Search

Amaç: Folat metabolik yolağı nükleotid sentezi ve DNA metilasyonu için gerekli olduğundan lösemi gelişimde önemli rol oynamaktadır. Folat eksikliği, DNA kırıklarına sebep olmaktadır. Bu yüzden folatla ilişkili polimorfizmler, çocukluk çağı akut lenfoblastik lösemisine (ALL) neden olabilmektedir. MTHFR (Metilentetrahidrofolat Redüktaz), DHFR (Dehidrofolat Redüktaz), CBS (Sistationin Beta Sentaz), TYMS (Timidilat Sentaz) ve RFC (Reduces Factor Carrier-1) bulunan değişimler, folat seviyesi ve DNA sentezini etkilediğinden dolayı, folat yolağında önemli role sahiptirler. Bu çalışmadaki amacımız, folat metabolik yolağı ile ilişkili olan RFC ve MTHFR genlerdeki polimorfizimlerin çocukluk çağı lösemisi üzerinde etkisi olup olmadığını araştırmaktır. Gereçler ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya Lösante Çocuk ve Yetişkin hastanesinde 103 akut lenfoblastik lösemi tanısı almış çocuk hasta dâhil edildi. RFC geni G80A ve MTHFR geni polimorfizmleri genotipleme işlemi RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) ve Real Time PCR yöntemleri ile gerçekleştirildi. Bulgular: Genotip ve allel frekanslarının sonuçlarına göre, hasta ve kontrol grubu arasında herhangi bir istatistiksel farklılık görülmemiştir. RFC G80A ve MTHFR polimorfizmleri birlikteliği, ANOVA testi ile yapılan analiz sonucu istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunamamıştır (p> 0,05). Sonuç: Çalışmamız, Türk çocukluk çağı ALL hastalarında, RFC ve MTHFR polimorfizmlerle lösemi patogenezi arasındaki ilişkiyi tanımlayan ve frekansını tespit eden ilk tarama sonuçları olmasından dolayı önemlidir., Objective: Folate metabolic pathway plays a significant role in leukemogenesis because of its necessity for nucleotide synthesis and DNA methylation. Folate deficiency causes DNA damage. Thus polymorphisms of folate-related genes may affect the susceptibility to childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase), DHFR (Dihydrofolate reductase), CBS (Cystathionine ?-synthase), TYMS (Thymidylate Synthase) and RFC have an important role in folate pathway because of their activated variants modulate synthesis of DNA and levels of folate. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms in genes related to folate metabolic pathway influence the risk to childhood ALL. Materials and Method: The patient groups who were diagnosed with 103 childhood ALL at Losante Children and adult Hospital were included to the study. RFC G80A and MTHFR genotyping was performed by RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis and Real Time-PCR. Results: No statistical difference was observed among the patient and control group according to results of genotype and allele frequencies. The association of RFC G80A and MTHFR polymorphisms was not statistically significantly. Conclusion: Our study displays also importance because of the first screening results to identify association with the RFC and MTHFR polymorphisms in Turkish patients with childhood ALL and determination of the frequency in Turkish population.

Human SIRT1 is an enzyme that deacetylates the p53 tumor suppressor protein. It has been suggested to modulate p53-dependent functions including DNA damage-induced cell death. Sirtuins are nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dependent class III histone deacetylase proteins that play a crucial role in several cellular processes, including DNA repair, apoptosis, and lifespan. In this study, we investigated the relationship between sirtinols and apoptosis mechanism at leukemic cells. For this, we applied sirtinol to K-562 (chronic myeloid leukemia) and Jurkat (acute T-cell leukemia) cell lines at different dilutions in cell culture conditions. And Cdna isolated patient RNA samples, after that Caspase3, Bax, Bcl2 expression performed with used qRT-PCR technique and cells were stained by Annexin V method. According to the results of research, we identified that Sirtinol dilutions were increased in both K-562 and Jurkat, while the number of living cells was decreasing, the number of dead cells increased at 50 μM dilution. Sirtinol, an HDAC inhibitor in the direction of these results, has been observed to be a drug that can be effective in the treatment of CML as well as T-ALL.

