The effect of hemodialysis on cardiac enzyme levels and echocardiographic parameters.

Background: Cardiac troponins are specific and sensitive markers of myocardial damage. Troponin levels may increase without an obvious active cardiac disease in hemodialysis patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of a single hemodialysis session on echocardiographic parameters and cardiac enzyme levels, including cTn-I, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB).

Lack of nephrotoxicity of gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced non-vascular MRI and MRI without contrast agent in patients at high-risk for acute kidney injury.

Background: Gadolinium chelates (GCs) have been traditionally considered as non-nephrotoxic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast materials. However, it has been suggested in some recent articles that GCs may have a nephrotoxic potential, but most of these reports are retrospective. However, the evaluated contrast agents, their doses, and the tests used to determine the kidney function were not consistent across studies.

Community-acquired hypernatremia in elderly and very elderly patients admitted to the hospital: clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Background: The clinical features, outcome and cost burden of community-acquired hypernatremia (CAH) in elderly and very elderly patients are not well known. Our aim was to investigate the etiologies, reasons for admission, clinical courses, outcomes, complications, and cost assessments of the elderly patients with CAH.

Material/methods: We conducted a retrospective study in our tertiary hospital.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced severe hyponatremia.

Hyponatremia (serum sodium level, <135 mmol/L) occasionally may develop in the course of treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are usually used in daily clinical practice. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs diminish the normal inhibitory effect of prostaglandins on the activity of antidiuretic hormone and can therefore reduce free water excretion, leading to water retention and induction or exacerbation of hyponatremia. In this report, we present a case of hyponatremia in a 78-year-old man who had received meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Peripheral lymphocyte DNA damage and oxidative status after eradication therapy in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori.

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infection has been shown to cause inflammation, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and oxidative DNA damage in the gastric mucosa. However, the effect of eradication treatment on DNA damage in patients infected with H. pylori is unclear.

Development of high-output heart failure after correction of central venous occlusion: a case report.

Temporary or permanent central venous catheter (CVC) insertion has been performed frequently for hemodialysis treatment. One of the most important long-term complications of CVC is the central venous occlusion (CVO). Treatment of CVO consists of percutaneous angioplasty (PTA), PTA and stent implantation, or surgical procedure for resistant occlusions.

Serum paraoxonase enzyme activity and oxidative stress in obese subjects.

Introduction: Obesity is an important risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) may play a significant role in the prevention of obesity-related accelerated atherosclerosis by hydrolyzing lipid peroxides in oxidized low-density lipoproteins.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate PON1 and arylesterase enzyme activities and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels, and to investigate whether there is increased susceptibility to atherogenesis in obese subjects, which might be reflected by increased oxidative stress and decreased PON1 activity.

Peripheral lymphocyte DNA damage and oxidative stress in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a fairly common chronic inflammatory disorder. Chronic inflammation may contribute to the risk of colorectal cancer through the accumulation of specific products resulting from DNA damage. Previous studies reported that DNA damage and oxidative stress play a significant role in the pathophysiology of UC, but the results are inconsistent.

The influence of hemodialysis membrane permeability on serum paraoxonase-1 activity and oxidative status parameters.

We aimed to measure oxidative stress parameters and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) enzyme activities in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients and to investigate whether HD membrane permeability has any influence on those measures. Forty-seven HD patients and 24 controls were enrolled. At the first step of the study, all HD patients had undergone HD treatment via "low-flux" membranes for 4 weeks.

The effect on serum myeloperoxidase activity and oxidative status of eradication treatment in patients Helicobacter pylori infected.

Objectives: Myeloperoxidase activity has been investigated after eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in infected patients in previous studies but the results are controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate effect on serum myeloperoxidase activity and oxidative status of eradication treatment in H.

Evaluation of oxidative status in iron deficiency anemia through total antioxidant capacity measured using an automated method.

Objective: Oxidative stress, an increase in oxidants and/or a decrease in antioxidant capacity, is one of the potential biochemical mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of iron deficiency anemia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the oxidative status and to determine whether there is any relationship between oxidative status and the severity of anemia in patients with iron deficiency anemia using an automated method.

