Serum adropin as a predictive biomarker of erectile dysfunction in coronary artery disease patients.

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with various comorbidities and an early diagnosis and treatment is necessary to avoid the development of these comorbidities. Unfortunately, there is no biochemical marker that can be used for early diagnosis of ED. Nitric oxide (NO) is released by nerve and endothelial cells in the corpora cavernosa of the penis and is believed to be the main vasoactive chemical mediator of penile erection.

Serum nesfatin-1 levels are decreased in pregnant women newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Objective: To investigate serum nesfatin-1 levels at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy in women newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes and determine the association of nesfatin-1 with several metabolic parameters.

Subjects And Methods: Forty women newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy and 30 healthy pregnant women matched in age and gestational week were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum nesfatin-1 levels were analyzed using ELISA, and the relationship between nesfatin-1 and several metabolic parameters were assessed.

Effect of One Unit Blood Donation on Appetite-Related Biomarkers.

Purpose: It is commonly reported that blood donation (BD) leads to an increase in appetite. To investigate this claim, a questionnaire was offered to 306 people who had a history of BD at least once in their life. Following a positive outcome from the questionnaire, we further investigated the impact of BD on appetite.

Structural Changes in the Cerebrum, Cerebellum and Corpus Callosum in Migraine Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the relationship among the cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum in migraine patients.

Methods: This work was conducted with cooperation of the Turgut Özal Medical Faculty, Department of Anatomy and Neurology. Migraine patients were divided into four groups: new patients; 1-5 years; 5-10 years; and, more than 10 years.

One more health benefit of blood donation: reduces acute-phase reactants, oxidants and increases antioxidant capacity.

Background: One of the most important problems in finding blood donors is the inadequacy of volunteer number. To overcome this problem, one of the solutions we suggest is innovating new health benefits of blood donation. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of blood donation on oxidative status markers and acute-phase reactants.

Are progranulin levels associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and its possible metabolic effects in adolescents and young women?

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an important disease that may alter metabolic balances of the whole body. Progranulin is a growth factor which is related to epithelial, neuronal growth and oogenesis. Here, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the levels of Progranulin in the clinical setting of PCOS, and its metabolic effects.

Effects of quercetin on methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Objective: This experimental study was conducted to elucidate the possible protective/therapeutic effects of quercetin against methotrexate (Mtx)-induced kidney toxicity with biochemical and histopathological studies.

Methods: Twenty-four adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups, as follows: control group (saline intraperitoneally (i.p.

Levels of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and platelet-activating factor in recurrent pregnancy loss patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with thrombosis that may contribute to recurrent pregnancy loss (habitual abortion), specifically differences in serum levels of platelet-activating factor and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (carboxypeptidase B2) between women with a history of recurrent miscarriage and those with no recurrent miscarriage history.

Materials And Methods: A case-controlled, prospective study design was adopted to compare women with a history of two or more first-trimester miscarriages (n = 42) with those with no history of recurrent miscarriage (n = 36). Participants were recruited from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Turgut Ozal University Hospital.

The Effects of Valsartan and Amlodipine on the Levels of Irisin, Adropin, and Perilipin.

Background: Hypertension and obesity are two major threats for public health. Up to the present, antihypertensive medications have been used to lower blood pressure, which seem to provide a better life with lower morbidity and mortality rates. Their effect on etiopathogenesis of hypertension is now an area of developing research.

The effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on inflammatory cytokines during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Objectives: To investigate effects of the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) application of 10 cm H2O on the plasma levels of cytokines during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 40 patients who presented to the Department of General Surgery, Medical Faculty, Turgut Özal University, Ankara, Turkey scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy operation during a 10 month period from September 2012 to June 2013. Forty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy operation were randomly divided into 2 groups; ventilation through zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) (0 cm H2O PEEP) (n=20), and PEEP (10 cm H2O PEEP) (n=20).

Wet-cupping removes oxidants and decreases oxidative stress.

Objectives: Wet-cupping therapy is one of the oldest known medical techniques. Although it is widely used in various conditions such as acute\chronic inflammation, infectious diseases, and immune system disorders, its mechanism of action is not fully known. In this study, we investigated the oxidative status as the first step to elucidate possible mechanisms of action of wet cupping.

Cilostazol attenuates spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pretreatment effect of cilostazol on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Design: Prospective, interventional study.

Setting: Research laboratory, single institution.

Effects of the aged garlic extract on spinal cord injury model in rat.

Background: Aged garlic extract (AGE) is a potent antioxidant agent with an established neuroprotective effect in cerebral ischemia. However, the potential protective effect of AGE in spinal cord injury (SCI) is still unknown.

