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Biomedical subjects

Ibrahim Sari

Publications and source records attributed to Ibrahim Sari.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

An interesting cause of esophageal ulcer etiology: Multiple myeloma of IgG kappa subtype.

Multiple myeloma is a neoplasm of mature and immature plasma cells. A 50-year-old woman with lumbago, dysphagia, and left arm pain was presented. Upper endoscopical examination was performed. There was an exudate-covered ulcer in the distal esophagus, located at 30-32 cm from the incisors, covering the whole mucosa. Histopathological examination of the specimens obtained from the lesion showed the involvement of plasma cells consistent with multiple myeloma of IgG kappa subtype. Esophageal involvement of multiple myeloma should be kept in mind in patients presenting with dysphagia.

Esophageal Diseases↗

Serum uric acid is a determinant of metabolic syndrome in a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Determination of serum uric acid concentrations and role in risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) were investigated in 1877 participants in a cross-sectional population-based study including a brief follow-up. METHODS: The MS was identified by modified criteria of the Adult Treatment Panel III, and coronary heart disease (CHD) by clinical findings and Minnesota coding of resting electrocardiograms. Uric acid concentrations were measured by the uricase method. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was present in 39.1% of the cohort. Linear regression analysis of uric acid levels in a model comprising 13 variables identified gender, waist girth, total cholesterol (TC), alcohol usage, triglycerides, log C-reactive protein (CRP), and log gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and in women diuretic use and elevated blood pressure (BP), as significant independent covariates whereby the largest contribution (1.6 mg/dL) was generated by waist girth. Logistic regression analysis of serum uric acid for MS disclosed for the top versus the bottom tertile an odds ratio (OR) of 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-2.46) in men and women combined, after adjustment for sex, age, TC, log CRP, log GGT, alcohol, and diuretic drug use, presence of diabetes/impaired fasting glucose, elevated BP, and smoking status. This corresponded to an increase by 35% in MS likelihood for each 1 SD uric acid increment. This rate declined to a significant 15% by inclusion of waist girth into the model. The OR of uric acid concentrations for prevalent and incident CHD, adjusted for age, MS, smoking, and diuretic use, was not significant among women and only tended toward significance in men. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity is the main determinant of uric acid variance. An increment of 1 SD in serum uric acid levels are associated in both sexes with a 35% higher MS likelihood, independent of 10 risk factors related to MS. After adjustment for waist girth, a more modest but significant likelihood persists, which suggests that serum uric acid is a determinant of MS.

Abdominal Fat↗

Discordance between insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome: features and associated cardiovascular risk in adults with normal glucose regulation.

The aims of this study were to investigate the extent of concordance between metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR), the features of discordance, and the magnitude of their independent association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. After exclusion of individuals with diabetes and impaired fasting glucose, the population sample of 1534 men and women, representative of Turkish adults (mean age, 52.2 years), were evaluated cross-sectionally and at a mean 2 years' follow-up. Metabolic syndrome was identified by criteria of the Adult Treatment Panel III, except for male waist circumference (>94 cm). Insulin resistance was defined by the upper quartile in the sample (>2.245) of the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index. Clinical fatal and nonfatal CVD existed or developed in 165 subjects. Waist circumference proved to be by far the strongest significant determinant of HOMA in both sexes, followed by triglycerides. The cohort was categorized into 4 by the presence or absence of MS and IR. Each of the latter represented 34% and 25%, but together constituted 45% of the sample, thus disclosing concordance in a third of the conditions combined. The nonconcordant IR/NoMS group was less common than the MS/NoIR group and was distinct from the latter in having significantly lower waist girth, blood pressure, apolipoprotein B and triglyceride levels, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and insulin levels and physical activity in both sexes. When adjusted for 5 important risk factors, although the excess risk in men with MS failed to attain significance, men with IR were associated with a significant 1.9-fold CVD risk. The IR/NoMS group had a 2.2-fold (95% confidence interval, 0.97-5.11) CVD likelihood compared with the large insulin-sensitive group, after adjustment for age, sex, log C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking status, physical activity, and the 2 groups of MS with or without IR. Overlapping between MS and IR is limited in either sex, and MS/NoIR is more common than IR/NoMS. Overall, IR is more significantly associated with CVD risk than MS in men and in both sexes after adjustment for important confounders. Insulin resistance without MS tends to implicate in middle-aged and elderly Turkish men roughly a 2-fold CVD risk, corresponding to 50% excess risk per 1 SD in HOMA index, independent of MS and important covariates.

