MPO G-463A Gene Polymorphism and Circulating Matrix Metalloproteinase-9, Myeloperoxidase Levels in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Objective: Coronary artery disease(CAD) patients living in Elazığ region is to assess the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and myeloperoxidase(MPO), polymorphisms MPO gene. Research Design and Methods: Eighty-eight patients with angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease between the ages of 18-80 who applied to Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University were enrolled in this study. MPO, MMP-9 levels in plasma samples of individuals were determined by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) according to the kit procedure. MPO polymorphism was studied using the PCR-RFLP technique. Results: When plasma MPO and MMP-9 levels were compared in the control and CAD groups; MPO levels were statistically significant (p <0.05). MMP-9 levels were not statistically significant. MPO gene polymorphism was not found statistically significant in CAD. Conclusion: MPO gene polymorphism is thought to be associated with greater population populations in CAD and may be used in the future as a biomarker for plasma MPO enzyme levels in CAD.Key words: MPO, coronary artery disease, MMP-9DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/83-0

A characterization of the molecular phenotype and inflammatory response of schizophrenia patient-derived microglia-like cells

Different lines of evidence support a causal role for microglia in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, how schizophrenia patient-derived microglia are affected at the phenotypic and functional level is still largely unknown. We used a recently described model to induce patient-derived microglia-like cells and used this to analyze changes in the molecular phenotype and function of myeloid cells in schizophrenia. We isolated monocytes from twenty recent-onset schizophrenia patients and twenty non-psychiatric controls. We cultured the cells towards an induced microglia-like phenotype (iMG), analyzed the phenotype of the cells by RNA sequencing and mass cytometry, and their response to LPS. Mass cytometry showed a high heterogeneity of iMG in cells derived from patients as well as controls. The prevalence of two iMG clusters was significantly higher in schizophrenia patients (adjusted p-value <0.001). These subsets are characterized by expression of ApoE, Ccr2, CD18, CD44, and CD95, as well as IRF8, P2Y(12), Cx3cr1 and HLA-DR. In addition, we found that patient derived iMG show an enhanced response to LPS, with increased secretion of TNF-alpha. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings, to determine whether similar subclusters are present in schizophrenia patients in vivo, and to address how these subclusters are related to the increased response to LPS, as well as other microglial functions

TaqIB and severity of coronary artery disease in the Turkish population: a pilot study

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a crucial role in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism. Genetic variants that alter CETP concentration may cause significant alterations in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration. In this case-control study, we analyzed the genotype frequencies of CETP Taq1B polymorphisms in coronary artery disease patients (CAD; n=210) and controls (n=100). We analyzed the role of the CETP Taq1B variant in severity of CAD, and its association with plasma lipids and CETP concentration. DNA was extracted from 310 patients undergoing coronary angiography. The Taq1B polymorphism was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction—restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Lipid concentrations were measured by an auto analyzer and CETP level by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.  In our study population, the B2 allele frequency was higher in control subjects than patients with single, double or triple vessel disease.  B2B2 genotype carriers had a significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration than those with the B1B1 genotype in controls (51.93±9.47versus 45.34±9.93; p<0.05) and in CAD patients (45.52±10.81 versus 40.38±9.12; p<0.05). B2B2 genotype carriers had a significantly lower CETP concentration than those with the B1B1 genotype in controls (1.39±0.58 versus 1.88±0.83; p< 0.05) and in CAD patients (2.04±1.39versus 2.81±1.68; p< 0.05). Our data suggest that the B2 allele is associated with higher concentrations of HDL-C and lower concentrations of CETP, which confer a protective effect on coronary artery disease.  

Stężenie adipocytarnego białka wiążącego kwasy tłuszczowe u pacjentów z chorobą wieńcową i zależności między tym białkiem a innymi biomarkerami

