Frequency and severity of low back pain in nurses working in intensive care units and influential factors.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to determine the frequency and severity of low back pain and influencing factors in nurses working in intensive care units.

Methods: This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study with 114 nurses working in the intensive care units in the province of Gaziantep, Turkey. Study data were collected using a questionnaire form and visual analogue scale.

Delays in diagnosis of childhood cancer in southeastern Turkey and the associated factors.

In childhood cancer patients, early diagnosis may have an impact on survival that reduces the potential morbidity. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with delay in diagnosis in children with cancer in southeastern Turkey. The clinical records of 682 patients with childhood cancer were evaluated.

Evaluation of factors affecting birth weight and preterm birth in southern Turkey.

Objective: To identify factors affecting birth weight and pre-term birth, and to find associations with electromagnetic devices such as television, computer and mobile phones.

Methods: The study was conducted in Turkey at Gazintep University, Faculty of Medicine's Outpatient Clinic at the Paediatric Ward. It comprised 500 patients who presented at the clinic from May to December 2009.

Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene polymorphisms are associated with childhood obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the possible role of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene polymorphisms in childhood obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Methods: Obese patients (n=100) and healthy controls (n=100) were analyzed for -866G>A and insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphisms of the UCP2 gene by polymerase chain raction and/or restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results: UCP2 I/D polymorphism showed an association with obesity.

Childhood obesity and the role of dopamine D2 receptor and cannabinoid receptor-1 gene polymorphisms.

Aims: The dopaminergic and endocannabinoid systems are involved in regulation of feeding behavior. The aim of the study is to examine the possible relation between polymorphisms of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) and cannabinoid receptor-1 (CNR1) genes and childhood obesity.

Methods: A hundred obese children and 100 healthy controls were analyzed for DRD2 Taq1A and Taq1B and CNR1 1359G/A polymorphisms.

Mannose binding lectin and macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms in Turkish children with cardiomyopathy: no association with MBL2 codon 54 A/B genotype, but an association between MIF -173 CC genotype.

Myocardial inflammation is one of the commonest mechanisms in cardiomyopathy (CMP). Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a key molecule in innate immunity, while macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a constitutive element of the host defenses. We investigated the possible association between polymorphisms of MBL2 and MIF genes and CMP in Turkish children.

Association of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and mannose-binding lectin-2 gene polymorphisms in acute rheumatic fever.

Background: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and mannose-binding lectin-2 play important roles in the pathogenesis of several acute and chronic inflammatory/autoimmune disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate any possible association between migration inhibitory factor and mannose-binding lectin-2 gene polymorphisms and acute rheumatic fever in children. Material and methods A total of 38 unrelated children with acute rheumatic fever and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were analysed for codon 54 A/B polymorphism in mannose-binding lectin-2 gene and -173 G/C polymorphism in migration inhibitory factor gene by using the polymerase chain reaction method.

Role of cytokine gene (IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β1, IL-6, and IL-10) polymorphisms in pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever in Turkish children.

Unlabelled: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a delayed immunologically mediated sequela of throat infection by group A β-hemolytic streptococci. Inflammatory cytokines may play a pathogenic role in ARF. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential associations between interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and IL-10 gene polymorphisms and childhood ARF.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B among pregnant women in southern Turkey.

The aim of the present cross sectional seroprevalence study was to determine the frequency of HBV carriers in pregnant women registered at the Gaziantep Maternity Hospital, Turkey. The records of a total of 11,840 pregnant women were examined retrospectively. HBsAg was detected in 252 (2.