A Cytogenetic Study of Turkish Children with Global Developmental Delay.

Global developmental delay (GDD)/intellectual disability (ID) is common in children and its etiology is unknown in many cases. Chromosomal abnormalities are predominant genetic causes of GDD/ID. The aim of this study is to determine the genetic risk factors that may be involved in the etiology of GDD/ID. In this study, 810 children with moderate to severe, clinically unexplained GDD/ID for whom cytogenetic analysis were performed were retrospectively rescreened. The results showed that GDD/ID affected more females than males (2 girls:1 boy). A total of 54 children (6.7%) with GDD showed chromosomal aberrations (CAs): 59.3% of these CAs were structural aberrations, and the rest were numerical aberrations (40.7%). Specifically, inversions, deletions, and reciprocal and robertsonian translocations, which were detected in 1, 0.7, 0.8, and 0.4% of the children, respectively, constituted important categories of structural CAs. Among numerical CAs, classic Turner and mosaics were detected in 1.2% of all children. Trisomy 21 and mosaic trisomy 21 were detected in 1% of the children. Marker chromosomes and 47,XXY karyotypes were found in two children each. Our results suggest that female sex is more affected by CAs among GDD/ID cases, and cytogenetic analysis is useful in the etiological diagnosis of GDD/ID.

Cytogenetic status of patients with congenital malformations or suspected chromosomal abnormalities in Turkey: a comprehensive cytogenetic survey of 11,420 patients.

Cytogenetic analysis is helpful in diagnostic workup of patients having prenatal or early postnatal medical problems and provides a basis for genetic counseling or deciding on clinical treatment options. Chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) constitute one of the most important category of genetic defects which have the potential to cause irreversible disorders. In this study, chromosome analysis results of 11,420 patients having congenital malformations or suspected of having chromosomal abnormalities, who were referred to Çukurova University Research and Training Hospital Cytogenetic Laboratory over a 16-year period, were investigated, retrospectively. Of all patients analyzed, CAs were found in 1768 cases, accounting for 15.5% of all cases. It was observed that 1175 (15.5%) of CAs were numerical (10.3%) and 593 (5.2%) were structural chromosome abnormalities. Among numerical CAs, Down syndrome (DS), Turner syndrome (TS) and Klinefelter syndrome (KS) constituted common categories which were observed in 7, 1.1 and 0.9% of all cases, respectively. Among the structural CAs, translocations, inversions, fragilities, deletions,, and others were the most common categories and constituted 2.2, 0.9, 0.9, 0.7, 0.3, and 0.3% of all cases, respectively. The sex ratio (male/female) of all cases was 1.01 and of DS cases was 1.6. Our results further confirmed that cytogenetic analysis is necessary in terms of making definite diagnosis of genetic disorders, providing proper genetic counseling and clinical treatment, assessing the recurrence risk, and preventing the hereditary genetic diseases and disorders. Besides, such studies will greatly assist in constituting national and international databases or records of genetic disorders.

Robertsonian translocation (13;14) and its clinical manifestations: a literature review.

Robertsonian translocations between chromosomes 13 and 14 (rob[13;14]) are associated with some clinical manifestations, including male infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). In this review, the clinical features associated with rob(13;14) translocation are discussed and the incidence rate of rob(13;14) translocation in cytogenetic surveys conducted on infertile males and couples who have experienced RPL compared with the incidence rate in newborns. To this purpose, a total of 30 cases of rob(13;14) translocation showing phenotypic manifestations were re-screened and the equal number of studies (n = 15) that reported chromosome analysis results in infertile men and couples who have experienced RPL were reviewed. The cases reviewed showed that the prominent clinical features associated with rob(13;14) translocation were global developmental delay (GDD), facial dysmorphism, early puberty and undescended testes. Cytogenetic surveys conducted on infertile men and couples who have experienced RPL showed that the proportion of rob(13;14) carriers was two to 25 times higher in infertile men and four to 17 times higher in couples who have experience RPL, compared with the proportion reported in newborns. The reviewed studies revealed that rob(13;14) translocation was consistently associated with some important clinical features; however, the delineation of the causal relationship between rob(13;14) translocation and associated clinical features requires studies to use gene-level approaches.

