Serum renalase and cerebellin levels in acute central serous chorioretinopathy

Aim: To compare the blood renalase and cerebellin-1 levels of acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) patients with healthy subjects. Method: A total of 33 eyes with acute naïve CSC (less than 2 months duration) and 31 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Idiopathic CSC was diagnosed based on the presence of a serous detachment of the neurosensory retina involving the macula that was confirmed using optical coherence tomography and leakage at the retinal pigment epithelium level using fluorescein angiography. Blood samples were collected and centrifuged at 4000 g for 10 minutes. The serum samples were collected and stored at -80 °C until required for analysis. Serum renalase and cerebellin-1 levels were measured using an ELISA kit. Results: In CSC group 11 patients were female and 22 patients were male. In control group 10 participants were female and 20 were male. The sex was similar between groups. Mean age in CSC group was 41, 04±5, 94, in control group was 40, 67±6, 53. Mean ages were similar between groups. Mean renalase levels in CSC group was 27, 19±14, 01 ng/ml and in control group was 19, 12±15, 57 ng/mL. Mean renalase level was higher in CSC group. Mean cerebellin levels were 57, 76±29, 72  pg/mL and 52, 50±29, 25 pg/mL in CSC and in control groups, respectively. Mean cerebellin levels were similar in groups. Conclusion: Comparing with healthy subjects serum renalase levels were higher and cerebellin-1 levels were similar in CSC patients

Is there a relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and the FABP1 gene rs2197076 single nucleotide polymorphism?

Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial, endocrine, and metabolic disorder seen in 10%-20% of women of reproductive age. Due to the close relationship observed between the increased risk of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance and the polymorphism of the fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1) gene rs2197076 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), we investigated the frequency of the FABP1 gene rs2197076 SNP in patients with PCOS. Methods: This is a prospective case-control study. The study included 151 women—75 patients with PCOS and 76 healthy women. A real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for the FABP1 rs2197076 polymorphism. Additionally, biochemical and hormonal levels of the patients were studied. Results: Menstrual irregularities, the body mass index (BMI), hirsutism scores, the luteinizing hormone / follicular stimulating hormone ratio, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control. There was no significant difference between the PCOS and control groups in terms of FABP1 rs2197076 genotype distribution and FABP1 rs2197076 allele frequency distribution. Conclusion: There was no increase in the genotype distribution and allelic frequency of the FABP1 gene rs2197076 SNP in PCOS patients. Further studies are needed on this subject

Germline Pathogenic Variants Identified by Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of Susceptibility Genes in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

The aim of this study was to evaluate germline variant frequencies of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma targeted susceptibility genes with next-generation sequencing method. Germline DNA from 75 cases were evaluated with targeted next-generation sequencing on an Illumina NextSeq550 instrument. KIF1B, RET, SDHB, SDHD, TMEM127, and VHL genes were included in the study, and Sanger sequencing was used for verifying the variants. The pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were in the VHL, RET, SDHB, and SDHD genes, and the diagnosis rate was 24% in this study. Three different novel pathogenic variants were determined in five cases. This is the first study from Turkey, evaluating germline susceptibility genes of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma with a detection rate of 24% and three novel variants. All patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma need clinical genetic testing with expanded targeted gene panels for higher diagnosis rates

Urine iodine excretion ın patients with euthyroid noduler disease

<b>Background and Objectives:</b> Different nutritional and environmental factors are responsible for the pathogenesis of goiter, but iodine deficiency is the most important factor. However, little is known about the natural course of benign thyroid nodules in euthyroid patients over time. Few studies have used ultrasonographic evaluation to address this issue, especially in iodine-deficient areas. In this study, we present the long-term follow-up of benign thyroid nodules in a iodine-deficient area. <b>Design and Setting:</b> Cross-sectional study at a tertiary referral center. <b> 0 Patients and Methods:</b> This study included 62 randomly selected patients with benign euthyroid nodule. Thyroid volume and nodules were measured with sonography. Iodine intake was estimated by patient diet history and by measuring iodine excretion in spot urine samples. Patients were followed one year. <b>Results:</b> Patients were divided into three groups according to level of urine iodine excretion: Group 1: &lt;50&#956;g/L (severe iodine deficiency group), Group 2: 50-100&#956;g/L (mild iodine deficiency group), Group 3: &gt;100 g/L (iodine sufficient group). The presence of additional disease (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, chronic renal failure and a history of any medication for chronic disorder) and smoking rates were significantly higher in first group compared to the second and third group. Among groups, no significant difference was observed in either right or left thyroid lobe volume after one year. A clinically significant increase in nodule volume was observed in the first group, while there was a significant decrease in the second and third group. <b>Conclusion:</b> In this study, iodine deficiency was associated with an increase in thyroid nodule volumes. Smoking rates were higher in iodine deficient groups. It is thought that smoking impairs iodine intake or absorption consistent with a previous report

