FMF Is Associated With a Wide Spectrum of MHC Class I- and Allied SpA Disorders but Not With Classical MHC Class II-Associated Autoimmune Disease: Insights From a Large Cohort Study

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)-associated autoinflammation may exaggerate the tendency toward adaptive immunopathology or spondyloarthritis (SpA)-associated disorders including major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I associated disorders but not classical MHC class II-associated disorders that exhibit transplacental autoimmunity including myasthenia gravis and pemphigus. Methods: Seven thousand seven hundred forty-seven FMF patients and 10,080 age- and sex-matched controls in the Clalit Health Services medical database were identified and compared in terms of prevalence of SpA-associated disorders. We also evaluated four classical and strong MHC class II-associated disorders, namely, pemphigus vulgaris, myasthenia gravis, sarcoidosis, and pernicious anemia, to ascertain whether such associations with SpA-spectrum disease were specific or merely reflected the non-specific consequences of innate immune system activation on driving divergent types of immunity. The diagnosis of FMF was based on the medical records and not genetically proven. Results: FMF showed a strong association with MHC class I-related diseases: odds ratio (OR) of 28.58 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 6.93–117.87; p < 0.0001] for Behçet's disease, OR of 10.33 (95% CI, 4.09–26.09; p < 0.0001) for ankylosing spondylitis, and OR of 1.67 (95% CI, 1.19–2.33; p = 0.0029) for psoriasis. For weakly MHC class I-linked diseases, an OR of 3.76 (95% CI, 2.48–5.69; p < 0.0001) for Crohn's disease and OR of 2.64 (95% CI, 1.52–4.56; p = 0.0005) for ulcerative colitis were found. No association was found between FMF and the four MHC class II-associated autoimmune disorders. Conclusion: FMF patients are associated with increased risk of SpA-related disease diagnosis including MHC-I-opathies but not MHC-II-associated autoimmune diseases, suggesting that tissue-specific dysregulation of innate immunity share between FMF and SpA spectrum disorders may drive adaptive immune MHC class I-associated conditions

The Short-Term Effects of Strontium Ranelate on Pain and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis

Aim: Minerals and trace elements affect bone formation and resorption through direct or indirect effects on bone cells or bone mineral. Strontium has several effects on bone cells and anabolic actvity. Materials and Methods: The effects of strontium ranelate on pain and bone mineral density were assessed in an open, noncontrolled trial conducted in postmenopausal women. Oral strontium ranelate was given at a daily dose of 2 g for six months in 31 patients. All women received calcium and vitamin D supplements. Measurements of bone mineral density were performed before treatment and at the sixth month. Blood biochemistry analysis was performed at the beginning and at the 6th month. Results: Pain (visual analog scala) score was 6.12±1.05 at baseline and 4.25±0.92 at sixth month of treatment. Pain decreased significantly at 6th month (p<0.05). New fractures did not occur during the study. Strontium renalate treatment increased bone mineral density at 6th month at the total lumbar spine and the femoral total region. The changes were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). There were no serious adverse events. None of the patients discontinued treatment due to adverse effects. The blood biochemistry was normal at baseline and end of the trial. Global efficacy was good in 64.5% of patients at sixth month. Tolerability was excellent during the study (80.6%). Conclusion: Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with strontium ranelate can decrease pain, and increase bone mineral density beginning at six months following treatment. The results have to be considered as preliminary, the study was planned for a longer duration on a greater number of patients. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2012;18: 53-7

Karaciğer fonksiyon testleri bozukluğu göstergesi olarak manyetik rezonans kolanjiyopankreatografide minimal perihepatik sıvı varlığı

