Abstract Background: Inflammation, which is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, plays a critical role in the development of both cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) and cancer. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker which also has proinflammatory properties. Recent studies have reported CEA to be associated with atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and visceral adiposity. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) can exhibit highly inflammatory and pathogenic properties, and is a known risk factor for CMD. However, its relationship with CEA is still unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the possible association of CEA with EAT. Methods: A total of 134 Caucasian (males = 56, females = 78) individuals, aged (22-83 years), who were admitted for routine health control, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. CEA was measured with chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). EAT was measured by transthoracic echocardiography, and the visceral fat rating (VFR) was assessed by a body composition analyzing machine. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: CEA levels were categorized as tertiles: T1, 0.5-1.04; T2, 1.06–1.69; and T3, ≥1.7 ng/ml. The mean age, weight, VFR, EAT, and fasting glucose, as well as the median of systolic blood pressure (SBP), creatinine, and AST increased with the increasing CEA tertiles. CEA was significantly associated with EAT (r = 0.55, P<0.001) and VFR (r = 0.36, P<0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis confirmed that gender, age, and EAT were the significant independent variables associated with CEA. Conclusion: Individuals with increased EAT have higher levels of CEA, suggesting that this biomarker is most likely produced by EAT; however, additional investigations are required to improve the present work.

Abstract Foreign body embolies that origin arterial system have mostly seen symptomatic and that’s why they require emergency surgery. However, asymptomatic cases are followed conservatively, they can cause vascular-related end-organ pathologies as time passes. Foreign body migration from the ascending aorta to the end-organ artery is a very rare in literature after a fire gun injury. In symptomatic cases, emergency surgery should be planned immediately. In asymptomatic cases, the risks and benefits should first be considered before any surgical approach.

Resumen Las embolias de cuerpo extraño que tienen origen en el sistema arterial se han presentado en su mayoría sintomáticas y por eso requieren cirugía de emergencia. Sin embargo, los casos asintomáticos se siguen de manera conservadora, pueden causar patologías vasculares relacionadas con los órganos diana a medida que pasa el tiempo. La migración de cuerpos extraños desde la aorta ascendente hasta la arteria del órgano blanco es muy rara en la literatura después de una lesión por arma de fuego. Casos sintomáticos, la cirugía de emergencia debe planificarse de inmediato. En casos asintomáticos, primero se deben considerar los riesgos y beneficios antes de cualquier abordaje quirúrgico.

Abstract Objectives: The primary aims of the study to evaluate the efficacy of carotid screening tests to identify asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis among high-risk patients and early prevention of stroke. Background: The estimated prevalence of asymptomatic severe carotid stenosis (≥70%) in the general adult population ranges up to 3.1%. However, the prevalence is higher in comorbid individuals. This makes it important to perform screening testing for early diagnosis and treatment in predetermined high-risk patients. Material and methods: In this prospective study, 3000 selected patients screened during March 2017 and September 2018 at the most populated family health center. Participants selected among registered individuals who have at least one of the risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and smoking. All the participants were asymptomatic and above the age of 55. Bilateral carotid artery screening performed by Duplex Ultrasonography (DUSG) at the first call and one year later. Patients with severe carotid and/or coronary artery stenosis treated by surgical revascularization or stent implantation in the light of the latest guidelines. Conclusion: Carotid screening among high-risk asymptomatic individuals is of great importance to identify severe carotid artery as well as coronary artery stenosis. Patient education during screening may play a crucial role in preventing the disease.

Resumen Objetivos: Los objetivos principales del estudio fueron evaluar la eficacia de las pruebas de detección de carótidas para identificar la estenosis asintomática de la arteria carótida en pacientes de alto riesgo y la prevención temprana del accidente cerebrovascular. Antecedentes: La prevalencia estimada de estenosis carotídea grave asintomática (≥70%) en la población adulta general varía hasta el 3,1%. Sin embargo, la prevalencia es mayor en individuos comórbidos. Esto hace que sea importante realizar pruebas de detección para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento tempranos en pacientes predeterminados de alto riesgo. Material y métodos: En este estudio prospectivo, 3000 pacientes seleccionados fueron evaluados durante marzo de 2017 y septiembre de 2018 en el centro de salud familiar más poblado. Participantes seleccionados entre individuos registrados que tienen al menos uno de los factores de riesgo como hipertensión, hiperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesidad y tabaquismo. Todos los participantes estaban asintomáticos y tenían más de 55 años. Cribado bilateral de la arteria carótida realizado por ecografía dúplex (DUSG) en la primera llamada y un año después. Pacientes con estenosis severa de carótidas y/o arterias coronarias tratados mediante revascularización quirúrgica o implantación de stents a la luz de las últimas guías. Conclusión: El cribado carotídeo en individuos asintomáticos de alto riesgo es de gran importancia para identificar la estenosis grave de la arteria carótida y la arteria coronaria. La educación del paciente durante el cribado puede desempeñar un papel fundamental en la prevención de la enfermedad.

