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Busra Aydin,1 Kazim Yalcin Arga,1 Ayse Serap Karadag2 1Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey; 2Department of Dermatology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, School of Medicine, Goztepe Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, TurkeyCorrespondence: Ayse Serap KaradagDepartment of Dermatology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, School of Medicine, Goztepe Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, TurkeyTel +90 5336552260Fax +90 216 566 66 14Email karadagaserap@gmail.comAbstract: Advances in omics technologies have made it possible to unravel biomarkers from different biological levels. Intensive studies have been carried out to uncover the dysregulations in psoriasis and to identify molecular signatures associated with the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In this review, we presented an overview of the current status of the omics-driven biomarker research and emphasized the transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and glycomic signatures proposed as psoriasis biomarkers. Furthermore, insights on the limitations and future directions of the current biomarker discovery strategies were discussed, which will continue to comprehend broader visions of psoriasis research, diagnosis, and therapy especially in the context of personalized medicine.Keywords: psoriasis, biomarker, omics, inflammatory skin diseases, personalized medicine, psoriasis biomarkers, omics biomarkers

In order to increase productivity, sustainability and protection of the 5-year-old beech plantations of the Greater Caucasus northeastern slopes, 10 plots were established in large gaps and glades of four quarters of the Quba and Qusar forestry. Silvicultural treatments which were realized based on sowing and planting methods or applying both of them in a combined form were carried in this region. The sowing operations were carried out on sites of 1 × 1 m and 1 × 2 m in size and using an amount of 120-300 individuals per hectare, located across the slope. The best results in sowing sites in terms of the number of emerging beech seedlings and their survival were obtained in fresh herbage, and the worst in moist herbage forest growing conditions. In the stands created by planting, in fresh herbage forest growing conditions the best results were obtained in the middle mountain belt and satisfactory in the high mountain belt. Cultivated plants 6-8 years after sowing (planting) were transferred to a forest covered area. During this time, in the plants were carried out: with sowing - 10 treatments, with planting - 5 agrotechnical treatments.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between changes in blood estrogen levels and hearing threshold levels in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with normal otoscopic examination findings and scheduled for IVF treatment were included in the study. All patients underwent pure tone audiometry, tympanogram tests, and otoacoustic emission measurements (TEOAE) during IVF treatment, and estrogen levels were measured simultaneously. The patients were divided into three groups based on estrogen levels during IVF. The patients' audiological test results at the beginning and end of treatment (the 12th day) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There was an increase in hearing levels on the 12th day of treatment compared to the beginning of treatment in all the study groups. This increase was significant between Group 1 and Group 2 and between Group 1 and Group 3 (p<0.05). The best hearing in audiometry was determined in the patients in Group 2. While a significant increase was observed in TEOAE (otoacoustic emission) measurements in Groups 1 and 2, a significant decrease was determined in Group 3 (p<0.05). Middle ear pressure and compliance measurements on the tympanogram tests were significantly lower in Group 3 compared to Groups 1 and 2 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: During IVF treatment, as the estrogen level increases, it causes an increase in the level of hearing, but this increase does not continue after specific doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify the most reliable dosimetric predictors for pulmonary complications and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) and surgery for locally advanced esophageal cancer. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 32 patients with esophageal cancer who received surgery following NACRT for locally advanced esophageal cancer from January 2014 to June 2023. Following the completion of NACRT, all patients received transthoracic esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy. Before surgery, all patients were evaluated in terms of American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification, COPD status, and hematological values. The levels of complications were evaluated with the comprehensive complication index (CCI). The patients' radiotherapy (RT) plans were evaluated retrospectively, and lung V5, V10, V15, V20, V30, and mean lung dose (MLD) data were obtained using dose-volume histograms. The effect of this data on the need for postoperative intensive care (IC) and the occurrence of pneumonia was calculated using binary logistic regression analysis. The impact of categorical clinical features on the requirement for IC and the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia was assessed using the Fisher's exact test. The median age was 58 (range = 26–77), and the median interval between NACRT and surgery was 5 weeks (range = 4–14). The RT dose was median 45 Gy/25 fractions (range = 41.4-50.4) with 1.8–2.0 Gy daily per fraction, and 87.5% of patients received FOLFOX as concurrent chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was applied to 8 (25%) of the patients using 3D conformal, 20 (62.5%) using VMAT, and 4 (12.5%) using the hybrid (3D-IMRT) technique. The median ASA score before surgery was 2 (1-3). Only in 1 (3.1%) patient, the score was 3. Before surgery, three (9.4%) patients were diagnosed with COPD, and one (3.1%) patient had grade 2 neutropenia. Intensive care was required in 14 patients after surgery. Postoperative pneumonia occurred in 12 (37.5%) patients. The median postoperative CCI value of the patients was 22.6 (range = 0–100). Lung median V5, V10, V15, V20, V30, and MLD doses were 65.75 (28.2-95.9), 40.5 (22.4-90.6), 29.55 (13.4-45.9), 18.10 (7.6-30.6), 7.50 (2.9-24.7), and 1126.8 cGy (263-1628), respectively. The impact of preoperative COPD presence on postoperative pneumonia and IC needs was not found to be statistically significant (p = 0.274 and p = 0.596). In multivariate analyses, lung V5 (p = 0.042), V10 (p = 0.037), and V15 (p = 0.049) doses statistically significantly affected the need for IC. Lung volume exposed to low-dose radiation (V5-V15) was found to be strongly associated with prolonged intensive care unit stay after surgery for locally advanced esophageal cancer. More comprehensive studies are needed on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) cases with a normal CT scanning account for the vast majority of all TBI patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the course of serum Phosphorylated Neurofilament Heavy Chain (pNF-H) levels in the first six hours after trauma in rats in experimental mTBI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental animal study, 32 female Sprague-Dawley rats were enrolled equally (n=8) into 3 experimental groups and 1 control group. In experimental groups, animals were exposed to a mTBI with a free fall of 50-gram metal disc from a height of 80 cm. We compared serum pNF-H levels at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th hours after traumatic brain injury in the experimental groups with the control group. RESULTS: Serum pNF-H levels at the 2nd and 4th hours after traumatic brain injury were statistically significantly higher than the control group. Serum pNF-H levels gradually decreased at the 4th and 6th hours compared to the 2nd hour and decreased to a similar level to the control group at the 6th hour after injury. CONCLUSIONS: A high serum pNF-H value, could be used in the diagnosis and management of mTBI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development provisions have become an integral part of the European Union's (EU's) 'new generation' trade agreements. Yet, a growing number of empirical works show that their design varies significantly, even in the trade agreements signed with countries at similar (low) levels of development. We contend that this variation can be accounted for by discussing how the growing integration of the EU economy with specific developing countries across global value chains (GVCs) affects the domestic politics of regulatory export in the EU. European firms that operate within GVCs rely on imports of inputs produced in low-labor cost countries. These firms tend to oppose the export of those regulatory burdens that generate an increase in their imports' variable costs. The political mobilization of these actors weakens domestic coalitions supporting regulatory export strategies, which explains why the EU adopts a more lenient approach over the inclusion of sustainable development provisions in Preferential Trade Agreement negotiations with some developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, the results of the complex cuttings were presented in the secondary hornbeam stands with the aim of regenerating the natural beech stands in the northern regions of Azerbaijan. For this purpose, three complex cutting procedures were carried out with a recurrence at 5 and 10 years in four sites of the secondary hornbeam stands in the northern regions. The experimental plots were characterised with: a stand density of 0.5-0.7, the age of the forest stands of 60-130 years, undergrowth of 12-25 years, a stand volume of 130-200 m3·ha-1, the beech percentage in the composition of stands of 17-28%, hornbeam 62-79% spread over the southern and northern slopes of the mountains. As a result of the complex cuttings, the share of beech trees in the composition of the parent stands increased 2.2-3.0 times. During