Effects of high-molecular-weight polyvinyl chloride on Xenopus laevis adults and embryos: the mRNA expression profiles of Myf5, Esr1, Bmp4, Pax6, and Hsp70 genes during early embryonic development.

Microplastics and associated adverse effects have been on the global agenda in recent years. Because of its importance as a model organism for studies on developmental biology, Xenopus laevis has been chosen as the study animal in in vitro teratogenesis studies. FETAX test uses early-stage embryos of X. laevis to measure the potential of substances to cause mortality, malformation, and growth inhibition in developing embryos. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of high molecular weight polyvinyl chloride (HMW-PVC) on parental X. laevis frogs and their embryos using the FETAX test. To this purpose, a HMW-PVC dose of 1% of body weight/twice each week was provided to frogs by oral gavage throughout 6 weeks. After the procedure, oocytes and sperms of HMW-PVC-exposed frogs were fertilized and FETAX was applied to selected embryos. After the completion of a 96-h incubation period, tadpoles were examined, their live/dead status were determined, their lengths were measured, and their anomalies were photographed. Besides, excised organs of the parental frogs were referred to histopathology examination. On the other hand, the mRNA expression levels of Hsp70, Myf5, Bmp4, Pax6, and Esr1 genes were determined by applying real-time quantitative PCR method to cDNA which was synthesized from the total RNA of embryos. The results showed that treatment with HMW-PVC dose of 1% of body weight/twice each week caused malformations and decreased viability. Hsp70 and Pax6 gene expression levels significantly decreased in all assay groups, as compared with controls. Lung and intestine tissues showed normal appearance in histopatological examination. Further research is required to explain the whole effects of HMW-PVC exposure on X. laevis embryos.

L-Glutamic acid monosodium salt reduces the harmful effect of lithium on the development of Xenopus laevis embryos.

Many xenobiotics in the environment affect the human body in various ways. Among those xenobiotics, lithium chloride (Li, LiCl) and monosodium glutamate (L-glutamic acid monosodium salt, MSG) compounds affect the crucial processes of stem cell differentiation, cell proliferation, developmental gene expression, and overall development in animals. In this study, we aimed to examine the developmental effects of exposure to flavor enhancer MSG and LiCI medicament on Xenopus embryos using the frog embryo teratogenesis assay of Xenopus test. To this purpose, Xenopus laevis embryos were exposed to four different concentrations of MSG (120, 500, 750, 1000 mg/dL) and Li (0.02 g/L) alone and in combinations for a period of 96 h, and then normal, abnormal, and death ratios were determined in all exposure groups. Besides, length values of all groups and membrane potentials of fertilized and non-fertilized oocyte groups treated with 120- and 500-mg/dL MSG doses and 0.02-g/L LiCI dose were measured. Treatment with ADI (acceptable daily intake) dose of MSG alone did not lead to a substantial effect on the development of Xenopus laevis embryos. But, exposure to daily doses exceeding the ADI level (500, 750, 1000 mg/dL) caused significant harmful effects. Besides, Li-involving treatments caused dramatic deleterious effects on embryo development. MSG attenuated harmful effects of Li in MSG+Li combined treatments. Membrane potentials of non-fertilized oocytes and fertilized eggs were significantly changed in all groups that their membrane potentials were measured. Extrapolating these results into humans require similarly designed studies conducted on human embryos.

Chromosomal findings and sequence analysis of target exons of calcium-sensingreceptor (CaSR) gene in patients with Sagliker syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Sagliker syndrome (SS) develops as a continuation of chronic kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism conditions. It was thought that there are some genetic predisposition factors leading to SS. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is essential for calcium homeostasis in the body. We aimed to examine SS patients for chromosome aberrations (CAs) and CaSR gene abnormalities in exons 2 and 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients and 23 control subjects were admitted to Balcali Hospital of the Medical Faculty of Çukurova University in Turkey between 2009 and 2011. Chromosomal analysis was performed according to standard cytogenetic methods. Full sequencing of exons 2 and 3 of the CaSR gene was done. RESULTS: We found base alterations and deletions in exons 2 and 3 of the CaSR gene. We also found a statistically significant increase in the rate of CAs in patients compared to controls. In total we evaluated 639 metaphase plaques in 23 patients and found 241 CAs, of which 88% were structural and 12% were numerical abnormalities. CONCLUSION: There is no relation between the etiology of SS and nucleotide alterations that we could find in exons 2 and 3 of the CaSR gene. Our data suggest that there may be a correlation between CAs and the progression of SS.

