Zinc status in infantile wheezing

The increase in prevalence of asthma is strongly dependent on environmental factors, including diet. Significant decreases in the intake of dietary zinc may be an important contributing factor to the increasing incidence of wheezing and asthma, but there have been no studies evaluating zinc levels in wheezy infants. Our objective was to investigate the zinc status of wheezy infants. Wheezy infants (n = 34) and healthy children (n = 14) were included in the study Total IgE and eosinophil counts were obtained, and skin testing was done with a battery of 25 antigens with appropriate positive and negative controls. Levels of zinc were determined in hair, using a Polarized Zeeman Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Hitachi Z-800). No significant difference was observed in peripheral blood eosinophil counts and total IgE levels among groups (P> 0.05). Hair zinc levels were significantly lower in wheezy infants (P< 0.001). In conclusion, hair zinc levels were lower in wheezy infants than in healthy controls, suggesting that zinc deficiency may influence the risk of wheezing in early childhood

The Chameleon-Like Properties of Psychoactive Drugs: Examinations with HR LC-MS/MS Technology of Patients Presenting at the Emergency Department Following the Use of Synthetic Cannabinoids: A Case Series and Literature Review

The chameleon can disguise itself in nature by taking on different colors and forms. As synthetic cannabinoids (SC) have clinically similar effects to those of several psychoactive agents, they are one of the most difficult intoxications to diagnose. The reasons for this are due to clinical variations throughout the world and the differences in symptoms having not been determined due to their similarity to the intoxication of several other drugs. The aim of this study was to obtain prospective data of patients presenting at the Emergency Department (ED) with suspected SC intoxication, and as a result of prospective examination of samples, to determine a new generation of SC use, SC types, clinical findings, and treatments. Method: A total of a 15 patients with suspected SC intoxication who presented at the ED of the Health Sciences University Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between January 2017 and January 2018 were examined. Samples taken prospectively from patients who were followed-up for a diagnosis of SC intoxication were examined with the HR LC-MS/MS method; SC were determined, and the test results of other psychoactive agents that were used concurrently were examined. Conclusions: Three significant findings emerged as a result of this study. Firstly, due to the different clinical forms of presentation at ED associated with SC use and the range of intoxications that cannot be diagnosed, advanced laboratory tests are required, in addition to routine tests for the determination of SC. Secondly, those diagnosed as having taken SC were also determined to have used it concurrently with substances that have a high potential for addiction, such as amphetamines and quetiapine. Thirdly, in regard to examples of cases presented in the literature, anti-psychotics, fluid hydration, and anxiolytics can be used as treatment options for those diagnosed with SC use

Cutoff values for bacteria and leukocytes for urine sediment analyzer FUS200 in culture-positive urinary-tract infections

The microscopic analysis of urine is essential for the diagnosis of patients with urinary tract infections. Quantitative urine culture is the 'gold standard' method for definitive diagnosis of urinary-tract infections, but it is labor-intensive, time consuming, and does not provide the same-day results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analytical and diagnostic performance of the FUS200 (Changchun Dirui Industry, China), a new urine sedimentation analyzer in comparison to urine culture as the reference method. Methods. We evaluated 1000 urine samples, submitted for culture and urine analysis with a preliminary diagnosis of urinary-tract infection. Cut-off values for the FUS200 were determined by comparing the results with urine cultures. The cut-off values by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve technique, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated for bacteria and white blood cells (WBCs). Results. Among the 1000 urine specimens submitted for culture, 637 cultures (63.7%) were negative, and 363 were (36.3%) positive. The best cut-off values obtained from ROC analysis were 16/mu L for bacteriuria (sensitivity: 82.3%, specifi city: 58%), and 34/mu L for WBCs (sensitivity: 72.3%, specifi city: 65.2%). The area under the curve (AUC) for the bacteria and WBCs count were 0.71 (95% CI: 0.67-0.74) and, 0.72 (95% CI: 0.69-0.76) respectively. Conclusions. The most important requirement of a rapid diagnostic screening test is sensitivity, and, in this perspective, an unsatisfactory sensitivity by using bacteria recognition and quantification performed by the FUS200 analyzer has been observed. After further technical improvements in particle recognition and laboratory personnel training, the FUS200 might show better results

Can Mean Platelet Volume Serve as a Marker for Prostatitis?

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the yield of mean platelet volume (MPV), total prostate specific antigen (tPSA), free prostate specific antigen (fPSA), f/t PSA ratio and complex prostate specific antigen (cPSA) in patients with prostatitis

Correlation of serum coenzyme Q10 and bilirubin levels of jaundiced newborns in intermediate risk zone: Is it an etiopathogenic factor in neonatal jaundice? Orta dereceli risk bölgesinde yer alan sarılıklı yenidoǧanlardaki serum koenzim Q10 ve bilirubin düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki: Koenzim Q10 düzeyi yenidoǧan sarılıǧında bir etyopatojenik faktör olabilir mi?

