Acute effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor on serum oxidative status and prolidase activities in men with erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the acute effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor on erectile dysfunction by evaluating serum oxidative status and prolidase activity. METHODS: Serum samples of 36 patients with erectile dysfunction and 30 control cases were analyzed for total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, and prolidase activity, before and after the administration of tadalafil citrate. RESULTS: Before and after tadalafil citrate administration, serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, and prolidase were 1.1+0.0 vs. 1.6 + 0.0 umol H2O2 Eq/L, 10.3+1.1 vs. 6.9 + 1.2 umol H2O2 Eq/L, and 236.4+19.5 vs. 228.2 + 19.2 U/L, respectively (

Interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in vitreous samples from patients with diabetic retinopathy

AIM: To measure the interleukin-8(IL-8)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels in vitreous samples obtained the patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)due to diabetic retinopathy(DR), then to compare these results with those of the control group and to state their impact on DR pathogenesis.<p>METHODS: From Istanbul Bilim University Ophthalmology Department, 57 eyes of 57 diabetes mellitus(DM)patients who had been diagnosed with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and 22 cases of macular hole, with no proliferative vitreoretinopathy were included in the study as the study and the control groups respectively. All of the 79 patients underwent a 3-port, 20 gauge PPV. Vitreous samples of 0.5mL were aspirated with vitrector at the beginning of the PPV operation before the intraocular infusion and being diluted. Samples were transferred to the freezer to be stored at -70℃. Results of IL-8 and TNF-α were calculated as pg/mL with ELISA method.<p>RESULTS: IL-8 levels 〖82.7891±74.08700(0.08- 307.09)pg/mL〗 in which vitreous samples obtained DR patients during vitrectomy were significantly elevated when compared to IL-8 levels 〖2.9805±3.77546(0.08-18.53)pg/mL〗 of control patients(<i>P</i><0.001). Similarly, TNF-α level 〖18.0007±13.90015(2.32-51.11)pg/mL〗 was also significantly elevated in DR patients when compared to control patients' TNF-α level 〖1.7005±1.26949(0.1- 5.17)pg/mL〗(<i>P</i><0.001). <p>CONCLUSION: The levels of TNF- α, which plays a role in retinal neovascularization, and, IL-8, which acts as an inflammatory and angiogenic mediator were found to be high in DR patients

Determination of Primary Surface Water Pollution Indicators by Multivariate Statistical Techniques in an Industrialized Basin

This study aimed to investigate the point and diffuse pollution sources of high total phosphorus (TP) pollution detected in the dry and wet seasons of the industrialized and urbanized Saz-Cayirova Basin through field observation and multivariate statistical techniques. In this context, nineteen water quality parameters were analyzed in surface water samples collected monthly between June 2020 and July 2021 from nineteen different sites along the Saz-Cayirova stream. Firstly, two reference sites representing a better surface water status were determined and assessed the water quality on the stream tributaries affecting the wastewater treatment plant in the two Organized Industrial Zones (OIZ). Secondly, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to evaluate the complex water quality dataset and reveal the latent sources of TP pollution. The results showed that the tributaries in the pressure of OIZ discharges were highly enriched in COD, TOC, NO3-N, NH3-N, and TP concentrations compared to the reference level. Compared with reference sites, the concentrations of the four heavy metals examined were at a plausible level. Besides, the pollution sources of TP were industrial processes wastewater such as dyeing, washing, phosphating, domestic wastewater from OIZ, urban diffuse waters with organic character, and continuous discharges of undefined sources. The seasonal variation of TP values is observed relatively low, indicating that the stream network is greatly affected by point source pollution. Our observation and analysis imply that the treatment technologies adopted by the OIZ wastewaters plant is sufficient to treat heavy metals. However, measures need to be formulated to remove TP and organic pollution from the secondary production process. © 2022, Avestia Publishing. All rights reserved

Evaluation of Fetal Central Nervous System Anomalies; Perinatology Council Data of a Reference Center

