Cortisol and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis hormones in follicular-phase women with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and effect of depressive symptoms on these hormones

We investigated abnormalities of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and cortisol concentrations in women with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) who were in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle, and whether their scores for depressive symptoms were related to levels of these hormones. A total of 176 subjects participated – 46 healthy volunteers, 68 patients with fibromyalgia, and 62 patients with CFS. We examined concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and cortisol. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Cortisol levels were significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia or CFS than in healthy controls (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences in other hormone levels between the three groups. Fibromyalgia patients with high BDI scores had significantly lower cortisol levels than controls (P < 0.05), and so did CFS patients, regardless of their BDI scores (P < 0.05). Among patients without depressive symptoms, cortisol levels were lower in CFS than in fibromyalgia (P < 0.05). Our study suggests that in spite of low morning cortisol concentrations, the only abnormalities in hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis hormones among follicular-phase women with fibromyalgia or CFS are those of LH levels in fibromyalgia patients with a low BDI score. Depression may lower cortisol and LH levels, or, alternatively, low morning cortisol may be a biological factor that contributes to depressive symptoms in fibromyalgia. These parameters therefore must be taken into account in future investigations

Tension Pneumocephalus after Endoscopic Paranasal Sinus Surgery

WOS: 000414779400006Tension pneumocephalus (TP) which produces increased intracranial pressure and leads to neurological deterioration is a rare but life-threatening complication. A 59-year-old male patient who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery was admitted to the emergency room with severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. Cranial computed tomography revealed pneumocephalus. Endoscopic surgery under general anesthesia was performed again, and a dural tear at the crista galli was identified and repaired using an autograft and fibrin glue. In same session, burr-hole drainage was also performed. He recovered after few days and was discharged. Therefore, following endoscopic sinus surgery, surgeons should be aware of the development of pneumocephalus, a rare but life-threatening complication

Bismuth Film Electrode as Sensing Platform for IgE-anti-IgE Interactions

WOS: 000296399200017In this study, a bismuth film was used as a sensing platform for immunoreaction assay which includes the interactions between IgE and anti-IgE molecules. For preparing this assay, IgE was deposited on a carbon paste electrode via bismuth(III) cations without using any membrane or functional reagent. The immobilized reagents and interaction of anti-IgE on this formation were monitored by using atomic force microscopy technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Then some experimental parameters like the effect of IgE amount and the IgE anti-IgE interaction time were optimized. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the binding of anti-IgE was also examined by following current decrease in differential pulse voltammograms of neutral red

Biocentri-voltammetric biosensor for acetylcholine and choline

WOS: 000310222500015We report on the determination of choline and acetylcholine via biocentrivoltammetry. This method combines centrifugation and voltammetry and is based on a carbon paste electrode modified with acetylcholinesterase and choline oxidase. The electrode was placed at the bottom of a biocentrivoltammetric cell. Acetylcholine and choline are accumulated on the enzyme electrode via centrifugative forces, upon which a direct voltammetric scan is applied. Reaction time, pH values, quantities of enzyme and centrifugation parameters were optimized. A linear response is obtained in the 0.07 to 10 mu M concentration range of acetylcholine, and a limit of detection as low as 0.5 mu M. The linear range is between 0.1 and 500 mu M for choline. The method was applied to the determination of acetylcholine and choline in spiked serum samples.Technical and Scientific Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [109T885]; Mugla Sitki Kocman University BAPMugla Sitki Kocman University [12/08]The grant from The Technical and Scientific Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Project no: 109T885 and Mugla Sitki Kocman University BAP project no 12/08 are gratefully acknowledged

Biocentri-voltammetry for the enzyme assay: a model study

WOS: 000304327300040This work constitutes the first biocentri-voltammetric application for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity assay. After the optimization of working conditions like reaction time, centrifugation speed and time and enzyme amount, the analytical characteristics were investigated. As a result, the linear range of 1.0-350 mu M was obtained with an equation of y = 0.0004x + 0.0163. The correlation coefficient is equal to (R-2) 0.99 +/- 0.001815 (n = 3) and the RSD value was calculated as 3.6% (n = 4). Then Donepezil-based drug analysis was also conducted by using the developed method and an inhibition of 80% was calculated.Technical and Scientific Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [109T885]The grant from The Technical and Scientific Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Project no: 109T885 is gratefully acknowledged

Could spot urine analysis of calcium and uric acid help predict density of urinary stone in computerized tomography? A preliminary study

WOS: 000384949900005PubMed ID: 26955798BACKGROUD: This research studies if Hounsfield density of urinary stone can be predicted without computerized tomography (CT) caused by because increased radiation exposure in follow-up of patients. METHODS: The records of patients with renal or ureteral stone were analyzed retrospectively for the time period between November 2013 and April 2014. The inclusion criteria defined were: no multiple stones; stone size >= 3 mm; presence of renal and ureteral stones; absence of staghom stone. All CT images were assessed in abdominal windows by a single radiologist. Hounsfield Unit (HU) value of CT was used to interpret the density of the stone. The density of the stone was measured in the longest axis of the stone center (core) and the edges (periphery) of each stone. Biochemical analysis of spot urine calcium (Ca) and uric acid (UA) was done at the time of diagnosis. Correlation and linear regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Forty patients were included the study and median age of patients is 22 (IQR 21-28). Since the unit was a military hospital, most patients admitted to hospital were young male conscripts with low median age. It has been found that spot urine uric acid and uric acid/Ca ratio is associated with stone density as HU (P=0.004, P<0.001). Although predictive value appeared low, linear regression model statistically predicted stone density as HU (P<0.001 R-2=0.32). Stone size has proved to be positively correlated with stone density (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the predictive value of urine analysis model is low, it may be considered to predict HU attenuation of stone. Spot urine analysis of calcium and uric acid may be helpful for both diagnosis and follow-up. We believe that controlled studies with larger patient populations will provide further insights into this issue

Massive Primary Intraventricular Hemorrhage Due to Idiopathic Lateral Posterior Choroidal Artery Aneurysm: Case Illustration

Peripheral aneurysms of the lateral posterior choroidal artery are rare and mostly in association with vascular and occlusive pathologies such as moyamoya disease. To the best of our knowledge, pure lateral posterior choroidal artery aneurysms without association of any other vascular diseases are unique and only 3 cases have been reported in the literature