Impact of hemostatic gene single point mutations in patients with non-diabetic coronary artery disease.

Single point mutations in the genes coding for hemostatic factors were shown to be major inherited predisposing factors for venous thromboembolism. However, their contribution in the development of non-diabetic coronary artery disease [nDCAD] remains controversial. Angiographically demonstrated nDCAD patients (n = 86) and healthy controls (n = 90) were included in the study. Genotype analysis of hemostatic gene polymorphisms were assessed by using CVD strip assay, based on allele specific oligonucleotide probes. The carrier frequency of factor V (FV) H1299R, prothrombin G20210A, glycoprotein (Gp) IIIa L33P, plasminogen activator inhibitor-I (PAI-1) 4G/5G, 4G/4G, 5G/5G, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) A1298C and beta-fibrinogen -455 G > A were similar between patients and controls. In contrast, frequency of FV Leiden was significantly higher among patients (12.5%) than controls (5%, OR: 7.94; 95%CI: 1.9-49.6) and FXIII V34L was significantly lower among patients (23.7%) than controls (40%, OR: 0.24; 95%CI: 0.1-0.89). In addition, the frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism was 32.5% among patients compared with 42.5% in controls, of which the T/T genotype was significantly lower among patients (5%) than controls (17.5%, OR: 0.06; 95%CI: 0.01-0.58). No difference was observed in prevalence of prothrombin G20210A, FV H1299R, Gp IIIa L33P, PAI-1 4G5G, MTHFR A1298C, beta fibrinogen 455 G > A mutations between patients and controls. However, lower frequency of FXIII Val34Leu and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms may decrease, while FV Leiden polymorphism may increase development of nDCAD.

Population standards of prostate specific antigen values in men over 40: community based study in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prostate specific antigen (PSA) population standards of a cluster of Turkish men with no clinical evidence of prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated PSA values of the men who were living in a well-defined, rural district of Western Anatolia. Two hundred fifty-seven men agreed to participate in this population-based study. They underwent clinical examination, transrectal ultrasonography and serum PSA measurement. The association between serum PSA and age, prostate volume and age, PSA and prostate volume, and PSA density (PSAD) and age were assessed. Distributions of serum PSA levels, prostate volumes (PV), and PSAD values as a function of age were generated. RESULTS: The upper limit of normal PSA concentration were 4.51 ng/ml for men aged 40-49 years, 4.36 ng/ml for 50-59 years, 6.17 ng/ml for 60-69 years, and 10.18 ng/ml for over 70 years. The upper limit of normal (95th percentile) for the serum PSA concentration increased with age. Across the entire age range, no correlation was found between the serum PSA concentrations and age while significant correlation was found between serum PSA concentration and prostate volume. CONCLUSION: In this present study, the PSA values in different age intervals showed higher than those observed in previous studies. The PSA values are mainly affected by prostate volume rather than age.

Interleukin-6 levels in hyperemesis gravidarum.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is associated with higher levels of serum beta-hCG levels and hyperthyroidism. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is reported to enhance secretion of beta-hCG from trophoblastic cell line. METHODS: We measured serum levels of IL-6, thyroid hormones and beta-hCG of hyperemetic patients and gestational age-matched controls to search for a difference between the two groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in beta-hCG ( p=0.028), though IL-6 levels were higher in the hyperemetic group, it did not reach a significant level. Interleukin-6 positively correlated with beta-hCG ( r=0.38 and p=0.13).