MTHFR 677 C > T Gene Polymorphism is Associated with Large for Gestational Age Infants.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 C > T gene polymorphism in term infants born small (SGA), appropriate (AGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). METHODS: The study comprised 165 newborns with SGA, LGA and AGA. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood. Samples were genotyped for MTHFR 677 C > T gene polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the genotype and their allelic distribution of AGA, SGA, and LGA. The newborns carrying the TT genotype had higher birth weight than those carrying the CC and CT genotypes. The frequency of MTHFR 677 TT genotype and T allele was significantly higher and was found to be linked with a higher risk in LGA than in the AGA group. CONCLUSIONS: The MTHFR 677 C > T gene polymorphism can be used as a genetic marker in Turkish LGA newborns, but not in SGA.

Musculoskeletal symptoms and related factors in postacute COVID-19 patients.

AIM: There is a lack of an overview of the factors associated with postacute COVID-19 musculoskeletal symptoms. The aims of this study were as follows: 1- to evaluate the most frequent admission symptoms and the frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms in postacute COVID-19 patients; and 2- to determine the related factors with the postacute COVID-19 musculoskeletal symptoms. METHODS: A total of 280 postacute COVID-19 patients (183 females, 97 males) were enrolled and divided into two groups: 1- patients whose musculoskeletal symptoms initiated with or were aggravated by COVID-19 (n = 240); and 2- patients whose musculoskeletal symptoms did not change with COVID-19 (n = 40). The variables were demographic and treatment data, symptoms on admission, postacute COVID-19 symptoms, laboratory results (complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, ferritin and d-dimer), chest computed tomography findings and symptoms during acute COVID-19. RESULTS: Most of the patients have fatigue (71.8%), spine pain (70.7%) and myalgia (60.7%). The most common pain region was the back (30.4%). The frequency of dyspnoea was 30%, cough 18.5% and chest pain 10.7%. Having any chronic disease (P = .031), the duration of hospital stay (P = .016), frequency of back pain during acute COVID-19 (P = .018), tomography findings and d-dimer (P = .035) levels were significantly higher, and lymphocyte (P = .024) levels were significantly lower in the patients whose symptoms began with or were aggravated by COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Back pain was the most frequent symptom on admission. The most common postacute COVID-19 musculoskeletal symptoms were fatigue, spine pain and myalgia. Lower lymphocyte and higher d-dimer levels, the presence of COVID-19 findings in tomography and back pain during acute COVID-19 infection, higher duration of hospital stay and having chronic diseases were related to post-COVID-19 musculoskeletal symptoms.

An Enriched Environment Leads to Increased Synaptic Plasticity-Associated miRNA Levels after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), impairments in motor and cognitive functions may occur and continue in later periods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can directly or indirectly affect synaptic reconstruction. mir-132, mir-134, and mir-138 are the leading miRNAs that can be effective on some neurological functions through its effects on synaptic plasticity in the relevant brain areas. In our study, it was aimed to determine the levels of miRNAs in the hippocampus and frontal lobe of rats exposed to different environmental conditions after the experimental SAH. METHODS: SAH was created using the cisterna magna double blood-injection method. Brain tissues were collected at different times after the last blood injection. Rats were grouped according to the different environmental conditions in which they were kept. Expression levels of miRNAs were performed by qPCR and ultrastructural changes in samples were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: After SAH, miR-132, miR-134, and miR-138 expressions in the frontal lobes of rats increased in impoverished environment on the 7th day and in the enriched environment on the 14th day. It was observed that the myelin and microtubule structures in the axons that were disrupted after SAH were more organized and stable in the enriched environment. CONCLUSIONS: After SAH, different environmental conditions may affect the miRNA levels associated with synaptic plasticity and microtubule organization in the frontal lobe, and this might have some effects especially on cognitive and motor functions related to this brain area.