INTRODUCTION: Central nervous system (CNS) anomalies are the second most common congenital malformations detected during antenatal period. Rates of prenatal diagnosis are aroung 96% in anencephaly, but drops down to approximately 14 % in migration anomalies.We aimed to determine the frequency and features of CNS anomalies evaluated in the perinatology council of our hospital where high-risk pregnancies were discussed and also to emphasize the importance of antenatal diagnosis. METHODS: Pregnant women, with a CNS anomaly detected in their fetus, who were evaluated between January 2019-December 2019 in the perinatology council of Tepecik Training and Research Hospital were included in the study. Retrospectively, the records of the cases were examined, prenatal, and maternal risk factors at the time of council session, the council decision and the results were recorded. Statistical analyzes were done using SPSS 20.0 program. RESULTS: Data of 1272 pregnant women were evaluated in the study, and 261 cases (20.5%) with CNS anomalies were detected. A total of 129 pregnant women were excluded from the study because follow-up of these patients were not realized in our center or they didn't give birth yet.. Totally, 132 pregnant women were included in the study. The mean maternal age was 26.99+-6.50 (14-42) years, the mean gestational age was 22.63+-7.08 (10.4-38.6) weeks. Most common CNS anomalies detected were neural tube defects (n=54; 40%), hydrocephalus/ventriculomegaly (n=36; 27%), migration defects (n=21; 15%) and cerebellar malformations (n=9; 6%). Termination of pregnancy was decided for 29.8% (n=78) of pregnant women, but realized only for 62 pregnancies. Among pregnancies which were decided to be continued due to the fact that gestational week was 22 weeks or more (n=51), had fetuses with neural tube defects (n=25; 50%) and hydrocephalus/ventriculomegaly (n=36; 27%) with poor prognosis. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As the anomalies with high morbidity and mortality were referred to our hospital after the 22nd gestational week, termination option could not be offered to these pregnancies. High-risk pregnancies should be directed to perinatology centers in the early period so that this option can be presented to the family, appropriate follow-up and treatment of life-compatible ones

Is there any effect of insulin resistance on male reproductive system?

Objectives: To investigate the possible effect of insulin resistance (IR) on male reproductive system via evaluation of semen analysis, male sex hormones and serum lipid profiles, and testicular volumes. Methods: After the exclusions, a total of 80 male patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Body Mass Index (BMI), Testicular volume, semen samples, serum hormone/lipid profiles, high sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) were obtained from all the subjects. Results: The patients were divided into two groups as study and control according to the presence of IR. There were no statistical differences in terms of age, marriage period, testicular volume, serum levels of hormone and lipid profiles and BMI between the groups. There were no relationship between homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and semen volume (r = -0.10, p = 0.37), total sperm count (r = -0.09, p = 0.39), motility (r = -0.15, p = 0.16) and morphology (r = -0.14, p = 0.19). However, HOMA-IR was closely associated with hsCRP levels (r = 0.94, p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: Despite of the documented strong inverse relationships between Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and male/female fertility, and also between IR and female infertility via ovarian functions as in polycystic ovary syndrome, to our knowledge, there is no report about any influence of IR on male fertility. DM and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have negative influence on fertility. Thus, IR may be accused of causing detrimental effect on male infertility due to hyperinsulinemic state and being one of the components for MetS. Interestingly, due to our preliminary results, we do not found any inverse correlation between IR and male reproductive functions

HIV Pozitif Gebeliklerde Seçilen Doğum Şeklinin,Doğum Süresinin ve Doğum Travayı TakibininFetal Bulaş Açısından Perinatal vePostnatal Sonuçlarının Değerlendirilmesi