Methods: Spinal cord trauma was applied to 19 adult male Wistar rats using the clip compression method.

Investigation of trace elements in pterygium tissue.

Purpose: In this study, we compare the concentrations of the essential trace elements chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), boron (B) and zinc (Zn) in both pterygium and normal conjunctiva and investigate the role they play in the development of pterygium.

Methods: Included in the study were 38 patients with pterygium and 38 control patients in matching age groups who had been operated on for strabismus or cataracts and in whom conjunctiva samples were collected from the nasal limbus area. All conjunctiva samples were kept at -80 °C until the performance of the biochemical investigations.

Can bile acids be an etiological factor for laryngeal carcinoma?

Purpose: The objective of this study is to show the accumulation of bile acids in laryngeal tissues of laryngeal carcinoma patients.

Materials And Methods: The present study compared the total bile acid level in the hypopharyngeal tissue, tumor tissue, and blood of 21 primary laryngeal carcinoma patients (study group) to that in the hypopharyngeal tissue and blood of 15 patients with benign laryngeal lesions (control group).

Results: The total bile acid level was significantly higher in the tumor and hypopharyngeal tissues of the study group than in the hypopharyngeal tissues of the control group; however, the difference in the blood total bile acid level between the 2 groups was not significant.

Ultrastructural changes in the liver after experimental spinal cord injury in rats: effects of methylprednisolone, immunoglobulin g and albumin.

Aim: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is routinely treated with standardized methyl prednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) dose, so it is reassuring to find its effects on liver. We also evaluated the effects of albumin and immunoglobulin G (Ig G) therapies on liver if they are used in case of experimental SCI.

Material And Methods: The rats were allocated into six groups as control, trauma, vehicle, MPSS, Ig G and albumin consisting 8 rats for each.

Increased lipid peroxidation and impaired enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanism in thyroid tissue with multinodular goiter and papillary carcinoma.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant status of thyroid tissue in patients with multinodular goiter, papillary carcinoma and to compare with their nonpathologic tissues.

Methods: We studied 41 patients with multinodular goiter who underwent surgical treatment. The patients were divided into three groups according to clinical diagnosis.

Nebivolol therapy improves endothelial function and increases exercise tolerance in patients with cardiac syndrome X.

Objective: We sought to determine whether nebivolol affects coronary endothelial function and exercise induced ischemia in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX).

Methods: The study protocol undertaken was based on a single-blind randomized controlled prospective study. After a 2-week washout period, 38 patients with cardiac syndrome X were randomized to receive either nebivolol 5 mg daily (n=19) or metoprolol 50 mg daily (n=19) in a single- blind design for 12 weeks.

A recent evaluation of empirical cephalosporin treatment and antibiotic resistance of changing bacterial profiles in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the recent changes in microorganisms causing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients, antibiotic resistance, and response to empirical cephalosporin therapy. A total of 218 patients with ascites secondary to cirrhosis were enrolled. Parenteral cefotaxime or cefepime was given to patients who had a neutrophil count of 250/mm(3) or more or a positive bacterial culture of ascitic fluid.

The effect of nebivolol treatment on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with cardiac syndrome-X.

Background: Free radical-mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of several disorders. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of treatment with nebivolol on the metabolic state of oxidative stress, and antioxidant status markers in patients with cardiac syndrome-X (CSX), additionally, to compare with the effect of metoprolol treatment.

Methods: Thirty patients, 17 female and 13 male, with CSX were enrolled in the study.

Immunomodulation of acute experimental spinal cord injury with human immunoglobulin G.

Immunomodulation of acute spinal cord injury may inhibit the activity of specific inflammatory cascades and result in recovery of motor function. In this study, evaluation of the protective effect of a well-known anti-inflammatory immunomodulator, immunoglobulin G (IgG), was conducted in rats after a 50 g/cm contusion spinal cord injury. Following injury, 400 mg/kg of IgG was administered to the treatment group.

Carotid intima-media thickness in patients with cardiac syndrome X and its association with high circulating levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine.

Background: The cause of myocardial ischemia and chest pain in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) has been explained by mechanisms including endothelial dysfunction. CSX patients have higher levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and increased mean common carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT). Accordingly, this study was designed to examine C-IMT with its association serum endothelial function parameters in patients with CSX.

The effect of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and their treatment on parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant status.

Background: Free radical-mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of several autoimmune disorders. Also, there is growing evidence supporting the role of reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of thyroid disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and their treatments on the metabolic state of oxidative stress, and antioxidant status markers.