Concentrations of LCN2 in aqueous humor are increased in CRVO. LCN2 may be part of a pro-catabolic phenotype, and it may play an important role in the dreaded complications of CRVO, such as macular edema, macular ischemia, and neovascularization, which lead to blindness.

Objective Progranulin (PGRN) is a growth factor that has antiinflammatory, immunosuppressive, and chondroprotective effects. It blocks Tumor Necrosis Factor- α (TNF- α ) signal pathway by binding its receptor. Recently, it has been claimed that PGRN may be overexpressed in patients with Osteoarthritis (OA). However, these patients tend to be obese and obesity also may be one of the factors that affect PGRN levels. The aim of this study was to compare the PGRN levels of patients with Knee OA (KOA) with that of healthy controls by eliminating the effect of obesity and to evaluate PGRN-to-Tumor Necrosis Factor- α (TNF- α ) ratio in KOA, both of which were investigated first in literature by this study. Methods A total of 80 individuals (40 patients with KOA and 40 healthy controls) were included in this study. The patients and controls were divided into two groups according to their Body Mass Indexes (BMI): nonobese (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9) and obese (BMI of 30 or higher). Each of the groups included 20 subjects and had an equal number of men and women. Blood samples were obtained from all participants, and the serum PGRN and TNF- α levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Results There was no difference among groups in terms of age ( P = 0.416) and gender distribution. There was no statistical difference among study groups with regard to serum PGRN levels. Serum TNF- α levels were significantly higher in obese controls ( P < 0.001) and nonobese patients ( P = 0.003) compared to that of nonobese healthy controls. Correspondingly, serum PGRN-to-TNF- α ratio was considerably lower in obese controls ( P < 0.001) and nonobese patients ( P < 0.001) by comparison with that of nonobese healthy controls. Conclusion We determined that both obesity and KOA increased serum TNF- α levels and concordantly decreased serum PGRN-to-TNF- α ratio. The results of the study suggest that the activation of the PGRN pathway and/or the inhibition of the TNF α pathway may be essential in terms of the reestablishment of the disrupted inflammatory balance in patients with KOA. Level of Evidence Level III, Diagnostic study

Objective:  This study was intended to show the effects of melatonin (MEL) in the treatment of cartilage damage in a rat model as a novel field of application. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats aged 3-4 months were assigned into four groups of six rats each. Group I represented the sham group. In groups 2, 3, and 4, the right knee medial meniscus was surgically destabilized. MEL was administered to groups 3 and 4 twice a week at dosages of 0.4 μg/ml and 4 μg/ml, respectively. The application continued for four weeks. Histological examinations, imaging studies [computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging], and biochemical tests [cartilage and bone turnover markers (COMP and CTX-I)] were performed. Results: The application of MEL initiated regeneration in the damaged areas. However, cartilage repair was not observed in areas with experimental cartilage damage without MEL application. MEL-treated rats had higher T2 scores compared to Group 1 in the median femoral condyle at the 12th week (p<0.05). Serum COMP and CTX-I levels at 12 weeks were significantly higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p<0.05). Serum COMP and CTX-I levels at 12 weeks were lower in groups 3 and 4, but were also significantly higher than in Group 1 (p<0.05). Conclusion: We recommend MEL therapy for diseases related to cartilage damage. MEL seems to exert its therapeutic effect on cartilage damage through its antioxidant properties.

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı SDM-100 cihazında yarım saatlik moda bağlı olarak eritrosit sedimantasyon hızı (ESR) sonucunu rapor etmenin güvenilir olup olmadığını tespit etmekti. Gereç ve Yöntem: 111 ESR sonucu, yarım saatlik modda çalışan SDM-100 cihazından elde edildi. Daha sonra, bir saatlik ESR değerleri, manuel Westergren yöntemini kullanan BD Seditainer standı ile ölçüldü. İki yöntemin sonuçları arasındaki uyumu değerlendirmek için Spearman korelasyon analizi, lineer regresyon analizi, Wilcoxon testi, Bland-Altman grafiği ve Deming regresyon analizi yapıldı. Bulgular: İki yöntemin sonuçları arasında genel olarak bir tutarlılık söz konusuydu; ancak yüksek ESR değerleri için zayıf bir uyumun varlığı da tespit edildi. Sonuç: Yarım saatlik ESR ölçümüne dayalı olarak 1 saatlik ESR sonucunun rapor edilmesi, özellikle yüksek ESR değerlerinde, güvenilirlik açısından bir problem teşkil edebilir.

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