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Objective: Many studies have linked smoking to male infertility. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of smoking on sperm parameters in men with suspected infertility in the Turkish population. We also examined the effect of daily smoking amount and smoking duration on sperm parameters. Material and Method: This study consisted of 1005 men (smokers= 599, non-smokers= 406) with suspected infertility. It evaluated sperm parameters, including, leucocyte count, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, and the total progressive motile sperm count in these men. Results: In our study group, 59.60% were smokers and 40.40% were non-smokers. Body mass index (BMI) was higher in non-smoker males. Sperm characteristics were similar in smokers and non-smokers. We evaluated the smoker's group according to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. There was no significant difference in sperm parameters between the group that smoked up to 30 cigarettes a day and the group that smoked more than 30 cigarettes. Then, we examined the smokers in 3 groups according to the duration of smoking: 0-10 years, 11-20 years, and 20 years and over. It was observed that non-progressive motility was the lowest and immotility was the highest in smokers who had been smoking for 20 years or more. Conclusion: This study is the most comprehensive study in Turkey examining the relationship between smoking and sperm parameters to the best of our knowledge. Our results show that the duration of smoking affects sperm functions. Our evidence indicates that men with suspected infertility should quit smoking to optimize their successful conception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Leptin (LEP) and LEP receptor (LEPR) play roles in cancer progression. We evaluated LEP-2548G/A and LEPR 668 A/G variants in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). In addition, the methylation status of CpG sites at 31 and 51 nucleotides (nt) according to the transcription start region of the LEP gene was examined. Methods: DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of study participants who were healthy controls and patients with MM. These variants were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The methylation at -31 and -51 nt in the LEP was performed using the methylation-specific PCR method. The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and 2-year overall survival (OS) were evaluated according to prognostic factors. Results: There was no significant difference in the genotype distributions of LEPR 668A/G and LEP-2548G/A between the control and patient groups (p>0.05). We found that -31 and -51 nt regions of the LEP gene were unmethylated in the patient group compared with the control group (p=0.051 and p=0.001, respectively). The -31 nt methylation was unchanged in 15 patients (78.94%). PFS and OS were higher in these patients than in the others. In multivariate analysis, the methylated/unmethylated ratio at -31 nt methylation was associated with a poor prognosis (p=0.020). Conclusion: To our knowledge, our study is the first to examine these variants and their methylation status in Turkish patients with MM. Our results showed that LEP gene -31 nt unmethylation was associated with PFS and OS. These results need to be confirmed in different ethnic and larger sample groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), caused by the MEFV gene encoding pyrin, is a prevalent monogenic autoinflammatory disease. Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is a gaseous free radical that modulates the immune response. Endothelial NOS (eNOS) gene variants may affect NO formation. Therefore, we investigated whether the variable eNOS variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) is involved in the development of FMF. We also examined the association of this variant with clinical findings. Methods: Three hundred seven subjects, including 147 controls and 160 FMF patients, were genotyped for the eNOS VNTR variant using polymerase chain reaction analysis. The patients and controls were compared regarding allele and genotype distribution using the χ2 test. The results were evaluated statistically. Results: 51.9% of the patients had two or more MEFV mutations. The most common mutation in the patients was the homozygous M694V/ M694V mutation (25%). The genotype and allele frequencies of the eNOS gene VNTR variant in FMF patients were all compared with those in the healthy controls. A significant difference was found between the patient and control samples for eNOS VNTR genotype distribution. eNOS VNTR homozygous 4a/4a and 4b/4b genotypes were higher in patients than those in the controls (p>0.05). The patients carrying the 4b/4b genotype had higher colchicine usage and responses to colchicine (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between MEFV mutations and eNOS VNTR genotype distribution in the patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that the VNTR variant of the eNOS gene is associated with FMF formation and some clinical findings in the Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), with its low survival rates and increasing incidence, is due to various etiological factors including environmental, genetic, and