Polymorphisms in the activin A receptor type 2A gene affect the onset time and severity of preeclampsia in the Turkish population.

Aim: To investigate the possible roles of selected single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) of the activin A receptor type 2A (ACVR2A) gene in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Methods: Ninety-four patients with preeclampsia and 166 healthy pregnant women were included in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood and were stored at -80°C before the analysis.

Determination of the effects of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) 1B and ADH1C polymorphisms on alcohol dependence in Turkey.

Alcoholism is a complex genetically influenced disorder which refers to alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. There are controversial results on the role of gene polymorphisms in alcohol dependence in the literature. Differences in population groups and selective inclusion criteria for alcohol dependence may affect results.

The interaction between antioxidant status and cervical cancer: a case control study.

Aims And Background: To compare the antioxidant status of cervical cancer patients with healthy controls and to assess the antioxidant levels before and after radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy.

Methods And Study Design: Antioxidant levels (glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde) were measured in 35 patients with cervical cancer and 35 age-matched healthy controls. Blood samples were collected twice (before and after treatment) from cervical cancer patients and once from healthy control subjects.

Calcineurin inhibitor-based and free regimens have distinct gene expression patterns in subclinical graft fibrosis.

Background: Chronic nephrotoxic effects of calcineurin inhibitors may be responsible for late allograft dysfunction and reduced allograft half-life. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTOR-i's), a newer class of immunosuppressant, do not have the chronic nephrotoxic effects shown with calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). Whether these drug classes have distinct features at the molecular level is not clear.

Transcriptional profiling of septal wall of the right ventricular outflow tract in patients with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias.

Background: Frequent, monomorphic premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and/or ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with structurally normal heart usually arise from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). The underlying arrhythmogenic substrate for the genesis of RVOT tachycardias is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the genome-wide transcriptional profiling of the septal wall of the RVOT in patients with RVOT tachycardia and control subjects.

Inhibition of renin-angiotensin system in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats: a new therapeutic target?

Objective: Pancreatic renin-angiotensin system has been implied to play a role in the regulation of pancreatic functions and could be a new therapeutic target in acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibition by captopril and angiotensin II type 1 receptor inhibition by L-158809 and losartan experimentally in acute pancreatitis.

Design: Rats were randomly divided into 15 groups.

Increased myocardial collagen turnover in patients with progressive cardiac conduction disease.

Background: Histopathologically, progressive cardiac conduction disease (PCCD) is characterized by progressive fibrosis and sclerodegenerative changes in the proximal and distal conduction system of the heart. Therefore, we sought to determine the serum levels of myocardial collagen turnover markers, extracellular matrix components, transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGFbeta(1)), and bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) in this population.

Methods: Study population included 20 patients (6 M/14 F, mean age 76 +/- 8 years) with acquired, permanent 2:1, or complete atrioventricular block and compared with age- and sex-matched, asymptomatic, healthy control subjects (n = 18, 6 M/12 F, mean age 75 +/- 7 years).

The interaction between taxoids and serine/threonine protein phosphatase activities during taxan-induced apoptosis of HL 60 leukemic cells.

Paclitaxel and docetaxel (taxoids) are chemotherapy agents whose mode of action is through an effect on cellular microtubules. Several studies have investigated their potential in the treatment of myeloid malignancies. The aim of our study was to investigate the potential role of the serine/threonine protein phosphatase system in docetaxel/paclitaxel induced cytotoxicity on HL 60 cells.

Clostridial collagenase aggravates the systemic inflammatory response in rats with partial-thickness burns.

Aim: Clostridial collagenase A (CCA) has been shown effective in degrading collagen in eschar tissue and promoting healing in partial-thickness burns. As there are also reports of fever, leukocytosis, increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and septic complications during treatment with CCA, we aimed to determine in rats whether CCA aggravates the systemic inflammatory response.

Methods: Rats with partial-thickness burns were randomly divided into groups with either no dressing (ND), povidone-iodine dressing (PID) or CCA dressing (CCAD).

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 compounds 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.

Sodium selenite protects against diabetes-induced alterations in the antioxidant defense system of the liver.

Background: Free radical genesis of disorder is one of the major subjects of discussion in the explanation of pathological conditions. In this study, the effects of micro molar quantities of sodium selenite treatment on diabetes-induced alterations in the antioxidant defense system were investigated.