cutting, the share of beech trees, as a part of undergrowth, increased 3.8-4.3 times. Based on the data, mathematical models were established reflecting the dynamics of the numbers of the undergrowth and the total stand volume of the forest stands depending on the participation percentage of beech trees in the parent stand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corporate responsibility to respect human rights was formally introduced in 2011 with the unanimous endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by the UN Human Rights Council. It is grounded in social expectations and forms part of the companies' "social license to operate." This paper argues that this responsibility is progressively turning into a legal duty for lead companies to respect human rights in those types of value chains which are characterized by a high level of control by a lead company over its business partners. Our argument rests on two recent legal developments. Firstly, the article analyzes the judicialization of the corporate responsibility to respect in the case law on parent company liability in various jurisdictions, which, we argue, is highly likely to have some implications in relation to certain types of value chains so as to trigger the liability of lead companies for the human rights harms arising out of the activities of entities over which they exercise sufficient control. Secondly, the article delves into the legislative developments which increasingly require lead companies to exercise due diligence so as to prevent and address adverse human rights impacts in their own activities and global value chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the technical analyses of wide ranges of scholars to the public discourse backlashes against globalization, there is a huge volume of work historicizing, quantifying, and problematizing the complex role of multinational corporations (MNCs) in international trade. The body of literature is so large that most readers rely on disciplinary boundaries to narrow the catalog, causing them to miss out on important synergies across fields. By bringing the work of historians, lawyers, and political scientists working on MNCs and international trade into conversation, we offer an expanded perspective. Our collective contribution highlights the political dimensions of MNCs within the frameworks of global economic governance, in which corporations seek to influence trade policies amid rising protectionism and coordinate their activities within industry associations while regulators struggle to hold MNC parent companies accountable to international human rights violations across their value chains. Especially in this moment of re-evaluation — and possible de-globalization following the shock of COVID-19 — our multidisciplinary analysis explains how MNCs exerted political power over trade regimes in the past, by what means they seek to shape regulatory frameworks in the present, and what the possible futures might be for big business operations in a more or less global economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last decade, we have seen an increased opposition to globalization. Within this wave of criticism, firms and more specifically multinational corporations have been major targets, accused of multiple wrongdoings, such as social dumping, fiscal evasion, job cuts, trade deficits, abuses of power, and environmental damages. In many respects, this debate echoes the one that took place during the 1970s with respect to oil shocks, de-industrialization, and imperialism. At that time, several international organizations, such as the OECD, ECOSOC, ILO, and the European Community started to address the issue of multinationals and international investments, and advocated for the creation of guidelines to regulate their activities. The following paper explores the reactions of Swiss multinationals to these attempts, as well as their strategies for protecting their latitude in conducting business. Relying on archival material of the Swiss Union of Commerce and Industry and of the Federal Archives, this paper shows how the biggest companies in the pharmaceutical, machine, and food processing industries—all of them still being global players —decided to create a task force to deal with these emerging regulations at the international level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, scepticism on the merits of trade and globalization has increased across several key developed countries. This poses major challenges for multinational enterprises (MNEs) and other trade dependent firms (TDFs). This paper develops a framework to explore corporate nonmarket strategies (NMS) to address this backlash, covering both corporate political activity (CPA) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). We firstly provide an overview of the existing research within international economics, business strategy, and international political economy on the antiglobalization backlash and MNEs/TDFs strategy in the face of protectionism. Building on this scholarship, we formulate propositions for CPA