Association of pyrin mutations and autoinflammation with complex phenotype hidradenitis suppurativa: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a rare, debilitating neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by chronic inflammation of hair follicles. Many inflammatory conditions may accompany HS. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of variants of the MEFV gene with a complex HS phenotype. METHODS: Firstly, we identified the clinical characteristics of 119 patients with HS with a complex phenotype (Hurley stage III disease and/or additional inflammatory symptoms). Then, we searched for MEFV variants among these patients. The odds ratios (ORs) for pathogenic MEFV mutations were calculated using data from these patients with HS and 191 healthy controls. RESULTS: The male/female ratio was higher, and the mean age of onset was earlier, in our complex HS group compared with patients with HS in general. Five of the patients with HS (4·2%) had a diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) with a standardized morbidity ratio of 45 [95% confidence interval (CI) 16·50-99·84, P < 0·001] when compared with the frequency of FMF in the general Turkish population. Of the patients with complex HS, 38% were positive for pathogenic variants of MEFV. The OR for carrying a pathogenic MEFV allele was 2·80 (95% CI 1·31-5·97, P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of MEFV mutations in the group of patients with complex HS was higher than that in healthy controls, suggesting that MEFV mutations may contribute to the pathogenesis of HS. Understanding the role of autoinflammation in HS is of fundamental importance for the development of novel therapies.

Effect of adhesive resin cements on bond strength of ceramic core materials to dentin.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of self-etch and self-adhesive resin cements on the shear bond strength of ceramic core materials bonded to dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracted, caries-free, human central maxillary incisor teeth were selected, and the vestibule surfaces were cut flat to obtain dentin surfaces. Ceramic core materials (IPS e.max Press and Prettau Zirconia) were luted to the dentin surfaces using three self-etch adhesive systems (Duo-Link, Panavia F 2.0, and RelyX Ultimate Clicker) and two self-adhesive resin systems (RelyX U200 Automix and Maxcem Elite). A shear bond strength test was performed using a universal testing machine. Failure modes were observed under a stereomicroscope, and bonding interfaces between the adhesive resin cements and the teeth were evaluated with a scanning electron microscope. Data were analyzed with Student's t-test and one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The type of adhesive resin cement significantly affected the shear bond strengths of ceramic core materials bonded to dentin (P < 0.05). Significant differences were noted between the ceramic core materials when the specimens were luted with self-adhesive resin cements (P < 0.05). The specimens luted with RelyX Ultimate Clicker had the highest shear bond strengths. CONCLUSION: The self-etch adhesive resin cements exhibited better shear bond strength than the self-adhesive resin cements, except for Panavia cement in the IPS e.max Press group. However, shear bond strengths of the self-adhesive resin cements were dependent on the nature of the ceramic core materials.

Fatty acids, tocopherols, selenium and total carotene of pistachios (P. vera L.) from Diyarbakir (Southeastern Turkey) and walnuts (J. regia L.) from Erzincan (Eastern Turkey).

In this study, 14 well-adapted genotypes of pistachio (Pistachio vera L.) grown in Diyarbakir (Southeastern Turkey) and 15 walnut (Juglans regia L.) genotypes grown in Erzincan (Eastern Turkey) have been studied. Pistachio genotypes contained 8.16-9.33% palmitic acid, 0.54-0.68% palmitoleic acid, 2.35-4.21% stearic acid, 67.81-76.82% oleic acid, 9.42-18:32% linoleic acid, 0.27-0.38% linolenic acid and 0.19-0.33 % arachidic acid. The range of selenium, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, α-tocotrienoid, γ-tocotrienoid and total carotenoid of these promising genotypes were found to be between 11.44 and 190.71 ng/g, 1.36 and 26.93, 36.17 and 170, 0.45 and 2.61, 0.96 and 3.76, 2.33 and 37.72 and 1.01 and 4.93 mg/kg, respectively. Linoleic acid ranging from 43.19% to 53.16% was the most abundant fatty acid in 15 pomologically selected walnut genotypes, followed by oleic and linolenic acids (31.91% and 11.46%, respectively). Their selenium contents ranged between 7.25 and 57.67 ng/g. γ-Tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol in walnut genotypes. Pistachio and walnut genotypes with higher unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols and selenium contents may be valuable for nutritional breeding efforts.

