of LDL and is established to have pro-atherogenic properties. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is an early biomarker arising as a result of oxidative stress and ischemia. Objective: This study aimed to determine serum levels of sdLDL and IMA in patients with hyperlipidemia. Methods: Seventy-four patients with hyperlipidemia and 35 healthy controls were included. sdLDL was determined by the heparin-magnesium precipitation method. IMA was measured quantified manually with the colorimetric method. The patient group was divided into three groups: HyperTG (n=11), HyperLDL (n=38), and combined hyperlipidemia (n=25). Results: Median serum sdLDL and IMA levels were higher in patients with hyperlipidemia than healthy participants (both, p70 mg/dL for sdLDL and >0.7 AU for IMA, and both parameters showed considerably high levels of sensitivity and specificity. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that high sdLDL (p=0.042) and high IMA (p<0.001) were independently associated with hyperlipidemia after adjusting for age and sex. Conclusion: Serum sdLDL and IMA levels could be used as biomarkers for dyslipidemia-associated diseases. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to validate the impact of sdLDL on the pathogenesis of atherogenesis, and its value in the diagnosis and prognosis hyperlipidemia. Keywords: Small dense LDL, Lipoprotein, Ischemia modified albumin, IMA, Atherosclerosi

Acute kidney injury following supine mini-PNL versus retrograde intrarenal surgery in patients with renal stones < 3 cm: a prospective comparative study

Background: The purpose of the current study was to prospectively compare mini-PNL and RIRS for development of acute kidney injury (AKI), success, and complication rates in a cohort of patients with kidney stones less than 3 cm. Methods: In this prospective study, data of 60 consecutive patients underwent mini-PNL (n=31) or RIRS (n=29) was investigated. Urinary NGAL levels were measured preoperatively and at postoperative 6th hour to evaluate AKI. Success and complication rates were also compared. Results: The mean stone size was signifcantly higher in the mini-PNL group (24.6 mm vs. 18.2 mm, p=0.02). The mean postoperative NGAL levels were 45.6±12.4 and 48.1±13.6 for the mini-PNL and RIRS groups, respectively. The increase was statistically signifcant for both groups (p: 0.01). The diference between the two groups for mean postoperative NGAL measurements was not statistically signifcant (p=0.47). The SFR was signifcantly higher in the miniPNL group (96.7% vs. 79.3%, p=0.04). The complication rates were similar for the two groups (p=0.99). The mean duration of operation was 48.2±22.5 min in the mini-PNL group and 62.6±18.1 min in the RIRS group (p=0.03). The median duration of hospitalization was 1 day for both groups. Conclusions: In patients with renal stones<3 cm in diameter, mini-PNL in supine position provides higher SFR and shorter operative times with similar rates of complications and AKI when compared with RIRS. Mini-PNL should be considered as the primary treatment option together with RIRS for renal stones and should not be ruled out for being a more invasive option

Mycosis fungoides and vitamin D status: Analyses of serum 25-hidroxyvitamin D levels and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene

Various types of cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, are associated with vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms. However, few studies have addressed VDR polymorphisms in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF), and previous studies have reported conflicting results. Aim of this case-control study was to assess the correlation between VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) Cdx2, Fok1, Apa1, Bsm1, and Taq1 and MF. Venous blood samples were collected from 41 patients with MF and 59 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. VDR genotypes of both groups were analyzed. Serum vitamin D levels of patients with MF were also analysed among varying stages and VDR genotypes. Vitamin D levels were significantly low (&lt;30 ng/mL) in 87.9% of the patients (P&lt;0.001). No associations were found between Apa1, Cdx2, Fok1, and Bsm1 SNPs and MF. However, Taq1 polymorphisms were higher in the healthy control group (P&lt;0.001). Our study supports the claim that vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with MF. On the other hand, our findings suggest that Taq1 polymorphisms may be associated with decreased susceptibility to MF. Therefore, VDRs may have complex and heterogeneous effects on the pathogenesis of MF. </p

Serum galectin-3 and ?-1-acid glycoprotein levels in diagnosis and prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is an otological emergency in which etiopathogenesis remains unclear. A number of disorders is considered as the cause; therefore, different treatment modalities are used without certainty of a cure. The present study aimed to analyse the potential correlation between serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and galectin-3 levels with ISSNHL, and to investigate markers for guidance of treatment. A total of 55 patients with ISSNHL [29 (52.7%) female, 26 male, mean age, 46.76 +/- 17.68 years] and 47 healthy volunteers [25 (53.2%) female, 21 male, mean age, 43.95 +/- 12.96 years) were included in the study. The complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, serum galectin-3 and AGP levels were evaluated. The audiological investigation included pure tone average and speech discrimination scores were also recorded before and after corticosteroid treatment. Serum AGP levels in the study group vs. the control group were 64.08 +/- 25.10 and 67.01 +/- 21.59 mg/dl (P=0.53), respectively. Galectin-3 levels were 16.80 +/- 4.55 in the study group and 15.15 +/- 3.74 ng/ml in the control group (P=0.05). Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly correlated with unresponsiveness to treatment (P < 0.001). Galectin-3 is an important biomarker for patients with ISSNHL. Patients with high serum galectin-3 levels may be unresponsive to standard therapy

