Sedat Ozdemir

Ischemia-modified albumin levels in patients with acute decompensated heart failure treated with dobutamine or levosimendan: IMA-HF study.

Objective: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a sensitive biomarker of myocardial ischemia. However, data on IMA levels in acute heart failure (HF) are still lacking. In this study, we aimed to evaluate serum IMA levels in acute decompensated HF and the effects of dobutamine and levosimendan treatments on IMA levels. Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter study that included 70 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HF and left ventricular ejection fraction <35%. Blood samples for IMA measurements were obtained on admission and 24-48 h after the initiation of HF therapy. Twenty-nine patients were treated with standard HF therapy, 18 received levosimendan, and 23 received dobutamine in addition to standard of care. A single serum specimen was also collected from 32 healthy individuals each. IMA concentrations were measured by the albumin cobalt binding colorimetric assay, and the results were given in absorbance units (AU). Independent and paired sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for the analysis. Results: In patients with acute decompensated HF, the serum concentration of IMA was significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (0.894±0.23 AU vs. 0.379±0.08 AU, p<0.001). Overall, the IMA levels significantly decreased after 24-48 h of HF therapy (0.894±0.23 AU and 0.832±0.18 AU, p=0.013). Furthermore, the IMA levels were also found to significantly decrease with standard HF therapy (1.041±0.28 vs. 0.884±0.15 AU, p=0.041), with levosimendan (0.771±0.18 vs. 0.728±0.18 AU, p=0.046) and also with dobutamine (0.892±0.18 vs. 0.820±0.13 AU, p=0.035). Conclusion: Patients with acute decompensated HF had elevated IMA levels, and appropriate HF therapy significantly reduced the serum IMA levels. Dobutamine or levosimendan did not increase the IMA levels, suggesting a lower potential in inducing myocardial ischemia when used in recommended doses.

Association of total serum antioxidant capacity with the Tei index in echocardiography in patients with microvascular angina.

ObjectivesCardiac syndrome X (CSX) is a condition characterized by exercise-induced chest pain that occurs considering a normal coronary angiogram. We aimed to investigate the total serum antioxidant capacity (TAC) and biventricular global functions using echocardiography in patients with CSX. Patients and methodsThe study population included 55 patients with typical anginal symptoms and a positive exercise stress test, or ischemia in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and normal coronary arteries detected angiographically, and 49 healthy volunteers with atypical chest pain and a negative stress test. TAC was assessed from blood samples. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed for the entire study population. The Tei index was calculated using the formula IVCT+IVRT/ET. ResultsTAC was found to be significantly lower in the CSX group compared with the control group (0.70±0.37 vs. 1.5±0.30, respectively, P<0.001). The Tei index was significantly higher in patients with CSX than the control group (0.60±0.18 vs. 0.42±0.12, respectively, P<0.001).There was a significant and inverse relationship between TAC and the Tei index (r=−0.41, P<0.001). When we divided the study population according to the normal range of TAC into the decreased TAC group (<1.30 mmol/l), the normal TAC group (1.30–1.77 mmol/l), and the increased TAC group (>1.77 mmol/l), it was found that the Tei index was higher in the decreased TAC group compared with the other groups (0.66±0.18 vs. 0.49±0.10 and 0.46±0.13 mmol/l, P<0.001, respectively). ConclusionOur study suggested that TAC was significantly decreased in CSX patients and decreased antioxidant levels were related to impaired Tei index in echocardiography in patients with microvascular angina.

The Evaluation of Relationship Between the Adiponectin and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Desease ( A Preliminary Report)

Aim The aim of our study is to identify etiopathology of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) disease by determining level of serum adiponectin whose relation is shown between inflamation and oxidation in the present studies. Materials and Methods 32 patients with LPR ( mean age is 29.72 ± 7.06)) and 25 healthy volunteers (mean age 28 ± which is 7.86) were included in our study. The blood serum adiponectin levels, biochemical values and obesity parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured and compared within two groups. Results and Analysis The BMI, WHR, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values and blood serum glucose, HbA1c, blood urea nitrogen, creatinin and triglyserides values were higher in LPR patients ( p< 0,05). The serum adiponectin and high-density cholestrole values noted lower in LPR patient group than healty volunterees ( p< 0,05). Discussion LPR disease can be one of the diseases that is related to lower plasma adiponectin levels. Many diseases that create cardiovascular and metabolic problems, which adiponectin levels are shown to be low , should be researched in LPR patients whom values of reflux symptom index and reflux finding score are high.

The correlation between birth weight and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), kisspeptin-1 (KISS-1), and three-dimensional fetal volume

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationship between birth weight, and maternal serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and kisspeptin-1 (KISS-1) levels, and first-trimester fetal volume (FV) based on three-dimensional ultrasonography. Materials and methods: The study included 142 pregnant women at gestational week 11°–136. All fetuses were imaged ultrasonographically by the same physician. Maternal blood samples were collected at the time of ultrasonographic evaluation and analyzed for IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Maternal and neonatal weights were recorded at birth. Birth weight ≤10th and the >90th percentiles was defined as small and large for gestational age (SGA and LGA), respectively. Results: Median crown-rump length (CRL), FV, and maternal serum IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels were 58.2 mm (35.3–79.2 mm), 16.3 cm3 (3.8–34.4 cm3), 68.1 ng mL−1 (3.8–377.9 mL−1), and 99.7 ng L−1 (42.1–965.3 ng L−1), respectively. First-trimester IGFBP-1 levels were significantly lower in the mothers with LGA neonates (p < .05). There was a significant positive correlation between CRL and FV, and between the IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels. IGFBP-1 levels and maternal weight at delivery were negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight. There was no correlation between CRL or FV and maternal IGFBP-1 or KISS1 levels (p > .05). The maternal IGFBP-1 level during the first trimester was a significant independent factor for SGA and LGA neonates (Odds ratio (OR): 0.011, 95%CI: 1.005–1.018, p < .001; and OR: 1.297, 95%CI: 1.074–1.566, p = .007, respectively). There was no significant relationship between SGA or LGA, and CRL, FV, or the KISS-1 level. Conclusions: As compared to the maternal KISS-1 level, the maternal IGFBP-1 level during the first trimester might be a better biomarker of fetal growth. Additional larger scale studies are needed to further delineate the utility of IGFBP-1 as a marker of abnormal birth weight.

Effects of the Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma in Nasal Pack on Postoperative Quality of Life.

Aim: The authors aimed to research the effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma, which is known for the positive effects on wound healing, on postoperatif living quality of the patients after using on nasal surgery. Methods: Patients who undergo nasal operation according to randomized patients choice have been injected with saline merocel pack and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in their nasal path. Postoperative is followed by 1 month; Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scala score, bleeding, pain, and crust rate have been compared between 2 groups. Results: As a result of the 1 month follow-up, it was seen that the treatment group experienced better results in terms of NOSE scale than the control group patients and this was significant difference in terms of NOSE. Less bleeding and crust was seen on the treatment group patients than the control group patients and statically significant difference was found. In terms of visual analogue scale score no statically significant difference was found between 2 groups. Conclusion: According to the authors’ study on PRP, the authors found out that by using PRP wound can be healed faster in early period of postoperative. It was seen with the authors’ research that on postoperative early period crusts, bleeding and postoperative complaints are lesser.

Plasma Glycated Albumin Levels Clearly Detect Hearing Loss and Atherosclerosis in Patients with Impaired Fasting Glucose.

Objective: To describe the relationship between atherosclerosis and hearing thresholds in prediabetic patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and to determine the efficacy of glycated albumin in predicting carotid artery atherosclerosis in patients with isolated IFG. Subjects and Methods: The study included 82 patients (aged 53.73-80 years) divided into two groups based on fasting glucose levels, the IFG group: 59 patients (32 females, 54.2%), and the normal fasting plasma glucose level group: 23 patients (12 females, 52.2%). Patients underwent audiological testing to determine hearing thresholds, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was measured using carotid artery Doppler sonography. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether or not the plasma glycated albumin levels could predict hearing loss and CIMT. Results: Patients in the IFG group (mean age: 59.8 ± 9.5 years) had higher hearing thresholds and pure-tone average scores (PTA) than those in the group with normal glucose levels (mean age: 56.2 ± 10.1 years) (left ear: 27.65 ± 8.85 vs. 25.75 ± 21.96 dB, p = 0.021; right ear: 29.22 ± 8.51 vs. 22.39 ± 6.99 dB, p = 0.001). The CIMT was significantly higher in the IFG group than the control group (0.75 ± 0.26 vs. 0.56 ± 0.16 mm, p < 0.001 for the left and 0.74 ± 0.26 vs. 0.51 ± 0.19 mm, p < 0.001 for the right carotid arteries). Glycated albumin levels were independently related with increased CIMT (left CIMT: r = 0.32, p = 0.003; right CIMT: r = 0.42, p < 0.001), and serum glycated albumin levels were significantly associated with PTA (left ear: r = 0.28, p = 0.01; right ear: r = 0.30, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Sensorineural hearing loss was more common in patients with IFG. Plasma glycated albumin levels were strongly correlated with CIMT and carotid plaques as a marker of atherosclerosis and with hearing impairment thought to develop due to atherosclerosis in patients with IFG.

Menstrual cycle variability of CA 72-4 in healthy women☆

OBJECTIVES CA 72-4 is not approved as a tumor marker but has been used as an adjunct marker in gynecological practice. The study aims to evaluate the menstrual cycle variability of CA 72-4 in a population of healthy women. DESIGN AND METHODS Forty apparently healthy regularly menstruating subjects were included in the cross-sectional study designed in the University Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic. Venous blood samples from each participant were collected twice: first at the follicular phase (2nd-5th days of the menstrual cycle) for FSH, estradiol, CA 125, CA 72-4 and the other at the luteal phase (21st-24th days of the menstrual cycle) for progesterone, CA 125 and CA 72-4 levels. RESULTS CA 72-4 values were similar in follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in apparently healthy regularly menstruating subjects (1.15U/mL (0.2-5.4) vs 1.15 U/mL (0.56-6.3); p=0.326 respectively). Ovulatory or smoking status did not have an effect on CA 72-4 values (p>0.05). CONCLUSION This first clinical study about the menstrual cycle variability of CA 72-4 revealed that the menstrual cycle does not have a significant impact on CA 72-4 values and that it can be measured at any time during the menstrual period.