Smouldering Myeloma: Chasing a Hyperviscous Sample.

Serum hyperviscosity is a rare laboratory finding. Amongst several causes of serum hyperviscosity, malignant disorders are quite common. Monoclonal gammopathy is a family of disorders in which monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma are the asymptomatic variants whereas multiple myeloma is the malignant variant showing different signs and symptoms related to bone lesions, renal failure and anemia.

Association of Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG index) with HbA1c and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The aim of this study was to assess the association of triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 140 patients with T2DM were included in this cross-sectional study and divided into two groups according to their HbA1c levels: participants with HbA1c <7.0% (n=75) and those with HbA1c >7.

Testing the Psychometric Properties of the Postpartum Sleep Quality Scale in Turkish Women.

Background: Postpartum sleeplessness has been observed to be an important health problem in Turkey. However, no scale is currently available to evaluate quality of sleep in Turkish postpartum women.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Turkish Postpartum Sleep Quality Scale (T-PSQS).

Bortezomib induces apoptosis by interacting with JAK/STAT pathway in K562 leukemic cells.

In the current study, we aimed to identify the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of bortezomib (BOR) on human K562 chronic myelogenous leukemia cells and to evaluate the potential roles of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway members STAT3, STAT5, and JAK2 on BOR-induced cell death of leukemic cells. Cell viability was assessed via trypan blue dye exclusion test, and cytotoxicity of the BOR-treated cells was conducted by 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulphophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide inner salt (XTT) assay. The relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of STAT3, STAT5A, STAT5B, and JAK2 were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

STAT pathway in the regulation of zoledronic acid-induced apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia cells.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of zoledronic acid on K562 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells and to examine the roles of STAT genes on zoledronic acid-induced apoptosis. The results showed that zoledronic acid decreased proliferation, and induced apoptosis in K562 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. mRNA and protein levels of STAT3, -5A and -5B genes were significantly reduced in zoledronic acid-treated K562 cells.

Suppression of STAT5A and STAT5B chronic myeloid leukemia cells via siRNA and antisense-oligonucleotide applications with the induction of apoptosis.

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins function in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and are activated by phosphorylation. As a result of this signaling event, they affect many cellular processes including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Increases in the expressions of STAT5A and STAT5B play a remarkable role in the development of leukemia in which leukemic cells gain uncontrolled proliferation and angiogenesis ability.

Two cases with hypereosinophilic syndrome shown with real-time PCR and responding well to imatinib treatment.

The aim of this work was to report two cases of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion was assessed with two protocols at RNA level. The fusion transcript was found positive at the RNA level with both PCR methods in two cases.

Repression of STAT3, STAT5A, and STAT5B expressions in chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line K-562 with unmodified or chemically modified siRNAs and induction of apoptosis.

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that affect several cellular processes including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Following phosphorylation, STATs are activated, and their upregulated expressions increase in malignancies with playing a role in the development of leukemia. In this study, transfection of K-562 cells with either unmodified or chemically modified anti-STAT3, -STAT5A, -STAT5B siRNAs for duration of 12 days, determining gene silencing at mRNA and protein levels, evaluating apoptosis rate, and detecting JAK/STAT pathway members' gene expression profiles via array method were aimed.

Enalapril-induced apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells involves STAT5A.

Background: In this study, we aimed at evaluating the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of enalapril on human HL60 acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells and at clarifying the roles of signal transducers and activator of transcription proteins (STATs) on enalapril-induced cell death.

Materials And Methods: Cell viability and cytotoxicity tests were conducted by Trypan blue dye exclusion and 2,3-Bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulphophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide inner salt (XTT) assays, respectively. Apoptotic analyses were performed by the AnnexinV-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) staining method and by fluorescence microscopy.

Methylprednisolone induces apoptosis by interacting with the JAK/STAT pathway in HL-60 and K-562 leukemic cells.

Objective: To determine the gene expression profiles of the JAK/STAT pathway members STAT3, STAT5A, STAT5B at both mRNA and protein levels in HL-60 and K-562 leukemia cells that were undergoing apoptosis following high-dose methylprednisolone (MP) treatment.

Methods: HL-60 cells were treated with 0.1 mM MP and K-562 cells were treated with 0.

Molecular Evaluation of t(14;18)(bcl-2/IgH) Translocation in Follicular Lymphoma at Diagnosis Using Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Sections.

Objective: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is one of the most common lymphomas, and is characterized by t(14;18)(q32;q21) in more than 80% of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of t(14;18) positivity based onthe detection of mbr or mcr in paraffin-embedded tissue samples.

Material And Methods: The study included 32 paraffin-embedded tissue samples collected from 32 consecutive FL patients that were diagnosed and followed-up at our hospital between 1999 and 2006.

Cisplatin resistance induced by decreased apoptotic activity in non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines.

We have investigated defective steps in apoptosis that might account for the development of resistance. For this purpose, A549 and Calu1 NSCLC (non-small-cell lung cancer) cell lines were treated with cisplatin to obtain resistant sub-lines. Gene expression profiles and the phosphorylation status of the BAD (Bcl-2/Bcl-XL-antagonist, causing cell death) protein were determined for each cell line.

Suppression of STAT5A increases chemotherapeutic sensitivity in imatinib-resistant and imatinib-sensitive K562 cells.

