Diagnostic importance of S100A9 and S100A12 in breast cancer.

Background: The most frequent cause of cancer deaths throughout the world is breast cancer (BC). Therefore, preventing, diagnosing and treating BC has gained importance. S100 protein probably plays an important role in carcinogenesis, cancer development, and metastasis.

Evaluation of Serum Interleukin-17 (IL-17) Levels as a Diagnostic Marker in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Inflammatory cytokines modulate immune responses in the tumor microenvironment during progression. The role of interleukin (IL-17) in cancer is currently under debate. This study was conducted to investigate the serum levels of IL-17 in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) and the relationship with tumor progression and known prognostic parameters.

Serum galactomannan levels in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.

Background/aims: In this study, the sensitivity-specificity of galactomannan-enzyme immunoassay (GM-EIA) with a cut-off value of 0.5 for a single, two, or three consecutive positivity in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancy was investigated.

Methods: IPA was classified as "proven," "probable," or "possible" as described in the guidelines prepared by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Mycoses Study Group.

The relationship between glycated hemoglobin and blood glucose levels of 75 and 100 gram oral glucose tolerance test during gestational diabetes diagnosis.

Objective: The diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an important issue in terms of prevention of maternal and fetal complications. In our study we aimed to evaluate the relation of HbA1c and blood glucose levels of 75 and 50-100 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in pregnant patients who were screened for GDM.

Materials And Methods: The parameters of 913 pregnant women screened for GDM are evaluated retrospectively.

The Relationship of Serum Hemojuvelin and Hepcidin Levels with Iron Overload in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background And Aims: Mild iron overload is frequently reported in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepcidin is the master iron-regulatory peptide and hemojuvelin (HJV) is the key regulator of iron-dependent secretion of hepcidin. The aims of this study were to evaluate serum HJV and hepcidin levels in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD with and without hepatic iron overload, and to identify potential associations of HJV and hepcidin with the clinical characteristics of the patients enrolled.

Plasma Pentraxin 3 Differentiates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) from Non-NASH.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a variety of histopathological findings ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which can only be differentiated by liver biopsy. There is yet no unique biomarker found to discriminate NASH from simple steatosis.We aimed to investigate the relationship of plasma pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and its main stimulant tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) with the degree of liver damage in NAFLD.

Increased Plasma Levels of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Relation With Insulin Resistance, Inflammation, and Liver Histology.

Background And Aim: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most frequent cause of death in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Insulin resistance, hepatic dysfunction, and chronic inflammation are factors interacting in explaining the increased CVD incidence in NAFLD. We aimed to evaluate the effects of insulin resistance and inflammatory biomarkers on asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels, a predictor of CVD.

Serum neural precursor cell-expressed, developmentally down regulated 9 (NEDD9) level may have a prognostic role in patients with gastric cancer.

Background: Neural precursor cell-expressed, developmentally down regulated 9 (NEDD9), a member of Crk-associated substrate (CAS) family, is highly expressed in multiple cancer types and involved in cancer cell adhesion, migration and invasion. The prognostic value of NEDD9 has been evaluated before and its expression is a predictor of poor prognosis in cancer patients. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical significance of the serum levels of NEDD9 in gastric cancer (GC) patients.

Serum nectin-2 levels are diagnostic and prognostic in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Introduction: Nectins are a family of integral protein and immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules involved in the formation of functioning adherence and tight junctions. Aberrant expression is associated with cancer progression, apoptosis and cell proliferation but little is known how these effects change in cell behavior. The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of nectin-2 with regard to diagnostic, predictive and prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Is Metabolic Syndrome Associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese Adolescents?

Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in obese adolescents.

Methods: In total, 240 pubertal children or prepubertal children older than 11 y recruited consecutively from the pediatric endocrinology unit, obesity clinic. Patients with tonsillar and adenoid hypertrophy (grade 3/4), systemic illnesses, or chronic drug usage were excluded.

Renal biopsy in the elderly: a single-center experience.

Objective: Aging population has been increasing worldwide. So the number of elderly patients presenting with kidney disease has also been increasing. In this retrospective study, we assessed biopsy results of elderly patients and their clinical presentations.

Relationship between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and vitamin D in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a systemic disorder and manifests as a group of conditions including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and coronary artery disease. The importance of epicardial adipose tissue has been proven through recognition of its contribution to inflammation by pro-inflammatory cytokine discharge. Several investigations have been performed on vitamin D receptors in different tissues.

Does Inflammation Have a Role in the Pathogenesis of Cardiac Syndrome X? A Genetic-Based Clinical Study With Assessment of Multiple Cytokine Levels.