and CSR actions, which are likely to be deployed by TDFs in developed economies to counter protectionism and address the criticisms of the antiglobalization movement. On this basis we propose an interdisciplinary analytical framework that can be used to study corporate strategy in times of growing antitrade sentiments. Finally, we provide initial proposals for testing these propositions and highlight the challenges researchers may face when carrying out such research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The globalization of production is changing the political economy of trade policymaking: Traditional supporters of free trade (exporters seeking market access in foreign countries) are joined by new actors (companies needing intermediates from abroad for their production processes) in their lobbying efforts for trade liberalization. Multinational corporations (MNCs) play a crucial role in this new alliance due to their strong involvement in international trade and endowment with resources that can be used to lobby policymakers. We derive an argument from these premises that leads to the expectation of variation in trade policy outcomes across industries depending on their degree of integration in a global network of multinational corporations. Disaggregated data on the level of tariffs and speed of tariff cuts in preferential trade agreements, international mergers and acquisitions at the firm level, and MNC imports of intermediates by sector allow us to test the argument. The findings support our theoretical expectations. The paper sheds light on the processes and outcomes of trade policymaking in a globalized economy by further developing an existing argument about GVCs and trade policy outcomes as well as expanding on it by adding data on international corporate connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dentin biomodification strategy with selective proanthocyanidin (PAC)-enriched extracts reinforces dentin and dentin-resin interfaces. Enrichment of the extracts according to the degree of polymerization allows exploration of bioactive principles of PACs and structure-activity relationships. This study investigated the sustained dentin matrix biomodification and dentin-resin bioadhesion of 2 fractions consisting exclusively of B-type PAC dimers with or without a single galloyl motif (specifically, DIMERG and DIMERNG) and their precursor material, enriched grape seed extract (e-GSE; Vitis vinifera). The biomodification potential was determined by long-term evaluation of the apparent modulus of elasticity and collagen solubility (hydroxyproline release). Chemical characterization of the dentin matrix was performed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The bioadhesive properties were assessed by a microtensile bond strength test at different time points, and macro-hybrid layers were produced to verify the degree of conversion of the adhesive resin. Fractions consisting of DIMERG, DIMERNG, and their precursor, e-GSE, increased the modulus of elasticity at all time points and reduced collagen degradation. Specimens treated with DIMERNG remained stable throughout 12 mo of storage, whereas a significant drop in the modulus of elasticity was observed for the DIMERG and e-GSE groups at 6 mo. The fractions and precursor did not affect the degree of resin conversion at the hybrid layer. Changes in infrared resonances corresponding to collagen cross-links in the dentin matrix occurred for all treatments. Higher bond strength was observed for dentin treated with e-GSE as compared with DIMERG and DIMERNG; all biointerfaces remained stable after 12 mo. Nongalloylated PACs mediate stable dentin biomodification, which includes protective activity against collagen degradation and reinforcement of the anchoring dentin matrix. Collectively, PACs with a higher degree of oligomerization offer a robust bioadhesion between the hydrophilic dentin matrix and the hydrophobic adhesive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to show how the degree of integration into so‐called global value chains (GVCs) affects World Trade Organization (WTO) members' decision to initiate a dispute at the WTO. Many potential violations of WTO law remain unchallenged, raising the question under which conditions WTO members complain about particular allegedly‐WTO‐incompatible policies. Controlling for alternative explanations, we demonstrate that decision‐makers are generally more likely to try and eliminate barriers to cross‐border trade by tabling a WTO complaint, when they are facing pressures to do so by firms and sectors highly integrated into such GVCs, especially when these are multinational corporations with sourcing interests in the defendant country. We test our hypothesis by comparing data from trade barrier reports with actual dispute initiation data from the US and find that, all else equal, trade barriers are more likely to be filed as disputes at the WTO in sectors with US MNCs highly integrated into GVCs. In light of the anti‐WTO rhetoric of the current US administration and its attempts to undermine its functioning and