Fosfomycin: a good alternative drug for prostate biopsy prophylaxis the results of a prospective, randomized trial with respect to risk factors.

Purpose: To determine the risk factors and the efficiency of rectal swab samples to prevent infectious complications in prostate biopsy, and compare fosfomycin with ciprofloxacin use in prophylaxis.

Materials And Methods: Between May and October 2014, pre-biopsy risk factors and their effect in ciprofloxacin and fosfomycin prophylaxis were determined. Pre-biopsy urinalysis, urine culture and rectal swab samples were obtained from all of the patients.

Serum levels of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein are independently associated with left ventricular mass and myocardial performance index in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the cross-sectional association between serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) level and diagnosis or severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and some echocardiographic indices related with cardiac dysfunction.

Methods: In this study, plasma A-FABP and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations were measured, and echocardiography was performed in subjects without any cardiac or pulmonary disease who were referred for evaluation of OSAS. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), subjects were classified into 3 groups: control group (AHI <5; n = 33), mild to moderate OSAS (30 > AHI ≥ 5; n = 30), and severe OSAS (AHI ≥ 30; n = 31).

Assessment of anti-sperm antibodies in couples after testicular sperm extraction.

Purpose: Testicular spermatozoa can be retrieved successfully by the testicular sperm extraction (TESE) procedure and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Disruption in the blood-testis barrier can lead to the production of antisperm antibodies (ASA). The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the frequency of ASA formation in couples after TESE procedure.

Plasma fibroblast growth factor-23 levels are independently associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) has been suggested to play a role in vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) assessment and common carotid artery (CCA) plaque identification using ultrasound are well-recognized tools for identification and monitoring of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to test that elevated FGF-23 levels might be associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Serum fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels are independently associated with left ventricular mass and myocardial performance index in maintenance haemodialysis patients.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is a phosphorus-regulating substance. Circulating FGF-23 levels increase markedly in dialysis patients and are independently associated with increased risk of mortality. Given the fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in dialysis patients, the aim of this study was to test if elevated FGF-23 levels might be associated with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular index of myocardial performance (MPI) in maintenance haemodialysis patients.

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections in Turkish hemodialysis patients.

Background And Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Although their exact prevalence is not known, HBV and HCV viral infections and occult viral hepatitis are frequent in these patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of occult HBV and HCV infections in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Changes in antibody titers against Chlamydia pneumoniae after coronary angioplasty.

Objectives: The potential role of common infectious agents in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis has been studied increasingly over the last decade. The evidence for Chlamydia pneumoniae as a potential causative agent is strong and is based on the findings of numerous sero-epidemiological studies, examination of atheromatous plaque specimens, in vitro animal models. We performed a prospective study in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) patients to investigate whether the angioplasty procedure influenced the specific humoral immune response reaction against C.