Adult↗

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma with high adenosine deaminase levels mimicking peritoneal tuberculosis: an unusual presentation.

Abdominal tuberculosis is still a medical problem in developing countries. The clinical presentation of tuberculous (TB) peritonitis may be similar to that of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Therefore, its diagnosis is rather difficult only with laboratory investigations. Ascitic fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity has been proposed as a useful diagnostic test in tuberculous peritonitis, as many studies reported high ADA levels in TB peritonitis. On the other hand, ADA activity is usually lower in peritoneal carcinomatosis and malignant ascites. This study described a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma with elevated (67 U L(-1)) ADA levels and clinical signs mimicking peritoneal tuberculosis. On admission, this study focused on the high value of ADA in ascites and strongly suspected TP. Although anti-tuberculous agents were initiated, his general condition did not improve. Finally, laparoscopic peritoneal biopsy was performed and non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed. In the light of these findings, ADA level may not reflect TB peritonitis in the absence of histopathological examination. Therefore, non-Hodgkin lymphoma should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis in patients with high ascitic fluid ADA levels and in non-responders to anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Transthoracic echocardiographic predictors of the left atrial appendage contraction velocity in stroke patients with sinus rhythm.

Systemic embolization is a potential complication in patients with thrombi situated in the left atrium and particularly, in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Reduced LAA contraction velocities, determined by the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), are associated with increased risk of LAA spontaneous echocontrast and thrombus formation, and a history of systemic embolism. However, TEE remains a semi-invasive procedure, limiting its serial application as a screening tool. Therefore, it is desirable to obtain information regarding LAA function by transthoracic echocardiography in patients having cardioembolic stroke. The present study was designed to investigate various echocardiographic variables for patients with stroke to predict LAA dysfunction, reflected as reduced LAA contraction velocity. We studied a total of 61 patients with newly diagnosed acute embolic stroke (42 patients) and transient ischemic attack (19 patients). Computerized tomographic scanning was performed for the diagnosis of embolic stroke. Left atrial functional parameters determined by transthoracic echocardiography, such as left atrial active emptying fraction and acceleration slope of mitral inflow A wave, had significant correlations with the LAA contraction velocity (r = 0.57, p < 0.001; r = 0.54, p < 0.001, respectively). Left atrial volume index, left atrial active emptying volume and left atrial fractional shortening were also correlated with LAA contraction velocity (r = -0.44, p < 0.001; r = 0.38, p = 0.003; r = 0.37, p = 0.004, respectively). In conclusion, transthoracic echocardiography can provide valuable and reliable information about the LAA contraction velocity in stroke patients with sinus rhythm. This finding gives new insights for the appropriate strategy in the evaluation of an acute ischemic stroke.

Adult↗

Anxiety and P wave dispersion in a healthy young population.

BACKGROUND: P wave dispersion (P(d)), defined as the difference between the maximum (P(max)) and the minimum P wave duration (P(min)), and P(max) are electrocardiographic (ECG) markers that have been used to evaluate the discontinuous propagation of sinus impulses and the prolongation of atrial conduction time. P(d) in normal subjects has been reported to be influenced by the autonomic tone, which induces changes in atrial size and the velocity of impulse propagation. However, the association between P(d) and anxiety has not been studied in normal subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: P(max), P(min) and P(d) were measured in 726 physically and mentally healthy young male volunteers, aged 21.23 +/- 1.25 years (range 20-26). The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was scored concomitantly. Blinded intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the P wave duration and P(d) measurement were evaluated, and comparison revealed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.87 and 0.89 for the P wave duration, and 0.93 and 0.90 for P(d), respectively (p < 0.001). P(max) and P(d) were significantly correlated with the state anxiety (STAI-1) subscale (r = 0.662, p < 0.001, and r = 0.540, p < 0.001, respectively) and the trait anxiety (STAI-2) subscale (r = 0.583, p < 0.001, and r = 0.479, p < 0.001, respectively). P(min) did not show any significant correlation with anxiety. Across 3 variables included in a multiple linear regression analysis, STAI-1 and STAI-2 were the significant independent determinants of P(max) and P(d). Beta coefficients indicated that the contribution of STAI-1 to P(max) (66.3 and 33.7%) and P(d) (65 and 35%) was much greater than that of STAI-2. CONCLUSIONS: STAI-1 and STAI-2 are associated with an increase in P(max) and P(d). The association of P(d) resulted from an augmentation of P(max). This is the first study to show the relation between P(max), P(d) and anxiety.

