Evaluation of Dirui® H13-Cr and H12-800MA strips for albuminuria detection

Increased urine albumin excretion is suggested to be an early marker of glomerular damage. Evaluation of a tests performance characteristics such as diagnostic sensitivity and specifictiy is a necessity before application into routine practice. To our knowledge up to now there is no study evaluating Dirui test strips for albuminuria determination. Therefore the objective of this study was to test these strips for agreement with the established method used in our routine laboratory. Freshly collected 177 urine specimens were included in the study. Strips were read on instruments Dirui H-500 and Dirui H-800 using reflectance photometry. For DiruiH13-Cr strip albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) and for DiruiH12-800MA strip albumin determinations were compared with the analyses performed using immunoturbidimetry and kinetic Jaffe method. Sensitivity values for estimated ACR using DiruiH13-Cr strip and albumin concentration using DiruiH12-800MA strip were calculated as 80%, 72%, respectively. Specificity values were as; 71% for Dirui H13-Cr strip and 78% for Dirui H12-800MA strip. Screening tests using urine test strips should be validated before acceptance in the routine use. Dirui strips evaluated in this study seem to have a lower sensitivity than suggested and excess number of false negatives seems to limit utility of these strips. [Med-Science 2018; 7(3.000): 532-5

Verification studies in glucometers: Should we use capillary blood or venous blood for comparison?

Glucometers are widely used in the diagnosis of blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus. EN ISO 15197 suggests that glucometer comparison studies should have 100 capillary blood samples be worked on at least twice. In this study, we planned on comparing the glucose results measured in a routine biochemistry analyzer from two different glucometers, capillary and venous blood samples, and aimed to discuss the effects of blood taking systems on the glucometer validation studies. Capillary and venous blood samples were taken from 101 individuals and their glucose concentrations measured simultaneously using two different glucometers (Accu-chek and GlucoMax). Capillary and venous blood samples were centrifuged after clotting and analyzed in the Roche P modular system. In the fasting condition, the equations for regression analysis that were found y=0,873x+24,32 (r=0,857) in between Accu-chek and venous blood glucose, y=0,9x+16,15 (r=0,920) in between Accu-chek and capillary blood glucose, y=0,811x+20,94 (r=0,776) in between GlucoMax and venous blood glucose, and y=0,851x+12,28 (r=0,863) in between GlucoMax and capillary blood glucose.In the postprandial state, the equations were y=0,713x+48,46 (r=0,258) in between Accu-chek and venous blood glucose, y=0,981x+11,77 (r=0,718) in between Accu-chek and capillary blood glucose, y=0,706x+39,12 (r=0,453) in between GlucoMax and venous blood glucose, and y=0,790+22,35 (r=0,787) in between GlucoMax and capillary blood glucose. In the fasting and postprandial state, the capillary glucose levels showed better correlation with glucometer measurements than venous blood glucose levels. In glucometer verification studies, capillary blood obtained with capillary blood sampling systems and used instead of venous blood should be the preferred sample. [Med-Science 2018; 7(1.000): 218-221

Serum Toll-Like Receptor-2, Toll-Like Receptor-4 Levels In Patients With Hbeag-Negative Chronic Viral Hepatitis B

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) may play an important role in hepatitis-B pathogenesis. However, serum TLR-2 and TLR-4 levels and their association with serum liver enzymes, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, quantitative HBsAg levels, and liver biopsy findings, are unknown. A total of naive 40 HBeAg (-) chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 20 healthy control subjects were recruited in this study. Liver tests, HBV DNA, serum TLR2 and TLR-4, and quantitative HBsAg levels were evaluated among all groups. The relationship among TLR-2, TLR-4, quantitative HBsAg levels and liver tests, and liver histological findings were investigated with correlation analysis. Serum TLR-2 and TLR-4 levels in HBeAg (-) CHB patients were higher than in the control group. There was a positive correlation between serum TLR-2, TLR-4, and HBV DNA and ALT levels. We have further demonstrated that serum TLR-2 levels are correlated with AST and quantitative HBsAg levels. However, TLRs levels were not linked to the liver biopsy findings. TLR can have an important role in hepatitis B pathogenesis. Liver injury in CHB may cause elevated TLR-2 and TLR-4 levels.Wo

Effects of Remote Ischemic Conditioning Methods on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Muscle Flaps: An Experimental Study in Rats

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of remote ischemic conditioning on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat muscle flaps histopathologically and biochemically. Methods Thirty albino rats were divided into 5 groups. No procedure was performed in the rats in group 1, and only blood samples were taken. A gracilis muscle flap was elevated in all the other groups. Microclamps were applied to the vascular pedicle for 4 hours in order to achieve tissue ischemia. In group 2, no additional procedure was performed. In groups 3, 4, and 5, the right hind limb was used and 3 cycles of ischemia-reperfusion for 5 minutes each (total, 30 minutes) was applied with a latex tourniquet (remote ischemic conditioning). In group 3, this procedure was performed before flap elevation (remote ischemic preconditoning). In group 4, the procedure was performed 4 hours after flap ischemia (remote ischemic postconditioning). In group 5, the procedure was performed after the flap was elevated, during the muscle flap ischemia episode (remote ischemic perconditioning). Results The histopathological damage score in all remote conditioning ischemia groups was lower than in the ischemic-reperfusion group. The lowest histopathological damage score was observed in group 5 (remote ischemic perconditioning). Conclusions The nitric oxide levels were higher in the blood samples obtained from the remote ischemic perconditioning group. This study showed the effectiveness of remote ischemic conditioning procedures and compared their usefulness for preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury in muscle flaps

