The drug-transporter gene MDR1 C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms and the risk of multidrug-resistant epilepsy in Turkish children

One-third of all individuals with epilepsy are resistant to antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. Antiepileptic treatment response has been suggested to be modulated by genetic polymorphisms of drug efflux transporters. Several polymorphic variants within the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene, which encodes the major transmembrane efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, have been proposed to be associated with AED resistance in epilepsy patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms of MDR1 on AED resistance in Turkish children with epilepsy. MDR1 C3435T and G2677T/A were genotyped in 152 patients with epilepsy, classified as drug-resistant in 69 and drug-responsive in 83. Genotypes of the C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Genotype and allele frequencies of C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms of the MDR1 gene did not differ between drug-resistant and drug-responsive epilepsy patients. Our results suggest that MDR1 C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms are not associated with AED resistance in Turkish epileptic patients. To clarify the exact clinical implication of the MDR1 polymorphisms on the multidrug resistance in epilepsy, further investigations in various ethnic populations would be necessary

Fuzzy association rule mining from spatio-temporal data

The use of fuzzy sets in mining association rules from spatio-temporal databases is useful since fuzzy sets are able to model the uncertainty embedded in the meaning of data. There are several fuzzy association rule mining techniques that can work on spatio-temporal data. Their ability to mine fuzzy association rules has to be compared on a realistic scenario. Besides the performance criteria, other criteria that can express the quality of an association rule discovered shall be specified. In this paper, fuzzy association rule mining is performed with spatio-temporal data cubes and Apriori algorithm. A real life application is developed to compare data cubes and Apriori algorithm according to the following criteria: interpretability, precision, utility, novelty, direct-to-the-point, performance and visualization, which are defined within the scope of this paper

Relationship between development of accessory maxillary sinus and chronic sinusitis

Background: We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between development of accessory maxillary osmium (AMO) and chronic sinusitis. Material and Methods: A total of 100 patients who had endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) constituted the study group while 100 patients who had septoplasty were taken as the control group. The patients were examined for the presence of AMO using rigid endoscope. Results: The prevalence of AMO was 14% in the rhinosinusitis group and 9% in the control group. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study revealed that AMO prevalence is significantly higher in patients with CRS when compared with the controls. CRS may enhance perforation of fontanelle and formation of AMO

Effect of variety and row spacing on the performance of a cotton picker

WOS: 000288779300045Prevalence of the mechanical harvesting brought about significant changes in the conventional production processes in Turkey especially from the point of row spacing and variety. These changes in the production process increased the importance of picker performance from the point of field operation (quantitative) and effect to the lint quality (qualitative). The studies on the effect of the row spacing on the picker performance were usually concentrated on qualitative parameters. However, the amount of harvested cotton (and thus losses) and field performances of the pickers are quite important in Turkish conditions because the trading is based on seed cotton in contrast to the other countries. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of variety and row spacing on the quantitative and qualitative performances of a narrow row, self propelled cotton picker widely used in Turkey. The study was conducted in the field of 8 ha (328 m long), according to split-plot experimental design. Two varieties, Carmen and Stoneville 373 were planted at 76 and 81 cm row spacing. Defoliation was performed by ground sprayer 20 days before harvest by using mixture of 480 g/l ethephon+60 g/l cyclanilide (Finish) and 120 g/l thidiazuron+60 g/l diuron (Dropp Ultra) at application rates 2.5 and 0.4 kg.ha(-1), respectively, with volume of approximately 500 litres per ha. CASE-IH, Cotton Express 420 model, five narrow row mechanical cotton picker was used for harvesting. Ground loss and stalk loss values were within the proposed limits as indicated by the national standards. Results were influenced by variety and row spacing interactions significantly. Lower values were obtained at Carmen-76 cm and St373-81 cm plots comparing with the other plots. No significant relationships were found between harvestable boll ratio, yield and losses. No significant relationship between treatments and the other qualitative parameters was found except for micronaire. Depending on the trash content, there was a decrease in the reflectance (Rd) values of the machine picked samples in comparison to the hand picked samples, and an increase in yellowness (+b) values. In both varieties, the low defoliation ratios caused an increase in trash content and a decrease in the degree of color. The fundamental indication of the measured values was that the success of the defoliation process significantly influenced the lint quality values