Adult↗

Plasma triglycerides, an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in men: a prospective study based on a population with prevalent metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We aimed to assess whether fasting plasma triglycerides independently predicted future fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a population having a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. In the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Study, a population-based survey, 2682 men and women 20 years of age or over with fasting triglyceride values available and free of CVD at baseline examination in 1990, were prospectively followed up till 2003/04. Triglyceride concentrations were measured by the enzymatic dry chemistry method and stratified into sex-specific quintiles. Information on the mode of death was obtained from first-degree relatives and/or health personnel of local health office. Diagnosis of coronary heart disease and stroke among survivors was based on history, physical examination of the cardiovascular system and Minnesota coding of resting electrocardiograms. A total of 120 fatal and 221 new nonfatal CVD occurred among adults (mean age 43+/-14) during a mean 9.3 years of follow-up. RESULTS: CVD was significantly and independently predicted by the top versus the bottom fasting triglyceride quintile in logistic regression analyses when adjusted for age, sex, BMI, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, lipid-lowering medication, status of smoking and of glucose regulation (relative risk [RR] in men and all adults 2.38 and 1.79, respectively, p both <0.02). This corresponded to hazard ratios (HR) of 1.43 in men and 1.28 in men and women combined. Adjustment for HDL-cholesterol instead of total cholesterol in the same model gave also significant HRs corresponding to 1.42 in men and 1.32 in sexes combined. CONCLUSIONS: Fasting triglycerides are predictive of future CVD among men with an HR of 1.4, independent of age, diabetes, lipid-lowering medication, traditional risk factors including total cholesterol or HDL-C, in a population in which metabolic syndrome prevails. A modest independent risk increment in women did not reach significance.

Adult↗

Simultaneous integrin alphavbeta3 and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition causes reduction in infarct size in a model of acute coronary thrombosis and primary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that simultaneous inhibition of the endothelial integrin alpha(v)beta(3) and the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor will substantially reduce infarct size in a model of acute coronary thrombosis and primary angioplasty. METHODS: Dogs were subjected to thrombus formation in the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by primary angioplasty. Prior to angioplasty, they were randomized into 3 treatment groups. Group 1 (n=7) received saline; Group 2 (n=9) received MK-383 that inhibits only IIb/IIIa; and Group 3 (n=9) received CP-4715, that inhibits both IIb/IIIa and alpha(v)beta(3). RESULTS: There was a 59% reduction in infarct size in dogs receiving CP-4715 compared to controls (p=0.002) and a 37% reduction compared to the dogs receiving MK-383 (p=0.04). Myocardium microthrombi were seen to be reduced similarly with both drugs on post-mortem (99m)Tc-DMP444 autoradiography that reflects in vivo IIb/IIIa receptor activity. In vivo imaging using echistatin-conjugated and leukocyte-targeted microbubbles revealed significant alpha(v)beta(3) inhibition and reduction in active leukocyte recruitment only in Group 3 dogs. Myocardial blood flow and regional function after reperfusion were also significantly better in this group. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous inhibition of IIb/IIIa and alpha(v)beta(3) causes a marked reduction in infarct size in a model of acute coronary thrombosis and primary PTCA that is associated with reduced myocardial microthrombi and inflammation, as well as improved myocardial blood flow and regional function. These results may have important implications in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes.

Acute Disease↗

Effects of maternal nicotine exposure during lactation on breast-fed rat pups.