Methods: Diabetes was induced by administration of streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg body weight) and both diabetic and control animals were treated with sodium selenite (5 micromol/kg/day) for 4 weeks.

TLR-2 gene Arg753Gln polymorphism is strongly associated with acute rheumatic fever in children.

The recently described family of toll-like receptors (TLRs) is a key player in host immunity by mediating inflammatory reactions against a wide range of pathogens. Mutations and polymorphisms in TLRs have revealed the importance of TLRs in human defence against diseases. TLR-2 is reported to interact with different bacterial structures, including lipoproteins, peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid.

Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor in Behçet's disease.

Introduction: Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a procarboxypeptidase downregulating plasmin formation, thereby causing a tendency for thrombosis development. Since, Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis, which is commonly complicated by arterial and venous thrombosis, we aimed to find out plasma TAFI levels in BD, compared with healthy controls. We also searched whether plasma TAFI levels were significantly different between Behçet's subgroups with and without thrombosis.

Induction of apoptosis by fatty acid ethyl esters in HepG2 cells.

Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are esterification products of ethanol and fatty acids which have been found particularly in the organ damaged by ethanol abuse. To evaluate any effect of FAEEs on HepG2 cells, we added FAEEs to cell culture medium. Electrophoresis of DNA from HepG2 cells exposed to 18.

Involvement of immunoglobulin FcgammaRIIA and FcgammaRIIIB gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to rheumatic fever.

Objectives: To assess the impact of the human FcgammaRIIA and FcgammaRIIIB gene polymorphisms on the risk of rheumatic fever (RF).

Designs And Methods: FcgammaRIIA-R/H-131 and FcgammaRIIIB-NA1/NA2 genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction in 66 RF cases and 117 healthy controls in this case control study.

Results: Compared with healthy controls, the RR genotype was enriched in the entire group of RF cases (odds ratio [OR] 4.

Biochemical and morphological characteristics of selenite-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma Hep G2 cells.

Selenium is a cellular growth inhibitor in many mammary tumor cells. To comprehend the mechanism for the selenium-induced cell death, we examined the effects of sodium selenite, which has been one of the most extensively investigated selenium compounds, in human hepatoma Hep G2 cells.Cell viability gradually decreased after treatment with sodium selenite within the concentration range of 10-50 microM.

Leukotriene receptor antagonism in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.

Objectives: Acute pancreatitis is a multifactorial disease caused by activation of several inflammatory mediators. Leukotrienes, beside other mediators, may be involved in acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 'zafirlukast', a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in acute pancreatitis and its relation with prostaglandin synthesis.

Infliximab: a new therapeutic agent in acute pancreatitis?

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) has a central role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis and related systemic complications. The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of monoclonal TNF antibody (infliximab) in acute edematous and severe necrotizing pancreatitis models in rats.

Methods: One hundred rats were randomly divided into 10 groups.

Characterization of the cellular response during apoptosis induction in cadmium-treated Hep G2 human hepatoma cells.

Cadmium is a toxic transition heavy metal of continuing occupational and environmental concern, with a wide variety of adverse effects on regulation of gene expression and cellular signal transduction pathways. Injury to cells by cadmium leads to a complex series of events that can culminate in the death of the cell. It has been reported that cadmium induces apoptosis in many cell lines.

Role of thiocyanate ion in metallothionein induction and in endogenous distribution of essential elements in the rat liver.

Thiocyanate is the major toxic metabolite of hydrogen cyanide, a toxic substance the organism may be exposed to as a result of cigarette smoking or industrial pollution. The complex interactions existing between metals and metallothionein induction are well known. However, the possible role of thiocyanate, which is also an anion, has not been established yet.

Effect of omeprazole on plasma zinc levels after oral zinc administration.

Background: The intestines are the major site of zinc absorption and excretion. Reduced gastric acid secretion and elevated gastric pH is an important factor affecting intestinal mineral absorption.

Methods: Gastric pH and volume, and basal and maximal acid outputs were measured in 14 healthy volunteers.

Trace elements analysis of ascitic fluid in benign and malignant diseases.

Objectives: To evaluate differences in ascitic fluid trace element concentrations which might be useful in discrimination between benign and malignant ascites.

Design And Methods: The concentrations of copper, zinc, magnesium and iron in ascitic fluid and venous blood in 17 patients were investigated. The relationship between these trace elements and type of disease were examined.