Anti-infliximab antibody status and its relation to clinical response in psoriatic patients: A pilot study.

Although the mechanisms underlying the loss of response to infliximab are not completely understood, the formation of antibodies to infliximab (ATI) are thought to play a role. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of ATI in psoriatic patients and to evaluate its relationship to the clinical response. Fifteen patients with psoriasis were treated with infliximab (5 mg/kg) every 8 weeks after an initial three-dose induction treatment.

Homocysteine, fibrinogen and anti-ox-LDL antibody levels as markers of atherosclerosis in prepubertal obese children.

Background: Homocysteine, fibrinogen and antibodies to oxidised LDL were shown to be important markers of atherosclerosis in adults.

Aim: To investigate the levels of these three risk factors in prepubertal obese children.

Methods: Fasting homocysteine, fibrinogen and antibodies to oxidised LDL, plasma lipids, insulin, HbA1c and blood glucose levels were investigated in 30 prepubertal obese and 28 control children 6-9 years old.

The relationship between adiponectin levels and proinflammatory cytokines and left ventricular mass in dialysis patients.

Introduction: Adiponectin is increased in end-stage renal disease. However, efforts to clarify the cause of that increase and its clinical effects have been inconclusive. The aim of this study was to compare serum adiponectin levels of dialysis patients against healthy individuals and evaluate the relationship among adiponectin levels, IL-6, TNF- alpha and left ventricular mass index (LVMI).

Salivary epidermal growth factor levels in Behçet's disease and recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Background: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) in saliva is cytoprotective against injuries and contributes to the maintenance of the integrity of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Low salivary EGF levels have been observed in patients with various forms of oral mucosal disease.

Objective: Our aim was to determine whether salivary EGF is low in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) or those with Behçet's disease (BD) when compared with healthy controls.

Effect of oophorectomy and exogenous estrogen replacement on liver injury in experimental obstructive jaundice.

Aim: To investigate the role of estrogen on liver injury in an experimental obstructive jaundice model.

Methods: Three groups of female rats were constituted; group 1 was oophorectomized and given E2 (n = 14), group 2 was oophorectomized and given placebo (n = 14), and group 3 was sham operated (n = 14). Fourteen days following constitution of bile duct ligation, all groups were compared in terms of serum tests, histopathologic parameters, and tissue levels of IFN-gamma and IL-6.