There is no association between serum endotoxin levels and inflammation in asthma.

Backround: Endotoxin, in lipopolysaccharide structure (LPS), is the main component of the outer membrane of gram negative bacteria. LPS levels were associated with inflammatory disease. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease involving many different cell types and cellular elements.

Central Macular Thickness in Diabetic Macular Edema.

Context: Retinal microvascular dysfunction differs in macular edema lesions in the two eyes of the same patient with diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between central macular thickness (CMT) and metabolic/systemic factors including anthropometric and laboratory findings, in patients with regressed diabetic retinopathy and a history of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with internal limiting membrane peeling in one eye.

Subjects And Methods: Forty-two eyes with PPV and the same patients' fellow 42 eyes (without PPV) included this study.

New Insights into Diabetic and Vision-Threatening Retinopathy: Importance of Plasma Long Pentraxine 3 and Taurine Levels.

Purpose: To investigate diabetic retinopathy (DR), plasma long pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and taurine levels, and systemic factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Materials And Methods: Patients with type 2 DM were categorized based on the presence of DR and maculopathy. Retinal findings (retinopathy, maculopathy, flame-shaped hemorrhage, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities, neovascularization of the optic disc, neovascularization elsewhere, and soft exudate); laboratory findings (fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], Taurine, PTX-3); systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were analyzed.

Clinical Value of Circulating Microribonucleic Acids miR-1 and miR-21 in Evaluating the Diagnosis of Acute Heart Failure in Asymptomatic Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

To investigate whether the circulating miR-1 (microRNA-1) and miR-21 expression might be used in the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) and silent coronary artery disease (SCAD) in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and to explore the relationship of these miRs with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and galectin-3. One hundred thirty-five consecutive patients with T2DM and 45 matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. This study consisted of the following four groups: control group (mean age: 60.

The Relationship between Plasma Taurine Levels and Diabetic Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Taurine has an active role in providing glucose homeostasis and diabetes causes a decline in taurine levels. This paper investigates the relationship between taurine and diabetic complications, patients' demographic features, and biochemical parameters. Fifty-nine patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and 28 healthy control subjects between the ages of 32 and 82 were included in the study.

Evaluation of the Potential Risk Factors for Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis in Adult Patients.

Aim: To investigate the potential risk factors in patients who have experienced anaphylaxis from drugs.

Method: The study included 281 adult patients (median age 40 years; 76.5% female) who experienced immediate types of hypersensitivity reaction to a drug.

YKL-40, Soluble IL-2 Receptor, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme and C-Reactive Protein: Comparison of Markers of Sarcoidosis Activity.

The aims of this study were to describe the clinical, radiological and immunological features of a population of sarcoidosis patients and to analyse chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), neopterin concentrations and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in serum of these patients in order to understand their potential as disease markers. Fifty-nine patients affected by chronic sarcoidosis, in active (20 patients) and inactive (39 patients) phase according to the clinical, radiological and laboratory criteria were studied. Serum YKL-40, sIL-2R, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neopterin levels and ADA activities were evaluated and compared with those of 25 healthy controls.

Association of Plasma Pentraxin-3 Levels with Retinopathy and Systemic Factors in Diabetic Patients.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is mainly caused by metabolic factors, vascular inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of DR with inflammatory and biochemical alterations in type 2 diabetics.

Methods: A total of 89 diabetic patients with retinopathy [(DR (+) (n = 30)], without retinopathy [(DR (-) (n = 32)], and 27 control subjects were involved in the study.

Long-Term Omalizumab Treatment: A Multicenter, Real-Life, 5-Year Trial.

Background: Omalizumab has demonstrated therapeutic benefits both in controlled clinical trials and real-life studies. However, research concerning the long-term effects and tolerability of omalizumab is needed. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of treatment with omalizumab for up to 5 years.

The relationship between circulating irisin, retinol binding protein-4, adiponectin and inflammatory mediators in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: We wanted to investigate whether there is a relationship between circulating irisin, retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4), adiponectin and proinflammatory mediators implicated in the development of insulin resistance (IR) in metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Subjects And Methods: In 180 individuals, including controls and patients with MetS, we measured fasting plasma insulin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), interleukin-33 (IL-33), irisin, RBP-4, and adiponectin using ELISA kits.

Results: While fasting plasma hsCRP, PTX-3, IL-33, irisin, RBP-4 concentrations were higher, adiponectin levels were lower in patients with MetS than in controls.

The efficacy of donepezil administration on acetylcholinesterase activity and altered redox homeostasis in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a serious multifactorial disorder with progressive neurodegenerative outcomes related with impaired redox homeostasis. Inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), as one of the major therapeutic strategies, is considered to be offering only symptomatic relief and moderate disease modifying effect. We intended to investigate the effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibition via donepezil on protein carbonyl (PCO), advanced protein oxidation products (AOPP) and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) as protein oxidation markers and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), total thiol (T-SH), protein thiol (P-SH) as antioxidant status markers and also kynurenine (KYN), N-formyl kynurenine (N-FKYN) and protein bound dityrosine (DT) levels all in one demonstrating the redox homeostasis in Alzheimer patients also correlated with AChE activity.

Serum Osteoprotegerin Levels Related With Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: To evaluate osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels in relation to cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on different regimens of renal replacement therapy.

Methods: A total of 143 patients with CKD and 30 healthy controls were included in this study and divided into five categories, including predialysis patients with chronic renal failure (preD; n = 36), chronic peritoneal dialysis patients (PD; n = 36), hemodialysis patients (HD; n = 35), renal transplant patients (RT; n = 36), and controls (n = 30). Data on demographics, concomitant diseases and CV risk factors, serum OPG levels, and correlates of serum OPG levels were determined.

