Asprosin, visfatin and subfatin as new biomarkers of obesity and metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity are important public health problems associated with adipose tissue mass. Asprosin, visfatin, and subfatin are new members of which fate in MetS and obesity has not been fully revealed yet. Thus, this study was to investigate the association between asprosin, visfatin, subfatin, and biochemical values, demographic data, and body composition measurement values in MetS patients with and without obesity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood samples were taken from a total of 90 people, including 31 MetS patients with obesity, 29 MetS patients without obesity, and 30 healthy (control). Asprosin, visfatin, and subfatin were studied by the ELISA method.

RESULTS

There was a negative correlation between asprosin and Body Mass Index (BMI) in the MetS + Obese group. The correlations between asprosin and urea and fasting insulin (FI) levels in the MetS group were positive and statistically significant (p < 0.05). While there was a statistically significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) between visfatin and BMI in the MetS + Obese group, the correlation with waist circumference in the MetS + Obese and MetS groups was statistically significant and negative (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant negative relationship (p < 0.05) between aspartate aminotransferase value and visfatin. The results between visfatin values and asprosin and subfatin in all groups were significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a direct relationship between circulating amounts of asprosin, visfatin, and subfatin hormones and age, weight, height, diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and creatinine. Therefore, asprosin, visfatin, and subfatin hormones are the new biomarkers of metabolic turbulence.

The relationship between comorbid overweight-obesity and cold executive functions, verbal short-term memory, and learning in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. ADHD is a risk factor for the development of overweight and obesity. One neuropsychological factor that may play a prominent role in the relationship between ADHD and obesity is executive functioning.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between comorbid obesity/overweight and cold executive functions, verbal short-term memory, and learning in children with ADHD. This is the first study to examine relationship between verbal short-term memory-learning and obesity in patients with ADHD.

Methods

This study was conducted with 70 patients with ADHD and 30 healthy controls. In this study, patients diagnosed with ADHD were divided into two groups according to body mass index (BMI) as <85 percentile and ≥85 percentile. Cold executive functions were evaluated by Stroop Test (ST) and Cancellation Test (CT). Serial Digit Learning Test (SDLT) was administered to measure verbal short-term memory and learning capasity. In order to evaluate the severity of ADHD objectively, parents completed the Conners’ Parents Rating Scale-Revised Short Version (CPRS-RS).

Results

The ST, SDLT and CT scores were significantly lower in both groups with ADHD than the control group. The CPRS-RS subscale scores were significantly higher in both groups with ADHD than the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in ST, SDLT, CT scores and CPRS-RS subscale scores between the two groups with ADHD.

Conclusions

This study show that overweight/obesity comorbid with ADHD was not associated with cold executive functions, verbal short-term memory, learning, or ADHD symptom severity.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

A nosocomial scabies outbreak originating from immunocompromised transplant patients in Turkey: Upholstery as a possible cause

BACKGROUND

Inpatients with crusted scabies represent an important source of nosocomial transmission with consequent outbreaks among patients and healthcare workers. This study aimed to report the course of an institutional scabies outbreak, which progressed with infestation of immunosuppressed transplant patients, health care workers, and caregivers.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with scabies in a nosocomial outbreak in a 200-bed, tertiary hospital were included. Following a diagnosis of scabies in the index patient, strict contact isolation measures were implemented. During the outbreak, a root cause analysis (RCA) was carried out by an infection prevention and control team.

RESULTS

Forty-two individuals were affected (7 patients, 25 health care workers, and 10 family members of the patients) during the outbreak consisting of three attacks. Index case was a multiple myeloma patient who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and presented with crusted scabies. A RCA suggested that upholstery could serve as a means of reservoir. All upholstery of the sofa and armchairs in patient rooms as well as in lounge areas were replaced by wipeable leather material. After the 19-week course of the outbreak, no additional cases of scabies have been observed until now.