Beta-thalassemia major is associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate circulating ADMA concentrations in children with beta-thalassemia major.Thirty-one beta-thalassemia major children aged between 4 and 16 year old and age, gender-matched 36 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Plasma ADMA was measured along with the soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), P-selectin, and Pentraxin-3.Age, gender and body mass index were similar in two groups. Plasma ADMA, sVCAM-1, and sICAM-1 measurements were significantly higher in beta-thalassemia major patients than the control group (p 0.004 for ICAM-1, p 0.001 for other parameters). There were positive significant correlations between ADMA, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 (r = 0.437, p 0.001; r = 0.544, p 0.001; r = 0.405, p 0.001, respectively) in the whole group.The findings of the current study show us that increased plasma ADMA levels in children with beta-thalassemia major may be an early marker for endothelial dysfunction and may play a role in the development of premature atherosclerosis in beta-thalassemia major patients.

In the last decade, substantial evidence has accumulated about the use of cryopreserved platelet concentrates, especially in trauma. However, little reference has been made in these studies to the morphological and functional changes of platelets. Recently platelets have been shown to be activated by cryopreservation processes and to undergo procoagulant membrane changes resulting in the generation of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), platelet degranulation, and release of platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs). We assessed the viabilities and the PMP and PDGF levels of cryopreserved platelets, and their relation with thrombin generation.Apheresis platelet concentrates (APCs) from 20 donors were stored for 1 day and cryopreserved with 6% dimethyl sulfoxide. Cryopreserved APCs were kept at -80 °C for 1 day. Thawed APCs (100 mL) were diluted with 20 mL of autologous plasma and specimens were analyzed for viabilities and PMPs by flow cytometry, for thrombin generation by calibrated automated thrombogram, and for PDGFs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing.The mean PMP and PDGF levels in freeze-thawed APCs were significantly higher (2763±399.4/µL vs. 319.9±80.5/µL, p0.001 and 550.9±73.6 pg/mL vs. 96.5±49 pg/mL, p0.001, respectively), but the viability rates were significantly lower (68.2±13.7% vs. 94±7.5%, p.001) than those of fresh APCs. The mean endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) of freeze-thawed APCs was significantly higher than that of the fresh APCs (3406.1±430.4 nM.min vs. 2757.6±485.7 nM.min, p0.001). Moreover, there was a significant positive poor correlation between ETP levels and PMP levels (r=0.192, p=0.014).Our results showed that, after cryopreservation, while levels of PMPs were increasing, significantly higher and earlier thrombin formation was occurring in the samples analyzed despite the significant decrease in viability. Considering the damage caused by the freezing process and the scarcity of evidence for their in vivo superiority, frozen platelets should be considered for use in austere environments, reserving fresh platelets for prophylactic use in blood banks.Amaç: Son on yıl içerisinde, dondurulup saklanan trombositlerin özellikle travma hastalarında kullanımı ile ilgili önemli bir bilgi birikimi oluşmuştur. Bununla birlikte bu çalışmalarda trombositlerin morfolojik ve fonksiyonel değişikliklerinden çok az bahsedilmektedir. Son zamanlarda dondurulup saklanan trombositlerin aktive olarak trombosit kaynaklı mikropartikül (TKM) oluşumu ve trombosit kaynaklı büyüme faktörü (TKBF) salınımı ile sonuçlanan prokoagulan membran değişiklikleri olduğu saptanmıştır. Çalışmamızda dondurulup saklanan trombositlerin canlılıkları, TKM ve TKBF düzeyleri incelenerek trombin olumuyla ilişkileri değerlendirildi. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Yirmi bağışçıdan alınan aferez trombosit süspansiyonları (ATS) bir gün bekletildikten sonra %6 dimetil sülfoksid ile dondurularak -80 °C’de bir gün saklandı. Trombositler eritildikten sonra 20 mL. otolog, plazma ile seyreltildi ve alınan örneklerden incelemeler yapıldı. Bulgular: Dondurulup çözülmüş ATS’lerdeki TKM seviyeleri tazeATS’lerdekinden anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksekti (2763±399,4/µL ve 319,9±80,5/µL; p0,001). Dondurulup çözülmüş ATS’lerdeki PDGF seviyeleri de taze ATS’lerdekinden anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksekti (550,9±73,6 pg/mL ve 96,5±49 pg/mL; p0,001). Bununla birlikte dondurulup çözülmüş ATS’lerin canlılıkları taze ATS’lere göre anlamlı düzeyde düşüktü (68,2±13,7% ve 94±7,5%, p0,001). Dondurulup çözülmüş ATS’lerin ortalama endojen thrombin potensiyelleri (ETP) taze ATS’lerinkinden istatiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde yüksekti (3406,1±430,4 nM.min ve 2757,6±485,7 nM.min, p0,001). Ayrıca ETP ile TKM düzeyleri arasında istatiksel olarak anlamlı zayıf pozitif korelasyon mevcuttu (r=0,192, p=0,014). Sonuç: Çalışmamızdaki sonuçlar dondurulup çözüldükten sonra ATS’lerdeki trombositlerin canlılıklarında önemli düzeyde azalma olsa da, daha erken ve daha yüksek trombin oluşumunun gerçekleştiğini ve bunun da dondurma işlemi sonrası anlamlı düzeyde artan TKM’ler ile ilişkili olarak meydana geldiğini göstermektedir. Dondurma işlemi ile trombositlerde hasarlanmalar meydana gelmektedir ve dondurulmuş trombositlerin in vivo kullanımlarının taze trombositlere göre üstünlüğü ile ilgili bilimsel kanıtlar yetersizdir. Bu sebeple dondurulmuş trombosit süspansiyonlarının travma şartlarında kullanılmalarının ve taze trombosit süspansiyonlarının ise kan bankalarında, profilaktik kullanım amacıyla bulundurulmalarının daha uygun olacağı değerlendirilmiştir.

