Maternal killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and paternal human leukocyte antigen ligands in recurrent pregnancy loss cases in Turkey.

Objective: The survival of a semi-allogeneic fetus depends on several immunological mechanisms, and it has been suggested that recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) could develop as a result of one or more immunological abnormalities.

Methods: Compatibility between partners for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes and the relationships between maternal killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and paternal HLA-Bw4/Bw6 and HLA-C1/C2 supra-groups were investigated in 25 couples with RPL in comparison to healthy couples with children. HLA and KIR genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers and/or sequence-specific oligonucleotides.

Effects of Malnutrition on Neutrophil/Mononuclear Cell Apoptotic Functions in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Background: Recent studies claim that apoptosis may explain immune dysfunction observed in malnutrition.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of malnutrition on apoptotic functions of phagocytic cells in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-eight ALL patients (13 with malnutrition) and thirty controls were enrolled.

Dietary glycemic factors, insulin resistance, and adiponectin levels in acne vulgaris.

Background: There is increasing evidence to support the relationship between acne vulgaris and diet.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations among dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, milk consumption, insulin resistance, and adiponectin levels in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.

Methods: The dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, milk consumption, fasting glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor)-1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, adiponectin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values of 50 patients with acne vulgaris and 36 healthy control subjects were measured.

Nebulized fluticasone propionate, a viable alternative to systemic route in the management of childhood moderate asthma attack: A double-blind, double-dummy study.

Background: In this study, we compared the clinical and immunological efficacy of nebulized corticosteroid (CS) to systemic route during treatment of moderate asthma attack in children.

Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, prospective study, 81 children aged 12 months to 16 years experiencing asthma attack randomized into two treatment groups to receive, either; nebulized fluticasone propionate (n = 39, 2000 mcg/day) or oral methylprednisolone (n = 41, 1 mg/kg/day). Pulmonary index scores (PIS) were assessed at admission and at 1st, 4th, 8th, 12th, 24th, 48th hours, as well as, on day 7 and peak expiratory flow (PEF) at baseline and at the 7th day.

Activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in Behcet's disease.

Th1/Th17-type T-cell responses are upregulated in Behcet's disease (BD). However, signaling pathways associated with this aberrant immune response are not clarified. Whole-genome microarray profiling was performed with human U133 (Plus 2.

The impact of platelet functions and inflammatory status on the severity of preeclampsia.

Objective: To find out whether there is a correlation between the extent of platelet activation and inflammation and the severity of preeclampsia (PE) in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Methods: Forty-one women with PE (n = 23 severe, n = 18 mild) and 80 normotensive pregnant (NP) women were included in the study. Their blood samples were obtained and interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-10 levels measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Vitamin D as an adjunct to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy in asthmatic children sensitized to house dust mite.

Background: We aimed to investigate the efficacy, safety, and T regulatory cell response of vitamin D as an adjunct to allergen-specific immunotherapy (IT).

Methods: Fifty children with asthma and receiving pharmacotherapy were randomized into three groups as: subcutaneous IT (SCIT) along with vitamin D supplementation (650 U/day; n: 17), SCIT alone (n: 15), and pharmacotherapy alone (n: 18). All patients were evaluated at baseline, 6th and 12th months for scorings of symptoms and medication, skin prick testing, total IgE, specific IgE, and Der p 1-specific IgG4.

Effects of azithromycin on intracellular cytokine responses and mucocutaneous manifestations in Behçet's disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of azithromycin on mucocutaneous manifestations and ex vivo intracellular cytokine responses in patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

Methods: Ten BD patients with active manifestations and nine healthy controls (HCs) were included in the study. Patients were treated with azithromycin (1500 mg/week) for four weeks.

Effects of rapamycin and tacrolimus on mature endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells.

Objective: To investigate the effects of the potent immunosuppressive agents tacrolimus and rapamycin on the number of circulating mature endothelial cells and circulating endothelial progenitor cells in an experimental model.

Methods: It was an experimental study performed from December 2007 to January 2008 in which the effects of the immunosuppressive agents tacrolimus and rapamycin on endothelial progenitr cells and circulating mature endothelial cells were analysed on 24 male wistar albino rats in a controlled environment model. Circulating cell populations were measured by flow-cytometric analysis.

Pro-inflammatory cytokine and caspase-1 responses to pattern recognition receptor activation of neutrophils and dendritic cells in Behcet's disease.

Objective: Activated innate immunity is implicated in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease (BD). To clarify the mechanisms of innate immune responses, we investigated inflammasome activation in dendritic cells (DCs) and neutrophils, following stimulation with two different pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) RIG-1-like (RLR) and NOD-like (NLR) in patients with BD.

Methods: Sixteen active BD patients with mucocutaneous lesions and 17 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study.

Flow cytometric detection of anti-AB antibody titers in blood group O recipients of blood group A2 donor kidneys.

Aim: ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation has been accepted for end-stage renal failure patients who have no ready opportunity for a deceased or living donor. Antibody titration for ABO-incompatible renal transplantation is not only difficult but also lacks conformity among laboratories. Herein we analyzed 20 living related renal transplant couples to detect recipient anti-A2 antibody using flow cytometric analysis.

Effects of malnutrition on oxidative burst functions and infection episodes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of malnutrition on oxidative burst functions (OBF) of neutrophils in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-eight patients with ALL and thirty healthy controls were enrolled to the study. Thirteen patients with ALL were found to have malnutrition.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields affect the immune response of monocyte-derived macrophages to pathogens.

This study aimed to determine the effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on the physiological response of phagocytes to an infectious agent. THP-1 cells (human monocytic leukemia cell line) were cultured and 50 Hz, 1 mT EMF was applied for 4-6 h to cells induced with Staphylococcus aureus or interferon gamma/lipopolysaccharide (IFγ/LPS). Alterations in nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels, heat shock protein 70 levels (hsp70), cGMP levels, caspase-9 activation, and the growth rate of S.

Toll-like receptor expression in monocytes in patients with chronic kidney disease and haemodialysis: relation with inflammation.

Background: Inflammation is one of the main contributors to atherosclerosis in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) leads to inflammatory response. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the expression of TLRs on monocytes and relate their expression with inflammation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and HD patients.

Serum leptin levels, skin leptin and leptin receptor expression in psoriasis.

Background: Recent studies support the relation of psoriasis with obesity and cardiovascular disease. Leptin, a peptide hormone secreted predominantly from adipose tissue, is involved in the regulation of energy intake and expenditure. Recently, it has been shown to have several immunological effects including induction of proinflammatory cytokine production.

CD8+CD28-, suppressive T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Recent studies show that a CD8+CD28- phenotype of T-cell population inhibits the reactivity of T-helper cells either by a contact-dependent mechanism or with secreting suppressive cytokines. In this study, we have explored the peripheral blood CD8+CD28- T-cell population in 53 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in comparison to healthy and diseased control groups. The distribution of CD28- cells within CD8+ population has been found significantly lower in patients with SLE than in healthy individuals.

Differential expression of toll-like receptor 6 on granulocytes and monocytes implicates the role of microorganisms in Behcet's disease etiopathogenesis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the expressions of toll-like receptors on neutrophils and monocytes in Behcet's disease (BD). Forty-two patients with BD were included in the study. Baseline and stimulated cells with heat shock protein-60 (HSP-60), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and crude extract of Streptococcus sanguis (SS) were analyzed for toll-like receptor-1, -2, -4 and -6 expressions using flow cytometer.