CD4(+), CD25(+), FOXP3 (+) T Regulatory Cell Levels in Obese, Asthmatic, Asthmatic Obese, and Healthy Children.

The aim of this prospective case control study is to determine CD4(+), CD25(+), and FoxP3(+) T regulatory cells (Tregs) and T helper cells (Ths) in obese, asthmatic, asthmatic obese, and healthy children. Obese (n = 40), asthmatic (n = 40), asthmatic obese (n = 40), and healthy children (n = 40) were included in this study. Blood samples collected from children were marked with CD4, CD25, ve Foxp3 in order to detect Tregs and Ths by flow cytometric method. Statistical analyses were performed. p ≤ 0.05 was chosen as meaningful threshold. Tregs exhibiting anti-inflammatory nature were significantly lower in obese (0.16 %; p ≤ 0.001), asthmatic (0.25 %; p ≤ 0.01), and asthmatic obese (0.29 %; p ≤ 0.05) groups than control group (0.38 %). Ths were counted higher in asthma group than control (p ≤ 0.01) and obese (p ≤ 0.001) groups. T cell immunity plays important roles in chronic inflammatory diseases such as obesity and asthma pathogeneses. Decreased numbers of Tregs found in obese, asthmatic, and asthmatic obese children might represent a challenge of these cells.

Association of fetuin A, adiponectin, interleukin 10 and total antioxidant capacity with IVF outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Possible roles of anti-inflammatory factors as well as total antioxidative capacity in reproductive processes of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) are still being investigated and the contributions by some of them remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between anti-inflammatory parameters and total antioxidative capacity (TAC) of the body during IVF. In this respect, adiponectin, interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), fetuin A and TAC analyses have been performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized, controlled clinical study, sera obtained from 26 fertile (Group-1), and 26 infertile women before (Group-2) and after (Group-3) IVF treatment were analyzed. IL-1RA, IL-10, fetuin A, adiponectin and insulin were determined by ELISA. TAC was determined spectrophotometrically. Mann-Whitney U test, paired sample t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test as well as Pearson correlation analysis by SPSS were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were determined as 30.8% and 23.1%, respectively, in pregnant group. For the pregnant, significant indirect correlations were detected between fetuin A and adiponectin (r=-0.843; p=0.035) as well as IL-10 (r=-0.846; p=0.034) in Group 2. The correlation between adiponectin and IL-10 doubled in pregnant compared to non-pregnant (r=0.929; p=0.007 vs. r=0.478; p=0.033). The correlations between fetuin A and TAC in pregnant were noted both in Group 2 (r=0.892; p=0.017) and Group 3 (r=0.875; p=0.022). No correlation of fetuin A with these parameters was detected in non-pregnant group. CONCLUSION: Fetuin A, TAC, IL-10, adiponectin and their associations may be important from their predictive values for IVF success point of view. Parameters with anti-inflammatory or antioxidant property appear to improve pregnancy in women undergoing IVF.

Shifting epidemiology of hepatitis a infection and vaccination status of children aged 6 months-12 years: time for mass vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the current age-related hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalance, vaccination status of children and to evaluate the epidemiological shift in HAV serostatus living in Tekirdag, which is located in Thrace region, the European part of Turkey. METHODS: Children 6 months-12 years of age with simple health problems were included. Blood samples were studied for HAV IgM and IgG collectively. A questionnaire addressing several characteristics of subjects was administered to obtain basic descriptive data on HAV epidemiology. Vaccination status of the children was recorded according to the immunization cards. FINDINGS: The overall anti-HAV IgM and anti-HAV IgG prevalance in children aged 6 months - 12 years was 3.3% and 25.4% respectively. Maximum hepatitis A IgM positivity was in the 7-12 years age group 4.8% (n= 12; P<0.001) and maximum hepatitis A IgG positivity in the same age group was 34% (n = 85; P<0.001). HAV vaccination rate among patients aged more than 2 years was 11.03%. HAV IgG seroprevalance was higher in children of low monthly income families (36.1%, n = 78; P<0.001) than in the intermediate (17%, n = 31) and high income families (11.1%, n = 6). CONCLUSION: These results indicate a shift in Hepatitis A seroprevalance when compared with the previous studies. As HAV infection in childhood is decreasing, the pool of susceptible adolescents and young adults is increasing. Introduction of hepatitis A vaccination into the national immunization schedule of Turkey should be considered.