Aim: We aimed to examine whether there is any association between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D₃] and urinary tract infection (UTI) among children. Methods: White blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone, and serum 25(OH)D₃ levels were measured in 82 children experiencing a first episode of UTI, with no risk factors for UTI, and 64 healthy control children. Results: The mean serum levels of 25(OH)D₃ among children with UTI were significantly lower than those of controls (11.7 ± 3.3 vs. 27.6 ± 4.7 ng/ml; p < 0.001). The serum levels of 25(OH)D₃ were significantly lower in patients with acute pyelonephritis compared to patients with lower UTI (8.6 ± 2.8 vs. 14.2 ± 3.0 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Within the study group, mean serum levels of 25(OH)D₃ among girls were lower than those of boys (10.9 ± 3.4 ng/ml vs. 13.2 ± 4.4 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that a serum 25(OH)D₃ level of <20 ng/ml (odds ratio 3.503, 95% confidence interval 1.621-7.571; p = 0.001) was associated with UTI in children. Conclusions: Our results suggest that vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for UTI in children.

The MPV is a fast and reliable measurement with considerable predictive value for the diagnosis of APN and renal scars, and its predictive capacity is better than that of CRP, ESR, and WBC values.

The European catfish, Silurus glanis, is native to eastern Europe and western Asia and is among the largest freshwater fish in the world. Despite its increasing economic importance and its frequent introductions, the ecology and life-history of this species is poorly known due to the difficulty of sampling such a large species in large rivers and standing waters. Our study provides the first data on age and growth of this species in Turkish waters, where it is native. We report the length-weight relationships and age and size structure of this population, which were significantly different between females and males. A marginal increment analysis indicated that annulus formation occurred between May and June. The estimates of three growth functions (von Bertalanffy, logistic and Gompertz) are reported, with the von Bertalanffy growth providing a better fit and more realistic parameter estimates. Growth rates were significantly higher in males than in females and were overall higher compared to other native populations but similar to introduced populations of similar latitudeEGB was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science (projects CGL2009-12877-C02-01 and Consolider-Ingenio 2010 CSD2009-00065)

There is high antibiotic resistance in children with UTI. The patterns of uropathogen antimicrobial resistance vary in susceptibility to antimicrobials depending on region and time. Thus, the trends of antibiotic susceptibility patterns should be analyzed periodically to select the appropriate regimen for UTI treatment.

Clothianidin (CLO) is one of the pesticides used to protect against insects, and its potential toxic effects on cognitive functions are not clearly known. This study aims to evaluate the possible effects of dose-dependent CLO on learning and memory in infant and adult male rats and the expression of related genes in the hippocampus. Doses of 2, 8 and 24 mg/kg of CLO were administered to newborn infant and adult albino Winstar rats in the form of gavage and dissolved in vehicle matter. Their cognitive and learning functions were evaluated by the Morris water maze and probe tests. Expression levels of N-methyl D-aspartate 1 (GRIN1), muscuranic receptor M1, synoptophysin (SYP) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) of tissues isolated from the hippocampus were determined using the real-time PCR method. In the Morris water maze test, no change (p [ 0.05) was exhibited in the adult and infant rats after CLO was applied, although there was a significant difference (p \ 0.05) in performance between infants and the control group after 24 mg/kg was applied in the probe test. Also, expression levels GRIN1, M1, SYP, GAP-43 did not change when compared to the control (p [ 0.05). Our study shows that exposure to high doses of CLO causes deterioration of cognitive functions in infant rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the role of cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors in a rat model of acute inflammation. Therefore, the potential of anti-inflammatory effects of CB2 receptor agonist (GW405833), CB2 receptor antagonist (AM630), and diclofenac, were investigated in carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats: as were assessed by measuring paw oedema; myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in paw tissue; malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration; glutathione (GSH) level in paw tissue for oxidant/antioxidant balance; cytokine (interleukin-1β, IL-1β; tumour necrosis factor-α, TNF-α) levels in serum; histopathology of paw tissue for inflammatory cell accumulations. The results showed that GW405833 or diclofenac significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw oedema. GW405833 also inhibited the increase of MPO activity, the recruitment of total leukocytes and neutrophils, and MDA concentration during carrageenan-induced acute inflammation, along with reversed nearly to the normal levels the increased of TNF-α, and IL-1β in serum. AM630 did not affect inflammation alone however clearly reversed the effects of agonist when co-administered. The mechanism of GW405833's suppression of inflammation is supported by these results, which are achieved by the inhibition of neutrophil migration, which regulates the reduction of oxidative stress, TNF-α and IL-1β levels. Finally, the activation of CB2 receptor, by selective agonist, has a major role in peripheral inflammation, and in the near future, targeting the peripheral cannabinoid system as a promising alternative to treat inflammation diseases may be considered a novel pharmacologic approach.

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