Role of fibrinolytic parameters and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) promoter polymorphism on premature atherosclerosis in SLE patients.

Premature atherosclerosis has been recognized as a major co-morbid condition in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) and PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor) antigen concentrations and 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene on the development of atherosclerosis in SLE patients. One hundred and six SLE patients, 28 Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients and 98 healthy control subjects (HCs) were studied. PAI-1 and tPA antigen levels were measured by ELISA method. PAI-1 gene polymorphism was determined by using allele-specific PCR method. SLE patients had a significantly higher frequency (22.6%) of plaque (p = 0.01) and higher IMT (p=0.04) compared with HCs respectively. Only age at disease onset was associated with plaque formation in multivariate regression analysis (p = 0.001). Plasma tPA ag levels in SLE patients were significantly higher compared with HCs (p = 0.005) and PAI-1 ag levels were significantly higher compared with TA patients (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences between study groups in both genotype distribution and allele frequencies of PAI-1 gene, but SLE patients with 4G/4G genotype had higher IMT (p = 0.02) calcium scoring (p = 0.006) compared with 4G5G/5G5G genotypes. The present study suggests that measuring fibrinolytic parameters would have little additional benefit beyond traditional and novel risk factors in predicting coronary artery disease (CAD).

New perspective for the treatment of Alzheimer diseases: liposomal rivastigmine formulations.

The aim of this study was to determine the transportations of rivastigmine containing from various liposome formulations through Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells monolayer and to compare the in vitro test results with in vivo. There is no other liposome formulation of rivastigmine and the transportations of rivastigmine through MDCK cell monolayers or related study available in the literature. Cytotoxicity (MTT) test was used to determine cell viabilities. The effect of sodium-taurocholate or dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrine as penetration enhancer was also investigated. Characterization and stability studies for liposome formulations were performed. Permeation experiments of rivastigmine were performed through MDCK cells and dialysis membrane. The kinetic of release from liposomes was also investigated. The highest apparent permeability coefficient (log. values) was obtained with sodium-taurocholate liposomes for -1.15 ± 0.16 for MDCK cell. Rivastigmine liposomes and solutions were also administered to mice orally and intraperitonally. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was determined by Ellman method. AChE% inhibition values were calculated for both blood and brain after administration of rivastigmine solution and liposomes. The highest AChE inhibition was observed for rivastigmine-sodium-taurocholate liposomes. Histological observations of the mice' brains were performed under transmission electron microscope (TEM). The histological results were also indicated and supported all these findings.

Investigation of liposome formulation effects on rivastigmine transport through human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line (CACO-2).

Transportations of rivastigmine containing liposomes across Caco-2 cells were studied and in vitro test results were compared with in vivo results. MTT test was used for cell viability studies. Series of formulations were prepared containing rivastigmine which is used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Characterization and stability studies for liposome formulations were performed. Encapsulation efficiencies of liposomes were 35.4%, 25.2% and 29.9% for rivastigmine, rivastigmine-sodium taurocholate, rivastigmine-dimethyl-beta-CD liposomes, respectively. In stability studies, particle size and size distribution, zeta potential, rivastigmine amounts were determined and shelf lives of liposomes were calculated. Penetration properties of rivastigmine through Caco-2 cells, dialysis membrane and kinetics of release from liposomes were determined. Permeability coefficients were calculated after diffusion studies. The highest value of % cumulative amount of rivastigmine passed through caco-2 cell cultures was found to be 87.2% for rivastigmine-sodium taurocholate solution and 12.8% for rivastigmine-sodium taurocholate liposome. The highest permeability coefficient value was obtained with sodium taurocholate liposomes for -0.75. Rivastigmine liposomes and solutions were also applied to animals. Acetyl choline esterase (AChE) activity was determined by the Ellman method on mice. %AChE inhibition values were calculated using blood and brain tissue samples. The physical appearances of the brains were investigated by TEM microscope. The highest value of AChE inhibition was observed for rivastigmine and sodium taurocholate liposomes. The histological investigations and observations also supported these results.

First Report of Columbia Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) in Potato in Turkey.

Columbia root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne chitwoodi Golden et al., was identified from potatoes, Solanum tuberosum L., collected from Nigde Province, Turkey in September 2006. Seed potatoes are the most likely source for this introduction. The nematode is currently found to be infecting potatoes grown in the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, the United States, Mexico, South Africa, and Argentina. M. chitwoodi acquired a quarantine status in Europe (1) because of its potential to become established worldwide and its high damage probability. Some countries prohibit import of both seed and table stock potatoes originating in states known to harbor M. chitwoodi. Lesions on the potatoes had discrete brown coloration with white central spots in the outer 1 cm of the tuber flesh. Female nematode densities averaged 3 to 5 per cm2 of a potato section beneath the lesions. Nematodes were morphologically identified as M. chitwoodi based on the perineal pattern of mature females and the tail shape of juveniles. Using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the 18S region (3) and the mtDNA COII-16S rRNA region (2) and intergenic spacer region between the 5S and 18S genes (4), individual juveniles were identified as M. chitwoodi based on their restriction fragment patterns. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Columbia root-knot nematode infecting potatoes in Turkey. The distribution of this nematode in potato fields throughout Turkey should be determined. References: (1) L. J. M. F. Den Nijs et al. Nematology 6:303, 2004. (2) T. O. Powers and T. S. Harris. J. Nematol. 25:1, 1993. (3) T. O. Powers et al. J. Nematol. 37:226, 2005. (4) J. Wishart et al. Phytopathology 92:884, 2002.

Differential Pathogenicity of Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli and X. fuscans subsp. fuscans Strains on Bean Genotypes with Common Blight Resistance.

Both the common bacterial blight (CBB) pathogen (Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli) and X. fuscans subsp. fuscans, agent of fuscous blight, cause indistinguishable symptoms in common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris. Yield losses can exceed 40%. Lack of information about the specificity between X. campestris pv. phaseoli strains and major quantitative trait loci (QTL) or alleles conferring resistance makes the task of identifying genetic changes in host-pathogen interactions and the grouping of bacterial strains difficult. This, in turn, affects the choice of pathogen isolates used for germplasm screening and complicates breeding for CBB resistance. Common bean host genotypes carrying various sources and levels of resistance to CBB were screened with 69 X. campestris pv. phaseoli and 15 X. fuscans subsp. fuscans strains from around the world. Differential pathogenicity of the CBB pathogen was identified on the 12 selected bean genotypes. The X. fuscans subsp. fuscans strains showed greater pathogenicity than X. campestris pv. phaseoli strains having the same origin. African strains were most pathogenic. The largest variation in pathogenicity came from X. campestris pv. phaseoli strains that originated in Caribbean and South American countries. Pathogenic variation was greater within X. campestris pv. phaseoli than within X. fuscans subsp. fuscans strains. Implications for breeding for CBB resistance are discussed.

T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene may be associated with temporomandibular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a relationship existed between the T102C polymorphism of 5-HT2A receptor gene and temporomandibular dysfunction. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with temporomandibular dysfunction, and 54 healthy volunteer controls were included in the study. Molecular analysis of the T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene was performed using PCR technique. RESULTS: The C/C genotype was over represented in the patients whereas T/T genotype was over represented in the controls (P < 0.05). The genotype distribution of the patients who had temporomandibular dysfunction was not different than those who did not have temporomandibular dysfunction (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The T102C polymorphism may be involved in the etiology of temporomandibular dysfunction. The overrepresentation of the C/C variant of 5-HT2A receptor gene in temporomandibular dysfunction suggests a possible role of the serotonergic system in this disease, particularly at the receptor level.

Prosthesis culture 6 months after implantation and the effect of haematogenous seeding in a rat model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of haematogenous seeding in late prosthesis infection. In all, 45 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three equal groups. A small piece of silicone prosthesis was implanted into the scrotum of all rats under sterile condition and antibiotic prophylaxis. In the first group, all silicones were removed after 6 months without any complication and were cultured for bacterial growth. In the second group, a disc, which was saturated with Staphylococcus epidermidis, was inoculated subcutaneously in the legs of the rats in the 6th month, revealing a nodule formation 4-5 days after the inoculation and treated with an appropriate antibiotic after the nodule formation. In the third group, the same disc was inoculated, but all rats were treated immediately from the inoculation time onwards. The silicones of the second and third group were also removed at the end of the 6th month and were cultured to observe the bacterial growth. There was no evidence of prosthesis infection in any of the three groups. In the first group, three cultures were positive and revealed approximately 10 000 colonies of S. epidermidis in two and Proteus mirabilis in the remaining. Three and four cultures were positive in the second and third group, respectively. Low colonies of four different organisms (Escherichia coli, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were identified in these cultures. There was no statistical significance of positive cultures in the three groups. Based on our results, there does not appear to be a true significance of haematogenous seeding on late prosthesis infection.

Does the timing and method of rapid maxillary expansion have an effect on the changes in nasal dimensions?

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and surgical assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) on nasopharyngeal area. The study group consisted of 30 subjects in the permanent dentition who had both maxillary constriction and a posterior cross-bite. The patients were divided into two groups, RME and SARME. The subjects in the RME group consisted of 15 patients (eight girls, seven boys) whose average age was 12.1 +/- 1.1 years. The SARME group also consisted of 15 patients (eight boys, seven girls) whose mean age was 18.4 +/- 1.4 years. An acrylic bonded RME appliance was used in both groups. Surgery was performed using lateral cortical osteotomies in the SARME group. The nasopharyngeal and respiratory area was determined using a digital planimeter on lateral cephalometric radiographs taken before and after RME. Nasal cavity width was evaluated on postero-anterior radiographs. Nasal dimension was measured using planimeter measurements of the respiratory and nasopharyngeal areas before and after treatment. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS. Comparisons within the groups were carried out with paired t-tests and comparisons between the groups were with a Student's t-test. In both groups, the respiratory area and the ratio of the respiratory area to nasopharyngeal (RA/NA) area increased following RME. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Nasal cavity width and maxillary width also increased, but the difference between the groups was not significant. Following RME, various differences in both the maxilla and surrounding bones occurred and nasal width increased with a decrease in nasal airway resistance. At the end of treatment there were increases in the width of the nasal floor near the midpalatal suture and nasal cavity. As the maxillary structures separated, the outer walls of the nasal cavity moved laterally resulting in an increase in internasal volume. Nasal resistance decreased and respiratory area increased in patients treated with RME.

The incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis in women with urethral syndrome.

The objective of this study was to discover the incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis in women with urethral syndrome. A total of 102 patients included in this study were divided into two groups: group 1 comprised 63 women suffering from painful urination and frequency, with no organisms seen on Gram stain or isolated in routine urine culture; group 2 consisted of 39 women with no complaints. Chlamydia antigen was found to be positive in 24 patient samples (38%) in group 1 and in four patient samples (11%) in group 2. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.0435). There was also a weak correlation between Chlamydia antigens and finding more than 10 polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the Gram stains (r = 0.02364).

Possible association of temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction with a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene polymorphism. Forty-eight patients with temporomandibular joint pain and 111 healthy control subjects were examined. The results for the patients and control subjects were not significantly different (P >.05). The analysis of genotype distribution (homozygous for STin 2.10 genotypes of the variable-number tandem-repeat polymorphism) showed significant differences between the patients and control subjects (P =.003). ST 2.10 allele was more frequent in the patients with temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction. In the control group, however, STin 2.12/12 genotype was significantly higher (P =.017). In the patients who were homozygous or heterozygous for variable-number tandem-repeat variants of 5-HTT STin 2.12 copies, the average scores of somatization and anger were significantly higher than those who were homozygous for STin 2.10 variant (P <.05). The patients who were homozygous for STin 2.10 genotype were also homozygous for "L" genotype (P =.019). However, this was not the condition in the control subjects. This study does not provide evidence to support the involvement of 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region in temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction. Our findings indicated that only the presence of the homozygous STin 2.10 genotype of variable-number tandem-repeat is likely to play a substantial role in the genetic predisposition to temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction and that the STin 2.12/12 genotype may have a protective role against temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction.

The role of intraoperative antibiotic irrigation and postoperative antibiotic therapy for contaminated implantable prosthesis: in a rat model in vivo.

The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of intraoperative antibiotic irrigation solution and long-term effective antibiotic therapy for the infected prostheses. Forty-five male Wistar albino rats were divided into three equal groups and a small piece of silicone prosthesis contaminated with Staphylococcus epidermidis was implanted into the scrotum. In the first group, the silicone pieces were irrigated with an antibiotic solution intraoperatively and antibiotic therapy was applied for 20 days postoperatively. The second group underwent only antibiotic therapy. In the third group (control) neither intraoperative irrigation nor postoperative antibiotic therapy was applied. Postoperative clinical infection was determined as follow-up. All implants were extracted 20 days after the implantation and cultured to observe the bacterial growth. In the first group, in 13 rats the cultures were negative and in two rats, the cultures revealed positive bacterial growth. In the second group, in four rats the cultures were negative, in five rats the cultures were positive and six rats revealed infectious findings. In the third group, 13 rats revealed infectious findings, and in the remaining two rats the cultures were positive. The differences between three groups are statistically significant (P < 0.05). We conclude that intraoperative antibiotic irrigation and postoperative antibiotic therapy are highly beneficial in the infected prosthesis surgery.

Diphallus with urethral duplications.

We report a case of glandular diphallus with incomplete urethral duplication associated with rotation anomaly in the right kidney, complete ureteral duplication and ectopic ureteral orifice in the left. The bladder was single with good sphincter control. At operation, the hypoplastic glans was resected and the urethra opening into this glans was anastomosed side by side with the other urethra. Diphallus and incomplete urethral duplication are discussed in the light of evidence in the literature.

Patient-partner satisfaction with intracavernous medication supported with oral agents in selected cases of Peyronie's disease. A ten-month follow-up study.

We attempted to find the most adequate treatment option for some selected cases of Peyronie's disease. Between 1993 and 1996, 38 patients with Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction were treated with intracavernous medication, supported with oral colchicine and vitamin E. None of the cases had severe angulation of penis and intolerable pain during erection. Quality of sexual life was assessed by CWRU questionnaire. After ten-month follow-up we found improvement in all parameters, in CWRU. The symptoms of 24 cases diminished. The 21 partners examined were also satisfied with the therapy. We conclude that intracavernous medication combined with oral agents is a useful alternative treatment in selected cases of Peyronie's disease.

Priapism induced by chlorpromazine.

Priapism is a pathologically prolonged and painful penile erection, usually unassociated with sexual desire or intercourse. Causes include certain oral medications, although the mechanism for drug-induced priapism is unknown. We describe two cases of priapism attributed to chlorpromazine who have presented within the past two years.

Cobb's collar and syringocele with stone.

We report a case of unusual syringocele with a stone and Cobb's collar. Tubular or cystic dilatation of Cowper's gland duct has been called a syringocele. Congenital urethral narrowing is known as Cobb's collar. This paper presents a rare case of adult syringocele with stone and Cobb's collar. We analysed the clinical, radiological and therapeutic aspects of this entity.

Comparison of testicular volumes before and after varicocelectomy.

We attempted to determine the testicular volume changes in patients with unilateral varicocele, before and after varicocelectomy. Testicular volume differences were correlated for each group of varicocele grade. 123 men with a unilateral left varicocele were presented for surgery: 36 had grade I, 49 had grade II, and 38 had grade III varicoceles. A Prader orchidometer was used for testicular volume determination before and after varicocelectomy in each patient. Both left and right testicular volumes were compared. After the repair of grade I varicoceles, an improvement in testicular volumes was noticed, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Both right and left testicular volumes increased significantly after operation in patients with grades II and III varicoceles (p < 0.001). Right testicular volume improved more than left in most of the patients. Men with large varicocele had significantly decreased testicular volumes than men with small varicocele before operation. So testicular growth arrest was more significant in patients with large varicocele and postoperative results indicated a more dramatic improvement.

The relationship between diabetes mellitus, impotence and veno-occlusive dysfunction in Peyronie's disease patients.

Peyronie's disease is an ill-defined condition that often leads to severe penile deformity and sometimes erectile dysfunction. Penile Doppler studies indicate veno-occlusive dysfunction as the principal cause of poor rigidity in Peyronie's disease patients. Diabetes mellitus is also a known cause of impotence and its prevalence tended to be higher in patients with Peyronie's disease. We evaluated 143 patients with Peyronie's disease, also 92 impotent men (37 diabetic, 55 nondiabetic) as control group. Penile vascular studies were performed on each group. Diabetes mellitus was also investigated in patients with Peyronie's disease. Veno-occlusive dysfunction was found as the main cause of impotence in both groups (81.1% in diabetic, 89% in nondiabetic control group and 88.8% in Peyronie's disease patients). In our study group the prevalence of diabetes mellitus tended to be higher than in the control population but it did not alter the ratio of veno-occlusive dysfunction and impotence in Peyronie's disease patients. We believe there is a close relationship between diabetes mellitus and Peyronie's disease, considering our high incidence. We also conclude that diabetes mellitus is not the main cause of impotence in patients with Peyronie's disease.