Oxidase activity of ceruloplasmin and some acute phase reactant and trace element concentrations in serum of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the parameters in serum of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and correlate with the cancer stage. The serum concentrations of ceruloplasmin, a-1-acid glycoprotein, albuminumin, transferrin, copper, zinc, manganese, and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity were measured, and compared with those from a healthy control group. The serum from 34 patients with CLL were extracted before chemotherapy. Serum transferrin, albuminumin and Zinc concentrations were lower in patients with CLL while serum a-1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, copper concentrations, and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity were higher in CLL patients when compared with the control group. Although serum manganese concentration was lower in CLL groups than in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. Serum transferrin concentration was lower in the early stage group compared with the advanced stage. Serum ceruloplasmin level positively correlated with serum ceruloplasmin oxidase activity in patients from the early stage group. Serum ceruloplasmin level positively correlated with serum ceruloplasmin oxidase activity in patients with advanced stage. In conclusion, increased serum ceruloplasmin oxidase activity, ceruloplasmin, a-1-acid glycoprotein, copper levels and decreased transferrin and albuminumin, unchanged manganese levels are associated with CLL and appear to be a consequence of the disease itself.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels in hepatitis B virus-related chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis and its relationship to Knodell and Child-Pugh scores.

Although both chronic active hepatitis-B (CAH-B) and liver cirrhosis (LC) are characterised by various degrees of inflammation and hepatocyte necrosis, in advanced stage cirrhosis, marked fibrosis develops and inflammation and tissue necrosis diminishes. In this study, we aimed to investigate serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentration in patients with CAH-B and LC and its relationship to disease activity. Serum samples were taken from 30 patients with CAH-B and 30 with LC at different stages of the disease. TNF-alpha concentrations were measured by the ELISA technique. Results were compared with those of 30 healthy controls. Mean plasma TNF-alpha levels were found as 2.47 +/- 2.98, 0.8 +/- 1.21 and 0.72 +/- 1.08 pg/ml in CAH-B, LC and control groups, respectively. TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in CAH-B group than LC and control groups (p <0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Although mean plasma TNF-alpha level of cirrhotic patients at Child-A stage was markedly high (3.31 +/- 0.15), no significant difference has been found between LC and control groups (p > 0.05). TNF-alpha concentrations were positively correlated with hepatitis activity index (Knodell's score) in CAH-B group whereas negatively correlated with Child-Pugh score in LC group (r =0.73, p < 0.01 and r = -0.42, p < 0.05, respectively). Our study showed that TNF-alpha level increases in patients with CAH-B correlated with histologic activity index. So it can be used to evaluate disease activity. Additionally, marked reduction of TNF-alpha concentration in advanced cirrhosis suggested that TNF-alpha production is determined by hepatic damage and inflammation.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis G virus in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) belong to the same family of flaviviridea. A causative role of HCV infection in the pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has been discussed widely. Little is known about the possible association between NHL and HGV discovered recently. In this study, anti-HCV and HGV-RNA prevalence were investigated in a group of 70 patients with NHL. The results were compared to a control group of 70 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. One patient in each group (1.4%) was found to be anti-HCV-positive; the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Five subjects in the patient group (7.1%) were positive for HGV-RNA, while a single subject was positive in the control group (1.4%); the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Odds ratios for anti-HCV and HGV-RNA were 1 and 5.30, respectively. Our findings suggest that neither HCV nor HGV are causative or contributing factors in the aetiopathogenesis of NHL.

Essential thrombocythemia and recurrent myocardial infarction.

We report the case of recurrent myocardial infarction with essential thrombocythemia (ET) in a 61-year-old female patient. Only one report of recurrence of myocardial infarction has been previously described. Coronary angiography 10 days after the infarction was normal. Thrombocythemia had been controlled with hydroxyurea.

EFFECTS OF SOME ANTIBIOTICS ON ENZYME ACTIVITY OF GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE FROM HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES.

