Genetic basis of apnoea of prematurity and caffeine treatment response: role of adenosine receptor polymorphisms: genetic basis of apnoea of prematurity

Aim: Caffeine treatment reduces the frequency of apnoea of prematurity (AOP) and eliminates the need for mechanical ventilation by acting as a nonspecific inhibitor of adenosine A1 and adenosine 2A receptors. Patients with AOP have demonstrated variant responses to caffeine therapy. We proposed to investigate the role of A1 and 2A polymorphisms in the development of AOP and individual differences in caffeine response. Secondly, we aimed to determine whether these polymorphisms have any effect on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development. Methods: Cord blood samples were collected from infants born with gestational ages between 24 and 34 weeks. Two groups were defined: patients without apnoea (n = 60) and patients with apnoea (n = 55). Patients with apnoea were divided into two subgroups: a caffeine‐responsive group (n = 30) and an unresponsive group (n = 25). Six single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were chosen for genotyping. Results: Patients with apnoea over 28 weeks of gestational age who responded to the caffeine treatment were found to carry the rs16851030 C/C genotype rather than the C/T or T/T genotype. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between rs35320474‐C/T and T/T genotypes and apnoea and BPD development. Conclusion: Our results indicate a role for adenosine receptor gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to AOP and BPD and in interindividual variability to caffeine response.     

Attachment and coping as facilitators of posttraumatic growth in Turkish university students experiencing traumatic events

This study was designed to explore the role of attachment and coping as facilitators of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in a sample of Turkish university students who experienced traumatic life events. Participants who reported a traumatic event from a list were asked to choose the most distressing one; to answer questions related to the impact of the trauma; and to fill out measures of attachment styles, ways of coping, and PTG. PTG was regressed on gender, trauma-related factors, attachment styles, and coping styles in order to examine the associations with PTG. Felt helplessness and horror, fatalistic coping, and optimistic coping were significant predictors of PTG. Fatalistic coping partially mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and PTG.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation in bronchiectatic patients and clinical reflections

Bronchiectasis is characterized with irreversible dilatation according to destruction of epithelium, elastic and muscular layer. Most important cause of bronchiectasis is chronic bacterial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation is frequently seen in bronchiectatic patients. We aimed to find out P. aeruginosa colonisation frequency and clinical, radiological and spirometric reflections due to colonisation. We analysed 83 cases retrospectively. Mean age was 58.2 and 54.2% of them were female. Bronchiectasis were localised 19.3% in left lung, 19.3% right and 61.4% bilaterally. 29 (35.8%) normal, 28 (34.6%) obstructive, 7 (8.6%) restrictive, 17 (21%) mixed type disorders are detected in spirometric measures. Sputum culture performed in 50 cases. No microorganism colonisation determined in 30 (60%) cases, P. aeruginosa colonisation 16 (32%), Haemophilus influenzae 2 (4%), 1 (2%) Streptococcus pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis 1 (2%) cases. P. aeruginosa colonisation determined more frequent in males (p<0.05). No significant correlation detected between colonisation and age or smoking habits (p>0.05). In cases with colonisation; clubbing and hemoptysis were significantly frequent (p<0.05). Only peribronchial thickening was significantly correlated with colonisation in radiological findings (p<0.05). In blood gase analysis PaO2, oxygen saturation were lower and PaCO2 higher in cases colonised with P. aeruginosa but it was not statisticaly significant (p>0.05). Hospitalization rate was higher in P. aeruginosa colonised cases (p>0.05). It is an important problem about mortality because of higher hemoptysis and hospitalisation requirement rate in P. aeruginosa colonised cases.     

Microbiological results of bronchoalveolar lavage that was performed for opportunistic pulmonary infections

Between 2001-2002; in 62 cases, 33 (53%) male, 29 (47%) female, mean age 51.4 +/- 18.1 years) bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed for diagnosis of opportunistic pulmonary infection and specimens were evaluated for results of microbiological examinations. There was hematological malignancy in 18 (29%) and solid organ malignancy in 13 (21%) cases. Thirty-one (50%) cases were immunocompromised for reasons other than malignancy. By endoscopic evaluation endobronchial lesion was seen in 2 (3%) cases, indirect tumor signs were seen in 2 (3%) cases and signs of infection were seen in 11 (18%) cases. Forty-even (76%) cases were endoscopically normal. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) direct examination was positive in 3 (5%) cases. In 4 (6%) cases mycobacterial culture was positive, Mycobacterium tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also positive in these four cases. Examination of gram-stained smears for bacteria was associated with infection in 14 (23%) cases. Bacteriologic cultures were positive for single potential pathogen in 10 (16%) cases, and for mixed pathogens in 7 (11%) cases for a total number of 17 (27%). Fungal cultures were positive in 3 (5%) cases all of which had hematological malignancy. As a result in 24 (39%) cases microbiological agent of infection is determined: in four mycobacteria, in 17 bacteria other than mycobacteria and in three fungi.     

