COMBINING ABILITY OF WATERLOGGING TOLERANCE IN WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

The mean performance and combining abilities of cross combinations derived from a complete diallel mating and their parents were evaluated under waterlogging conditions. Analysis of variance for combining abilities indicated significant GCA (general combining ability) and SCA (specific combining ability) for single spike yield, SPAD (soil plant analysis development) and leaf area; GCA for NDVI (normalised differences vegetation index) and SCA for Fe and Mn contents in roots and membrane thermal stability. The parents Stendal, Beşköprü and Pamukova 97 were the best combiners in terms of waterlogging tolerance, while Beşköprü × Pamukova 97, Pamukova 97 × Beşköprü, Stendal × Pamukova 97, Stendal × Beşköprü and Beşköprü × Hanlı were identified as the best cross combinations, with high positive specific combining ability effects for most waterlogging related characters

Increased P-wave dispersion in patients with newly diagnosed lichen planus

OBJECTIVE: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune mucocutaneous disease. Recent research has emphasized the strong association between inflammation and both P-wave dispersion and dyslipidemia. The difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave durations on an electrocardiogram is defined as P-wave dispersion. The prolongation of P-wave dispersion has been demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for developing atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to investigate P-wave dispersion in patients with lichen planus. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with lichen planus and 37 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in this study. We obtained electrocardiographic recordings from all participants and used them to calculate the P-wave variables. We also assessed the levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein, which is an inflammatory marker, and the lipid levels for each group. The results were reported as the means ± standard deviations and percentages. RESULTS: The P-wave dispersion was significantly higher in lichen planus patients than in the control group. Additionally, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in lichen planus patients compared to the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein and P-wave dispersion (r = 0.549,

Royal Jelly Modulates Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Liver and Kidneys of Rats Treated with Cisplatin

Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most active cytotoxic agents in the treatment of cancer and has adverse side effects such as nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. The present study was designed to determine the effects of royal jelly (RJ) against oxidative stress caused by CDDP injury of the kidneys and liver, by measuring tissue biochemical and antioxidant parameters and investigating apoptosis immunohistochemically. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups, group C: control group received 0.9% saline; group CDDP: injected i.p. with cisplatin (CDDP, 7 mg kg−1 body weight i.p., single dose); group RJ: treated for 15 consecutive days by gavage with RJ (300 mg/kg/day); group RJ + CDDP: treated by gavage with RJ 15 days following a single injection of CDDP. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in liver and kidney homogenates, and the liver and kidney were also histologically examined. RJ elicited a significant protective effect towards liver and kidney by decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA), elevating the level of GSH, and increasing the activities of GST, GSH-Px, and SOD. In the immunohistochemical examinations were observed significantly enhanced apoptotic cell numbers and degenerative changes by cisplatin, but these histological changes were lower in the liver and kidney tissues of RJ + CDDP group. Besides, treatment with RJ lead to an increase in antiapoptotic activity hepatocytes and tubular epithelium. In conclusion, RJ may be used in combination with cisplatin in chemotherapy to improve cisplatin-induced oxidative stress parameters and apoptotic activity

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Hyperprolactinemia in Children and Adolescents: National Survey

Conclusion: We present the largest cohort of children and adolescents with hyperprolactinemia in the literature to date. Hyperprolactinemia is more common in females and cabergoline is highly effective and practical to use in adolescents, due to its biweekly dosing. Indications for surgery in pediatric cases need to be revised

Mycobacterium chimaera Infections Associated With Contaminated Heater-Cooler Devices Among Open Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Global Outbreak

After the first report of Mycobacterium chimaera infections following cardiac surgery from Switzerland in 2013, more than 100 cases of M. chimaera infections (infective endocarditis, vascular graft infections, sternal surgical site infections etc.) generally involving prosthetic valves, vascular grafts, and left ventricular assist devices have emerged from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States of America (USA). M. chimaera infections following cardiac surgery have been attributed to the use of heater-cooler devices (HCDs) which are integral for cardiopulmonary bypass operations. There is not any contact between the HCU water and the patient blood during the operation, but it was shown that these infections are associated with the contamination of the surgical field or the implanted prosthetic device by M. chimaera-containing bioaerosols produced by HCDs. To date, all M. chimaera infections have been attributed to a specific model of HCD, Sorin (Stockert (R)) 3T Heater-Cooler System (LivaNova PLC, London, United Kingdom; formerly Sorin Group Deutschland GmbH, Manich, Germany). These HCDs were most likely contaminated at the manufacturing facility, as M. chimaera has been recovered from in-use Sorin (Stockert (R)) 3T HCUs within hospitals worldwide, from new unused 3T HCUs, and from water samples obtained at the manufacturing site of LivaNova PLC. Whole-genome sequencing confirms that this is a common-source outbreak, with nearly identical isolates found in 3T HCDs and patients from multiple countries. It is therefore likely that most 3T HCDs manufactured over the past decade are contaminated with the same M. chimaera strain. Although HCDs made by other companies have been found to be contaminated with M. chimaera, they have not been associated with the current outbreak. As these Sorin (Stckert (R)) 3T HCDs have been used since 2006, holds 60 and 75% of the market share in USA and Turkey, respectively, and is used in 200 000 and 50 000 surgeries yearly in the USA and Turkey, respectively; the potential for exposure is significant. Although there hasn't been any case report in Turkey by now and the number of cases is very low compared to the huge number of the cardiovascular surgery procedures performed all over the world, the extent of this outbreak is yet unknown and the incidence will likely increase. Diagnosis of HCD-associated M. chimaera infections is challenging as the symptoms of the infection may be nonspecific; the incubation period could be as long as 6 years; mycobacterial blood cultures are not typically performed in immunocompetent patients but are required for the diagnosis; and the knowledge and awareness of the physicians about this organism and its infections is very low at the moment. In the current situation, M. chimaera should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the patients who have infective endocarditis or vascular graft infections and whose routine blood cultures were found to be negative; blood cultures should be taken using bottles that support the growth of the mycobacteria from these patients. The risk of infection in an affected center is currently estimated to be 1/100-1/1000 patients, but is likely variable based upon the types of surgery performed in the center, how centers use their HCDs, cleaning protocols utilized, and the location and orientation of the HCD in the operating room

Infective Endocarditis: An Update

Although infective endocarditis (IE) has been recognized for years and despite the advances in the diagnosis and treatment, it is associated with a mortality rate as high as 20% even in developed countries in which IE cases have more access to new diagnostic technologies and surgical facilities. The mortality rate is even higher in Turkey and is reported to be 30%. There are many guidelines on the management of IE, but compliance with these guidelines is poor in daily clinical practice. A standardised strategy based on a local consensus of IE among infectious diseases and clinical microbiology specialists, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons (i.e., infective endocarditis team) can result in reproducibility of treatment for all patients regardless of the attending physician. In this review, epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and prevention of IE in Turkey and other parts of the world were discussed in the light of current guidelines and recent research; and some recommendations were made to improve the management of IE