Although within the normal range, the increased numbers of WBCs and neutrophils in patients with SCF suggest that SCF may be a subclinical inflammatory condition. Furthermore, increased RDW and PDW in SCF patients may cause microvascular blood flow resistance due to impaired cell deformability. The PCT provides reliable data regarding total platelet mass and may be a useful predictor of SCF.

No abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate early cardiac abnormalities in obese children by the conventional echocardiography and to verify whether N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) differ between obese and healthy children. Methods:We started this study with 68 obese children and 35 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Children with a BMI ≥ 95th percentile were considered obese. Thirty children in the obese group were also diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Standard echocardiographic study was performed on each patient and control subject. Diastolic fi lling parameters were evaluated using pulsed-wave tissue Doppler method. Blood samples were taken at 8 a.m. to study blood biochemistry tests, including insulin, lipids, glucose, and NT-proBNP. Serum NT-proBNP levels were measured by a solid-phase, enzymelabeled chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Children with HOMA-IR > 3.16 were considered insulin-resistant. Results: There were diastolic fi lling abnormalities in obese children, as shown by a decreased mitral valve early fi lling (E) wave/late fi lling (A) ratio and a prolongation in E-wave deceleration time. The levels of NT-proBNP were not statistically different among the groups. The levels of NT-proBNP were not different between obese children with and without metabolic syndrome, those with and without hypertension, and those with and without insulin resistance, respectively. Conclusion: Although there were diastolic fi lling abnormalities in obese children, their NT-proBNP levels were not different from healthy controls. It seems that there is no diagnostic value in NT-proBNP levels between obese children and healthy controls

Background: The pathophysiology of atherosclerosis development in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is similar to that in nondiabetics. However, atherosclerosis develops earlier and runs a rapid course in patients with diabetes. Aortic stiffness, strain and distensibility are the parameters used to assess an increase in arterial stiffness and can be measured by invasive and non-invasive methods. Method: Aortic elastic properties were compared among patients with normal oral glucose tolerance test but impaired fasting glucose and healthy individuals. The study group consisted of 50 subjects with impaired fasting glucose who had no known risk factors for atherosclerosis. The control group was composed of the same number of volunteers. Results: It was found that aortic strain and distensibility were reduced (8.78?4.3 vs. 10.65?2.6 p<0.01 and 4.1?2.1 vs. 5.1?1.7 p<0.01 respectively) and aortic stiffness index was significantly increased (6.9?3.2 vs. 5.01?1.6, p<0.0001) in patients with impaired fasting glucose compared to those in the control group. Conclusions: It was demonstrated that aortic elasticity was impaired in those with impaired fasting glucose, which indicates that these patients should be kept under close follow-up for cardiovascular events.

Although Holter ECG is not a diagnostic tool for cardiac sarcoidosis, the HRV parameters, especially the night-time LF/HF values, may demonstrate increased sympathetic activation in patients with sarcoidosis.