Behçet disease: treatment of vascular involvement in children

Behçet disease is the only primary vasculitis that affects both arteries and veins of any size. We present our treatment protocol in disease with vascular involvement in seven pediatric patients. All seven patients met the international criteria for the disease before the age of 16 years. Only one was a girl. The vascular involvement was as follows: Two patients had superficial vein thrombosis, two patients had atrial or ventricular thrombosis, one had arterial involvement with pulmonary aneurysms, and two had thrombosis of the venous sinuses in the central nervous system. The median duration of vascular involvement was 4 months (range 3–24 months) after the diagnosis of BD and was concomitant with diagnosis in three patients. All received colchicine and steroids. The ones with thrombosis in the venous system received additional azathioprine, whereas those with pulmonary arterial or cardiac involvement initially received cyclophosphamide for 150–180 mg/kg total dose (IV or oral) and then were switched to azathioprine for a further 6 months. All except the patient with pulmonary arterial involvement received a course of anticoagulation treatment as well. These patients have been followed up for a period of at least 18 months and so far are free of vascular relapses. One has developed a severe uveitis necessitating further therapy. In conclusion, features of vascular involvement should be carefully sought for in patients with Behçet disease. Effective management has enabled disease-free survival in the presented patients.     

Does Alt-RAMEC protocol and facemask treatment affect dentoalveolar structures?: A 3-dimensional study

ObjectivesTo evaluate dentoalveolar changes immediately after the alternate rapid maxillary expansion and constriction (Alt-RAMEC) protocol and facemask (FM) treatment using cone-beam computed tomography images.Materials and MethodsCone-beam computed tomography images of 20 patients (mean age = 9.64 ± 1.3 years) who received the Alt-RAMEC protocol before FM treatment were retrieved in this retrospective study. Dental and alveolar inclinations, buccal and palatal alveolar bone thickness, and buccal and palatal alveolar bone height changes were measured before treatment (T0), after the Alt-RAMEC protocol (T1), and after FM treatment (T2). Measurements for right and left molars were performed separately. The Shapiro-Wilks test was used to assess the conformity of the parameters to the normal distribution. The paired t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance were used for normally distributed data. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Friedman test were used for non-normally distributed data. The Bonferroni correction was used to reduce the chances of obtaining false-positive results. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.ResultsBuccal alveolar bone thickness and alveolar bone inclinations decreased significantly from T1 to T0 and showed no significant change from T2 to T1. The total reduction T2-T0 was statistically significant. The change in palatal alveolar bone thickness was not significant T1-T0 but increased significantly for T2-T1 and T2-T0. Buccal alveolar bone height, palatal alveolar bone height, and molar inclinations increased significantly T1-T0, but there was no significant change T2-T1. The total reduction at T2-T0 was statistically significant.ConclusionsThe results of this study revealed that the effects of the Alt-RAMEC protocol on dentoalveolar tissues were similar to the changes reported in the literature after rapid palatal expansion.     

Erythropoietin changes contractility, cAMP, and nitrite levels of isolated rat hearts

There is enough evidence that erythropoietin (EPO) may be involved in cardiovascular function. Therefore we have investigated the possible effects of EPO on left ventricular developed pressure, +dP/dt(max), heart rate, tissue cAMP, and nitrite levels. Isolated rat hearts were perfused under constant flow (10 ml/min) conditions with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution and recombinant human erythropoietin at doses of 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 IU/kg was administered as bolus injections. EPO at 100 IU/kg decreased, but higher doses (500 and 1,000 IU/kg) raised the developed pressure and +dP/dt(max). However, it did not affect heart rate or coronary perfusion pressure when all the respective doses were applied. EPO at 100 IU/kg increased nitrite, and at 1,000 IU/kg it raised cAMP. Our results suggest that EPO may produce dose-dependently negative and positive inotropic effects on myocardial contractility in isolated rat hearts. NO and cAMP may be involved in negative and positive inotropic effects of EPO, respectively.     

Elongated mandibular coronoid process as a cause of mandibular hypomobility

There are multiple factors in cases of mandibular hypomobility. One of these factors is elongated coronoid process. Two cases are presented to illustrate elongated coronoid process leading to mandibular hypomobility to help prevent misdiagnosis by clinicians. Coronoid process elongation is a rare condition. Both cases reported here had pulpitis on the teeth, however endodontic treatment could not be performed due to the restricted mouth opening in both cases. There were clinical findings of restricted range of motion, especially during protrusive movements. The restrictive movements did not cause pain for either patient, and the patients were not aware of their restricted mouth opening. Panoromic radiographs were taken and evaluated. The radiographs showed elongated coronoid process bilaterally. Three-dimensional computerized tomography was taken in one case only, due to the patient's financial restrictions. In cases of restricted mandibular opening, elongated coronoid process must be considered when diagnosing the cause.     

Quality of life in chronic haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients in Turkey and related factors

Turkey is the fifth country in Europe with regard to the number of patients receiving haemodialysis (HD). However, only a limited number of studies have comparatively investigated the factors that affect quality of life in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in Turkey. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that affect quality of life in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients, as well as providing a comparison of quality of life between these groups. In this cross‐sectional study, Quality of Life Scale and a data form was completed by 300 dialysis patients who received treatment at five hospital‐based dialysis units in Istanbul, Turkey. The data were evaluated using arithmetic mean values, standard deviations, minimums, maximums, percentages, independent groups t‐tests, Spearman correlation analyses and one‐way variance analyses. The quality of life values in peritoneal dialysis patients were found to be higher than those of haemodialysis patients (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the quality of life in chronic dialysis patients was affected by various factors.