AN ASSESMENT OF UNEXPECTEDLY HIGH HbA1c LEVEL IN A CASE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES

WOS: 000382619500017The HbA1c test provides information about blood glucose levels of previous months depending on the erythrocyte lifetime when monitoring diabetic patients. However, various factors such as HbF and other hemoglobin variants can interfere with the measurement of HbA1c. In this study, an unexpectedly high HbA1c level was observed in a patient with type 1 diabetes. In the hemoglobin chain analysis, which explained the reason for the high value, high fetal hemoglobin levels were detected and interfered with HbA1c measurement with the HPLC method. This finding was in concordance with the literature. As a conclusion, it should be considered that hemoglobinopathy might be found in the patients who have higher levels of HbA1c which is not in agreement with the blood glucose. Thus, it can be said that HbA1c test is not a good marker for monitoring such diabetic patients. In such cases, fructosamine or other glycated end products may be a more reliable marker

Investigation of EGF, IL1-? and IL-6 levels and selected hematological parameters (NLR, MPV) in patients with the chronic cholesteatomatous otitis media

In this study we aimed to investigate epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin (IL1)-alpha and IL-6 levels, and hematological parameters in the serum samples of patients with chronic cholesteatomatous otitis media ((COM). This prospective included 40 patients who underwent surgery due to CCOM between June 2020 and May 2021. The stage of middle ear cholesteatoma was determined on each chart using the EAONO/JOS system. The control group comprised of 30 adults who were scheduled for septoplasty over the same period in our hospital, had no otological complaints, and had normal otological findings. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the patients were obtained from the electronic medical record system of our hospital. The serum EGF, IL1-alpha and IL-6 levels, and hematological parameters (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV)) were compared between the CCOM and control groups. Seven patients had Stage 1 and 33 patients had Stage 2 middle ear cholestatoma. There was no statistically significant difference between the CCOM and control groups in terms of age and gender (p=0.092 and p=0.616, respectively). The serum EGF and Ill-alpha levels of the CCOM group were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group (p=0.047 and p=0.013, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed in the serum IL-6 levels of the CCOM and control groups (p=0.675). There was also no significant difference between the CCOM and control groups in terms of the mean NLR and MPV values (p=0.887 and p=0.164, respectively). There was no significant difference between the Stage 1 and Stage 2 cholesteatoma subgroups in terms of the mean EGF, IL1-alpha, IL-6 levels (p=0.204, p=0.557 and p=0.613, respectively), and the mean NLR and MPV values (p=0.487, p=0.439, respectively). Increased serum EGF and IL1-alpha levels in patients with CCOM suggest that these cytokines may play a role in cholesteatomatous epithelial hyperproliferation

The effects of water immersion and epidural analgesia on cellular immune response, neuroendocrine, and oxidative markers

Background/aim: Water immersion and epidural analgesia are the most preferred pain relief methods during the labor process. Adverse effects related to these methods, impact on the labor, and perception of pain is well studied in the literature. We aimed to investigate the cord blood level of copeptin, total serum oxidant (TOS), antioxidant (TAS), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and oxytocin after the labor with water immersion, epidural analgesia, and vaginal birth without pain relief. Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 102 healthy pregnant women admitted to the obstetric delivery unit for noncomplicated term birth. Copeptin, oxytocin, TAS, TOS, IL-1, and IL-6 levels of cord blood and obstetric and neonatal results after vaginal birth were compared. Results: The study included a total of 102 patients (group 1 = 30, group 2 = 30, and group 3 = 42). We found no significant difference between the three groups in terms of BMI, age, gravidity, parity, birth week, birth weight, interventional birth, perineal trauma, breastfeeding, duration of labor, oxytocin, IL-1 and IL-6 levels (p > 0.05). Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) need, TAS, TOS, and copeptin levels were higher. Apgar scores were lower in the epidural group (p = 0.011, p = 0.036, p = 0.027, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Epidural analgesia has deteriorated oxidative stress status and lower neonatal Apgar scores with higher NICU administration compared with water birth and vaginal birth without pain relief

Evaluation of Serum Human Epididymis Protein 4 Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Aim The main purpose of this study is the determination of scrum epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and comparison with non-PCOS healthy controls. Methods All consecutive women, who applied between January 2017 and June 2017 to the gynecology outpatient clinics at the Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Training and Research Hospital and met the study criteria, were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) concentrations were measured in each woman and the mean values were compared between the PCOS and non-PCOS groups. Results A total of 90 women (45 with PCOS and 45 without PCOS) were included in the final analysis. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of age and body mass index (p >0.05). Basal scrum HE4 levels were 172.8 +/- 139.8 and 131.8 +/- 123.1 pmol/L in the PCOS and non-PCOS groups, respectively (p = 0.415). Conclusion The serum HE4 levels were found to be similar in women with and without PCOS. No significant correlation was observed between PCOS parameters and scrum HE4 levels