Serum leptin levels in gastric cancer patients and the relationship with insulin resistance.

Introduction: Serum leptin levels have been examined in various cancers, with conflicting results. However, there is limited information regarding serum leptin levels and insulin resistance in gastric cancer patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate serum leptin levels, performance status, insulin levels and insulin resistance in patients with gastric cancer.

Relationship between visfatin and some clinical and biochemical parametres in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Objective: To characterise the relationship between visfatin levels and various clinical and biochemical parameters in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Methods: The case-control study was conducted at the Medical Faculty Hospital, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey, between May 2007 and December 2008, and involving 41 patients on peritoneal dialysis, 20 haemodialysis patients and 20 healthy controls. Fasting visfatin level was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorpent assay (ELISA) method, and patients on peritoneal dialysis were separated into two groups according to the visfatin levels - high and low.

Fenofibrate-induced rhabdomyolysis in a patient with stage 4 chronic renal failure due to diabetes mellitus.

Rhabdomyolysis is defined as a pathological condition of skeletal muscle cell damage leading to the release of toxic intracellular components into the circulation. Several factors may lead to rhabdomyolysis. Fenofibrate is a fibric acid derivative agent that is used in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia.

Serum malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase and catalase activities in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Objectives: Some studies have indicated the pathophysiological importance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a leukocyte-derived enzyme-generating ROS that has been proposed to exert a wide array of pro-atherogenic effects throughout all stages of the atherosclerotic process. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, MPO and catalase activities in patients with adult nephrotic syndrome.

A rare cause of massive ascites: familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent fever and peritoneal and pleural inflammation. It is an inherited disorder commonly found in Armenians, Turks, Arabs, Balkans, and Jews originating from North African countries. A small amount of peritoneal fluid collection can be observed during peritoneal attacks in patients with Familial Mediterranean fever, but chronic ascites has been described rarely in these patients.

The prevalence of hereditary hemochromatosis in some men from the Eastern part of Turkey and the effects of H63D mutations on iron studies.

Abstract Background: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is characterized by an increased intestinal absorption of iron due to mutations in iron-related genes. The C282Y and H63D mutations of the HFE gene are principally responsible for HFE-related hemochromatosis. The majority of HH cases are reported in Western countries where HFE-related mutations are common.

Endodermal Sinus Tumor Presented With Ascites: A Case Report.

We report a case of primary endodermal sinus tumor of the omentum which may be the fourth reported case in the English literature. A 19-year-old boy presented with ascites. Analysis of ascites revealed high levels of AFP and CA 125.

A Flare of Ulcerative Colitis Accompanied With Cerebral Sinus Venous Thrombosis And Bilateral Thalamic Infarctus: A Case Report.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory and recurrent disorder that is characterized by bowel inflammation. Some patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) have acute, severe, and sometimes devastating intracranial complications that require immediate medical intervention. Cerebral sinus vein thrombosis is a rare but serious extraintestinal complication associated with ulcerative colitis.

Alveolar echinococcosis of the liver: a single center experience.

Introduction: In humans, alveolar echinococcosis (AE) of the liver is caused by canine tapeworm called Echinococcus multilocularis. The disease is most prevalent in the northern hemisphere and in the eastern part of Turkey.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to review the natural history of AE and its clinical and radiological features.

Skin bleeding time for the evaluation of uremic platelet dysfunction and effect of dialysis.

Introduction: In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) predisposition to bleeding is frequently seen due to disturbances in platelet adhesion and aggregation. Various tests have been utilized to evaluate the disturbance of hemostasis in end-stage renal disease patients. In this trial; we evaluated skin bleeding time in patients admitted to our hospital with uremic symptoms and having hemodialysis (HD) for the first time.

Assessment of internal jugular vein thrombosis due to central venous catheter in hemodialysis patients: a retrospective and prospective serial evaluation with ultrasonography.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of catheter-related internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis, associated factors, and the anatomical variations of IJV in hemodialysis patients.

Material And Methods: Hemodialysis patients were evaluated with B-mode ultrasonography (USG). Participants in the prospective group were evaluated using USG prior to catheter insertion, 10 days after catheter insertion, at the time of catheter removal, and 15 days after removal.