BACKGROUND: Nicotine is known to be associated with adverse effects in infants and children. It is concentrated in breast milk and is absorbed by the infant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on breast-fed rat pups of maternal nicotine exposure during lactation. METHODS: In the experimental group (n = 6), nicotine was given to lactating dams (2 mg/kg/day) after delivery and continued for 10 days during lactation. Control animals (n = 4) received saline for the same duration. The suckling rats were weighed and killed on postnatal day 10, and samples were taken from the lung, liver, kidney, spleen and small intestine for histopathological examination. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the liver of the dam and the offspring. RESULTS: Histopathological changes in the liver of the nicotine-exposed group showed portal inflammatory infiltrate, ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes, and focal necrosis in the parenchyma. Thickening of alveolar walls because of interstitial inflammation was noted in the lungs. Histopathological examination of kidney, spleen and small intestine tissue did not reveal any abnormality. In the experimental group, SOD and CAT activities were significantly decreased (p <0.001) but MDA levels were significantly increased (p <0.001) compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that maternal nicotine exposure induces oxidative stress and causes detrimental histopathological changes in the lung and liver of lactating offspring.

Animals↗

Detection of peripheral vascular stenosis by assessing skeletal muscle flow reserve.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether the severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can be assessed by measuring blood flow reserve in limb skeletal muscle with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU). BACKGROUND: Noninvasive imaging of distal limb perfusion could improve management of patients with PAD by evaluating the impact of large and small vessel disease, and collateral flow. METHODS: In 12 dogs, blood flow in the quadriceps femoris was measured by CEU at rest and during either electrostimulated contractile exercise or adenosine infusion. Femoral artery blood flow was measured by Doppler ultrasound. Studies were performed in the absence and presence of either moderate or severe stenosis (pressure gradient of 10 to 20 mm Hg and >20 mm Hg, respectively). RESULTS: Resting femoral artery blood flow progressively decreased with stenosis severity, while resting skeletal muscle flow was reduced only with severe stenosis (52 +/- 21% of baseline, p < 0.05), indicating the presence of collateral flow. Skeletal muscle flow reserve during contractile exercise or adenosine decreased incrementally with increasing stenosis severity (p < 0.01). The stenotic pressure gradient correlated with skeletal muscle flow reserve for exercise and adenosine (r = 0.70 for both, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of limb skeletal muscle can be used to assess the severity of PAD by measuring muscle flow reserve during either contractile exercise or pharmacologic vasodilation. Unlike currently used methods, this technique may provide a measure of the physiologic effects of large- and small-vessel PAD, and the influence of collateral perfusion.

Adenosine↗

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in multiple myeloma: association with reduced survival.

Cyclooxygenases (COX) are key enzymes in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Several studies have shown a relation between angiogenesis and COX-2 expression. Elevated expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), however, has not been reported in multiple myeloma (MM) in the literature. The aim of this study is to investigate COX-2 expression in MM as well as its correlation with prognostic factors and estimated survival rates. Immunohistochemical staining of the paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsy tissues (n = 51) was performed using isoform-specific COX-2 polyclonal antisera (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA). Results were correlated with recognized clinical parameters, which were retrospectively obtained from patients' files. There were 15, 19, and 17 bone marrow biopsy specimens with negative, weak-moderate, and strong COX-2 immunostaining, respectively. According to univariate analysis, beta2-microglobulin, age, stage, COX-2 expression, and serum lactate dehydrogenase levels were significant prognostic factors for survival in patients with multiple myeloma. COX-2 expression, age, and serum lactate dehydrogenase levels (greater than 1x normal level) were significant prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. Kaplan-Meier overall survival estimate of those patients with negative or weak-moderate COX-2 immunoreactivity in myeloma cells was significantly better than that of patients with strong COX-2 immunoreactivity (log-rank chi(2) = 21,43, P < 0.001). COX-2 overexpression was associated with reduced estimated survival. Poor prognostic factors such as LDH, age, and beta2-microglobulin were also correlated with COX-2 expression. Potent, specific COX-2 inhibitors showing evident antiangiogenic and antitumor effects on cancers could provide new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of MM.

