Na+/I- symporter and type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase gene expression in amniotic membrane and placenta and its relationship to maternal thyroid hormones.

Placental type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase (D3) potentially protects the fetus from the elevated maternal thyroid hormones. Na(+)/I(-) symporter (NIS) is a plasma membrane glycoprotein, which mediates active iodide uptake. Our objectives were to establish the distribution of NIS and D3 gene expressions in the placenta and the amniotic membrane and to investigate the relationship between placental D3 and NIS gene expressions and maternal iodine, selenium, and thyroid hormone status. Thyroid hormones, urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and selenium levels were measured in 49 healthy term pregnant women. NIS and D3 gene expressions were studied with the total mRNA RT-PCR method in tissues from maternal placenta (n = 49), fetal placenta (n = 9), and amniotic membrane (n = 9). NIS and D3 gene expressions were shown in the fetal and maternal sides of the placenta and amniotic membrane. Mean blood selenium level was 66 ± 26.5 µg/l, and median UIC was 143 µg/l. We could not demonstrate any statistically significant relationship of spot UIC and blood selenium with NIS and D3 expression (p > 0.05). Positive correlations were found between NIS and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) (r = 0.3, p = 0.042) and between D3 and preoperative glucose levels (r = 0.4, p = 0.006). D3 and NIS genes are expressed in term placenta and amniotic membrane; thus, in addition to placenta, amniotic membrane contributes to regulation of maternofetal iodine and thyroid hormone transmission. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between maternal glucose levels and placental D3 expression and between TBG and placental NIS expression.

[Crush injuries of the hand.]. / Ezici el yaralanmalari

BACKGROUND: To carry out a pilot study on the epidemiology of the crush injuries of the hand in our country and to obtain valuable data that will be used for construction of a protective program in the future. METHODS: 124 patients with crush hand injuries were observed retrospectively based on medical records in terms of age, sex, field of work, parts of body affected by the injury, mechanism and underlying causes of the injury RESULTS: Most of the patients were in 0-18 year- age group and inserting the hand into the working machine was the leading cause of injuries. Eighty seven male (70,16% ) and 37 (29,84 %) female patients were included in the study. Most of the patients (44,1%) were working in wood industry at the time of the accident. Interestingly only one hand of all patients were injured. Most commonly injured finger was the middle finger. Most commonly encountered pathology was the tendon laceration in injured fingers. CONCLUSION: Most of the cases were due to lack of attention and education and could be prevented by simple precautions and by wide-spread work education programs leading to a marked decrease in health expenses and loss of man power.