Unusual optic disc placement of toxoplasmosis in a diabetic patient

A 44-year-old woman presented to our clinic with reduced vision in the right eye for two weeks. Visual acuity was 4/10 in the right eye. A swelling optic disc, vascular attenuation in the optic nerve head, a few splinter hemorrhages around the optic disc, and moderate vitritis were detected in the right eye. The left eye was normal. She had a diabetes mellitus (DM) history for five years. Serum IgM and IgG found a high titer for toxoplasmosis. A papillitis was diagnosed that was caused by primary toxoplasmosis without any chorioretinal focus. The patient was treated with an appropriate systemic antibiotics for toxoplasmosis and per oral corticosteroid. Optic disc swelling resolved within four weeks. Visual acuity was 9/10 two months later. We aimed to emphasize that the unusual placement of toxoplasmosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of papillitis in diabetic patients. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2015; 4(2.000): 111-113

A sandfly fever virus outbreak in the East Mediterranean region of Turkey

Objectives: To report a sandfly fever virus (SFV) outbreak that occurred in Kahramanmaras Province, Turkey

Investigating the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different vinegars

Capanoglu, Esra/0000-0003-0335-9433; Guler, Funda Karbancioglu/0000-0001-6576-0084; Devecioglu, Dilara/0000-0001-6681-0944WOS: 000414155800002In this study, the antioxidant contents and the antimicrobial activities of 18 vinegar samples were investigated. For this purpose, total flavonoid contents (TFC) and total phenolic contents (TPC) of different vinegar samples were determined. in addition, total antioxidant capacities (TAC) of vinegars were analyzed using four different in vitro tests: ABTS, CUPRAC, DPPH, and FRAP, in parallel. Results obtained from antioxidant analyses showed that balsamic vinegar had the highest TFC (96 +/- 18 mg CE/100 mL) and TPC values (255 +/- 24 mg GAE/100 mL), as well as the highest TAC determined using CUPRAC (709 +/- 108 mg Trolox/100 mL) and FRAP (421 +/- 28 mg Trolox/100 mL) methods. the phenolic profiles of vinegar samples were identified by performing HPLC analysis. Among all vinegar samples studied, the most abundant phenolic compounds were determined to be gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Furthermore, antimicrobial activities of different vinegars, against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Escherichia coli, were evaluated using disc diffusion method; the results of which were related to the acetic acid contents and the pH values of the vinegar samples. Balsamic vinegar was again determined to be the sample that had the highest antimicrobial activity, which showed a strong antibacterial activity against S. Typhimurium. Antibacterial activities of vinegars could partly be related to both their acetic acid contents and the pH values, and also to their phenolic contents.Istanbul Technical University, Scientific Research Projects (BAP) UnitIstanbul Technical UniversityThis study was financially supported by the Istanbul Technical University, Scientific Research Projects (BAP) Unit. We also thank Mehmet Basri Celiker and Kuhne Co. (Kemalpasa, Izmir, Turkey) and also Erkan Tekgunduz and Icmeli Dogal Urunler Co. for supplying the samples

Cellular Biomarkers in Mytilus galloprovincialis L. (Mediterranean Mussels) from Izmir Bay (Turkey)

In this study, cellular biomarkers and heavy metal concentration in the Mytilus galloprovincialis L. (Mediterranean mussels) collected from eight sites of Izmir Bay (Turkey) were determined to reveal water pollution for the first time in these stations. Results show that heavy metals (As, Cu, Hg, Zn, Cd, Sn, Pb) have been specified in mussels' tissues collected from all stations. According to GST, SOD, CAT activities, and TBARS contents, mussels in the outer bay have exposed more oxidative stress than the ones in the inner bay. Digestive gland tissues of them were showed more inhibition at AChE levels than gills. Also, abnormal nucleus rates and micronucleus frequencies (MN) were found to be higher in the inner bay than in the outer bay. This study showed that heavy metal pollution in different levels is an environmental issue on the Izmir Bay. Especially the coastal regions of the bay have been extremely affected by anthropogenic effects due to growing population