Prevalence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase E298D polymorphism in Turkish patients with essential hypertension

AimsOur aim was to evaluate the effects of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) E298D polymorphism in obesity variables and essential hypertension (eHT) development risk. The genotype frequencies of E298D polymorphism in eHT patients and non-hypertensive (non-HT) controls (proven to have normal coronaries angiographically) were analyzed for their association with demographic and obesity related data of the eHT patients and controls.Materials and methodseNOS gene E298D genotypes were determined with qPCR.ResultsThe eNOS E298D polymorphism frequencies for 298E/E, 298E/D and 298D/D genotypes were respectively as 41.1%, 44.6%, 14.3% in subjects eHT and 52.8%, 38.9%, 8.3% in the non-HT groups. The combined E298D homozygous polymorphic and heterozygous genotypes were found to have a decreasing effect on serum total-cholesterol levels in comparison to wild-type genotypes in eHT patients but not controls.ConclusionsOur results support the idea that, the eNOS E298D polymorphism, which is not associated with hypertension, may increase the risk of hypertension when associated with high serum total-cholesterol levels.     

Identification of distinct lymphocyte subsets responding to subcellular fractions of Mycobacterium bovis bacille calmette-Guérin (BCG)

In order to investigate the ability of Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination to induce immune responses toward different classes of mycobacterial antigens and the cell populations involved in such responses, proliferation of distinct human lymphocyte subsets from BCG-vaccinated donors in response to different subcellular fractions of BCG was analysed and compared with that of not sensitized subjects. Proliferation of different cell subsets was evaluated by flow cytometric determination of bromodeoxyuridine incorporated into DNA of dividing cells and simultaneous identification of cell surface markers. Although a certain degree of variability was observed among different donors, after 6 days of in vitro stimulation BCG-vaccinated subjects displayed, as a mean, a stronger blastogenic response to all the classes of antigens compared with non-sensitized ones. PPD, culture filtrates and membrane antigens induced a predominant proliferation of CD4+ T cells. In contrast, preparations enriched in cytosolic antigens elicited strong proliferation of gammadelta+ T cells which, as a mean, represented 55% of the proliferating cells. Although to a lesser extent, proliferation of gammadelta+ T cells was also elicited by preparations enriched in membrane and cell wall antigens. In response to the latter preparation proliferation of CD4+ T cells and CD16+/CD3- (natural killer (NK)) cells was observed, as well. In particular, cell wall antigens were found to induce significantly higher levels of proliferation of NK cells compared with all the other classes of antigens.     

Chondroitin sulfate-coated polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate membrane prevents adhesion in full-thickness tendon tears of rabbits

Polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate (pHEMA) membranes coated on one side with chondroitin sulfate (CS) were used to block adhesion physically and to reduce friction between healing flexor tendons and the surrounding tissue in rabbit forepaws after surgical repair. Digits with pHEMA-only, standard tendon sheath repair, and with no sheath repair were the controls. Over 12 weeks the CS-coated membranes were evaluated for joint flexion, adhesion limitation, and tendon healing progress. The membranes initially allowed for better flexion (ie, for 6 weeks), but their relative superior effectiveness faded afterward. Histology showed that adhesions were less severe and healing was better in the CS-pHEMA membranes at 3 and 6 weeks. If further studies determine precise amounts or thicknesses of CS coats that will maximize its healing properties, CS-pHEMA should prove useful in clinical settings in which restoration of tendon sheath integrity with a minimum of adhesions is not possible.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some 2-[p-substituted-phenyl]benzoxazol-5-yl-arylcarboxyamides

New 2-[p-substituted-phenyl ]benzoxazol-5-yl-arylcarboxyamides derivatives have been synthesized by reacting 5-amino-2-[p-substituted-phenyl ]benzoxazoles with substituted-arylcarboxylic acid chlorides. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR and (1)H NMR spectral data. Antimicrobial activities of the compounds were investigated using the two-fold serial dilution technique against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and the yeast C. albicans in comparison with standard drugs. Microbiological results indicated that the synthesized compounds possess a broad spectrum of activity, having an MIC value of 25-200 microg/mL at molar concentration values of 3.45 x 10(-5) and 5.74 x 10(-4) against the tested microorganisms.     

Synthesis and microbiological activity of some novel N-[2-(p-substitutedphenyl)-5-benzoxazolyl]-cyclohexyl carboxamide, -cyclohexyl acetamide and -cyclohexyl propionamide derivatives

The synthesis and microbiological activity of a new series of N-[2-(p-substitutedphenyl)-5-benzoxazolyl]-cyclohexyl carboxamide, -cyclohexyl acetamide and -cyclohexyl propionamide derivatives (4-11) is described. The in vitro microbiological activity of the compounds was determined against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans in comparison with standard drugs. Microbiological results indicated that the synthesized compounds possessed a broad spectrum of activity against the tested microorganisms.     

