Serum INHB levels and ACE gene I/D polymorphism with increased risk for unexplained infertility.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) has a significant role in the angiogenesis of ovarian endothelium and the resumption of meiosis and folicular growth. However, there is no any study concerning ACE polymorphism and unexplained infertility (UI). The main aim of this study is that both identify ACE polymorphism and measure the serum ACE, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin-B (INHB) levels in UI patients and controls in Turkish population. Forty-seven UI patients and 41 controls were involved in this study. To determine the ACE polymorphisms, DNA isolation and PCR were performed. Then, serum ACE, AMH and INHB levels were measured spectrophotometrically. Patients with UI had significantly higher serum INHB levels compared with controls (P < 0.05). Serum ACE levels were decreased, compared to controls; however, the decrease was not significant. Serum AMH levels did not significantly differ from controls. When the relationship was analysed between ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and infertility risk, and ID genotype was chosen as reference, it was found to be 2.33 times more risk of UI than the women have DD genotype [DD versus ID: odds ratio = 2.33, 95% confidence interval (0.88-6.19); P = 0.086]. This finding indicates that DD genotype may be high risk for UI. Further studies are warranted to confirm this finding, especially with a larger population.

The impact of initiation: Early onset marijuana smokers demonstrate altered Stroop performance and brain activation.

Marijuana (MJ) use is on the rise, particularly among teens and emerging adults. This poses serious public health concern, given the potential deleterious effects of MJ on the developing brain. We examined 50 chronic MJ smokers divided into early onset (regular MJ use prior to age 16; n=24) and late onset (age 16 or later; n=26), and 34 healthy control participants (HCs). All completed a modified Stroop Color Word Test during fMRI. Results demonstrated that MJ smokers exhibited significantly poorer performance on the Interference subtest of the Stroop, as well as altered patterns of activation in the cingulate cortex relative to HCs. Further, early onset MJ smokers exhibited significantly poorer performance relative to both HCs and late onset smokers. Additionally, earlier age of MJ onset as well as increased frequency and magnitude (grams/week) of MJ use were predictive of poorer Stroop performance. fMRI results revealed that while late onset smokers demonstrated a more similar pattern of activation to the control group, a different pattern was evident in the early onset group. These findings underscore the importance of assessing age of onset and patterns of MJ use and support the need for widespread education and intervention efforts among youth.

Free radical reaction products and antioxidant capacity in beating heart coronary artery surgery compared to conventional bypass.

Oxygen-derived free radicals are important agents of tissue injury during ischemia and reperfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in protein and lipid oxidation and antioxidant status in beating heart coronary artery surgery and conventional bypass and to compare oxidative stress parameters between the two bypass methods. Serum lipid hydroperoxide, nitric oxide, protein carbonyl, nitrotyrosine, vitamin E, and ß-carotene levels and total antioxidant capacity were measured in blood of 30 patients undergoing beating heart coronary artery surgery (OPCAB, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting) and 12 patients undergoing conventional bypass (CABG, on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting). In the OPCAB group, nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine levels decreased after reperfusion. Similarly, ß-carotene level and total antioxidant capacity also decreased after anesthesia and reperfusion. In the CABG group, nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine levels decreased after ischemia and reperfusion. However, protein carbonyl levels elevated after ischemia and reperfusion. Vitamin E, ß-carotene, and total antioxidant capacity decreased after ischemia and reperfusion. Significantly decreased nitration and impaired antioxidant status were seen after reperfusion in both groups. Moreover, elevated protein carbonyls were found in the CABG group. The off-pump procedure is associated with lower degree of oxidative stress than on-pump coronary surgery.

Comparison of spectral fitting methods for overlapping J-coupled metabolite resonances.

There is increasing interest in the use of two-dimensional J-resolved spectroscopic acquisition (multiecho) methods for in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy due to the improved discrimination of overlapping J-coupled multiplet resonances that is provided. Of particular interest is the potential for discrimination of the overlapping resonances of glutamate and glutamine. In this study, a new time-domain parametric spectral model that makes use of all available data is described for fitting the complete two-dimensional multiecho data, and the performance of this method was compared with fitting of one-dimensional spectra obtained following averaging multiecho data (echo time-averaged) and single-echo time PRESS (Point Resolved Spectroscopy) acquired spectra. These methods were compared using data obtained from a phantom containing typical brain metabolites and a human brain. Results indicate that improved performance and accuracy is obtained for the two-dimensional acquisition and spectral fitting model.

Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in breast and lung cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, in patients with breast and lung cancer. METHOD: Analysis of plasma MDA, and serum uric acid, albumin, cholesterol and triglycerides in 26 breast and 12 lung cancer patients and 41 healthy controls. The effects of age, body mass index (BMI), and menopausal status on plasma MDA were evaluated in the 26 patients with breast cancer. RESULTS: Plasma MDA levels in cancer patients were significantly higher than those in controls (P < 0.001). Average MDA levels were 6.33 micromol/L in breast cancer patients and 5.87 micromol/L in lung cancer patients. There was no correlation between MDA and triglyceride levels in either controls or cases. There was no correlation between MDA and cholesterol levels in patients with breast cancer, but there was a correlation in patients with lung cancer. Albumin levels did not differ significantly between controls and cases (P > 0.05), but uric acid levels in breast cancer patients were significantly higher than those of controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide further evidence of the relationship between lipid peroxidation and cancer and should contribute to the interpretation of epidemiological studies in this area and the planning of future research.

Serum beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C and malondialdehyde levels in several types of cancer.

We measured the levels of serum carotenoids (beta-carotene), total tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde (MDA) in newly diagnosed cancer cases. Levels of the antioxidants and MDA in serum samples from 208 subjects with cancer affecting different sites (59 breast, 38 head and neck, 46 genitourinary, 12 lung, 20 gastrointestinal and 33 other sites) were compared with levels in 156 controls. Cases and controls were compared with respect to a number of potentially confounding factors: age, sex, smoking status, Quetelet index (kg/m2), diet and alcohol intake. Mean (+/- SD) levels of beta-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C were significantly lower among the cases than the controls (49.35 +/- 36.55 micrograms/l, 0.60 +/- 0.14 mg/dl, 0.40 +/- 0.27 mg/dl and 75.31 +/- 28.59 mg/dl, 0.98 +/- 0.13 mg/dl, 0.88 +/- 0.47 mg/dl, respectively) (P < 0.05). On the other hand, mean levels of MDA were significantly higher among the cases than the controls (6.79 +/- 1.22 nmol/ml and 3.52 +/- 0.97 nmol/ml, respectively) (P < 0.05). The results obtained suggest that measurement of serum antioxidants and MDA levels may provide further useful information when evaluating cancer patients.