Management of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure with Volume Overload.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a global health problem. Like most chronic diseases, HF also courses with acute exacerbations, which have been found to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A substantial proportion of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients clinically present with volume overload.

The acute cardiorespiratory effects of centrally injected arachidonic acid; the mediation of prostaglandin E, D and F.

Arachidonic acid (AA), which is released from synaptic membrane phospholipid by neuroreceptor-initiated activation of phospholipase A, is abundant in the brain and works as a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator in the central nervous system. Recently we reported that centrally injected AA generated pressor and hyperventilation effects by activating thromboxane A (TXA) signaling pathway. The present study was designed to investigate the mediation of other metabolites of AA such as prostaglandin (PG) D, PGE and PGF alongside TXA in the AA-evoked cardiorespiratory effects in anaesthetized rats.

Anti-Hyperglycemic Agents for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Role in Cardioprotection During the Last Decade.

Type 2 diabetic patients are known to have a tendency to develop cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD), and related unfavourable outcomes such as heart failure, myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular events (e.g. stroke), and related mortality.

Immunohistochemical localization of irisin in mole rats (Spalax leucodon).

Irisin was first identified in skeletal muscle cells. It is an exercise protein that is secreted into the circulation; it causes conversion of white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue. We investigated irisin immunoreactivity in mole rat (Spalax leucodon) tissues.

The effect of chronic constipation on the development of inguinal herniation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of constipation on the development of inguinal herniation and type of herniation using the Constipation severity scale.

Methods: A total of 100 patients who underwent surgical inguinal hernia repair (study group) and 100 healthy volunteers without inguinal herniation (control group) were included in this study. The constipation severity scale was administered to all patients.

Electroencephalographic identifiers of motor adaptation learning.

Objective: Recent brain-computer interface (BCI) assisted stroke rehabilitation protocols tend to focus on sensorimotor activity of the brain. Relying on evidence claiming that a variety of brain rhythms beyond sensorimotor areas are related to the extent of motor deficits, we propose to identify neural correlates of motor learning beyond sensorimotor areas spatially and spectrally for further use in novel BCI-assisted neurorehabilitation settings.

Approach: Electroencephalographic (EEG) data were recorded from healthy subjects participating in a physical force-field adaptation task involving reaching movements through a robotic handle.

Investigation of procalcitonin, IL-6, oxidative stress index (OSI) plasma and tissue levels in experimental mild and severe pancreatitis in rats.

Aim: This study was planned to evaluate blood and tissue levels of procalcitonin, IL-6 and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI), which have a role in the pathophysiology of inflammation, in rats with experimental mild and severe pancreatitis.

Material And Methods: Thirty male Wistar Albino rats were included in the study and the rats were equally divided into the three groups. After 1, 5 and 24 hours, blood was obtained from the tail of all rats and samples were taken from pancreas tissue after 24 hours.

Orienting reaction may help recognition of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

Objective: Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are abrupt, paroxysmal changes in behavior or consciousness that may phenomenologically resemble epileptic seizures. Given the known association between anxiety and PNES, we hypothesized that in these subjects there may be evidence that the nervous system is hypersensitive to external stimuli. We aimed to test our hypothesis by means of the auditory startle reaction (ASR).

Serum galectin-3 level as a marker of thrombogenicity in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV) and presence of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) have been reported to be predictors of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Galectin-3 is a biomarker reflecting pro-inflammatory status, whose role in AF has recently drawn attention, particularly in persistent AF population.

Aim: In this study we aimed to investigate the association between serum galectin-3 levels and echocardiographic predictors of thromboembolism in persistent AF patients.

Is thyroid autoimmunity itself associated with psychological well-being in euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Recent studies imply that euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) might be related with impaired HRQoL, depression and anxiety. Ninety three patients with euthyroid HT and 31 age- and gender-matched euthyroid control subjects were enrolled into this study. SF-36 questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory tests were used for evaluating HRQoL, depression and anxiety.

Giant J (Osborn) Wave due to Bonsai Abuse: Comments on Clinical Practice.

Background: Osborn wave, typically associated with hypothermia, is currently referred to as one of the J wave syndromes due to its clinical potential to develop lethal cardiac arrhythmia; it may rarely be observed in a non-hypothermic setting such as cannabis abuse.

Case Report: In this paper, we presented two young cases who presented to the emergency services with unconsciousness, drowsiness, and hypoxia, and also J wave on electrocardiography (ECG) due to Bonsai abuse.

Conclusion: Osborn wave may be a significant criterion to initiate close monitoring in a coronary care unit, with supportive treatment and mechanical ventilation as necessary in those patients who abuse Bonsai.

Targeted delivery of paclitaxel and doxorubicin to cancer xenografts via the nanoparticle of nano-diamino-tetrac.

The tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) component of nano-diamino-tetrac (NDAT) is chemically bonded via a linker to a poly(lactic--glycolic acid) nanoparticle that can encapsulate anticancer drugs. Tetrac targets the plasma membrane of cancer cells at a receptor on the extracellular domain of integrin αvβ3. In this study, we evaluate the efficiency of NDAT delivery of paclitaxel and doxorubicin to, respectively, pancreatic and breast cancer orthotopic nude mouse xenografts.