Adult↗

Dyslipidemic hypertension: distinctive features and cardiovascular risk in a prospective population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence, features, and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in dyslipidemic hypertension (DH) was investigated in a prospective population-based study. Dyslipidemic hypertension was defined in terms of blood pressure, plasma triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol consistent with the metabolic syndrome criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. High-normal or hypertensive values not meeting the other two criteria were designated as "simple hypertensives" (SH). METHODS: A sample of 2225 men and women and free of CVD at baseline were followed up for a mean of 4.1 years. The proportions of DH, SH, and normotensives were 16%, 37%, and 47%, respectively. All persons with DH had metabolic syndrome by definition, whereas metabolic syndrome formed 44.6% of SH. Fatal and nonfatal CVD, diagnosed by clinical findings and Minnesota coding of resting electrocardiograms, developed in 166 subjects. RESULTS: Compared to SH, sex- and age-standardized individuals with DH had significantly higher body mass index, apolipoprotein B, fasting insulin, glucose, and C-reactive protein levels, had higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and metabolic syndrome. Cox regression analysis revealed a 1.57-fold higher (confidence interval 1.08-2.28) hazard ratio (HR) for CVD in DH than in SH, after adjustment for sex, age, LDL-cholesterol, and smoking status. The sex- and age-adjusted HR of DH was furthermore 1.45-fold higher than the remaining subjects with metabolic syndrome (P = .096). Among persons with DH, age, presence of diabetes, and pulse pressure proved to be independent predictors for CVD. High LDL-cholesterol levels and fasting hyperinsulinemia were associated with borderline significantly elevated relative risks among dyslipidemic hypertensives. CONCLUSIONS: Dyslipidemic hypertension, prevailing in 1 of every 6 adults, implicates characteristic features, confers excess CVD risk compared to the remainder of hypertensives and carries half the attributable cardiovascular risk due to metabolic syndrome.

Adult↗

Cross-sectional study of complement C3 as a coronary risk factor among men and women.

In the present study, we examined (i) whether C3 (complement C3) was an independent marker of prevalent CHD (coronary heart disease), and (ii) which preferential associations existed between C3 and some cardiovascular risk factors when jointly analysed with CRP (C-reactive protein) and fibrinogen. In a cohort of 756 unselected adults, 39% of whom had the metabolic syndrome, C3 and other risk variables were evaluated in a cross-sectional manner. In a logistic regression model for the likelihood of CHD, a significant OR (odds ratio) of 3.5 [95% CI (confidence intervals), 1.27 and 9.62)] for C3 was obtained after adjustment for smoking status, TC (total cholesterol) and usage of statins. A similar model, also comprising systolic blood pressure, with a cut-off point of >or=1.6 g/l C3 exhibited a 1.9-fold risk (95% CI, 1.01 and 3.58) compared with individuals below the cut-off point. Both analyses displayed an adjusted OR of 1.37 for each S.D. increment in C3. The significant relationship of C3 with a likelihood of CHD also proved to be independent of CRP. In multiple linear regression models, associations were tested for each acute-phase protein with measures of obesity, fasting insulin, triacylglycerols (triglycerides), TC, HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol, physical activity, smoking status, diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and family income. When both genders were combined, C3 was independently associated with serum triacylglycerols, waist circumference, BMI (body mass index) and TC. CRP was independently associated with waist circumference, TC, family income (inversely) and physical activity, and fibrinogen with BMI, TC, smoking status and metabolic syndrome. In summary, elevated levels of complement C3 are associated with an increased likelihood of CHD independent of standard risk factors and regardless of the presence of acute coronary events, suggesting that C3 might be actively involved in coronary atherothrombosis. Unlike CRP and fibrinogen, C3 was preferentially associated with waist girth and serum triacylglycerols.

Adult↗

Female adnexal tumor of probable Wolffian origin diagnosed during the staging evaluation of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Female adnexal tumor of probable Wolffian origin (FATPWO) is a rare neoplasm arising within the leaves of broad ligament or hanging from it or a fallopian tube. A 55-year-old female patient with the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is presented. The staging procedure revealed a pelvic mass that was not regressed by chemotherapy. Explorative laparotomy showed FATPWO. The extremely rare coexistence of FATPWO in the staging evaluation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is reported. According to our knowledge, this is the first case of FATPWO coexisting with extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the English-language literature.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

In vivo effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and apoptotic changes in rats.