epigenetic changes. Interleukin 6 (IL- 6) is a cytokine with both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we investigated the possible association of the IL-6 gene variants with risk for OSCC in a Turkish cohort. METHODS This study included 42 patients with OSCC and 110 age-and gender-matched healthy controls. Three variants (-174G/C [rs1800795], -572G/C (rs1800796), and -597G/A [rs1800797]) in the IL-6 promoter region were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS There was a significant difference in the genotype and allele frequencies of the IL-6-174G/C variant between OSCC patients and controls. While the IL-6-174G/C G/C genotype was higher in the patient group than in the control group, the G/G and C/C genotypes were lower in the patients compared to the control group (p=0.016, OR:0.653, 95% CI: 0.38-1.11). The genotype and allele distributions of -572G/C and -597G/A variants of the IL-6 gene were not statistically different between OSCC patients and the control group. CONCLUSION Our current investigation is focused on the role of variants of IL-6 gene on OSCC. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first study to evaluate the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-6 -174G/C, -572G/C, and 597G/A variants in patients with OSCC in a Turkish population. The results support that the IL-6 -174G/C variant may play an important role in susceptibility to OSCC in our population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Leukocytospermia and semen hyperviscosity (SHV), impair sperm motility and can lead to male infertility. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of leukocytospermia, and SHV on semen parameters in men with suspected infertility in Turkey. Methods: A total of 1,316 semen analysis were included in the study. Sperm parameters were compared in the men with suspected infertility with and without leukocytospermia and SHV. Results: Leukocytospermia was found in 335 (25.45%) men, and SHV was found in 195 (14.81%) men. Regarding leukocytospermia, there was a significant difference in the liquefaction period and progressive motility among groups. The men with leukocytospermia had increased liquefaction period and sperm concentration compared with men without leukocytospermia (p=0.008, p=0.000, respectively). The ejaculate volume and progressive motility decreased in men with leukocytospermia compared to men without leukocytospermia (p=0.01). Liquefaction period and immotility increased in men with SHV compared to those without SHV (p=0.000, p=0.000, respectively). Progressive motility, nonprogressive motility, and total progressive motile sperm count decreased in men with SHV compared to without SHV (p=0.000, p=0.000, p=0.000, respectively). Conclusion: This study showed that leukocytospermia and SHV frequently occur in men with suspected infertility. Although the total sperm count did not appear to be influenced by leukocytospermia and SHV in our study, and it deserves a detailed investigation in couples with unexplained infertility due to other effective semen parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mitochondria are multifunctional and dynamic organelles found in cells. Nicotine is a natural alkaloid found in the tobacco plant and has been well studied as a component of cigarette smoke. It has also been reported to affect mitochondrial function both in vitro and in vivo. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) reduces generation of ROS by mitochondria. Our purpose in this study was to investigate whether the -866G/A variant of the UCP2 gene is associated with smoking status. Methods: A total of 238 individuals consisting of 138 smokers and 100 healthy controls were examined. The UCP2-866G/A variant was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The proportion of individuals carrying the three possible genotype was significantly different between the smoker and healthy control groups. The UCP2-866G/A variant GG genotype was associated significantly with an increased risk of smoking (p=0.001) while AA genotype was associated significantly with a decreased risk of smoking (p=0.001). The UCP2-866G/A variant G allele was found to be increased in the smoker group compared to the healthy controls (p=0.001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the UCP2-866 G/A variant GG genotype and G allele might reflect the risk of smoking status in a Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is among the most common gynecological diseases in young women presenting to emergency department. It has been shown that cytokines played roles in PD pathogenesis. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), a cytokine, regulates multiple biological functions. The objective of the present study was to examine possible relationship between IL-4 variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism and susceptibility to PD. Methods: This study was based on a prospective cohort study design. A total of 120 patients with PD and 116 healthy controls, who presented to the emergency department between 01.12.2018 and 01.12.2019, were included in the study. IL-4 VNTR was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results of the analyses were evaluated in terms of statistically significant differences. Results: The prevalence of genotypes of P1/P1, P1/P2, and P2/ P2 for IL-4 VNTR were 1.72%, 34.4%, and 63.7% in patients with PD, and 0.8%, 26.6%, and 72.5% in controls, respectively. There was no significant difference in distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies of IL-4 VNTR between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: This research is the first study to examine the relationship between IL-4 VNTR and PD. The data of the present study did not support a relationship between IL-4 VNTR and PD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medical Bulletin of Haseki / Haseki Tip Bulteni is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An increasing number of epidemiological and molecular evidence proposes that inflammation is a significant factor in the etiology of cancers. Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) encodes a lymphokine involved in cell-mediated immunity, immunoregulation, and inflammation. It has been reported that MIF is linked with a higher risk of several cancer types. In the present study, we investigated the association of MIF rs755622 variant with the risk of breast cancer (BC) and gastrointestinal cancer in a Turkish cohort. METHODS The present study included a total of 153 subjects, which consisted of 33 BC patients, 53 gastrointestinal cancer patients and 67 healthy controls. Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral venous blood. The rs755622 variant of the MIF gene was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The results were statistically analyzed by calculating the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the χ2 test. RESULTS There was a statistical difference between the BC patients and controls for the MIF rs755622 variant. MIF rs755622 GG genotype and G allele were increased in BC patients compared to controls (p=0.016, p=0.017, respectively). No significant difference was observed between gastrointestinal cancer patients and controls for the MIF rs755622 variant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Our results showed that the MIF rs755622 variant might play a potential role in BC physiopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medical Bulletin of Haseki / Haseki Tip Bulteni is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

OBJECTIVE Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequently seen oral malignancy and accounts for up to 80-90% of all malignant neoplasms that occurin the oral cavity. The p53 tumor suppressor gene plays a crucial role in the regulation of the cell cycle. Mutations of the p53 gene havean important role in OSCC carcinogenesis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the C-deletion mutation in exon 4 codon 63 of p53 gene in Turkish patients with OSCC. METHODS A total of 60 subjects were enrolled in this study, 30 patients with a pathologic diagnosis of OSCC and 30 cases of age and sex-matched healthy controls. Genotyping was performed for all individuals using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. RESULTS The findings showed that the distribution of p53 exon 4 codon 63 C-deletion was significantly different between patient group and control group (p=0.000). It was detected that all patients had C-deletion mutation in exon 4 codon 63 of p53. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that C-deletion in exon 4 codon 63 deletion of the p53 gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of human OSCC in a Turkish cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine / İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Istanbul Tip Fakultesi Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Medical Bulletin of Haseki / Haseki Tip Bulteni is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Dopaminergic gene variants may affect nicotine dependence through their possible impact on the dopamine reward pathway. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) variant in exon III of the Dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene and genetic predisposition of smoking status in a Turkish population. Methods: We performed a study comparing 154 subjects as the smoker group, and 111 subjects as the non-smoker group. Genotyping for the DRD4 VNTR variant was performed using a PCR method. Results: There was a significant difference between smoker and non- smoker groups regarding the distribution of the alleles and genotypes of the DRD4 gene (p=0.000, p=0.000, respectively). The 2R allele was higher in the non-smoker group compare to the smoker group (p=0.000). We found that the 2/7 and 4/9 genotypes were more common in smokers than non-smoker group (p=0.037, p=0.028, respectively) while 2/4 genotype was more prevalent in non-smokers than smokers (p=0.000). When the number of repeat alleles (48 bp) are accepted as short (S) if six or less, and as long (L) if seven or more, it was found that the frequency of S/S genotype of the DRD4 VNTR variant was lower in the smoker group and S/L genotype was higher in the smoker group (p=0.006, p=0.006, respectively). The subjects carrying the S/L genotype have a 2.25-fold increased risk for smoking than a non-smoker. Conclusion: The results indicated that the subjects carrying DRD4 exon III VNTR S/L genotype have a risk for smoking status in a Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It has been shown that the host immune response and chronic inflammation could play a role as important risk factors for cancer. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common cancer worldwide. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and IL-4 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms on OSCC susceptibility in a Turkish population. Methods: Study subjects comprised of 36 OSCC patients and 100 healthy controls. Genotyping of the IL-1RA VNTR (rs2234663) and IL-4 VNTR (rs79071878) polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: The frequency of IL-1RA VNTR 1/2+2/2 genotypes increased in the patients than healthy controls while IL-1RA VNTR 1/1 genotype was higher in the control group than in the patients (p=0.002). The subjects carrying IL-1RA VNTR 1/2+2/2 genotypes showed a 12.011-fold increased risk of susceptibility to OSCC. IL-1RA VNTR allele 1 was higher in the control group than the patient group while IL-1RA VNTR allele 2 was higher in the patient group than the control group (respectively, p=0.000, p=0.000). The subjects carrying IL-1RA VNTR allele 2 showed a 2.609-fold increased risk of susceptibility to OSCC. The IL-4 VNTR P1/P1 and P1/P2 genotype frequencies were higher in the patient group compared to the control group (p=0.039). IL-4 VNTR P1 allele was higher in the patients compared to the controls (p=0.030). Conclusion: The significant association between the functional VNTR polymorphisms of IL-1RA/IL-4 genes and OSCC suspectibility in a Turkish population confirmed a role of altered inflammatory process in OSCC pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Istanbul Medical Journal is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common leukemias in developed countries. Multiple myeloma (MM), a clonal plasma cell disease, is the second most prevalent hematological cancer. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) can facilitate the secretion of numerous proinflammatory cytokines. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of IL-17F rs763780 on CLL/MM susceptibility in a Turkish cohort. Methods: The study included 37 patients with CLL, 21 patients with MM, and 100 healthy controls. The IL-17F rs763780 variant was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The frequencies of the alleles and genotypes in patient and control groups were compared by the χ² test. Results: No significant difference was found in the distribution of genotypes and alleles frequencies for IL-17F rs 763780 between the patients and the healthy controls (P>0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that IL-17 rs763780 variant may not contribute to CLL and MM pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Behçet's disease (BD), a chronic multisystem inflammatory disorder, is mainly characterized by relapsing periods of a wide range of clinical symptoms. Several cytokine genes may play important roles in the pathogenesis of BD. Therefore, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene 86bp variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) variant was investigated in patients with BD in a Turkish population. Methods: One hundred nine patients (60 females, 49 males; the mean age±standard deviation [SD] was 36.56±9.571 years) with BD and one hundred healthy individuals (54 females, 46 males; the mean age±SD was 36.64±2.294 years) were examined in the study. For genotyping, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was employed. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0 (IBM Corp.; Armonk, NY, USA) (p<0.05). Results: The genotype distribution and allele frequencies of the IL-1Ra VNTR variant did not differ significantly between the patients and the controls (p>0.05). The frequency of the a1/a1, a1/a2 genotypes and a1, a2 alleles were the most common both in patients and healthy controls (p=0.37, p=0.26, and p=0.53, respectively). Also, no statistically significant difference was found between the IL-1Ra VNTR variant genotypes and clinical characteristics (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study do not support an association between the IL-1Ra VNTR variant and the risk of BD in a Turkish population. However, further studies of this variant with larger sample sizes and different ethnicities are required for confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although many genetic and environmental factors are investigated the etiopathogenesis of microtia, it still remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between the variants/expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL) 6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1), interferon gamma (IFN-γ)] and susceptibility nonsyndromic microtia in a Turkish cohort. Methods: Nineteen unrelated cases with microtia and 40 healthy controls were included in the present study. Cytokine variants were tested by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) method. Results: It was found that IL-6 (-174) GG genotype (high expression) was higher in microtia cases than the controls (p=0.010) while IL-6 (-174) GC (high expression) genotype was lower in patients (p=0.003). For IL-6 (-174), patients with GG genotype had a 5895- fold increased risk for microtia. IFN-γ (+874) variant AA genotype (low expression) was lower