Cognition as a parameter in monitoring the effect of multiple sclerosis relapse treatment: A prospective controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive evaluation was considered to be very important in the relapse period, on the basis of the presence of isolated cognitive attacks and the necessity of monitoring the patient both physically and cognitively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: People with MS (pwMS) who were hospitalized during relapse were included in the study. All MS patients were evaluated by the neurologist with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), The 9 Hole Peg Test (9HPT) and the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25-FWT). Additionally, all participants were examined cognitively with the Turkish version of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery. Also, schedules were indicated as during relapse before the treatment (pre-treatment) and the first month after relapse (1-month follow-up). RESULTS: A total of 140 MS patients (mean age; 34.98±10.09, mean disease duration; 6.05±5.29 years) and 86 healthy controls (mean age; 36.94±10.83) were included to the present study. The mean EDSS scores in pre-treatment in MS patients was 2.74±1.14 and decreased significantly in the 1-month follow-up (1.74±1.24; p<0.001). The mean SDMT score was lower by 8.76 points in MS patients than in HCs) in pre-treatment and 7.66 points in 1-month follow-up (p<0.001). The mean SDMT scores of all participants increased with measurement time gradually (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, it was detected which cognitive domains were affected after relapse treatment and cognitive changes in pwMS during relapse and remission periods compared to the healthy controls. All three BICAMS test scores significantly increased in one-month follow-up than the pre-treatment period. The results showed that CVLT-II and BVMT-R scores improved more in pwMS than in HCs, and also SDMT scores of pwMS showed a trend of increase, but was not a significant improvement.

Relationship between platelet indices in acute cholecystitis: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: We aimed to investigate changes in initial platelet indices in patients arriving at the emergency department with acute cholecystitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Demographics, comorbidities, laboratory data, length of hospital stay, and mortality data for the acute cholecystitis group were retrospectively obtained from the hospital digital database. Platelet count, mean platelet volume, plateletcrit, platelet distribution width, and platelet mass index were collected. RESULTS: A total of 553 patients with acute cholecystitis were the study cases, and 541 hospital employees were the study controls. According to the results of the multivariate analysis of the platelet indices studied, only mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width showed significant differences between the two groups (adjusted odds ratio: 2, 95% confidence interval: 1.4-2.7, p < 0.001 and adjusted odds ratio: 5.88, 95% confidence interval: 2.44-14.4, p < 0.001, respectively). The multivariate regression model created had an area under the curve of 0.969 in the prediction of acute cholecystitis (accuracy: 0.917, sensitivity: 89%, and specificity: 94.5%). CONCLUSION: The study results indicate that the initial mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width were independent predictors of acute cholecystitis.

Comparison of PECARN and CATCH clinical decision rules in children with minor blunt head trauma.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Computerized brain tomography (CBT) imaging plays a key role in the management of patients with head trauma, and there is an indication for CBT in moderate and severe injuries. However, it is difficult to determine an indication for CBT in patients with minor head trauma. The primary aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of the most commonly used clinical decision rules: the guidelines of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), and those of the Canadian Assessment of Tomography for Childhood Head Injury (CATCH). METHODS: The study, which was designed as a prospective cohort study, sought to determine the appropriate CBT indications for children younger than 18 years who were referred to the emergency department with minor blunt head trauma. The effectiveness of PECARN and CATCH clinical decision rules, which are recommended by literature to be applied in order to diagnose severely injured patients and minimize inappropriate CBT requests, was investigated. All patients included in this study were younger than 18 years of age, were admitted to the study with an isolated blunt head trauma, had a GCS of > 13, and had parental permission to participate in the study. Patients ages 18 and older, those with penetrating head trauma or trauma to other systems, those with GCS ≤ 13, those with incomplete data, and those whose parents did not agree to participate in the study, were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients were included in the study. PECARN and CATCH rules were both shown to be statistically significant in detecting the presence of pathology (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). Overall, PECARN was more successful than CATCH in detecting intracranial pathology. The sensitivity of PECARN was 95 (95% CI 72-100%) and specificity was 53 (95% CI 47-60%), while the sensitivity of CATCH was 48 (95% CI 25-71%) and specificity was 83 (95% CI 79-88%). Multivariate regression analyses were performed on the parameters (low GCS, abnormal mental status, age, non-frontal hematoma) and other parameters (vomiting, headache, abnormal behavior according to parents) that were considered to be clinically significant despite having a p value of < 0.3. Age, low GCS, and non-frontal hematoma presence were found to be significant in predicting the presence of pathology. In particular, low GCS increased the probability of pathology 5.94-fold and non-frontal hematoma presence 4.37-fold. CONCLUSION: While both PECARN and CATCH were found to be effective in determining the necessity of CBT for children with minor blunt head trauma, PECARN proved to be more useful for emergency services because of its higher sensitivity. The authors suggest that conducting a CBT scan based on clinical decision rules may be a suitable approach for early detection of the presence of intracranial acute pathologies in young children with minor blunt head trauma, especially if the GCS score is < 15 and non-frontal hematomas are present.

