Changes in Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Endothelial Markers Levels With Varying Periods of Hemodialysis

PubMed ID: 25117882Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) as a uremia toxin is accumulated in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Elevated ADMA level has been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and all-cause mortality in ESRD. Therefore, we investigated the effect of prolonged hemodialysis (HD) treatment on the levels of serum ADMA, arginine, nitric oxide (NO), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1). Seventy-five patients (M/F=40/35) with chronic renal failure (CRF) and who were on HD were divided into five groups with differing treatment periods of HD; from 6 to 24 months to 97-120 months. Fifteen apparently healthy subjects acted as controls. The serum levels of ADMA, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were increased in all patient groups compared to the control group. No significant difference was observed when the patient groups were compared in terms of HD treatment periods. Nitric oxide levels were lower in the three groups who were treated for periods of 49-72, 73-96, 97-120 months compared to the control group. The L-arginine to ADMA ratio was decreased in all patient groups compared to controls. Consequently, our investigations have shown that in HD continued for more than 4 years NO levels began to decrease significantly and the levels of serum ADMA, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels increased although this increase was not affected by the period in which hemodialysis treatment was applied. © 2014 International Society for Apheresis

The effects of thermal manipulations during early and late embryogenesis on body temperatures of Japanese quails (Coturnix Coturnix japonica)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thermal manipulations during early embryogenesis (EE) and late embryogenesis (LE) on body temperature of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Incubation conditions from day 0 to day 17 were 37.7°C and 55% relative humidity for control group. In the thermally treated eggs during EE (EE 6, EE 7 and EE 8 days), incubation temperature was increased to 41°C and relative humidity to 65% for 3 hours (12:00-15:00) on the sixth, seventh and eighth days ofincubation. Also, in the LE stage (EL 12, EL 13 and EL 14 days), incubation temperature was increased to 41°C and relative humidity to 65% for 3 hours (12:00-15:00) on the 12th, 13th and 14th days ofincubation. Average temperature, relative humidity and total heat ofindoor air were changed from 28.71 to 30.44°C, from 45.69 to 57.15% and from 14.67 to 16.16 kcal kg dry air, respectively. Higher total heat ofindoor air in 10-11 weeks than that ofother weeks was found. Significant differences between the control (41.52± 0.26°C) and manipulation groups were found, but no significant difference between the EE (41.23 ± 0.40°C) and LE (41.26± 0.37°C) groups with respect to body temperatures. Body temperatures ofquails were measured as 41.55 ± 0.31°C, 41.56 ± 0.26°C; 41.17 ± 0.33°C and 41.07 ± 0.30°C at 10, 11, 12 and 13 weeks of age, respectively. In addition, differences among the weeks in point of body temperatures of quails were found to be significant (p <0.01). © 2012 Taylor & Francis.Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Unit: 2009.01.0104.001This study was financially supported by the Scientific Research Projects Unit of Akdeniz University under the project number of 2009.01.0104.001

Temporary pacemaker with left bundle branch block image in ECG [Geçici kalp pilinde EKG'de sol dal bloğu görüntüsü]

[No abstract available

Histopathological and molecular findings in 98 cases of endometrial carcinoma: MMR, p53 and next generation sequencing

Gynecological malignancies arise from hereditary and somatic mutations, transcriptional aberrations, and genomic alterations influenced by epigenetic factors. This study aims to identify the mutations and their frequency in endometrial carcinomas (EC), and furthermore, to determine the relationship of these mutations with histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) parameters. The study was carried out in a retrospective cohort of 98 patients who received treatment upon being diagnosed with EC at a tertiary university hospital in Turkey between 2016 and 2021. The NGS-DNA tumor panel containing 29 genes was used in the study. NGS data of the cases were obtained from state of the evidence Tier 1 and 2 mutations. The relationship of patients’ next generation sequencing (NGS) DNA panel results with histopathological parameters and IHC results (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, MSH6 and p53) were evaluated. In 59 of the 98 cases, mutations were detected in at least one gene investigated with the NGS DNA panel. The most common somatic mutations in endometrial carcinoma were PIK3CA (33.6%), CTNNB1 (16.3%), KRAS (12.2%) and FGFR2 (11.2%) in this cohort. Abnormal p53 was detected by IHC in 15 out of 75 (20%) cases. Loss of expression was observed in at least one mismatch repair (MMR) protein by means of IHC in 39 out of 72 (39.8%) cases. Metastasis was found in 14 out of 82 (14.3%) patients who underwent lymph node dissection. FGFR2 mutation was more common in the group with lymph node metastasis compared to those without metastasis (p = 0.02). We report the mutational landscape of EC in a tertiary referral hospital in northwestern Turkey. Although our data are very limited, we think that the FGFR2 mutation may be associated with lymph node metastasis, but studies with larger patient numbers and longer follow-up periods are needed. © 2022 Elsevier Gmb

