RESUMEN

In this study, we aimed to reveal the pro-inflammatory effects of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (Vit D) deficiency and insufficiency in new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes. We recruited 84 prediabetes patients, 94 new-onset T2DM patients and 113 healthy participants. We measured the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, ferritin, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the serum of the participants. ANOVA Bonferroni and Kruskal-Wallis Dunn tests were used to compare the inflammation markers and vitamin D levels between the groups. Based on covariance analysis with age, gender and BMI, the Vit D levels of the T2DM group were significantly lower (p < 0.003). Pro-inflammatory markers and CRP were significantly higher in prediabetic and diabetic subjects. In the prediabetes group, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and MAPK were significantly higher in those with Vit D insufficiency and deficiency groups. In the T2DM group, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, NF-κB, MAPK and CRP were significantly higher in those with Vit D insufficiency and deficiency. Our study emphasizes the pro-inflammatory effects of Vit D deficiency and insufficiency in new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This study aimed to reveal the perceptions and conspiracy theories surrounding the new coronavirus infection. We aimed to explore associations between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs with recommended health protective attitudes and sociodemographic features among the Turkish population. A questionnaire consisting of seven items about COVID-19 conspiracy theories and perceptions and ten items about attitudes was given to patients and their relatives in five different centres during the second national lockdown in Istanbul. A chi-square test was used to evaluate the associations of disease perceptions and conspiracy beliefs with sociodemographic features and with health protective attitudes. Logistic regression analysis was performed for significant results. Of 483 participants, 242 (50.1%) were found to have a conspiracy belief. Conspiracy theories were more frequent in the participants who were older than 50 years of age (p = 0.009) (OR: 1.83) and less frequent in higher education levels (p = 0.005) (OR: 0.499). In addition, 6.6% of the participants were infected with COVID-19, but having the infection was found to have no effect on disease perceptions or conspiracy beliefs. Wearing a mask in crowds, avoiding shaking hands and kissing, and washing hands were less frequent among conspiracy believers and participants with impaired perceptions. These results indicate that misconceptions and conspiracy beliefs are driving the adoption of disinformation about the prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

UNLABELLED: Positron Emission Tomography with 2-deoxy-[F-18]-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG-PET) has become a reliable diagnostic tool in clinical practice similar to Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging and Computed Tomography (CT). FDG-PET has especially been used to differentiate malignant from benign lesions, and for staging and follow- up malignant tumors. However, FDG-PET has some pitfalls in cancer screening and FDG tracer accumulates at sites of infection and inflammation. Bone tuberculosis may be confused with malignant tumors of bone and its metastases, and can accumulate focally increased FDG in active period. We present a 60-year-old woman with lytic bone lesions and mediastinal hypermetabolic foci, initially suspected to be malignant by means of FDG-PET and the other imaging modalities; however, bone biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of bone tuberculosis. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.

