Expression profiling of SCN8A and NDUFC2 genes in colorectal carcinoma

The expression differences of SCN8A (which encodes type VIII alpha subunit of voltage gated sodium channel) and NDUFC2 (which encodes C2 subunit of Complex I enzyme in oxidative phosphorylation) genes were evaluated in paired colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues which was relied on our partial transcriptome analysis data in cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: A total of 62 paired tissues of CRC patients (34 male, 28 female) were included in the study. The mRNA levels of SCN8A and NDUFC2 genes were determined by using real-time PCR (qRT-PCR and semiquantitative PCR). Results: SCN8A gene expression level was significantly lower in tumor tissues (p = 0.0128) and in the patients with the age below 45 years (p = 0.0049). There were also meaningful relationships between the gender, grade of CRC, tumor location, histopathological classification, and SCN8A expression. There was no NDUFC2 differential expression. However, the tumors taken from right colon had significantly lower NDUFC2 expression. Conclusion: Although the voltage gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and Complex I (CI) were associated to a number of diseases including different types of cancers, the different subunits of CI and individual members of VGSCs seem to be cancer type-specific in varying proportions. Key Words: colorectal carcinoma, SCN8A, NDUFC2, Complex I, voltage gated sodium channels, gene expression

Age- and region-specific hepatitis B prevalence in Turkey estimated using generalized linear mixed models: a systematic review

Toy M, Önder FO, Wörmann T, et al. Age- and region-specific hepatitis B prevalence in Turkey estimated using generalized linear mixed models: a systematic review. BMC infectious diseases. 2011;11(1): 337.BACKGROUND: To provide a clear picture of the current hepatitis B situation, the authors performed a systematic review to estimate the age- and region-specific prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 339 studies with original data on the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Turkey and published between 1999 and 2009 were identified through a search of electronic databases, by reviewing citations, and by writing to authors. After a critical assessment, the authors included 129 studies, divided into categories: 'age-specific'; 'region-specific'; and 'specific population group'. To account for the differences among the studies, a generalized linear mixed model was used to estimate the overall prevalence across all age groups and regions. For specific population groups, the authors calculated the weighted mean prevalence. RESULTS: The estimated overall population prevalence was 4.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.58, 5.76, and the estimated total number of CHB cases was about 3.3 million. The outcomes of the age-specific groups varied from 2.84, (95% CI: 2.60, 3.10) for the 0-14-year olds to 6.36 (95% CI: 5.83, 6.90) in the 25-34-year-old group. CONCLUSION: There are large age-group and regional differences in CHB prevalence in Turkey, where CHB remains a serious health problem

Treatment of ocular allergies:nonpharmacologic, pharmacologic and immunotherapy

Ocular allergy is a significant and growing issue worldwide but for many patients, it is often not differentiated from systemic conditions, such as hay fever. Management of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis is often poor. Management is principally through avoidance measures (blocking or hygiene), nonpharmaceutical (such as artificial tears and cold compresses) and pharmaceutical (such as topical antihistamines and prophylactic mast cell stabilizers). Vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis are more severe and generally need treatment with NSAIDs, steroids and immunomodulators. Giant papillary conjunctivitis can be related to allergy but also is often contact lens related and in such cases can be managed by a period of abstinence and replacement of the lens or a change in lens material and/or design. Immunotherapy can be efficacious in severe, persistent cases of contact lens or allergic conjunctivitis

A novel tunneling method for long-term peritoneal dialysis - Reply

WOS: 00023234340002

A new laparoscopic technique for the placement of a permanent peritoneal dialysis catheter - The preperitoneal tunneling method

WOS: 000227332900014PubMed: 15529192Background: Mechanical outflow obstruction and leakage from the exit site of the catheter are two common complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. To lessen these complications and to achieve immediate use of the catheter, we developed a new laparoscopic technique for catheter placement. Methods: A total of 12 consecutive patients with end-stage renal failure were included in this study between April 2003 and July 2003. The average age of the patients was 42.4 years (range, 37-72). Patients were excluded only if a serious risk for general anesthesia was found. Using two 5-mm ports and a 3.3-mm mini-laparoscope, a peritoneal dialysis catheter was passed through a preperitoneal tunnel before the tip of the catheter was introduced into the pelvis. Routine peritoneal dialysis was started immediately after the operation while the patients were still in the operating room. Results: The mean operating time was 18.6 min (range, 12-37). There was no operative morbidity. The mean follow-up period was 4.3 months (range, 3-7). No leakage of the dialysate liquid or outflow obstruction was observed during this period. Conclusion: The advantages of this method include accurate placement, preperitoneal fixation, and immediate use of the catheter for routine peritoneal dialysis. We also believe that because of the preperitoneal fixation of the catheter, this technique will decrease outflow obstruction, which usually occurs due to omental wrapping or displacement of the catheter tip

Rheumatoid arthritis and lyme disease: A case report [Romatoid artrit ve lyme hastaligi birlikteligi]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Lyme disease are two systemic illnesses with distinctly different clinical manifestations. Although Lyme arthritis is clearly distinct from RA, it can also cause joint erosion due to chronic proliferative synovitis. In the literature we found no case report in which RA and Lyme disease coexisted. In this article we present a 27 year-old woman who had undergone treatment for RA for the previous 6 years. Two months after this period, on the basis of symptoms and laboratory findings, the patient experienced what was initially diagnosed as RA activation. However, after tests were performed, Lyme disease was diagnosed. The patient was treated accordingly and successfully. Copyright © 2005 by Türkiye Klinikleri

Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammation in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

We aimed to investigate the relationship between inflammation and metabolic syndrome as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adults Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) diagnostic criteria in peritoneal dialysis patients. Ninety-four patients treated with peritoneal dialysis were included in the study. Patients’ age, sex, weight, waist circumference, arterial blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, albumin, uric acid and fibrinogen levels were recorded. Fourty-one patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and 53 peritoneal dialysis patients without metabolic syndrome were identified. In the metabolic syndrome group mean decrease in serum albumin and mean increase in C-reactive protein and fibrinogen was significantly different from the other group (p 0.05). Peritoneal dialysis patients with metabolic syndrome should also be assessed for inflammation

Calciphylaxis involving both the upper and lower extremities.

Calciphylaxis is an uncommon complication of end stage renal disease (ESRD) and secondary hyperparathyroidism. It characterized by cutaneous necrosis with mural calcifications and thrombosis in the small vessels of dermis. It is important to diagnose and treat, because of mortality rate from calciphylaxis is very high. We present the case of a patient with ESRD and type II diabetes mellitus developing calciphylaxis of the both upper and lower extremities had normal corrected calcium-phosphate product level. After amputation, necrosis was showed rapid progression resulting in death in one month

Plasma malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels in age related macular degeneration

AIMS—To evaluate alteration of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with exudative age related macular degeneration (ARMD).
METHODS—Plasma nitrite plus nitrate concentrations as an index of plasma NO levels and plasma MDA level as a marker of lipid peroxidation were measured in patients with exudative ARMD and age and sex matched healthy subjects.
RESULTS—Significantly higher MDA and lower NO levels were detected in plasma of patients with ARMD compared with their controls (p=0.01, p=0.001, respectively).
CONCLUSION—The results may support involvement of oxidative damage and vascular theory in the pathogenesis of ARMD as part of the ageing process.