Effects Of Smoking On Hematological Parameters And Ferritin Levels

Aim: Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Our aim was to define possible effects of smoking on hematological parameters as well as ferritin and transferrin saturation. Methods: This study was performed in a retrospective manner. One hundred and forty-nine patients, who were admitted to Hacettepe University Hospitals between September 2018 and November 2018, were evaluated. Results: There were 95 (63.7%) healthy non-smokers and 54 (36.3%) healthy smokers included in this study. The median age was 32 (18-61) years for all groups. There were 47 (31.5%) males and 102 (68.5%) females in this study. Hemoglobin (p<0.001), hematocrit (HCT) (p<0.001) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (p=0.002) values were statistically significantly higher in smokers-group than in non-smokers group. Leukocyte (p<0.001), neutrophil (p=0.001) and lymphocyte (p=0.04) counts were statistically significantly higher in smokers group compared to non-smokers group. Conclusion: Our study showed that cigarette smoking has severe adverse effects on hematological parameters such as hemoglobin, leucocytes, lymphocytes, MCV and HCT. These alterations might be associated with a greater risk of developing secondary polycythemia, atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular diseases.WoSScopu

Effects Of Ankaferd Hemostat On Red Blood Cell Aggregation: A Hemorheological Study

Background/aim: Ankaferd hemostat (ABS; Ankaferd blood stopper, Istanbul, Turkey) is a prohemostatic agent affecting erythrocytes. The hemostatic action of ABS depends upon fibrinogen gamma chain, prothrombin, and red blood cells. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of ABS on erythrocyte aggregation via hemorheological analyses. Materials and methods: To measure erythrocyte aggregation, blood samples were obtained from healthy, nonsmoker volunteers who had not taken any medication in the previous 10 days. One mL of blood was placed into the laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORCA), into the chamber formed by the gap between two concentric glass cylinders. The solution prepared with ABS and saline was added to blood in incremental amounts of 10 mu L, 20 mu L, 30 mu L, 40 mu L, 50 mu L, 60 mu L, 70 mu L, and 100 mu L. Erythrocyte aggregation was determined by laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer at 37 degrees C. Results: AMP was found to be 17.7 +/- 2.1 au in the blood without ABS, whereas it was lower in the blood with ABS. AMP was 16.0 +/- 3.3 in the ABS-added blood group. RBC aggregates did not form faster when cells contacted ABS. The t t1/2 value was 4.6 +/- 2.6 in the ABS-added blood group and 1.9 +/- 0.20 in the control group. Aggregation was faster in the control group (P = 0.03). AI, which is a combination of AMP and t1/2, was lowered in the ABS group (48.7 +/- 12.3) compared to the control group (65.8 +/- 1.6) (P = 0.02). It was notable that the gamma Isc max (sec(-1)) value of the control was higher (200 +/- 106) than the ABS-added blood group (141 +/- 51.0). Conclusion: ABS has antierythroid aggregation effect. ABS inhibits pathological aggregation of red blood cells. Antithrombotic clinical effects of ABS may be ascribed to the antierythroid aggregan actions of the drug.WoSScopu

Fibrosis Development, Leukemic Transformation And Secondary Malignancies Complicating The Clinical Course Of Essential Thrombocythemia

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplastic disease characterized by abnormal proliferation of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow leading to elevated platelet counts in the peripheral blood. In the present study, we aim to assess the long-term complications of ET and its treatments in terms of the development of secondary malignancies, bone marrow fibrosis and leukemic transformation. One hundred and twenty four patients with ET were included into the study. Retrospective data were collected from our database of myeloproliferative disorders. There were 75 (60.5%) men and 49 (39.5%) women with a median age of 53 (range, 20-80) years. The data indicated that 3 patients treated with hydroxyurea (HU) had suffered of bladder cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and thyroid papillary cancer, 2 patients without treatment suffered of breast cancer and neuroendocrine cancer and 2 patients treated with combination (HU and anagrelide) suffered of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and prostate cancer. In total, 16/124 patients (12.9%) developed bone marrow fibrosis. Nine of the patients (7.2%) who developed bone marrow fibrosis were receiving HU, 5 of them (4%) were using HU and anagrelide and 2 of them (1.6%) were followed without treatment (p= 0.44). The age (p= 0.03), hemoglobin level at diagnosis (p< 0.001), white blood cell level at diagnosis (p= 0.02), CRP level (p= 0.01), pre-treatment hemorrhage rate (p< 0.001) were statistically significant different between the patients who developed myelofibrosis and patients who did not develop myelofibrosis. The results of this study disclosed that there was no statistically significant difference regarding the development of bone marrow fibrosis, leukemic transformation or secondary malignancies with regard to the treatment options of ET. Moreover, ET patients who had received HU and anagrelide treatment has better OS than the other patient cohorts.WoSScopu

Comparison of Bortezomib-Cyclophosphamide-Dexamethasone versus Bortezomib-Dexamethasone Based Regimens in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients

The treatment landscape and clinical outcome of multiple myeloma (MM) patients have changed in the last decades, with an improved median survival of 8–10 years. This study aimed to evaluate the bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (VCD) regimen versus bortezomib and dexamethasone (VD) regimen in patients with newly diagnosed MM. This study has been performed in a retrospective manner. One hundred and three patients with newly diagnosed MM who received chemotherapy at our tertiary care center between the years of 2009 and 2018 were evaluated. A total of 103 patients were included. The 5-year overall survival (OS) for patients who received VD regimen and patients who received VCD regimen were 75% and 83%, respectively. The OS for VD patients was 113.1 ± 12.5 versus 122.2 ± 9.5 months for VCD patients with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.47). The 5-year PFS (progression free survival) for patients who received VD regimen and patients who received VCD regimen were 66% and 75%, respectively. The PFS for VCD patients was higher than the PFS for VD patients (67.1 ± 7.4 versus 97.7 ± 13.4 months), but no statistically significant difference was observed (p = 0.59). Relapse rate (p = 0.002) and mortality rate (p = 0.01) were higher in VD group than VCD group and they were statistically significant. The OS and PFS were clinically longer in patients receiving VCD regimen than in patients receiving VD regimen, although not statistically significant. Cyclophosphamide should be given to patients at physician discretion and depending on patient’s frailty function

The Factors Affecting Early Death In Newly Diagnosed Apl Patients

Background and aim: In the past, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) was considered as one of the most rapidly lethal form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The objective of this study was to assess clinical parameters affecting early death (ED) in patients with APL. Materials and methods: Forty-three patients with APL who were diagnosed at Hacettepe University Hospital between the years of 2005 and 2018 were evaluated. Results: In univariate analyses, presentation with hemorrhage, DIC or infection at diagnosis, ECOG performance score, blast percentage on bone marrow, Sanz score, leukocyte, thrombocyte, fibrinogen and LDH levels were found to be statistically significantly different between patients with ER and patients without ED. In multivariate analysis, presentation with hemorrhage, DIC or infection at diagnosis, ECOG performance score, blast percentage on bone marrow, Sanz score, leukocyte, thrombocyte, fibrinogen, and LDH levels were found to be independent factors that are related with higher rate of ED in 30 days after treatment. Conclusion: Induction chemotherapy should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis of APL. Improving ED rates may become the greatest challenge for the future treatment of the diseases.Wo

Indications And Outcomes Of Splenectomy For Hematological Disorders

Background and Aim Splenectomy is a frequent component of the diagnosis and treatment of hematological disorders. The aim of this study was to define the indications and outcomes of splenectomy for benign and malign hematological disorders. Materials and Methods One hundred and two patients with hematological disease who had splenectomy at Hacettepe University Hospital between the years of 2010 and 2018 were evaluated. Results A total of one hundred and two patients were included in this study. The median age was 52 (20-82) years at the time of splenectomy. Most of the patients were female (57.9%). The median follow up time was 11.0 (0.03-87.9) months after splenectomy. Splenectomy was performed to diagnose thirty patients (29.4%). Seventy-two patients underwent splenectomy for the treatment of hematological disease (70.6%). Twenty-seven patients (90%) were diagnosed with various lymphomas. Two patients (6.7%) were diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia and one patient (3.3%) was diagnosed with large granular lymphocytic leukemia. Conclusion In conclusion, an improvement in medical therapy, especially with monoclonal antibodies, the indications and outcomes of splenectomy for hematologic disorders have changed extremely in last years. Nevertheless, splenectomy has an important role for diagnosis and treatment of benign and malign hematological disorders.PubMedWoSScopu

Indications and outcomes of splenectomy for hematological disorders

Splenectomy is a frequent component of the diagnosis and treatment of hematological disorders. The aim of this study was to define the indications and outcomes of splenectomy for benign and malign hematological disorders

The importance of serum biglycan levels as a fibrosis marker in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BackgroundLiver biopsy is recommended in the majority of patients with chronic viral hepatitis for fibrosis evaluation. Because of the potential risks of liver biopsy, many studies related to non-invasive biomarkers of hepatic fibrosis have been performed. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of serum biglycan as a non-invasive fibrosis marker in chronic hepatitis B patients. MethodsThis study included 120 patients with biopsy-proven hepatitis B patients and 60 healthy controls. Fibrosis stage and necroinflammatory activity were assessed in liver biopsy specimens. Biglycan level was measured using an ELISA assay. ResultsSerum biglycan levels of chronic hepatitis B patients were found to be significantly higher than those of healthy controls (337.3363.0pg/mL vs 189.1 +/- 61.9pg/mL, respectively, P<.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum biglycan level and fibrosis stage (P=.004; r=.213). Besides, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between serum biglycan level and necroinflammatory activity (P<.001; r=.271). The AUROC of BGN levels was 0.702 for fibrosis stage, differentiating patients from healthy controls with statistical significance (P<.001). The AUROC of BGN levels was 0.632 for necroinflammatory activity score, differentiating patients from healthy controls with statistical significance (P=.004). ConclusionsSerum biglycan might be used as a non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis. Further studies are needed to evaluate the usefulness of this marker