Our results suggest that higher leptin GCF levels in healthy sites in periodontitis patients may play a protective role in periodontal disease. Further studies are needed to determine the cellular origin of the leptin in the gingiva and the effect of plasma leptin levels on GCF leptin concentrations.

The aim of this study was to compare aerobic exercise capacity, daily physical activity, pulmonary functions, resting metabolic rate, and body composition parameters in patients with psoriasis and healthy controls. A total of 60 participants (30 [15 men, 15 women] patients with psoriasis, and 30 [15 men, 15 women] healthy controls) ranging in age from 22-57 were included in the study. Maximal aerobic capacity was determined by Astrand exercise protocol. Daily physical activity was measured with an accelerometer. Resting metabolic rate was determined with an indirect calorimeter. Pulmonary function tests were performed with a portable spirometer. Body composition was established with a bioelectric impedance analysis system. Skinfold thicknesses and body circumference measurements were carried out. Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire was applied to all participants. In both genders, daily physical activity parameters were found to be higher in the psoriasis group compared to the control. Maximal aerobic capacity, resting metabolic rate, pulmonary function tests, body fatness, body fat distributions, and quality of life were not statistically different between patients with psoriasis and controls in males and females. We suggest that patients with psoriasis who do not have psoriatic arthritis or severe psoriasis are well in performing daily physical activities. In addition, we suggest that this lifestyle helped to prevent impairments of body fatness, body fat distributions, resting metabolic rate, pulmonary functions, and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis.

No abstract

Diazinon is one of the most widely used organophosphate insecticides (OPI) in agriculture and public health programs. The aim of this study was to investigate how an OPI, diazinon, affects lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the antioxidant defense system in vitro. For this purpose, two experiments were carried out. In experiment 1, the effects of various concentrations of diazinon on LPO and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes were studied. Each diazinon concentration was incubated with a previously prepared erythrocyte samples at +4°C for 0, 60 and 180 min. After incubation, the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT were determined. In experiment 2, in order to determine the direct effect of diazinon on the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT, the erythrocytes were haemolysed and incubated with the various concentrations of diazinon at +4°C for 0, 60 and 180 min. In experiment 1, MDA levels and the activities of SOD and GSH-Px increased with increasing diazinon concentration and incubation period, but CAT activity remained unchanged. In experiment 2, SOD activity was significantly decreased, and GSH-Px activity was significantly increased. From these results, it can be concluded that in vitro administration of diazinon results in the induction of erythrocyte LPO and changes the activities of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting that reactive oxygen species may be involved in the toxic effects of diazinon.

Objective. Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the toenails and can originate secondary to vascular abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between onychomycosis and venous insufficiency. Methods. Forty-two patients with onychomycosis and 39 healthy control subjects who had normal toenails were enrolled in the study. Doppler examinations were performed with a commercially available scanner and a 7.5-MHz linear probe. Major superficial and deep veins of the lower limb, including long and short saphenous, femoral, and popliteal veins, were examined. Venous insufficiency was assessed with the Valsalva test. With the Doppler examination, retrograde flow of more than 1 second was accepted as venous insufficiency. Results. Venous insufficiency was detected more frequently in patients with onychomycosis than in the control group (15 [35.7%] of 42 and 6 [15.4%] of 39, respectively; P = .037). Reflux was bilateral in 4 (26.7%) of 15 patients with onychomycosis, and in those 4 patients the onychomycosis was also bilateral. In 7 (46.7%) of 15 patients, onychomycosis and venous insufficiency were detected ipsilaterally, whereas there were no onychopathic features contralaterally. Although unilateral insufficiency was present in 4 (26.7%) of 15 patients, these patients had bilateral onychomycosis. Conclusions. We found a significant relationship between onychomycosis and venous insufficiency; therefore, we recommend a routine venous Doppler examination for patients with onychomycosis to diagnose or rule out venous insufficiency.

No abstract

Oxidant-Antioxidant Status and Pulmonary Function in Welding Workers: Fatma FIDAN, et al. Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Turkey-Welding is a process during which fumes, gases, electromagnetic radiation and noise are emitted as by-products. Metal oxide particles are particularly hazardous components of welding fumes. Welding has been found to be associated with respiratory symptoms and our objective in the present study was to study the effects of welding on pulmonary function and serum oxidant-antioxidant status. Fifty-one welding workers and 31 control subjects were recruited. Face to face interviews were conducted using the respiratory illness questionnaire adapted from the American Thoracic S o c i e t y w i t h t h e a d d i t i o n o f d e m o g r a p h i c characteristics, work history and working conditions. Additionally physical examinations and spirometric measurements were performed at workplaces. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls, protein sulfhydryls (SH) and erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured to evaluate oxidant-antioxidant status in 34 welding workers and in 20 control subjects. No statistically significant differences were observed in age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), smoking status and annual working durations between welding workers and controls. Coughing, sputing and wheezing were significantly higher in welding workers (p<0.05). When adjusted for age, BMI and smoking status in logistic regression, welding work showed a significant risk for chronic bronchitis (OR: 4.78, 95%CI: 1.30-17.54). Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 )/forced vital capacity (FVC) and four parameters of forced expiratory flow (FEF: FEF 25 , FEF 50 , FEF 75 , FEF 25-75 ) levels measured in the welding workers were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). Serum TBARS and protein carbonyl levels were higher in welding workers than those in controls (p<0.001, p<0.05, respectively). On the other hand, total protein SH groups and GSH levels were significantly lower in welders than those in controls (p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively). Pulmonary function tests and oxidant-antioxidant status were found to be negatively affected in welding workers chronically exposed to welding fumes and gases. Preventive measures should be taken to improve the health status of these workers. (J Occup Health 2005; 47: 286-292)

Informed consent including detailed information about radiation exposure, the risk factors, and potential adverse reactions of intravenous radiopharmaceutical administration increased the patients' anxiety level in those who request more information.