Association of NOD1 and NOD2 Polymorphisms With Susceptibility to Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis.

Background: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is a late complication of measles infection. However, to date, the pathogenesis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is still not explained; both viral and host factors seem to be associated. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between NOD1 and NOD2 gene variants and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Methods: The gene variants of NOD1 (rs2075820 and rs2075818) and NOD2 (R334Q and R334W) were explored in 64 subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients and 70 controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The frequencies of the AA genotype and A allele of rs2075820 (NOD1; c.796G>A) polymorphism were lower in patients compared with controls (P = .022 and .014, respectively). The presence of the A allele of rs2075820 may be considered as a protective factor for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. There was a significant difference between the groups in rs2075818 (NOD1 G/C) polymorphism, and the CC genotype increased the risk of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis by 3.471-fold. The carriers of the C allele of rs2075818 (G/C) had a 1.855-fold susceptibility to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (P = .018). The GC genotype might be associated with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis susceptibility in the patients compared with patients without having that haplotype (P = .03). Conclusions: Thus, we identified an association between subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and the rs2075820 (NOD1 G/A) and rs2075818 (NOD1 G/C) polymorphisms. These findings implicate a possible effect of this genetic polymorphism in susceptibility to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which needs to be confirmed in bigger populations.

Growth and pubertal development in adolescent male wrestlers.

BACKGROUNDː Adolescence is a crucial period for linear growth, and sports training during this time may have positive or negative effects on some physiological processes as growth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of intense training during somatic growth on the onset of puberty and growth development in adolescent wrestlers. METHODS: Fifty adolescent male wrestlers and twenty-one sedentary healthy male controls aged between 13-15 years were selected. The wrestlers were from five different wrestling schools and were active at competitive level. The maturity status of the subjects and data about the anthropometric characteristics including age, body weight, height, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were evaluated. Serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, cortisol, insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxin were determined. RESULTS: Anthropometric characteristics and puberty levels according to the Tanner stage were similar in both groups. There were no significant differences between wrestlers and sedentary control groups in sex hormones, cortisol, IGF-1, prolactin levels (P>0.05) but TSH concentrations differed significantly (P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that training in adolescent male wrestlers did not significantly change resting sex hormones or alter the onset of puberty as determined by assessment of pubertal stages. The wrestlers had lower body fat and greater energy expenditure per week, there were no significant differences in height, weight, or BMI.

An evaluation of childhood deaths in Turkey due to yellow phosphorus in firecrackers.

Yellow phosphorus (YP) is a powerful protoplasmic poison used in the manufacturing of matches, pest poisons, firecrackers, firework cracker, lights for watches, military ammunition, and agriculture fertilizer. YP is extremely flammable and toxic and easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we examined childhood deaths from 1997 to 2012 resulting from the ingestion of firecrackers. The patients ranged from 2 to 15 years of age and were admitted to the hospital with a variety of symptoms. Those that presented with nausea, vomiting, and hypotension rapidly deteriorated and entered a coma. An autopsy was performed in all but one of the 16 cases reviewed. Macroscopically, the livers had a yellowish discoloration with petechial bleeding. Histopathologic examination revealed acute toxic hepatitis. In conclusion, these firecrackers are found in corner shops throughout Turkey, may cause death in children with little warning, and should be banned to prevent further deaths.