How the I1307K adenomatous polyposis coli gene variant contributes in the assessment of risk of colorectal cancer, but not stomach cancer, in a Turkish population.

Germline and somatic truncating mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) are thought to initiate colorectal tumor formation in familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome and sporadic colorectal carcinogenesis, respectively. Recently, an isoleucine-lysine polymorphism at codon 1307 (I1307K) of the APC gene has been identified in 6-7% of the Ashkenazi Jewish population. To assess the risk of this common APC allelic variant in colorectal carcinogenesis, a cohort of unselected Turkish subjects with stomach or colorectal cancer (or both) was analyzed for the APC I1307K polymorphism.

Seven-year clinical follow-up study of Probond ceramic crowns.

Objective: The Probond metal-ceramic system was proposed as an alternative to conventional metal-ceramic restorations. This study examined the 7-year survival and clinical performance of Probond metal-ceramic crowns.

Method And Materials: A total of 200 patients were included in the study.

Raman lasing near 630 nm from stationary glycerol-water microdroplets on a superhydrophobic surface.

We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, Raman lasing from stationary microdroplets on a superhydrophobic surface. In the experiments, glycerol-water microdroplets with radii in the 11-15 microm range were pumped at 532 nm with a pulsed, frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser. Two distinct operation regimes of the microdroplets were observed: cavity-enhanced Raman scattering and Raman lasing.

Biosorption of Cu(II) ions onto the litter of natural trembling poplar forest.

The litter of natural trembling poplar (Populus tremula) forest (LNTPF) was used for the biosorption of Cu(II) ions in a batch adsorption experiments. The sorption capacity of LNTPF was investigated as a function of pH, particle size, agitating speed, initial Cu(II) concentration, adsorbent concentration and temperature. The efficiency of copper uptake by the used LNTPF increases with a rise of solution pH, adsorbent concentration, agitating speed, temperature, and with a decline of particle size and initial Cu(II) concentration.

Evaluation of metal bond strength to dentin and enamel using different adhesives and surface treatments.

Because adherence of base metal alloys is important for the long-term clinical success of adhesive fixed partial dentures, it has been necessary to improve adhesion to metal substrate by using different surface treatments. This study used different surface conditioning methods and two different luting resins to evaluate the shear bond strength of base metal alloys to dentin and enamel. Sixty noncarious freshly extracted human teeth were mounted in a plastic holder filled with autopolymerized acrylic resin.

Bond strengths of all-ceramics: acid vs laser etching.

Various applications of dental lasers on dental materials have been proposed for surface modifications. This study evaluated whether laser etching could be an alternative to hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching. One hundred and ten lithia-based all-ceramic specimens (Empress 2) (R: 4 mm, h: 4 mm) were prepared and divided into five groups (n = 22/group).

Treatment of localized anterior tooth wear with a glass-fiber-reinforced composite resin: a clinical report.

Developments in adhesive dentistry have provided the dental profession with new restorative materials and technology to restore esthetics and function to the worn anterior dentition. This clinical report describes treatment of localized anterior tooth wear with fiber-reinforced composite resin restorations as an alternative treatment method.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma in a fetus with prenatally diagnosed partial trisomy 10q (10q24.3-->qter) and partial monosomy 17p (p13.3-->pter).

Objective: Clinical features of the distal 10q trisomy syndrome consist of mental retardation, facial dysmorphism and renal and cardiac anomalies. The presence of a sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) in a fetus with distal 10q trisomy has not been reported yet.

Methods: A 33-year-old, G5, P2 woman with a singleton pregnancy was referred to our clinic at 24 weeks of gestation for further evaluation of a fetal sacral exophytic mass.

Prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with partial trisomy 7p.

We report a prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with partial trisomy 7p. Ultrasonography at 28 weeks of gestation of a 27-year-old multigravid woman revealed a growth-retarded fetus with agenesis of the corpus callosum, enlarged left kidney, single umbilical artery, hypertelorism, depressed nasal bridge, frontal bossing, irregular maxiller alveolar composition, club feet, flexion deformity of the upper extremities and Epstein anomaly. Fetal karyotype was 46,XX,der(9)add(9p24),16qh+.

Investigation of heavy metal contaminations in the lower Sakarya river water and sediments.

In this work, water and sediment samples were collected from three different stations located along the Sakarya river between May and September 2003. Lead, copper, chromium, zinc, nickel and cadmium concentrations were determined by using solvent extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometric method. The results show that differences based upon sampling times, regions, sediment and water samples were observed.

Comparison of two bond strength testing methodologies for bilayered all-ceramics.

Objectives: This study compared the shear bond strength (SBS) and microtensile (MTBS) testing methodologies for core and veneering ceramics in four types of all-ceramic systems.

