The association of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 VNTR polymorphisms with coronary stent restenosis

Background P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) regulate the initial interactions between leukocytes, activated platelets and endothelial cells. Recently, a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in PSGL-1 gene affecting the length of the extracellular domain of PSGL-1 and the distance of the P-selectin binding site to the cell surface has been described. There are limited numbers of studies reporting PSGL-1 polymorphism might affect the inflammatory response and thrombosis. We explored the association between PSGL-1 VNTR polymorphisms (especially AB genotype that has the most deformed configuration of the binding site) and the development of coronary stent restenosis and stent thrombosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)

Complete Healing of the Diabetic Ulcerative Osteomyelitis with Atherectomy and Flexible Stent

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that causes arterial and neurological disorders. Extremities threatening a diabetic foot ulcer might occur in the long term, especially in irregular glycemia levels. A multidisciplinary approach including infection treatment, pressure relief in the wound and arterial revascularization is important for limb salvage and to prevent such life-threatening complications as septicemia. Compared to the surgery, endovascular procedures can be performed with low complication rates in diabetic foot ulcers complicated with infection. Atherectomy is an alternative to the classical percutaneous angioplasty techniques, especially in totally occluded lesions. We are reporting complete healing of osteomyelitis associated with critical limb ischemia, resistant to classical treatment with debridement, antibacterial therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, by atherectomy following long-segment flexible stent implantation. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2014; 3(3.000): 193-196

Glycoprotein Ib alpha Kozak polymorphism in patients presenting with early-onset acute coronary syndrome

Introduction: Glycoprotein Ib alpha (GPIb alpha) receptor is the chief molecule responsible for initial platelet adhesion to the subendothelium. A thymidine to cytosine single nucleotide substitution at position -5 from the ATG start codon characterizes the Kozak sequence polymorphism. The Kozak sequence polymorphism may increase the surface expression of GPIb alpha and contribute to thrombogenesis. We evaluated the allele frequencies of GPIb alpha Kozak sequence polymorphism in the Turkish population and examined the relationship between GPIb alpha Kozak sequence polymorphism and early-onset acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

Value of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in distinguishing between acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine whether plasma NGAL levels could be used as a biomarker for distinguishing between AKI and CKD in emergency medicine. Materials and methods: This prospective study was conducted at the ED of a training and research hospital over a six-month period in 2015. Three groups were defined: an AKI group – defined as a new onset of at least a 1.5-fold or ≥0.3 mg increment increase of SCr values from the normal baseline, a stable CKD group – only included presence of stages 2 through 4 of CKD according to the National Kidney Foundation's KDIGO 2012, and a control group. After the initial evaluation of patients, venous blood samples were taken for routine biochemical, counter blood cell, and plasma NGAL measurement at admission. Results: A total of 25 patients with AKI, 22 patients with stable CKD, and 22 control subjects were enrolled. Level of plasma NGAL in AKI group was higher than those of the stable CKD group (median: 794 ng/ml IQR: 317–1300 & 390 ng/ml IQR: 219–664, p < 0.001). AUC was measured as 0.68 (p = 0.02, 95% CIs: 0.54–0.84) to assess the utility of plasma NGAL levels at varying cut-off values for distinguishing between AKI and CKD. For plasma NGAL, the best cut-off level was found to be 457 ng/ml (sensitivity: 72.0%, specificity: 64%). Conclusion: This study has clearly demonstrated that plasma NGAL levels were higher in AKI patients than in CKD patients. However, in clinical practice, the use of plasma NGAL levels to distinguish between AKI and CKD is limited. Keywords: Acute kidney injury, Chronic kidney disease, Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), Emergency departmen