Amaç: Melatonin uyku, sirkadiyan ritim, adrenal bez ve tiroit bezi fonksiyonları, üreme, yaşlanma, antioksidan sistem ve bağışıklık gibi birçok biyolojik fonksiyonun düzenlenmesinde rol oynar. Metotreksat 5 g/m²/24 saat infüzyon tedavisi alan Akut Lenfoblastik Lösemili çocuklarda Metotreksat’ın; melatonin seviyesi üzerindeki etkisinin ve melatonin biyosentezinde görev alan AANAT kodlayan genin promotor bölgesinde yer alan -263 G/C değişiminin ve gende belirlenecek diğer olası değişimlerin saptanması bu değişimlerin; AANAT gen ifadelenmesi üzerindeki etkisinin incelenmesidir. Gereçler ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya Lösante Çocuk ve Yetişkin hastanesinde 16 akut lenfoblastik lösemi tanısı almış çocuk hasta dâhil edildi. İlk aşamada olgulardan elde edilen DNA örneklerinde AANAT geni -263 G/C değişimi dizi analizi yöntemi ile incelendi. 5 g/m²/24 saat metotreksat infüzyon öncesi ve sonrası hastalardan RNA izolasyonu yapıldı ve elde edilen RNA örneklerinden Kantitatif Real Time yöntemi ile AANAT geni ifade düzeyleri belirlendi. Bulgular: AANAT geni dizi analizi sonuçlarında -263 G/C promotor bölge değişimi noktasında 3 hasta Homozigot mutant, 12 hasta Heterozigot ve 1 hastada yabanıl genotipe sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. AANAT gen ifadesinin 5 g/m²/24 saat metotreksat infüzyonu öncesi ve sonrası farklı olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç: Serotonin’in Melatonin’e dönüştürülmesinde rol oynayan AANAT enzimi lösemi tedavisinde kullanılan Metotreksat infüzyonundan etkilenmiştir. Bu çalışmanın hasta sayısı artırılarak ve melatonin sentez mekanizmasında görev alan diğer genler ile birlikte çalışması ve aydınlatılması planlanmıştır., Objective: Melatonin has a role in regulation of many physiological processes such as sleep, circadian rhythm, functions of adrenal and thyroid gland, reproduction, aging, antioxidant system, and immunity. In this study, we aimed to analyze the frequency of -263 C/G polymorphism localized in promoter region of the gene coding AANAT enzyme and its effect to the expression of AANAT gene in pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia patients receiving high dose Methotrexate (5 g/m²/d). Material and Methods: Study population consisted of 16 who were admitted to Losante Children and Adult hospital with the diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Amplification of gene was performed by Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing by sequencer. For RNA isolations, blood samples were collected from patients group before and after therapy. Expression analysis was performed with the relative basic quantification software comes with quantitive Real Time Polymerase chain reaction. Results: In the results of AANAT sequencing, 3 homozygous mutants, 12 heterozygotes and 1 patient wild genotype were determined at -263 G / C promoter region. The AANAT gene expression was determined to be different before and after methotrexate infusion of 5 g / m² / 24 h. Conclusion: The AANAT enzyme which plays a role in converting serotonin to melatonin has been influenced by the methotrexate infusion used in the treatment of leukemia. Further research will be required to determine the genetic bases of melatonin mechanism.