Methods: Four different ceramic veneer/core combinations, three of which were feldspathic and the other a fluor-apatite to their respectively corresponding cores, namely leucite-reinforced ceramic ((IPS)Empress, Ivoclar), low leucite-reinforced ceramic (Finesse, Ceramco), glass-infiltrated alumina (In-Ceram Alumina, Vita) and lithium disilicate ((IPS)Empress 2, Ivoclar) were used for SBS and MTBS tests. Ceramic cores (N=40, n=10/group for SBS test method, N=5 blocks/group for MTBS test method) were fabricated according to the manufacturers' instructions (for SBS: thickness, 3mm; diameter, 5mm and for MTBS: 10 mm x 10 mm x 2 mm) and ultrasonically cleaned.

Vanadium concentrations in settled outdoor dust particles.

Atmospheric dustfall is an important aspect of urban dust studies. Vanadium is considered as the marker element of air pollution emitted from residual oil and coal combustion. In this study, vanadium levels of outdoor dust particles are determined.

Can the effect of antibiotherapy and anti-inflammatory therapy on serum PSA levels discriminate between benign and malign prostatic pathologies?

Objective: The primary aim was to evaluate the change in the total and free PSA levels after antibiotic and non-steroid anti-inflammatory treatment. The secondary aim was to compare this change among the histological subgroups to assess whether it was discriminating.

Methods: 97 consecutive patients with PSA >4 ng/dl and scheduled for prostate biopsy were included in this prospective study.

5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene polymorphism in Behcet's patients with or without ocular involvement.

Background: Increased serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) have been reported in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) with an established risk factor for vascular involvement. Recently, the authors demonstrated that elevated Hcy levels are associated with ocular involvement in such patients. On the other hand, elevated levels of Hcy can result from genetic errors.

Effect of sildenafil on ocular hemodynamics in 3 months regular use.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sildenafil on ocular hemodynamics in a group of men with erectile dysfunction in 3 months regular use. A total of 15 patients with erectile dysfunction were included in this prospective study. All patients received 50 mg doses of sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer) two times per week regularly for 3 months.

Adrenal axis functions in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Objective: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever with peritonitis, arthritis, pleuritis or erysipelas-like rash. It is unclear what effects of FMF itself on endocrine system and hormones are. None of the FMF patients without amyloidosis have been reported to have any endocrine disorders, except those who developed colchicine-induced diabetes insipidus.

Determination of apoptosis through bax expression in cryptorchid testis: an experimental study.

The aim was to determine the expression of Bax in germ cells of rats with unilateral experimental cryptorchidism, and to evaluate the role of apoptosis in germ cell loss. Twenty-one prepubertal rats were randomly subdivided into three groups after the execution of the left cryptorchidism model. Group 1 (n=8), group 2 (n=6) and group 3 (n=7) rats were killed at the end of the first, second and third month, respectively.

Effects of sildenafil on blue-on-yellow and white-on-white Humphrey perimetry in 3 months regular use.

Purpose: To assess the effects of sildenafil on blue-on-yellow (B/Y) and white-on-white (W/W) Humphrey perimetry in a group of men with erectile dysfunction in 3 months regular use.

Methods: In this prospective study, 14 patients with erectile dysfunction received 50 mg doses of sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer) two times per week regularly for 3 months. Patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), colour vision, anterior segment and fundus examination, and B/Y and W/W Humphrey perimetry in each eye before and after sildenafil treatment.

Histopathological evaluation of renal vascular changes in rats exposed to passive smoking.

Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor for renal damage due to its effects on small interlobular arteries. We investigated the effects of long-term passive smoking on renal vascular structures in healthy rats exposed to smoke soon after birth. Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats (21 males and 21 females) exposed to passive smoking comprised the experimental group and 33 non-exposed rats (17 males and 16 females) comprised the control group.

Female urinary incontinence in the west of Turkey: prevalence, risk factors and impact on quality of life.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI), and to assess its impact on quality of life (QOL) in Turkish women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1012 women aged over 18 years were interviewed through a questionnaire including 'International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form'.

Results: The overall prevalence of UI was 23.

Computer-aided detection (CAD) for CT colonography: a tool to address a growing need.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women. It is estimated that in 2004, nearly 147,000 cases of colon and rectal cancer will be diagnosed in the USA, and approximately 57,000 people would die from the disease; however, only 44% of the eligible population undergoes any type of colorectal cancer screening. Many reasons have been identified for non-compliance, with key ones being patient comfort, bowel preparation and cost.

Isolated congenital anonychia cases with coincident chromosomal fragility.

Isolated anonychia without any associated phenotypical disturbances is one of the rarest anomalies of congenital nail disorders. Some or all fingers of the hands or feet could be affected. Anonychia can be encountered in dermatologic disorders like pemphigus, lichen planus, epidermolysis bullosa; it can also be seen as a component of some syndromes like Nail-Patella and Cooks syndromes.