Prognostic importance of central thrombus in hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism

Background: The association between mortality and localization of central thrombus in hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) is unclear. Sufficient data are not available to help clinicians to select between low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), unfractionated heparin (UFH) and thrombolytics for the management of central thrombus. The present study aims to investigate whether central thrombus in the pulmonary artery affects 30-day mortality rate, and to compare the outcomes of different treatment approaches in patients with central thrombus. Methods: This multi-central, prospective, observational study included 874 hemodynamically stable patients with PE confirmed by multidetector computed tomography scan. The localization of the emboli was evaluated and categorized as central (saddle or at least one main pulmonary artery), lobar or distal. The primary study outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. Results: Localization of the emboli was central in 319 (36.5%) patients, lobar in 264 (30.2%) and distal in 291 (33.2%) patients. Seventy-four (8.5%) patients died during the 30-day follow-up period. All-cause mortality rate was 11.9%, 6.8% and 6.2% in patients with central, lobar, and distal emboli, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis did not show that hemodynamically stable central thrombus was an independent predictor of mortality. Additionally, mortality rate was not significantly different between UFH, LMWH and thrombolytic therapy groups. Conclusions: The present study showed that central thrombus was not an independent predictor of mortality in hemodynamically stable PE patients. LMWH and UFH were similarly effective in the treatment of this patient group.

Relationship between Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Aim. Studies have suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum BDNF levels and various metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods. The study included 88 T2DM patients and 33 healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were obtained from the patients and the control group. The serum levels of BDNF were measured with an ELISA kit. The current paper introduces a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) generalization curve to identify cut-off for the BDNF values in type 2 diabetes patients. Results. The serum levels of BDNF were significantly higher in T2DM patients than in the healthy controls (206.81 ± 107.32 pg/mL versus 130.84 ± 59.81 pg/mL; P<0.001). They showed a positive correlation with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r=0.28; P<0.05), the triglyceride level (r=0.265; P<0.05), and white blood cell (WBC) count (r=0.35; P<0.001). In logistic regression analysis, age (P<0.05), body mass index (BMI) (P<0.05), C-reactive protein (CRP) (P<0.05), and BDNF (P<0.01) were independently associated with T2DM. In ROC curve analysis, BDNF cut-off was 137. Conclusion. The serum BDNF level was higher in patients with T2DM. The BDNF had a cut-off value of 137. The findings suggest that BDNF may contribute to glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation

Self-Representation of the Romany Ethnicity in Social Media and Socio-Digital Compensation of the Otherness

This study consists of a cultural analysis of social media usage as a platform for self-representation and socio-digital compensation of Roman users who are exposed to problems in terms of representation and recognition due to their position as a minority group in Turkey. The aim of the study, which examines the identity building of a group of Romany users organized on Facebook under the name of Romany Research Center, is to determine the functions, maneuvers and cultural aspects of the self-representation practices of the Romany ethnic identity under socio-digital conditions and to understand the ways in which digital building actions transform the relationship between identity and otherness in the context of Romany users. In the study, which focuses on representation of ethnicity and cultural identity, the netnography method, defined as social network ethnography, was used to analyze the cultural interfaces and shares on the page. Within the framework of the method, the shares on the community page were coded as cultural layers and identity generators, and a wide-ranging observation and document review process was undertaken. The cultural codes interpreted from a descriptive perspective show that the members who share the Romany identity think about the perception of being `We' together with the Turkish national identity and construct another identity known as Gaco (Non-Romany). The findings of the study reveal that the organization/composition of proving laundering and innocence is dominant instead of autonomous and positive constructs in the socio-digital construction process of the Romany ethnic identity. In this case, it may be argued that the community members continue to create an awareness of their problems by closing the information gap in a sense by freely displaying their positive identities that the media ignores

Erratum: Interleukin-33, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in myocardial infarction

[No Abstract Available

Serum Irisin and Oxytocin Levels as Predictors of Metabolic Parameters in Obese Children

Objective: Irisin and oxytocin can affect energy homeostasis and it has been suggested that they may play an important role in reducing obesity and diabetes. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between metabolic parameters (including irisin and oxytocin levels) and anthropometric parameters in obese children

Serum and synovial fluid leptin levels and markers of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis

This study was designed to investigate the serum and synovial fluid leptin levels, and inflammatory markers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Serum and synovial fluid leptin levels were significantly higher (P > 0.05) in RA patients than control group; RA patients with moderate disease activity (DAS 0.05) than those with low disease activity (DAS 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). Serum leptin level is found to be independent of age and inflammatory markers. ESR is positively correlated with DAS activity and CRP values. Our finding of no correlation between leptin and BMI shows that regulation of leptinemia is complex, and leptin levels cannot be used to assess RA activity

Lipid, protein, DNA oxidation and antioxidant status in rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: To investigate lipid, protein, DNA oxidation and antioxidant status in blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to determine the importance of oxidative stress parameters in reflecting disease activity

C-reactive protein (CRP)/mean platelet volume (MPV) ratio as a new biomarker for community-acquired pneumonia in children

Purpose: Our aim is to evaluate the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP)/mean platelet volume (MPV) ratio and white blood cell (WBC)/mean platelet volume (MPV) ratio and diagnosis and disease severity in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)