ABS TRACT Objective: Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is increasingly used for stem cell mobilization in healthy donors for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, a possible association between thrombosis and G-CSF administration has been reported. This study was performed to investigate the in vitro effects of G-CSF and granulocyte-macrophagecolony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Material and Methods: Platelet aggregation was induced by adenosinediphosphate (ADP) and collagen in platelet rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood (WB) samples from 26 healthy volunteers (20 volunteers for G-CSF, and 6 volunteers for GM-CSF study). Three concentrations of G-CSF solution (10, 50 and 100 ng/mL) and GM-CSF (5, 10 and 20 ng/mL) were prepared. Each concentration of G-CSF and GM-CSF solutions and the control diluent were incubated with PRP and WB samples. After incubation, aggregation responses were evaluated with ADP (1 μM and 5 μM) and collagen (1 μg/mL) in PRP and WB samples. Results: We found that G-CSF increased ADP and collagen induced platelet aggregation in PRP and ADP induced platelet aggregation rate in WB. GM-CSF didn’t affect ADP and collagen induced platelet aggregation rate in whole blood and platelet-rich plasma in vitro. Conclusion: This study showed that G-CSF administration may lead to platelet hyperaggregability. The enhancing effect of G-CSF on platelet aggregation should be taken into consideration in clinical usage.

Objective: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal bone marrow disorder that leads to under - production of normal blood cells. It causes dysgenesis of the blood cells. The cause of de novo MDS is not known. About 10% of cases of MDS are secondary, most often due to radiation treatment or chemotherapy for cancer. The role of other diseases observed in the patients and their families is not clear in the progression of MDS. Here, the diseases observed in our series (71 MDS cases and their families) were compared with the normal controls (71 nor - mal cases and their families) to understand the affect of other diseases in the progression of MDS. Material and Methods: Among 71 MDS cases, 29 cases with refractory cytopenia with unilineage dysplasia, one cases with re - fractory anemia with ring sideroblast, 28 cases with refractory cytopenias with multilineage dysplasia, 11 cases with refractory anemia with excess blasts and 2 cases with MDS associated with isolated del (5q) were diagnosed with clinical and laboratory results. The diseases in MDS and the control groups were classified according to gen - eral classifications. Results: The numbers of affected patients in each group represented no significant difference between MDS and the control groups. According to these results, no correlation was found between the other dis - eases and MDS group. As known, some diseases have an accumulation in some families representing genetic pre - disposition. In order to find out the role of such systemic diseases frequently observed in one family, two groups were compared. In this group, the families which had two or more affected cases with the same diagnoses were ac - counted. Twenty six families had similar two or more diseases in MDS group whereas 21 families had similar two or more diseases in the control group. The difference between the MDS group (8 families) and the control group (2 families) which had rheumatic and autoimmune diseases were noticed. The number of affected families in MDS group with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases was greater than the number of affected families in the control group (p = 0.049). Conclusion: Our results may represent the possible role of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases in MDS etiology. Further findings are needed which represent the predisposition of rheumatic and autoimmune conditions in MDS progression.