Inhibitory effects of some antibiotics on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from the erythrocytes of human have been investigated. For this purpose, at the beginning, erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified 13.654 times in a yield of 28% by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and 2',5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel. Temperature of +4 degrees C was maintained during the purification process. Enzyme activity was determined with the Beutler method by using a spectrophotometer at 340 nm. This method was utilized for all kinetic studies. Sodium ceftizoxime, sodium ampicillin, sodium cefuroxime, sodium cefazolin, sodium cefoperazone, streptomycin sulphate, gentamicin sulphate, and netilmicin sulphate were used as antibiotics. All the antibiotics indicated the inhibitory effects on the enzyme. K(i)constants for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were found by means of Lineweaver-Burk graphs. While sodium cefoperazone, gentamicin sulphate, and netilmicin sulphate showed competitive inhibition, the others displayed non-competitive inhibition. In addition, I(50)values of the antibiotics were determined by plotting activity percent vs [I]. In addition, in vivo studies were done for sodium sefuroxime in Sprague-Dawley type rats. It was found that G6PD in erythrocyte was more inhibited by the drug in 2.5 h. 2000 Academic Press@p$hr Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Hematological Values of Healthy Adult Population Living at Moderate Altitude (1869 m, Erzurum, Turkey).

In this study, the normal hematological values in healthy adults living in Erzurum area in Turkey at moderate altitude (1869 m above sea level), and the effect of moderate altitude on these hematological values was investigated. The study population comprised of 929 females and 1204 males aged between 17-95. The mean values for red blood cell and leukocyte counts, and hemoglobin level were significantly higher in males than in females (p<0.0001), whereas platelet count was significantly higher in females than in males (p<0.0001). >n conclusion, we could not find an increase in the number of red blood cells as well as other hematological parameters in healthy adults living in Erzurum area. Hematological values in this study were similar to those reported in the previous studies carried out with those living under 1869 m.

Epstein-Barr Virus in Hodgkin's Disease Patients in Northeast Anatolia.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated as an etiologic factor in Hodgkin's disease (HD). The proportion of HD patients with EBV is high in developing countries but low in developed countries. In the present study, the EBV association with HD in Northeast Anatolia was investigated. Thirty-six formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cases of HD were analysed for the presence of EBV and, for the latent membrane protein (LPM-1) by immunohistochemistry. There were 26 males and 10 females; age distribution ranged from 12 to 73 years (mean ± standard deviation, 34.1 ± 15.2 years). Overall, LPM-1 was detected in 27 of the 36 cases (75%). LPM-1 expression varied according to the istological subtype of HD (9/55 cases of lymphocyte predominance subtype, 3/4 cases of nodular sclerosis, 18/18 cases of mixed cellularity subtype, and 1/5 cases of lymphocyte depletion subtype). In this study, the EBV-positivity ratio in HD was found extremely high in Northeast Anatolia.

Effects of some antibiotics on enzyme activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from human erythrocytes.

Inhibitory effects of some antibiotics on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from the erythrocytes of human have been investigated. For this purpose, at the beginning, erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified 13.654 times in a yield of 28% by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and 2',5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel. Temperature of +4 degrees C was maintained during the purification process. Enzyme activity was determined with the Beutler method by using a spectrophotometer at 340 nm. This method was utilized for all kinetic studies. Sodium ceftizoxime, sodium ampicillin, sodium cefuroxime, sodium cefazolin, sodium cefoperazone, streptomycin sulphate, gentamicin sulphate, and netilmicin sulphate were used as antibiotics. All the antibiotics indicated the inhibitory effects on the enzyme. K(i) constants for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were found by means of Lineweaver-Burk graphs. While sodium cefoperazone, gentamicin sulphate, and netilmicin sulphate showed competitive inhibition, the others displayed non-competitive inhibition. In addition, I(50) values of the antibiotics were determined by plotting activity percent vs [I]. In addition, in vivo studies were done for sodium sefuroxime in Sprague-Dawley type rats. It was found that G6PD in erythrocyte was more inhibited by the drug in 2.5 h.