Background and aim: An association between circulating adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported. In this case-control study, we investigated the relationship between plasma levels of A-FABP and the severity of CAD in Turkish subjects. We also assessed its relationship to alternative biomarkers. Methods: Two hundred and eighty patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. By means of coronary angiography, the study population was divided into subjects without any angiographically detectable CAD (no vessel disease; n = 88) and individuals with single-vessel disease (n = 65), or double- or triple-vessel disease (n = 127). Lipid concentrations were measured by an autoanalyser and A-FABP, lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), oxidised-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results: In our study population, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels did not differ significantly between the groups. Levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, A-FABP, Lp-PLA2, ox-LDL and hsCRP were significantly different among groups. The higher levels of A-FABP, Lp-PLA2, ox-LDL and hsCRP levels were shown in patients with double/triple-vessel disease. There was not a significant correlation between A-FABP and other biomarkers in CAD patients. Conclusions: Initially, plasma levels of A-FABP were significantly elevated in CAD patients with double/triple-vessel disease. Our results demonstrated alterations in A-FABP levels with severity of CAD and, therefore, indirectly support the hypothesis of an active role for A-FABP in the pathogenesis of CAD.Wstęp i cel: Opisano związek między stężeniem krążących białek wiążących kwasy tłuszczowe adipocytów (A-FABP) i chorobą wieńcową (CAD). W tym kliniczno-kontrolnym badaniu autorzy przeanalizowali zależności między stężeniem A-FABP w osoczu a ciężkością CAD u osób narodowości tureckiej. Autorzy ocenili również zależności między tym białkiem a innymi biomarkerami. Metody: Do badania włączono 280 chorych poddanych koronarografii. Na podstawie jej wyników pacjentów podzielono na trzy grupy: osoby bez wykrywalnej w koronorografii CAD (bez zmian w naczyniach; n = 88), osoby z chorobą jednonaczyniową (n = 65) i osoby z chorobą dwu- lub trójnaczyniową (n = 127). Stężenia lipidów mierzono za pomocą analizatora automatycznego, a stężenia A-FABP, fosfolipazy A2 związanej z lipoproteinami (Lp-PLA2), utlenionych LDL (ox-LDL) i wysokoczułego białka C-reaktywnego (hsCRP) określano przy użyciu komercyjnego enzymatycznego testu immunoabsorpcyjnego (ELISA). Wyniki: W badanej populacji ani stężenia cholesterolu całkowitego, ani stężenia cholesterolu frakcji LDL nie różniły się znamiennie między grupami. Stężenia cholesterolu frakcji LDL, A-FABP, Lp-PLA2, ox-LDL i hsCRP różniły się istotnie między grupami. Najwyższe stężenia A-FABP, Lp-PLA2, ox-LDL i hsCRP stwierdzono u pacjentów z chorobą dwunaczyniową/trójnaczyniową. U osób z CAD nie wykazano istotnych korelacji między A-FABP a innymi biomarkerami. Wnioski: Stężenie A-FABP w osoczu było istotnie zwiększone u pacjentów z CAD z chorobą dwunaczyniową/trójnaczyniową. Uzyskane w tym badaniu wyniki wykazały zmiany stężenia A-FABP zależne od stopnia ciężkości CAD, co potwierdza pośrednio hipotezę o aktywnej roli A-FABP w patogenezie CAD.

eNOS Glu298Asp Polymorphism and Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with and without End-stage Renal Disease

Background: Chronic kidney diseases are known to influence nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), though the exact mechanism is still poorly understood. Aims: The purpose of the present study was to examine eNOS Glu298Asp gene polymorphism, plasma NOx and ADMA concentration in subjects with and without End-stage Renal Disease. Study Design: Case-control study. Methods: In this study, genotype distributions of Glu298Asp in exon 7 of the eNOS gene polymorphisms in 130 hemodialysis and 64 peritoneal dialysis patients were compared with 92 controls. NOx was measured by using the Griess reaction while arginine, ADMA and SDMA measurements were performed by HPLC. Genotyping for eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism was detected with the polymerase chain reaction and/or polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Results: When the genotype frequencies of TT and GT genes were compared between both groups, there was no detected statistically important difference, eventhough a TT genotype frequency was 27 (20.8%) versus 17 (26.6%), GT heterozygote genotype frequency was 52 (40%) versus 22 (34.4%), and GG homozygote genotype frequency was 51 (39.2%) versus 25 (39.1%), respectively (p>0.05). NOx, SDMA and ADMA concentrations were significantly elevated in subjects with hemodialysis patients as compared to their corresponding controls. Whereas nitrite was found to be significantly decreased in the patient with peritoneal dialysis. Conclusion: Not observed any connection between the Glu298Asp polymorphism in the eNOS gene and end-stage Renal Diseases in our study population under different dialysis treatments. However, higher ADMA and SDMA concentrations in subjects with ESRD support the existing hypothesis that NOx overproduction affects endothelial dysfunction. Thus, the reduction of ADMA and SDMA concentrations might play a protective role in ESRD patients

Do total or partial etching procedures effect the rate of white spot lesion formation? A single-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Objective: To determine whether total or partial etching procedures influence the appearance of white spot lesions (WSLs). Materials and Methods: This split-mouth, double-blind, controlled, randomized study included 20 patients (mean age 16.75 years), who had class I malocclusion, mild crowding, and satisfactory oral hygiene. A total of 40 maxillary quadrants were randomly allocated to be treated using a total etching (TE) or partial etching (PE) protocol. Quantitative light fluorescence images were captured at the beginning and at 3 (T1) and 6 (T2) months after beginning orthodontic treatmen, as well as when the debonding phase of orthodontic treatment was complete (T3). The presence of pre- and posttreatment WSLs was assessed with quantitative light fluorescence software and analyzed with Student's t-test. Results: The analyses showed that, at T2, the total etching group had significantly higher ΔQ and A scores than the partial etching group (P .05). The inclusion of only right-handed people may have limited the generalizability of the findings. The absence of analyses of the plaque and gingivitis scores of patients was another limitation of this study. Conclusions: WSL formation was observed mostly in maxillary lateral incisor teeth irrespective of the etching technique. Although PE seems to be more successful in the first 6 months, no difference was observed between PE and TE in the long term for WSL formation

