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Benzodiazepines are one of the most prescribed for therapeutic purposes and the most abused drugs. Therefore, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry–based methods that analyze several benzodiazepines simultaneously are required. In this study, we developed a simple, full validated in‐house method in a single‐triple quadrupole platform SCIEX QTRAP 4500 system for the simultaneous detection and quantification of the 10 most prescribed benzodiazepines within a 10‐min run time. The linear range was 12.5–500 ng/mL. All limits of detection were below 4.03 ng/mL and limits of quantitation below 12.22 ng/mL, except clobazam (7.27 and 22.04 ng/mL, respectively). Both the limit of detection and quantitation were lowest for diazepam (0.95 and 2.89 ng/mL, respectively). The method was evaluated for accuracy, precision, carry‐over, recovery, stability, and matrix effects, and all validation studies met internationally acceptable criteria. The applicability of the method was proven by analyzing authentic urine samples, internal, and third‐party external quality samples. This precise, accurate, shorter total run time and ease of urine sample analysis method is applicable in detecting most prescribed benzodiazepines and their metabolites even in glucuronide forms.

We reported macrolipasemia in a colon cancer patient during the chemotherapy period without any evidence of pancreatitis. A 52-year-old man formerly treated for papillary thyroid carcinoma had elevated a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration in the latest control and was diagnosed with colon cancer. Xelox chemotherapy (oxaliplatin and capecitabine) protocol was planned for six months. Interestingly, the lipase activities gradually increased from 30 U/L to 434 U/L, and exceeded three times the upper limit of the reference range (13-60 U/L). There were no symptoms of pancreatitis, and the abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan was also normal. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) recovery % values of serum samples gradually decreased and were 27% in the recent sample before the end of chemotherapy. Interestingly, the serum lipase activity fell a month after chemotherapy, and PEG recovery % increased (39%). We considered the following possibilities: (1) macrolipasemia due to chemotherapy drugs, (2) macrolipasemia due to antibodies against chemotherapy drugs.

Background/aim: Targeting the new and unique proteins is an important medical strategy for treating breast cancer. It is quite important to find out proteins that have a role in the development of cancer. Sirtuins (SIRT) are well related in different physiological activities and connected with cancer. We aimed to determine the effect of radiotherapy on SIRT1 and SIRT2, which have not been yet clarified as a tumor suppressor or promoter. Methods: 22 women with non-metastatic breast cancer enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken before and after radiotherapy, soluble SIRT1 and SIRT2 levels were determined with ELISA kits. Results: There was no difference in SIRT1 levels before and after radiotherapy (p=0.548). SIRT2 levels were significantly found to be decreased after radiotherapy (p=0.042). There was a strong and positive correlation before radiotherapy (p<0.001), and a moderate and positive correlation after radiotherapy (p=0.007) between SIRT1 and SIRT2. Conclusion: These results suggest that SIRT2 may provide a new strategy for followup of breast cancer treatment. Additionally, by emphasizing the importance of SIRT2 in breast cancer, it opens ways to provide grounds for the development of the next generation of SIRT2-specific radiotracers. Finally, the most important thing, in fact, the positive correlation between SIRT1 and SIRT2 both before and after radiotherapy, appears to be clear evidence suggesting more oncogenic roles of sirtuins.

The study of Tau and phospho Tau protein levels in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder Abstract Background/aim: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a widespread neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood and has negative consequences throughout adult life. The etiology and pathogenesis of ADHD are still unclear. Tau protein is a soluble microtubule-related protein expressed by neurons and localized in the cytoplasm as well as axons. Tau protein provides stability of microtubule in two ways: Phosphorylation and isoforms. The excessive phosphorylation of Tau separates the protein from the microtubule, thus making it unstable. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between serum Tau protein and phospho Tau (p-Tau181) levels and ADHD occurrence. Materials and methods:This study included 26 male children aged 7-12 years with newly diagnosed ADHD, who had previously not used any medication for ADHD, and 26 male healthy children. Serum Tau and p-Tau181 concentrations were performed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results:In patients, the Tau levels were not significantly different from the controls, the p-Tau181 levels were significantly higher than controls. Conclusion:We concluded that high p-Tau181 might be associated with the progression of ADHD and cognitive changes in ADHD.