Predictors of new-onset atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The development of atrial fibrillation (AF) during the course of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is related to poor prognosis. Possible predictors of new-onset AF (NOAF) have not been adequately investigated in elderly patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to identify the factors associated with NOAF in such patients. METHODS: A total of 308 elderly patients with ACS undergoing PCI were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: without NOAF [254 patients, 64.6% men, age: 73.5 (69.0-79.0) years] and with NOAF [54 patients, 70.4% men, age: 75.0 (68.7-81.2) years]. Clinical, angiographic, and laboratory features including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The percentages of prior myocardial infarction (MI) (20.4 vs. 5.9%) and Killip III/ IV (24.1 vs. 7.1%), NLR [4.5 (2.6-7.2) vs. 3.2 (2.0-6.0)], and MHR [19.4 (15.7-26.5) vs. 12.9 (9.9-18.5)] were higher in patients with NOAF compared to the others (p = 0.020, < 0.001, 0.030, and < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate regression analysis, prior MI (OR 4.509, 95% CI 1.679-12.106, p = 0.003) and MHR (OR 1.102, 95% CI 1.054-1.152, p < 0.001) independently predicted NOAF. In addition, Killip III/IV was found to be an independent predictor of 6-month overall mortality (HR 2.949, 95% CI 1.218-7.136, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Prior MI and MHR are independent predictors of NOAF in elderly patients with ACS undergoing PCI. Killip III/IV predicts 6-month overall mortality in such patients.

The Evaluation of Hydroxyethyl Starch (6% HES 130/0.4) Solution's Potential Preventive Effects on Coagulation Status in Women with Gynecologic Malignancies Using Rotation Thromboelastography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of in vitro hemodilution with 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 solution on the coagulation status of women with gynecologic malignancies by using rotation thromboelastogram (ROTEM®). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with gynecological tumors scheduled for anesthesia were enrolled. Blood samples were diluted by 20% with 6% HES (130/0.4) solution. RESULTS: In the INTEM assay, clotting time (CT) (p<0.01) and clot formation time (CFT) (p<0.001) were significantly increased and maximum maximum clot formation (MCF) (p<0.001) was significantly decreased in HES hemodilution compared with the undiluted control samples. In the EXTEM assay, there was a similar significant increase in increase in CFT (p<0.01) and a decrease in maximum a decrease in MCF (p<0.01) in HES hemodilution when compared with control samples. CONCLUSION: HES 130/0.4 solution causes significant hypocoagulable changes in the thromboelastographic profile of gynecologic cancer patients in vitro.

Evaluation of Labral Pathology and Hip Articular Cartilage in Patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI): Comparison of Multidetector CT Arthrography and MR Arthrography.

BACKGROUND: To compare the multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) arthrography (CTa) and magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography (MRa) findings with surgical findings in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of these methods. MATERIAL/METHODS: Labral pathology and articular cartilage were prospectively evaluated with MRa and CTa in 14 hips of 14 patients. The findings were evaluated by two musculoskeletal radiologists with 10 and 20 years of experience, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive value were determined using surgical findings as the standard of reference. RESULTS: While the disagreement between observers was recorded in two cases of labral tearing with MRa, there was a complete consensus with CTa. Disagreement between observers was found in four cases of femoral cartilage loss with both MRa and CTa. Disagreement was also recorded in only one case of acetabular cartilage loss with both methods. The percent sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for correctly assessing the labral tearing were as follows for MRa/CTa, respectively: 100/100, 50/100, 86/100 (p<0.05). The same values for acetabular cartilage assessment were 89/56, 40/60, 71/71 (p>0.05) and for femoral cartilage assessment were 100/75, 90/70, 86/71 (p>0.05). Inter-observer reliability value showed excellent agreement for labral tearing with CTa (κ=1.0). Inter-observer agreement was substantial to excellent with regard to acetabular cartilage assessment with MRa and CTa (κ=0.76 for MRa and κ=0.86 for CTa). CONCLUSIONS: Inter-observer reliability with CTa is excellent for labral tearing assessment. CTa seems to have an equal sensitivity and a higher specificity than MRa for the detection of labral pathology. MRa is better, but not statistically significantly, in demonstrating acetabular and femoral cartilage pathology.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Static Balance and Mental Fatigue in Healthy Adults: Preliminary Study.