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) has been reported to induce apoptotic cellular death in myocardium. This study tested the hypothesis that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), one of the active components of propolis, may ameliorate myocardial apoptosis and oxidative myocardial injury. Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: (i) sham operated, (ii) I/R, (iii) I/R+CAPE, and (iv) I/R+glutathione (GSH). CAPE (10 micromol/kg) was infused iv 10 min before occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (30 min) followed by reperfusion (120 min). GSH (5 mg/kg) was infused iv after the occlusion and immediately before reperfusion. The TdT-mediated in situ nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method was used to evaluate apoptotic activity. I/R resulted in myocardial apoptosis, alterations of antioxidant status, elevation of serum creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, evidence of lipid peroxidation, and elevated nitric oxide levels, compared to the sham-operation group. No apoptotic cells were found in the myocardial tissue of sham-operated rats. The TUNEL-positive myocardial cells averaged 60%, 30%, and 40% in the I/R, I/R+CAPE, and I/R+GSH groups, respectively. This study demonstrates that pretreatment with CAPE provides cardio-protection from I/R injury. The I/R+CAPE group showed reduced apoptosis, attenuated NO production, elevated myocardial superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and diminished serum CK and AST activities, compared to the I/R group.

Animals↗

[Lipoprotein (a) in a population-based study: more significant in Turkish women than men?].

OBJECTIVE: Serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentrations, determined in 665 persons in the 2003/04 survey of the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Study, were investigated in regard to distribution, determinants and relationship to cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome (MS) and coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Diagnosis of MS was based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, that of CHD on the presence of clinical findings and Minnesota coding of resting electrocardiograms. Metabolic syndrome was observed in 44%, CHD in 14% of the study sample. Behring nephelometry was used for Lp(a) values measurements which were log-transformed for analyses because of skewing. RESULTS: Geometric mean values of Lp(a) in 286 men and 379 women, aged 55.5 +/-12.0 years, were 9.46+/-2.90 mg/dL and 10.46+/-3.00 mg/dL (p>0.2), respectively. Apart from a slight correlation with age, Lp(a) exhibited significant positive correlations with apolipoproteins A-I and B, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (r =0.15), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure and log C-reactive protein, and inverse ones with thyroid stimulating hormone (r =-0.25) in men, and log gamma glutamyltransferase in women. Further 10 variables were not significantly correlated in either gender. In linear regression analyses for independent covariates of Lp(a), positive associations were noted with serum total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, and inverse ones with waist circumference, triglycerides and (only in women) with gamma glutamyltransferase. Logistic regression analyses revealed in men no association with either MS or CHD likelihood. Among women, age-adjusted Lp(a) was associated inversely at a borderline significance with MS, as did levels of Lp(a) >30 mg/dl vs. the remaining sample, controlled for age and MS, display an odds ratio (OR) of 1.62 for prevalent CHD (p=0.20). An OR of 1.92 (p<0.19) was noted in all adults for the coexistence of Lp(a) >30 mg/dl and LDL-C >150 mg/dl, after controlling for age, MS, smoking status and LDL-C categories. CONCLUSION: Lipoprotein(a), the variance of which is known to be overwhelmingly due to the apo(a) isoforms, proved to have a significant inverse independent association with a measure of abdominal obesity. Lipoprotein(a) levels appeared not to be associated with risk for MS or CHD among men. In women, however, high Lp(a) levels were accompanied with an environment less prone to MS, and - without attaining significance -- tended to be associated with CHD likelihood, independent of age and MS. Further studies are warranted in this area.

Adult↗

Granulocytic sarcoma of the colon and leukemic infiltration of the liver in a patient presenting with hematochezia and jaundice.

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is an extramedullary tumor composed of immature cells of the granulocytic series known to occur in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelogenous leukemia, or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is relatively rare in GS. We present an extremely rare case of GS of the colon and liver infiltration in a 60-year-old male patient with AML presenting with jaundice and hematochezia and review the literature. It should be kept in mind that hematochezia may be due to colonic involvement of GS besides thrombocytopenia which is usually encountered in patients with AML.

Colonic Neoplasms↗