Chromosomal analyses of 1510 couples who have experienced recurrent spontaneous abortions.

In this retrospective study, karyotype results of 1510 couples with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion were evaluated. The study was conducted at Balcali Hospital in Adana region of Turkey. For all cases, peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured for chromosome study using the standard method. Chromosome aberrations were detected in 62 couples (4.1% of all couples). At an individual level, chromosome aberrations were found in a total of 65 cases (41 females and 24 male cases), with structural chromosomal aberrations in 58 cases including balanced translocations in 30 cases, Robertsonian translocations in 12 cases, deletions in seven cases, inversions in nine cases and numerical chromosome aberrations in seven cases. The results of the study indicated that structural aberrations, particularly translocations, were the most common type of aberration observed among couples who had experienced recurrent spontaneous abortions and that these couples might benefit from cytogenetic analyses.

Microchimeric Cells, Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies and Cancer.

The phenomenon of feta-maternal microchimerisms inspires numerous questions. Many questions remain to be answered regarding this new avenue of genetics. The X and Y chromosomes have been associated with malignancy in different types of human tumors. We aimed to investigate the numerical aberrations of chromosomes X and Y in lung cancer (LC) and bladder cancer (BC) and review recent evidence for possible roles of microchimeric cells (McCs) in these cancers. We carried out cytogenetic analysis of the tumor and blood sampling in 52 cases of people with BC and LC, and also with 30 healthy people. A total of 48 (92.3 %) of the patients revealed sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs). A total SCAs was found in 9.8 % of 2282 cells that were analyzed as one or more cells in each case. The 68 and 95 SCAs were found in the 1952 (8.4 %) cells in peripheral blood, and 41 and 19 SCAs in the 330 (18.2 %) cells in the tumoral tissues respectively. There was a significant difference in the frequencies of SCAs between the patients and the control groups determined by the Fischer's Exact Test (p < 0.0001). The frequencies of SCAs were higher in the tumoral tissues than in the blood (p < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in the frequencies of SCAs between the tumor and blood tissues, and this was higher in the tumor tissue (p < 0.0001). In general, 78.9 % (41) of the 52 patients with LC and BC had X and Y chromosome monosomies. Largely a Y chromosome loss was present in 77.8 % of the men, and the 47, XXY karyotype was found in 33.3 % of them. The second most common SCA was monosomy X, and was found in 71.4 % of the women. McCs were observed in 26.9 % of the 52 patients, and the frequencies of McCs were higher in the blood than in the tissues (p < 0.0001). XY cells were identified in the lung and bladder tissues of the women who had been pregnant with boys, but not in those who had not. There was a significant difference in the frequencies of McCs between the LC and BC patients (p < 0.0005). We speculate that the microchimerism could have a general beneficial role in cancer, in which some sites may not be evident because of an allogeneic maternal immune reaction that hastens cancer development. A further understanding of McCs may help in anticipating its implications in cancer. Our results may suggest that SCAs may be contributing factors in the development of LC and BC, and aneuploidies of X and Y chromosomes play a role in the pathogenesis of cancers.

