iSED sedimentation showed a poor correlation and a high bias (>10%) with the Westergren method, and Ves-Matic Cube 200 method showed a higher correlation and a lower bias than the iSED device when compared with Westergren reference method. These instruments should be carefully monitored.

No abstract

Vitamin D (VitD) is critical for the regulation of inflammatory processes, and VitD deficiency has been linked to several chronic inflammatory disorders. We aimed to investigate the concentrations of serum 25(OH)D3, lipid parameters, and three known VDR polymorphisms (BsmI, FokI, and TaqI) in patients with Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease. The study included 123 FMF patients and 105 controls. Seventy patients had no attack (group 1), 30 had 1-2 attacks (group 2), and 23 had 3 or more attacks (group 3) within last three months. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. BsmI, FokI, and TaqI polymorphisms were analyzed by a competitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction assay (KASPar). Serum lipid parameters were measured with enzymatic colorimetric methods. 25(OH)D3 concentrations were lower in FMF patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). No difference was observed in 25(OH)D3 concentration between groups 1, 2, and 3. The distributions of FokI and TaqI genotypes were not significantly different between FMF patients and controls. There was a significant difference in the distribution of AA BsmI genotype between male FMF patients and male controls. Increased concentrations of triglycerides (p = 0.012) and decreased concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] (p = 0.006) were found in FMF patients compared to controls. Although lower 25(OH)D3 concentrations were observed in FMF patients versus controls, no association was determined between FMF attack frequency and 25(OH)D3 concentrations. We showed that the AA genotype of BsmI polymorphism is associated with FMF in males but not in females. The effects of decreased HDL-C and increased triglyceride concentrations on cardiovascular events in FMF patients should be further investigated.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of remote ischemic conditioning on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat muscle flaps histopathologically and biochemically.MethodsThirty albino rats were divided into 5 groups. No procedure was performed in the rats in group 1, and only blood samples were taken. A gracilis muscle flap was elevated in all the other groups. Microclamps were applied to the vascular pedicle for 4 hours in order to achieve tissue ischemia. In group 2, no additional procedure was performed. In groups 3, 4, and 5, the right hind limb was used and 3 cycles of ischemia-reperfusion for 5 minutes each (total, 30 minutes) was applied with a latex tourniquet (remote ischemic conditioning). In group 3, this procedure was performed before flap elevation (remote ischemic preconditoning). In group 4, the procedure was performed 4 hours after flap ischemia (remote ischemic postconditioning). In group 5, the procedure was performed after the flap was elevated, during the muscle flap ischemia episode (remote ischemic perconditioning).ResultsThe histopathological damage score in all remote conditioning ischemia groups was lower than in the ischemic-reperfusion group. The lowest histopathological damage score was observed in group 5 (remote ischemic perconditioning).ConclusionsThe nitric oxide levels were higher in the blood samples obtained from the remote ischemic perconditioning group. This study showed the effectiveness of remote ischemic conditioning procedures and compared their usefulness for preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury in muscle flaps.

Different studies have demonstrated changes in chitotriosidase (ChT) activity and concentrations in multiple diseases. However, changes in ChT activity and concentrations have not been concurrently evaluated in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). In this study, we analyzed the changes in serum ChT activity and concentrations in patients with FMF. The study included a total of 80 patients with FMF and 80 healthy controls. ChT enzyme activity and concentrations were measured and then compared between the groups. ChT activity was measured by using fluorometric ELISA and ChT concentrations were measured by using colorimetric ELISA methods. The median ChT activity was 10.00 (6.00–15.00) nmol/mL/hr in the patients and 14.00 (6.25–20.75) nmol/mL/hr in the controls. There was a statistically significant difference in the ChT activity between the controls and patients (P = 0.027). The median ChT concentrations were 65.40 (46.20–84.92) pg/mL and 125.00 (75.72–143.95) pg/mL in the patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.001), which were expressed as median percentiles (25th–75th). Additionally, we found no correlation between C-reactive protein and ChT activity (P = 0.978, r = 0.003) and concentrations (P = 0.446, r = −0.87). Serum ChT enzyme activity and concentrations may not be considered as a biomarker in FMF patients taking colchicine. New studies are needed to evaluate the changes of enzyme activity and concentration in colchicine-negative patients.