Maternal serum amyloid A levels in pregnancies complicated with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate a possible association between maternal serum amyloid A levels (SAA) and maternal and fetal parameters in pregnancies complicated with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). Material and methods: A total of 88 pregnant women (PPROM group, n=44 and control group, n=44) were included into this prospective case control study. Serum blood samples for SAA were obtained from both groups within 1h since the rupture of the membranes and before administration of any medicine. The samples were kept frozen at -70°C until the analysis. The recorded risk factors were: age, gravidity, parity, delivery mode, gender, fetal birth weight, APGAR scores, white blood cell count, microCRP, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and maternal serum SAA levels. Results: Demographic characteristics showed no statistically significant differences between the groups (p>0.05). The mode of delivery mode was cesarean section: 41% and 43.2% in the study and the control group, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant between the groups (

Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip

WOS: 000269668900008Transient osteoporosis of the hip is often seen in middle-aged men and in women during the third trimester of pregnancy and is characterized by acute, spontaneous hip pain. In suspected cases magnetic resonance imaging shows bone marrow edema within 48 hours from the onset of pain. Transient osteoporosis is a diagnosis of exclusion and differential diagnosis with other diseases presented with hip pain and bone marrow edema should be considered. Although it is a self limiting condition it must be kept in mind that it may migrate and involve other joints in the lower extremities like knee, ankle and contralateral hip. The cornerstone of treatment is joint protection and limited weight bearing and antiresorptive medication may be of benefit. This review summarizes conditions defined with the terms of transient osteoporosis of the hip, migratory osteoporosis, pregnancy induced osteoporosis and transient bone marrow edema syndrome. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2009; 55 Suppl 1: 41-5

Association of Radiological Grading with Clinical Variables and Functional Status in Patients with Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis

WOS: 000264851900017Objective: The general opinion is that there is a disparity between symptoms and radiological abnormalities in osteoarthritis (OA), but some recent studies emphasize the potential contribution of underlying joint disease to the degree of pain and disability. Our aim was to assess the relationship between radiographic grading and demographic features, clinical variables and functional status in patients with hip and knee OA. Material and Methods: 128 patients (61.8 +/- 9.5 years, 84 knee and 44 hip OA) were included in the study. Demographic features, duration of disease and stiffness, and severity of pain were assessed using visual analog scale (VAS). Range of motion (ROM) measurements and radiological grading were performed. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC) was used for evaluating pain, stiffness and physical functions, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) was used for evaluating general health status. These variables were compared between three groups based on Kellgren-Lawrence radiological grades (grade 2, 3, 4). Results: Age, body mass index, ROM values, VAS (p = 0.0001), WOMAC pain, function and total score (p = 0.007, p = 0.03 and p = 0.03 respectively), physical functioning, bodily pain, social functioning and emotional role of SF-36 (p = 0.007, p = 0.008, p = 0.02 and p = 0.009 respectively) were worsened according to radiological grade in knee OA. Duration of disease, ROM values, VAS (p = 0.006) and bodily pain subscale of SF-36 (p = 0.03) were worsened in hip OA; no significant difference was detected in WOMAC subscales and total score. Conclusion: Clinical variables, functional status and quality of life deteriorated with radiological grade in knee OA patients and this deterioration was significant in grade 4. However, this association, especially of functional status, could not be confirmed in hip OA patients

Bilateral Incomplete Atypical Femoral Fracture due to Long-Term Bisphosphonate Use: A Case Report

WOS: 000410750200011Although the overall safety profile of bisphosphonates (BP) is favorable, adverse effects associated with long-term use have came up during recent years. In this report, a case of bilateral incomplete atypical femoral fracture (AFF) due to prolonged BP use was presented. A 69-year-old patient, who has been in surgical menopause for 20 years and was started on BP following vertebral fracture almost 10 years ago, was admitted with thigh pain, which was increased two weeks ago. On physical examination, she had antalgic gait, increased thoracic kyphosis and tenderness to percussion over the thoracolumbar region. Lateral cortical thickness in the subtrochanteric region of both femurs and cortical radiolucency on the left femur were observed on plain radiography. Loss of height in L3 and L4 vertebrae was detected on vertebral radiography. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) D], parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase and calcium levels, along with osteoporosis markers were all within the normal ranges. As the patient was diagnosed with AFF, BP therapy was terminated and vitamin D-calcium supplementation was continued. Since she did not have severe pain, conservative management (limited weight bearing, using a walking stick) was recommended for 3 months. Teriparatide therapy was started and she was discharged with recommendations. AFF, which is a rare disorder, should be kept in mind in patients on long-term BP treatment who are admitted with thigh pain and, necessary interventions should be tailored before the occurrence of complete fracture

