Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 Polymorphism in Patients With Myeloproliferative Diseases: A STROBE-Compliant Observational Study

Chronic myeloproliferative disorders such as polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocytosis (ET), and idiopathic myelofibrosis arise from clonal proliferation of neoplastic stem cells in the bone marrow. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that have potential to degrade all types of extracellular matrix (ECM) and also play a role in remodeling of the ECM. It is known that MMPs play a role in bone marrow remodeling.The primary goal of our study is to explore the relationship between chronic myeloproliferative diseases and some of MMP gene polymorphisms. The demonstration of a relationship will help to understand whether these polymorphisms may be a potential early diagnosis marker of the diseases.Patients were selected from outpatient clinics of Turgut Ozal University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between December 2010 and May 2011. Twenty-eight patients that previously diagnosed and followed-up with PV, 17 with secondary polycythemia (SP), and 12 with ET were enrolled in the study, along with a control group of 22 healthy people.DNA was isolated from peripheral blood. Using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method, MMP2 and MMP9 gene polymorphisms were analyzed with agarose gel electrophoresis. There was a statistically significant difference between the study groups and the control group in terms of Gln279Arg polymorphisms rates of MMP9. The highest MMP9 Gln279Arg polymorphism rate was observed in the ET group. But nobody from the control group had polymorphic MMP9. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of MMP2-735 C > T polymorphism rates.In conclusion, MMP9 gene Gln279Arg polymorphism was associated with ET, SP, and PV diseases. Hence, we believe that these gene polymorphisms may play a role in the mechanism of bone marrow fibrosis and may be a factor that increases the risk of thrombosis. Illumination of the molecular basis of the relationship between MMP-thrombosis and MMP-fibrosis provides a better understanding of the pathophysiology of PV and ET diseases and will allow new approaches to diagnosis and treatment.     

Is radiological appearance of lower respiratory tract infection due to respiratory syncytial virus a predictor of clinical outcome?

Objective: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection is the most common viral infection in childhood. RSV-infected infants demonstrate various radiographic findings. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether assessment of radiological characteristics of lower tract infection due to RSV may be a predictor of clinical outcome in newborns.

Methods: The study included 36 newborn infants hospitalized for lower tract infection. In order to detect RSV, RSV Respi-Strip (Coris Bioconcept Organization) test kits were used on admission. Chest X-rays and clinical characteristics of the study group were reviewed.

Results: Of 36 patients hospitalized for lower tract infection from October 2012 to April 2013, 18 (50%) newborns were infected with RSV. The study included 36 neonates. Patients with RSV-positive infants at admission had greater need for respiratory support, supplemental oxygen and prolonged stay in the NICU. Newborns with an atelectasis pattern on admission chest radiograph had greater at RSV-positive infants.

Conclusion: Chest radiological patterns with lower respiratory tract infection in newborn infants due to RSV are a predictor of clinical outcome.     

The rare coexistence of high titer inhibitor development and gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a patient with severe hemophilia: A case report

Hemophilia is a hereditary disease with impaired blood coagulation due to a genetic deficiency of blood coagulation factors. The development of inhibitors further complicates the course of the disease and management. The case is here reported of a haemophilia patient who presented with coexisting development of high titer inhibitor with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) diagnosis and was admitted with upper gastrointestinal system bleeding. The patient had no prior history of inhibitor presence. During all procedures including surgery, excellent hemostasis was achieved with rFVIIa treatment and no hemorrhagic complication was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this constitutes the first reported case of GIST associated with inhibitor development in a hemophilia A patient.     

Effect of two different kinesio taping techniques on knee kinematics and kinetics in young females

[Purpose] The application of kinesio taping may improve strength and performance, inhibit and facilitate motor activity, and increase range of motion. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of kinesio taping facilitation and inhibition applications on spatiotemporal knee kinematics and kinetics during walking activity in healthy subjects. [Subjects and Methods] A three-dimensional quantitative gait evaluation was performed without tape and with, facilitation and inhibition kinesio taping application on the knee. Sixteen healthy female college students (age, 19.7 ± 0.4 years; height, 1.64 ± 3.4 cm; body mass, 51.5 ± 4.8 kg) participated in the study. [Results] Spatiotemporal parameters (cadence, walking speed, stride length) were significantly different among the trials. Knee joint sagittal plane range of motion was not different with either kinesio taping application. Knee external flexion moment during the early stance phase decreased significantly with facilitation kinesio taping and increased with the inhibition kinesio taping. Knee external extension moment during the mid-stance phase increased with facilitation kinesio taping. Knee power parameters, eccentric activity in the rectus femoris during the pre-swing phase was significantly increased with inhibition kinesio taping application, while eccentric activity of the hamstrings during the terminal swing of gait was decreased. [Conclusion] These findings showed that facilitation kinesio taping application affected the terminal stance phase and that inhibition kinesio taping influenced the terminal swing phase compared with the no tape condition.Key words: Kinesio tape, Knee joint, Gait analysis     

Evaluation of microleakage of root canal fillings irradiated with different output powers of erbium,chromium:yttrium‐scandium‐gallium‐garnet laser

This study evaluated the root canal seal achieved by irradiation with an erbium, chromium:yttrium‐scandium‐gallium‐garnet laser, and the optimal output power to remove debris and the smear layer were determined. One hundred mandibular premolar teeth were prepared and divided into four groups. Group 1 was not lased but was irrigated with 5 mL of 5.25% NaOCl and 5 mL of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Group 2 was irradiated at a panel setting of 1 W, group 3 at 2 W and group 4 at 2.5 W, with a 50% water level and 48% air‐cooling level. Root canals were obturated by cold lateral compaction, and apical microleakage was measured using a fluid filtration model. The remaining debris and smear layer were evaluated via scanning electron microscopy. Statistically significant differences were detected between groups. Irradiation at 1 and 2 W using an erbium, chromium:yttrium‐scandium‐gallium‐garnet laser produced a seal superior to that of the other treatments.     

The impact of injury severity on long-term social outcome following paediatric traumatic brain injury

Despite suggestions that paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) disrupts social skill development, few studies have investigated long-term social outcome following the transition into adulthood. The current study aimed to investigate long-term social outcome, in a sample of 36 survivors who suffered a mild, moderate or severe TBI between 8 and 12 years of age. At 7–10 years post-injury, the age of participants ranged between 16 and 22 years. Social outcome was assessed using a number of self-rated and parent-rated questionnaires, in order to obtain self- and other-rated accounts of the groups' current social functioning. Predictors of long-term social outcome were also explored, with findings suggesting that young people who suffered mild TBI during childhood tended to be functioning at a higher level on some measures of social functioning, compared to those that suffered a moderate and severe injury. Further, results suggested that pre-injury adaptive functioning and socio-economic status predicted long-term functioning for some measures of social outcome. Finally, social problem-solving skills predicted the success of social reintegration post-TBI. These preliminary findings indicate that there is a risk of social difficulties following paediatric TBI continuing into adulthood, and that a number of demographic, social, and neuropsychological variables continue to predict social outcome even at this late stage post-injury.