CONCLUSION

A high index of suspicion should be maintained, particularly in immunocompromised patients, in order to achieve rapid diagnosis of scabies and to implement institutional infection control measures. It should also be borne in mind that the transmission may occur through direct contact as well as fomites, such as upholstery.

Prevalence of Human Herpesvirus-8 and BK Polyoma Virus Infections in End-stage Renal Disease and the Influence of Renal Transplantation

Viral infections lead to significant morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. We evaluated 49 kidney transplant recipients for human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and BK polyomavirus infections in conjunction with data obtained from 43 donors. The seroprevalence of HHV-8 was 6.9% in donors and 12.2% in recipients. HHV-8 DNA was detected below the limit of quantification (<5000 copies/mL) in a recipient with HHV-8 seropositivity at the pretransplant period and was undetectable at month 3 after transplantation. Transient viruria with BK polyomavirus was recorded in 10.2% of recipients without viremia. Multiple factors contribute to viral reactivation, particularly immunosuppressive treatment. Reduction in maintenance immunosuppression seems beneficial in terms of viral reactivation. At our center, routine use of valganciclovir for antiviral prophylaxis may be effective for the prevention of HHV-8 reactivation.

Investigation of biological effects of some Mannich Bases containing Bis-1,2,4- Triazole

In this study, the effects of Mannich bases containing bis-1,2,4-triazole on the levels of in vivo malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C) were examined in serum, livers and kidneys of rats. DA and vitamin (A, E, C) levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant effect was investigated by determining the MDA levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells as in vitro. Furthermore, the antitumor effects of compounds were investigated against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Interrelations of results among control and compound groups were evaluated using SPSS statistical software package. As a result, some of the compounds showed effective biological activity when compared to control conditions. The test compounds used in this study may be effective for utilization in the selection and design of model compounds for further studies.

Assessment of wild mint from Tunceli as source of bioactive compounds, and its antioxidant Activity

The types of wild mint (Mentha spicata L.) were sampled from different geographical regions in Tunceli (Turkey) in order to find out their vitamin, mineral, phenolic contents and their antioxidant properties. The total phenol varied from 77.7±0.242 to 52.34±0.351 mg of GAEs/g of dry mint. The highest radical effect of scavenging was observed in Mazgirt parting of the ways 7.5 km with 6.17±0.245 mg/mL. The highest reducing power and metal chelating were observed in the mint from Cicekli parting of the ways 6.5 km Demirkapı. Among the various macronutrients which were estimated in the plant samples, potassium was presented in the highest quantity followed by calcium and phosphate. Although rutin and resveratrol were not determined in any samples, kaempferol and catechin levels were found out in almost all samples. The concentrations of vitamin A ranged between 42,14±5.70 and 13.61±3.00 (mg/kg dry weight). These results show that plants of mint are quite rich in phenolic compounds, and these have been appeared to have antioxidant activity, which agrees with this work, since the extract showed a higher content of phenolic compounds and higher antioxidant activity and mint may be considered as a natural alternative source for food, pharmacology and medicine sectors.

Evaluation of antioxidant properties, elemental and phenolic contents composition of wild nettle (Urtica dioica L.) from Tunceli in Turkey

Wild nettle (Urtica dioica L.) types were sampled from different geographical regions in Tunceli (Turkey) to determine their mineral, vitamin, phenolic contents and their antioxidant properties. The total phenol varied from 37.419 ± 0.380 to 19.182 ± 1.00 mg of GAEs g(-1) of dry nettle. The highest radical scavenging effect was observed in Mazgirt parting of the ways 7.5 km with 33.70 ± 0.849 mg mL(-1). The highest reducing power was observed in the nettles from Mazgirt parting of the ways 7.5 km. Among the various macronutrients estimated in the plant samples, potassium was present in the highest quantity followed by calcium and phosphate. Kaempferol and resveratrol were not determined in some nettle samples but rutin levels were determined in all samples. Vitamin A concentrations were ranged between 13.64 ± 1.90 and 5.74 ± 1.00 (mg kg(-1) dry weight). These results show that Urtica dioica L. collected from Tunceli in Turkey could be considered as a natural alternative source for food, pharmacology and medicine sectors.

High occurrence of cyclosporiasis in Istanbul, Turkey, during a dry and warm summer

We evaluated the incidence of Cyclospora cayetanensis in immunocompetent, diarrheic patients during the summers of 2006-2009 in Istanbul. Stools from 1876 patients were examined using microscopic techniques. Cyclospora oocysts were observed in wet preparations by light and epifluorescence microscopy and in fecal smears that were stained by Kinyoun's modified acid-fast stain. Characteristic Cyclospora oocysts were observed in 2 patients in 2006, 17 in 2007, and one in 2009. Samples positive for Cyclospora were further analyzed by a single step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Cyclospora-specific primers from the ITS-1 region of the genome.The majority of the Cyclospora positive cases (15) were clustered during about 15 days in June 2007, indicating an unusual incidence of cyclosporiasis in this time period. The climatic characteristics of 2007 could have played a role in this high occurrence rate.

Is HCV genotyping cost-effective even when the prevalences of genotypes 2 and 3 are low?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The management of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is costly. Genotyping determines the indication, probability of response, and duration of treatment and the dose of ribavirin. Although genotyping is accepted cost-effective, the cost of genotyping in all of the patients to find out a minority may offset the gain. The present study aimed; (1) to determine the frequency rate of HCV genotypes and (2) to compare the cost of HCV treatment tailored according to the genotype versus that planned supposing it to be genotype 1.

METHODOLOGY

Six centers were included into the study. Name, age, genotype, and serotype of each patient were entered. For genotyping, HCV-RNA was extracted by acid-guanidium-phenol-chloroform method. Cost of genotyping, HCV-RNA studies and the treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin was estimated. The cost was determined according to two scenarios: (A) To manage patients as if all had genotypes other than 2-3. (B) To manage them after determining the geno type. The management was assumed to be made by current guidelines.

RESULTS

The data of 834 patients were analyzed: Genotypel was predominant: 730 (87.5%). The rest was composed of G2:26 (3.1%), G3:26 (3.1%), G4:14 (1.7%), mixed: 13 (1.6%), undetermined: 25(3%). The cost of approach A (for 100 patients) was 1,718,200 USD; that of approach B (for 100 patients) was 1,671,900 USD. With genotype targeted therapy, every 100 patient would save 46,300 USD.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalent genotype in our country is genotypel. The sum of genotypes 2 and 3 corresponds to 6%. Genotyping HCV and tailoring the treatment thereafter are cost-effective even in the countries where prevalence of these genotypes is low.

Acute prostatitis as an uncommon presentation of brucellosis

The present report concerns a 46-year-old man who presented with acute prostatitis due to Brucella melitensis infection. He was first treated with doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, but after 3 months he was admitted again with the same diagnosis. The relapse was probably related to ciprofloxacin use, or the length of treatment not being sufficient. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of doxycycline and rifampin for 3 months. In conclusion, prostatitis due to Brucella, such as spondylitis, meningoencephalitis and endocarditis, should be treated for longer courses.

Influence of oxidative stress and inflammation on rHuEPO requirements of hemodialysis patients with CRP values "in normal range"

AIMS

We sought to evaluate influences of oxidative stress (OS) on rHuEPO requirements in hemodialysis patients without chronic inflammation.

METHODS

Sixty-eight hemodialysis patients and 46 healthy controls underwent measurements plasma levels of antioxidative agents, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and oxidative compounds including malonyldialdehyde (MDA). We retrospectively analyzed the last 3 months' rHuEPO requirements, iron indices, and CRP levels.

