Endothelial function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever-related amyloidosis and association with cardiovascular events

Objectives. Secondary amyloidosis is the most important complication of FMF and endothelial function is more severely impaired. Elevated asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) may mediate the excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of this group. We aimed to compare endothelial function characteristics, including ADMA, in patients with FMF-related amyloidosis and primary glomerulopathies and to define risk factors for a CVD event. Methods. We undertook a cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up including consecutive patients with FMF-related amyloidosis (n = 98) or other non-diabetic glomerulopathies (n = 102). All patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria and normal glomerular filtration rate. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessedand ADMA levels, CRP and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) were determined. Patients were followed for cardiovascular events. Results. Amyloidosis patients secondary to FMF showed higher levels of ADMA, CRP and PTX3 and lower FMD as compared with patients with other glomerulopathies. Cardiovascular events (n = 54) were registered during 3 years of follow-up. Increased ADMA levels and lower FMD were observed in patients with cardiovascular risk in both groups, but especially in individuals with amyloidosis.Conclusion. Patients with FMF-related amyloidosis have increased CVD event risk, probably related to the high ADMA levels, elevated inflammatory markers and decreased FMD measures observed in these patients

Association Between Prostate Volume and Red Cell Distribution Width

WOS: 000330900500009PubMed: 26663501ObjectivesTo evaluate relation between red cell distribution width (RDW) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MethodsThe overall study population consisted of 942 men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), ranging in age from 60 to 85years old. Patients with disorder or medication that can influence lower urinary tract or erythrocytes were excluded from the study. the relationship between RDW, white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and prostate volume, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) were assessed with multivariate linear regression model. Patients were analyzed in four groups stratified according to the quartiles of prostate volume. the one-way analysis of variance (anova) was used to compare RDW, WBC CRP, and ESR between different quartiles of prostate volume. ResultsA graded and independent association of RDW with the prostate volume was identified (P=0.001). RDW was significantly associated with prostate volume in multivariate linear regression model that was adjusted for age and hemoglobin. IPSS was significantly correlated with RDW, CRP and ESR. However significance was lost after adjustment for age and prostate volume. the RDW was significantly associated with the surgical treatment in the multivariate linear regression model that was adjusted for age and prostate volume. ConclusionsA correlation between an increased RDW and prostate volume was suggested by the new data from this study. This relation may be a consequence of inflammatory stress arising from BPH. the significant association between the easy, inexpensive RDW may provide a rational basis to include the RDW in algorithms for surgery risk prediction

Oral colonization and boric acid susceptibility of yeast in boron mineral workers

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of boron on in vivo oral yeast colonization in study groups which are exposed to boron dust in different sections of the boron mine. The study was carried out in the boron mining areas of two districts (Eskisehir and Balikesir) of Turkey. We included 184 people working in open quarry and stone milling unit, 144 people working in the factory and 150 people as control group. Specimens were taken from four oral mucosal regions and cultured onto Sabouraud dextrose agar. After incubation for 3-7 days at 30 degrees C, the total number of yeast colonies on the plates was considered the relative intensity of carriage, and the total number of yeast colonies on the plates was considered the relative intensity of oral carriage. The susceptibility of Candida spp. to boric acid was investigated. The frequency of Candida colonization in boron intensive area workers was found significantly higher than automatic factory workers and control groups (p = 0.012), there were no difference between automatic factory workers and control groups in point of Candida colonization (p = 0.749). We observed that oral yeast colonization had increased directly proportional with boron powder exposure in boron mine (p = 0.005). Mean minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of boric acid for Boron intensive area, 0.87-2.0% for automatic factory and 0.83-2.0% for control subjects. We observed that intensive exposure to boron mineral powders was strictly related to oral yeast colonization. Exposure to industrial boron mineral powder may cause important health problems by increasing Candida colonization in oral cavity. It may be useful to do periodical health control in boron mineral workers and population under risk

Prevalence of pediculosis and scabies in preschool nursery children of Afyon, Turkey

Scabies and pediculosis are ubiquitous, contagious, and debilitating parasitic dermatoses. The tendency of high prevalence of pediculosis and scabies among school and preschool age children has prompted us to conduct a head louse and scabies prevalence survey among preschool nursery children in our district. A school-based, crosssectional study was performed, with 1,134 children chosen for evaluation. All cases were evaluated by physical examination and a detailed, structured questionnaire. The infestation was found in 14 (1.2%) of 1,134 children; 9 (0.8%) with pediculosis capitis and 5 (0.4%) with scabies. We found that infestations were more frequent in children with mothers whose education levels were low. This indicates the necessity of an improvement in the economic and sociocultural status of the community and the promotion of hygiene concepts and practices in order to improve health of preschool age children

