The Relationship Between ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 Enzyme Levels in Patients With Degenerative Disc Disease: A Prospective Biochemical Study.

Study Design: Prospective biochemical study of comparison of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4) and A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) levels in preoperative and postoperative venous blood, as well as in disc tissue obtained during surgery, in patients undergoing surgery for intervertebral disc disease, with enzyme levels in venous blood from a control group.

Objective: To compare the levels of ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 between patients with degenerative intervertebral discs and a healthy control group, aiming to identify biomarkers associated with intervertebral disc degeneration.

Literature: Although numerous studies have investigated the relationship between ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 enzymes and degeneration in experimental rat models and human tissues, no study has correlated their serum levels with intervertebral disc degeneration.

Does remote ischemic preconditioning affect the systemic inflammatory response by modulating presepsin levels?

Objective: We investigated the effect of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning (RIPC) on the inflammatory response during CPB by means of serum presepsin levels at preoperative and postoperative 1st and 24th h.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, cross-sectional study we included 81 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Patients were randomized and RIPC was applied to 40 patients in the study group before anesthesia.

The relationship between ultrasonographically measured testicular volumes and cord blood inhibin B concentrations in healthy term male neonates.

Serum inhibin B (INHB) concentrations are associated with testicular volumes (TV) in all periods of childhood. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between TV measured by ultrasonography (US) and cord blood inhibin B and total testosterone (TT) concentrations, stratified by mode of delivery. In total 90 male infants were included.

Immunohistochemical determination of mTOR pathway molecules in ovaries and uterus in rat estrous cycle stages.

mTOR is a member of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway that participates in cell growth, proliferation, protein synthesis, transcription, angiogenesis, apoptosis and autophagy. mTOR and MAPK pahways are two important key signal pathways which are related to each other. We investigated the role of mTOR and other signaling molecules in rat ovaries and uteruses in stages of the estrous cycle.

Examination of plasma zonulin levels in bipolar I disorder: a case-control study with follow-up.

There is an accumulation in studies which strive to reveal zonulin's potential role in mental disorders. To date, one cross-sectional recent study examined zonulin in patients with bipolar disorders (BDs); however, its role still remains vague due to high fluctuation. Our aims are to determine plasma zonulin levels in exacerbation and treatment response periods, and to examine the associations between zonulin and symptom severity in BD.

Metoclopramide use to induce lactation can alter DRD2 and BDNF in the prefrontal cortex of offspring.

Metoclopramide, used as an anti-emetic drug in clinical practice, has recently also begun being used to establish hyperprolactinemic effects in breastfeeding. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential side-effects of metoclopramide applied in the lactation period in the central nervous system of offspring rats. Eighteen female albino Wistar rats that had just given birth were divided into three groups together with their pups, healthy controls, low-dose metoclopramide (10 mg/kg, twice per day i.

The evaluation of pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with laryngeal neoplasms.

Introduction: Systemic inflammatory biomarkers are promising predictive and prognostic factors for solid cancers. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio are used to predict inflammation and used as biomarker in several malignancies.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the diagnostic, predictive and prognostic role of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with laryngeal neoplasms.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine levels and diabetes duration: Relationship with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiac function in children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in young patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus according to diabetes duration and to examine the relationship between these levels and measures of atherosclerosis and myocardial function.

Materials And Methods: In total, 83 patients (8.5-22 years) with Type 1 diabetes mellitus were stratified by diabetes duration: 12-60 months (Group 1, n = 27), >60-120 months (Group 2, n = 29) and >120 months (Group 3, n = 27).

Secondhand tobacco smoke and severity in wheezing children: Nasal oxidant stress and inflammation.

Objectives: Prenatal and postnatal smoke exposures are associated with many lung diseases in children due to impaired lung function, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress. We aimed to determine the influence of secondhand tobacco smoke exposure on the levels of nasal glutathione, IL-8, IL-17, MMP-9, and TIMP-1, as well as serum surfactant protein-D (SP-D) in wheezy children.

Methods: We enrolled 150 children with recurrent wheezing and recorded wheezing characteristics at enrollment.

Analysis of the association of chronic spontaneous urticaria with interlekin-4, -10, transforming growth factor-β1, interferon-γ, interleukin-17A and -23 by autologous serum skin test.

Aim: To contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) by identifying its relationship with autoimmunity and cytokines using the autologous serum skin test (ASST) and peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture (PBMC) method.

Material And Methods: Interleukins (IL)-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), interferon (IFN)-, IL-17A, and IL-23 levels in cell supernatants obtained by the PBMC method were measured using ELISA. Disease activity was assessed by determining the urticaria activity score (UAS).

No relation between EFHC2 gene polymorphism and Idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Background: Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) is an epilepsy form without an underlying brain lesion or neurological indication or symptom. Recent investigations on the genetic origins of IGE and its subtypes report that certain mutations of various ion and non-ion channels genes in the central nervous system may be associated with IGE.

Purpose: In this study we evaluated the relation between IGE and S430Y polymorphism in EFHC2 gene in a Turkish population.

Immune and inflammatory role of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and fluid gelatin in patients undergoing coronary surgery.