We compared Turkish patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) and controls with respect to serum pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, as well as the single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in the promoter regions of their related genes. This study included 111 consecutive patients angiographically diagnosed with CSX and 111 healthy controls with similar demographic characteristics. Serum interleukin (IL) 6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and IL-10 levels were measured, and the genotypes of the patients and controls were determined using standard methods.

Elevated serum levels of heat shock protein 70 are associated with breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cause of cancer death in women throughout the world. Thus, it is necessary to establish sensitive screening, diagnosis and treatment methods for BC. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is an important cellular stress response protein that protects cells from apoptosis.

Low vitamin D status associated with dilated cardiomyopathy.

In recent years, a growing body of evidence supports that vitamin D plays a crucial role in various cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac muscle cells have vitamin D receptors as well as calcitriol-dependent Ca(2+) binding protein. Therefore, the vitamin D may have an effect on cardiac function.

Detection of ideal reservoir level after laryngectomy using endoilluminator in voice rehabilitation.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic value of a novel device, the endoilluminator, in patients who can or cannot attain effective speech after application of voice prosthesis.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Methods: Thirty-four patients who underwent total laryngectomy and whose insufflation test was positive were included.

The Association between the Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Isolated Metabolic Syndrome Patients: A Multimarker Approach.

The risk for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly increases in the patient population with metabolic syndrome (MeS). The present study aimed to investigate the association between the epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) and the oxidative stress parameters in MeS patients. The study included 181 patients as a patient group of 92 consecutive patients with MeS and a control group of 89 consecutive patients with similar age and gender.

The Relationship of Serum S100B Levels with Infarction Size and Clinical Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Introduction: S100B protein, which helps nerve development and differentiation, is produced by astrocytes and can be detected in peripheral circulation after brain damage. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the serum S100B protein level and the infarction volume and clinical outcome and also the early prognostic role of serum S100B protein in patients with ischemic stroke.

Method: Fifty patients admitted in the first 24-hour period of acute ischemic stroke were evaluated prospectively, and the findings were compared to those of the controls (n=26).

Turkish validity and reliability study of the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Parent Report.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is seen frequently in childhood and leads to marked impairment in functioning. There is no scale in Turkey with documented validity and reliability that assesses ADHD-specific functional impairment (FI). This study aimed at adapting the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Parent Report (WFIRS-P), which assesses ADHD-related FI, for use in Turkey, and examining psychometric aspects of the scale.

Serum concentrations of galectin-3 in patients with cardiac syndrome X.

Objective: Microvascular dysfunction has been reported in cardiac syndrome X (CSX), even though the underlying mechanisms still remain uncertain. Galectin-3 has been recently recognized as a biomarker of cardiovascular fibrosis and inflammation. We sought to investigate the role of galectin-3 in the CSX.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children and the relationship between metabolic syndrome criteria.

Aim: To investigate metabolic syndrome (MetS) and MetS criteria, and to establish whether metabolic syndrome criteria were associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children.

Methods: A total of 451 pubertal obese children (8-18 years old) were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of steatosis.

Umbilical stalk elevation technique for safer Veress needle insertion in obese patients: a case-control study.

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare our umbilical stalk elevation (USE) technique with the classic Veress needle (VN) technique in obese patients.

Study Design: The USE technique was performed on 40 patients. One control per case was randomly selected from among those undergoing the classic VN technique using a random number table.

Phenotypic severity of homozygous GCK mutations causing neonatal or childhood-onset diabetes is primarily mediated through effects on protein stability.

Mutations in glucokinase (GCK) cause a spectrum of glycemic disorders. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations cause mild fasting hyperglycemia irrespective of mutation severity due to compensation from the unaffected allele. Conversely, homozygous loss-of-function mutations cause permanent neonatal diabetes requiring lifelong insulin treatment.

Two different methods for appendiceal stump closure: metal clip and Hem-o-lok clip.

Introduction: Closure of the appendiceal stump (CAS) is the most crucial part of appendectomy procedures because most of the complications occur by a leak of the stump. The aim of this retrospective clinical study is to emphasize two different methods (metal clip and Hem-o-lok(®) [Teleflex Medical, Research Triangle Park, NC] clip) for CAS.

Materials And Methods: The cases were divided into two subgroups according to the type of CAS.

An adult patient with common B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who presented with pancreatic involvement, description of the second adult case and review of paediatric cases.

Pancreatic involvement in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) may go unrecognised. There are only a few paediatric cases; nevertheless, presentation with pancreatic involvement in an adult patient with ALL has been reported rarely. Our 52-year-old male patient came to us with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting; he had pancreatic enlargement on CT.