The frequency of osteoporosis in patients with predialysis chronic renal failure and the factors affecting the development of osteoporosis

Background

Osteoporosis is a common public health problem in chronic kidney patients. The risk factors for osteoporosis in patients with nondialysis CKD have not been fully investigated. It is not known exactly whether the risk factors of osteoporosis in the general population are also valid for the nondialysis CKD patients. Aims: This study aims to determine the frequency of osteoporosis and the risk factors for osteoporosis in nondialysis CKD patients.

Patients and Methods

Our study was performed with 283 nondialysis stage 3-5 CKD patients. According to the BMD results, the patients were classified into groups as normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis according to World Health Organization criteria. Monocyte/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio (MHR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated individually for all cases.

Results

According to our BMD results, 67 (24%) patients were found to have osteoporosis. In the osteoporosis patient group, compared to the normal BMD group, females were higher and the mean age was higher (P = 0.025, P = 0.028). Body mass index (BMI) and eGFR were lower in the osteoporosis group (P = 0.013). Parathyroid Hormone and Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in the patients in the osteoporosis group was higher than of those in the normal group (P = 0.026, P = 0.035). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, advanced age, female gender, and low BMI were determined as independent risk factors for the development of osteoporosis in nondialysis CKD patients.

Conclusion

Advanced age, female gender and low BMI are the risk factors for osteoporosis in nondialysis CKD patients. It may be a rational approach to measure BMD for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in nondialysis CKD patients who are elderly, female and have low BMI.

Determining the factors affecting the gestational length in sheep

This research aimed to determine the effects of body weight, the body condition score (BCS), body measurements, birth type (single offspring or twin birth), birth weight and sex on the gestational length in sheep (n=111). Karayaka sheep raised on a private farm were used in the study. Progeny yield characteristics in sheep were also determined (n=139). Estrus was monitored daily using teaser rams from August to September 2016. According to our findings, the pregnancy rate, infertility rate, fecundity, and twin and single birth rates were 93.52 %, 6.48 %, 93.52 %, 14.62 % and 85.38 % respectively. The effect of age on the BCS in sheep at mating was found to be significant (P<0.05): BCS decreased as age increased. It was determined that there was a positive association between the BCS and live weight during the mating period (P<0.001). The chest circumference, front shin circumference and body length were found to be higher in sheep with a BCS ≥4.5 at mating time (P<0.01). The middle rump width was significantly affected by the BCS (P<0.001). In this study, the lowest and highest gestational lengths were found to be 148.90 and 151.41 d respectively. The gestational length in sheep was not found to be affected by age, the BCS, body measurements, sex or birth type (P>0.05); however, it was observed that the gestational lengths for male offspring and single offspring (non-multiple births) were longer. In addition, it was detected that the gestational length was different in sheep with a BCS ≥4.5. The time spent in the womb is important with respect to obtaining a healthy lamb. For profitable production, a BCS of between 2.5 and 4 is recommended in sheep. It is thought that the use of body condition scoring, which is easy information for the breeder to utilize, will have a positive effect on determining the bodily reserves of sheep and the reproductive efficiency as well as on obtaining a healthy lamb. More studies on the gestational length in sheep are required.

Amebicidal effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) against Acanthamoeba cysts

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (TF) is known to the public as a chest emollient, mucous expectorant, laxative and is used to prevent maturation of boils and diabetes since ancient times. In this study, we aimed to determine the amebicidal effects against Acanthamoeba cysts. Plant extracts were prepared at concentrations of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg/ml and were placed in a hemocytometer with cell counts 22 × 106 cell/ml. The fatty acid profiles of TF seeds were determined. Standard Acanthamoeba cysts were added and incubated at 25°C. The viability of the parasite was checked and recorded at hours 3, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 102. The values of lethal concentration doses (LD50 and LD90) were calculated using probit analysis. This study revealed that T. foenum-graecum prevented proliferation of the parasite at certain times. However, further for in vivo and controlled experimental studies are needed in order to find out how to use this plant as medication.

In vitro evaluation of color and translucency reproduction of maxillofacial prostheses using a computerized system

PURPOSE

Accurate color matching of maxillofacial prostheses to skin is important for esthetics. A computerized color matching system specific to human skin has recently been developed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy in color and translucency matching of the computerized color matching system across different skin colors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The silicone was colored to simulate 28 different skin colors (n=5) to serve as “target skin colors”. Using a spectrocolorometer (e-skin), color codes were determined for “replicate skin color” fabrication. CIELAB Delta-E between target skin color-replicate skin color pairs and translucency parameter were calculated. CIELAB Delta-E values were compared with one-way ANOVA and Tukey multiple-comparison. The agreement between L*, a*, b* and translucency parameter of target skin colors and replicate skin color were calculated by a two-way mixed average measures intraclass correlation coefficient. Translucency parameter of target skin color-replicate skin color pairs were compared with Paired t-test (α=.05).

RESULTS

The mean CIELAB Delta-E value was 3.83 and significant differences were found among colors. The intraclass correlation coefficient showed excellent reliability for L*, a*, b* and good reliability for translucency parameter (P<.001). The mean translucency parameter of replicate skin colors was significantly higher than that of translucency parameter.

CONCLUSION

The computerized color matching system specific to human skin was found to be reliable in terms of color and translucency between target skin colors and replicate skin color.