Roles of beta2-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphisms in a Turkish population with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or obesity.

We determined the distribution of the Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome as well as a control group in Northeastern Turkey. A total of 52 patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in a sleep laboratory and 78 control subjects were examined. Peripheral blood samples were taken from patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea by polysomnography. DNA was extracted from blood samples and amplified using polymerase chain reaction. Amplification products were digested with restriction enzymes to investigate gene polymorphisms. Restriction products were extracted from agarose gel electrophoresis and polymorphisms were analyzed using gel images. The Arg16Gly polymorphism was observed in 18 of 52 patients and in 23 of 78 controls. The Gln27Glu polymorphism was observed in 21 of 52 patients and in 28 of 78 controls. In conclusion, there was no correlation among polymorphic frequencies between patient and control groups. Based on the results, these polymorphisms do not contribute to the clinical diagnosis of this syndrome. However, the distribution of Arg16Gly vs Gln27Glu polymorphisms may contribute to obesity in patients with a body mass index greater than 30 (P < 0.05). Different results may be obtained if the parameters of obstructive sleep apnea disease are changed.

Is there a correlation between the pineal gland calcification and migraine?

OBJECTIVE: The pineal gland calcifications have been associated with some diseases such as cerebral infarction, Alzheimer's disease and intracerebral hemorrhage while most cases are considered idiopathic and physiologic. However, there are limited data in the current literature about the association of pineal calcification and migraine. Our aim was to evaluate this association between migraine and pineal calcification by computed tomography of the brain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our study, we assessed the computed tomography images of patients, who referred to the neurology outpatient clinic with the complaint of headache and were diagnosed with migraine without aura based according to 2004 criteria of the International Headache Society. 503 migraine patients and 500 control subjects without migraine diagnosis were included in this study. RESULTS: When migraine and control groups were compared by pineal calcification, the rates were determined as 80, 6% and 55% in migraine and control group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In addition, it was seen that pineal calcifications, detected in migraine patients, did not show age-related increase. CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, we can point that pineal calcification may be associated with migraine.

Effect of pregabalin on post-dural-puncture headache following spinal anesthesia and lumbar puncture.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of pregabalin on post-dural-puncture headache (PDPH). Forty patients who developed PDPH after spinal anesthesia or diagnostic and/or therapeutic lumbar puncture were divided into two groups and followed for 5 days. The first group received 150 mg/day oral pregabalin for the first 3 days, then 300 mg/day for a further 2 days. The second group received a placebo for the same length of time. Patient headaches were scored using the visual analog scale, and diclofenac sodium and pethidine requirements were recorded. Relative to the placebo group, the group administered pregabalin had significantly lower visual analog scale scores after the second day of treatment, and had significantly lower diclofenac sodium requirements. Our results indicate that pregabalin may be useful for the management of PDPH.

Maternal colonisation with group B streptococcus and effectiveness of a culture-based protocol to prevent early-onset neonatal sepsis.

This study was conducted to find out the group B streptococcus colonisation of pregnant women in Kocaeli, Turkey. A culture plus individualised high-risk-based antibiotic prophylaxis was compared with high-risk-based approach alone. The screening of women was performed via vaginal and anal cultures for group B streptococcus (GBS). The maternal GBS colonisation rate was found to be 6.5%. All colonised women or preterm labours with unavailable culture results until delivery received prophylactic antibiotics. Neonatal colonisation rate and early-onset neonatal sepsis due to GBS was 1/200. The unscreened 900 women received prophylactic antibiotics due to a risk factor-based approach. The neonatal colonisation rate was 17/900 (p = 0.1), and the rate of early-onset neonatal sepsis was 3/900 (p = 0.6). A culture plus individualised high-risk-based antibiotic prophylaxis provided an insignificant change in neonatal colonisation and early-onset neonatal sepsis with GBS when compared with high-risk-based approach alone.