A novel way of using pyrolytic gas derived from waste rubber: Pyrometallurgical reduction of NiO.

In the present study, a novel way of using pyrolytic gas generated by the pyrolysis of waste rubber was introduced. The method involves reduction of metal oxides by pyrolytic gas. The pyrometallurgical reduction behavior of NiO was studied to demonstrate the feasibility of the process. The rubber pyrolysis and the NiO reduction experiments were carried out in a horizontal tube at 1000 K using Ar as carrier gas. It was determined that the waste rubber was completely pyrolyzed in Ar flow. The extent of NiO reduction was investigated as a function of mass ratio of rubber to NiO (0-7.345). X-ray diffraction and mass measurements revealed that single-phase Ni was obtained at the ratio of 0.734. Complete reduction of NiO to Ni was predicted at the lower mass ratios by thermodynamics. The quantitative discrepancy between the thermodynamics and the experiments was discussed. Thermodynamic analysis of the Ni-O-C-H-Ar system indicated that NiO was reduced to Ni by the gaseous species (essentially H2, CH4, C6H6) at 1000 K. The novel route presented here may be extended to the reduction of other materials using waste rubber.

EFFECT OF INSULIN RESISTANCE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF PREGNANCY IN WOMEN TREATED EMPIRICALLY FOR UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY.

CONTEXT: The detrimental effects of hyperinsulinemia on human ovaries during follicular development process have been shown in various studies, particularly in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. To our knowledge there is no study regarding the effect of insulin resistance (IR) on the intrauterine insemination (IUI) success in women with unexplained infertility (UEI). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of IR on the occurrence of pregnancy among infertile women undergoing ovulation induction (OI) with IUI for UEI. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 173 patients who met the criteria for UEI and under the age of 35 were included in this study. All women underwent OI with IUI and, subsequently, they were divided into two groups based on the presence of pregnancy. Data reviewed for analysis were demographic, clinical, and laboratory features. RESULTS: There were 37 (21.4%) cycles with pregnancy and 136 (78.6%) cycles without pregnancy. Median infertility duration was significantly lower in the pregnant group when compared with non-pregnants (p=0.018). The mean number of previous cycles per patient was also lower in this group (p=0.028). No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of other variables. Levels of insulin, fasting glucose and HOMA-IR were also similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: IR calculated by using HOMA-IR index has no positive or negative effect on the occurrence of pregnancy in women undergoing OI therapy with IUI for UEI.

Associations between polymorphisms of IL-17F and IL-17A genes with disease activity and clinical outcome of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Aims In this study, we aimed to investigate the associations between the 7383A/G and 7488A/G polymorphisms of the interleukin (IL)-17F gene and the G197A polymorphism of the IL-17A gene with disease activity and clinical outcomes in Turkish patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: The study included 101 AS patients and 106 healthy controls. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, in addition to scores of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) of the patients, were recorded. The frequencies of genotypes 7383A/G and 7488A/G of the IL-17F and G197A of IL-17A genes and alleles were compared between the patients and healthy controls. MAJOR RESULTS: There were significant differences in the allele frequencies and genotype distribution of IL-17F 7488A/G. There were also significant differences in the CRP levels and BASFI scores of patients due to the genotype distribution of the IL-17F 7488A/G polymorphism (p= 0.029, 0.045, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the IL-17F 7488A/G polymorphism may be associated with susceptibility to AS, disease activity and functional status in Turkish patients. Further studies with larger numbers of AS patients, with a long-term follow-up, are needed to elucidate the observed relations.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of Achilles tendon in children with flatfoot: A case-control morphometric study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether any relationships exist between the presence of flatfoot and ultrasonographic morphometric findings of Achilles tendon in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 pediatric patients with a mean age of 11.96±2.44 (SD) years (range: 9-16 years) with flexible flatfoot and 29 healthy pediatric controls who were matched for age and served as a control group. Demographic data of both groups such as age, height and weight, and anthropometric measurements including leg length and, length and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon on ultrasonography were tabulated. Relationships between the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon and flatfoot and the other parameters were searched for using backward multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: No associations between flatfoot and length and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon, age, height, leg and foot length were found. A negative correlation was found between the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon and presence of flatfoot (Beta=-4.93, P=0.01) and age (Beta=-1.96, P=0.04). A positive correlation was found between the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon and shoe size (Beta=2.13, P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Flatfoot, shoe size, age and weight must be kept in mind as a clue for a thinner Achilles tendon morphometry which can be a risk factor in lower limb pathologies.