Association of Insulin Resistance with Overactive Bladder in Female Patients

Purpose Metabolic syndrome and obesity have been advocated to be risk factors for the development of overactive bladder (OAB). Additionally, insulin resistance is the underlying mechanism of metabolic syndrome. We aimed to investigate the association of insulin resistance with overactive bladder in female patients. Methods We prospectively conducted the study in our urology department. Female patients aged between 30 and 76 years old applied to our policlinics with or without OAB symptoms were enrolled. One hundred and twenty-two patients with OAB and 62 age-matched controls without OAB were included into the study. Fasting serum insulin, glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), and triglycerides levels were measured. Insulin resistance value was obtained via the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) calculator. The chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare differences in variables. Results Serum insulin level was found higher in female patients with OAB (11.5±6.2 µU/mL) relative to controls (6.4±2.1 µU/mL), statistically significant (P=0.036). In addition, HOMA-IR was significantly found higher in the OAB group, 2.86 (0.76 to 17.04) in comparison to controls, 1.32 (0.67 to 224), P=0.018. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HDL-c) were significantly found lower in females with OAB. Conclusions Insulin resistance can be associated to overactive bladder and may play significant role in pathogenesis

Schwannoma originating from the infraorbital nerve: A case report

A 16-year-old female admitted to otolaryngology outpatient clinic with the complaints of pain and replacement of her left eyeball upwards. Radiological imaging demonstrated a solid mass inferior to the left globe. The anterior wall of the maxilla was thinned and the mass pushed the orbital floor inferiorly. Following subciliary incision, the bone over the mass was removed from the orbital rim and the mass was exposed. The mass originated from the infraorbital nerve. The mass was excised and the orbital rim, malar region and the orbital floor were reconstructed by a titanium mesh. The histopathological report was "schwannoma". Seven cases of schwannomas arising from the infraorbital nerve reported in English. literature. In this paper we report a case of infraorbital schwannoma and review the literature. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Deficiency of selenium and zinc as a causative factor for idiopathic intractable epilepsy

Purpose: The accumulation of free radicals may lead to seizures and increase the risk of their recurrence. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase are 2 major enzymes that are involved in antioxidative defense mechanisms. Selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) are important trace elements that participate in the structure of these enzymes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible associations between trace elements and idiopathic intractable epilepsy (IIE) by comparing the levels of Se, Zn, and Cu between patients with IIE and healthy children

An atypical esthesioneuroblastoma of the inferior nasal cavity and maxillary sinus: Report of a case

Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare malignant tumor of the nasal cavity that originates from the olfactory epithelium. In this paper a very rare clinical presentation of this tumor is described. The tumor originated from the maxillary sinus and alveolar process, and was independent of the olfactory region. The patient was a 14-year-old girl presenting with facial swelling and nasal obstruction. Paranasal computed tomography showed a mass filling the right nasal cavity, infiltrating the alveolar process, eroding the anterior wall of the maxilla and invading the subcutaneous tissues of the cheek. Fine-needle aspiration and incisional biopsies identified an esthesioneuroblastoma. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, we performed a right subtotal and left inferior maxillectomy and reconstructed the maxillary defect with a permanent obturator. At 2 years' follow-up the patient is free of recurrence

Summary and analysis of the available information for the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries management in Turkey

WOS: 000333804100004This review has been prepared by Ege University, a partner of the CREAM Project, on the basis of data and information relevant to Turkish fisheries. To this end, data belonging to a total of 31 information sources produced from 19 fisheries studies were collected, investigated, and analysed. The data are heterogeneous and were obtained from scientific studies, national and international fisheries projects, regulations, management tools, and information on marine protected areas and no-take zones, all of which may be relevant to the ecosystem approach to Turkish fisheries. Analysis of these data shows that few studies have potential to serve the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) management in Turkey. In other words, there is a lot to be done in order to organize current fishing, aquaculture and other costal activities for EAF management, for which transition is targeted in Turkey's 10th five-year development programme. This review aims to present results of scientific research, decisions taken, applied enforcements, and a summary of presently used technical measures from the EAF perspective for sustainable fisheries. It also puts forward suggestions on strategies needed for transition to targeted EAF management in Turkey.European UnionEuropean Union (EU) [FP7 CREAM/265648]This paper was written with financial support from the European Union within the scope of the FP7 CREAM/265648 Project. It does not necessarily reflect the European Commission's views and in no way anticipates its future policy. We would like to thank project coordinator and WP leaders, particularly Paolo Sartor (WP2 leader) and Joel Vigneau (WP3 leader), in addition to all project partners. We would also like to thank the editors and anonymous referees for their helpful comments in our manuscript