The course of hypercalciuria and related markers of bone metabolism parameters associated with corticosteroid treatment.

Background And Objective: Prolonged corticosteroid (CS) use induces osteoporosis; the pathogenesis of this condition is multifactorial and includes CS-induced hypercalciuria. We investigated the course of hypercalciuria and related markers of bone metabolism parameters during and after the CS treatment.

Materials And Methods: We recruited 42 patients who were taking at least 10 mg/day of methylprednisolone or an equivalent dose of CSs for at least 30 days.

Can renal infarction occur after renal cyst aspiration? Case report.

Renal infarction (RI) is a rarely seen disorder, and the diagnosis is often missed. The two major causes of RI are thromboemboli originhating from a thrombus in the heart or aorta, and in-situ thrombosis of a renal artery. We report a case of RI that developed due to renal artery and vein thrombosis, as confirmed by pathological evaluation of the nephrectomy material, three weeks after renal cyst aspiration.

Fenofibrate-induced rhabdomyolysis in a patient with chronic renal failure due to nephrotic syndrome: a rare case report.

Objectives: Fenofibrate is a fibric acid derivative that is used alone or combination with statins in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. These drugs have potential risks, including rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. Despite reports of rhabdomyolysis with the use of fenofibrate alone or with statin-fibrate combinations, there have been no cases of rhabdomyolysis described when fenofibrate was used alone to treat patients with chronic renal failure owing to nephrotic syndrome.

Serum paraoxonase activity and oxidative stress in patients with adult nephrotic syndrome.

Objective: It has been shown that low paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity is associated with a risk of an early development of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we investigated serum paraoxonase, and arylesterase activities and oxidative stress in patients with adult nephrotic syndrome (NS). In addition, we examined the relationship between these measurements and atherosclerosis.

Relationship between clinicopathologic variables and serum and tissue levels of dickkopf-1 in patients with rectal cancer.

The major biomarker for rectal cancer is the pathologic development of the tumor. In our study, we identified Dikkopf-1 (DKK1) as a novel biomarker and a therapeutic target for rectal cancer. To emphasize the biological and clinicopathologic significance, we performed tumor tissue and serum analysis of 150 rectal cancer samples with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Hepatic Encephalopathy in Connection With Budd-Chiari Syndrome due to Infection With Echinococcus Multilocularis: A Case Report.

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a hepatic venous outflow block generally resulting from disorders affecting hepatic venous system. Elevated hepatic venous pressure results in portal hypertension. BCS may also cause hepatic encephalopathy.

Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 in gastric cancer.

Aim: To evaluate the levels of preoperative serum matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in gastric cancer.

Methods: One hundred gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. The serum concentrations of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in these patients and in fifty healthy controls were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Evaluation of oxidative status in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Data on the antioxidant levels enzyme in patients with hyperthyroidism are limited and conflicting. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the oxidative status using an automated method in patients with hyperthyroidism. Thirty-six subjects with hyperthyroidism and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.

Serum procarboxypeptidase A and carboxypeptidase A levels in pancreatic disease.

Background And Objectives: To determine the serum levels of procarboxypeptidase A (pro-CPA) and carboxypeptidase A (CPA) in patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

Materials And Methods: Serum samples obtained from 96 patients with acute pancreatitis, 101 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 98 patients with pancreatic cancer and 96 control groups were assayed for biochemical parameters and serum pro-CPA and CPA.

Results: Serum pro-CPA and CPA levels were significantly higher in acute and in chronic pancreatic cancer patients compared to control group (p < 0.

Synchronous Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Esophageal Variceal Bleeding due to Idiopathic Portal Hypertension: A Case Report.

Squamous cell carcinomas of esophagus are responsible for more than 80% of esophageal malignancies in Turkey. Idiopathic portal hypertension is a rare underlying cause of esophageal variceal bleeding. In such cases, detection of concomitant esophageal squamous cell cancer is also a rare occurrence.

[Clinical and laboratory features of patients with pericardial effusion].

Objectives: We reviewed patients who were diagnosed to have pericardial effusion (PE) over a four-year period to determine the causes of PE, clinical and laboratory features, and treatment modalities.

Study Design: Medical records of 136 patients (81 women, 55 men; mean age 55.8±18.