Association of insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene with psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors are likely to be of fundamental importance in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. There are reports concerning the induction or/and exacerbation of psoriasis by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which have been attributed to the ACE inhibitor-induced augmentation of kinin levels in skin. However, to the best of our knowledge there has been no molecular genetic study investigating whether ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism may contribute to the genetic background in psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of ACE I/D polymorphism in psoriasis. METHODS: A group of 86 patients with psoriasis and 154 control subjects were analysed for ACE I/D polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The distribution of ACE I/D polymorphism and allele frequencies in psoriatic patients was not significantly different from controls. Further analyses of psoriasis patients showed that ACE I/D polymorphism was not associated with age at onset of disease, clinical type of psoriasis or gender. However, the frequency of the I allele was significantly higher in patients with a positive family history of psoriasis than in those with no family history (sporadic psoriasis) (48% vs. 32%; P =0.03). In addition, the I allele was found significantly more frequently in type I psoriasis patients (onset < 40 years and positive family history) than in type II psoriasis patients (onset >/= 40 years, no family history) (48% vs. 27%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the presence of the I allele may confer susceptibility to development of psoriasis in individuals from psoriatic families.     

Empty follicle syndrome in two sisters with three cycles: case report

Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is characterized by a lack of retrieved oocytes in the presence of multiple follicle development, in both natural and stimulated cycles. The aim of the present case report is to point out the possibility of genetic factors that could be responsible for some occurrences of EFS. Two sisters with moderate deafness underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and IVF/ICSI cycles at the same centre. During all three cycles there were normal follicular development, estradiol levels and bio-available hCG plasma levels, but no oocytes and cumulus-corona complexes were retrieved, despite second hCG injections. These cases may represent an inherited condition of EFS with hearing loss with genetic factors affecting both the aetiology of EFS and the hearing loss.     

Volumetric determination of medial epicondyle and lateral epicondyle of humerus in male and female volleyball players

The aim of this study was to assess the volume of the medial epicondyle and lateral epicondyle in comparison with the distal end of humerus volume in male and female elite athletes participating in an impact loading sport (volleyball). The volleyball group consisted of 17 female, aged 20.47 +/- 2.47 years (mean +/- SD), 16 male aged 21.68 +/- 3.47 years (mean +/- SD); training for about 8 hours/week. The control group consisted of 15 nonactive females aged 21.73 +/- 2.68 years (mean +/- SD) and 14 nonactive males aged 23.35 +/- 4.16 years (mean +/- SD). Anthropometric determinations (height, weight, limb length, girth of arm and forearm) were made on each subjects. Range of motion was evaluated by standard goniometric technique. Comparative plain films of both elbows were obtained in an anteroposterior projection. The volumes of the medial epicondyle and lateral epicondyle were determined by the principle of Cavalieri which is an effective stereologic volume calculation method. In the volleyball players, increased medial epicondyle volume was recorded in the dominant and nondominant arms as compared with the control subjects (P < 0.05). Wrist flexors are highly involved in spiking, blocking and serving in volleyball. In this study we founded volume of medial epicondyle which is the connection point of flexor muscle was increased because of loading.     

Estradiol suppresses vascular monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression during early atherogenesis

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether estrogen down-regulates vascular monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression during the development of atherosclerosis in vivo and to identify the cellular localization of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression under baseline conditions and in response to atherogenic stimuli. STUDY DESIGN: Female, homozygous low-density lipoprotein-receptor-deficient mice (n = 68) in a C57BL/6 background underwent ovariectomy, were implanted subcutaneously with 17beta-estradiol or placebo pellets, and were changed to a high cholesterol (1.25%) diet. Thereafter, four mice from each group were killed weekly for 8 weeks, and their aortae were frozen for immunohistochemical analysis. The lipid deposition was identified by Sudan black B staining. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression was detected with a rabbit anti-mice monocyte chemotactic protein-1 antibody, and semiquantitative analysis was performed. RESULTS: Consistent with previous reports, estradiol resulted in diminished vascular lipid deposition (22% +/- 7% vs 15% +/- 6% at 8 weeks of gestation, P <.05). We found that the inhibition of lipid deposition in aortae of animals that were treated with estrogen is associated with a concomitant down-regulation of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 immunoreactivity in aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells (P <.05). Serum total cholesterol concentrations did not differ between the two treatment groups, which suggests a direct effect of estradiol on the aorta. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that one of the mechanisms by which estrogen down-regulates atherogenesis is by the suppression of vascular monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression, which leads to decreased macrophage recruitment to the arterial wall early in the process.     