RESUMEN

AIM: We have planned to study the relationship between zinc (Zn) plasma levels, as well as pneumonia criteria, and zinc in healthy children younger than 2 years of age compared to pediatric patients diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to a hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 25 patients of 0-24 months referring to our hospital's pediatric clinic, who were then diagnosed with bronchopneumonia based on the World Health Organization diagnostic criteria and admitted to suckling children clinic due to inability to receive out-patient treatment, and 10 healthy children of the same age group, whose physical examinations revealed no pathological findings. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups in terms of age and gender distribution (p> 0.05). The control group included in the study showed a significantly higher mean duration of breast milk intake compared to the patient groups (p<0.001). WBC values obtained from the patient group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.001). Zn and iron (Fe) values as determined in the control group enrolled in the study were significantly higher compared to the patient group (p<0.01). Mean total protein in the control group was found to be significantly higher versus that of the patient groups (p<0.05). With regard to the r values of correlation coefficients of the subjects enrolled in the study, a slightly positive correlation was observed between Zn levels and iron levels (r=0.457). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that infections, particularly pneumonia, which present a serious issue both in our country and developing countries, may be developed more commonly among children with zinc deficiency.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Most of the previous studies have shown a significant inverse relationship between smoking during pregnancy and weight, height and head circumference of infants at birth, but there is limited literature that assesses the head circumference measures of infants of smoker mothers in postnatal follow-up. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of maternal smoking and passive smoking during pregnancy on postnatal anthropometric measures of infants. Infants were divided into 3 groups: infants of smokers (n = 48), passive smokers (n = 57) and nonsmokers (n = 54), and were evaluated for their weight, height and head circumference at birth, 3 months and 6 months of age. Infants of smokers showed significant weight and head circumference deficits at birth compared to nonsmokers' infants (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). At 6 months of age, infants of smokers continued to show significant deficits in all 3 measures compared to nonsmokers' infants (p < 0.001 for each), and infants of passive smokers showed only marginal decreases. Moreover, the weight and height growth velocities of the smokers' infants remained deficient, whereas their growth velocity of the head circumferences increased from birth up to 6 months and reached the growth velocity of the nonsmokers' infants. Infants of passive smokers showed a complete catch-up growth at 6 months. This study indicates that smoking during pregnancy results in serious deficits in infants' growth even after birth. Therefore, it is essential to inform smoker women before pregnancy the possible growth retardation of infants.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Flurbiprofen (CAS 5104-49-4) is a member of phenylalkanoic acid derivative group of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities. Two different tablets containing flurbiprofen (FLU) were investigated in 24 healthy volunteers to prove the bioequivalence between both treatments after single oral dose administrations. Fluroben 100 mg tablet and 100 mg tablet of the originator product were used as test and reference preparation respectively. The study was performed open label, randomized, two period cross-over design with 15 days wash out period. Blood samples were taken up to 24 hours for pharmacokinetic profiling. The plasma concentrations of flurbiprofen were determined with validated HPLC-UV method. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of FLU 19,143.65 ng/ml and 19,164.22 ng/ml were found for test and reference formulation respectively. Areas under the plasma concentration time curve AUC(0-infinity), of 118 501.4 ng.h/ml and 111,339.8 ng.h/ml were calculated test and reference formulation respectively. Primary target parameters AUC (0-infinity) and Cmax, both of them were tested parametrically by analysis of variance (ANOVA); 90% confidence intervals were between 100.5%-111.18% for AUC(0-infinity), and 87.6%-115.0% for Cmax. All these values were within the acceptance range (80%-125%) for bioequivalence studies.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Clarithromycin is a broad-spectrum macrolide antibacterial agent which is effective both in vitro and in vivo against the major pathogens responsible for respiratory tract infections. Clarithromycin's principal metabolite is 14-(R) hydroxyclarithromycin (14-OH-clarithromycin). The other metabolite, namely 14-(S) hydroxyclarithromycin is inactive. The purpose of this study was to show the hydroxylation of CLA at the 14 position to form the R and S epimers and to determine the metabolic ratio of 14ROHCLA/CLA and 14SOHCLA/CLA for understanding the metabolization. This study suggest that in healthy adults, the individual variations in therapeutic responses to clarithromycin can be assumed by taking the drug and its metabolites ratios. Clarithromycin and metabolites ratios increase during metabolization.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship of gestational smoking and passive smoking with pregnancy complications like preterm delivery, low birthweight, early membrane rupture, abruptio placentae, fetal distress and preeclampsia. We also analyzed the sociodemographic features of mothers who smoked during their pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pregnant women have been questionned for their habits of smoking and household members' usage of tobacco products during their antenatal visits. Perinatal outcome of gestational smoking was assessed by the type of the delivery, birthweight, occurrence of preeclampsia, early membrane rupture and fetal distress during pregnancy. Differences in group means were analyzed with the Fisher's exact test, Chi-square test and ANOVA. RESULTS: There wasn't any significant statistical difference between the smokers' (n=86), passive smokers' (n=118) and nonsmokers' (n=77) groups in terms of maternal age, socioeconomic status of the family, gestational age, Apgar scoring and the rate of delivery by cesearian section. However, gestational smoking was found to be more common in mothers with poor or none education (p=0.001). There wasn't any significant statistical change in the rates of fetal distress, early membrane rupture, abruptio placentae and preeclampsia by gestational smoking (p>0.05). But, infants of mothers who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day showed statistically significant birthweight deficits (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study indicate that gestational smoking is more common among women with low education and results in low birthweight. Therefore, it is essantial to educate the women before pregnancy and implement new smoking cessation programs for pregnancy.

RESUMEN

Clarithromycin is a broad-spectrum macrolide antibacterial agent which is effective both in vitro and in vivo against the major pathogens responsible for respiratory tract infections. Clarithromycin's principal metabolite is 14-(R) hydroxyclarithromycin (14-OH-clarithromycin). The other metabolite, namely 14-(S) hydroxyclarithromycin is inactive. The purpose of this study was to show the hydroxylation of CLA at the 14 position to form the R and S epimers and to determine the metabolic ratio of 14ROHCLA/CLA and 14SOHCLA/CLA for understanding the metabolization. This study suggest that in healthy adults, the individual variations in therapeutic responses to clarithromycin can be assumed by taking the drug and its metabolites ratios. Clarithromycin and metabolites ratios increase during metabolization.

Asunto(s)