Frequency and types of chromosomal abnormalities in Turkish women with amenorrhea.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency and the type of chromosomal abnormalities (CA) in patients with primary (PA) and secondary amenorrhea (SA). DESIGN: This retrospective study was comprised of patients had been referred to our laboratory between 1990 to 2008 and designed as original article. SETTING: Medical Faculty of Cukurova University in Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: Chromosomal analysis was carried out on 393 patients with PA and SA that were referred to Cytogenetic laboratory of Medical Biology and Genetic Department, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University. INTERVENTIONS: Lymphocyte culturing depended karyotyping. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Standard lymphocyte culturing procedure and karyotyping was performed to all samples. RESULTS: PA and SA were identified in 393 patients. The karyotype was normal in 337 cases (85.8%) and abnormal in 56 (14.2%) patients. CAs were found in 54 (13.7%) and 2 (0.5%) of women with PA and SA, respectively. Females carrying rearrangements between autosomal and sex chromosomes were detected in 2% (8/393). The numerical abnormalities of the X chromosome were detected in 39.3% (22/56) (monosomy and mosaic). Structural abnormalities of the X and the other chromosomes were detected in 25.5% (13 of 56). Structural mosaicism of X chromosome was found in 5.4% (3 of 56). Male karyotype (46, XY) was found in 33.9% (19/56). The most frequently detected abnormality were X chromosome monosomies or mosaics. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that some causes of amenorrhea could be due to CAs. Therefore, cytogenetic study should be important test in the evaluation of patients with PA or SA. The most common abnormality seen is 45,X karyotype (monosomy X/Turner Syndrome) and its variants.

Genetic alterations of chromosomes, p53 and p16 genes in low- and high-grade bladder cancer.

A majority of patients with bladder cancer present with superficial disease and subsequently, some patients show progression to muscle invasive or metastatic disease. Bladder cancer has a complex genetic process and identification of the genetic alterations which occur during progression may lead to the understanding of the nature of the disease and provide the possibility of early treatment. The aim of the present study was to compare the structural and numerical chromosomal differences and changes in the p16 and p53 genes between low-grade (LG) and high-grade (HG) bladder cancer (BC) using cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic methods. Between March 2009 and March 2010, cytogenetic analyses were carried out on tumor and blood samples in 34 patients with transitional cell type BC, and on blood samples of 34 healthy patients as a control group. Fluorescence in situ hybridization probes for the p16 and p53 genes were also used to screen the alterations in these genes in 32 patients with BC. The patients were divided into two groups (LG and HG) and the findings were compared. A total of 11 (32.3%) patients exhibited LGBC, 22 (64.7%) exhibited HGBC and one (3%) patient exhibited carcinoma in situ. There were no differences between the LGBC and HGBC groups according to the number of chromosomal aberrations (P=0.714); however, differences between alterations of the p16 and p53 genes were significant (P=0.002 and P=0.039). Almost all structural abnormalities were found to be located to the 1q21, 1q32, 3p21 and 5q31 regions in patients with HG tumors. In conclusion, the p16 and p53 genes were altered more prominently in patients with HG tumors compared with LG tumors. The structural abnormalities in the 1q21, 1q32, 3p21 and 5q31 regions were observed more frequently in patients with HG tumors. These regions may play significant roles in the progression of BC, but further studies are required to find candidate genes for a panel of BC.

Chromosome imbalances and alterations in the p53 gene in uterine myomas from the same family members: familial leiomyomatosis in Turkey.

Uterine leiomyomas (UL) are extremely common neoplasms in women of reproductive age, and are associated with a variety of characteristic choromosomal aberrations (CAs). The p53 gene has been reported to play a crucial role in suppressing the growth of a variety of cancer cells. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of CAs and the p53 gene on ULs. We performed cytogenetic analysis by G-banding in 10 cases undergoing myomectomy or hysterectomy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a p53 gene probe was also used on interphase nuclei to screen for deletions. In patients, CAs were found in 23.4% of 500 cells analysed, significantly more frequent than in the control group (p<0.001). In the patients, 76% of the abnormalities were structural aberrations (deletions, translocations and breaks), and only 24% were numerical. Deletions were the most common structural aberration observed in CAs. Among these CAs, specific changes in five loci 1q11, 1q42, 2p23, 5q31 and Xp22 have been found in our patients and these changes were not reported previously in UL. The chromosome breaks were more frequent in cases, from high to low, 1, 2, 6, 9, 3, 5, 10 and 12. Chromosome 22, X, 3, 17 and 18 aneuploidy was observed to be the most frequent among all numerical aberrations. We observed a low frequency of p53 losses (2-11%) in our cases. The increased incidence of autosomal deletions, translocations, chromatid breaks and aneuploidy, could contribute to the progression of the disease along with other chromosomal alterations.

