The importance of circulating levels of salusin-α, salusin-ß, and heregulin-ß1 in atherosclerotic coronary arterial disease.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between the severity of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) and circulating levels of salusin-α, salusin-ß and heregulin-ß1 has been investigated. In addition, the relationship with these peptides and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has been investigated. METHODS: The study was conducted on 55 volunteers who had normal coronary angiography (CAG) as the control group, 35 volunteers with the degree of coronary artery stenosis below 50% in CA as the non-critical stenosis group, 37 volunteers with narrowing of one coronary artery above 50% as single vessel group and 41 volunteers with narrowing of more than one coronary artery above 50% as multi-vessel group. One hundred and thirteen volunteers have been included to CAD group. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in serum salusin-α levels between groups. Serum salusin-ß ve hsCRP levels were significantly lower in control group compared to other groups and CAD group. There was no statistically significant difference in salusin-ß and salusin-α levels in reciprocal comparison of other groups other than heregulin-ß1 levels. Heregulin-ß1 levels were significantly lower in 'non-critical occlusion' and 'multiple artery occlusion' groups compared to control group. Heregulin-ß1 levels in 'single artery occlusion' group were significantly higher than control, 'non-critical occlusion' and 'multiple artery occlusion' groups. CONCLUSION: Salusin-α levels does not indicate any significant differences between any groups in our study however the relationship of salusin-α with salusin- ß and heregulin-ß1 levels drives to cogitate that these peptides can be used as biomarkers and therapeutic approaches in CAD. We think that these peptides will be used in laboratories routinely in future in addition to hsCRP for CAD.

Dental health status and risk factors for dental caries in adults in Istanbul, Turkey.

The aim this study was to record the oral health in adults in Istanbul, Turkey, and to evaluate the risk indicators associated with a high significant caries index (SiC). A random sample of 2183 individuals in Bayrampasa district aged between 18 and 74 years were invited for a free dental examination and interview. The mean decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT) was 11.44 and the SiC was 14.00, increasing from 6.00 for the age group 18-19 years to 15.32 at 33-44 years and 28.00 at 65-74 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that older age, female sex and rural origin of birth were the significant risk indicators for a high SiC index.

Dental health status and risk factors for dental caries in adults in Istanbul, Turkey

The aim this study was to record the oral health in adults in Istanbul, Turkey, and to evaluate the risk indicators associated with a high significant caries index [SiC]. A random sample of 2183 individuals in Bayrampasa district aged between 18 and 74 years were invited for a free dental examination and interview. The mean decayed, missing and filled teeth index [DMFT] was 11.44 and the SiC was 14.00, increasing from 6.00 for the age group 18-19 years to 15.32 at 33-44 years and 28.00 at 65-74 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that older age, female sex and rural origin of birth were the significant risk indicators for a high SiC index

Annual cycles of solar insolation predict spawning times of Caribbean corals.

Seasonal increases in sea surface temperature (SST) have long been considered the trigger for mass spawning events in reef corals. We critically examined the relationship between SST and the spawning activity of broadcasting corals in the tropical western Atlantic (Caribbean). This meta-analysis examined 12 species of broadcasting corals at 25 sites spanning 22 degrees of latitude (10 degrees-32 degrees N) from Venezuela to Bermuda in the Atlantic Ocean from 1986 to 2004. Sigmoidal logit regression models were used to examine the relationship between the release of reef-coral gametes and the environmental variables SST and solar insolation defined as (1) the cumulative response 7-10 months prior to spawning (integral); (2) the rate of change at the time of spawning (derivative); and (3) the average for the month of spawning. The Quasi-Newton method was used to estimate the maximum likelihood of the response function. We demonstrate that the recent history and rate of change in temperature correlate poorly with the timing of spawning, while the average temperature during the month of spawning was significant (with all corals releasing gametes 28-30 degrees C, except Montastraea annularis, which released gametes at 27-30 degrees C). In contrast, the rate of change and the cumulative response of solar insolation cycles was a better predictor of gamete release, but solar insolation intensity at the time of spawning was not. These models have important implications for predicting coral reproductive cycles in all oceans, and for examining other marine phototrophic systems beyond corals.

Persistent müllerian duct syndrome.

Persistent müllerian duct syndrome is a rare form of male pseudohermaphroditism. It is usually diagnosed in the early years of life. A case is reported of normal male appearance with bilateral undescended testicles and a right inguinal hernia. On exploration a uterus, two fallopian tubes and a testis were found in the hernial sac. As these patients have an increased risk of gonadal tumours they should be kept under long-term review.