The value of prolidase enzyme in rats with experimentally induced mild and severe pancreatitis.

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis is basically considered as activation of inactive proenzymes in the pancreas and digestion of the gland itself. This study was performed to determine if prolidase enzyme, which plays a role in collagen metabolism, could be used as a parameter to assess the severity of pancreatitis in experimentally induced mild and severe pancreatitis.

Material And Method: To create experimentally induced acute pancreatitis 0.

Pulmonary vein anatomy and its variations in a Turkish atrial fibrillation cohort undergoing cryoballoon-based catheter ablation.

Objective: Pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy has drawn attention since assumption that atrial fibrillation (AF) may originate from PVs and that electrical isolation of PVs may be beneficial in eliminating these triggers. The present study aims to investigate PV anatomy and its variations in a sample of Turkish patients undergoing PV isolation (PVI) for AF.

Methods: 250 patients underwent multidetector computed tomography before cryoballoon-based PVI for AF.

Targeted delivery of cisplatin to tumor xenografts via the nanoparticle component of nano-diamino-tetrac.

Aim: Nano-diamino-tetrac (NDAT) targets a receptor on integrin αvβ3; αvβ3 is generously expressed by cancer cells and dividing endothelial cells and to a small extent by nonmalignant cells. The tetrac (tetraiodothyroacetic acid) of NDAT is covalently bound to a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle that encapsulates anticancer drugs. We report NDAT delivery efficiency of cisplatin to agent-susceptible urinary bladder cancer xenografts.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) determined by pine needles and semipermeable membrane devices along an altitude profile in Taurus Mountains, Turkey.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed at different altitudes of Taurus Mountains in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD) and in half-, one-and-a-half-, and two-and-a-half-year-old pine needles. SPMDs were deployed for three different exposure periods: March to September (Summer), September to March (Winter), and March to March (whole year) at eight sites where needle samples were collected. The values of PAHs in needles were between 4.

Self-assembly of green tea catechin derivatives in nanoparticles for oral lycopene delivery.

Lycopene is a natural anti-oxidant that has attracted much attention due to its varied applications such as protection against loss of bone mass, chronic diseases, skin cancer, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular disease. However, high instability and extremely low oral bioavailability limit its further clinical development. We selected a green tea catechin derivative, oligomerized (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (OEGCG) as a carrier for oral lycopene delivery.

Irisin and Myostatin Levels in Patients with Graves' Disease.

Background And Aims: Skeletal muscle system, which is one of the primary targets for thyroid hormones, has an important role in energy metabolism. Some myokines such as irisin and myostatin have considerable effects on energy metabolism in addition to the musculoskeletal system. Our aim was to investigate circulating irisin and myostatin levels in patients with Graves' Disease (GD).

A Very Rare Case of Co-Existence of Cor Triatriatum Sinister and Left Pulmonary Vein Atresia.

Cor triatriatum sinister (CTS) is a rare congenital abnormality. Clinical presentation of patients with CTS mainly depends on the anatomic features of membrane and may vary from mild or moderate symptoms mimicking mitral stenosis to more severe and complicated cardioembolic stroke or a new onset heart failure. We herein have reported on a young male who presented with the signs and symptoms of mitral stenosis and was diagnosed as CTS with gradient on the orifice of the membrane after transthrocacic echocardiography.

Association of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with the Severity and Morphology of Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaques Detected by Multidetector Computerized Tomography.

Background: Studies have demonstrated a consistent relationship between white blood cell (WBC) counts and coronary artery disease (CAD). The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been considered as a potential marker for identifying individuals under risk of CAD and associated events. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether NLR was associated with the severity and morphology of coronary atherosclerotic plaques shown by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Isotretinoin increased carotid intima-media thickness in acne patients.

Background: Isotretinoin (Iso) in acne treatment may cause dyslipidemia and increase in liver enzymes. Moreover, its effect on lipid and glucose metabolism may induce atherosclerotic complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), osteopontin (OPN), lipid, high sensitive C-reaktive protein (hs-CRP) levels, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in acne patients before and after Iso treatment.

Traditional and Alternative Therapies for Refractory Angina.

Refractory angina (RFA) is an unfavourable condition that is characterized with persistent angina due to reversible myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease that remains uncontrollable despite an optimal combination of pharmacological agents and revascularization. Despite significant advances in revascularization techniques and agents used in pharmacological therapy, there is still a significant population suffering from RFA and the global prevalence is even increasing. Anti- anginal treatment and secondary risk-factor modification are the traditional approaches for this group of patients.

Successful Use of Tocilizumab in a Patient with Coexisting Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ulcerative Colitis.

Tocilizumab is an interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor licensed for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report a case of Tocilizumab monotherapy for severe active RA in a patient with coexisting ulcerative colitis (UC). The patient was intolerant to multiple disease-modifying drugs, so Tocilizumab monotherapy was commenced.