Neuron-specific enolase levels and neuroimaging in asphyxiated term newborns

The study was designed to investigate the cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of neuron-specific enolase, along with cranial ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electroencephalography (EEG), for predicting the clinical state and neurologic outcome of 26 asphyxiated term newborns. The babies were graded according to the Sarnat and Sarnat classification. Cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels of the 18 babies in the whole hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy group were higher than the 8 babies in the "no encephalopathy" group. Cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels of 13 cases in the hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade 2 and 3 groups (high-risk group) were higher than both the no encephalopathy and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade 1 groups when pooled. Cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels of the 7 newborns in the hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade 3 group were also significantly higher than the 5 in the hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade 1 group. The findings of cranial MRI, EEG, and cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels were correlated with each other and the clinical grade of the patients and also were predictive of the neurologic outcome at 1 year of age. Cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels, cranial MRI, and EEG are predictive of outcome of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in asphyxiated newborns, and this predictivity would increase with the combination of these diagnostic parameters.     

Inflammatory breast carcinoma: mammographic,ultrasonographic, clinical,and pathologic findings in 142 cases

PURPOSE: To determine and quantitate radiologic characteristics of inflammatory breast carcinoma and to report clinical and pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of records of 2,733 women who received a diagnosis of breast carcinoma between January 1988 and May 2000 revealed 142 histologically proved inflammatory carcinomas. Analysis included history; findings at physical examination, mammography, and ultrasonography (US); and histologic type of inflammatory carcinoma. RESULTS: At physical examination, skin changes (n = 115, 81%) were the most common findings. A palpable mass was noted in 62% (n = 88), with axillary lymph node involvement in 68% (n = 96) of the carcinomas. Mammography revealed findings in carcinomas: skin thickening, 84% (n = 119); diffusely increased density, 37% (n = 53); trabecular thickening, 81% (n = 115); mass, 16% (n = 23); asymmetric focal density, 61% (n = 87); microcalcifications, 56% (n = 80); nipple retraction, 43% (n = 61); and axillary lymphadenopathy, 24% (n = 34). US showed changes in carcinomas: skin thickening, 96% (n = 136); parenchymal echogenicity changes, 73% (n = 104); dilated lymphatic channels, 68% (n = 96); solid mass, 80% (n = 114); pectoral muscle invasion, 10% (n = 14); focal areas of parenchymal acoustic shadowing, 37% (n = 52); and axillary lymphadenopathy, 73% (n = 104). CONCLUSION: Presence of isolated inflammatory signs is sufficient to suggest inflammatory breast carcinoma clinically. Inflammatory breast carcinoma has a mammographic pattern of inflammatory changes, such as skin thickening and stromal coarsening and/or diffusely increased breast density with or without an associated mass and/or malignant-type microcalcifications. US is helpful not only in depiction of masses masked by the edema pattern but also in demonstration of skin and pectoral muscle invasion and axillary involvement.     

The neocartilaginous formation with hydroxyl-apatite in injection laryngoplasty: an experimental study on rabbit model

Adductor paralysis or the pathologies occurring after laryngeal surgery such as scarring or atrophy of the vocal cords cause glottic insufficiency during phonation. Injection laryngoplasty has been a widely accepted technique due to lower morbidity of the procedure and the applicability via endoscope in the treatment of these pathologies. Various materials have been used in injection laryngoplasty. The primary expectations in these techniques are the persistence of injected material long enough, without resorbtion or any cause of serious tissue response and having beneficial effects in reinforcing the glottic tissue. In the present study, we used large molecular-sized calcium hydroxyl-apatite (CaHA) particles in injection laryngoplasty to observe the effects of the material in the laryngeal tissues under the light microscopic examination. The study was performed on 12 rabbits in four groups. After injecting Ca₁₀ (PO4)₆(OH)₂ (Coaptite^®) into their vocal folds, the rabbits were killed at certain intervals, in the 1st week (group 1) in the 1st month (group 2) in the 3rd month (group 3) and in the 6th month (group 4). Larynges were removed and processed for light microscopic observations. Our observations revealed that this material induced the new cartilage formation without a serious tissue response in the larynges. Formation of a new cartilage tissue was the most significant, but an unexpected outcome of the study. The injected material inducing a neocartilage formation without any tissue reaction persisted long enough in the laryngeal tissues. Although neocartilage formation may interfere the vocal fold vibrations, providing glottic closure in the phonation with a durable material will be an important gain.