Chitotriosidase, interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in mild preeclampsia

Objective

Chitotriosidase (ChT) is an activated macrophage marker. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) are mainly produced macrophages. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between serum ChT activity, levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in patients with mild preeclampsia and normal pregnancy.

Methods

An overall 64 cases, 32 healthy pregnant control women (control group) and 32 women with mild preeclamptic patients (study group), were enrolled in this study. At the beginning of the study, all study participants were matched for age and gestational age. Serum ChT activity was measured by fluorometer; TNF-α and IL-1β levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The mean age, gestational week, parity and gravida were similar in the two groups (p?>?0.05). Serum ChT activity was significantly higher in the preeclampsia group compared to the control group (p?p?>?0.05). In the PE group, serum ChT activity was not correlated with TNF-α and IL-1β.

Conclusion

Mild preeclampsia is found associated with higher ChT activity. This result suggests that activated macrophages play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. This suggestion needs to be confirmed in future studies with larger populations.     

Expression, tissue distribution, and cellular localization of the antiapoptotic TIP-B1 protein

TIP-B1 is a novel 27-kDa protein isolated from the cytosol of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-stimulated cells. Cells preincubated with TIP-B1 are protected from TNF-induced apoptosis. This study showed that, as with normal fibroblasts and U937 histiocytic lymphoma, human MCF7 mammary adenocarcinoma cells were protected from TNF in a concentration-dependent manner by pretreatment with either TNF or purified TIP-B1. Immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses indicated expression of both TIP-B1 mRNA and protein in MCF7 cells and heart, kidney, brain, liver, ovary, uterus, thymus, spleen, lymph node, and mammary gland cells throughout their development. Expression of TIP-B1 was heterogeneous, with staining of specific cell types within tissues. Based on the ability of TIP-B1 to protect both normal and tumor cells from TNF-induced apoptosis and its broad tissue distribution, with expression only in select cells within those tissues, a role for TIP-B1 in the regulation of TNF-induced effects is strongly indicated.     

Feto-maternal morbidity and mortality after cardiac valve replacement

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the fetomaternal morbidity and mortality of the pregnancies of women who conceived after cardiac valve replacement. METHODS: A consecutive series of one hundred and thirty-six pregnancies of one hundred and one patients who conceived after cardiac valve replacement were retrospectively analyzed. Regarding the anticoagulation therapy, 101 patients were classified into three groups: A: patients on oral anticoagulants (n=68), B: patients on heparin (n=16) and C: patients who received no anticoagulation (n=17). RESULTS: Three groups (patients on oral anticoagulants (A), on heparin (B), patients who received no anticoagulation (C)) were compared in terms of spontaneous abortion (19%, 11%, 5.6%), preterm delivery (14%, 22.3%, 16.6%), maternal mortality (3%, 11.1%, 0%), thromboembolic events (4%, 11.1%, 0%), cardiac failure (6%, 11.1%, 11.1%), atrial fibrillation (9%, 11.1%, 5.6%), antenatal bleeding (9%, 11.1%, 5.6%), delivery route and fetal malformation (5%, 0%, 0%) and no statistically significant differences were detected. In group B, hematoma formation rate (22.2%) (p=0.011) and transfusion rate (27.8%) (p=0.005) were significantly higher. Five cases of congenital anomalies were detected, all belonging to group A, but this tendency was not found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Management of pregnancies with prosthetic heart valves require closely monitored anticoagulation, and an obstetrician should be familiar with the potential fetal and maternal adverse effects of any anticoagulant therapy during the course of pregnancy.     

Cytotoxicity of provisional crown and bridge restoration materials: an in vitro study

There are numerous materials used to provide temporary coverage for teeth while permanent restorations are being fabricated. The biocompatibility of these materials is important for the protection of teeth and gingiva, but there is little information on this subject. This study aimed to examine possible time-dependent toxic effects of provisional crown and bridge restoration materials, manipulated intraorally or extraorally, on epithelia cells. A total of 20 discs, 4 sample discs from each product having dimensions of 4 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness, were prepared. After sterilization, toxicity of these discs was evaluated in the Madin Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cell line. Morphological cell changes were observed microscopically at the 3rd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours by the filter diffusion test method. After the 3rd hour, Artglass and Structur produced cytotoxic symptoms. Temdent had the least toxic effects at the end of the 12th hour. However, after the 24th hour, the toxic values were similar for all materials. The results of this study show that although the toxicity response of chemically and light curing materials had changed in different time periods, all of them had the same toxic effects at the end of the 24th hour.     

Effects of various storage media on surface hardness and structure of four polyacid-modified composite resins ("compomers")

It was the purpose of this study to determine surface microhardness and structure of four poly-acid modified composite resins ("compomers") after 1-year storage in water and various solutions. Specimens of the compomers Dyract (DY), Compoglass F (CG), an experimental compomer (EC), and of F2000 (F) were stored at 37 degrees C for 1 year in distilled water, acidic buffer (pH 4.2), neutral buffer (pH 7.0), and neutral buffer supplemented with 1.6 u/ml porcine liver esterase. Then the specimens were kept dry for 3 days further. Continuously dry-stored samples (37 degrees C) served as controls. Surface microhardness (Vickers) was read at baseline (prior to wet storage), after 24 h and 144 h, then every 30 days up to 1 year and after the further 3 days of dry storage. Surface roughness (Ra) was determined at baseline, after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and, finally, after the further 3 days. In addition, randomly selected control and experimental specimens were investigated by SEM. Data were statistically analyzed by a three-factor ANOVA using Scheffé tests (P<0.05). Vickers hardness of all experimental samples dropped significantly due to wet storage (P<0.000) during the first month. However, the type of storage medium did not influence microhardness significantly. Surface roughness was not altered by wet storage except for compomer F, which revealed pronounced surface cracks in the SEM. Altogether, our findings point out that surface microhardness and structure of the investigated compomers were not significantly deteriorated by the tested intraoral conditions, such as humidity, pH-fluctuation, or the action of hydrolytic salivary enzymes.     

Low-tension electrical injury as a cause of atrial fibrillation: a case report

Electrical injury can cause a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation as a result of such injury is fairly rare, however, and is rarer still in cases of low-tension electrical injury. We present the case of a patient who developed acute atrial fibrillation in association with low-voltage electrical injury, which resolved after the intravenous administration of digoxin.     

Electrocardiographic changes in patients with ischaemic stroke and their prognostic importance

We investigated prognostic importance of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in ischaemic stroke patients without primary heart disease because of the limited evidence. This study consisted of 162 patients (92 male, age 64 +/- 14 years) with first ischaemic stroke presenting to hospital during 18 months. One-month mortality was analysed by means of ischaemia-like ECG changes, long QT and arrhythmia. Ischaemia-like ECG changes were observed in 79% of stroke patients and long QTc in 26% and arrhythmias in 44%. Early mortality rate was 27% (n = 44). Age, ST-segment change and abnormal U wave were univariate predictors of early mortality (each p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, age > 65 years (OR = 1.4, p = 0.02) and presence of ST-segment change (OR = 2.6, p = 0.01) were only independent predictors. Although sensitivity and specificity of ST-segment change were relatively low to identify patients at risk of death, its negative predictive value was 82%. The ECG changes are frequently seen in selected patients with ischaemic stroke. Regardless of origin, ST-segment change can be a predictor of early mortality.