legitimacy, this analysis suggests that GVCs activate relevant societal actors that have an interest to uphold existing multilateral trade commitments, even in the efface of reluctance from their own political leaders. The high degree of MNC activity in an important number of economic sectors is associated with higher likelihood of dispute onset at the WTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to increase productivity, sustainability and protection of the 5-year-old beech plantations of the Greater Caucasus northeastern slopes, 10 plots were established in large gaps and glades of four quarters of the Quba and Qusar forestry. Silvicultural treatments which were realized based on sowing and planting methods or applying both of them in a combined form were carried in this region. The sowing operations were carried out on sites of 1 × 1 m and 1 × 2 m in size and using an amount of 120-300 individuals per hectare, located across the slope. The best results in sowing sites in terms of the number of emerging beech seedlings and their survival were obtained in fresh herbage, and the worst in moist herbage forest growing conditions. In the stands created by planting, in fresh herbage forest growing conditions the best results were obtained in the middle mountain belt and satisfactory in the high mountain belt. Cultivated plants 6-8 years after sowing (planting) were transferred to a forest covered area. During this time, in the plants were carried out: with sowing - 10 treatments, with planting - 5 agrotechnical treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we seek to advance the debate on the conditions under which the WTO Dispute Settlement Body can bring about trade-liberalizing policy change in WTO members. Under what conditions do WTO members change domestic policies or measures that are challenged in WTO litigation? Starting from the assumption that policymakers are political-support maximizers who seek to avoid the mobilization of political enemies, we argue that the degree of integration in Global Value Chains (GVCs) of the economic sectors affected by a WTO dispute influences members’ propensity to change domestic policies when targeted in WTO litigation. The initiation of a WTO dispute against sectors highly integrated in GVCs engenders the emergence of a domestic coalition of pro-trade liberalization groups composed of exporters seeking to avoid the imposition of retaliatory measures and import-dependent firms wishing to exploit the opportunity to access cheaper imports. Under these circumstances, trade-liberalizing responses to WTO legal challenges are therefore more likely. We test this hypothesis by estimating a Cox proportional hazard model and find that GVCs positively impact states’ propensity to comply with the WTO dispute settlement panel rulings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) approach has been thoroughly researched with the aim of reducing radiation exposures to normal tissues in breast cancer patients. Although heart and lung toxicity are widely addressed in many literature, radiation-associated liver toxicity and dose constraints for the right coronary artery (RCA) are not well studied in relation to breast radiotherapy. Additionally, very few studies have investigated the relationship between doses to cardiac substructures. This study aimed to determine the effect of the DIBH technique on the right coronary artery (RCA) region, cardiac substructures, and liver dose in right breast cancer irradiation. Between January 2022 and December 2022, thirty-five right breast cancer patients who previously received breast-surgery underwent computed tomography (CT) simulation with both free-breathing (FB) and DIBH techniques. Patients were contoured by a radiation oncologist on the scans using the Treatment Planning System. For cardiac substructures, reference atlas contours were used for accurate delineation and to reduce inter-observer variation. Each patient underwent two treatment plans for both the DIBH and FB datasets. The plan comprised the FB and DIBH techniques, and the doses to the cardiac substructures, ipsilateral lung, RCA region, and liver were compared using a two-tailed paired t-test. Radiotherapy was delivered with a Linac with the prescription dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions. For both FB and DIBH irradiation groups, the mean radiation doses to the ipsilateral lung, heart, and RCA region in patients with FB and DIBH techniques were; 14.67 Gy, 2.33 Gy, 4.88 Gy and 12.05 Gy, 1.34 Gy and 3.29 Gy respectively. The mean radiation doses to the cardiac substructures; for the left ventricle, right ventricle, left atrium, and right atrium for the FB were 1.08 Gy, 1.79 Gy, 4.11 Gy, and for DIBH, 0.49 Gy, 1.49 Gy, 0.95 Gy, and 2.61 Gy, respectively. For the DIBH group, the liver maximum dose (p<0.01), right lung mean dose (p = 0.001), heart maximum dose (p = 0.009), RCA mean dose (p = 0.020), RCA maximum dose (p = 0.008), RCA V5 dose (p = 0.035), right atrium maximum dose (p = 0.009) and right ventricle mean dose (p = 0.040) were significantly lower than in patients treated