Frequency of angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism in Turkish acute stroke patients

This study was performed in acute stroke patients in the Turkish population to determine the frequency of the A1166C polymorphism in the AT1 gene and to examine the role of this polymorphism in acute stroke development. In this study, 257 genomic DNA samples were analysed (from 206 acute stroke patients and 51 healthy individuals). Genomic DNA was prepared from peripheral blood using the salt‐extraction method. The presence of the A1166C polymorphism in the AT1 gene was determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. PCR products were separated by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized by a charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera. In this study, the allele frequency at the A1166C position was 92% A and 8% C for control and 97% A and 3% C for patients. This difference in allele frequency between the control group and the patient group was not statistically significant. However, genotype and allele frequencies showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the control and the patient groups. The results of this study show no relationship between the A1166C polymorphism in the AT1 gene and acute stroke in the Turkish population.     

Structural and vibrational spectroscopic elucidation of sulpiride in solid state

The study on the conformational and vibrational behaviors of sulpiride molecule which is known as a neuroleptic or antipsychotic drug that is widely used clinically in the treatment of schizophrenic or depressive disorders is an important scientific and practical task. In here, a careful enough study of monomer and dimeric forms of sulpiridine {5-(aminosulfonyl)-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl) ethyl]-2-methoxy-benzamide (C₁₅H₂₃N₃O₄S)} is undertaken by density functional theory (DFTB3LYP) method with the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) basis set. The conformations of free molecule were searched by means of torsion potential energy surfaces scan studies through dihedral angles D₁ (8?N, 18C, 20C, 23?N), D₂ (18C, 20C, 23?N, 25C) and D₃ (28C, 30C, 41S, 44?N) in electronically ground state, employing 6-31G basic set. The final geometrical parameters for the obtained stable conformers were determined by means of geometry optimization, carried out at DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) theory level. Afterwards, the possible dimer forms of the molecule were formed and their energetically preferred conformations were investigated. Moreover, the effect of basis set superposition error on the structure and energy of the three energetically favourable sulpiride dimers has been determined. The optimized structural parameters of the most stable monomer and three low energy dimer forms were used in the vibrational wavenumber calculations. Raman and IR (4000–400?cm^?1) spectra of sulpiride have been recorded in the solid state. The assignment of the bands was performed based on the potential energy distribution data. The natural bond orbital analysis has been performed on both monomer and dimer geometries in order to elucidate delocalization of electron density within the molecule. The predicted frontier molecular orbital energies at DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) theory level show that charge transfer occurs within the molecule. The first-order hyperpolarizability (β₀) and related properties (μ and α) of the title molecule were also calculated.     

Lymphocyte DNA damage is associated with increased aortic intima-media thickness

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there is an association between lymphocyte DNA damage and aortic intima-media thickness (IMT). METHODS: We studied 70 patients (mean age: 41.6+/-10 years) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography for various indications. Four different grades were determined according to intima-media thickness (IMT) of thoracic aorta measured by transesophageal echocardiography. DNA damage was assessed by alkaline single cell electrophoresis (comet) assay in peripheral lymphocytes. Plasma level of total antioxidant status (TAS) was determined by using automated measurement method. High sensitive C-reactive protein and other biochemical markers were studied in all subjects. RESULTS: The major increase in lymphocyte DNA damage was observed in patients with grade 4 IMT when compared with other groups (p<0.001, for all). Lymphocyte DNA damage of patients with grade 1 IMT was also lower than patients with grade 2 IMT (p=0.013) and patients with grade 3 IMT (p<0.001). Lymphocyte DNA damage of patients with grade 2 IMT was found at low level compared with patients with grade 3 IMT (p=0.012) as well. In multiple linear regression analysis, IMT was independently correlated with lymphocyte DNA damage (beta=0.515, p<0.001), TAS level (beta=-420, p<0.001), total cholesterol (beta=0.407, p<0.001) and LDL cholesterol level (beta=287, p=0.020). CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte DNA damage may be an independent predictor for the grade of thoracic IMT, and may play a role in pathogenesis of thoracic atherosclerosis besides TAS and cholesterol levels.     

The role of nitric oxide in the effects of ovarian steroids on spontaneous myometrial contractility in rats

Forty ovariectomized rats were apportioned into one control and three experimental groups (n=10 each) to evaluate the role of nitric oxide in the effects of ovarian steroids on spontaneous myometrial contractility in rats. The control group (group Ov) received sesame oil once daily for 10 days, whereas rats in the experimental groups were treated with progesterone (2 mg/(rat day); group P), 17beta-estradiol (10 microg/(rat day); group E2), or progesterone and 17beta-estradiol together (group E2+P). The functionality of the arginine-nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the uterine horns of sacrificed rats was evaluated in an isolated organ bath. L-Arginine, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and 8-Br-cGMP decreased uterine contractile tension induced by electric field stimulation (EFS) in the Ov, P, and E2+P groups, but not in the E2 group. In addition, L-arginine was ineffective when applied together with a NOS inhibitor, L-nitro-N-arginine (L-NNA). The percentage of contractile inhibition was higher in the Ov and P groups compared to the E2+P group. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed that expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), and endothelial NOS (eNOS) in smooth muscles and nerve cells did not differ among the groups. Expression of nNOS and eNOS was strongly evident in the E2 and E2+P groups at both surface and glandular epithelium of the endometrium. iNOS expression was increased in surface epithelium of the E2 and E2+P groups. However, iNOS expression was only increased in glandular epithelial cells of the E2+P group. In conclusion, the L-arginine-NOS-NO pathway inhibits myometrial contractions via cGMP-dependent and -independent mechanisms, and while progesterone maintains the nitric oxide effects, estrogen prevents them. These results suggest that NOS does not mediate the effects of estrogen.     