STAT proteins are cytoplasmic transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of numerous cellular activities such as cell growth, differentiation, and survival. In this study, we aimed to identify the expression pattern of STAT genes in imatinib-sensitive and -resistant K562 cells, and further, to reveal the effects of STAT5A siRNA knockdown on cell growth and apoptosis induction. The XTT cell proliferation assay showed that both sensitive and resistant K562 cells were sensitized to imatinib upon transfection with STAT5A siRNA.

Evaluation of effective regurgitant orifice area of mitral valvular regurgitation by multislice cardiac computed tomography.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for the identification and quantification of mitral valve regurgitation in comparison with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Methods: Twenty-six patients (15 females, 11 males with a mean age of 44.6±14.

Assessment of global left ventricular systolic function with multidetector CT and 2D echocardiography: a comparison between reconstructions of 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness at multidetector CT.

Purpose: To compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DE) for left ventricular ejection fraction (EF); and to make comparison between reconstructions of 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness at MDCT in left ventricular analysis by using a semiautomated segmentation algorithm.

Materials And Methods: In 43 patients global left ventricular systolic function was assessed by using both MDCT and 2DE. Functional MDCT data sets were reconstructed in 20 cardiac phases (0-95%) with both 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness.

Immunohistochemical analysis of inducible and endothelial forms of nitric oxide synthase in cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth.

Background: The contribution of nitric oxide (NO) to immune response and matrix degradation in the periodontal environment suggests a role for NO and NO-synthase (NOS) activity in the pathogenesis of cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced gingival overgrowth (GO). However, current knowledge on this topic is limited to experimental animal studies. The present study was undertaken on the basis of a hypothesis whether altered nitrite/nitrate levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) immunoreactivity in gingiva of CsA-treated patients contribute to the pathogenesis of CsA-induced GO.

Dynamic Doppler evaluation of the hand arteries of the patients with Raynaud's disease.

The aim of this study was the determination of blood flow characteristics and parameters in the hand arteries of patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (pRP) and comparison with the results of healthy subjects. The diameter, resistive index and flow volume of the digital, ulnar and radial arteries of the patients with pRP and the control group were measured at rest and after cold provocation. The flow starting time (FST) in the digital artery and the flow normalising time (FNT) of all three arteries were also recorded after cold provocation.

Absence of apolipoprotein B-3500 mutation in Turkish patients with coronary and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis.

Objective: The arginine- to-glutamine change at codon 3500 of the apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B) is a well- known genetic cause of hypercholesterolemia. Since increased cholesterol levels lead to atherosclerosis, identification of the carries of the apo B-3500 mutation is an important step in the risk stratification of individuals and families with hypercholesterolemia. The prevalence of this mutation in Turkish population is not well known.

Enteral resveratrol supplementation attenuates intestinal epithelial inducible nitric oxide synthase activity and mucosal damage in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background/purpose: The release of various enzymes including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) leads to enterocyte apoptosis through free nitrogen radicals, which in turn leads to impaired mucosal barrier and bacterial translocation with resultant sepsis in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Resveratrol, a polyphenol compound from phytoalexins with antioxidant and scavenger properties, also play a critical role in modulating key enzymes in cell cycle including iNOS. We therefore hypothesized that resveratrol would prevent mucosal damage in experimental NEC in rats.

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) has a potential role in CAPE-induced apoptosis of CCRF-CEM cells via effecting human telomerase reverse transcriptase activity.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is one of the most effective components of propolis which is collected by honey bees. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of CAPE in the CCRF-CEM cell line and to clarify the role of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) activity as an underlining mechanism of CAPE-induced apoptosis. Trypan blue dye exclusion test and XTT methods were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and ELISA based oligonucleotide detection, which can be seen during apoptosis, was used to determine apoptosis.

The relationship of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma 2 exon 2 and exon 6 gene polymorphism in Turkish type 2 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy.

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) has recently been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes. We aim to investigate Turkish type 2 diabetic patients with/without diabetic nephropathy and healthy group and examined the contribution of the G/C exon 2 and T/C exon 6 of the PPAR gamma gene polymorphism to the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Methods: The PPAR gamma genotypes were determined retrospectively in 43 patients with nephropathy and 48 without nephropathy and a control group of 50 healthy individuals.

Gravity-free hydraulic jumps and metal femtoliter cups.

Hydraulic jumps created by gravity are seen everyday in the kitchen sink. We show that at small scales a circular hydraulic jump can be created in the absence of gravity by surface tension. The theory is motivated by our experimental finding of a height discontinuity in spreading submicron molten metal droplets created by pulsed-laser ablation.

Chemotherapy influences inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity on 3D breast cancer cell line.

Multicellular tumor spheroids (MTS) are three-dimensional structural forms of tumors grown in vitro in the laboratory. In this study, the aim was to determine the regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expressions on MTS in response to treatment with the commonly used anti-cancer drugs Doxorubicin and Docetaxel. The spheroids were generated using the "liquid overlay" technique.

A facile method of producing femtoliter metal cups by pulsed laser ablation.

Cuplike structures of Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, Nb, Cd, Al, In, and Sn in the size range of 300 nm to a few micrometers with an internal volume of a few femtoliters have been produced by the laser ablation of metal targets in a vacuum, by optimizing, in each case, the laser fluence and the substrate temperature. The metal droplets impinging on the substrate seem to undergo a hydraulic jump driven by the surface tension forces before solidifying into cups. The cups are robust and can be functionalized with biomarkers, filled with nanoparticle sols, oxidized to crucibles, or detached from the substrate without causing any deformation.