The effect of serum lipid levels on peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell levels.

Introduction: There are limited numbers of available retrospective studies on various hematological diseases treated with stem cell mobilization therapy. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of serum lipid levels on peripheral blood CD34+ (PBCD34+) cell counts as well as the changes in serum lipid levels during stem cell mobilization process.

Method: PBCD34+ cell counts were compared between hypercholesterolemic patients and healthy individuals.

Single center experience of biotinidase deficiency: 259 patients and six novel mutations.

Background Biotinidase deficiency (BD) is an autosomal recessively inherited disorder of biotin recycling. It is classified into two levels based on the biotinidase enzyme activity: partial deficiency (10%-30% enzyme activity) and profound deficiency (0%-10% enzyme activity). The aims of this study were to evaluate our patients with BD, identify the spectrum of biotinidase (BTD) gene mutations in Turkish patients and to determine the clinical and laboratory findings of our patients and their follow-up period.

The relationship between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 with cardiovascular risk factors in testosterone deficiency.

Objective: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) which is believed to play a role in atherosclerotic inflammatory process due to its function in hydrolysis of phospholipids and release of pro-inflammatory products, is considered as a novel biomarker for vascular risk. In this study we aimed to investigate the alterations in Lp-PLA2 and its relationship with other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with testosterone deficiency.

Material And Methods: Forty hypogonadic male and 30 healthy male aged between 18-50 years were enrolled in this study.

Relationship between first trimester aneuploidy screening test serum analytes and placenta accreta.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between first trimester serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (fβhCG) MoM values and placenta accreta in women who had placenta previa.

Study Design: A total of 88 patients with placenta previa who had first trimester aneuploidy screening test results were enrolled in the study. Nineteen of these patients were also diagnosed with placenta accreta.

Prognostic utility of serum neopterin in obstructive jaundice secondary to malignant lesions treated by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

Purpose: To perform biochemical profiles before and after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and investigate the potential utility of measuring C-reactive protein (CRP), circulating cytokines, and neopterin, a marker of cell-mediated immunity, to predict outcomes of patients with obstructive jaundice.

Materials And Methods: In a prospective study, 47 patients with obstructive jaundice secondary to malignant lesions were evaluated before, at the fifth hour after, and on the fifth day after PTBD for neopterin, nitrate, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, CRP levels, and liver function.

Results: Neopterin levels on day 5 after PTBD were significantly higher than the levels before treatment and at the fifth hour.

Fibroblast growth factor-19 levels in type 2 diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome.

This study aimed to examine fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF-19) in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to evaluate the relationship between FGF-19 and other cardiovascular risk factors, such as atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and hsCRP. 26 T2DM patients with MetS and 12 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum FGF-19 levels were measured by sandwich ELISA, and compared with other cardiovascular risk factors; lipid profile, AIP, glucose, HbA1c, and hsCRP.

Relation between NT-proBNP levels, iron overload, and early stage of myocardial dysfunction in β-thalassemia major patients.

Background: Heart failure (HF) secondary to myocardial iron loading remains the leading cause of death in β-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients. The early diagnosis and treatment of HF in these patients is related to survival. We aimed to evaluate myocardial performance using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography and its relation to plasma NT-proBNP levels and iron overload indices in β-TM patients with preserved systolic function.

Effects of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage on renal function in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Purpose: We assessed the effects of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage on renal function in patients with obstructive jaundice using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and evaluated the factors associated with renal dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: Between July 2007 and September 2009, 108 consecutive patients (69 men 39 women; median age, 59 years; range, 29-87 years) with obstructive jaundice (20 benign, 88 malignant) that were unsuitable for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreticography were evaluated at admission and at follow-up exams five and thirty days after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Two patients with suspected contrast-induced nephropathy were excluded.

The detection of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients: Performance of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide.

Aim: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) results in increased cardiovascular risk in hypertensives. We studied the performance of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in detecting DD.

Materials And Methods: 241 hypertensive patients admitted to cardiology polyclinics were included in this study.

Pleural fluid neopterin levels in tuberculous pleurisy.

Objectives: Neopterin is produced by stimulated macrophages under the influence of gamma interferon of lymphocyte origin. It is regarded as a biochemical marker of cell-mediated immune response. This study was designed to assess the diagnostic value of pleural fluid neopterin levels in tuberculous pleurisy in comparison with adenosine deaminase activity.