RESULTS

Plasma levels for SOD, GPX, and MDA were 974.4+/-216.4 U/gHb, 44.4+/-13.6 U/gHb, 10.0+/-2.0 nmol/mL, respectively yielding results that were different from healthy controls (P<.0001). Increased OS negatively correlated with hemoglobin levels (P<.0001) and positively correlated with rHuEPO requirements (P<.01). Increased antioxidative capacity positively correlated with hemoglobin levels (P<.0001) and negatively correlated with rHuEPO requirements (P<.0001). For further analyses, hemodialysis patients were subgrouped according to rHuEPO requirements as group I (lowest 1/3, n=23), group II (moderate 1/3, n=23) and group III (highest 1/3, n=22). Group III displayed the highest MDA (P<.05), the lowest SOD (P<.0001), and comparable GPX (P<.05) levels. Group III also had the highest CRP and the lowest albumin levels compared with the others (P<.01).

CONCLUSION

OS has strong adverse influences on rHuEPO responses of HD patients with "normal" CRP levels, but it should not be forgotten that CRP levels in the "normal" range may still reflect ongoing microinflammation.

Persistently normal alanine transaminase levels in chronic C hepatitis: what does it tell us?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We evaluated the demographic, clinical, histological and serological characteristics of chronic hepatitis C infection with persistently normal serum alanine transaminase levels and compared the results with those obtained in a group of chronic hepatitis C infection with serum alanine transaminase levels above normal.

METHODOLOGY

Twenty-one patients who had chronic hepatitis C infection with normal alanine transaminase during the follow-up period and 34 patients who had chronic C infection with serum alanine transaminase levels above normal were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, histological and serological parameters of these two groups were evaluated.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age, gender, known route of infection, viral load and genotype distribution between the two groups (P > 0.05). The gamma-glutamyltransferase and gamma-globulin levels were significantly higher in the serum alanine transaminase levels above normal group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). Among the patients with normal alanine transaminase, liver biopsy findings were normal in eight patients (38%). None of the patients with serum alanine transaminase levels above normal had normal liver biopsy findings. Histologic activity index was significantly higher in serum alanine transaminase levels above normal group (9.7 +/- 2.2 vs. 6.4 +/- 1.9; P < 0.001). Histologic activity index and alanine transaminase levels correlate with the stage of the disease (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

For a definite diagnosis in patients with HCV-RNA+ and normal alanine transaminase liver biopsy is necessary and significant liver disease may be present in such patients irrespective of viral load, genotype and alanine transaminase levels.

Amantadine monotherapy of chronic hepatitis C patients infected with genotype lb

We aimed to test the efficacy of amantadine in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients infected with genotype b. Twenty patients completed treatment with amantadine HCl, 100 mg b.i.d., for 6 months. Non-sustained biochemical improvement was observed without loss of HCV-RNA. We conclude that amantadine monotherapy is not effective in CHC.

Detection of hepatitis E virus RNA in stools and serum by reverse transcription-PCR

Stools and sera collected during an experimental hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in monkeys and collected from humans with acute HEV infections during epidemic and sporadic cases were analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR. Two methods for RNA purification were compared. Proteinase K digestion and phenolchloroform extraction were more efficient than guanidinium isothiocyanate extraction in improving the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of HEV genomes.

Effects of metals on elastase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa SES-938-1

Among the numerous virulance factors produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, elastase is the one most often associated with pathogenesis. In this study, effects of various metal ions on elastase from a new isolate of P. aeruginosa (Strain SES-938-1) was investigated. Crude elastase was prepared from culture supernatant via salting out by ammonium sulfate, and then desalting and concentrating the sample using a centricon microconcentrator. Activities were measured at 450 nm using N-succinyl-L-(ala)3-p-nitroanilide as the substrate. The metal chelating agents EDTA and EGTA inhibited the Pseudomonas elastase, which shows that the enzyme is a typical metalloproteinase. At a 10-mM concentration, Mn2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ strongly inhibited the elastase, whereas Mg2+ effect was negligable. There was a gradual decrease in the enzyme activity in accordance with an increase in the concentration of metal ions.