New biomarkers for antenatal infection: MICA and MICB gene expression in preterm babies.

The human major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A and B (MICA and MICB) is one of the genes in chromosome 6. As MIC expression is inducible by heat, viral infection, inflammation and DNA damage, the molecules have been thought to be stress markers for the cells. We aimed to find the level of mRNA concentrations of MICA and MICB in neonates without any evidence of early onset infection.

Examination of the antioxidant effects of pre-HSG melatonin use on ovarian surface epithelium in rats: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: There is no study of whether the dysplastic changes in the ovarian surface epithelium of X-ray-exposed rats during hysterosalpingography (HSG) decrease or not with the use of Lipiodol and melatonin given both intraperitoneally (i.p.) and into the suspensorium ovarii. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the restorative effects of melatonin and Lipiodol administration during the HSG procedure on the dysplastic changes in the ovarian surface epithelium of X-ray-exposed rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 50 Wistar rats with regular estrous cycles were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group 1 was the control group. In other groups, X-ray was applied (group 2), 0.1 mL Lipiodol was applied to each uterine horn (group 3), 20 mg/kg intraperitoneal melatonin application was followed by 0.1 mL Lipiodol administration to each uterine horn after 15 min (group 4), and 20 mg/kg melatonin was administered to the ligamentum suspensorium ovarii, followed by 0.1 mL Lipiodol application to each uterine horn after 15 min (group 5). The rats in groups 2-5 were exposed to whole body radiation 3 times. After 3 h, the abdomens of all rats were reopened and left oophorectomy was performed. RESULTS: The presence of nucleoli and mitosis values were found similar among the groups. All other parameters were significantly higher in group 2 compared to other groups, except for the presence of nucleoli and mitosis values (p < 0.05). The presence of hyperchromasia and the total score were found to be the highest in group 2, followed by group 3, when compared to other groups (p < 0.05). It was detected that the detrimental effects of X-ray exposure diminished with Lipiodol use, and were further reduced by the use of melatonin in combination. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the use of melatonin and Lipiodol during HSG may prevent the carcinogenic changes exerted by radiation on the ovarian surface epithelium.

Hemoglobinopathies in the Çukurova Region and Neighboring Provinces.

To contribute to the creation of a mutation map of the region, we aimed to determine the mutation spectrum of thalassemias and abnormal hemoglobins (Hbs) in the Çukurova region and surrounding provinces. In this study, a total of 8135 samples from Adana, Hatay, Mersin, Konya and Kayseri provinces between 1993 and 2014 were analyzed. Complete blood cell (CBC) counts and Hb typing were carried out using automatic cell counters, cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. For the molecular analyses, genomic DNA was extracted using both manual and automated DNA extraction devices. Determination of Hb mutations were done by microarray, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) and gap-polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR) methodologies. Samples were analyzed for abnormal Hb and thalassemia mutations. Out of 8135 samples, 1382 were observed to be carrying Hb mutations. It was identified that 826 mutation carriers included abnormal Hbs with a frequency of 59.7%, 416 carriers included ß-thalassemia (ß-thal) mutations with a frequency of 30.7% and 136 carriers included α-thalassemia (α-thal) mutations with a frequency of 9.9%. In this study, the most frequently observed abnormal Hb in the region was Hb S [ß6(A3)Glu→Val (GTG > GAG), HBB: c.20T > A], whereas the most commonly observed mutations were the IVS-I-110 (G > A) (HBB: c.93-21G > A) point mutation in ß-thal and the 3.7 kb deletion in α-thal.

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis frequency among blood donors: A single center study.

We aimed to provide updated results for seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C viruses while presenting first data for human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis seropositivity amongst blood donors in Adana, Turkey. Screening and confirmatory test results of 62,461 donors were evaluated. HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV1/2 and syphilis seropositivity was 1.92%, 0.48%, 0.20%, 0.18% respectively, based on screening tests, and 1.66%, 0.05%, 0.003%, 0.10% respectively, according to confirmatory tests. Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI) was more prevalent in low-educated donors. HBsAg and syphilis seropositivity rates were higher in married subjects. We found that the prevalence of HBV and HCV was significantly decreased in the last two decades in Adana. Importantly, this study provides first data in HIV and syphilis seropositivity rates among blood donors in our region and both HIV and syphilis seroprevalences were found to be low compared to many regions of Turkey. However, considering the fact that increasing number of immigrants may change prevalences and trends of TTI both in Adana and in Turkey, strict monitorization and yearly reporting of TTI rates seem necessary to be able to take proactive measures.

ß-Globin chain abnormalities with coexisting α-thalassemia mutations.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency of hemoglobinopathies is still high in Adana, the biggest city of the Cukurova Region that is located in the southern part of Turkey. Our aim was to identify the concomitant mutations in α- and ß-globin genes which lead to complex hemoglobinopathies and to establish an appropriate plan of action for each subject, particularly when prenatal diagnosis is necessary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied the association between the ß-globin gene and α-thalassemia genotypes. The reverse hybridization technique was employed to perform molecular analysis, and the results were confirmed by amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. RESULTS: We evaluated 36 adult subjects (28 female and 8 male; age range: 18-52 years) with concomitant mutations in their α- and ß-globin genes. The -α(3.7)/αα deletion was the commonest defect in the α-chain as expected, followed by α(3.7)/-α(3.7) deletion. Twenty-five of 36 cases were sickle cell trait with coexisting α-thalassemia, while seven Hb S/S patients had concurrent mutations in their α-genes. The coexistence of α(PolyA-2)α/αα with Hb A/D and with Hb S/D, which is very uncommon, was also detected. There was a subject with compound heterozygosity for ß-globin chain (-α(3.7)/αα with IVSI.110/S), and also a case who had -α(3.7)/αα deletion with IVSI.110/A. CONCLUSIONS: Although limited, our data suggest that it would be valuable to study coexisting α-globin mutations in subjects with sickle cell disease or ß-thalassemia trait during the screening programs for premarital couples, especially in populations with a high frequency of hemoglobinopathies.