Genetic polymorphisms of estrogen receptor alpha and catechol-O-methyltransferase genes in Turkish patients with familial prostate carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Estrogen is one of the most crucial hormones participating in the proliferation and carcinogenesis of the prostate glands. Genetic polymorphisms in the estrogen metabolism pathway might be involved in the risk of prostate carcinoma development. We evaluated the association between genetic polymorphisms in estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes and the risk of developing familial prostate carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 34 cases with prostate carcinoma whose first-degree relatives had prostate carcinoma and 30 healthy age-matched male controls were enrolled. The genotypes of ESR1 and COMT genes were analyzed employing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. 34 cases with prostate carcinoma, whose first degree relatives had prostate carcinoma and 14 age-matched male controls were enrolled to analyze the genotype of these two genes. RESULTS: Among control patients, the ESR1 PvuII genotypes of C/C, C/T and T/T were observed in 37%, 26% and 37%, respectively, whereas the C/C, C/T and T/T genotypes were observed in 18%, 41% and 41% of case patients, respectively. Among controls, the ESR1 PvuII allele frequencies of C and T were equally observed, whereas the C and T allele frequencies were observed in 38% and 62% of patients, respectively. Among ESR1 PvuII genotypes there were not any significant difference in terms of genotype (P = 0.199) and allele (P = 0.181) frequencies. Among controls, the ESR1 XbaI genotypes of G/G, G/A and A/A were observed in 33%, 37% and 33%, respectively, whereas the G/G, G/A and A/A genotypes were observed in 12%, 47% and 41% of patients, respectively. Among controls, the ESR1 XbaI allele frequencies of A and G were observed equally, respectively, whereas the A and G frequencies were observed in 65% and 35% of patients, respectively. Among ESR1 Χ baI, there was not any significant difference in terms of genotype (P = 0.111) and allele (P = 0.093) frequencies. But the C/C genotype of the PvuII site and G/G genotype of the XbaI site in the ESR1 gene were associated significantly with the risk of developing prostate carcinoma. The G/G, G/A and A/A genotypes of the COMT gene were observed in 50%, 29% and 21% of control patients and in 53%, 21% and 26% of case patients, respectively. The A and G allele frequencies of the COMT gene were observed in 36.7%, 63.3% of control patients and in 36.8%, 63.2% of case patients, respectively. In COMT gene, there was not any significant difference in terms of genotype (P = 0.843) and allele (P = 0.991) frequencies. But the G/A genotype of the COMT gene had a weak tendency toward increased risk. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of ESR1 gene in the estrogen metabolism pathway were associated significantly with familial prostate carcinoma risk. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of low-penetrance genes are targets for understanding the genetic susceptibility of familial prostate carcinoma.

Are there fetal stem cells in the maternal brain?

Fetal cells can enter maternal blood during pregnancy but whether they can also cross the blood-brain barrier to enter the maternal brain remains poorly understood. Previous results suggest that fetal cells are summoned to repair damage to the mother's brain. If this is confirmed, it would open up new and safer avenues of treatment for brain damage caused by strokes and neural diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether a baby's stem cells can enter the maternal brain during pregnancy. Deceased patients who had at least one male offspring and no history of abortion and blood transfusion were included in this study. DNA was extracted from brain tissue samples of deceased women using standard phenol-chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation methods. Genomic DNA was screened by quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction amplification together with short tandem repeat markers specific to the Y chromosome, and 13, 18, 21 and X. Any foreign DNA residues that could be used to interpret the presence of fetal stem cells in the maternal brain were monitored. Results indicated that fetal stem cells can not cross the blood-brain barrier to enter the maternal brain.

Identification of chromosome abnormalities in screening of a family with manic depression and psoriasis: predisposition to aneuploidy.

Cytogenetic analysis is an important stage in understanding the genetic background of manic depression (MD), and may provide a valuable clue to the identification of target loci and successful search for major genes. In order to identify chromosomal regions we aimed to detect the relationships between chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and immunological markers in a family with MD and psoriasis. We used the cell cultivation and conventional G-banding. We found predominantly numerical aberrations. The most common aneuploidy was chromosome 8, followed by chromosome 22, 21, 15, X and Y. However, structural aberrations consisted of duplications, deletions, translocations and breaks, with a focus on: loci on del(1)(q12-q23), del(1)(q21.1-q24), del(1)(q21.1-q23), del(10)(p11.2-pter), der(2)t(2;4)(p25;p12), t(2;22)(p14;p13), t(19;Y)? and dup(10)(q26). The susceptibility genes of MD or psoriasis may be located on these loci. Numerical sex CAs included 4(5.8%) with 45,X, 3(4.3%) with 47,XXY, and 4(5.8%) with structural chromosome X; del(X)(q13); del(X)(p11-pter) del(X)(q21.3) and inv(Y)(q11.2). We also conducted an immunological study. According results of this study, the percentage of CD2+, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes of the father were significantly higher, whereas CD4+ lymphocytes were decreased in the mother, when compared the healthy persons. The percentage of CD4 level of the son was decreased, whereas CD8+ lymphocytes were higher. The CD4/CD8 ratio of the father and the son was found to be significantly high. These results may suggest that MD and psoriasis have a significant impact on both genetic and immunological parameters.

Diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities in a patient with thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) type I: The first report describing an important association between cytogenetic findings and TD.

BACKGROUND: Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is the most lethal and most severe type of dysplasia. It has distinct features, the most important of which is short tubular bones and short ribs with platyspondyly, allowing a precise radiologic and prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis. It has been reported to be caused by mutations in the FGFR3 gene, but exactly how cytogenetic abnormalities might lead to TD is unclear. CASE REPORT: We report a case of TD with different prenatal sonographic features compatible with the classification of type I. In the result of cytogenetic examination, we found de novo CAs in 28% of cells analyzed from the affected infant; 75% of the abnormalities were numerical, and of those, 25% were structural aberrations; 21% of cells revealed predominantly numerical aberrations. Monosomy 18, 21 and 22 was observed in 4% of cells, monosomy 20 in 2%, and monosomy 7, 8, 14, 17 and 19 in 1%. Structural changes were observed in 7% of cells. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that these chromosomes may be preferentially involved in and important for TD development.

International evaluation of unrecognizably uglifying human faces in late and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease. Sagliker syndrome. A unique catastrophic entity, cytogenetic studies for chromosomal abnormalities, calcium-sensing receptor gene and GNAS1 mutations. Striking and promising missense mutations on the GNAS1 gene exons 1, 4, 10, 4.

Hypotheses explaining pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SH) in late and severe CKD as a unique entity called Sagliker syndrome (SS) are still unclear. This international study contains 60 patients from Turkey, India, Malaysia, China, Romania, Egypt, Tunisia, Taiwan, Mexico, Algeria, Poland, Russia, and Iran. We examined patients and first degree relatives for cytogenetic chromosomal abnormalities, calcium sensing receptor (Ca SR) genes in exons 2 and 3 abnormalities and GNAS1 genes mutations in exons 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13. Our syndrome could be a new syndrome in between SH, CKD, and hereditary bone dystrophies. We could not find chromosomal abnormalities in cytogenetics and on Ca SR gene exons 2 and 3. Interestingly, we did find promising missense mutations on the GNAS1 gene exons 1, 4, 10, 4. We finally thought that those catastrophic bone diseases were severe SH and its late treatments due to monetary deficiencies and iatrogenic mistreatments not started as early as possible. This was a sine qua non humanity task. Those brand new striking GNAS1 genes missense mutations have to be considered from now on for the genesis of SS.

The genotoxic effect of nicotine on chromosomes of human fetal cells: the first report described as an important study.

