Background and Aim. Studies have suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum BDNF levels and various metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods. The study included 88 T2DM patients and 33 healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were obtained from the patients and the control group. The serum levels of BDNF were measured with an ELISA kit. The current paper introduces a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) generalization curve to identify cut-off for the BDNF values in type 2 diabetes patients. Results. The serum levels of BDNF were significantly higher in T2DM patients than in the healthy controls (206.81 ± 107.32 pg/mL versus 130.84 ± 59.81 pg/mL; P < 0.001). They showed a positive correlation with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r = 0.28; P < 0.05), the triglyceride level (r = 0.265; P < 0.05), and white blood cell (WBC) count (r = 0.35; P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, age (P < 0.05), body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.05), C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.05), and BDNF (P < 0.01) were independently associated with T2DM. In ROC curve analysis, BDNF cut-off was 137. Conclusion. The serum BDNF level was higher in patients with T2DM. The BDNF had a cut-off value of 137. The findings suggest that BDNF may contribute to glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Background. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases, which has recently been mentioned as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Objectives. Endocan is a novel molecule of endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate the associations of serum endocan levels with the hepatic steatosis index (HSI), fatty liver index (FLI), and degrees of hepatosteatosis in patients with metabolic syndrome with NAFLD. Design and Setting. This cross-sectional prospective study was performed in the outpatient clinic of an internal medicine department. Methods. The study included 40 patients with metabolic syndrome with NAFLD as noted using hepatic ultrasound and 20 healthy controls. Secondary causes of fatty liver were excluded. FLI and HSI calculations were recorded. Serum endocan level values were obtained after overnight fasting. Results. Higher values of HSI and FLI were found in the NAFLD groups than in the control groups (p<0.001). Five (12.5%) of 20 patients with liver steatosis had grade 1 liver steatosis, 15 (37.5%) patients had grade 2 liver steatosis, and 20 (50%) patients had grade 3 liver steatosis. Serum endocan levels were lower in patients with NAFLD compared with the healthy controls (146.56±133.29 pg/mL vs. 433.71±298.01 pg/mL, p<0.001). ROC curve analysis suggested that the optimum endocan value cutoff point for NAFLD was 122.583 pg/mL (sensitivity: 71.79%, specificity: 90%, PPV: 93.3%, and NPV: 62.1%). Conclusion. Serum endocan concentrations are low in patients with NAFLD, and the optimum cutoff point is 122.583 pg/mL. HSI and FLI were higher in patients with NAFLD; however, there was no correlation with serum endocan.

IntroductionColorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and our country. Studies have indicated that there might be a relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and colorectal neoplasia (CN), although others have not found any relationship.AimTo determine whether there is a potential relationship between Hp and CN in our patients.Material and methodsA total of 314 patients, aged 16–86 years, who underwent gastroscopy and colonoscopy at our department between 2015 and 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. The age, gender, endoscopy results, presence of Hp, complete blood count (CBC), vitamin B12, folic acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), and sedimentation levels of the patients were examined.ResultsCBC, ferritin, vitamin B12, and CRP measurements did not show statistical significance in terms of the presence of Hp (p > 0.05). Folate values of Hp-positive patients were significantly lower than Hp-negative patients (p = 0.007; p < 0.01). No significant relationship was detected between Hp and colon cancer (p > 0.05). Adenomatous polyps were not related to Hp (p > 0.05). Correlation between intestinal metaplasia (IM) and adenomatous polyps was insignificant. There was no statistically significant difference between colon and gastric pathology results.ConclusionsIn our study, no significant relationship was noted between Hp and CN. A few studies have been conducted in our country, and our results are consistent with some of these studies while it is contradictory to others. Large populational multicentre studies are needed in order to identify the relationship between Hp and CN.

Our study points to a relation between plasma chemerin levels and COPD. Larger patient groups are needed to verify the role of chemerin in the severity of COPD.

Background and aim: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is an innovative method used in order to diagnose esophagus, stomach, and duodenum diseases. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is fundamental for the prognosis of various benign and malign upper gastrointestinal diseases, as well as for therapy or disease follow-up. The aim of the present study is to classify endoscopy results according to indications and to reveal which indications and results are most commonly seen. Materials and methods: The Esophagogastroduodenoscopy results of 6243 patients were evaluated retrospectively; all patients had applied to the Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Education and Research Hospital Department of Internal Medicine from 2010 to 2015 on either an outpatient or inpatient basis. Results: In our study, 2548 of the patients were male and 3695 were female. The mean age of the patients was 49.37 ± 16.90 years. The indications for Esophagogastroduodenoscopy were dyspeptic symptoms for 72.8% of females and 70.4% of males. Anemia was the indication for 12.1% of females and 11.8% of males. Other indications included gastrointestinal bleeding, dysphagia, nausea and vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and weight loss. Peptic ulcer disease was the result of Esophagogastroduodenoscopy for 55.7% of females and 50.6% of males. Gastric ulcer (15.2% of females and 16% of males), reflux esophagitis (8.1% of females and 10.1% of males), and duodenal ulcer (6.8% of females and 10.1% of males) were the other results. Malignancy was mostly observed in patients whose indications were anemia. Conclusion: The upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy continues to be an up-to-date method of displaying the effectiveness of diseases to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of the symptoms and complaints of the gastrointestinal system, particularly in the evaluation of patients having persistent symptoms. M. Tunc et al.