ß-Thalassemia mutations and hemoglobinopathies in Adana, Turkey: results from a single center study.

INTRODUCTION: ß-Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies are common genetic disorders in Turkey and in this retrospective study our aim was to determine the frequency of ß-thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in Adana, which is one of the biggest cities located in the southern part of Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 3000 individuals admitted to Seyhan Hereditary Blood Disorders Center in Adana were evaluated. The blood samples were collected into EDTA-containing tubes and hematological parameters were analyzed using an automatic cell counter. High performance liquid chromatography technique was used to determine the type of hemoglobin. Molecular screening of the ß-globin gene was performed with ß-Globin StripAssay. RESULTS: Of 3000 cases, 609 were diagnosed as ß-thalassemia or hemoglobinopathy. We have found that the rates of occurrence of ß-thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies are 13.46% and 6.83% respectively in this area. We have identified 18 different ß-thalassemia mutations and three separate abnormal hemoglobins: HbS, HbD Los Angeles, and HbE. In molecular analyses, ß-thalassemia gene mutations of IVSI.110 (G > A), codon 8 (-AA), IVSI.1 (G > A), IVSI.6 (T > C), -30 (T > A), IVSII.1 (G > A), codon 39 (C > T), codon 44 (-C), IVSI.5 (G > C), codon 5 (-CT), codon 8/9 (+G), IVSII.745 (C > G), codon 22 (7bp del), -101(C > T), codon 36/37 (-T), IVSI.15 (T > G), codon 6 (-A), -88 (G > A) were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high incidence of mutations that we have found, ß-thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies still seem to be a public health problem in Adana.

Molecular characterization of alpha-Thalassemia in Adana, Turkey: A single center study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: alpha-Thalassemia (alpha-thal) is a widespread genetic disorder throughout the world caused primarily by reduced synthesis of the alpha-globin chains, and it has been found at a high incidence in Turkey. Our aim in this study was to determine the frequency and molecular properties of alpha-thal in Adana, Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 3,000 individuals comprising premarital couples or patients with anemia were screened between 2007 and 2008. Hematological parameters were analyzed using an automatic cell counter, and to detect the carriers of hemoglobin variants, high-performance liquid chromatography was used. Molecular screening of the alpha-globin gene was carried out by an Alpha-Globin StripAssay which is based on multiplex PCR for specific amplification. RESULTS: We have identified 225 cases with alpha-thal and found that the prevalence of alpha-thal is 7.5% in this area. In molecular analyses, the alpha-thal gene mutations alpha(3.7), alpha(4.2), --(MED), --(20.5), alpha(PA-2)alpha, alphaalphaalpha(anti-3.7), and alpha(PA-1)alpha were detected. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the alpha-thal mutations represent a great heterogeneity and that the -alpha(3.7) deletion has the highest frequency in Adana.

Nonsynergistic effects of trimetazidine and selenium combination therapy on renal ischemic-reperfusion injury in rats.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been postulated to play a major role in postischemic acute renal injury. Moreover, lipid peroxidation has been described as an important pathway of ROS-induced postischemic acute renal failure. To evaluate effects of selenium (Se) and trimetazidine (TMZ) on postischemic renal failure, renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations were measured in Wistar rats with ischemic renal failure. Treatment groups consisted of rats treated with TMZ (5 mg/kg orally) or Se (30 microg/kg orally) or TMZ+Se for 15 days. Ischemic groups consisted of rats with clamped left renal arteries for 1 hour. Before left renal arterial clamping, right nephrectomy was performed; after 24 hours, left nephrectomy was done. The animals were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 (n=7) was the nonischemic control group without treatment; Group 2 (n=6) was the ischemic control group treated with physiologic solution; Group 3 (n=5) received TMZ; Group 4 (n=5) received Se; and Group 5 (n=6) received TMZ+Se for 15 days. After TMZ and Se treatment, right renal tissue MDA significantly decreased in Groups 3-5 when compared with those in Group 1. There was no significant difference between nonischemic and ischemic renal tissue MDA in Groups 3, 4, and 5. Postischemic renal tissue SOD levels were higher than nonischemic levels in Group 3. In Groups 4 and 5, no significant differences were observed between nonischemic and ischemic renal tissue SOD levels. Moreover, total scores obtained from histopathologic evaluation of ischemic and nonischemic kidney samples in Groups 3, 4, and 5 were similar, but these scores in Group 2 were significantly different from those of Groups 3, 4, and 5. These results indicate that, under these study conditions, TMZ, Se, and TMZ+Se treatments prevent lipid peroxidation in ischemic and nonischemic renal tissue. Moreover, these treatments prevent histologic findings of postischemic-perfusion renal injury.