in microtia cases (p=0.009). IL-6 (-174) G allele was more prevalent in patient group compared to controls while C allele was lower in patients than controls (p=0.003). IFN-γ (+874) variant T allele was more prevalent in cases while A allele was lower in cases (p=0.017). Conclusion: We have demonstrated for the first time that the cytokine variants constitute risk factors for developing microtia. Our study suggests that the IFN-γ (+874) and IL-6 (-174) variants may be considered as a risk factor for microtia in a Turkish cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite all improvements in treatment modalities, lung cancer is the leading cause of death related to cancers worldwide. Environmental, occupational and genetic factors, as well as smoking play role in the etiology. Lung cancers are generally divided into two main histologic categories: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several gene aberrations are detected in NSCLC, which constitute approximately 85% of all lung cancers. The Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene is a member of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase super family. ALK gene involves with translocation those results in formation of fusion protein in various malignancies such as lung cancer and lymphoma. In this article, latest literature regarding re-arrangement of ALK seen in NSCLC will be reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ENT Updates is the property of Continuing Education & Scientific Research Association (CESRA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. Macrophage migration inhibitory (MIF) factor is a regulatory cytokine that inhibits random immune cell migration. MIF gene promoter polymorphisms play a role in the progression of several inflammatory disorders. Aims: To investigate the relationship between the MIF gene -173 G/C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and AS. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: In this study, a total of 161 AS and 194 normal controls were recruited. The MIF gene -173 G/C SNP was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of genotype distribution (p>0.05). When wild-type G/G and G/C+C/C genotypes are compared in terms of clinical characteristics, there is a significant difference between the average age and the duration of disease in AS patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: No significant relationship between AS disease and MIF -173 G/C polymorphism was found. MIF -173 G/C polymorphism (C allele) may affect the time of onset and the duration of disease in AS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carvedilol (CVD) on experimentally induced ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Methods An ovarian I/R model was applied to rats, classified into three groups: 1 ( n = 7), sham operated (control); 2 ( n = 7), 3 h ischemia + 3 h reperfusion (I/R); 3 ( n = 7), 3 h ischemia + CVD + 3 h reperfusion (I/R + CVD). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in ovarian tissues and serum were measured. Tissue damage was examined histopathologically; Bax and caspase-3 expression was determined immunhistochemically. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to show apoptotic cell death. Results MDA levels in ovarian tissues were significantly increased in the I/R group compared with the control. CVD administration significantly decreased tissue MDA levels in the I/R + CVD in comparison with the I/R group. GSH-Px activities in serum were higher in the I/R + CVD than in the I/R group. SOD activities in tissue and serum were significantly decreased in the I/R compared with the control group. Histological examination showed a significant improvement in ovarian morphology in the I/R + CVD compared with the I/R group. Bax and caspase-3 protein was more strongly expressed in the I/R group compared with the control and I/R + CVD groups. Apoptotic index detected by TUNEL assay was significantly increased in the I/R and decreased in the I/R + CVD group. Conclusion Our results suggest that CVD reduces the deleterious effects of oxidative damage on ovaries in a rat I/R model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common types of cancer across the world. GC carcinogenesis demonstrates a multi-step progression with the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes. The genetic changes on gene expression, without any change on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, are named as "epigenetic". DNA methylation is the most commonly studied epigenetic modification in mammalians. Hypermethylation is observed on CpG (--C-- phosphate--G--) islands In GC, promoter regions of genes. This is a significant mechanism that causes functional losses in tumor suppressor genes. In gastric cancer, DNA hypermethylation is seen in many genes. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are a type of spiral-shaped Gram-negative bacteria. It infects approximately half of the world's population. H. pylori is an important etiological factor that causes GC in human beings. Chronic H. pylori infection in human is associated with hypermethylation of promoter sequences of different genes. This paper provides a review of the current literature on the relationship between H. pylori infection and DNA hypermethylation in GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and more than 1 million breast cancer cases are diagnosed each year all over the world. Breast cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease in terms of its molecular structure, mutation type, metastase properties, clinical course and therapeutic response. Breast cancer is divided into subtypes based on expression properties of molecular markers as estrogen receptor, progestron receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Triple-negative breast cancer is characterized by the lack of tumors that estrogen receptor, progestron receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene expression. These type of tumors lead to agressive clinical course due to unresponsiveness to systemic endocrine therapy and poor prognosis. Triple negative breast cancer constitutes 10-20% of all breast cancers. It affects generally young and African-American women. Triple negative breast cancer have several subtypes based on the gene expression properties. The majority of them are basal-like breast cancers. In this review, current literature is revised and summarized with respect to the molecular basis of triple negative breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is the most common reason of cancer mortality all over the world. Although smoking is the most important factor in lung cancer etiology, additionally, environmental, genetic and occupational factors also contribute to this disease. Despite the fact that there have been progress in lung cancer area in terms of treatments, it has still poor prognosis. Lung cancer is generally classified into two major histological types; small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all cases of lung cancer. Epithelial growth factor receptor mutations are among the most common mutations in NSCLC. These mutations are more prevalent in lung cancer patients who are non-smokers, female, and of Asian ethnicity and tumors which have these mutations response better to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in NSCLC. In this review, the prognostic and predictive role of EGFR will be evaluated in NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Regular exercise benefits health by increasing the body's antioxidant defenses. However, excessive exercise can produce excessive reactive oxygen species, which can lead to oxidative stress. Superoxide dismutase is the primary enzyme involved in the elimination of reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the SOD1 gene insertion/deletion variant and elite athletes., Methods: A total of 305 subjects, including 165 elite athletes from different branches and 140 sedentary individuals, participated in this study. The SOD1 insertion/deletion variant was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction. The results were evaluated statistically., Results: There was no statistical significance between the athletes and control groups in terms of SOD1 insertion/deletion genotype distribution and allele frequency. Then, we evaluated the groups as females and males. There were no female athletes carrying the D/D genotype. The SOD1 I/I genotype and the I allele were more prevalent in female athletes than in the control group. There was a significant difference in terms of SOD1 I/I: I/D+D/D in females (p=0.028). SOD1 genotype and allele distribution did not differ between male athletes and male controls., Conclusion: As far as we know, this is the first study to evaluate the SOD1 insertion/deletion variant in athletes in Turkey. Our results showed that the SOD1 I allele was more common in female athletes, but not in male athletes.

Objective: The aim is to emphasise the importance for intestinal parasites' diagnosis by direct microscopic examination and the discrepancies among results from different microscopists., Methods: Stool specimens were obtained from 225 children with diarrhoea after the macroscopic examination, prepared by formalineether sedimentation methods and included in microscopically examination by three different independent investigators (parasitologist, microbiologist, research assistant). Furthermore, specimens were stained with the modified Ehrlich Ziehl Neelsen method and evaluated for Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora., Results: A total 161 specimens were evaluated as negative by all investigators. The number of specimens containing parasites detected by at least one investigator was 64; Cryptosporidium parvum 30, Blastocytis hominis 16, Endolimax nana 5, Giardia intestinalis 4, Dientamoeba fragilis 3, Ascaris lumbricoides 3, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 2, Cyclospora cayetanensis 1. The concordance among investigators was observed for 21 (33%) specimens; when specimens were evaluated for the presence of leukocytes and/or parasites, concordance was detected for 58 (91%) of the 64 specimens. In particular, significant differences were observed for the species level identification., Conclusion: Different results can be obtained by microscopic examination according to the experience and educational level of microscopists. Therefore, we think that these tests should be performed by persons who have sufficient education and experience, if possible, combined with at least two different methods.