Giriş: İnsan immün yetmezlik virüsü (HIV); dünyada ilk olarak 1981 yılında tanımlanmış olup, ülkemizde ise ilk vaka 1985 yılında görülmüştür.1985 yılında toplam üç olan vaka sayısı, 30 Haziran 2019 itibariyle toplam 21.988’dir. HIV bulaş yolları ele alındığında, halen tüm HIV vakalarının%48.6‘sının bulaş yolu bilinememektedir. Bu durum %1’lik gibi oldukça düşük oranlarda bildirilen anneden bebeğe bulaşın gerçekte daha da yüksekoranlarda olabileceğini düşündürmektedir.Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışmada hastanemizde doğum yapan HIV pozitif anneden doğan bebeklerin perinatal öykülerinin ve laboratuvar özelliklerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Hastanemizde 2009-2019 yılları arasında doğum yapan HIV ile enfekte anne bebeklerinin perinatal öyküleri velaboratuvar özellikleri geriye dönük olarak incelenmiş, HIV enfeksiyonunave gebelik seyrine ait bilgiler, bulunabildiği kadarıyla tıbbi kayıtlardan eldeedilmiştir. Bulgular: HIV ile enfekte anneden doğan 15 bebeğin (%60 erkek, %40 kız)annelerinin 2’sine (%13.3) gebelikten önce, 7’sine (%46.7) gebelik sırasında,6’sına (%40) ise doğum sırasında HIV tanısı koyulduğu belirlendi. 8 annenin(%53.3) gebelik sırasında antiretroviral tedavi aldığı, 2 (%13.3) gebenin normal spontan doğum ile doğum yaptığı saptandı. Normal spontan doğumile doğan bebeklerden birine zidovudin profilaksisi başlanmış ve izlemindebebeğin sekiz haftalık profilaksi sonrasında HIV viral yükünün halen negatifolduğu görülerek profilaksisi kesilmiş, diğer bebek ise anne tarafından izinsiz olarak götürülmüştür. Göç İdaresi ile iletişime geçilmiş ancak anne ve bebeğe ulaşılamamıştır. 3 (%20) gebede erken membran rüptürü öyküsü saptanırken, en uzun travay süresi de 16 saat olarak belirlendi. 11 (%73.3) gebedoğum sırasında intravenöz zidovudin tedavisi ve 13 (%86.6) bebek antiretroviral profilaksi almıştı. HIV viral yükü bakılmış olan 11 bebeğin biri hariçdiğerlerinin viral yükü negatif saptanmıştır. HIV viral yükü pozitif (300.000kopya/mL) olan olgu 38. gestasyon haftasında sezaryen ile doğmuş olup,annesi doğum sırasında tanı almış, doğum sonrası hastaya üçlü (zidovudin,lamivudin, nevirapin) antiretroviral profilaksi başlanmıştı.Sonuç: Türkiye’de HIV enfeksiyonu çok sık görülmemekle birlikte, olgu sayısı yıllar içinde giderek artmaktadır. HIV’in anneden bebeğe perinatal geçişi,doğum öncesi, sırası ve sonrasında alınacak önlemler ile azaltılabilir. Özellikle, gebelikte HIV enfeksiyonu tanısının geç konulmaması ya da atlanmamasısağlanmalı ve HIV ile enfekte gebelerin takibi HIV konusunda uzman merkezlerce yapılmalıdır.Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was first described in1981 in the world, and the first case in our country was seen in 1985. Thetotal number of cases is 21.988 as of 30 June 2019, which was 3 in 1985.Considering the transmission routes of HIV positive cases in our country,the rate of transmission from mother to baby seems to be 1%, but it is likely that this ratio will be higher if 48.6% of all cases are not known.Material and Methods: In this study, perinatal histories and laboratoryfeatures of babies born from HIV-positive mothers are planned to be analyzed retrospectively. As far as possible information on HIV infection andthe course of pregnancy has been obtained from the medical records andthe perinatal history and laboratory features of HIV-infected mother’s babies who delivered between 2009 and 2019 at our hospital were analyzedretrospectively Results: Fifteen infants’ (60% male, 40% female) mothers were diagnosedin 2 (13.3%) before pregnancy, 7 (46.7%) of the mothers during pregnancy,and 6 (40%) of the mothers during delivery. It was ascertained that eightmothers (53.3%) received antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy and 2(13.3%) mothers delivered by normal spontaneous vaginal route. Zidovudine prophylaxis was started in one of the babies born with a normal spontaneous vaginal route, and the HIV virus load was still negative after eightweeks of prophylaxis and the prophylaxis was discontinued, the other babywas taken by the mother without permission. Premature membrane rupture was detected in three (20%) pregnant women, and the longest labortime was 16 hours. Eleven (73.3%) pregnant women received intravenouszidovudine therapy and 13 (86.6%) babies received antiretroviral prophylaxis. The viral load of the others was negative except one of the 11 babieswhose HIV viral load was examined. The patient with a positive HIV viralload (300.000 copies/mL) was born by cesarean at 38 weeks of gestationand her mother was diagnosed during delivery and triple antiretroviralprophylaxis (zidovudine, lamivudine, nevirapine) was started on to baby.Conclusion: Although HIV prevalence is not high in Turkey, the number ofcases has been increasing over the years. Perinatal transmission of the HIVvirus from mother to baby can be reduced by measures to be taken before,during and after birth. In particular, it should be ensured that HIV infectionis not diagnosed late or missed during pregnancy, and HIV-infected pregnant women should be followed up by centers which specialized in HIV

