Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is associated with an increased rate of cardiovascular events. The YKL-40 level is associated with atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and proteinuria in renal and non-renal populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the YKL-40 level and both vascular injury and proteinuria in NS patients. Sixty-nine NS patients and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in the present study. The endothelial function was assessed according to the flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and the degree of arterial stiffness was determined based on the pulse wave velocity (PWV). The serum YKL-40 levels were measured using ELISA. The YKL-40 levels and PWV values were higher and the FMD values were lower in the NS patients than in the healthy controls. However, the CA-IMT and LVEF levels were not statistically different between the two groups. The patients were divided into three groups with respect to the extent of proteinuria: the normoproteinuria group (n:18), non-nephrotic proteinuria group (n:33) and nephrotic proteinuria group (n:18). Consequently, the YKL-40 levels and PWV values were significantly increased and the FMD values were decreased in the nephrotic proteinuria group compared to that observed in both the non-nephrotic proteinuria and normoproteinuria groups. Furthermore, the YKL-40 level correlated with the FMD and PWV values in the NS patients. In addition, proteinuria correlated with the YKL-40, FMD, PWV, eGFR and fasting LDL cholesterol values in this patient group. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that the YKL-40 and eGFR values were effective in predicting proteinuria in the NS patients. The serum YKL-40 level is associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness in NS patients and may be an indicator of the level of proteinuria in this patient population.

Background: Increasing use of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in cancer patients, has led to more common detection of ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Aims: The objective of this study was to assess ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in incidental and known GIT malignancy. Methods: A total of 6500 patients followed-up in a single and tertiary center between January 2010 and September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Of 2850 patients assessed with ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT, known GIT malignancy and ¹⁸F-FDG uptake cases during follow-up were included in the study. Results: Of 658 patients with ¹⁸F-FDG uptake, 150 patients who underwent endoscopy were included in the study. Seventy-seven of these patients had known GIT malignancy and 73 had incidental ¹⁸F-FDG uptake. Among these 73 patients; 7 (9.6%) had malignancy, 20 (27,2%) adenoma and 24 (32.9%) inflammation that were confirmed. Endoscopy was normal in 22 (30.2%) patients. One hundred forty-three (95.3%) patients had focal and 7 (4.7%) had diffuse uptake. While no malignancy was detected in patients with diffuse uptake, 58.7% (84/143) of the patients with focal uptake presented malignancy. Mean the standardized uptake value (SUV) max values were found as 15.0 ± 10.6 (range, 3.8–56.5) in malignant disease, 10.2 ± 4.3 (range, 2.4-19.7) in adenoma, 7.3 ± 3.6 (range, 3.6–18.7) in inflammation, and 9.8 ± 4.2 (range, 3.8–19.9) in normal endoscopy groups (p < 0.001, rho = 0.378). Conclusion: Although this study demonstrated high probability of malignant disease with increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in the GIT, it would be a more appropriate approach to confirm all patients with ¹⁸F-FDG uptake through endoscopy as SUVmax values vary in a wide range.

Expression of N-glycolyl GM3 (NeuGcGM3) ganglioside was detected in the tumor specimens of patients who were on Racotumomab anti-idiotype vaccine maintenance treatment, and prognostic significance as a biomarker was investigated. No statistically significant association was observed in the multivariate analysis between overall survival and tissue NeuGcGM3 IHC levels. Although numerically there was a difference favoring less intense IHC for better prognosis, this did not reach statistical power. However, there was a strong correlation between Racotumomab doses and overall survival (OS). Mean OS of the patient with more than 10 Racotumomab application was significantly longer than the patient who had less than 10 injections (70.7 months vs. 31.1 months, ). We propose that, regardless of staining intensity, the presence of NeuGcGM3 in patient tissues might be an indicator of benefit in Racotumomab treatment.

Adipokines play an important role in the regulation of metabolism. In critical illness, these alter serum levels and suspected to worsen clinical outcomes. But the effect of the route of nutrition on adipokines is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the route of nutrition and adipokine levels in critically ill patients. This prospective study was performed in an intensive care unit (ICU). Patients admitted to the ICU for least 72 h and receiving either enteral nutrition (EN) via tube feeding or parenteral nutrition (PN) were enrolled. Serum was obtained at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h for concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), insulin-like growth factors-1 (IGF-1), and ghrelin. A total of 26 patients were included in the study. Thirteen patients received EN and 13 patients received PN. In PN group, leptin level significantly increased (p=0.037), adiponectin and ghrelin significantly decreased during follow-up (p=0.037, p=0.008, respectively). There was no significant change between all adipokines in the EN group and resistin, IGF-1 and GLP-1in the PN group during follow-up. Resistin levels were markedly lower in the EN group at both 24 h (p=0.015) and 72 h (p=0.006) while GLP-1 levels were higher in the EN group at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h (p=0.018, p=0.005, and p=0.003, respectively). There were no differences in leptin, adiponectin, IGF-1, and ghrelin levels over time. The delivery of EN in critical illness was associated with decreased resistin levels and increased GLP-1 levels. Thus, the route of nutrition may impact the clinical outcome in critical illness due to adipokines.

Ejmi Eurasian Journal of Medical Investigation