Einfluss von massenselektion für verschiedene zwecke auf eiproduktionsmerkmale bei Japanischen wachteln]

Most of the selection studies in Japanese quail have focused on high body weight or short-term egg production. The effect of selection on long-term egg production is not well known. Japanese quail lines were subjected to phenotypic mass selection in different ways over 11 generations and a control group was reproduced by random mating. A high body weight line (HL), a low body weight line (LL) (based on 5-week body weight), a line (L) subjected to selection for egg production (120 day) and a control line (C) were used. Age at sexual maturity, egg weight, total number of eggs for 45 weeks and body weight of the lines were determined. A nonlinear regression analysis using the Grossman egg production function was used for the comparison of egg productions of the flocks. Selection for low body weight delayed age at sexual maturity and reduced egg weight. On the other hand, selection for high body weight increased egg weight and peak production level. The highest value for the b(4)-parameter of the Grossman Model was determined for the HL line in which the fastest decrease in egg production occurred after the peak production. The highest value for persistency parameter (p) of the model was found for the L line where the quail had high egg production for a longer period. The selection for high body weight led to a reduction in egg production by 13.5%. Eleven generations of selection for increasing 120 days egg production resulted in an increase by 5.05%. The use of a selection criterion estimating total egg production better would make selection more efficient and improve egg production. Determination of the monthly egg yield, which has a high genetic correlation with total egg production, is suggested for this purpose

Türkiye yağlı kuyruklu koyun irklarında DNA parmak i?zinin RAPD-PCR yöntemi kullanılarak saptanması

The aim of this research was to determine the genetic structure of Turkish fat-tailed sheep breeds (Akkaraman, Güney Karamani{dotless}, Morkaraman, Dağli{dotless}ç, İvesi, Karakaş, Tuj and Norduz) using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers. By using 12 RAPD primers in 125 sheep obtained 218 polymorphic loci which were determined. Average allele number (na), average effective number of allel (ne), average heterozygosity (H), average expected heterozygosity (hj) Shannon's constant (H0), polymorphic loci number (np) and polymorphic loci ratio (Ppoly) were found as 2.00, 1.6256, 0.3636, 0.1784, 0.5408, 218 and 100%, respectively. Used to determine genetic differences between sheep population; genetic diversity coefficient (HT), average heterozygosity within populations (HS) and total heterozygosity were found as 0.5117, 0.1784 and 0.3654, respectively. Genetic distance between sheep populations(D) was changed from 0.1349 to 0.5563. According to cluster analysis result, Akkaraman, Güney Karaman and Morkaraman created a cluster, Tuj breed was more close than İvesi to first cluster. Dağli{dotless}ç and Karakaş took place another cluster. Norduz breed appeared to be most distance from other sheep breeds. © Ankara Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi

Left and right ventricle functions in patients obstructive sleep apnea and their relationship with apelin levels [Obstruktif uyku apneli hastalarda sol ve sağ ventrikül fonksiyonları ve apelin düzeyleri ile ilişkisi]