Vitreous Levels of VEGF, IL-8, and TNF-alpha in Retinal Detachment

WOS: 000282896300010PubMed ID: 20465445Purpose: To determine intravitreal levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD). Methods: Vitreous samples were collected from 22 eyes of 22 patients during vitrectomy procedures for RD. For controls, vitreous samples were obtained from 12 eyes of 12 patients without RDs during pars plana vitrectomies. Control group patients included four with macular holes and eight with epiretinal membranes; none had any associated vitreoretinopathy. All vitreous samples were immediately frozen at -80 degrees C until assayed. Results: VEGF concentrations were significantly elevated in samples from patients with RDs compared to samples from control patients (p 0.05). Conclusions: Increases in IL-8 (an inflammatory angiogenic mediator) and VEGF (a regulatory mediator of cellular proliferation and permeability) may be related to development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy

Phacoemulsificatıon in eyes with cataract and high myopia

ABSTRACTPurpose:To evaluate the outcomes and complications following phacoemulsification surgery in eyes with cataract and high myopia.Methods:We retrospectively evaluated the data of 43 eyes of 28 consecutive patients (12 males, 16 females) with cataract and high myopia who had undergone phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The mean [± standard deviation (range)] age of the patients was 59.20 ± 11.08 (39-77) years.Results:The frequency of nuclear cataract was significantly higher than that of other cataract types (P=0.003). The mean axial length was 28.97 ± 1.99 (26-33) mm and the mean IOL power was 5.09 ± 4.78 (-3.0 to +14.0) diopters (D). The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was -16.48 ± 5.23 (-8.00 to -25.00) D and the mean postoperative SE was -1.46 ± 0.93 (0.00 to -3.00) D (P=0.00). The mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.91 ± 0.37 (0.30 to -1.50) logMAR and the mean postoperative BCVA was 0.29 ± 0.25 (0.00-1.00) logMAR (P=0.00). Twenty-two eyes (51.2%) achieved the target postoperative refraction (±1.0 D). The eyes were divided into 3 groups according to the axial length. The mean biometric error was significantly higher in the group with the greatest axial length than in the other groups (P=0.007). Preoperative argon laser photocoagulation was performed in 7 eyes (16%) on account of retinal tears, retinal holes, or lattice degeneration. Postoperatively, retinal tears developed in 2 eyes (4%) and were treated with photocoagulation. One eye (2%) developed retinal detachment postoperatively, with the patient consequently referred for retinal surgery. Postoperatively, posterior capsule opacities developed in 11 eyes (25%), with all cases treated by laser capsulotomy.Conclusions:Good postoperative outcomes following phacoemulsification surgery were observed in patients with cataract and high myopia. However, clinicians should be aware of the risk of postoperative retinal tears and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Preoperative prophylactic argon laser photocoagulation treatment should be considered where necessary

The influence of size and shape of Nd:YAG capsulotomy on visual acuity and refraction

ABSTRACTPurpose:To evaluate the influence of size and shape of neodymium:yttrium aluminum- Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy on visual acuity and refraction.Methods:We retrospectively evaluated 85 eyes of 67 patients treated with Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy for posterior capsule opacification (PCO). The mean age of included patients was 57.57 ± 9.26 (mean ± standard deviation, 38-75 years). The mean interval between surgery and Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was 26.09 ± 7.08 (10-38) months. Patients were divided into four groups according to the shape and size of capsulotomy. Groups comprised patients with cruciate shape capsulotomies with openings of less than or equal to 3.5 mm (Group 1) or greater (Group 2) and patients with circular shape capsulotomies with openings of less than or equal to 3.5 mm (Group 3) or greater (Group 4).Results:The mean number and energy of laser firings were significantly higher in Group 4 (p=0.00), and significantly lower in Group 1 (p=0.00), compared with that in other groups. Pre-procedural and post-procedural mean spherical equivalent (SE) values were significantly higher in Group 1 (p=0.026 and p=0.011, respectively). No statistical difference in best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) or intraocular pressures (IOP) were observed between groups before (p=0.44 and p=0.452, respectively) or after capsulotomy (p=0.108 and p=0.125, respectively). A significantly higher number of patients in Group 4 (p=0.001), and a significantly lower number of patients in Group 1 (p=0.001), reported floating bodies compared with that in other groups. No significant changes in SE or intraocular pressure were observed after capsulotomy in any group (p=0.074 and p=0.856, respectively). Best-corrected visual acuity was significantly improved following capsulotomy in all groups (p<0.01).Conclusion:Cruciate shape capsulotomy with an opening of 3.5 mm or less provides the greatest improvement in visual function with minimal complications