Coronary artery anomalies and dominance: data from a single center in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery anomalies (CAA) are found in 0.2% to 1.3% of coronary angiograms. The aim of the presented study was to describe congenital CAA and their variations, also identifying the prevalence of these anomalies and coronary artery dominance in our center. METHODS: A total of 7858 patients were included in the study retrospectively between August 2015 and March 2020. Patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) were reviewed by at least 2 independent and experienced observers. The Angelini's CAA Classification method was used to classify patients. Coronary dominance was determined according to the artery from which the posterior desending artery originated. RESULTS: CAA was detected in 88 (1.1%) out of 7858 patients. Of these patients, 73 (82.9%) had anomalies of origination and course called group A, 7 (7.9%) had anomalies of intrinsic coronary arterial anatomy called group B, and 8 (9.1%) had anomalies of coronary termination called group C. Anomalous collateral vessels called group D were not detected. RCA dominance was N.=5579 (70.99%), Cx dominance was N.=1021 (12.99%), and codominancy was N.=1258 (16.01%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CAA was 1.1% in total and is compatible with other major studies. According to the Angelini CAA clasification, group B anomalies are observed more frequently than other studies. Cx dominance is moderately high.

Association of the PTPN22 gene polymorphism with autoantibody positivity in Turkish rheumatoid arthritis patients.

The PTPN22 C1858T gene polymorphism has been recently reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in European and North American ancestry. In contrast, the frequency of PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism is extremely rare in Asian and African populations. As the genetic heterogeneity between populations is clearly present in RA, we wanted to investigate whether the PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism is associated with RA in Turkey and with autoantibody positivity. A total of 323 RA patients and 426 healthy controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism for the PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism (rs2476601). The frequencies of heterozygote genotype (CT) were 8.4% in RA patients and 5.4% in the healthy controls, respectively [odds ratio (OR): 1.6, P = 0.14]. The homozygote genotype (T/T) was absent in both RA patients and the healthy controls. When compared with the healthy controls, we found the significant associations between the frequency of PTPN22 heterozygote (CT) polymorphism and RA patients with RF positivity and anti-CCP positivity, respectively (OR: 2.05, P = 0.04 and OR: 2.1, P = 0.03, respectively). Our study suggests that the PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism acts as a susceptibility gene for autoantibody-positive RA in Turkey.

Thymidylate synthase genotype and serum concentrations of homocysteine and folate in Behçet's disease.

The aim of this study was to assess whether thymidylate synthase (TYMS) genotype, serum homocysteine, and folate concentrations were related to venous thrombosis in Behçet's disease (BD) patients. The study included 104 BD patients fulfilling the International Study Group Criteria for the diagnosis of BD and 121 healthy individuals-controls. Out of 104 patients, 50 (48%) had vascular involvement: 34 had active-history of venous thrombosis, 16 had arterial involvement (aneurysm), and 11 of these patients had both venous and arterial lesions as confirmed by Doppler ultrasound and/or angiography. Genotype analysis of the TYMS promoter enhancer region was determined by polymerase chain reaction. The distribution of the TYMS genotypes 2R/2R, 2R/3R, 3R/3R, 4R/2R, and 3R/3R were not significantly different between BD patients and control group (p>0.05; 16.5% vs 8.3%, 49.0% vs 53.9%, 31.7% vs 38.0%, 1.9% vs 0%, and 1.0% vs 0%, respectively). TYMS genotypes were not associated with thrombosis and serum homocysteine concentration in BD patients. The mean serum homocysteine level in patients with thrombosis (14.87+/-8.99 micromol/L) was significantly higher than the level in patients without thrombosis (10.78+/-3.81 micromol/L; p<0.05). Serum folate concentrations were not different between the BD patients and the healthy controls. The study results suggest that the distribution TYMS genotype in BD was not different from that of healthy controls. There was no relationship between TYMS genotype and the homocysteine levels in BD patients with thrombosis or without thrombosis.

[Type I Chiari malformation presenting with isolated unilateral hypoglossal nerve and vocal cord paralysis]. / Izole tek tarafli hipoglossal sinir ve vokal kord paralizisi ile ortaya çikan Chiari tip I malformasyonu.

Chiari malformation refers to caudal displacement of posterior fossa structures through the foramen magnum in the cervical canal and is classified according to the severity of displacement and accompanying cranial nerve and cervical pathologies. We presented a 24-year-old male patient who had isolated unilateral paralysis of the hypoglossal nerve and vagus nerve, with thyroid cartilage asymmetry. Chiari type I malformation was diagnosed by craniospinal magnetic resonance imaging. Suboccipital craniectomy and cervical 1-level large partial laminectomy were performed by the neurosurgery department. No improvement was observed in hypoglossal and vagal paralysis during an 18-month follow-up.

Effects of halofuginone on fibrosis formation secondary to experimentally induced subglottic trauma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the antifibrotic effect of systemically applied halofuginone after subglottic injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After standardized trauma to subglottic area, rats were divided into two groups: a study group that received treatment and a control group that did not. The rats were treated with 0.1 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal halofuginone injection for 30 days. The larynx specimens were examined histopathologically under light microscope for epithelization, inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. RESULTS: The fibrosis indexes of the treated group were significantly less than those of the control group (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Systemically applied halofuginone hydrobromide decreases fibrosis/scar tissue formation secondary to experimentally induced acute subglottic trauma.

Arteries get confused: an arch variation.

We present a case of an arch anomaly in a 54-year-old female who was admitted to our hospital for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to evaluate her right-sided numbness. MRA revealed a truncus bicaroticus, right common carotid artery (CCA) originating right vertebral artery, right subclavian artery arising as the final branch of the descending aortic arch and arch originating left vertebral artery. The possible embryologic mechanism and clinical importance of this previously unreported variant are reviewed.

The relationship between serum ferritin levels and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum ferritin levels and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Serum ferritin levels of 72 SLE patients were measured. The SLE patients were subdivided into two groups according to SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) as < or = 10 and > or = 11. The results were compared with 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 36 patients among 72 with SLE were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS: Serum levels of ferritin in SLE patients were higher than RA patients (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in ferritin levels before and after treatment. The levels of ferritin in SLE were positively correlated with SLEDAI scores. Patients with SLEDAI scores > or = 11 had significantly higher serum ferritin levels. CONCLUSION: Serum ferritin levels may be a useful marker of disease activity in SLE patients.