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Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is an important regulatory protein for inhibition of calcification in the vessel wall and cartilage. The MGP gene polymorphisms are suspected to increase the risk of extracellular calcification through altering the related gene expression and serum MGP levels. The goal of this study was to examine the correlation between rs4236 (Thr83-Ala), rs12304 (Glu60-X) and rs1800802 (T138-C) polymorphisms of the MGP gene and coronary artery calcification. Serum MGP levels of 168 subjects who had undergone coronary angiography were analyzed along with genotyping of MGP gene polymorphisms. The results indicated that serum MGP levels were significantly associated with rs4236 and rs1800802 polymorphisms of the MGP gene with the occurrence of coronary artery diseases (CAD). Allelic distributions of MGP gene polymorphisms and serum MGP levels, respectively, were not significantly interconnected with the presence of CAD. Our results revealed that serum MGP levels of CAD patients show association with rs4236 and rs1800802 polymorphisms, but serum MGP levels alone do not directly reflect the risk of CAD. The role of MGP genetic variants on formation and progression of arterial calcification should be regarded in cardiovascular diseases.

The aim of this study is to evaluate myeloperoxidase activity, catalase activity and thiol levels at early with rheumatoid arthritis patients. Blood taken from the patients was diagnosed with RA according to American Rheumatism Association ACR 2010 criteria, but not employed the medication of DMARD (Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) in order to examine the antioxidant parameters of myeloperoxidase activity, catalase activity and thiol levels. Twenty nine patients with early RA and 61 healthy controls were included in the study. Peripheral blood samples were used for all the assays. The average age of the patients was 39.91±13.32 and their average BMI was 28.56±4.15. Erytrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values have been found significantly high levels in RA group when we compare with control group. Catalase activity and thiol levels which means antioxidant parameters, have been found significantly low levels according to control group. When the parameters of myeloperoxidase activity were compared to the control group, the values of control group were significantly high. Stronger response in patients with early RA suggests that antioxidant markers may be useful in evaluating the progression of RA as well as in elucidating the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the patient stress markers which has the early stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Blood samples were collected from the patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis according to American Rheumatism Association ACR 2010 criteria, but not employed the medication of DMARD (Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) in order to examine the stress parameters of total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, paraoxonase, paraoxonase NaCl, arylesterase concentration. Twenty nine patients diagnosed with early stage RA and 61 healthy control group included in the study. Peripheral blood samples were examined for all the assays. The average age of the patients was 39.91 ± 13.32 and their average BMI was 28.56 ± 4.15. ESR and CRP values have been found significantly high levels in RA group when we compare with control group. OSI values, which means oxidant parameters, have been found significantly high compared to the control group. When the parameters of arylesterase were compared to the control group, the values of control group were significantly high. Stronger response in patients with early RA suggests that oxidative stress markers may be useful in evaluating the progression of RA as well as in elucidating the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the numerical solution of pantograph equations by the differential transform method. The numerical scheme of the method is convienient for computational purpose and is it easy to set a computer code in the calculation of the numerical and explicit solutions. The algorithm of the method is illustrated by some initial value problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background It is widely accepted that the development of atherosclerosis starts at an early age. However, there are very few studies evaluating the prevalence of the common clinical and behavioral cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among children, especially in developing countries. The aim of the present cross-sectional survey was to evaluate the distribution of blood lipid profile and various behavioral (i.e. dietary habits, physical activity status) factors related to CVD risk and its relationships to paternal (PEL) and maternal educational level (MEL) among primary schoolchildren in Turkey. Methods In three major metropolises in Turkey (Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir), a random sample of 1044 children aged 12 and 13 years old was examined. ANOVA was applied to evaluate the tested hypothesis, after correcting for multiple comparisons (Tukey correction). Results After controlling for energy and fat intake, physical activity status and Body Mass Index (BMI), it was found that mostly PEL had a significant positive effect for most of the subgroups examined (Lower vs. Higher and Medium vs. Higher) on TC and HDL-cholesterol and a negative effect on TC/HDL ratio for both genders. Furthermore, both boys and girls with higher PEL and MEL were found to have higher energy intake derived from fat and protein than their counterparts with Medium and Lower PEL and MEL, while the opposite was observed for the percentage of energy derived from carbohydrates. Conclusions Our study provides indications for a possible association between an adverse lipid profile, certain dietary patterns and Higher PEL and MEL among schoolchildren in Turkey. These findings underline the possible role of social status, indicated by the degree of education of both parents, in developing certain health behaviors and health indices among Turkish children and provide some guidance for Public Health Policy.

Abstract Objectives The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on physiological (lipid profile, obesity indices) and behavioral (dietary habits, physical activity) cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among primary schoolchildren in Istanbul. Design Cross sectional study. Setting One private school and two public schools from different SES districts in Istanbul. Participants 510 randomly selected children aged 12 and 13 years old (257 boys, 253 girls). Results The prevalence of overweight (15.2%) and the energy intake (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for boys and girls respectively) were found to be higher for the middle/ high SES group for both genders. Regarding biochemical indices, middle/ high SES children had higher values of High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for boys and girls respectively) and lower values of TC/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 for boys and girls respectively). This could be attributed to the higher physical activity levels observed for middle/ high SES children (p < 0.001). Conclusion The findings of the current study revealed a coexistence of both overweight and higher energy intake in middle/ high SES children, as well as a coexistence of underweight and lower physical activity levels in low SES children. These observations should guide the public health policy in developing appropriate intervention strategies to efficiently tackle these health and social issues early in life.