The expression of miR-181a-5p and miR-371b-5p in chondrosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: Chondrosarcomas are malignant tumors of chondrocytes that affect bones and joints, and it represents the third most common type of primary bone tumors. Chondrosarcoma is difficult to treat because it is relatively resistant to both chemotherapy and radiation. Thus, surgery remains the best available treatment. It is important to find new diagnostic markers and improve treatment options. BACKGROUND: miRNAs are small non-coding transcripts (19-25 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression via targeting complementary sequences within messenger RNAs (mRNAs). miRNAs have been shown to be involved in regulation of many biochemical pathways. Dysregulated expression of many miRNAs has also been associated with multiple human diseases, such as cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 18 surgical chondrosarcoma specimens were obtained from patients. RNA extractions were performed from decalcified paraffin embedded tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels of miR-181a and miR-371b in patients with chondrosarcoma by using RT-PCR and to evaluate the relationship between these miRNAs and chondrosarcoma. RESULTS: miR-181a was found to be upregulated in chondrosarcoma specimens whereas no significant alteration was found for miR-371b expression. CONCLUSIONS: It has been proposed that miRNA expression studies might be used as diagnostic, prognostic marker in cancer. miRNA expression data produced in our study may contribute future chondrosarcoma diagnosis and therapy.

Relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and impaired myocardial perfusion in cardiac syndrome X.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial tissue perfusion is decreased in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). Systemic inflammation appears to be an important contributor to the diseased microvascular network of these patients. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a surrogate marker of inflammation. Accordingly, we evaluated this biomarker concerning the microvascular circulation of CSX patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 60 consecutive patients (54.1 ± 7.8 years of age, 49 females) with CSX (typical chest pain, positive exercise stress test results, and normal coronary angiograms) and 60 consecutive age- and sex-matched control subjects. In all coronary territories, epicardial coronary flow was assessed by the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction frame count (TFC) method, and myocardial tissue perfusion was assessed by the myocardial blush grade (MBG) method. Normal myocardial perfusion was accepted as an MBG score of 3 in all coronary territories. RESULTS: Patients with CSX had higher NLRs than those of control subjects (1.98 ± 0.77 vs 1.72 ± 0.55, respectively; p = 0.04). Among patients with CSX, those with impaired myocardial perfusion had higher NLRs than those with normal myocardial perfusion (2.13 ± 0.82 vs 1.71 ± 0.59, respectively; p = 0.028). There was a negative correlation between the NLR and total MBG score (p = 0.027, r = -0.29). Logistic regression analysis showed that the NLR was an independent and negative predictor of myocardial tissue perfusion (p = 0.027; Beta, -1.057; odds ratio, 2.878; 95% confidence interval, 1.129-7.335). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CSX have high NLRs, and inflammation seems to be associated with distorted myocardial perfusion in these patients.

Gene expressions of TRP channels in glioblastoma multiforme and relation with survival.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most lethal forms of cancer in humans, with a median survival of 10 to 12 months. Glioblastoma is highly malignant since the cells are supported by a great number of blood vessels. Although new treatments have been developed by increasing knowledge of molecular nature of the disease, surgical operation remains the standard of care. The TRP (transient receptor potential) superfamily consists of cation-selective channels that have roles in sensory physiology such as thermo- and osmosensation and in several complex diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, and neuronal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels of TRP channel genes in patients with glioblastoma multiforme and to evaluate the relationship between TRP gene expressions and survival of the patients. Thirty-three patients diagnosed with glioblastoma were enrolled to the study. The expression levels of 21 TRP genes were quantified by using qRT-PCR with dynamic array 48 × 48 chip (BioMark HD System, Fluidigm, South San Francisco, CA, USA). TRPC1, TRPC6, TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM7, TRPM8, TRPV1, and TRPV2 were found significantly higher in glioblastoma patients. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the overexpression of TRP genes and the survival of the patients. These results demonstrate for the first time that TRP channels contribute to the progression and survival of the glioblastoma patients.