Methods: Twenty-six subjects with iron deficiency anemia and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the present study.

Peripheral DNA damage in active pulmonary tuberculosis.

In pulmonary tuberculosis patients, little is known about peripheral DNA damage, although increased oxidative stress is a well documented entity. Therefore, we aimed to investigate DNA damage along with oxidative status parameters in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Twenty-seven pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 26 controls were included.

Risk factors for infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria in patients with solid tumours.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the risk factors for healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in patients with solid tumours.

Methods: This retrospective study was performed in the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Mersin Teaching and Research Medical Centre, between January 2004 and December 2008. SPSS version 11.

Pulmonary hypertension in hemodialysis patients without arteriovenous fistula: the effect of dialyzer composition.

Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) increases mortality rate in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Numerous clinical, hemodynamic, and metabolic abnormalities have been suggested to be associated with the development of PHT in HD patients. We aimed to investigate the acute effects of two different dialyzer membranes on pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) throughout a HD session in maintenance HD patients.

Serum prolidase enzyme activity and its relation to histopathological findings in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate serum prolidase enzyme activity and to find out its association with liver biopsy specimens' histopathological findings in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Thirty-six patients with biopsy-proven NASH and 29 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum prolidase enzyme activity was measured spectrophotometrically.

Successful treatment of resistant antiglomerular basement membrane antibody positivity with mycophenolic acid.

Anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibody disease may progress to end-stage renal failure, requiring either dialysis or renal transplantation. In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to anti-GBM-ab disease, the recurrence rate after transplantation is as high as 50% (2) and delaying renal transplantation until circulating anti-GBM antibody levels have been undetectable for at least 12 months reduces the recurrence rate to 5-15%. We report a case of ESRD due to renal limited anti-GBM disease with circulating anti-GBM-ab resistant to standard treatment approach who achieved undetectable anti-GBM-ab with mycophenolic acid.

The influence of omentectomy on bacterial clearance: an experimental study.

Background: The influence of an omentectomy on peritoneal defense mechanisms and its clinical consequences have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the influence of omentectomy on bacterial growth in blood and tissue specimen cultures in rats with experimental peritonitis.

Methods: Fifty Wistar-Albino rats were included in the present study.

Serum stem cell factor level in renal transplant recipients with posttransplant erythrocytosis.

The etiology of posttransplant erythrocytosis (PTE) remains unclear, and the most frequently suggested causative factors are still a matter of controversy. We aimed to investigate serum-soluble stem cell factor (sSCF) along with serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) with PTE. Thirteen RTRs with PTE, 42 RTRs without PTE, and 42 healthy controls were included.

Unusual aortic localization of a malignant epithelial tumor metastasis of unknown origin.

Both primary aortic tumors and aortic metastasis of primary cancers is extremely rare. In most cases, diagnosis is established late in the course of the disease and management is challenging. We present a unique case of a 68-year-old woman with an unusual aortic localization of a metastasis of unknown origin.

Nephrotic-range proteinuria with small glomerular fibrillary deposits in a patient on diphenylhydantoin treatment.

Background: Although the exact role of the diphenylhydantoin treatment on the immune system is still unclear, prolonged administration of diphenylhydantoin has been suggested to be associated with immune-based disorders and syndromes.

Case Report: A case of fibrillary glomerulonephritis associated with DPH treatment is reported. This is the first reported case of fibrillary glomerulonephritis associated with this commonly used common anticonvulsive drug.

The relationship between leptin level and oxidative status parameters in hemodialysis patients.

Both serum leptin level and oxidative stress are increased in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether there is association between oxidative status and leptin level in HD patients. Thirty-five HD patients and 25 healthy controls were enrolled in the present study.

Crataegus orientalis associated multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction and acute renal failure.

Patients, especially those with chronic disease and disorders are increasingly relying on complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAMT). Because the use of CAMT is escalating worldwide, it is essential to be aware of the clinical and adverse effects, doses and potential drug-herb interactions. Crataegus orientalis or hawthorn is a small tree with red fruits.