Evaluation of the Clinical Effects and Frequency of MEFV Gene Mutation in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: The clinical and pathological features of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) are similar. OBJECTIVE: Here, the frequency of Mediterranean Fever (MEFV) gene mutation and its effect on the outcome of IBD were evaluated. METHODS: DNA sequence analysis detected the variants on the MEFV gene in patients with IBD. The relationship between mutations and the need for steroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and surgery was assessed. RESULTS: We evaluated 100 patients with IBD (55 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 45 with Crohn's disease (CD)) and 60 healthy individuals as controls. The frequency of MEFV gene mutation was 26.7% (n = 12) and 14.5% (n = 8) for UC and CD, respectively. No relationship was found between MEFV gene mutation and the need for steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics (p = 0.446; p = 0.708; p > 0.999, resp.); however, in UC, the need for surgery in those with mutation (p = 0.018) and E148Q mutation alone was significant (p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: The rate of MEFV gene mutations was high in patients with UC who required surgery. These patients have frequent and severe attacks, indicating that the mutations are related to disease severity. MEFV mutation as a modifier factor of IBD should be considered.

Low body mass index might be a predisposing factor for varicocele recurrence: a prospective study.

We investigated the possible relationship between body mass index (BMI) score and varicocele recurrence in an infertile patient population. A total of 255 primary infertile male patients (138 with varicocele and 117 for control) were included in this study. Height and weight measurements, clinical examination for varicocele, determination of serum hormone levels and spermiogram were performed in all cases. The BMI score was calculated, and patients with varicocele were operated with subinguinal technique and re-examined for recurrences. The varicocele group had significantly lower weight and the BMI score than the control group (P < 0.001). Varicocele recurrences were found in 22 patients (16% of them) after the operations. The BMI score was significantly lower in the recurrent group than in the nonrecurrent and control groups (P < 0.001). 73% of the recurrent, 50% of the nonrecurrent and 25% of the control group patients' BMI scores were under 25 kg m(-2) (P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, the BMI score was found as a determinant for varicocele recurrence (P = 0.027; OR: 1.25). It is concluded that BMI score lower than 25 kg m(-2) significantly increases the recurrence rate after varicocele operation, and it can be used as an objective indicator for microsurgical varicocelectomy.

99mTc-MDP adsorption of some dental alloys with varying surface roughness: effect of oral environment.

The purpose of this study was to measure the surface characteristics of some dental alloys by 99mTc-MDP adsorption and to investigate the effect of oral environment on 99mTc-MDP adsorption. Sample discs of five different dental alloys were prepared. The surfaces were sandblasted, ground with sandpaper, polished and electrolysed in succession. The surface roughness of each disc was measured by the use of a profilometre. Contact angles (theta) of the surfaces were also measured. 99mTc-MDP adsorption of the discs was determined both prior to and after 2 h of exposure to the oral environment. Our results indicated that the discs sandblasted and electrolysed had the maximum surface roughness and those polished the minimum surface roughness. The 99mTc-MDP adsorption showed variation according to the type of alloy used and its surface roughness prior to exposure to the oral environment. After exposure 99mTc-MDP adsorption was essentially the same for all the alloys.