Background Despite the presence of reports on correlation between major congenital defects and cancer, very few studies have investigated the frequency of minor anomalies in childhood malignancy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of minor anomalies in children with hematological malignancy. Procedure A total of 62 well-defined minor anomalies were determined in 109 patients. The patients were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Results The results of this study showed that, 64.22% of the patients and 26.6% of the controls had at least one minor anomaly. Among the minor anomalies detected, pigmented nevi and cafe-au-lait spots were significantly more frequent in the patients. The prevalence of minor anomalies in the patients was significantly higher than that of the controls in the present study. Conclusion Our results contribute to the understanding of the role of genetic factors in childhood hematological malignancies. Future studies may be directed toward identifying the developmental pathways and the relevant genes that are involved in the overlap between childhood hematological malignancies and minor anomalies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:258–261. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

This study evaluated the plasma levels of trace elements in children with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and assessed whether they can be a factor that affects the response to interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment. The study included 35 cases (ten girls, 25 boys) aged 3-13 years with chronic HBV infection and the control group. Plasma levels of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) were measured before IFN-alpha treatment and biochemical, virological, and histopathologic response to treatment were assessed. Children were followed for at least 15 months. Although plasma Cu levels showed no difference between the groups, Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn levels were significantly lower in the study group before treatment. Fourteen cases (40%) showed biochemical response; 17 (48.6%) showed virological response; 16 (47.6%) showed histopathologic response, and ten (28.6%) showed response according to all three parameters. Plasma Cu and Mn levels of patients with triple response showed no difference; but Mo, Se, and Zn levels were significantly lower (p0.001) in the study group. No difference was observed between responders and nonresponders (p0.05). Plasma levels of Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn are lower in children with chronic HBV infection compared to healthy children. The pretreatment levels of these elements did not show difference between responders and nonresponders to IFN-alpha.

GS is an uncommon autosomal recessive disorder characterized by pigmentary dilution of the skin and hair and in most patients by abnormal regulation of the immune system. Childhood melanoma is rare in the pediatric population. The best prognosis is achieved with early diagnosis and definitive surgical excision of melanoma. We report a case of a patient with GS type II and melanoma who was successfully treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and surgical excision of the melanoma.

This study was performed to investigate the platelet aggregation alterations in whole blood samples of infants with iron deficiency anemia. Platelet aggregation induced by various concentrations of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen was studied with impedance aggregometry in 25 patients before and after oral iron therapy and in 12 children of the control group. The posttreatment mean maximum aggregation values were significantly higher (p

Immune hemolytic anemia is a rare condition in childhood. Cold agglutinins have been implicated in the etiology of the hemolysis and frequently observed during Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. We present here a case of cold agglutinin-related hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia secondary to M. pneumoniae associated pneumonia. It is suggested that even though very rare, M. pneumoniae infection should be considered as the underlying disease in a patient presenting with pancytopenia.

Some of the genotoxic/carcinogenic substances or metabolites in cigarette smoke are capable of passing through the placenta and harming a newborn’s health. Smoking is also known as a factor in the formation of oxidative damage and the main mechanism involved in the carcinogenic process. Predetermining this genotoxic risk can be successfully achieved by measuring certain parameters of oxidative stress. The comet assay is considered an important biomarker for the evaluation of genotoxic substances and is effective for detecting DNA damage caused by smoking. This study examined third trimester bloods and the cord blood of 28 actively smoking and 22 non-smoking mothers in terms of DNA damage and oxidative stress parameters. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), plasma nitrite/nitrates (NO2 -/NO3 -), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx), Cu, and Zn levels were measured as indicators of oxidative damage. There were no significant increases in DNA damage of the actively smoking pregnant group in comparison with the non-smoking pregnant group, either in the third trimester or cord blood. Oxidative stress parameters of smoker and non-smoker groups were statistically different for MDA (p2 -/NO3 -, CAT, Zn, and Cu values. The same values were also investigated in cord blood, and only NO2/NO3 -(p

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between chronic hemolysis and increased body iron burden with development of premature atherosclerosis by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), ferritin, serum lipid profile, homocysteine, nitrate/nitrite, and chitotriosidase enzyme activity in children with β-thalassemia major.A total of 31 children with a diagnosis of β-thalassemia major between the ages of 4 to 16 years constituted the study group. Control group was consisted of 36 age-matched healthy children. Complete blood count, serum glucose, lipid profile, ferritin, homocysteine, calcium, chitotriosidase, and nitrate/nitrite levels were measured and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic investigation and carotid IMT measurement were performed.In study group serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were found to be significantly reduced, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were found to be significantly elevated. Plasma nitrate/nitrite levels were significantly reduced; chitotroisidase enzyme activity was significantly increased and carotid IMT was significantly increased in study group. Nitrate/nitrite was found to be the only variable that was statistically significantly related to carotid IMT.Subclinical atherosclerosis in children with β-thalassemia major begins early in life, and these children are at risk for development of premature atherosclerosis.