Aim of this study is to determine the left and right ventricle functions by echocardiography in patients with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to investigate whether there is a relationship between the apelin levels and systolic and diastolic functions of the right and left ventricles. Study included 44 patients (30 males, 14 females; mean age 49.8±11.5 years) diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea according to polysomnographically determined apnea hypopnea index, and 30 control subjects (25 males, 5 females; mean age 43.03±10.89 years) diagnosed with simple snoring. Apelin levels of all the study subjects are measured. Systolic and diastolic functions of both ventricles were evaluated with the help of conventional and tissue Doppler methods. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels of the OSA group were significantly higher compared to those of the AHI control group. Lateral inferior and anterior E’ were significantly lower whereas E/E’ was significantly higher in the OSA group compared to the control group (8.40±3.24 vs. 10.80±3.24; p=0.001, 7.50±2.60 vs 9.00±2.51; p=0.009, 7.90±2.68 vs. 8.90±2.73; p=0.006, 7.57±3.20 vs. 6.44±1.55; p=0.023, respectively). Although the apelin levels were higher in the OSA group compared to the control group, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Age, AHI, and echocardiographic indices were not correlated with the apelin levels. There was no relationship between the severity of OSA and the apelin levels, either. This study showed diastolic functions may be impaired in patinets with newly diagnosed OSA. Apelin levels which has been shown to play an important role in cardiovascular hemodynamics, had no significant correlation with OSA severity. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between the apelin levels and echocardiographically assessed systolic and diastolic functions of both ventricles. © 2015, TIP ARASTIRMALARI DERNEGI. All Rights Reserved

Renal artery stenosis and mean platelet volume

Objective: Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) has been reported in various atherosclerotic diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) and various hematological parameters including MPV. Methods: This study was performed with a retrospective review of the angiographic images of patients who underwent renal angiography at Bülent Ecevit University catheter laboratory between January 2004 and December 2009. The patients were trichotomized into three groups based on the presence and severity of renal artery stenosis (RAS). Group 1 included patients with a critical RAS (33 patients; 18 female (F), 15 male (M); mean age 61.6±11.5 years), group 2 consisted of patients with non-critical RAS (26 patients; 15 F, 11 M; mean age 58.1±11.3 years), and group 3 was composed of patients without RAS (69 patients; 38 F, 31 M; mean age 53.5±11.9 years). Demographic data, complete blood count, and biochemical parameters were compared between the groups. Results: Comparison of the hematological parameters revealed that MPV and platelet distribution width were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 and 3 (8.96±0.99 fL versus 8.35±0.76 fL, 8.31±0.79 fL, respectively; p=0.001; 16.53±0.58% versus 16.19±0.56%, 16.29±0.53%, respectively; p=0.04). Conclusion: MPV levels are higher in patients with ARAS. Considering both the effect of platelets on atherosclerosis and their close association with other risk factors, MPV level may be an important factor in pathogenesis of ARAS. © 2016 by Turkish Society of Cardiology

Diurnal characteristics of heart rate variability in patients with sarcoidosis [Tagescharakteristika der Herzfrequenzvariabilität bei Sarkoidosepatienten]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate autonomic nervous system function by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with sarcoidosis without known cardiac manifestations. Patients and methods: The study comprised 61 participants, including 31 patients with sarcoidosis without known cardiac manifestations and 30 healthy volunteers. All participants underwent echocardiographic examination, 12-channel electrocardiography (ECG), and 24-h Holter monitoring. HRV parameters were determined and compared between the groups. Results: There were no differences between groups with regard to age, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, or heart rate at the time of admission. In the time domain analyses, the 24-h, daytime, and night-time standard deviations of all normal-to-normal R-R interval (SDNN) values were significantly lower in patients with sarcoidosis than those in the controls. The frequency domain analyses showed that 24-h and daytime low-frequency (LF) values, 24-h, daytime, and night-time high-frequency (HF) values were significantly lower in the patient group compared with the control group, whereas the night-time LF/HF ratio was significantly higher. Conclusion: Although Holter ECG is not a diagnostic tool for cardiac sarcoidosis, the HRV parameters, especially the night-time LF/HF values, may demonstrate increased sympathetic activation in patients with sarcoidosis. © 2016, Springer Medizin Verlag