Effect of Abdominal Obesity on Insulin Resistance and the Components of the Metabolic Syndrome: Evidence Supporting Obesity as the Central Feature

Background: Metabolic syndrome includes abdominal obesity, diabetes type 2, hypertension, dyslipidemia, derangements of fibrinolysis, and atherosclerosis. Since abdominal obesity is one of the major components of the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), an attempt was made to evaluate the interrelationships between the magnitude of obesity and the components of the syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 123 subjects with type 2 diabetes, of whom 31 were normal body weight and 92 had varying degrees of obesity was conducted. The participants were investigated in terms of clinical and laboratory findings of IRS. Fasting and 30-min (early) plasma glucose and serum insulin excursions in response to oral glucose challenge (75 g) were determined. The peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance (insensitivity) was calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Results: Clinical and biochemical findings were compared with the components of the IRS, and demonstrated that a rise in fasting as well as 30-min insulin secretion increases as abdominal body fat (obesity) increases. There was also a significant and proportional correlation between the magnitude of abdominal obesity and the components of metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Abdominal adiposity appears to have a pivotal role in the development of IRS.     

Association of T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene with pyschiatric status in fibromyalgia syndrome

Serotonin (5-HT) is a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It is suggested that serotonergic dysfunction may be involved in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia syndrome (FS). In this study, we aimed to investigate T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene in FS. Fifty-eight patients with FS and 58 unrelated healthy volunteer controls were included in the study. In both groups, the C/C, C/T, and T/T genotypes of the 5-HT gene were represented in 31% (22.4% in controls), 50% (53.4%), and 19% (24.1%), respectively. The 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism results were not significantly different between patients and controls (chi squared test, P>0.05). There was a significant correlation between patients with the T/T genotype and the subgroup according to the SCL-90-R test, (analysis of variance, P<0.05). We also saw that patients with the T/T genotype had the lowest pain threshold. CONCLUSION. T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene is not associated with the etiology of FS. Our results also indicate that the T/T genotype may be responsible for psychiatric symptoms of FS.     

Intravenous dexmedetomidine, but not midazolam, prolongs bupivacaine spinal anesthesia

Purpose

Midazolam has only sedative properties. However, dexmedetomidine has both analgesic and sedative properties that may prolong the duration of sensory and motor block obtained with spinal anesthesia. This study was designed to compare intravenous dexmedetomidine with midazolam and placebo on spinal block duration, analgesia, and sedation in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate.

Methods

In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, 75 American Society of Anesthesiologists’ I and II patients received dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg · kg^?1, midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1, or saline intravenously before spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine 0.5% 15 mg (n = 25 per group). The maximum upper level of sensory block and sensory and motor regression times were recorded. Postoperative analgesic requirements and sedation were also recorded.

Results

Sensory block was higher with dexmedetomidine (T 4.6 ± 0.6) than with midazolam (T 6.4 ± 0.9; P < 0.001) or saline (T 6.4 ± 0.8; P < 0.001). Time for sensory regression of two dermatomes was 145 ± 26 min in the dexmedetomidine group, longer (P < 0.001) than in the midazolam (106 ± 39 min) or the saline (97 ± 27 min) groups. Duration of motor block was similar in all groups. Dexmedetomidine also increased the time to first request for postoperative analgesia (P < 0.01 compared with midazolam and saline) and decreased analgesic requirements (P < 0.05). The maximum Ramsay sedation score was greater in the dexmedetomidine and midazolam groups than in the saline group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Intravenous dexmedetomidine, but not midazolam, prolonged spinal bupivacaine sensory blockade. It also provided sedation and additional analgesia.     

A Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Flexible-Dose, Two-Way Crossover Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Sildenafil in Men With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury and Erectile Dysfunction

Background/Objective: