Folate and homocysteine metabolisms and their roles in the biochemical basis of neuropsychiatry.

The term 'one-carbon metabolism' is commonly used to describe 3 separate metabolic processes: folate metabolism, the homocysteine remethylation cycle, and the transsulfuration pathway. Folate metabolism concerns the biochemical reactions in which endogenous and exogenous one-carbon units are transferred to tetrahydrofolates. The remethylation cycle is used for the synthesis of methionine from homocysteine with one-carbon units that come from folate.

Comparison of 4 % icodextrin and omega 3 Fatty acids in prevention of peritoneal adhesions.

Postoperative peritoneal adhesions are major concerns in abdominal surgery. In this experimental study, the effects of 4 % icodextrin and omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) on prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions were evaluated. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups.

Trimetazidine significantly reduces cerulein-induced pancreatic apoptosis.

Objective: Acute pancreatitis continues to be associated with significant rates of mortality and morbidity, and therapeutic options are still very limited. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of trimetazidine on cerulein-induced pancreatic apoptosis and histopathological and biochemistrical consequences of acute pancreatitis.

Methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were randomized into four groups (group 1: control group; group 2: acute pancreatitis group; group 3: acute pancreatitis and trimetazidine treatment group; group 4: placebo group).

Effectiveness of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (Anakinra) on cerulein-induced experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.

Aim: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is defined as an inflammatory disease of the pancreas. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Anakinra on cerulein-induced experimental pancreatitis rat model by using the results of biochemical and histopathological findings.

Materials And Methods: Cerulein was administered to induce AP in rats.

Can serum fetuin-A be regarded as an inflammatory marker among patients with familial Mediterranean fever?

Background/aim: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), the most frequent periodic fever syndrome, is an autosomal recessive inherited disease that predominantly affects eastern Mediterranean populations. Fetuin-A is a well known negative acute-phase protein. Studies of this glycoprotein as a marker of inflammation in FMF are limited.

Effects of levobupivacaine on wound healing.

Background: Local anesthetic infiltration along the incision may be used to provide surgical anesthesia or postoperative analgesia. However, the effect of local anesthetics on wound healing remains controversial. In this investigation, we evaluated the effects of levobupivacaine on wound healing.

Prolidase enzyme activity in varicose venous walls related to sperm count in patients with varicocele.

Objectives: To investigate peripheral, seminal and varicose venous wall prolidase enzyme activities and their relationships between sperm parameters in patients with varicocele.

Design And Methods: Prolidase enzyme activities were determined in blood, seminal fluid and varicose vein walls in patients with grade 3 varicocele. Sperm parameters were also measured and the relationships between prolidase enzyme and sperm parameters were assessed by statistical correlation analysis.

Effects of hemoperitoneum on wound healing and fibrinolytic activity in colonic anastomosis.

Background: We aimed to test whether hemoperitoneum has adverse effects on colonic anastomosis healing by increasing fibrinolytic activity.

Methods: After colonic intersection and anastomosis, 20 Wistar Albino rats received intraabdominal injections of either 25 mg/kg blood (10, Group 1) or physiologic saline (10, Group 2). Anastomotic bursting pressures were measured after sacrifice on the fifth day.

Effects of alpha tocopherol and ascorbic acid on Helicobacter pylori colonization and the severity of gastric inflammation.

Background And Aim: We aimed to evaluate the changes in histopathologic features, concentrations of vitamins C and E in gastric mucosa, and total antioxidant capacity of the body after ingestion of ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol in patients with Helicobacter pylori.

Material And Method: Patients with H. pylori-positive nonulcer dyspepsia were included in this study.

Apelin, vaspin, visfatin and adiponectin in large for gestational age infants with insulin resistance.

Objective: To investigate the relation of circulating four adipokines (apelin, vaspin, visfatin, adiponectin) with markers of insulin sensitivity in large for gestational age (LGA) infants.

Patients And Methods: Forty LGA infants (20 LGA born from diabetic mothers and 20 LGA born from non-diabetic mothers) and 34 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants were recruited. Hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio (FGIR), quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICK-I) from fasting samples.

New adipocytokines (vaspin, apelin, visfatin, adiponectin) levels in children treated with valproic acid.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between the newly discovered adipocytokines and increasing body weight (paralleled by increased insulin resistance), and antiepileptic drug therapy with valproic acid (VPA).

Design And Methods: 44 children with idiopathic, generalized epilepsy treated with valproic acid (VPA), and 40 control group children were included in this study.

Results: Both the VPA-treated group and the control group showed no significant difference in terms of age, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol.

Can procalcitonin predict bone infection in people with diabetes with infected foot ulcers? A pilot study.

Aims: The diagnosis of osteomyelitis is a key step of diabetic foot management. Previous studies showed that procalcitonin (PCT), a novel infection marker, is superior to conventional infection markers in the diagnosis of diabetic foot infection. This study aimed to investigate the serum levels of PCT and other conventional infection markers in diabetic persons with and without osteomyelitis.

Diagnostic value of resistin and visfatin, in comparison with C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and interleukin-6 in neonatal sepsis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of resistin and visfatin in neonatal sepsis, and to compare these adipocytokines with C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin and interleukin 6 (IL-6).

Donors And Methods: A total of 62 term or near term infants with sepsis proven by positivity of blood culture, and 43 healthy infants were included in this study.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups as regards birthweight and gestational age.

Renal zinc clearance/glomerular filtration rate ratio as an indicator of marginal zinc deficiency associated with iron deficiency in childhood.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of renal zinc clearance/glomerular filtration rate ratio (R(ClZn)/GFR) as an indicator of marginal zinc deficiency that is generally associated with iron deficiency in childhood.

Methods: Zinc status was evaluated in 36 iron-deficient children (22 boys and 14 girls) who ranged in age from 1 to 10 years using serum zinc concentration and U(Zn/Cr) and R(ClZn)/GFR ratios. The results were compared with the zinc status of 36 similar-aged healthy children (24 boys and 12 girls).

Elevated plasma levels of apelin in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Apelin is a novel adipocytokine produced by white adipose tissue that binds the APJ receptor with high affinity. Insulin may have a role in regulation of apelin synthesis and secretion from the adipose tissue.

Objective: To investigate blood apelin concentrations in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and display association of apelin with adiponectin, body mass index (BMI), lipids and insulin sensitivity.

Dilatation of the ascending aorta is associated with low serum prolidase activity.

The pathogenesis of ascending aortic aneurysm (AAA) involves many factors; elastin degradation could lead to initial dilation, and changes in the collagen structure predispose the aneurysm to rupture. Prolidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the final step of collagen breakdown by liberating free proline for collagen recycling. The enzyme activity may be a step-limiting factor in the regulation of collagen biosynthesis.

The relationship between coronary calcification and the metabolic markers of osteopontin, fetuin-A, and visfatin.

Objectives: We investigated whether coronary calcification detected by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) was correlated with plasma osteopontin, serum fetuin-A, and visfatin levels.

Study Design: The study included 64 consecutive patients (51 males, 13 females; mean age 49.5+/-10.

Covering the colon anastomoses with amniotic membrane prevents the negative effects of early intraperitoneal 5-FU administration on anastomotic healing.

Purpose: This study investigated whether covering the colonic anastomoses with amniotic membrane (AM) protects the anastomotic healing from the adverse effects of immediate 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) administration.

Methods: One hundred twenty wistar albino rats were randomized to one of four groups (I-IV, 30 rats in each) and underwent a standardized left colon resection and anastomoses. The anastomoses of the rats in groups II (AM) and IV (5-FU + AM) were covered with AM.

Cord plasma concentrations of visfatin, adiponectin and insulin in healthy term neonates: positive correlation with birthweight.

Objective: The aims of this study were to examine the relationships between adiponectin, insulin, visfatin and weight at birth in healthy term infants.

Design And Methods: Anthropometric parameters including weight, length were measured and plasma lipid profiles, insulin, visfatin and adiponectin concentrations in cord blood samples from 50 LGA and 50 AGA singleton infants born at term after uncomplicated pregnancies were assayed.

Results: Mean visfatin and adiponectin levels were significantly higher in the LGA group than AGA group (11.