Investigation of Caspase 9 Gene Polymorphism in Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common forms of lung cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Caspase 9 (CASP9) plays a central role in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of caspase 9 gene polymorphism in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 96 NSCLC cases and 67 controls. CASP9 Ex5+32 G>A polymorphism was investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups in the frequency of CASP9 genotypes (p=0.008). The number of the carriers of the ancestral GG genotype, was significantly higher in the NSCLC group than in the control (p=0.009). The heterozygote GA genotype and mutant A allele frequency were significantly higher in the control group compared to the NSCLC group (p=0.005, p=0.009, respectively). Serum CASP9 levels were significantly lower in the patients group than in the control group (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: CASP9 Ex5+32 GG genotype was a risk factor whereas the variant A allele could be a risk-reducing factor for NSCLC.

Volumetric Muscle Measurements Indicate Significant Muscle Degeneration in Single-Level Disc Herniation Patients.

BACKGROUND: There is a strong relationship between lower back pain and paraspinal muscle atrophy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of lumbar paravertebral muscle atrophy in patients with and without single-level disc herniation. METHODS: The 110 retrospectively analyzed patients in this study were divided into 2 groups. Group A included 55 patients with radiologically confirmed single-level disc herniation with back pain and radiculopathy. Group B included 55 patients with back pain without radiologic lumbar disc herniation. The paravertebral muscle cross-sectional areas were measured in both groups by 2 independent observers. RESULTS: In total, 68 women and 42 men were examined. Their mean age was 40.85 years old. The mean ages of groups A and B were 42.49 and 39.22 years, respectively. The cross-sectional areas of the multifidus muscles (MM) and erector spinae muscles were significantly greater in group B than in group A (P < 0.0001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the psoas major cross-sectional areas, disc heights, and perpendicular distances between the MM and the laminae. CONCLUSIONS: The MM and erector spinae muscle groups are innervated by the dorsal root of the spinal nerve arising from the same level; therefore, long-term pressure on the root caused by disc herniation can cause atrophy and degeneration of that muscle group.

Effect of air bubbles localization and migration after embryo transfer on assisted reproductive technology outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of embryo flash position and movement of the air bubbles at 1 and 60 minutes after ET on clinical pregnancy rates (PRs). DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. SETTING: University fertility clinic. PATIENT(S): A total of 230 fresh ultrasound-guided ETs performed by a single physician (C.F.) at the IVF center of Yeditepe University Hospital between September 2016 and February 2017 were included. INTERVENTION(S): Transabdominal ultrasonographic guidance at ET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical PRs. RESULT(S): There was no significant difference in terms of clinical PRs between women with embryo flash located >15 mm and <15 mm from the fundus at 1 or 60 minutes (P=.6 and P=.7, respectively). The PRs in women with embryo flash located <15 mm and >15 mm from the fundus were 47% and 60%, respectively (P=.6). The clinical intrauterine PRs were 69.5%, 38.5%, and 19.1% in fundal, static, and cervical, respectively. The highest PR was in fundal when compared with others (P<.01). The clinical PR appears to be associated with the embryo flash movement/migration and the PR was dramatically reduced when the embryo migrated from its original position toward the cervix at 60 minutes. CONCLUSION(S): We concluded that clinical PR appears to be associated with the embryo flash movement/migration at 60 minutes after ET and embryo flash movement toward the fundus is associated with higher clinical PRs. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to optimize ET technique in the future.