Turk J Med Sci
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by neurodegeneration or demyelination; the relapsing–remitting phase of MS is characterized by acute exacerbation of disease activity. The most commonly used noninvasive approach to assess autonomic function is the determination of heart rate turbulence (HRT) and heart rate variability (HRV). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction using HRT and HRV parameters determined via 24-h Holter ECG monitoring in patients with relapsing–remitting MS without known heart disease. ⋯ This study revealed that the patients with MS had reduced HRV; this was demonstrated by dysfunction with regard to parasympathetic and sympathetic parameters in HRV analysis.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and identify the predictors of mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients. ⋯ This is the first study to define 9-year mortality predictors in PD patients in our centre. Although peritonitis is the most feared complication of PD, our study showed that peritonitis did not reduce patient survival.
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Aspartame (APM, L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methylester) is a low-calorie, nonsaccharide artificial sweetener widely used in foods and beverages. When metabolized by the body, APM is broken down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine amino acids, and a third substance, methanol. Since the amino acid phenylalanine serves as a neurotransmitter building block affecting the brain, and methanol is converted into toxic formaldehyde, APM has deleterious effects on the body and brain. Thus, its safety and, toxicity have been the subjects of concern ever since it was first discovered. Although many studies have been performed on it, due to the presence of conflicting data in the literature, there are still numerous question marks concerning APM.Therefore, the safety of aspartame was tested using in vitro methods. ⋯ Overall, the obtained results showed that APM had genotoxicity potential and a concentration-dependent cytotoxic activity in human blood cells.
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We aimed to revealthe incidence and predictive role of insulin resistance and distorted oral glucose tolerance test in nondiabetic patients withBell’s Palsy (BP). ⋯ There is a strong linkage between HOMA-IR value and BP prognosis so HOMA-IR value may have a significant role of predicting BP prognosis at presentation.
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The serum fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP-4) level increases in chronic inflammatory diseases. The present study aimed to examine serum FABP-4 and interleukin (IL)-6 levels in patients with stable and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the correlation of these markers with airflow limitation. ⋯ The study revealed that serum FABP-4 level was elevated with increasing GOLD grades in COPD patients, markedly in acute exacerbation phase. The increase was associated with elevated serum levels of IL-6 and severity of hypoxia. Thus, it seems that FABP-4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD.