Fungal Planet description sheets: 868-950

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Australia, Chaetomella pseudocircinoseta and Coniella pseudodiospyri on Eucalyptus microcorys leaves, Cladophialophora eucalypti, Teratosphaeria dunnii and Vermiculariopsiella dunnii on Eucalyptus dunnii leaves, Cylindrium grande and Hypsotheca eucalyptorum on Eucalyptus grandis leaves, Elsinoe salignae on Eucalyptus saligna leaves, Marasmius lebeliae on litter of regenerating subtropical rainforest, Phialoseptomonium eucalypti (incl. Phialoseptomonium gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus grandis × camaldulensis leaves, Phlogicylindrium pawpawense on Eucalyptus tereticornis leaves, Phyllosticta longicauda as an endophyte from healthy Eustrephus latifolius leaves, Pseudosydowia eucalyptorum on Eucalyptus sp. leaves, Saitozyma wallum on Banksia aemula leaves, Teratosphaeria henryi on Corymbia henryi leaves. Brazil, Aspergillus bezerrae, Backusella azygospora, Mariannaea terricola and Talaromyces pernambucoensis from soil, Calonectria matogrossensis on Eucalyptus urophylla leaves, Calvatia brasiliensis on soil, Carcinomyces nordestinensis on Bromelia antiacantha leaves, Dendryphiella stromaticola on small branches of an unidentified plant, Nigrospora brasiliensis on Nopalea cochenillifera leaves, Penicillium alagoense as a leaf endophyte on a Miconia sp., Podosordaria nigrobrunnea on dung, Spegazzinia bromeliacearum as a leaf endophyte on Tilandsia catimbauensis, Xylobolus brasiliensis on decaying wood. Bulgaria, Kazachstania molopis from the gut of the beetle Molops piceus. Croatia, Mollisia endocrystallina from a fallen decorticated Picea abies tree trunk. Ecuador, Hygrocybe rodomaculata on soil. Hungary, Alfoldia vorosii (incl. Alfoldia gen. nov.) from Juniperus communis roots, Kiskunsagia ubrizsyi (incl. Kiskunsagia gen. nov.) from Fumana procumbens roots. India, Aureobasidium tremulum as laboratory contaminant, Leucosporidium himalayensis and Naganishia indica from windblown dust on glaciers. Italy, Neodevriesia cycadicola on Cycas sp. leaves, Pseudocercospora pseudomyrticola on Myrtus communis leaves, Ramularia pistaciae on Pistacia lentiscus leaves, Neognomoniopsis quercina (incl. Neognomoniopsis gen. nov.) on Quercus ilex leaves. Japan, Diaporthe fructicola on Passiflora edulis × P. edulis f. flavicarpa fruit, Entoloma nipponicum on leaf litter in a mixed Cryptomeria japonica and Acer spp. forest. Macedonia, Astraeus macedonicus on soil. Malaysia, Fusicladium eucalyptigenum on Eucalyptus sp. twigs, Neoacrodontiella eucalypti (incl. Neoacrodontiella gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus urophylla leaves. Mozambique, Meliola gorongosensis on dead Philenoptera violacea leaflets. Nepal, Coniochaeta dendrobiicola from Dendriobium lognicornu roots. New Zealand, Neodevriesia sexualis and Thozetella neonivea on Archontophoenix cunninghamiana leaves. Norway, Calophoma sandfjordenica from a piece of board on a rocky shoreline, Clavaria parvispora on soil, Didymella finnmarkica from a piece of Pinus sylvestris driftwood. Poland, Sugiyamaella trypani from soil. Portugal, Colletotrichum feijoicola from Acca sellowiana. Russia, Crepidotus tobolensis on Populus tremula debris, Entoloma ekaterinae, Entoloma erhardii and Suillus gastroflavus on soil, Nakazawaea ambrosiae from the galleries of Ips typographus under the bark of Picea abies. Slovenia, Pluteus ludwigii on twigs of broadleaved trees. South Africa, Anungitiomyces stellenboschiensis (incl. Anungitiomyces gen. nov.) and Niesslia stellenboschiana on Eucalyptus sp. leaves, Beltraniella pseudoportoricensis on Podocarpus falcatus leaf litter, Corynespora encephalarti on Encephalartos sp. leaves, Cytospora pavettae on Pavetta revoluta leaves, Helminthosporium erythrinicola on Erythrina humeana leaves, Helminthosporium syzygii on a Syzygium sp. bark canker, Libertasomyces aloeticus on Aloe sp. leaves, Penicillium lunae from Musa sp. fruit, Phyllosticta lauridiae on Lauridia tetragona leaves, Pseudotruncatella bolusanthi (incl. Pseudotruncatellaceae fam. nov.) and Dactylella bolusanthi on Bolusanthus speciosus leaves. Spain, Apenidiella foetida on submerged plant debris, Inocybe grammatoides on Quercus ilex subsp. ilex forest humus, Ossicaulis salomii on soil, Phialemonium guarroi from soil. Thailand, Pantospora chromolaenae on Chromolaena odorata leaves. Ukraine, Cadophora helianthi from Helianthus annuus stems. USA, Boletus pseudopinophilus on soil under slash pine, Botryotrichum foricae, Penicillium americanum and Penicillium minnesotense from air. Vietnam, Lycoperdon vietnamense on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

IRISIN AND CHEMERIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Context

Changes in the secretion of signaling molecules that originates from adipose tissue and inflammation draw attention in the pathogenesis of type 2 DM. Chemerin, one of the signaling molecules of adipose origin, and irisin, defined as the Renaissance of the metabolism, are among these molecules.

Objectives

This cross-sectional study was planned in order to compare the values of serum irisin and chemerin levels in patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and in healthy subjects.

Subjects and Methods

The study included 41 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and 49 healthy individuals. The chemistry parameters were analyzed with a biochemistry autoanalyzer, and hormonal parameters were analyzed with an immunoassay analyzer. Plasma irisin and chemerin levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

Results

There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of glucose, HbA1C, Insulin, HOMA-IR and lipid panel results. Irisin levels in the group of patients newly diagnosed with T2DM were lower than in the control group. Chemerin levels in the group of patients newly diagnosed with T2DM were higher than in the control group.

Conclusion

Consequently, diabetes-dependent changes in chemerin and irisin concentrations suggest that these two hormones have a role in the pathophysiology of DM. Further studies are required to understand the complex structure of the signaling pathways of chemerin and irisin molecules as well as the physiological importance of these molecules as metabolism regulators especially in humans.

The role of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS9 in cardiovascular disease in premature ovarian insufficiency and idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

PURPOSE

We aimed to determine the relation of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS4), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-9 (ADAMTS9) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, in ovarian dysfunction patients with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH).

METHODS

43 IHH and 44 POI patients were enrolled to this case-control study. Serum hormonal parameters, lipid profiles, ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS9 levels were measured. Lipid accumulation product (LAP) index, visceral adiposity index (VAI), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The patients with at least two out of the four following criteria were accepted to have increased CVD risk; waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) ≥ 0.8, waist circumference (WC) ≥ 79 cm, triglycerides (TG) ≥ 150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) < 50 mg/dL. Serum ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS9 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS9 levels were significantly higher in the IHH group than the POI group (p = 0.002, and p = 0.013, respectively). IHH group had significantly higher levels of insulin, HOMA-IR index, and LAP index (p = 0.006, p = 0.005, and p = 0.013, respectively). The mean age of patients in the IHH group (23.60 ± 5.64 years) was significantly lower than the POI group (31.05 ± 6.03 years), (p < 0.001). Odds ratios (OR) were 1.236 (95% CI 1.055-1.447) and 1.002 (95% CI 1.000-1.004) for LAP index and ADAMTS4, respectively, in the IHH group. These two parameters found to have high predictivity for CVD risk in the IHH group (p = 0.009 and p = 0.028, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The lower levels of ADAMTS4 in the POI group, when compared with the IHH patients pointed out that even limited hormone secretion and ovulation in the POI group, may have protective effect on cardiovascular system. The higher levels of ADAMTS4 and LAP index in the IHH group demonstrated the increased risk of these patients for CVD.

The efficacy of hyaluronic acid in postextraction sockets of impacted third molars: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of local hyaluronic acid (HA) administration to surgically remove impacted third molar sockets and measure pain, swelling, and trismus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included a total of 25 healthy patients aged 18-29 years with asymptomatic bilaterally impacted lower third molars. All cases have been performed under local anesthesia. In the study group, 0.8% HA (Gengigel®) was applied in the postextraction sockets of the right third molars and in the control group nothing was applied to the extraction sockets of the left third molars. Postoperative pain, trismus, and swelling were evaluated on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th postoperative days.

RESULTS

No difference was determined between groups in facial swelling and maximum mouth opening. However, the amount of pain significantly reduced in HA groups according to visual analog scale (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that HA can produce an analgesic action in postextraction sockets after surgical removal of impacted teeth and therefore it has a clinical benefit to reduce usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after dentoalveolar surgery.

Application of autogenous periosteum as a membrane in sinus lifting

AIM

To evaluate the success level of autogenous periosteum in sinus lifting as a barrier membrane which contributes positively to wound healing and is effective in bone formation without the risk of tissue rejection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 32 male New Zealand rabbits were used and were divided into four groups, in which eight rabbits were placed randomly. Sinus lifting with lateral window technique was applied bilaterally to all rabbits. In the first group, the upper face of the graft materials applied was left open. In the second group, the removed bone walls were placed back over the graft materials. In the third group, synthetic membranes were placed over the graft materials. In the fourth group, the autogenous periosteums obtained from tibias of the rabbits were placed over the graft materials. After 6 weeks, the rabbits in all groups were sacrificed, and the operated regions were examined histologically, and stereological assessments were conducted regarding new bone formation, connective tissue, and osteoblasts.

RESULTS

After a 6-week recovery period, synthetic membrane showed the highest success rate regarding new bone formation. Autogenous periosteum, which achieved the second highest success rate regarding new bone formation, was the first in the number of osteoblasts.

CONCLUSION

Autogenous periosteum was considered to have the potential to be an alternative to synthetic membranes.

In vivo cartilage tissue engineering

Background

Biologic treatment options for cartilage injuries require chondrocyte expansion using cell culture. Clinical application is accomplished in two surgical sessions and is expensive. If isolation of chondrocytes and stimulus for proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis can be achieved in vivo, the treatment can be performed in one session and the cost can be reduced.

Methods

A 2.5-cm diameter full-thickness chondral defect was created in the knees of five groups of sheep. In one group, some of the chondral tissues obtained from the creation of the defect were diced into small pieces and were placed into the defect and were covered with a collagen membrane (MIV group). In the other group, the collagen membrane was soaked in collagenase prior to usage. In the next group, the collagen membrane was soaked in both collagenase and growth factors. Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) was applied to another group in two sessions, and the last group was left untreated. After 15 weeks of follow-up, repair tissues were compared macroscopically, histomorphometrically, and biochemically for tissue concentrations of glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen.

Results

MACI and MIV groups demonstrated better healing than others and were similar. Addition of collagenase or growth factors did not improve the results. Addition of collagenase did not have detrimental effect on the surrounding cartilage.

Conclusions

With the described method, it is possible to obtain comparable results with MACI. Further studies are also needed to see if it works similarly in humans.

Should the visceral peritoneum be closed over mesh in abdominal sacrocolpopexy?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Peritonisation of mesh during Abdominal sacrocolpopexy is generally advocated to prevent adhesions to the viscera; however, randomized clinical trials are lacking. In this study; we aimed to investigate whether the mesh peritonisation is clinically significant or not.

MATERIAL METHOD

Thirty-four patients who were operated for the reason of pelvic organ prolapse were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups by retrospective scanning from the files and surgical reports. Group 1 patients consisted of those who underwent peritonisation and group 2 patients consisted of those who did not in abdominal sacrocolpopexy.

RESULTS

Operative time and the amount of blood lost were statistically less in the group 2. Postoperative pain and analgesic drug requirements were obviously higher in the group 1. Postoperative De novo dyspareunia and urinary urgency were higher in the group 1. There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of other complications.

CONCLUSION

We noticed that there was no difference between the patients who were peritonized and those who were not in terms of postoperative complications.

Factors associated with increased irisin levels in the type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to determine the irisin levels in patients with the type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to examine the relation of irisin levels with the inflammation and autoimmunity.

METHODS

This study included 35 cases diagnosed with T1DM and 36 healthy volunteers. Antiglutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD), islet cell antibody (ICA), and insulin autoantibody levels were measured in patients at the time when they were included into the study and recorded from the patient files. Serum irisin levels were measured by ELISA kit.

