Test-1 analyzer and conventional Westergren method for erythrocyte sedimentation rate: A comparative study between two laboratories.

Background: Measurement of the length of sedimentation reaction in blood (LSRB), also called erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), is a widely used hematology test. This study intends to compare ESR levels measured by Test-1 method and International Council for Standardization in Hematology's (ICSH) reference method, and analyzes the effect of hematocrit (Hct) on ESR results.

Material And Methods: A total of 755 patients from 2 hospitals were included in the study, and samples with EDTA were studied by Test-1 method for ESR measurement and total blood count, whereas citrated samples were studied with reference Westergren method.

Copeptin levels in carbon monoxide poisoning.

Background/aim: The aim of this study is to identify the copeptin levels in patients presenting with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning to the emergency department and to investigate its correlation with the neurological effects.

Materials And Methods: The study group consisted of patients presenting with CO poisoning and carboxyhemoglobin levels >10%. Blood samples for copeptin levels were obtained twice, first at presentation then at the fourth hour of observation.

A case-control study: evaluation of vitamin D metabolism in patients with vitiligo.

Background/aim: Reduced vitamin D is considered as one of the environmental factors that can increase the prevalence of certain autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to assess vitamin D metabolism in patients with vitiligo.

Materials And Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted on 44 consecutive patients with vitiligo vulgaris and 43 healthy controls.

Comparison of four automated serum vitamin B12 assays.

Background: Diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is generally based on the measurement of serum vitamin B12 levels. However, in selected cases functional indices of vitamin B12, such as methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine (HCY), are needed. Here we compare the performance of four automated total vitamin B12 assays and also investigate how these assays relate to functional indices of vitamin B12 status.

Incidence of maternal vitamin D deficiency in a region of Ankara, Turkey: a preliminary study.

Background/aim: To evaluate vitamin D levels and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in healthy newborns and their mothers.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-nine healthy pregnant women (≥ 37 weeks of gestation) were enrolled in the study. Previous history of pregnancies and births, nutritional status, multivitamin supplementation, educational status, type of clothing, and the economic level of the family were recorded.

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori and beta-2 microglobulin in humans.

Unlabelled: H. pylori is related to various gastrointestinal diseases. β₂ Microglobulin (β 2M) is an intrinsic element of major histocompatibility complex (MHC I).

The effect of glycemic control on CEA, CA 19-9, amylase and lipase levels.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is closely related to pancreas cancer. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of hyperglycemia on tumor and inflammation markers, as well as pancreatic exocrine functions.

Methods: A total of 98 consecutive diabetic patients with poor glycemic control, and 50 healthy controls were included in the study.

The association of vitamin D deficiency with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency has been related to diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and peripheral vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of vitamin D status in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methods: We included 211 consecutive subjects to examine the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is a strong predictor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background/aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical term that covers simple fatty liver (SFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a marker of inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between steatosis and hs-CRP in patients with ultrasonographically verified NAFLD.

Methodology: We examined 296 consecutive patients.

Assessment of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) level in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Objectives: Insulin-like growth factor-1 may serve some regulatory function in the immune system. Rheumatic mitral stenosis is related to autoimmune heart valve damage after streptococcal infection. The aim of this study was to assess the level of insulin-like growth factor-1 and its correlation with the Wilkins score in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

C-reactive protein levels are raised in stable Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients independent of smoking behavior and biomass exposure.

Background: The aim of this case control study is to assess the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and well-known clinical parameters in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) considering the impact of smoking behavior, biomass exposure and accompanying clinical entities, namely pulmonary hypertension, systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Spirometry, echocardiography, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements, BODE scores and serum CRP levels were investigated in stable COPD patients. Associations between CRP levels and clinical parameters were evaluated.

The relationship between glycemic control and BNP levels in diabetic patients.

Background: Glycemic control affects cardiovascular risk factors positively. The purpose of this study was to assess B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with poorly controlled diabetes before and after glycemic regulation was achieved.

Methods: The study was performed in a prospective design.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are correlated with mitral valve calcification score in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS) is a chronic disease related to autoimmune heart valve damage after streptococcal infection. Epidemiological evidence supports an association between vitamin D and the susceptibility and severity of autoimmune disorders. The study aim was to assess the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and their correlation with Wilkins calcification score in patients with RMS.