in the non-gated group. DIBH resulted in considerable displacement of the liver away from the high-dose target region, such that the volume of liver in the high-dose region was reduced. Additionally, the use of the DIBH technique in right breast cancer irradiation effectively reduces the radiation doses to the cardiac substructures, such as the left ventricle, right ventricle, left atrium, right atrium, RCA region, and lungs. DIBH could lead to substantial sparing of these structures with the right breast cancer radiotherapy. Future prospective studies are required to determine whether improvements to dose-distribution will translate into improved toxicity outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome. Dopamine receptor agonists are the drugs of choice in the treatment of prolactinomas. The use of cabergoline is reported to cause an increased risk of PA, particularly in macroprolactinomas of cystic nature. In this report, we present a patient with a cystic macroprolactinoma who developed PA on the 16th week of cabergoline treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to account for the variation in the time it takes for WTO Members to bring compliance following adverse panel rulings. It seeks to answer the question: under what conditions do defendants swiftly implement adverse rulings of WTO panels? I demonstrate that defendants are more likely to comply without delay when the targeted measures involve firms that are integrated into regional and global value chains. When a dispute touches upon the interests of these firms and targets import-restricting measures, they are triggered to mobilize and press for compliance because they rely on foreign imports. In effect, the mobilization of these firms changes the domestic political conditions in favor of timely implementation. I show the plausibility of my argument in a comparative design with four case studies in which the US and Canada acted as defendants in WTO disputes. I control for a number of political factors and also consider legal sources of variation – i.e. the complexity of the form of implementation – that may impact WTO Members’ record of compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPACs) are potent and renewable natural bioactives possible to be refined into chemically standardized mixtures for biological applications. Herein, we found that multiscale interactions of OPACs with the dentin matrix create tight biointerfaces with hydrophobic methacrylate adhesives on wet surfaces. An enriched mixture of OPACs, with a known phytochemical profile, was produced from grape seed crude extract ( Vitis vinifera; enriched grape seed extract [e-GSE]) and applied to dentin matrices to determine changes to the mechanical properties and biodegradability of the dentin matrix and favorable resin adhesion mechanisms. Methods included a 3-point flexural test, quantification of hydroxyproline (collagen solubilization), static and dynamic nanomechanical analyses, resin-dentin microtensile bond strength, and micropermeability at the adhesive interface. The e-GSE-modified dentin matrix exhibited remarkably low collagen solubilization and sustained the bulk elastic properties over 12 mo. Tan δ findings reveal a more elastic-like behavior of the e-GSE-modified dentin matrix, which was not affected by H-bond destabilization by urea. Dentin-methacrylate biointerfaces with robust and stable adhesion were created on e-GSE-primed dentin surfaces, leading to a dramatic decrease of the interfacial permeability. Standardized OPAC mixtures provide a new mechanism of adhesion to type I collagen-rich tissues that does not rely on hydrophilic monomers. The bioadhesion mechanism involves physicochemical modifications to the dentin matrix, reduced tissue biodegradation, and bridging to methacrylate resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the uric acid (UA) and Creactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with newly diagnosed ITP and 40 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups; group 1 (n = 40) consisted of patients with ITP, and group 2 (n = 40) consisted of healthy subjects. UA and CRP levels were measured in the blood samples from them. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in gender, age and body mass index between two groups (p > 0.05 for all). Compared to group 2, group 1 had significantly higher UA levels (p = 0.002), whereas CRP levels were not significantly different (p > 0.05). In ITP patients, serum UA and CRP levels significantly correlated with low platelet count (r = -0.362, p = 0.022; r = -0.383, p = 0.015, respectively); and UA levels significantly correlated with CRP levels (r = 0.436, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that UA levels increased in patients with ITP and negatively correlated with platelet counts. UA levels might be a mediator of inflammation via enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines; they might also be a potential mediator of low platelet count, and could play a pathophysiological role in the development of ITP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]