Quantitative analysis of colonization with real-time PCR to identify the role of Oxalobacter formigenes in calcium oxalate urolithiasis

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810; Batislam, Ertan/0000-0002-7493-4573WOS: 000308813800003PubMed: 22215293The objective of the study was to quantitatively measure the number of Oxalobacter formigenes (O. formigenes) colonizations in the gastrointestinal tract in calcium oxalate-forming patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Calcium oxalate-forming patients (n: 27) were included in the study. Serum calcium, sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine levels, as well as 24 h urine levels of calcium and oxalate were measured. The numbers of O. formigenes colonies in stool samples were detected by real-time PCR. One or two metabolic abnormalities were detected in 15 of 27 patients. The O. formigenes levels in patients with metabolic disturbance were significantly decreased when compared to the patients with no metabolic abnormalities (p: 0.038). The undetectable levels of O. formigenes were encountered in one of five patients with hypercalciuria, in three of four patients with hyperoxaluria and in four of six patients with both hypercalciuria and hyperoxaluria. In nine patients with a history of stone recurrence, O. formigenes colonization was significantly lower than the patients with the first stone attack (p: 0.001). O. formigenes formation ceased or significantly diminished in patients with calcium oxalate stones with a coexistence of both hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria. The measurement of O. formigenes colonies by real-time PCR seemed to be an inconvenient and expensive method. For this reason, the real-time PCR measurements can be spared for the patients with stone recurrences and with metabolic abnormalities like hypercalciuria and hyperoxaluria. The exact measurement of O. formigenes may also help more accurate programming of O. formigenes-based treatments

Homocysteine thiolactonase activity in coronary atherosclerosis

WOS:000582489100021Aim: Discovery of paraoxonase natural substrate, homocysteine thiolactone, shed more light on the protective role of paraoxonase and toxicity of homocysteine. Since homocysteine thiolactone and paraoxon were hydrolyzed at different sites in the PON protein, the aim of this study was to investigate the Hcy-thiolactonase (HTase). This study was undertaken to ascertain whether low the Hcy-thiolactonase acitivity is associated with paraoxonase activity and to clarify its relation with ox-LDL and total plasma homocysteine levels in coronary artery diseasase. Material and Methods: Forty-six subjects undergoing coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease were included. Depending on angiography results, 14 subjects with normal coronary arteries according to Gensini scoring were selected as a control group. Serum homocysteine thiolactonase and paraoxonase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Homocysteine, ox-LDL levels were measured with ELISA methods. Results: A significant decrease in HTase activity and a significant increase in ox-LDL levels were observed in patients compared with controls (p=0.040, p=0.037, respectively). Homocysteine levels and paraoxonase activity did not show any statistically significant difference between groups. Positive correlations between HTase and paraoxonase activities were observed in study groups (rs=0.742, p=0.004 for control, rs=0.494, p=0.01 for patient). Discussion: HTase activity decreased in coronary artery disease in spite of unchanged paraoxonase activity and is associated with a higher level of ox-LDL. N-homocysteinylation of HDL changes the properties of apolipoprotein, which could affect the enzymatic activities. When considering a relationship between HTase activity and HDL levels, correlation observed in our study confirms a possible consequence of low PONs homocysteine thiolactonase activity.Gazi University Research FundGazi UniversityThis study was supported by Gazi University Research Fund (Protocol no: 02/2006-13). The funders had no role in study design, data collection, and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Effect of Initial Periodontal Treatment on Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Patients with Severe Chronic Periodontitis

WOS: 000511859200003Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the influence of initial periodontal treatment in patients with severe chronic periodontitis on inflammatory markers related to risk for cardiovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 non-smokers with systemically healthy, including 40 patients (29 female, 11 male) with severe chronic periodontitis (test group) and 40 periodontally healthy participants (21 female, 19 male) (control group) were included into the present study. The probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, gingival index and blood samples were collected at baseline and at the 3rd months after treatment and the serum levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), homocysteine (Hcy), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: At baseline, all clinical periodontal parameters were significantly higher in the chronic periodontitis group than in the periodontally healthy group (p<0.05). After the initial periodontal treatment, in the test group, all of the clinical periodontal parameters showed a significant decrease compared to the baseline values (p<0.05). At baseline, ADMA, Hcy and MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in the test group than in the control group (p<0.05), and after treatment ADMA and MCP-1 levels showed a significant decrease whereas eNOS level showed significant increase (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was observed that initial periodontal treatment in patients with severe chronic periodontitis has positive effects on cardiovascular risk markers.Scientific Research Project Fund of Kirikkale UniversityKirikkale University [2015/029]The Scientific Research Project Fund of Kirikkale University (project number: 2015/029) supported this research

Relationship between Serum Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Neurogranin Levels and Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disorder, and cognitive problems occur in the early and late phases of the disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurogranin levels and cognition in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Twenty-three patients and 25 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurogranin (NRGN) levels were determined on blood samples from patients and controls. Disease duration and EDSS scores of patients were recorded, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scale was used for cognitive assessment. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of serum NRGN and GFAP levels. MOCA scores were lower in the patient group than in the healthy control group. No statistically significant correlation was found between NRGN and GFAP serum levels and MOCA scores. Our study showed that there was no statistically significant association between serum NRGN and GFAP levels and cognition in MS patients. This study is the first to examine serum GFAP and NRGN levels in the context of cognition in MS