Serum holotranscobalamine, vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine levels in alopecia areata patients.

Alopecia areata has been associated with many autoimmune diseases. There is a common belief that the prevalence of pernicious anemia is increased in patients with alopecia areata. In this study, we sought to investigate vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine metabolism in alopecia areata.

Effect of isotretinoin treatment on plasma holotranscobalamin, vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine levels: non-controlled study.

Isotretinoin (Iso) has been used for the treatment of acne. Some previous studies reported elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels after treatment with Iso. Some side effects have clinical presentations similar to vitamin B12, folic acid deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia.

Elevation of B-type natriuretic peptide level in asymptomatic hepatitis B virus-positive patients is not associated with abnormalities of cardiac function.

Objectives: To compare B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and echocardiographic parameters in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and healthy control subjects.

Subjects And Methods: 52 consecutive patients with HBV and 47 healthy controls were examined. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography after a complete medical history and laboratory examination including BNP, C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP).

Striae gravidarum, vitamin C and other related factors.

Background: Striae gravidarum, a clinical condition commonly seen in pregnant women, produces serious cosmetic problems and may lead to psychological problems.

Aim: The present study investigated whether there was any relation between the presence of striae in primigravid pregnant women and blood vitamin C levels, and factors thought to contribute to the formation of striae such as family history, weight gained during pregnancy, smoking status, abdominal and thigh circumference, and age.

Methods: Overall, 69 primigravid women attending routine antenatal follow-up and, using prophylactic iron and vitamin preparations, underwent investigation.

Vitreous vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in proliferative diabetic retinopathy versus proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: To assess vitreous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in comparison to proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Patients And Methods: Vitreous samples were collected from 69 eyes of 69 patients with traumatic lens dislocation (n = 10), grade B PVR with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n = 13), grade C PVR with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n = 14), PDR with vitreous hemorrhage (n = 18), and PDR with vitreous hemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment (n = 14). Vitreous fluid samples were obtained at vitrectomy, and the levels of VEGF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The metabolic syndrome is associated with complicated gallstone disease.

Background: Gallstone disease (GD) is a common condition worldwide. Several studies demonstrated that the presence of gallstones is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. The metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent cardiovascular condition.

Diet-induced obesity suppresses ghrelin in rat gastrointestinal tract and serum.

The aims of the present study were to examine ghrelin expression in serum and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) tissues, and to measure tissue ghrelin levels and obesity-related alterations in some serum biochemical variables in rats with diet-induced obesity (DIO). The study included 12 male rats, 60 days old. The rats were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 6).

Therapeutic hotline. Does isotretinoin have effect on vitamin D physiology and bone metabolism in acne patients?

Isotretinoin is an effective therapy for severe nodulocystic acne. Several experimental studies suggest that it may have an effect on vitamin D physiology. In the present study, the authors aimed to investigate the effect of isotretinoin treatment on the metabolism of vitamin D in acne patients.

Isotretinoin influences pituitary hormone levels in acne patients.

Besides suppressing sebum production, the exact mechanism of action of isotretinoin in acne vulgaris is not known. Several hormones have been linked to the pathogenesis of acne. In this study, we investigated the effects of isotretinoin on the pituitary-adrenal axis, whose activity may be increased in acne.

Is psoriasis a pre-atherosclerotic disease? Increased insulin resistance and impaired endothelial function in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Several studies have shown an association between psoriasis and atherosclerotic risk factors. In this study, we aimed to evaluate endothelial function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and insulin resistance by Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Methods: We examined 75 consecutive psoriasis patients and 50 healthy controls.

STATIN-D study: comparison of the influences of rosuvastatin and fluvastatin treatment on the levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D.

Several studies have shown that low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease and an increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels protects against cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of rosuvastatin and fluvastatin on vitamin D metabolism. The study population consisted of 134 hyperlipidemic patients who had not previously been treated with lipid lowering medications.

Decreasing brain natriuretic peptide levels after treatment for hyperthyroidism.

BNP are produced in ventricular cardiomyocytes, and secreted in response to volume expansion or pressure overload. The purpose of this study was to assess BNP levels in patients with hyperthyroidism before specific treatment for hyperthyroidism and after euthyroidism was achieved. The study was performed in a prospective design.