Transfer of single dose of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and bevacizumab into milk of sheep

AIM: To investigate whether single-dose intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and ranibizumab transfer into milk. METHODS: This study included lactating 12 sheep and a single 3-month old suckling lamb of each sheep. Two groups consisting of 6 sheep and their lambs were constituted; the ranibizumab group and the bevacizumab group before the administration of intravitreal injections, blood and milk samples were obtained from all sheep and, following the injections, blood and milk samples of all sheep and blood samples of all lambs were collected at regular time points. Serum and milk concentrations of bevacizumab and ranibizumab were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The limit of determination was 0.9 ng/mL for bevacizumab and 0.62 ng/mL for ranibizumab. RESULTS: At 6h after intravitreal injections, bevacizumab concentration was above the limit of determination in the blood of all sheep. At 3wk, when the study was terminated, bevacizumab concentrations were high in 4 sheep. Even though bevacizumab concentrations in milk showed fluctuations, the drug transferred into the milk of all sheep at detectable concentrations. Ranibizumab drug concentrations in the blood and milk of sheep and those in the blood of lambs were below the limit of determination by the ELISA kit. CONCLUSION: This sheep model study demonstrate that intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, which did not transfer into the milk of sheep and suckling lambs, is safer than bevacizumab during lactation period

Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Men with Heroin Addiction

Objective: Heroin addicts have increased oxidative stress which can disturb thiol/disulfide (SH/SS) homeostasis, causing disulfide formation. No study has determined the serum thiol amount and blood disulfide amount in heroin addicts. The aim of the study was to investigate dynamic SH/SS homeostasis in heroin addicts. Methods: Serum SH/SS statuses of 31 heroin addicts and 31 healthy controls were compared to determine the changes in SH/SS homeostasis in heroin addicts. Blood serum native thiol and total thiol (ToSH) levels were measured and the disulfide bond amount was calculated as the half value of the difference between native thiol and ToSH levels. For comparison t-test was used. Results: SH and ToSH levels were significantly lower (p<0.001 for both) in heroin addicts than in the healthy group whereas disulfide levels were significantly higher (p<0.001). Heroin addicts had significantly higher SS/ToSH and SS/SH ratios and significantly lower SH/ToSH ratios than healthy individuals. Conclusion: The results showed that SH and ToSH levels were decreased in heroin addicts and SH/SS homeostasis was also disturbed with a shift to the disulfide bond formation side. Results of this study could contribute to the knowledge about pathogenesis of heroin addiction and also to its management. We suggest that replacement of the thiol gap and reduction of excess SS might have positive effects in treatment results

An Investigation of the Effects of Curcumin on the Changes in the Central Nervous System of Rats Exposed to Aroclor 1254 in the Prenatal Period

Yurdakok-Dikmen, Begum/0000-0002-0385-3602WOS: 000435906600008PubMed: 29546838Background & Objective: Aroclor 1254 is a widespread toxic compound of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), which can create significant nervous problems. No remedies have been found to date. The aim of this study was to reveal the damage that occurs in the central nervous system of rat pups exposed to Aroclor 1254 in the prenatal period and to show the inhibiting effect of curcumin, which is a strong anti-oxidant and neuroprotective substance. Method: The study established 3 groups of adult female and male Wistar albino rats. The rats were mated within these groups and the offspring rats were evaluated within the group given Aroclor 1254 only (n=10) and the group was given both Aroclor 1254 and curcumin (n=10) and the control group (n=10). The groups were compared in respect of pathomorphological damage. The immunohistochemical evaluation was made of 8-hydroxdeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 4-hydroxynoneal (4HNE), myelin basic protein (MBP) expressions and TUNEL reaction. The biochemical evaluation was made of the changes in the TAS-TOS and Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE) levels. Damage was seen to have been reduced with curcumin in the 8OHdG and TUNEL reactions, especially in the forebrain and the midbrain, although the dosage applied did not significantly change TAS and TOS levels. Consequently, it was understood that Aroclor 1254 caused damage in the central nervous system of the pup in the prenatal period, and curcumin reduced these negative effects, particularly in the forebrain and the midbrain. Conclusion: It was concluded that curcumin could be a potential neuroprotective agent and would be more effective at higher doses.Scientific and Technological Research Projects Funding Program (TUBITAK) [214O124]This study was supported by funding received from the Scientific and Technological Research Projects Funding Program (TUBITAK) under project number 214O124