Herein we report an asphyctic preterm neonate with respiratory distress and prothrombotic risk factors that responded positively to rtPA treatment following 2 attacks of acute thrombosis.None declared.Bu yazıda solunum sıkıntısı ve asfiksi ile doğmuş, protrombotik risk faktörleri de olan bir prematüre bebekte iki tromboz atağının rekombinant doku plazminojen aktivatörü ile başarılı bir şekilde tedavi edildiği sunulmuş, ilacın etkinliği ve bu grup hastalarda dahi uygulanılabilirliği vurgulanmıştır.

Aspirin is widely used as an antiinflammatory drug especially in children with rheumatic fever arthritis. The diminishing effects of aspirin on antioxidant enzymes and hepato-renal systems at high doses are well-known. It is now evident that the damage at antioxidant system worsens the clinical picture of the disease and prolongs the treatment time. Thus, we investigated the effect of antioxidant enzyme cofactors—zinc and selenium—supplementation on superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (erythrocyte and liver) and hepato-renal toxicity during aspirin treatment at therapeutic doses. The rats were divided into five groups. The first and second groups were given aspirin 75 mg/kg/day and aspirin plus selenium (Selenium 200®, selenium 200 mg tablet as selenium yeast, GNC) and zinc (Zinc 100®, zinc 100 mg tablet as zinc gluconate, GNC), respectively, the third and fourth take 50 mg/kg/day aspirin and aspirin plus selenium and zinc twice a day, respectively. The fifth group was control. The rats were treated with aspirin for 5 weeks as in the treatment of rheumatic fever arthritis in children. Erythrocyte SOD and MDA levels were preserved with supplementation, whereas there was no change for GSH-Px levels. Liver SOD, GSH-Px, and MDA levels were not changed. In zinc- and selenium-supplemented groups, the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, and direct bilirubin levels were found statistically decreased compared with nonsupplemented groups. There was no significant histopathologic change in specimens of hepatic and renal tissues. Trace element supplementation may prevent free radical damage and shorten treatment time in children using long-term aspirin treatment.

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently one of the alternative curative treatment options for some nonmalignant but also for malignant diseases. However, concerns regarding its safety cause delays in time and a successful outcome. Between 2000 and 2005, twenty-one children with poor prognostic nonmalignant disorders, 13 boys and 8 girls, with a median age of 12 months, underwent 28 haploidentical peripheral HSCT. Immunomagnetic bead depletion device (CliniMACS) was used for indirect T-cell depletion. Indications for transplant were severe combined immunodeficiency (n = 16), osteopetrosis (n = 2), MDS (n = 1), amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (n = 1), and aplastic anemia (n = 1). Five patients (24%) had lung infection at the time of transplantation. The patients received a median of 25.67 × 106 G-CSF-mobilized peripheral CD34+ progenitor cells and a median of 4.19 × 104 T-lymphocytes per kilogram of body weight with a T-cell depletion rate of median 4.59 logs. The rate of total engraftment was 66.6%. Median times for leukocyte and platelet engraftment were 14 and 16 days, respectively. The 6-year projected survival was 32% for all patients and 29.76% for patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). The rates of transplant-related mortality, graft failure, and severe GvHD were 14.2, 33.4%, and 8.3%, respectively. Infection was the main cause of death. The poor outcome may be explained with the poor prognostic factors of our patients such as the type of SCID in most cases (T-B− SCID), the median age over 6 months and the presence of lung infection in some children at the time of transplantation. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Background: The serotonin concentration peaks at night which causes intestinal cramps. Both serotonin and melatonin have circadian rhythms and they peak at night. While there are only serotonin circadian rhythms during birth, the melatonin circadian rhythms begin after 3rd month. It is argued that serotonin is high and melatonin is low for the infants who have colic, yet there are no studies proving this argument. Methods: The study population is chosen with a developed random sampling method among 50 infants who have infantile colic and 66 infants as healthy control group. Results: The melatonin levels of the blood samples are taken from both groups at 09.00 am and also from 20 infants with infantile colic blood samples were taken 09.00 pm. The melatonin level of the infants who have infantile colic wasfound lower than the control group (P: 0.014). The evening melatonin levels in babies with infantile colic were significantly higher compared to the morning levels (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Serum melatonin levels of the group under study have been found to be statistically significantly lower than the control group.The results of our study support the hypothesis that the decrease of melatonin level causes infantile colic