CONTEXT: Recent studies have suggested a direct contribution of nicotine--the addictive component of tobacco and tobacco smoke--to human carcinogenesis, and it remains the most common harmful substance to which pregnant women are exposed. Also, it has deleterious effects on the fetus. The sperm of smoking fathers and newborns of smoking mothers have elevated frequencies of chromosome translocations and DNA strand breaks. OBJECTIVE: We tried to understand the genotoxic effect of nicotine in pregnancies of active or passive smoking mothers. For this reason, we provide the evidence that nicotine exposure in vitro has detrimental effects on fetal cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the effect of nicotine sulphate on amniotic cells by designing an experimental setting consisting fetal cells grown in nicotine containing medium (25 ng/mL) in study group and fetal cells grown in control medium, which did not contain nicotine. RESULTS: According to our findings, there is a significant difference of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) between nicotine containing medium grown cells and control medium grown cells, determined by the χ² test (P <0.001). We found CAs in 21.5% of cells analyzed. The 19.4% of the all cells had numerical aberrations. Chromosomes 21, 22, 8, 15 and 20 related numerical abnormalities were found to be the most frequent numerical abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Results of this study confirm that the nicotine leads to significant direct genotoxic effects in human fetal cells in vitro. We speculate that there is an association between prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke and in utero aneuploidies.

The reliability of maternal serum triple test in prenatal diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormalities of pregnant Turkish women.

AIM: The purpose of this article was to evaluate the reliability of maternal serum triple marker screening of alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and unconjugated estriol for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormalities in Turkish pregnant women. METHOD: Medical records were used to analyze indications of amniocentesis and quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction. Anomaly screening was performed for all patients between 13 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. A total of 1725 pregnancies with chromosomal abnormality risk according to triple test screening were accepted for fetal chromosome analysis and quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Chromosomal aberrations were observed in 56 (3.2%) cases. About 44.6% of the abnormalities detected were numerical aberrations; however, 55.3% of the abnormalities were structural aberrations. Abnormalities detected were inversion of chromosome 9 in 20 cases, trisomy 21 in 14 cases, 46,XX/47,XX, +21 in 1 case, trisomy 18 in 2 cases, trisomy 13 in 1 case, 47,XXY, in 1 case, 45,X, in 1 case, structural abnormalities in 12 cases, and mosaic or tetraploidy in 6 cases. CONCLUSION: Second trimester triple test is an effective screening tool for detecting fetal Down syndrome in Turkish women.

Phenotypic correlations in a patient with ring chromosome 22.

Ring chromosome 22, a rare cytogenetic anomaly, has been described in over 60 cases in the medical literature. The aim of this report was to present a case carrying ring chromosome 22, and her family.It is a case report of a patient presented at Medical Faculty of Çukurova University in Turkey.An 8-year-old girl with ring chromosome 22 and her family were evaluated cytogenetically and clinically.A chromosome analysis of the proband revealed a de novo 46, XX, r(22)(p11.2;q13) karyotype. Our subject demonstrated the prominent features of this syndrome including profound mental retardation, language impairment, dysmorphic features, lack of speech, hyperactivity, and behavioral disorders.There is lack of consistency between the physical abnormalities that we observed in our subject and those observed for such patients in the literature. The wide range of manifestations observed in patients with this cytogenetic alteration is probably due to size differences in the deleted region.

Inheritance of pericentric inversion in chromosome 7 through the three progenies and a newborn with congenital hydronephrosis diagnosed prenatally by fetal urine sampling.

OBJECTIVE: To report the inheritance of a pericentric inversion in chromosome 7 through the three progenies, congenital hydronephrosis, and recurrent miscarriages in an extended family. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Medical Faculty of Cukurova University in Turkey. PATIENT(S): Referred by obstetrics and gynecology clinic. INTERVENTION(S): Fetal urine and lymphocytic karyotype. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Chromosomal analysis from fetal urine and peripheral blood lymphocytes were performed according to standard cytogenetic methods. RESULT(S): We assessed an extended family in which a large pericentric inversion in chromosome 7 is segregating; one of the three progenies with the karyotype 46,XY,inv(7)(p22;q22) was heterozygote for the inversion and presented with congenital hydronephrosis. His mother, mother's brother, grandfather, grandfather's brother, and his daughter were similar for the inversion. CONCLUSION(S): This case describes the further molecular characterization of these breakpoints on the short or long arm of chromosome 7(p22-q22). The inv(7) is also associated with fetal wastage and may be playing a role in the etiology of the family's miscarriages. These findings can be used in clinical genetics and may be an effective tool for reproductive guidance and genetic counseling.