The effect of smoking on gingival crevicular fluid peptidoglycan recognition protein-1 level following initial periodontal therapy in chronic periodontitis

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810WOS: 000491204200001PubMed: 31587460Objective To determine the effect of smoking on peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP)-1 levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis (CP) following initial periodontal therapy. Subjects and Methods A total of 40 patients with CP (20 smokers (S + CP) and 20 non-smokers (S-CP)) and 40 subjects with healthy periodontium (20 smokers (S + PH) and 20 non-smokers (S-PH)), comprising 80 subjects, were included in this study. Baseline GCF samples were obtained from all subjects, and clinical periodontal measurements were recorded. In patients who had received initial periodontal therapy, GCF samples were obtained and all clinical periodontal measurements were recorded again during the 6th-8th weeks. GCF PGRP-1 levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results At baseline, GCF PGRP-1 levels were significantly higher in both groups with CP than in both groups with healthy periodontium, whereas these levels were significantly lower in S + CP than in S-CP. GCF PGRP-1 levels decreased significantly in both CP groups after periodontal therapy, and this reduction was significantly greater in non-smokers than in smokers. Conclusion Smoking might have a suppressive effect on GCF PGRP-1 levels in CP. Initial periodontal therapy is effective in decreasing GCF PGRP-1 levels in both smokers and non-smokers with CP.Scientific Research Project Fund of Kirikkale UniversityKirikkale University [2016/026]The Scientific Research Project Fund of Kirikkale University, Grant/Award Number: The project number: 2016/02

Evaluation of Salivary Procalcitonin Levels in Different Periodontal Diseases

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810WOS: 000355265900011PubMed: 25703733Background: The present study aims to investigate the levels of salivary procalcitonin (ProCT) in patients with different periodontal diseases. Methods: Seventy-two non-smokers are included in this study: 21 individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP), 14 individuals with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP), 18 individuals with gingivitis (G), and 19 periodontally healthy (H) participants. Clinical periodontal parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index, and gingival index (GI), were assessed in all participants. Saliva samples were collected and examined for evaluating ProCT levels. Results: It was found that the median (interquartile range) salivary ProCT level was lowest in the H group: 0.00 (0.09) ng/mL; followed by the G group: 0.09 (0.11) ng/mL; the CP group: 0.15 (0.29) ng/mL; and highest in the GAgP group 0.28 (0.68) ng/mL. These differences were statistically significant between the H group and the other groups (P <0.05). There were positive correlations between the mean salivary ProCT level and GI, CAL, and PD. Conclusion: According to the present results, ProCT might play a role during periodontal inflammation, and an elevated salivary ProCT level is suggested as a potential biomarker for periodontal diseases.Kirikkale UniversityKirikkale University [2012/62]This work was supported by Research Fund of Kirikkale University Project 2012/62. The authors report no conflicts of interest related to this study

Behcet's syndrome and relationship with the ratio of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3)

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810WOS: 000472026600008Introduction: Behcet's syndrome (BS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with unknown aetiology. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) have important metabolic properties such as anabolic, cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Circulating IGF-1 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 concentrations are associated with adiposity and insulin resistance. Aim: To determine whether serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels or IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio were associated with the presence or activity of BS. Material and methods: Forty patients with BS (mean age: 39.6 +/- 10), and 20 healthy volunteers (mean age: 37 +/- 10.4) were enrolled. Serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were measured in all subjects. Results: Mean IGF-1 levels were low in both active BS and remission BS compared to the control group and mean IGF-1 levels were similar in active BS and remission BS. In active BS, mean IGFBP-3 levels were higher than in the control group and remission BS. There were positive correlations between these inflammatory cytokines and IGFBP-3 levels. IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio was lower in patients with BS compared to the healthy volunteer group, which was statistically significant. IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio was lower in BS than in the control group independently of ESR and hs-CRP. Conclusions: IGF-1 may play a diagnostic role to present itself in BS. IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio is not useful as an activation or remission criterion. The ratio may be a useful marker to predict the risk of BS presence in the critical population

Does Achievement of Hemostasis After Pulp Exposure Provide an Accurate Assessment of Pulp Inflammation?

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810WOS: 000425183400006PubMed: 29482681Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine in primary molars with carious exposures whether hemostasis at the exposure site and pulp orifice reflected inflammatory status of the pulp at the canal orifice based on cytokine levels. Methods: Forty mandibular primary molars with deep caries were included in the study. Teeth were divided into two groups: group A had teeth where hemostasis at the exposure site was achieved within five minutes, and group B had teeth where hemostasis at the exposure site could not be achieved within five minutes. Blood samples were harvested from the exposure sites and canal orifices. Cytokine levels for IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and PGE(2) were measured using ELISA for all sample sites. Results: The IL-6 levels at the exposure sites were found to be significantly higher in group A when compared to group B, but there was no statistically significant differences in any of the cytokine levels at the canal orifices between the two groups. Conclusions: Controlling bleeding at the exposure site or canal orifices does not provide accurate assessment of inflammation at the canal orifice and may be misleading for diagnosing vital pulp treatment in primary teeth with a carious pulp exposure.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [114S780]This study was financially supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK; project number: 114S780)

Is there any association between microalbuminuria and multiple sclerosis?

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810WOS: 000385421900014

The inflammation and insulin resistance in obstructive sleep apnea

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810WOS: 000449650903442