Objectives: Compare the effects on inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10) and immunologic (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD11b(+), CD16(+)/56(+) T cells and total lymphocyte concentration) variables of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4, 4% modified fluid gelatin, or crystalloid when used as volume replacement fluids for acute normovolemic hemodilution (a blood conservation technique) in coronary artery bypass graft patients.

Methods: Thirty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were randomized to receive Isolyte S® (Group ISO), 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.

Oxidative stress in schizophrenia: a case-control study on the effects on social cognition and neurocognition.

Background: Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder that presents impairments in neurocognition and social cognition. Several studies have suggested that the etiology of schizophrenia can be partly explained by oxidative stress. However, our knowledge about the implications of oxidative stress on illness-related cognitive deficits is still far from being clear.

Oxidative stress markers, cognitive functions, and psychosocial functioning in bipolar disorder: an empirical cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress markers and cognitive functions and domains of psychosocial functioning in bipolar disorder.

Methods: Oxidative stress markers, cognitive functions, and domains of psychosocial functioning were evaluated in 51 patients with bipolar disorder who were in remission. Correlation analyses between these parameters were calculated with data controlled for duration of illness and number of episodes.

Peripheral Mononuclear Response to Antigenic Stimulation in Children with Obese Asthma Phenotype.

An investigation of immunopathogenetic mechanisms of obesity-associated asthma may demonstrate novel therapeutic targets. The aim of this study was to compare levels of T-helper lymphocyte (Th)1, Th2, regulatory T lymphocyte (Treg), and Th17 cytokines secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture (PBMC) in response to nonspecific stimulation in obese and nonobese children with asthma. Obese and nonobese children with asthma aged 5-16 were enrolled into this case-control study consecutively.

Elevated glucose level at 30 minutes during an oral glucose tolerance test in obese adolescents: a new disorder of glucose tolerance.

We observed glucose levels >140 mg/dL measured at 30 minutes (min) during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in some obese patients. We aimed to investigate the significance of this finding by comparing lipid profiles, insulin resistance indices, and systemic inflammatory mediators between obese adolescents with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and elevated glucose levels at 30 min. The study involved 80 obese (body mass index >95(th) percentile for age and sex) adolescents (48 female, 32 male) between 11 and 16 years of age.

Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid levels and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism in vitiligo.

The aim of this study was to determine serum vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine (Hcy) levels as well as MTHFR (C677, A1298C) gene polymorphisms in patients with vitiligo, and to compare the results with healthy controls. Forty patients with vitiligo and 40 age and sex matched healthy subjects were studied. Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Role of adipokines and hormones of obesity in childhood asthma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of leptin, ghrelin, and adiponectin in obese and non-obese children with asthma and in healthy non-asthmatic children, and analyze their relationships with clinical outcomes.

Methods: This study enrolled 40 obese and 51 non-obese children with asthma and 20 healthy children. Body mass index and serum leptin, ghrelin, and adiponectin levels were determined in all children.

Inflammatory marker levels in obese adolescents with glucose intolerance: increased chitotriosidase activity.

Objectives: Existence of low grade persistent inflammation in obese children may increase the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular events. The aim was to determine whether glucose intolerance has an influence on inflammatory markers in obese adolescents.

Designs And Methods: 45 obese adolescents (mean BMI: 30.

Regulatory-T, T-helper 1, and T-helper 2 cell differentiation in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis with olive pollen sensitivity.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a disease in which T-helper (Th)2 response is predominant and its pathogenic mechanism is still poorly understood.

Aim: To evaluate the possible role of Th1, Th2 and regulatory-T (Treg) cells in the pathogenesis of AR.

Methods: This case-control study enrolled 41 patients with seasonal AR (10-62 years old), sensitive to olive pollens, and 15 healthy controls (18-60 years old).

Is genetic screening necessary for determining the possibility of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients?

Objective: To determine the risk of an association with some genetic polymorphisms involved in venous thromboembolism (VTE) gene variations (FVL, FV H1299R, FII G20210A, MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, PAI-1 4G/5G, β-fibrinogen -455 G → A, FXIII Val34Leu and GpIIIa HPA-1a) in cancer patients.

Subjects And Methods: Among 78 cancer patients, 28 who had proven first episode of VTE were selected as the patient group, with 50 control samples selected from age-, sex- and body mass index-matched healthy volunteers (healthy group). The differences in frequency of genetic polymorphisms were found to be statistically insignificant between these two groups.

Effects of allergen-specific immunotherapy on functions of helper and regulatory T cells in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Background: Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is characterized by a helper T (Th)2 cell-mediated immune response at the target site. There is a relative Th1 and/or regulatory T (Treg) cell insufficiency in patients with SAR. It has been demonstrated that there is a change in the balance between these cells after allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT), which is a curative treatment modality for this disease.

Oxidative stress impairs endothelial nitric oxide levels in Behçets' disease.

Background: Behçet's disease (BD) is an inflammatory vasculitis. Endogenous nitric oxide (NO), produced by endothelial cells, has pleiotropic effects such as vasodilatator, antiplatelet, antiproliferative. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced at sites of endothelial inflammation.

Effects of physical exercise on lung injury and oxidant stress in children with asthma.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of exercise training on oxidative stress and markers of lung inflammation in children with asthma.

Methods: Thirty children aged 8-13 years diagnosed with asthma were enrolled in the study as well as 13 healthy children. One group received only pharmacological treatment and the other group was also enrolled in an exercise programme.