Role of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel gene expressions and TRP melastatin (TRPM) channel gene polymorphisms in obesity-related metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is correlated with increased cardiovascular risk and characterized by several factors, including visceral obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. The etiology of MetS is complex, and can be influenced by genetic susceptibility. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels gene expressions and TRP melastatin (TRPM) gene polymorphisms with MetS in a Turkish population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 142 patients with obesity-related MetS and 166 healthy controls with similar age and sex were enrolled to this study. For polymorphism studies, genomic DNA from the participants was analyzed by a BioMark 96.96 dynamic array system (Fluidigm, South San Francisco, CA, USA). For gene expression studies, mRNA from blood samples was extracted, and real time polymerase chain reaction on the BioMark HD system was performed. RESULTS: There was an increase in A allele (64.6% in patients vs. 49.5% in controls) and decrease in G allele frequencies (35.4% in patients vs. 50.5% in control, p = 0.0019) of the TRPM5 gene rs4929982 (Arg578Gln) polymorphism. We also observed that the distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of the TRPM8 gene rs12472151 in MetS patients were significantly different from controls (p < 0.0001). Although there were marked decreases in TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPM2, TRPM5, TRPV4, TRPV5, TRPV6, MCOLN2 (TRPML2), and MCOLN3 (TRPML3) gene expressions, an augmentation was noted in TRPC6 gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic polymorphisms in TRPM5 and TRPM8 genes may modify individual susceptibility to MetS in the Turkish population. This study also revealed that there is a significant relationship between TRP channels gene expressions and MetS.

Association of Rho/Rho-kinase gene polymorphisms and expressions with obesity-related metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common multicomponent condition including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of Rho GTPase and Rho-kinase (ROCK) gene polymorphisms and expressions with MetS in a Turkish population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 141 obese MetS patients and 163 healthy controls with similar age and sex were included to this study. Polymorphisms were analyzed in genomic DNA using a BioMark 96.96 dynamic array system. mRNA from blood samples was extracted, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for gene expressions. RESULTS: We observed that genotype (CC, 18.1%; CA, 13.4%, and AA, 68.5%) and allele (C, 24.8%; A, 75.2%) frequencies for the rs35996865 polymorphism of the ROCK1 gene in patients were markedly different from controls (CC, 84.2%; CA, 2.9%, and AA, 12.9%; C, 85.6%; A, 14.4%, p < 0.0001). In the rs2230774 (Thr431Asn) polymorphism of the ROCK2 gene, there were increases in the CC genotype (16.5%) and C allele frequencies (20.4%) in MetS patients when compared with the control group (CC, 6.0%, p = 0.0009, and C, 6.7%, p < 0.0001). However, no associations with the other 18 polymorphisms studied were found. Although there were an increase in peripheral blood mRNA RhoH expressions, marked decreases in RhoC, RhoBTB1, RhoV, Rnd1, and CDC42 gene expressions were noted in MetS patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to provide evidence that ROCK gene polymorphisms and gene expressions of the Rho GTPase proteins may modify individual susceptibility to MetS in the Turkish population.

A comparative study of conventional physiotherapy versus robotic training combined with physiotherapy in patients with stroke.

BACKGROUND: There has been a growing interest in the use of robotic therapy to improve walking ability in individuals following stroke. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare conventional physiotherapy (CP) with robotic training (RT) combined with CP and to measure the effects on gait, balance, functional status, cognitive function, and quality of life in patient with stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 107 cases of new cerebral stroke. They were allocated into 2 groups. In the RT group (n = 36), patients received RT (Lokomat; 2 times per week) combined with CP (3 times per week) for at least 30 sessions. In the CP group (n = 71), patients received a program at least 30 sessions, 5 times per week. The evaluation parameters included modified Ashworth Spasticity Scale (MASS), Brunnstrom Recovery Scale (BRS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. RESULTS: Posttreatment results showed significant improvements for all parameters (except lower extremity MASS scores) in both groups. However, when we compared the percentage changes of parameters at discharge relative to pretreatment values, improvements in FIM, MMSE, and all subparts of SF-36 were better in the RT group (P < .05). Comparison of posttreatment evaluation parameters for categorical variables showed that the lower extremity categories in the BRS were significantly better in the RT group than the CP group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: RT combined with CP produced better improvement in FIM, MMSE, BRS lower extremity categories, and all subparts of SF-36 of the patients with subacute and chronic stroke (up to 1 year) than the CP program.

Variations in the form of the hypoglossal canal in ancient Anatolian populations: comparison of two recording methods.

In this study, the frequency of bridging of the hypoglossal canal was investigated on 324 skulls belonging to 10 ancient Anatolian populations recovered from various archaeological sites and dated from Early Bronze Age to the first quarter of the 20th century. The change in the frequency of bridging trait in the hypoglossal canal that has already been recorded according to both the traditional method (absent or present) and the graded method (0-5) was analysed here in relationship to age, sex, skull side and population. The results revealed no significant relation between the bridging of hypoglossal canal and age or sex. Both recording methods showed that the studied samples of ancient Anatolian populations exhibited a homogenous structure and they were found to differ considerably from other populations which inhabited lands other than Anatolia. This indicates that these two recording methods produce similar results in comparing populations. The differences between the sides were found to be significant with the detailed recording method as opposed to the dichotomous method. This asymmetry emerging with the detailed recording method is considered to be important in determining the effect of environmental factors upon the trait.

First Report of Group 16SrXII Phytoplasma Causing Stolbur Disease in Potato Plants in the Eastern and Southern Anatolia Regions of Turkey.

In recent years, a stolbur-like disease has had devastating effects on the yield and marketable quality of potato production in Erzurum (Eastern Anatolia) and Akcakale-Sanliurfa (Southern Anatolia) regions of Turkey. Potato plants exhibited several different symptoms including stunting, upward rolling of the top leaves along with reddish or purplish coloration, chlorosis, shortened internodes, swollen nodes, proliferated axillary buds, aerial tubers, and early plant decline. An extensive survey from 2003 to 2010 was performed and diseased plant samples were collected. Total genomic DNAs were isolated from the leaf mid-veins of the six different symptomatic and two symptomless plants selected. Nested-PCRs, carried out by using phytoplasma-universal primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 (2), amplified 16S rDNA fragments (F2nR2) from only templates derived from symptomatic plants. F2nR2 PCR products from two independent symptomatic plants were cloned and sequenced from both directions with M13 universal primers. The obtained 16S rDNA sequence (GenBank Accession No HM485579) was subjected to virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using iphyclassifier software (3). Results indicated that the phytoplasma, here identified in association with potato plants, shared best sequence identity (99%) with members of subgroup 16SrXII-A (e.g., GenBank Accession No. EU010006). Moreover, collective RFLP pattern of potato-associated phytoplasma differed from digestion profiles of previously described 16SrXII subgroups, sharing best similarity coefficient (0.94) with the reference phytoplasma strain of subgroup 16SrXII-A (GenBank Accession No. AJ964960). Thus, it was confirmed that potato-associated phytoplasma represents a new 16SrXII subgroup (16SrXII-N). Furthermore, a new primer set (PatsecF/PatsecR) was designed for priming specific PCR-amplification of potato-associated phytoplasma 16S rDNA sequence. PCR reaction was successfully used for specifically detecting stolbur phytoplasma in infected potato plants. The use of this method may help to determine possible alternative hosts and vectors of potato phytoplasma, which is important for development of an integrated management strategy for effective control of this disease in the future. Presence of potato stolbur diseases in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey has previously been reported (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of occurrence of a 16SrXII group phytoplasma causing potato stolbur diseases caused in the Eastern and Southern Anatolia regions of Turkey. References: (1) A. Citir. J. Turk. Phytopathol. 14:53, 1985. (2) D. E. Gundersen and I. M. Lee. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 35:144, 1996. (3)Y. Zhao et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:2582, 2009.

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness by echocardiography is a marker for the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), which is thought to be a component of visceral adiposity, is associated with the metabolic syndrome. We aimed to test the hypothesis that echocardiographic EAT thickness can be a marker for the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHOD AND RESULTS: In all, 150 patients (100 patients with CAD and 50 patients with normal coronary arteries by diagnostic coronary angiography; 65 women, 85 men; mean age 55.7+/-7.4 years) were enrolled. EAT thickness was measured using 2-D echocardiographic parasternal long- and short-axis views. EAT thickness measurements were compared with angiographic findings. EAT thickness was significantly higher in patients with CAD in comparison to those with normal coronary arteries (6.9+/-1.5 mm vs. 4.4+/-0.8 mm; P<0.001). Furthermore, EAT thickness increased with the severity of CAD (multivessel disease 7.4+/-1.2 mm vs. single vessel disease 5.7+/-1.7 mm; P<0.001). Gensini's score significantly correlated with EAT thickness (r=0.600, P<0.001). EAT thickness of > or = 5.2 mm had 85% sensitivity and 81% specificity (ROC area 0.914, P<0.001, 95% CI [0.86-0.96]) for predicting CAD. CONCLUSION: EAT thickness, which is easily and non-invasively evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography, can be an adjunctive marker to classical risk factors for the prediction of CAD.

Why did the frequency of palatine torus increase in the ancient Anatolian populations?

The frequency of the palatine torus varies in various populations from different regions of the world. In this study, the change of frequency of palatine torus is examined using 387 skulls from 12 different ancient Anatolian populations in various periods ranging from the Early Bronze Age to the first quarter of the 20th century. While the frequency of palatine torus is 45% in the Early Bronze Age, this ratio steadily increases to 87% in the Ottoman Period and finally declines to 40% during the recent period. It was determined that the increase in the frequency of the palatine torus is statistically significant across different periods from the Early Bronze Age until the 20th century. Constituting a passageway between Asia and Europe and being located on the crossroads of the most important trade route of the Medieval Period, the Silk Road, Anatolia is known to have been subjected to recurring invasions and migrations since the 11th century A.D. Therefore, it is possible to say that, with the introduction of the Mongoloid influence in Anatolia, genetic flow has had a significant role in the observed increase in the frequency of this trait.

The frequency of metopism in Anatolian populations dated from the Neolithic to the first quarter of the 20th century.

Metopism, which is defined as a condition in which the two pieces of the frontal bone fail to merge in early childhood, displays varying degrees of incidence. In this study, the variation of the frequency of metopism across historical periods is investigated on the skulls of 487 adults from 12 different Ancient Anatolian populations dated to various periods of history ranging from the Neolithic to the first quarter of the 20th century. In addition, the study also examines the relationship of metopism to sex and cranial form. It is revealed that the frequency of metopism showed a relative increase across time periods in Anatolia after the Neolithic Period, with the exception of the Cevizcioglu Ciftligi population. However, no significant relationship was found between metopism and cranial form or sex. It is found that the frequency of metopism in Ancient Anatolia had a distribution range of 3.3-14.9%. This distribution shows that the inhabitants of Anatolia have a heterogeneous genetic make-up due to the geographical situation of Anatolia, which has been open to gene flow both in the past and at present.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography in the assessment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in asymptomatic recipients.

PURPOSE: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the most important cause of late mortality among cardiac allograft recipients. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is considered a safe and cost-effective method to screen these patients who remain free of angina most of the time. We evaluated DSE results in a series of cardiac allograft recipients. METHODS: The DSE was performed on a yearly basis. From 2004 to 2006, twelve DSEs were performed on 8 patients, including 7 men, and overall mean age of 36 +/- 12 years. Dobutamine infusion begun at 5 microg/kg/min was titrated at 3-minute stages to 10, 20, 40, and 50 microg/kg/min to achieve the target heart rate. In addition, at every stage, we performed a 12-lead EKG, heart rate, and blood pressure recording. The DSE results were compared with coronary angiograms and endomyocardial biopsies. RESULTS: Two patients displayed mildly and 1 patient a severely abnormal DSE test. The severely abnormal DSE test was associated with severe coronary artery stenosis, including inexperiment of the left main coronary artery. The second patient with an abnormal DSE had contour irregularities and distal cut-off of the right coronary artery as well as 2R cellular rejection. The third patient had a normal angiogram and no rejection. None of the patients with normal DSE experienced a cardiac event, coronary lesions, or rejection. CONCLUSION: Use of DSE appears to be a sensitive method to detect CAV in asymptomatic recipients. However, mild wall motion abnormalities can be detected in patients without stenosing coronary lesions. The value of DSE in predicting CAV must be examined in larger series with long-terms of follow-up.

Probing chromosome structure with dynamic force relaxation.

We report measurements of the dynamics of force relaxation in single mitotic chromosomes, following step strains applied with micropipettes of force constant approximately 1 nN/microm. The force relaxes exponentially after an elongation (l/l(0)) to less than 3x native length, with a relaxation time approximately 2 sec. This relaxation time corresponds to an effective viscosity approximately 10(5) times that of water. We experimentally rule out solvent flow into the chromosome as the mechanism for the relaxation time. Instead, the relaxation can be explained in terms of the disentanglement dynamics of approximately 80 kb chromatin loop domains.