The association of vascular endothelial growth factor, metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors with cardiovascular risk factors in the metabolic syndrome.

Objective: The present study was proposed to examine the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and to compare these parameters with healthy controls. We also compared the possible association of the circulating levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and VEGF with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with MetS. We also compared the possible association of the circulating levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and VEGF with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with MetS.

Ischemia-modified albumin and advanced oxidation protein products as potential biomarkers of protein oxidation in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the systemic levels of oxidative stress markers, such as ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), to clarify protein redox homeostasis in patients with Alzheimer's disease, and to compare them with mentally healthy persons of the same age.

Methods: A total of 38 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 34 sex- and age-matched mentally healthy control subjects were included in this study.

Results: The patients had significantly higher AOPP, IMA and PAB in the patient group than in the control group (P = 0.

Soluble Lectin-Like Oxidized LDL Receptor 1 as a Possible Mediator of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) defines a well-known cluster of metabolic disturbances associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (sLOX-1) levels in patients with MetS, possible association of sLOX-1 with oxidized LDL (oxLDL), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nitric oxide (NOx), endothelin-1 (ET-1), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and arylesterase (ARE) activities, and these parameters compared with healthy controls.

Methods: A total of 55 patients (37 women, 18 men) with MetS and 29 healthy controls (19 women, 10 men) with a body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m(2) were enrolled in the study.

The impact of obesity and insulin resistance on iron and red blood cell parameters: a single center, cross-sectional study.

Objective: Obesity and iron deficiency (ID) are the 2 most common nutritional disorders worldwide causing significant public health implications. Obesity is characterized by the presence of low-grade inflammation, which may lead to a number of diseases including insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes. Increased levels of acute-phase proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP) have been reported in obesity-related inflammation.

Evaluation of serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in subjects with asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease.

Background: Asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) are characterised by airway inflammation. Paraoxonasel (PON1) and arylesterase (AE) enzymes have the ability to protect HDL from oxidation and may have antiatherogenic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory features. We carried out a study to assess if there is a difference between PON1 and AE activities and biochemical values between asthmatics and COPD patients and if there is a difference between comorbid or pure COPD patients.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of tumor M2-pyruvate kinase levels in patients with colorectal canhcer.

Background/aims: Screening for precancerous lesions is important for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal tumors. We investigated M2-pyruvate kinase levels in patients with colorectal polyps and carcinoma and assessed factors affecting M2-pyruvate kinase levels.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-five patients who had undergone colonoscopic examination and who were diagnosed with a neoplastic lesion were included.

Serum neurotrophic factor levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: relationship to metabolic syndrome components.

Background: It has been thought that neurotrophins have metabotrophic effects and take part in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study is to examine the levels of neurotrophins in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and whether the levels are linked to the components of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: 90 patients and 35 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.

The association of oxidative stress markers with conventional risk factors in the metabolic syndrome.

Background And Aims: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common and complex disorder that consists of various abnormalities, including dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension and hyperglycemia. We investigated the relationships between the levels of advanced protein oxidation products (AOPPs), the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in MetS patients.

Methods: A total of 55 patients (37 women, 18 men) with MetS and 20 healthy controls (14 women, 6 men) with a body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m(2) were enrolled in the study.

Circulating levels of adiponectin, orexin-A, ghrelin and the antioxidant paraoxonase-1 in metabolic syndrome.

Aim: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a disorder consisting of various abnormalities such as dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension and hyperglycemia. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of MS has greatly increased, and it has become a global health problem. We measured and compared plasma concentrations of adiponectin, orexin-A, ghrelin and the antioxidant paraoxonase-1 (PON1) between patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and healthy controls.

Renal and suprarenal insufficiency secondary to familial Mediterranean fever associated with amyloidosis: a case report.

Introduction: Familial Mediterranean fever is an autosomal recessive disease that predominantly affects people of the Mediterranean coast. One of the most frequent complications of the disease is amyloidosis. This clinical entity is known as secondary (also called AA) amyloidosis.

Steinert's syndrome presenting as anal incontinence: a case report.

Introduction: Myotonic dystrophy (MD) or Steinert's syndrome is a rare cause of chronic diarrhea and anal incontinence. In the presence of chronic diarrhea and fecal incontinence with muscle weakness, neuromuscular disorders such as myotonic dystrophy should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 45-year-old Turkish man with Steinert's syndrome, who was not diagnosed until the age of 45.

The Turkish Hereditary Angioedema Pilot Study (TURHAPS): the first Turkish series of hereditary angioedema.

Background: No published data presently exist concerning hereditary angioedema (HAE) in Turkey. The aim of the study was to initiate a preliminary multicentric evaluation about HAE and to determine the genetic properties of Turkish patients.

Methods: Based on records drawn from four medical centers we identified a total of 70 subjects, belonging to 60 unrelated families, fulfilling clinical and laboratory criteria for diagnosis of HAE with C1 inhibitor deficiency.

Oxidative lipid, protein, and DNA damage as oxidative stress markers in vascular complications of diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of diabetic complications on oxidation of proteins, lipids, and DNA and to investigate the relationship between oxidative damage markers and clinical parameters.

Methods: The study group consisted of 69 type 2 diabetic patients (20 patients without complication, 49 patients with complication) who attended internal medicine outpatient clinics of Istanbul Education and Research Hospital and 19 healthy control subjects. In serum samples of both diabetic patients and healthy subjects, 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), as a marker of oxidative DNA damage, N(ε)-(hexanoyl)lysine (HEL) and 15-F2t-iso-prostaglandin (15-F2t-IsoP).