A rare cause of severe recurrent abdominal pain

Recurrent abdominal pain may be enigmatic to solve. We report three cases, presenting after a protracted history of severe recurrent bouts of epigastric pain, impeding daily activities. In all cases, serology for strongyloidiasis stercoralis proved positive. In one case, stool examination was positive for larvae. Treatment with ivermectin or albendazole resulted in complete resolution of abdominal symptoms without recurrence in all three cases

Role of urotensin-2 in 5-fluorouracil-related arterial vasoconstriction in cancer patients

WOS: 000444108500007PubMed ID: 30121640Background: The aim of this study was to identify the possible relationship of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-related arterial vasoconstriction with urotensin-2 (UT-2), which has a high potential as an endogenic vasoconstrictor. Methods: We assigned the patients to 1 of 3 groups. Patients in group 1 received a bolus of 5-FU, those in group2a continuous infusion (CI) of 5-FU, and those in group 3 no 5-FU, which was also a control group. Pre- and post-treatment UT-2 levels and brachial arterial diameters were measured and recorded in all patients. Results: 132 patients were included in the study. Pre-and post-treatment brachial artery diameters were similar in all groups: in group 1 (3.28 +/- 0.52 vs. 3.25 +/- 0.44 mm, p = 0.740), in group 2 (3.57 +/- 0.47 vs. 3.46 +/- 0.45 mm, p = 0.441) and in the control group (3.51 +/- 0.52 vs. 3.25 +/- 0.44 mm, p = 0.818). Pre-and post-treatment UT-2 levels were significantly different in each group: in group 1 (39.5 +/- 30.9 vs. 56.7 +/- 27.1 ng/ml, p = 0.0001), in group 2 (37.7 +/- 33.7 vs. 62.5 +/- 37.7 ng/ml, p = 0.0001) and in the control group (52.9 +/- 40.2 vs. 60.8 +/- 40.7 ng/ml, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that UT-2 has a high potential as a vasoconstrictor agent in our bodies and its level increases through a bolus or CI 5-FU. Increased UT-2 levels are likely to play a role in 5-FU-related cardiac toxicity pathogenesis

Role of serum myeloperoxidase, CPK, CK-MB, and cTnI tests in early diagnosis of myocardial ischemia during ERCP

Background/Aims: Some patients may experience retrosternal pain during ERCP, which may be a pioneer of a serious myocardial problem, and early diagnosis is very important for the prognosis and management. In the study, we aimed to investigate the role of serum cardiac biomarkers, such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), creatine phospokinase (CPK), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), and cTnI, on early diagnosis of myocardial ischemia during endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreaticograpy (ERCP) procedures

GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G > A gene polymorphism in diabetic nephropathy

WOS: 000361338400021PubMed ID: 25869052Background - Aim: In animal experiments, growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) protein plays a key role in the development of mesangial cell and glomerular hypertrophy in the early phase of diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy is prevented by warfarin-induced inhibition of GAS6 protein. It was shown that GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G>A polymorphism is protective against type 2 diabetes mellitus, and AA genotype is associated with higher blood levels of GAS6 protein. Our aim is to investigate whether this polymorphism is a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Method: Eighty-seven patients with diabetic nephropathy were compared with 66 non-diabetic controls in terms of GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G>A polymorphism. Patients with history of stroke, ischemic heart disease were excluded. Each patient was examined by the ophthalmologist to determine diabetic retinopathy. Results: Frequency of GG, GA and AA genotypes are similar in diabetic nephropathy and control groups according to GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G>A polymorphism (p = 0.837). Rate of diabetic retinopathy was 54.02%. In the subgroup analysis, GA genotype was significantly more frequent than GG genotype in patients with diabetic retinopathy when compared to without diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.010). Conclusion: In our study, GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G>A polymorphism was not associated with diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, heterozygous state of this polymorphism may be a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic nephropathy

GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G > A gene polymorphism in diabetic nephropathy

Background - Aim: In animal experiments, growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) protein plays a key role in the development of mesangial cell and glomerular hypertrophy in the early phase of diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy is prevented by warfarin-induced inhibition of GAS6 protein. It was shown that GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G>A polymorphism is protective against type 2 diabetes mellitus, and AA genotype is associated with higher blood levels of GAS6 protein. Our aim is to investigate whether this polymorphism is a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Method: Eighty-seven patients with diabetic nephropathy were compared with 66 non-diabetic controls in terms of GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G>A polymorphism. Patients with history of stroke, ischemic heart disease were excluded. Each patient was examined by the ophthalmologist to determine diabetic retinopathy. Results: Frequency of GG, GA and AA genotypes are similar in diabetic nephropathy and control groups according to GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G>A polymorphism (p = 0.837). Rate of diabetic retinopathy was 54.02%. In the subgroup analysis, GA genotype was significantly more frequent than GG genotype in patients with diabetic retinopathy when compared to without diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.010). Conclusion: In our study, GAS6 intron 8 c.834+7G>A polymorphism was not associated with diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, heterozygous state of this polymorphism may be a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic nephropathy