Mental fatigue (MF) occurs when a demanding cognitive-task is performed over a long period of time, making it difficult to continue daily tasks and maintain balance. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether the Stroop test induces mental fatigue and to examine its effects on static balance. The study is a quasi-experimental design with pre-post testing. Twenty participants (19-44) were included. Static posturography was used to evaluate balance at baseline following a 25-min relaxation period of rest and in the MFC (mental-fatigue condition) following the induction of MF with the Stroop test. The other measurements were the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The study found that mental fatigue significantly increased at MFC compared to baseline, as indicated by MFI (p=.031) and FSS (p=.007) results with moderate effect sizes (d = 0.52, d = 0.67, respectively). Similarly, the study found a statistically significant increase in mental fatigue as measured by VAS results (p=.000, d = 0.95). However, the study did not find any statistically significant impairment in static balance due to mental fatigue in healthy young subjects. The results suggest that the Stroop test can induce mental fatigue, but it does not impair static balance.

Thrombelastographic evaluation of the influence of 2-RBC apheresis on donor's coagulation system.

Rotation thrombelastogram (ROTEM®/TEG®) assays allow rapid global assessment of hemostatic function using whole blood. Since published data about the effects of automated red cell collection on coagulation system are scarce, we aimed to investigate the effects of 2-RBC apheresis on donor's coagulation system using ROTEM® assays. In INTEM assay, CFT was significantly shortened 24h after apheresis compared with baseline value (p<0.05) and MCF was significantly prolonged immediately after apheresis and 24h after apheresis compared with baseline value (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). In EXTEM assay, CFT was significantly prolonged immediately after apheresis and 24h after apheresis compared with baseline value (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) and MCF was significantly prolonged 24h after apheresis compared with baseline value (p<0,001). Our results demonstrate thromboelastographic signs of hypercoagulability in donors undergoing 2-RBC apheresis.

Clinical significance of reticulocyte hemoglobin content in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and to compare it with other conventional iron parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 female patients with IDA (serum hemoglobin <120 g/L and serum ferritin <20 ng/ mL) and 18 female patients with iron deficiency (serum hemoglobin > 120 g/L and serum ferritin <20 ng/mL) were enrolled. RESULTS: CHr was 24.95±3.92 pg in female patients with IDA and 29.93±2.96 pg in female patients with iron deficiency. CHr showed a significant positive correlation with hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, serum iron, and transferrin saturation and a significant negative correlation with transferrin and total iron-binding capacity. The cut-off value of CHr for detecting IDA was 29 pg. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that CHr is a useful parameter that can be confidently used in the diagnosis of IDA, and a CHr cut-off value of 29 pg predicts IDA. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.