House dust mite fauna in western Anatolia, Turkey

House dust mites play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Many factors may influence mite growth. The presence of mites is related to mean temperature and humidity as well as altitude. The aim of this study was to analyze the mite fauna in 5 regions of western Anatolia, Turkey, that have similar climatic properties with low mean temperature and humidity, but differ in altitude. During the period October-November 2004, house dust was collected from 290 homes in 5 different cities. House dust mites were isolated in 67 (23.1%) of 290 samples. The family Pyroglyphidae (Astigmata) was present in all positive samples. This study suggests that the selected western Anatolian regions that share similar environmental conditions host similar dust mite populations

Endothelial Function In Patients With Familial Mediterranean Fever-Related Amyloidosis And Association With Cardiovascular Events

Objectives. Secondary amyloidosis is the most important complication of FMF and endothelial function is more severely impaired. Elevated asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) may mediate the excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of this group. We aimed to compare endothelial function characteristics, including ADMA, in patients with FMF-related amyloidosis and primary glomerulopathies and to define risk factors for a CVD event. Methods. We undertook a cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up including consecutive patients with FMF-related amyloidosis (n = 98) or other non-diabetic glomerulopathies (n = 102). All patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria and normal glomerular filtration rate. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessed and ADMA levels, CRP and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) were determined. Patients were followed for cardiovascular events. Results. Amyloidosis patients secondary to FMF showed higher levels of ADMA, CRP and PTX3 and lower FMD as compared with patients with other glomerulopathies. Cardiovascular events (n = 54) were registered during 3 years of follow-up. Increased ADMA levels and lower FMD were observed in patients with cardiovascular risk in both groups, but especially in individuals with amyloidosis. Conclusion. Patients with FMF-related amyloidosis have increased CVD event risk, probably related to the high ADMA levels, elevated inflammatory markers and decreased FMD measures observed in these patients

Impact of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury on Covid-19 outcomes in patients with and without chronic kidney disease: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

Background/aim: Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI) may commonly develop in Covid-19 patients and is expected to have higher mortality. There is little comparative data investigating the effect of HA-AKI on mortality of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and a control group of general population suffering from Covid-19. Materials and methods: HA-AKI development was assessed in a group of stage 3 & ndash;5 CKD patients and control group without CKD among adult patients hospitalized for Covid-19. The role of AKI development on the outcome (in-hospital mortality and admission to the intensive care unit [ICU]) of patients with and without CKD was compared. Results: Among 621 hospitalized patients (age 60 [IQR: 47 & ndash;73]), women: 44.1%), AKI developed in 32.5% of the patients, as stage 1 in 84.2%, stage 2 in 8.4%, and stage 3 in 7.4%. AKI developed in 48.0 % of CKD patients, whereas it developed in 17.6% of patients without CKD. CKD patients with HA-AKI had the highest mortality rate of 41.1% compared to 14.3% of patients with HA-AKI but no CKD (p < 0.001). However, patients with AKI+non-CKD had similar rates of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and death rate to patients with CKD without AKI. Adjusted mortality risks of the AKI+non-CKD group (HR: 9.0, 95% CI: 1.9 & ndash;44.2) and AKI+CKD group (HR: 7.9, 95% CI: 1.9 & ndash;33.3) were significantly higher than that of the non-AKI+non-CKD group. Conclusion: AKI frequently develops in hospitalized patients due to Covid-19 and is associated with high mortality. HA-AKI has worse outcomes whether it develops in patients with or without CKD, but the worst outcome was seen in AKI+CKD patients

Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of adult-onset minimal change disease in Turkey: Turkish Society of Nephrology-Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group

Purpose In our study, diagnostic and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with minimal change disease (MCD) by biopsy, clinical and laboratory findings in our country were investigated. Methods Data were obtained from the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group database. Demographic characteristics, indications for biopsy, diagnosis of the glomerular diseases, comorbidities, laboratory and biopsy findings of all patients were recorded. The data presented are cross-sectional and includes application data for the biopsy period. Results Of 3875 patients, 233 patients with MCD (median age 35.0 years) were included in the study, which constitutes 6.0% of the total glomerulonephritis database. Renal biopsy was performed in 196 (84.1%) patients due to nephrotic syndrome. Median serum creatinine was 0.7 (0.6-1.0) mg/dl, mean eGFR was 104 +/- 33 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and median proteinuria 6000 mg/day. The number of patients under the age of 40 years was 139 (59.7%) (Group A), and the number of patients aged 40 years and over was 94 (40.3%) (Group B). Compared to Group A, global sclerotic glomeruli (24 vs. 43, p < 0.001) interstitial inflammation (15 vs. 34, p < 0.001), interstitial fibrosis (20 vs. 31, p = 0.001, vascular changes (10 vs. 25, p < 0.001) and tubular atrophy (18 vs. 30, p < 0.001) were found to be significantly higher in Group B. There was no difference in immunofluorescent staining properties between the two groups. Conclusion Our data are generally compatible with the literature. Chronic histopathological changes were more common in patients aged 40 years and older than younger patients. Studies investigating the effects of these different features on renal survival are needed