Aim: Jaundice in newborn is caused by neonatal changes in bilirubin metabolism resulting in increased bilirubin production, decreased bilirubin clearance and increased enterohepatic circulation. Although bilirubin is reported to have antioxidant effects in low concentrations, it is toxic at high levels. At high concentration, bilirubin leads to marked alterations in the membrane content of the several classes of phospholipids and cholesterol, which can render the cells more susceptible to lysis and shorten their lifespan. One of the most important properties of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is its antioxidant activity; it protects cells from free radicals and increases membrane stability of erythrocytes. For that reason in this study, we aimed to investigate any possible relation between serum bilirubin and CoQ10 concentrations in jaundiced newborns in intermediate risk zone. Materials and Methods: Totally, 44 term jaundiced newborns with elevated indirect bilirubin levels were included to the study. Based on the recommendations of American Academy of Pediatrics newborns were divided into two groups according to their day of age and serum bilirubin concentrations: Group I (n:24); newborns in low intermediate risk zone (low-intermediate) and Group II (n:20); newborns in high intermediate risk zone (high-intermediate). Total serum bilirubin levels were obtained at the time of the routine examination in all newborns. Bilirubin concentrations in serum samples were measured spectrophotometrically and total CoQ10 concentration in the same sample of all subjects was measured by HPLC. Results: Mean total serum bilirubin levels of the Group I and Group II were 11.88±2.58 mg/dL and 17.22±1.69 mg/dL, respectively. Mean serum CoQ10 concentration of newborns in Group II was significantly lower according to the newborns in Group I (p<0.001). In addition, a significant negative correlation between serum CoQ10 concentration and bilirubin was found (r=-0.676, p<0.001). Conclusions: The results obtained from 44 fullterm jaundiced newborns indicate that, newborns with higher total serum bilirubin levels in high-intermediate risk group have lower CoQ10 concentrations when compared to low-intermediate risk group. Indeed, increase in bilirubin level is correlated with a decrease in serum CoQ10 concentration. Low serum CoQ10 content in newborns might increase serum bilirubin concentration by leading oxidative stress induced damage to erythrocytes or oxidative and cytotoxic effects of bilirubin might decrease serum CoQ10 concentration. © 2011 TurkJBiochem.com

Correlation of Serum Asprosin Levels With Normalized Protein Catabolic Rate in Patients Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis Treatment.

Background Peritoneal dialysis patients are malnourished due to loss of protein in the dialysate and inadequate dialysis, although they take additional calories every day during treatment. Many parameters are used to assess nutritional status, with normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) being one of the most common. Asprosin, a novel adipokine secreted by adipose tissue, peaks during fasting and induces hepatic glucose release through the activation of the G-protein- cAMP-PKA pathway, which has been indicated to have a curative effect on chronic inflammation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between asprosin levels and nutritional parameters in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis treatment as well as to investigate the applicability of more practical tests. Methodology A total of 70 peritoneal dialysis patients, 35 female (59%) and 24 male (41%), were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 53 +/- 14 years (range = 18-80 years), and the median peritoneal dialysis duration was 31.5 months (range = 20-56.2 months). The most common etiologic cause was hypertension (37%). Patients over 18 years of age who had been receiving peritoneal dialysis treatment for at least 24 months were included in the study. The correlation between patients' nPCR levels and serum asprosin, body mass index, and lipids was evaluated. Results The correlation between the level of nPCR and the serum asprosin level, body mass index, and lipids was evaluated. Patients with nPCR <0.815 were considered malnourished, and factors affecting malnutrition were determined by univariate analysis. Among the factors affecting malnutrition according to univariate analysis, those with p-value <0.05 were analyzed by multivariate analysis. Low asprosin level was one of the independent factors affecting malnutrition in patients (Exp(B) = 0.944, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.896-0.994). Other independent factors affecting malnutrition were Kt/V (Exp(B) = 0.018, 95% CI = 0.001-0.550) and residual renal function (Exp(B) = -0.004, 95% CI = 0.993-0.999). Conclusions There is a need for more accessible tests and reliable parameters to evaluate dialysis and nutritional deficiency in peritoneal dialysis patients. One possible hormone that could serve as a guide is asprosin

The effects of acute and regular exercise on calcium, phosphorus and trace elements in young amateur boxers

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the acute and chronic effects of vigorous physical activity, with and without zinc supplementation, on distribution of elements in young amateur boxers. Methods: The 8 week intervention trial experiment was designed with 32 healthy adolescent males in three parts: part 1, a 1 hour boxing training program; part 2, 4 weeks of regular boxing training without any supplementation; part 3, 4 weeks of regular boxing training with supplementation of pills containing 50 mg oral zinc. Plasma calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper, and magnesium levels of all participants were measured before and after each part of the study. Results: After acute exercise serum calcium, zinc, copper levels decreased (p 0.05). However, after 4 weeks of regular boxing training there was a decrease in zinc (93.92 ± 9.03 μg/dL vs. 85.86 ± 10.32 μg/dL, p < 0.001) and an increase in calcium concentrations (9.62 ± 0.34 μg/dL vs. 9.90 ± 0.26 μg/dL, p < 0.001). Zinc supplementation increased plasma calcium, phosphorus, and iron and decreased copper and magnesium (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The body element distribution of children in pubertal age changes with physical activities. Zinc supplementation can negatively affect their magnesium and copper concentrations

Analytic Performance of Bacteriuria and Leukocyturia Obtained by UriSed in Culture Positive Urinary Tract Infections

Background: Urine analysis is one of the most common tests for assessing urinary-tract infections, which are the most frequently occurring infectious diseases in community populations. Urine culture is still the 'gold standard' for the detection of urinary tract infection, however, it is time- and labor-intensive and and has a high number of unnecessary cultures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analytical and diagnostic performance of a new urinalysis system LabUMat with UriSed (77 Elektronika, Budapest, Hungary) in comparison to urine culture as the reference method