RESULTS

The median irisin levels were determined higher in T1DM group compared to the control one (6.8 ng/ml vs. 4.8 ng/ml, p=0.022; respectively). Median irisin levels were higher in anti-GAD (p=0.022) and ICA (p=0.044) positive groups compared to negative groups. In T1DM group, irisin levels displayed positive correlation with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r=0.377, p<0.001) and anti-GAD (r=0.392, p=0.020) and negative correlation with creatinine (r=-0390, p=0.021). In multivariate regression model, HbA1c (B±SE: 2.76±17683, p<0.001), and anti-GAD (B±SE: 2.311±0.610, p=0.001) were determined as independent predictors for predicting the irisin levels.

CONCLUSION

In patients with T1DM, which chronic inflammation and autoimmunity take part in their etiopathogenesis, anti-GAD levels were an independent risk factor for the irisin. Th is may suggest that factors such as inflammation and autoimmunity can be effective in the synthesis of irisin.

Aspergillus subgenus Polypaecilum from the built environment

Xerophilic fungi, especially Aspergillus species, are prevalent in the built environment. In this study, we employed a combined culture-independent (454-pyrosequencing) and culture-dependent (dilution-to-extinction) approach to investigate the mycobiota of indoor dust collected from 93 buildings in 12 countries worldwide. High and low water activity (aw) media were used to capture mesophile and xerophile biodiversity, resulting in the isolation of approximately 9 000 strains. Among these, 340 strains representing seven putative species in Aspergillus subgenus Polypaecilum were isolated, mostly from lowered aw media, and tentatively identified based on colony morphology and internal transcribed spacer rDNA region (ITS) barcodes. Further morphological study and phylogenetic analyses using sequences of ITS, β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), DNA topoisomerase 1 (TOP1), and a pre-mRNA processing protein homolog (TSR1) confirmed the isolation of seven species of subgenus Polypaecilum, including five novel species: A. baarnensis, A. keratitidis, A. kalimae sp. nov., A. noonimiae sp. nov., A. thailandensis sp. nov., A. waynelawii sp. nov., and A. whitfieldii sp. nov. Pyrosequencing detected six of the seven species isolated from house dust, as well as one additional species absent from the cultures isolated, and three clades representing potentially undescribed species. Species were typically found in house dust from subtropical and tropical climates, often in close proximity to the ocean or sea. The presence of subgenus Polypaecilum, a recently described clade of xerophilic/xerotolerant, halotolerant/halophilic, and potentially zoopathogenic species, within the built environment is noteworthy.

Using plasma exchange to successfully manage thyrotoxicosis in a patient with possible antithyroid drug-related thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

OBJECTIVE

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenic purpura, neurologic abnormalities, fever, and renal insufficiency. The association or co-existence of thyrotoxicosis or antithyroid drugs with TTP has not been previously reported. Subject and Results. Herein, we present a 54-year-old female patient newly diagnosed with toxic multinodular goiter accompanying with TTP, possibly triggered by either thyrotoxicosis or antithyroid drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

The present report is the first in the literature to demonstrate the co-existence of these two diseases and the use of plasma exchange as a modality to treat both conditions.

The effects of formoterol on the serum, peritoneal VEGF, MDA, and VEGF levels in the ovaries and endometrium of rats with OHSS

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of formoterol (a beta2-adrenoreceptor agonist) on serum and peritoneal fluid VEGF, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and on VEGF-stained cell counts in the ovaries and endometrium of rats with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) within the framework of immunohistochemical analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 28 immature female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were given ten IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin/day on days 22-25 of life. They were administered 30 IU hCG on day 26 of life to mimic OHSS. On days 26 and 27 of life, 24 mcg/kg/day formoterol in group 3 and 48 mcg/kg formoterol in group 4 were administered intraperitoneally per animal.

RESULTS

Although, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of serum and peritoneal fluid VEGF or MDA levels (serum VEGF: p = 0.28 1, peritoneal VEGF: p = 0.674, serum MDA: p = 0.543, peritoneal MDA: p = 0.506), there was a significant difference between the control and the OHSS placebo groups (p = 0.013) regarding the VEGF in the ovarian cortex. There was a significant difference between the control and the other groups in terms of ovarian stroma (p = 0.001), and there was also a statistically significant difference between the OHSS placebo and the other groups regarding VEGF in the endometrium (OHSS placebo vs. control group p = 0.002, OHSS placebo vs. the formoterol 24 mcg/kg group, p = 0.008, and OHSS-placebo vs. the formoterol 48 mcg/kg group, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Formoterol represents a potential novel strategy for the management of OHSS. Further studies, including those examining the dosage of formoterol, are warranted.

