Predictors of atopic dermatitis phenotypes and severity: roles of serum immunoglobulins and filaggrin gene mutation R501X.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common chronic relapsing skin condition of infancy and childhood, is a complex multifactorial disease, which arises from the interaction between strong genetic and environmental factors.

Objective: To investigate the roles of several factors on the severity of AD including FLG R501X gene mutation, serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, atopy and accompanying allergic disorders.

Method: Children were genotyped for the mutation in FLG R501X gene.

Relationship between interleukin-8 and the oxidant-antioxidant system in end-stage renal failure patients.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between interleukin-8 and the oxidant-antioxidant system in end-stage renal failure patients with and without diabetes mellitus undergoing regular hemodialysis treatment.

Materials And Methods: Plasma levels of malondialdehyde and whole blood reduced glutathione were measured as markers of the oxidant and antioxidant systems, respectively. Plasma interleukin-8 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Paraoxonase 1 192 and 55 polymorphisms in nephrotic children.

Human paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a serum enzyme related to high-density lipoprotein which has a major role in preventing oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein. Due to its amino acid substitution PON1 has two genetic polymorphisms. These polymorphisms are characterized by the location of glutamine (A genotype) and arginine (B genotype) at position 192, and leucine (L genotype) and methionine (M genotype) at position 55.

ACE I/D gene polymorphism in primary FSGS and steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism in various renal disorders has been investigated. We evaluated the association between the clinical characteristics and ACE genotypes of Turkish children with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). Patients with FSGS ( n=30) were classified into two groups: one with remission together with stable renal function ( n=22) and the other without remission and with impaired renal function ( n=8).

Influence of antioxidants on the blood-brain barrier permeability during epileptic seizures.

Pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in rats lead to the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. We compared the disruption of the blood-brain barrier during epileptic seizure in untreated rats and in rats treated with vitamin E or selenium. The rats were supplemented with nontoxic doses of sodium selenite (4 pp) in drinking water for 3 months, or vitamin E (70 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally for 30 min before the pentylenetetrazole injection.