Assessment of Cerebral Arterial Flow Volume Changes with Carotid Vertebral Artery Duplex Doppler Ultrasound in Young-Middle-aged Subclinical Hashimoto Thyroiditis Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate cerebral arterial flow volume changes during the hypothyroid, euthyroid, and hyperthyroid phases and comparing between laboratory findings and cerebral arterial flow changes with carotid-vertebral duplex Doppler ultrasound (CVA-DUSG) in subclinical Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) patients. METHODS: According to the TSH level, 3 groups were constructed between patient cases. Group 1 (n=29) was the subclinical hyperthyroid group. In this group, the TSH level was between 0.0005 and 0.3 IU/ml. Group 2 (n=175) was the euthyroid group. TSH level in this group was between 0.3 and 4.2 IU/ml. Group 3 (n=76) was the subclinical hypothyroid group. In this group, the TSH level was above 4.2 IU/ml. The control-group (group 4) (n=71) included healthy people. In this group, the TSH level was between 0.3 and 4.2 IU/ml. After obtaining at least three consecutive waves from the bilateral internal cerebral artery and bilateral vertebral artery, volume flows were calculated using CVA-DUSG. Volume flows were calculated as peak systolic velocity + end diastolic velocity/2 × mean arterial diameter. The mean ICA(Internal Carotid Artery) and VA(Vertebral Artery) diameter was measured per ICA and VA. Total cerebral artery flow volume was defined as right ICA + right VA flow volume and left ICA + left VA flow volume. We also demonstrated topographic cerebral artery blood flow changes. Total ICA flow volume was used to assess the anterior part of the brain, total VA flow volume was used to evaluate the posterior part of the brain, right ICA + right VA flow volume was used to assess the right part of the brain, and left ICA + left VA flow volume was used to verify the left part of the brain. RESULTS: There were significant differences between RVA(Right Vertebral Artery) flow volume, LICA (Left Internal Carotid Artery) flow volume, total flow volume, TSH, and T3 and T4 levels in all groups according to the Dunn's multiple comparison test.(p<0.001) Mean TSH level was 0.03 (0.005-0.06) IU/ml in group 1, 2.8 (1.8-3.97) IU/ml in group 2, 7.32 (6.14-9.93) IU/ml in group 3, and 1.76 (1.17-2.49) IU/ml in the control group. The mean T3 level was 4.18 (3.55-5.38) in group 1, 2.88 (2.63-3.16) in group 2, 2.82 (2.49-3.15) in group 3, 3.14 (2.92-3.15) in the control group. The mean T4 level was 1.92 (1.29-2.5) in group 1, 1.16(1.03-1.31) in group 2, 1.01 (0.91-1.16) in group 3, 1.12 (0.97-1.30) in the control group (group 4). Mean total flow volume was 793 (745-898) ml/min in group 1, 742 (684.25-822.5) ml/min in group 2, 747 (692-824) ml/min in group 3, and 700 (673-675) ml/min in the control group. We also demonstrated topographic cerebral arterial volume flow changes with CVA-DUSG. There was a significant difference among all groups in the right and anterior parts of the brain (p < 0.001), and there was a significant difference between groups 1 and 4 in the left part of the brain (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that total cerebral arterial volume flow increased in the hyperthyroid phase of subclinical HT cases without any internal carotid and vertebral artery diameter changes compared with the euthyroid and hypothyroid phases of subclinical HT and healthy cases. We also verified topographic cerebral arterial blood flow changes in subclinical HT cases with a real-time, easily applicable modality (CVA-DUSG) that does not include X-ray or contrast agents. There was a significant difference between all groups in the right and anterior parts of the brain and there was a significant difference between groups 1 and 4 in the left part of the brain.

Investigation of cardiac adverse effects in COVID-19 ARDS patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

OBJECTIVE: The popularity of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (CARDS) secondary to COVID-19 infection is increasing day by day. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the possible cardiac effects in our CARDS patients treated with IVIG. METHODS: Demographic and clinical characteristics, mortality, sequential electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, cardiac markers, and other laboratory parameters of CARDS patients who received IVIG treatment were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 68.7±13.6%, and 70.5% were female. The mean number of days of hospitalization in the intensive care unit was 18.2±9.7, and the mortality rate was recorded as 35.2%. No pathological rhythm or ischemic change was observed in sequential ECG follow-ups. However, in consecutive ECO follow-ups, the sPAP values at the treatment end were numerically lower, although not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that IVIG therapy may be used safely in COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular side effects. However, due to the high risk of coagulopathy in these patients, the use of IVIG therapy in COVID-19 infection should be monitored with close monitoring, as it may increase the potential for cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, monitoring cardiac parameters are also essential as it may predict high cardiovascular risk in patients. For this reason, patients need lower infusion rates, steroid combination, adequate hydration, and effective anticoagulation therapy to avoid these side effects.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in 5-HT receptors in the etiology of premature ejaculation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Premature ejaculation (PE) is characterized by shorter intravaginal ejaculation latency time than it is acceptable for the patient or partner. It is thought that lifelong PE is a neurobiological dysfunction associated with genetic predisposition and with central serotonin neurotransmission dysfunction in receptors. To contribute to the understanding the genetic etiology of lifelong PE, it was planned to compare the 5-HT2C receptor gene rs3813929, rs518147, 5-HT1A receptor gene rs6295, 5-HT1B receptor gene rs11568817 of lifelong PE patients to healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, 100 patients with premature ejaculation and 100 healthy controls were included in the study. Blood samples for DNA extraction were obtained. Appropriate procedures were applied to the probes (rs3813929, rs518147, rs6295, rs11568817) suitable for the DNA studied. RESULTS: A statistically significant relationship was found between the rs11568817 polymorphism (p=0.019) in the 5-HT1B receptor gene and the rs518147 polymorphism (p=0.016) in the 5-HT2C receptor gene. Also, no statistically significant relationship was found between 5-HT1A receptor gene rs6295 polymorphism and 5-HT2C receptor gene rs3813929 polymorphism and lifelong PE. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between rs3813929 and rs11568817 polymorphisms with lifelong PE was confirmed. Repeating the study in larger sample groups could be useful in determining the genetic etiology of PE.