New Talaromyces species from indoor environments in China

Talaromyces contains both asexual and sexually reproducing species. This genus is divided in seven sections and currently has 105 accepted species. In this study we investigated the Talaromyces isolates that were obtained during a study of indoor air collected in Beijing, China. These indoor Talaromyces strains are resolved in four sections, seven of them are identified as T. islandicus, T. aurantiacus, T. siamensis and T. albobiverticillius according to BenA sequences, while 14 isolates have divergent sequences and are described here as nine new species. The new species are placed in four sections, namely sections Helici, Islandici, Talaromyces and Trachyspermi. They are described based on sequence data (ITS, BenA, CaM and RPB2) in combination with phenotypic and extrolite characters. Morphological descriptions and notes for distinguishing similar species are provided for each new species. The recently described T. rubrifaciens is synonymised with T. albobiverticillius based on presented phylogenetic results.

Obesity is not a descriptive factor for oxidative stress and viscosity in follicular fluid of in vitro fertilization patients

BACKGROUND

Obesity's impact on micro-environmental oxidative stress and follicular fluid (FF) viscosity and whether or not it has any effect on in vitro fertilization (IVF) success is a matter of debate.

AIMS

In this study, our aim was to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress markers and the FF viscosity in obese and non-obese patients.

METHODS

Eighty norm-responder patients undergoing IVF were prospectively grouped according to their body mass indexes (BMI). Group 1 (n = 40) and group 2 (n = 40) had BMI values of ≤24.9 and ≥25.0, respectively. Total sulfhydryl (RSH) levels (nmol/m) and the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (malondialdehyde, or MDA) (µmol/ml) in FFs were quantified. For the first time in our study, FF viscosity with changing BMI values was also determined.

RESULTS

The mean levels of MDA (µmol/ml) and RSH (nmol/ml) were not significantly different between groups (1.37 ± 0.51; 1.51 ± 0.51; p > 0.05 for MDA and 0.42 ± 0.30; 0.41 ± 0.20; p > 0.05 for RSH, respectively). Similarly, the FF viscosity (centipoise) was not different between groups (1.28 ± 0.28; 1.30 ± 0.19; p < 0.05, respectively). Independent of BMI, no correlation was found between FF levels of oxidative markers and the number of oocytes retrieved or the fertilization rates.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, we found no difference in the levels of follicular oxidative and anti-oxidative markers or the follicular fluid viscosity with changing BMI values. We also demonstrated that the levels of oxidative stress markers and the viscosity of follicular fluid did not affect clinical outcomes.

Erythropoietin stimulates the coronary collateral development in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion

Objective

Erythropoietin (EPO) improves cardiac function and induces neovascularisation in post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between the serum erythropoietin level and coronary collateral development in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic total occlusion.

Methods

A total of 168 patients consisting of 117 with coronary artery disease (CAD, (62 with chronic total occlusion (CTO), 55 without CTO)) and 51 with healthy coronary arteries were included in the study. The patients were assigned as coronary artery disease without CTO (group 0), CAD with CTO (group 1: poor collateral development, group 2: good collateral development) and normal coronary arteries (group 3).

Results

There was a significant positive correlation between serum EPO levels and the Rentrop scores in angiography (r = 0.243, p = 0.001). Similarly, a positive correlation was found between serum EPO levels and the Syntax scores (r = 0.253, p = 0.001). Echocardiography revealed a negative correlation between serum EPO levels and the cardiac ejection fraction (r = −0.210, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Serum EPO is a useful biomarker for coronary collateral development in patients with CTO.

Newly diagnosed primary hypothyroidism applicant with massive pericardial effusion and acute renal failure

OBJECTIVE

While non-symptomatic pericardial effusion is seen in primary hypothyroidism, massive pericardial effusion is a very rare finding. In the literature, newly diagnosed primary hypothyroidism cases presenting with massive pericardial effusion or acute renal failure are present, but we did not encounter any case first presenting with combination of two signs. In this case report, primary hypothyroidism case that presenting with massive pericardial effusion and acute renal failure will be discussed. Subject and Results. Forty-eight years old male patient was hospitalized with shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of the eyelids and bilateral limbs complaints. On chest radiograph heart shadow was deleted, pleural effusion was present until the middle zone of the left lung. Biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, sodium, potassium, creatine kinase, Troponin I, CK-MB, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c-reactive protein) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, 52.6 μg/ml), free triiodothyronine (T3, 0.61pg/ml), free thyroxine (T4, 0.12 ng/dl), anti thyroperoxydase (343 IU/ml), anti thyroglobulin (1604 IU/ml), were analyzed. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis. Levothyroxine treatment started with a dose of 0.05 mg per day and increased gradually until the optimum dose provided. At the end of the third month, the values of TSH, free T4, and free T3 were measured (2.3 μg/ml, 1.1 ng/dl, 2.54 pg/ml, respectively). The patient recovered completely and pericardial effusion was not detected in echocardiography.