Giriş ve Amaç: Karaciğer ve karaciğer dışı patolojilere bağlı görüntülemede perihepatik alanda sıvı görülebilmektedir. Belirli bir patolojiye spesifik olmayan bu durum değişik mekanizmalar ile oluşabilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı manyetik rezonans kolanjiyopankreatografide minimal perihepatik sıvı varlığı ile karaciğer fonksiyon testleri ve manyetik rezonans kolanjiyopankreatografide ortaya koyulabilecek etiyolojik faktörlerden olan biliyer obstrüksiyon ile arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Hastanemiz Radyoloji bölümünde 2017 yılında manyetik rezonans kolanjiyopankreatografi yapılan hastalar retrospektif olarak tarandı. Minimal perihepatik sıvısı olan 62 hasta çalışma grubuna, perihepatik sıvısı olmayan ve rastgele seçilen 62 hasta kontrol grubuna dahil edildi. Hasta ve kontrol grubuna ait karaciğer fonksiyon testleri (aspartat aminotransferaz, alanin aminotransferaz, alkalen fosfataz, gama-glutamil transpeptidaz, laktat dehidrogenaz, total/direkt/ indirekt bilirübin) karşılaştırıldı. Perihepatik sıvı kalınlığı, dağılım paterni, karaciğer loblarına göre lokalizasyonu, intrahepatik safra kanallarında genişleme varlığı ve derecesi, koledok taşı, periportal ödem, perisplenik sıvı varlığı kaydedildi ve perihepatik sıvı ile arasındaki ilişki değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Perihepatik sıvısı olan hasta grubunda laktat dehidrogenaz dışında tüm laboratuvar değerleri kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı olarak yüksekti (p = 0.131 ve p ≤ 0.011, sırasıyla) ve perihepatik sıvısı olan grupta kontrol grubuna göre daha fazla hastada laboratuvar değerlerinde yükseklik saptandı (p ≤ 0.037). İntrahepatik safra kanallarında genişleme ve perisplenik sıvı varlığı açısından iki grup arasındaki fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı idi (p = 0.01 ve p < 0.001, sırasıyla). Alkalen fosfataz değerleri ile intrahepatik safra kanalları genişleme derecesi korelasyon göstermekteydi (r = 0.349, p = 0.05). Sonuç: Manyetik rezonans kolanjiyopankreatografide karaciğer çevresinde minimal düzeyde sıvı varlığı karaciğer fonksiyon testlerinde bozukluğa işaret edebilir ve kolestaza neden olabilecek patolojiler açısından uyarıcı olmalıdır.Background and Aims: Perihepatic fluid caused by liver and non-liver pathologies can be observed through imaging. This condition is not specific to a particular pathology and can occur with different mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of minimal perihepatic fluid in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and liver function tests and biliary obstruction, which is one of the etiological factors that can be detected through magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the department of radiology in our hospital in 2017 were retrospectively screened. Sixty-two patients with minimal peripheral fluid were included in the study group, and randomly selected 62 patients without perihepatic fluid were included in the control group. Liver function tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, total/direct/indirect bilirubin) of the patient and control groups were compared. Perihepatic fluid thickness, distribution pattern, localization according to liver lobes, presence and degree of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, and presence of choledocholitiasis, periportal edema, perisplenic fluid were recorded, and the relationship with perihepatic fluid was evaluated. Results: All laboratory values except lactate dehydrogenase were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p = 0.131 and p ≤ 0.011, respectively). The number of patients with higher laboratory values was higher in the patient group than in the control group (p ≤ 0.037). The difference between the two groups as regards intrahepatic bile duct dilatation and presence of perisplenic fluid was significant (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase values correlated with the degree of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation (r = 0.349, p = 0.05). Conclusions: The presence of minimal fluid around the liver detected by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography may indicate impairment in liver function tests and should alert clinicians of pathologies that can cause cholestasis

Presence of minimal perihepatic fluid in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography as a marker of liver function test impairment

Giriş ve Amaç: Karaciğer ve karaciğer dışı patolojilere bağlı görüntülemede perihepatik alanda sıvı görülebilmektedir. Belirli bir patolojiye spesifik olmayan bu durum değişik mekanizmalar ile oluşabilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı manyetik rezonans kolanjiyopankreatografide minimal perihepatik sıvı varlığı ile karaciğer fonksiyon testleri ve manyetik rezonans kolanjiyopankreatografide ortaya koyulabilecek etiyolojik faktörlerden olan biliyer obstrüksiyon ile arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Hastanemiz Radyoloji bölümünde 2017 yılında manyetik rezonans kolanjiyopankreatografi yapılan hastalar retrospektif olarak tarandı. Minimal perihepatik sıvısı olan 62 hasta çalışma grubuna, perihepatik sıvısı olmayan ve rastgele seçilen 62 hasta kontrol grubuna dahil edildi. Hasta ve kontrol grubuna ait karaciğer fonksiyon testleri (aspartat aminotransferaz, alanin aminotransferaz, alkalen fosfataz, gama-glutamil transpeptidaz, laktat dehidrogenaz, total/direkt/ indirekt bilirübin) karşılaştırıldı. Perihepatik sıvı kalınlığı, dağılım paterni, karaciğer loblarına göre lokalizasyonu, intrahepatik safra kanallarında genişleme varlığı ve derecesi, koledok taşı, periportal ödem, perisplenik sıvı varlığı kaydedildi ve perihepatik sıvı ile arasındaki ilişki değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Perihepatik sıvısı olan hasta grubunda laktat dehidrogenaz dışında tüm laboratuvar değerleri kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı olarak yüksekti (p = 0.131 ve p ≤ 0.011, sırasıyla) ve perihepatik sıvısı olan grupta kontrol grubuna göre daha fazla hastada laboratuvar değerlerinde yükseklik saptandı (p ≤ 0.037). İntrahepatik safra kanallarında genişleme ve perisplenik sıvı varlığı açısından iki grup arasındaki fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı idi (p = 0.01 ve p < 0.001, sırasıyla). Alkalen fosfataz değerleri ile intrahepatik safra kanalları genişleme derecesi korelasyon göstermekteydi (r = 0.349, p = 0.05). Sonuç: Manyetik rezonans kolanjiyopankreatografide karaciğer çevresinde minimal düzeyde sıvı varlığı karaciğer fonksiyon testlerinde bozukluğa işaret edebilir ve kolestaza neden olabilecek patolojiler açısından uyarıcı olmalıdır.Background and Aims: Perihepatic fluid caused by liver and non-liver pathologies can be observed through imaging. This condition is not specific to a particular pathology and can occur with different mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of minimal perihepatic fluid in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and liver function tests and biliary obstruction, which is one of the etiological factors that can be detected through magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the department of radiology in our hospital in 2017 were retrospectively screened. Sixty-two patients with minimal peripheral fluid were included in the study group, and randomly selected 62 patients without perihepatic fluid were included in the control group. Liver function tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, total/direct/indirect bilirubin) of the patient and control groups were compared. Perihepatic fluid thickness, distribution pattern, localization according to liver lobes, presence and degree of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, and presence of choledocholitiasis, periportal edema, perisplenic fluid were recorded, and the relationship with perihepatic fluid was evaluated. Results: All laboratory values except lactate dehydrogenase were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p = 0.131 and p ≤ 0.011, respectively). The number of patients with higher laboratory values was higher in the patient group than in the control group (p ≤ 0.037). The difference between the two groups as regards intrahepatic bile duct dilatation and presence of perisplenic fluid was significant (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase values correlated with the degree of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation (r = 0.349, p = 0.05). Conclusions: The presence of minimal fluid around the liver detected by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography may indicate impairment in liver function tests and should alert clinicians of pathologies that can cause cholestasis

The Correlation Between Neurologic Findings And DXA in Mechanical Low Back Pain and/or Leg Pain

Aim: Mechanical problems are frequently encountered and may cause low back pain (LBP) and leg pain by pressure on nerve roots. Neurologic findings like decreased deep tendon reflexes may be found during the physical examination. There are many etiologic factors in the pathogenesis of LBP and metabolic bone diseases like osteoporosis and osteomalacia also may cause mecanical LBP. Materials and Methods: In this study, 25 patients between 30-65 years were evaluated. In the patients, sensorial changes, deep tendon reflexes and muscle strength were correlated with dual x-ray absorbsiometry (DXA) results. Demographic findings (age, sex, occupation, education) and clinical results (pain duration, pain severity, height, weight) were evaluated. In DXA evaluation, L1-L4 total, femur neck and femur total bone mineral density (BMD) and T-scores were reported. Results: Pain severity, according to visual analog scale (VAS) was higher than six. Muscle strength, sensation and deep tendon reflex averages were found to be normal. DXA results were found to be osteopenic in femoral neck region of our patients. DXA results and clinical findings showed a weak and negative statistically significant correlation only between BMD at L1-L4 and pain severity. Conclusion: This study should be performed comparatively, multicenter, in a larger number of patients with LBP, for a longer period of follow-up. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2012;18:19-23

Influence of Ti and Nb addition on the microstructure, mechanical, and machinability properties of 316L stainless steel fabricated by powder metallurgy

In this study, titanium and niobium element powders in determined amounts (0.25 and 0.5wt%) were added into the 316L stainless steel matrix by means of powder metallurgy (PM) technology, either singly or in pairs, and the desired composition was obtained as a powder mixture. The powders used in the study were cold pressed tensile sample molds prepared in ASTM 8M standards, unidirectionally cold pressed under 700MPa compression pressure and formed into blocks. After pressing, the raw strength samples were sintered in an atmosphere-controlled tube furnace at 1325°C for 2h in an argon atmosphere. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the produced PM steels were characterized by optical microscope, SEM, EDS, and tensile test. The results showed that the stainless-steel samples with 0.25(Ti-Nb) added composition to 316L stainless steel had the highest yield strength and tensile strengths. However, with the addition of 0.5Ti, 0.5Nb, and 0.5(Ti-Nb) to 316L stainless steel, a decrease was observed in the mechanical properties. Moreover, the MQL machining is better on the machining output such as surface roughness and cutting temperature than dry machining in terms of a sustainable machining process

Seroprevalence of Asymptomatic Leishmania spp. Carriage Among Blood Donors in Leishmaniasis Endemic Area in Turkey

Introduction: Transfusion-related infections are usually caused by a microbial pathogen transmitted to the recipient by the donated blood. Plasmodium spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, Babesia microti, Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp. are listed as the most widely reported transfusion-transmitted parasites. Leishmaniasis is well known as an endemic in Mediterranean countries including Turkey. Accordingly, detection of asymptomatic Leishmania infantum carriage in blood donors is an important issue in Turkey. In endemic teretories, research on blood donors is under-represented in Turkey. Likewise, Mersin province is also endemic for Leishmaniasis. Up to date, no studies have been conducted to detect Leishmaniasis in healthy blood donors in our region. Therefore, the main objective of the current study was to reveal the seroprevalance of asymptomatic Leishmania carriage among the blood donors in Mersin province

Piriformis Syndrome: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Local Anesthetic and Corticosteroid Injections: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Piriformis syndrome (PS), which is characterized by pain radiating to the gluteal region and posterior leg, is accepted as one of the causes of sciatalgia. Although the importance of local piriformis muscle injections whenever PS is clinically suspected has been shown in many studies, there are not enough studies considering the clinical efficacy of these injections