Dopamine D2 receptor gene -141C Insertion/Deletion polymorphism in Turkish schizophrenic patients.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and neuropsychiatric disease that affects about 0.5-1% of the world's population. An increase in dopamine and dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene products has been well described in schizophrenic patients. Several groups have studied the relationship between dopaminergic hyperactivity and cellular communications have obtained discordant results. Studies searching for the relationship between the schizophrenia and DRD2 gene have gained more interest. Our objective was to determine the relationships among schizophrenic symptoms in schizophrenia subtypes and severity of symptoms in terms of DRD2 gene -141C Insertion/Deletion [Ins/Del; I/D] polymorphism by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) assay method. Genomic DNA was prepared from peripheral blood by using salt extraction method. After amplification of genomic DNA, PCR products were digested with BstNI restriction enzyme for the detection of DRD2 gene -141C Ins/Del polymorphism in 73 schizophrenic patients and 60 healthy control subjects. The allelic frequencies of the DRD2 gene -141C Ins/Del polymorphism in case and control groups were 79.5 and 77.5% for I allele; 20.5 and 22.5% for D allele respectively. There was no significant difference in frequencies of genotypes and alleles between the two groups. In schizophrenic and control subjects, there were no significant relationship in severity of the disease and schizophrenia types among the -141C Ins/Del genotypes and alleles.

Erythropoietin improves the healing of skin necrosis resulting from Doxorubicin extravasation in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin is an antineoplastic agent that causes skin necrosis when extravasated. Various agents have been tried to reduce tissue damage owing to extravasation. Erythropoietin (EPO) is an obligatory growth factor for red blood cells and has beneficial effects on wound healing. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that local EPO injection can prevent and improve healing of necrosis at the doxorubicin injection site in rats. METHODS: We used 31 female Sprague-Dawley rats. The dorsal area of each rat was shaved, and 2 mg of doxorubicin in 0.5 mL saline was injected intradermally. The rats were then divided into 3 groups: control; control with intradermal injection of saline; and treatment, which received an intradermal injection of EPO. EPO in saline was injected into 4 quadrants of the same site where doxorubicin was injected 1 hour before. The rats were monitored and the area of each ulcer was measured. Skin biopsies were excised at the end of 4 weeks using anesthetic pentobarbital. Inflammation, edema, epithelization, neovascularization, necrosis, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen synthesis were evaluated and compared between groups. RESULTS: The average areas of the lesions were significantly smaller in the EPO-injected rats (P = 0.03). The histopathologic evaluation revealed that the scores for epithelization, neovascularization, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen synthesis were higher (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.04, respectively) and the score for necrosis was lower (P < 0.001) in the EPO-injected group than in both the saline-injected and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study using female Sprague-Dawley rats, EPO treatment improved the healing of skin necrosis caused by doxorubicin injection. This finding may lead to a new therapeutic approach for the management of skin necrosis caused by doxorubicin extravasation.

[Complex regional pain syndrome in hand-wrist injuries]. / El-el bilegi yaralanmalarinda kompleks bölgesel agri sendromu.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) following hand/wrist injuries. METHODS: The sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and details regarding the presence of an occupational accident, the type of hand/wrist injury (bone, tendon, nerve, mixed), the Modified Hand Injury Severity Score (MHISS) (minor, moderate, severe, major), and the presence of CRPS were obtained from the hospital information system and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 311 patient files were included in the study. In all, 23.8% of the patients developed CRPS and 49.2% had mixed-type injuries. There was a relationship between the lesion type and the development of CRPS: a mixed type of injury was most common (p=0.015). Isolated nerve injuries were also associated with the development of CRPS (p=0.001). A significant difference was noted in the MHISS and CRPS occurrence in cases of major injury (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: A high MHISS and/or nerve injury in patients with hand/wrist injuries may be a risk factor for the development of CRPS.

Rehabilitation cost share and cost analysis of traumatic hand injuries: Our single-center results.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the cost expenses and rehabilitation share of hand and/or wrist injuries and to contribute to the development of health and economic policies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 59 patients (55 males, 4 females; mean age: 39.1±11.3 years; range, 20 to 64 years) who presented with hand and/or wrist injuries between January 2015 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, hand injury information, and the Modified Hand Injury Severity Scores (MHISS) were retrieved from the patient file system. The cost analysis with direct and indirect costs was performed. RESULTS: According to the MHISS, 27.1% of patients had a minor injury, 23.7% had a moderate injury, 18.6% had a severe injury, and 30.5% had a major injury. The mean direct cost of the patients was $726.00±641.87 and the total cost of the indirect cost was $2,776.93±1,619.00. The mean day-off time was 125±68.62 days. Indirect costs accounted for 79% of the total cost. The mean cost of rehabilitation was $150.18±86.88. Rehabilitation costs accounted for 4% of the total cost. There was a positive correlation between the MHISS and direct, indirect and total cost, but not between the MHISS and rehabilitation cost. CONCLUSION: The proportion of the share allocated to rehabilitation expenditures, which is the subunit of direct cost, is low and not related to the injury severity. The data obtained from the study contributed to the creation of evidence-based health and economic policies. We believe that these data also contribute to the planning of rehabilitation services according to the severity of injury which would improve the quality of life and return to work.

Protective and curative role of vitamin D and hormones on the cadmium-induced inhibition of proliferation of human osteoblast cells.

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to cadmium (Cd), which causes environmental and industrial pollution, causes toxicity in many tissues and organs, especially bone, lung and kidney. Hormones, growth factors and other stimuli act on bone tissue through osteoblasts. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of Cd on hFOB1.19 osteoblast cells and the protective and healing potentials of estrogen, androgen and vitamin D against the inhibitory effect of Cd on the proliferation. METHODS: hFOB1.19 cells were cultivated in our laboratory using Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium-F12, HEPES medium, containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 1% penicillin/streptomycin in 34.5 °C 5%CO2 incubator. To determine its protective potentials for the toxicity of CdCl2, it was previously applied 1,25(OH) 2D vitamin, 17ß-estradiol, and 5α-androstane for 72 h to cells. To determine their curative potential, osteoblast cells, which were previously exposed to CdCl2 for 72 h, were administered 1,25(OH) 2D vitamin, 17ß-estradiol, and 5α-androstane. Following these applications were determined proliferation by XTT analysis and, the amounts of androgen receptor, estrogen receptor, vitamin D receptor, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin by ELISA analysis. RESULTS: Vitamin D has been both preventive and curative effective to increase cell proliferation, which Cd reduces. Interestingly, estrogen had a preventive effect and androgen had a curative effect. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to showing the negative effects of cadmium on the proliferation of osteoblast cells, this study provides an overview of the effects of hormone and vitamin D applications before and after Cd, and these results may serve as a guide for future studies.

Genetic variation in NOD1/CARD4 and NOD2/CARD15 immune sensors and risk of osteoporosis.