Beta-thalassemia minor is a common, hereditary, and mostly symptomless disease. Previous studies have shown that lower hemoglobin values are associated with poorer cognitive functions. We aimed to evaluate the cognitive function in patients with beta-thalassemia minor. Thirty-two male subjects with beta-thalassemia minor and 32 sex-, age-, and education status-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Blood tests and P300 potentials were carried out. P300 potential latency in all patients was significantly longer than those in the control group (337.63+/-34.89 msec and 310.66+/-14.30 msec, respectively; t 4.046, P

Carnitine is ingested through animal-derived foods as well as synthesized in vivo. It plays an important role in the energy metabolism of many tissues. Iron acts as a co-factor for the synthesis of carnitine. However, the importance of iron deficiency as a cause of secondary carnitine deficiency is not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of carnitine in children with iron-deficiency anemia compared to those of healthy children and to determine if serum carnitine levels in with or without pica differ. The mean serum carnitine concentration in the iron-deficiency group was significantly lower than that in healthy children (12.44+/- 5.09 and 32.48 +/- 7.92 micromol/L, respectively, p.001). In the iron-deficient group, serum carnitine levels, ferritin levels, and other hematological parameters were lowest in patients with pica (p.001). Pearson correlation test indicated a positive correlation between serum carnitine and ferritin levels in iron-deficient patients. Based on the evidence about the effect of low iron on carnitine stores in animal studies, the authors propose that low serum carnitine levels in these children may be secondary to iron-deficiency anemia. However, further large-scale studies are needed to establish the frequency of carnitine deficiency in children with iron-deficiency anemia.

The frequency of resistance to erythromycin of group A beta-haemolytic streptococci in the last 7 years was determined in three medical centres in Ankara. While all group A beta-haemolytic streptococci strains were susceptible to penicillin, a gradual increase in resistance to erythromycin until 1992 was observed. However, a substantial increase in erythromycin resistance occurred in 1993 when newer macrolides became available and were widely used in the latter part of 1992.The data show that frequent testing for resistance to erythromycin of group A beta-haemolytic streptococci is required for the use of this antibiotic in our country.

Introduction: Chronic systemic diseases in childhood have negatively affecting the quality of life and debilitating effects for both children and parents. In our study, we investigated depression, anxiety and hopelessness situations at parents of children with these diseases. Materials and methods: The study was done at parents of children diagnosed with malignancy or chronic disease in GATA Department of Pediatrics Heath and Disease, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinics. Beck Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Scale and Beck Hopelessness Scale were applied to the participants. Results: Parents of children, who are followed due to malignancy or chronic disease in department of pediatrics heath and disease, pediatric hematology and oncology clinics, constituted the study group. 60 mothers and 51 fathers as study group and 64 mothers and 45 fathers as control group were enrolled in the study between 1st July 2009 and 1st June 2010. The mean age of the parents in study group was 35,7±5,1 and 33,3 5,6 age in control group. The depression score was significantly higher statistically in study group (p=0,035). No difference was fond for the anxiety and hopelessness scores between the groups (p=0,064 and p=0,695 respectively). There was no difference for depression, hopelessness and anxiety scores between mothers and fathers of the children (p=0,217, p=0,447, p=0,102, respectively). Conclusion: Without gender discrimination the parents of children with malignancy and chronic disease are in the risk group for depression. It is necessary to support the parents both socially and psychologically. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2012; 11(5.000): 577-582]