CONCLUSION

Massive PE and acute renal failure due to primary hypothyroidism is a rare clinical condition. Primary hypothyroidism should be kept in mind in patients with symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, and generalized edema; moreover, when acute renal failure and PE were detected. It should be considered that patient's biochemical parameters can improve starting from the two weeks after levothyroxine treatment started with pericardiocentesis in severe symptomatic patients.

A Study of Serum Soluble CD 163 Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The aim of this study was to determine serum soluble CD163 levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and its relation to clinical and metabolic parameters. Eighty-four women aged 18-45 years, 43 with polycystic ovary syndrome and 41 controls were recruited in this case-control study. Serum sCD163 levels of the groups were compared. Other metabolic, hormonal, and clinical parameters including, body mass index, HOMA-IR, highly sensitive C- reactive protein, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipids, luteinizing hormone, and total testosterone and waist/hip circumference were also investigated. Patients were further subgrouped according to body mass index and sCD163 levels were investigated in obese and normal weight subjects. We performed a multiple regression analysis to investigate the independent predictors affecting soluble CD163 levels. Significantly higher soluble CD163 levels were found in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (2.11±0.65 ng/ml vs. 1.69±0.85 ng/ml, p=0.012). We detected positive correlations of sCD163 with total testosterone, total cholesterol, and luteinizing hormone (r=0.330, p=0.002, r=0.356, p<0.001 and r=0.239, p=0.030, respectively). In the multiple linear regression analysis, total testosterone was the variable associated with the elevation of serum soluble CD163 levels. Soluble CD163, which is identified as a marker of inflammation and type II diabetes, is elevated in polycystic ovary syndrome. Elevated sCD163 levels were found to be associated with total testosterone. Further studies to elucidate the exact mechanism underlying the elevation of serum soluble CD163 in polycystic ovary syndrome are needed.

The impact of follicular fluid adiponectin and ghrelin levels based on BMI on IVF outcomes in PCOS

PURPOSE

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and body mass index (BMI) on follicular fluid (FF) adiponectin and ghrelin levels, and on in vitro fertilization outcomes in patients who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional study was performed with a total of 120 primary infertile women [group 1; non-PCOS = 60 (BMI <25 = 30, BMI ≥25 = 30) and group 2; PCOS = 60 (BMI <25 = 30, BMI ≥25 = 30)]. On the day of oocyte pickup, FF samples were collected.

RESULTS

The FF adiponectin levels were lower in the lean PCOS group than the lean non-PCOS group (p = 0.001), and these levels were lower in the overweight non-PCOS group compared to lean non-PCOS group (0.001). However, there was no difference in the FF ghrelin levels between the groups. Additionally, we could not find a relationship between clinical pregnancy and adiponectin and ghrelin levels.

CONCLUSION

The FF adiponectin and ghrelin levels have no effects on clinical pregnancy in PCOS. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate this issue.

A study on the association between serum amyloid A and sperm concentration

Our aim was to compare peripheral blood and seminal fluid serum amyloid A (SAA) protein levels in men classified on the basis of sperm concentration and investigate whether SAA protein is an important marker of male infertility. A total of 74 first-attempt IVF male partners of infertile couples classified as azoospermic (n = 25), oligozoospermic (n = 25) and normozoospermic group (n = 24) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. There was no difference with respect to age, BMI, infertility period and smoking ratio. No difference in haematologic parameters including white blood cell count, neutrophil ratio, lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and blood SAA level was found between the groups. Seminal fluid SAA level was 17.85 ± 2.21 ng ml(-1) in azoospermics, 16.13 ± 3.58 ng ml(-1) in oligozoospermics and 15.67 ± 4.77 ng ml(-1) in normozoospermics, showing no significant difference. Seminal SAA level was found to be not correlated with blood SAA levels. Therefore, we could not find any associations between these parameters at all. However, further studies with more participants are needed to address the exact action of SAA on spermatogenesis.