Potential involvement of serine/threonine protein phosphatases in apoptosis of HepG2 cells during selenite treatment

Selenium, an essential biological trace element present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, exerts its regulatory effect in a variety of cellular events, including cell growth, survival, and death. Selenium compunds have been shown in different cell lines to inhibit apoptosis by several mechanisms. Serine/threonine phosphatases (STPs) are potentially important in selenite-induced apoptosis because of their role in regulation of diverse set of cellular processes. In this study, the regulatory role of STPs in selenite-induced apoptosis has been implied by the use of two specific inhibitors: ocadaic acid and calyculin A. Our results show a decrease in cell density in HepG2 cells under selenite treatment. Resulting specific enzyme activities showed a concentration-dependent increase in all three phosphatase activities after 24 h in cells treated with 5 μM selenite and these activities decreased at 48 and 72 h. However, in cells treated with 10μM selenite, PP2A and PP2B decreased at 48 h, whereas PP2C activity did not change at this dose. In cells treated with 25μM, there was not a significant change in PP2C activity. These data suggest that the most specific response to selenite treatment was in PP2A and PP2B activities in a dose-dependent manner. Our results with OA and Cal-A further support the view that PP1 and PP2A might act as negative regulators of growth. With these data, we have first demonstrated the role of serine/threonine protein phosphatases in the signaling pathway of selenite-induced apoptosis and resulting cytotoxicity     

SMAD2, SMAD3 and TGF-β GENE expressions in women suffering from urge urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse

Molecular Biology Reports - We evaluated the changes in the levels of&nbsp;TGF-β and SMAD gene and protein expression in the uterosacral ligament (USL) of patients with concomitant pelvic...     

Effects of Carbapenem consumption on the prevalence of Acinetobacter infection in intensive care unit patients

Background

The consumption of carbapenems has increased worldwide, together with the increase in resistant gram negative bacilli. Subsequently, the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter infections has increased rapidly and become a significant problem particularly in intensive care unit patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the prevalence of Acinetobacter infection by restricting the consumption of carbapenems in intensive care unit patients.

Methods

This study was conducted between May 1, 2011 and February 28, 2013. The amount of carbapenem consumption and the number of patients with multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) isolates during the study period were retrospectively obtained from the records of the patients, who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The study period was divided into two periods named as: Carbapenem non-restricted period (CNRP) and carbapenem-restricted period (CRP). During CNRP, no restrictions were made on the use of carbapenems. During CRP, the use of carbapenems was not allowed if there was an alternative to carbapenems. Primary Endpoint: MDRAB infection after ICU admission. The definition of nosocomial infections related to Acinetobacter spp. was based on the criteria of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The correlation between the amount of carbapenem consumption and the number of infections with MDRAB strains between the two periods were evaluated.

Results

During the study period, a total of 1822 patients’ (1053 patients in CNRP and 769 patients in CRP) records were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 10.82 defined daily dose (DDD/100 ICU days) of anti-pseudomonal carbapenem were used in CNRP, and this figure decreased to 6.95 DDD/100 ICU days in CRP. In the 8-month CNRP, 42 (3.98%) MDRAB-related nosocomial infections were detected, and 14 (1.82%) infections were detected in CRP (p?=?0.012).

Conclusion

The prevalence of MDRAB strains isolated in the CNRP was 2.24-fold higher than the prevalence in the CRP. The prevalence of Acinetobacter infections can be reduced by taking strict isolation measures as well as by implementing good antibiotics usage policy.     

Evaluation of clinical and laboratory findings with JAK2 V617F mutation as an independent variable in essential thrombocytosis

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is an entity of classic Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), characterized by thrombocytosis with megakaryocytic hyperplasia and thrombocytes are increased with abnormal functions. Discovery of the protein tyrosine kinase JAK2 V617F allele contributed to better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms of MPNs. Acquired single point mutation in the JAK2 V617F was determined approximately 50–60 % of patients with ET. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between JAK2 V617F gene mutation, hematologic, biochemical markers and the complications in the ET patients. A total of 268 patients diagnosed with ET and 219 of those studied for JAK2 gene mutation were followed at the hematology clinics of three major hospitals between 2008 and 2013 were screened retrospectively. Laboratory, clinical and hematologic parameters were compared for JAK2 V617F positive and JAK2 V617F negative patients with ET. 102 (46 %) patients were positive with the JAK2 V617F mutation. The complications were observed in 61 (28 %) patients and 38 (62 %) of them had JAK2 V617F mutation. The levels of white blood cells, neutrophil, basophil, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean platelet volume, thrombocytes, eosinophil; urea, creatinine were significantly different in patients with the JAK2 V617F mutation (P < 0.05). Presence of the JAK2 V617F mutation supports the diagnosis of ET. It would be useful to investigate the JAK2 V617F mutation and the hematologic and biochemical markers at diagnosis with respect to consider the risk of developing complications and to take the precautions against these complications.