Abstract Atherosclerosis is a systemic pathology involving the entire vascular system. Smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, advanced age, and hypertension are known risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Surgical treatment in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has been replaced by endovascular treatment options in recent years due to mortality and morbidity. In our study, we aimed to present the effectiveness of atherectomy, drug-eluting balloon, and combined therapy with values determined by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in patients they have atherosclerotic PAD. Materials and methods: Patients with intermittent claudication or critical leg ischemia (Rutherford class 3 or more) have been viewed in the study. There were 30 male and 9 female patients. Patients were followed up before, at the 1st h after and at the 3rd month after the procedure, with simultaneous ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI), walking distance measurements, and measurement of tissue oxygenation by NIRS method. Results: When patients with similar post-operative ABPI measurements were evaluated with NIRS, venous oxygenation was observed higher in patients used treatment methods combined with atherectomy. According to these results, we thought that treatment methods combined with atherectomy have increased microcirculation and collateral circulation more than other methods.

Resumen La aterosclerosis es una patología sistémica que afecta a todo el sistema vascular. El tabaquismo, la hiperlipidemia, la diabetes mellitus, la edad avanzada y la hipertensión son factores de riesgo conocidos para el desarrollo de aterosclerosis. El tratamiento quirúrgico en la enfermedad arterial periférica ha sido reemplazado por opciones de tratamiento endovascular en los últimos años debido a la mortalidad y la morbilidad. En nuestro estudio, nuestro objetivo fue presentar la efectividad de la aterectomía, el balón liberador de fármacos y la terapia combinada con valores determinados por espectroscopía de infrarrojo cercano en pacientes con enfermedad arterial periférica aterosclerótica. Material y métodos: Los pacientes con claudicación intermitente o isquemia crítica de la pierna (Rutherford clase 3 o más) han sido vistos en el estudio. Hubo 30 pacientes masculinos y 9 femeninos. Los pacientes fueron seguidos antes, en la primera hora después y en el tercer mes después del procedimiento, con un índice simultáneo de presión tobillo-brazo (ABI), mediciones de la distancia a pie y medición de la oxigenación de los tejidos mediante el método de espectroscopía de infrarrojo cercano (NIR). Resultado: cuando los pacientes con mediciones similares de ABI postoperatorio se evaluaron con NIR, se observó una mayor oxigenación venosa en los pacientes que usaron métodos de tratamiento combinados con aterectomía. Según estos resultados, pensamos que los métodos de tratamiento combinados con aterectomía han aumentado la mirocirculación y la circulación colateral más que otros métodos.

Germination percentage, seedling fresh weight and sensitivity index of the pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Sera Demre) seed lots harvested 50, 60 and 70 days after the anthesis (daa) in 2001 and 2002 were determined under the salt (NaCl) and osmotic (PEG) stresses at the same water potentials of -0.3, -0.6 and -0.9 MPa. The objective was to study whether the germination and seedling growth were inhibited by the salt toxicity or osmotic effect during the development. The higher the salt and osmotic stress concentrations the lower was the germination percentage and seedling fresh weight. The seed germination was higher and sensitivity index were lower in NaCl than in PEG at the same water potential and harvest in both the years. They were able to germinate at all the concentrations of NaCl but at -0.9 MPa of PEG, none of the seeds of any harvest germinated in both the years. The seeds harvested 70 daa showed the highest germination and seedling weight in all the NaCl and PEG concentrations in both the years. Results showed that the inhibition of the germination at the same water potential of NaCl and PEG resulted from the osmotic effect rather than the salt toxicity. Moreover, the seeds harvested 70 daa appeared to be more tolerant to the salt and osmotic water stress conditions than the other two lots.