The impact of Dicer, Drosha, and Exportin-5 levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis and phenotyping

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common heterogeneous endocrine and gynaecological disease in reproductive women. Early identification and treatment of patients are necessary to prevent future cardiometabolic and reproductive complications. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether Drosha, Exportin-5 (XPO5), and Dicer, which are involved in miRNA formation, are useful markers in the diagnosis of the disease. Material and methods: Patients who presented to our clinic with complaints such as menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, and acne were diagnosed with polycystic ovary after excluding other possible diagnoses, and if they meet two-thirds of the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria, they were included in the study. Thirty patients with polycystic ovaries and 35 healthy controls were included in this study. Results: The mean values of XPO5, Drosha, and Dicer markers were significantly higher in the PCOS group when compared with the control group. With an XPO5 value > 1.70, we found the PCOS with 94% probability, 86.7% sensitivity, and 91.4% specificity. Moreover, if the Drosha value was > 0.166, it was expected that the patient would be diagnosed as PCOS with a probability of 75%, with 66.7% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. A statistically significant cut-off value could not be obtained for Dicer. Conclusions: In our study, the levels of all three markers were found to be significantly higher in the PCOS group compared to the control group. It suggests that they can be used in the early diagnosis of PCOS patients without full-blown disease. However, this preliminary study should be supported by larger-scale studies

Some acute phase reactants and cholesterol levels in serum of patient with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever

The purpose of this study is to determine erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C - reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA) and cholesterol levels in patients with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and determine the relationship of these parameters with the severity of disease. By polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method 40 patients were diagnosed as CCHF and 39 volunteer without any systemic disease whose blood were taken and their serum separated. SAA, CRP and ESR were measured with ELISA, nephelometry and Mix-Rate x100 vital diagnostic device, respectively, in serum samples. High density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol levels were determined by using autoanalyzer HDL, LDL and total cholesterol kit (Syncron LX20). Statistically significant difference was determined between patients and controls in terms of the levels of SAA, CRP, HDL, LDL and total cholesterol (p0.05). Using of CRP and SAA together might increase the sensitivity of diagnosis of CCHF infection. However, none of the parameters investigated in this study were found to be a proper marker of the prognosis in CCHF. Cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in patients with CCHF, which was suggested to be associated with the increased serum levels of SAA in the patient group

Assessment of the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic potential of flurbiprofen in HeLa and HepG2 cell lines

In the literature, the anticancer potential of flurbiprofen isn't fully understood. In this study, the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic effects of flurbiprofen were evaluated in human cervical and liver cancer cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and it was observed that cytotoxicity increased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Genotoxicity was determined using alkaline Comet assay. DNA damage increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Early apoptosis was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and it was found that apoptotic gene levels increased while antiapoptotic gene levels decreased. Late apoptosis and cell cycle analyzes were determined using flow cytometry. No evidence of late apoptosis was observed, and no significant arrest was found in the cell cycle. In conclusion, it seems that flurbiprofen has a cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic effects in both human cancer cell lines. Moreover, the findings indicate that flurbiprofen is effective at the gene level and induces apoptosis with an intracellular pathway