The present study was aimed to investigate the relationship between NOD1/CARD4 and NOD2/CARD15 gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis in the Turkish population. The first time we thought that the functional polymorphisms in NOD1/CARD4 and NOD2/CARD15 genes might have triggered the development of osteoporosis. The objective of our study was to determine the relationship between NOD1/CARD4 and NOD2/CARD15 SNPs and osteoporosis. The NOD1/CARD4 (rs5743336) and NOD2/CARD15 (rs2066847) SNPs were analyzed by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 94 healthy controls and 164 subjects with osteoporosis. PCR products were digested with restriction enzymes AvaI for NOD1/CARD4 and ApaI for NOD2/CARD15. We found that NOD1/CARD4 genotype distribution of AA, GA and GG were 15, 44 and 41% for patients and 17, 46 and 37% for controls, respectively. NOD2/CARD15 mutation was found only in three patients (1.8%) as heterozygote. The results did not show any statistical difference between NOD1/CARD4 and NOD2/CARD15 genotype distribution of patients and healthy groups (χ2 = 1.740, P=0.187; χ2 = 1.311, P=0.519). However, the most frequent AG genotype (46%) of NOD1/CARD4 was observed in healthy controls, GG genotype (44%) of NOD1/CARD4 was observed as the most frequent in osteoporotic patients. NOD2/CARD15 WT/WT genotype, the most frequent genotype, was observed in both groups. Statistical analysis revealed that NOD1/CARD4 and NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms are not associated with osteoporosis. However, a definite judgement is difficult to be made due to restricted number of patients and small size of control group. Further research is sorely warranted in this direction.

Laboratory investigation of hypercoagulability in cancer patients using rotation thrombelastography.

The goal of this study was laboratory testing for hypercoagulability in patients with solid tumors using rotation thrombelastogram (ROTEM) and correlate ROTEM parameters with routine coagulation tests. A total of 78 untreated patients with cancer were included: 28 gastrointestinal system tumors (group 1), 27 respiratory system tumors (group 2), and 23 miscellaneus group of ovarian, renal, nasopharyngeal, mesothelioma, and unknown origin (group 3). Platelet count was significantly increased in group 2 in respect to group 3 (P < 0.05) and fibrinogen level was significantly increased in group 2 in respect to group 1 (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between subgroups in respect to TEG parameters. Tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages of patients was not also associated with either of TEG parameters. Correlation analysis revealed significant correlation between laboratory parameters and ROTEM parameters. Fibrinogen showed the strongest correlation with MCF (r > 0.7) and CFT in all assays (INTEM, EXTEM, FIBTEM, APTEM). There were also statistically significant correlations between platelet number and other ROTEM parameters (INTEM-CFT, -MCF, EXTEM-CFT, -MCF, FIBTEM-MCF, APTEM-CFT, -MCF). In conclusions, our data demonstrates thromboelastographic signs of hypercoagulability in patients with solid tumors. ROTEM is able to identify the contribution of fibrinogen and platelets to clot strength in this patient population.

Is there any association between osteoporotic vertebral fracture and vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit-1 polymorphism in Turkish society? A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the relationship between osteoporotic vertebral fractures and 9041 Guanine/Adenine and 3673 Guanine/Adenine polymorphisms related to the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit-1 (VKORC1) gene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis was investigated. METHOD: DNA was isolated from blood samples collected from 150 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Genotyping of the two polymorphic regions (9041 Guanine/Adenine and 3673 Guanine/Adenine) in VKORC1 was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The presence of radiographic fractures among the 150 patients was ascertained by using the Genant method. RESULT: At least one fracture was detected in 98 patients, and no fracture was observed in 52 patients on radiological images. We found no association between the 9041 Guanine/Adenine (p=0.283) and 3673 Guanine/Adenine (p=0.232) polymorphisms of the VKORC1 gene and the development of secondary postosteoporotic fractures in our study. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between osteoporotic vertebral fracture and VKORC1 gene polymorphism in a postmenopausal Turkish population.