The Effects of Steroid Phonophoresis on Clinical Parameters and Nerve Conduction Velocities in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of steroid phonophoresis on electroneurophysiological and clinical parameters and to compare these effects with ultrasound (US) and sham US in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Material-Method: 39 patients with CTS (69 hands) were included in the study. Patients were randomized to phonophoresis (n=13 patients, 21 hands), US (n=13 patients, 24 hands) and sham US (n=13 patients, 24 hands) groups. Steroid phonophoresis, using dexamethasone as conductive agent, was applied at 1.0 W/cm2 to the phonophoresis group. Ultrasound at 1.0 W/cm2 and imitative US at 0.0 W/cm2 were applied to the US and sham US groups respectively. All groups were asked to perform tendon and nerve gliding exercises. Distal motor latency (mMDL) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (mSNCV) of median nerve, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Boston Scale were assessed at the beginning, 2nd week and in the 12th week. Results: All of the variables were significantly improved in the 12th week in steroid phonophoresis group, whereas VAS, symptom severity and functional capacity of Boston scale were improved in US and sham US groups. mSNCV was also improved in sham US group. The differences between 12th week-pre treatment values (delta) were used for group comparisons. Delta values of electroneurophysiological parameters of phonophoresis group were found to be significantly different, whereas no significant differences were found between the groups for the other variables. Conclusion: Steroid phonophoresis has favorable effects on electroneurophysiological studies and these effects last longer. Favorable effects on clinical findings and patient based assessments were observed in all groups. The improvements seen in sham US group may suggest the effectiveness of tendon and nerve gliding exercises. [Cukurova Med J 2012; 37(1.000): 17-26

The Effects of Steroid Phonophoresis on Clinical Parameters and Nerve Conduction Velocities in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of steroid phonophoresis on electroneurophysiological and clinical parameters and to compare these effects with ultrasound (US) and sham US in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Material-Method: 39 patients with CTS (69 hands) were included in the study. Patients were randomized to phonophoresis (n=13 patients, 21 hands), US (n=13 patients, 24 hands) and sham US (n=13 patients, 24 hands) groups. Steroid phonophoresis, using dexamethasone as conductive agent, was applied at 1.0 W/cm2 to the phonophoresis group. Ultrasound at 1.0 W/cm2 and imitative US at 0.0 W/cm2 were applied to the US and sham US groups respectively. All groups were asked to perform tendon and nerve gliding exercises. Distal motor latency (mMDL) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (mSNCV) of median nerve, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Boston Scale were assessed at the beginning, 2nd week and in the 12th week. Results: All of the variables were significantly improved in the 12th week in steroid phonophoresis group, whereas VAS, symptom severity and functional capacity of Boston scale were improved in US and sham US groups. mSNCV was also improved in sham US group. The differences between 12th week-pre treatment values (delta) were used for group comparisons. Delta values of electroneurophysiological parameters of phonophoresis group were found to be significantly different, whereas no significant differences were found between the groups for the other variables. Conclusion: Steroid phonophoresis has favorable effects on electroneurophysiological studies and these effects last longer. Favorable effects on clinical findings and patient based assessments were observed in all groups. The improvements seen in sham US group may suggest the effectiveness of tendon and nerve gliding exercises. [Cukurova Med J 2012; 37(1): 17-26

Dose Response of Bumetanide on Aquaporins and Angiogenesis Biomarkers in Human Retinal Endothelial Cells Exposed to Intermittent Hypoxia

Aquaporins (AQPs) are important for regulating cellular water, solute transport, and balance. Recently, AQPs have also been recognized as playing a key role in cell migration and angiogenesis. In the retina, hypoxia induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic and vascular permeability factor, resulting in retinal edema, which is facilitated by AQPs. Bumetanide is a diuretic agent and AQP 1–4 blocker. We tested the hypothesis that bumetanide suppression of AQPs ameliorates intermittent hypoxia (IH)-induced angiogenesis and oxidative stress in human microvascular retinal endothelial cells (HMRECs). HMRECs were treated with a low-dose (0.05 µg/mL) or high-dose (0.2 µg/mL) of bumetanide and were exposed to normoxia (Nx), hyperoxia (50% O2), or IH (50% O2 with brief hypoxia 5% O2) for 24, 48, and 72 h. Angiogenesis and oxidative stress biomarkers were determined in the culture media, and the cells were assessed for tube formation capacity and AQP-1 and -4 expression. Both doses of bumetanide significantly decreased oxidative stress and angiogenesis biomarkers. This response was reflected by reductions in tube formation capacity and AQP expression. These findings confirm the role of AQPs in retinal angiogenesis. Therapeutic targeting of AQPs with bumetanide may be advantageous for IH-induced aberrant retinal development

Kallikrein gene family as biomarkers for recurrent prostate cancer

Aim To assess kallikrein (KLK) expression in recurrent and non-recurrent prostate tumors and adjacent healthy prostate tissues. Methods The expression levels of 15 KLK genes in 34 recurrent and 36 non-recurrent prostate cancer samples and 19 adjacent healthy prostate tissue samples was assessed with quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The samples were obtained from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA between 2013 and 2016 . Results Compared with controls, prostate cancer samples showed a strong decrease in KLK1, KLK4, KLK9, and KLK14. Recurrent samples were negative for KLK1, KLK2, and KLK14 but demonstrated higher levels of KLK3, KLK4, and KLK9 than controls. Other KLKs were not significantly expressed. Conclusion This study for the first time showed a difference in the expression levels of the KLK gene family in recurrent prostate cancer. KLKs could be used as recurrence markers for prostate cancer