Risk Factors for Postoperative Mediastinitis After Open Heart Surgery

At the Cardiac Surgery Department of the Akdeniz University Hospital, between 1993 and 1999, postoperative mediastinitis developed in 20 of 1476 patients who had underwent open-heart surgery; the incidence was found to be 13%. These cases were analyzed in a case-control study designed to identify risk factors for postoperative mediastinitis. The following significant risk factors were identified; as preoperative factors: History of diabetes mellitus, functional class IV, preoperative prolonged (> 3 days) antibiotic use, as postoperative factors: Prolonged stay in the intensive-care unit, prolonged central venous catheterization and reoperation. Type and duration of surgery were not significantly associated with postoperative mediastinitis. All patients with postoperative mediastinitis had purulent discharge on surgical wound, and other clinical manifestations were fever, sternal dehiscence and sternal pain. The mortality rate was 20% (4 of 20) among the patients with mediastinitis. All patients were treated with extensive debridement and long term parenteral antibiotics

Investigation of Critical Genetic Variations of Vitamin D Metabolism and Vitamin D Serum Levels in Brain Cancer

ABSTRACTRecent studies imply the effects of micronutrient intake on thedevelopment of several cancers including primary brain cancer(PBC). The biological effects of vitamin D, a member of the fat-solublevitamin family acting as a steroid hormone, was carried outby binding its receptor (VDR) through vitamin D-binding-protein(VDBP). The present study aims to investigate the effects of vitaminD levels and VDR rs2228570, VDR rs731236, VDBP 7041 polymorphismson PBC development. The study group consisted of71 patients and 84 controls. Vitamin D levels were determinedby high-pressure liquid chromatography where polymorphismsby polymerase-chain-reaction and restriction fragment lengthpolymorphism methods. The distribution of VDR rs2228570 variantsin PBC and its subgroups were determined as FF&gt;Ff&gt;ff; VDBPrs7041 variants were TG&gt; GG&gt;TT, however, VDR rs731236 variantswere Tt&gt;TT&gt;tt in PBC and meningioma and TT&gt;Tt&gt;tt in glioma.Vitamin D levels were measured below normal levels in all patientsand control groups, which shows the deficiency in Turkishsociety in line with the literature. Our results show that low serumvitamin D level may be an individual risk factor in the developmentof brain tumors, however, VDR rs2228570 and rs731236 andVDBP rs7041 polymorphisms have no effect on the risk of diseasedevelopment.ÖZETSon çalışmalar, mikrobesin alımının primer beyin kanseri (PBC) dahilolmak üzere çeşitli kanser türlerinin gelişimi üzerindeki etkilerineişaret etmektedir. Yağda çözünen vitaminler sınıfında yer alanve steroid hormon olarak etki gösteren D vitamini biyolojik etkilerinireseptörü (VDR) ile vitamin D bağlayıcı protein (VDBP) aracılığıylagerçeklestirmektedir. Çalışmamızda, D vitamini düzeyleri ileVDR rs2228570, VDR rs731236, VDBP 7041 polimorfizmlerinin PBCgelişimi üzerindeki etkilerinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmagrubu, beyin kanseri tanısı konmuş 71 hasta ile 84 sağlıklı bireydenoluşturulmuştur. D vitamini düzeyi, yüksek basınçlı sıvı kromatografisiyöntemiyle, VDR FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236) ve VDBPrs7041 polimorfizmleri polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu ve restriksiyonparça uzunluk polimorfizmi yöntemleriyle belirlenmiştir. ÇalışmamızdaVDR FokI gen varyantlarına ait dağılım primer beyin kanserive alt gruplarında FF&gt;Ff&gt;ff; VDBP rs7041 varyantları TG&gt;GG&gt;TTolarak, VDR TaqI varyantlarının ise primer beyin kanseri ve meningiomadaTt&gt;TT&gt;tt, gliomada TT&gt;Tt&gt;tt olduğu tespit edilmiştir.D Vitamini düzeyleri tüm hasta gruplarında ve kontrol grubundanormal düzeyinin altında ölçülmüş, bu durum Türk toplumundakivitamin D düzeylerinin literatürle uyumlu bir şekilde düşük seviyedeolduğunu göstermiştir. Çalışmamız sonuçları, beyin tümörlerigelişiminde düşük serum D vitamini seviyesinin bireysel bir riskfaktörü olabileceğini, ancak VDR rs2228570 ile rs731236 ve VDBPrs7041 polimorfizmlerinin hastalık gelişim riskine etkisinin olmadığınıgöstermektedir