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OBJECTIVES: The etiology of schizophrenia is unknown. However, some of the neuropathological changes in schizophrenia may be the result of increased free radical-mediated or reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated neurotoxicity. Melatonin is a hormone produced especially at night in the pineal gland; additionally is a highly important antioxidant. The aim of this study is to indicate the contribution effect of the neuropathophysiology of schizophrenia and protective effects of melatonin against this oxidative damaged. MK-801 induced selective neurotoxicity has been proposed as an animal model for psychosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 21 healthy adult and male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. MK-801 was given intraperitoneally for 5 days in experimental psychosis group. Melatonin was given to the treatment group for 6 days by intraperitoneally. In control group, saline was given in the same way. At the 7th day of the experiments, rats were killed by decapitation. Brains were removed and prefrontal part of the brain was divided for biochemical analyses. RESULTS: Some antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl analyses were made by spectrophotometric methods. SOD, GSH-Px, XO activities and malondialde-hyde, protein carbonyl and NO levels were found to be increased significantly in prefrontal cortex of MK-801 group (p < 0.0001) compared to the control group. In melatonin treated rats, prefrontal tissue malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were decreased significantly in comparison with MK-801 group (p< 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: MK-801 may induce oxidative stress in prefrontal cortex of rats. This experimental study provides some evidences for the protective effects of melatonin on MK-801-induced changes in prefrontal rat cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of fever, polyserositis and rash. The aim of this study was to determine the most common mutations and clinical features, and their relationships. Methods: The medical records of 78 patients were evaluated retrospectively. All of the patients had been diagnosed with FMF according to Tel Hashomer criteria between January 2005 and May 2008 in general paediatric clinics of the School of Medicine at Gaziosmanpasa University. Twelve mutations were detected in the 78 patients by polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patients were classified into three groups according to allele status. Results: The most prominent clinical symptoms were abdominal pain (95%), fever (90%), arthritis (33%) and pleuritis (31%). Seventeen different genotypes were identified. The mutations were homozygous in 25 (32%) patients, compound heterozygous in 28 (36%) patients and heterozygous in 22 (28%) patients. No mutation was detected in three (4%) patients. The most frequent mutations were M694V (55%), M680I (16%), E148Q (10%) and P369S (4%). The mean symptom severity score was highest in the homozygous group, and high levels of C-reactive protein were also detected in this group. Conclusions: In addition to clinical criteria, molecular studies for detecting disease-causing mutations are needed to establish the diagnosis of FMF. FMF patients who were homozygous for MEFV gene mutations had a higher symptom severity score and higher incidence of appendectomy. The broad spectrum of mutations may reflect intercultural interactions of ethnic groups in Anatolia. Nation-wide studies may help to determine the relationships among demographic, clinical and genetic features of FMF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this experimental study, we aimed to examine the protective effect of molsidomine (MS), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, against ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in a rat skeletal muscle model. Methods: Ischemia was achieved by application of an elastic rubber band as high as possible on the left thigh of the rats. Group 1: the control group received a sham operation. Group 2: the I-R group received I-R injury to the left hind limbs. Group 3: the I-R/MS group underwent the same model of I-R injury and received MS. Group 4: the I-R/L-NAME (N-ω-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester) group underwent the same model of I-R injury and received L-NAME, an inhibitor of NO synthase. Results: In groups 2 and 4, malondialdehyde increased significantly when compared to groups 1 and 3. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased significantly in group 3 compared to groups 2 and 4. The NO levels were significantly elevated in group 3 compared to groups 2 and 4. In addition, the histopathological score was considerably lower in group 3 than in group 4. The number of necrotic muscle fibers and infiltration of neutrophils were significantly reduced in the MS-treated group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that MS can exert a protective effect against skeletal muscle injury caused by I-R in the rats. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of hemithoracic radiotherapy implemented with helical tomotherapy (HTT) in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients., Methods: Between October 2018 and December 2020, data from 11 MPM patients who received trimodality therapy, including lung-sparing surgery (pleurectomy-decortication, P/D), adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin+ pemetrexed), and radiotherapy, were retrospectively reviewed. HTT was used to deliver a total of 30 Gy, 50-54 Gy or 59.4-60 Gy to R2 disease with 1.8-2 Gy daily doses. Descriptive data are presented in number (percentage) or median (minimum- maximum). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival data. In patients with toxicities, the risk organ doses were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test., Results: The median follow-up was 20.5 (12-30) months. Two-year local control, disease-free, and overall survival rates were 48.5%, 49%, and 77.9%, respectively. The median prescribed dose for planning target volume (PTV) was 50.4±8.7 (30-60) Gy. Mean dose (D mean ) of total lung was 19.9±6 (10.4-26) Gy; the V20 (%) of ipsilateral and contralateral lungs were 89.±11.2 (62.7-100) and 0.7±2.1 (0.49-5.9), respectively. Esophageal D mean and maximum doses (D max ) were found as 21.7±8.4 (7.4-34) and 53.1±10.4 (25.4-64.4) Gy, respectively. V30 (%) and Dmean of heart were 22.3%±13.4% (3.9-47) and 21±5.7 (10.8-29.3) Gy, respectively. D max of medulla spinalis (MS) was 38.6± 1.3 (13.7-48) Gy. Grade 1-2 radiation pneumonitis (RP) developed in 4 (36.4%) and esophagitis in 2 (18.2%) patients. RP was found to be associated with MS and esophageal doses (p<0.05). Myelitis was diagnosed in 1 (9.1%) patient (MS D max : 29 Gy)., Conclusion: HTT can be used as part of trimodality therapy for MPM patients with acceptable toxicities. MS and esophageal doses should be considered for radiation pneumonitis risk, and new dose constraints for these organs should be defined., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors., (© Copyright 2023 by Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Health.)

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of escitalopram co-prescription on plasma anastrozole levels in post-menopausal breast cancer patients., Methods: A total of 24 post-menopausal operated breast cancer patients co-prescribed with escitalopram and anastrozole were included. Blood samples were collected, before and 1-month after the onset of escitalopram to analyze plasma anastrozole and estradiol levels., Results: No significant difference was noted in basal plasma anastrozole levels with respect to age, body mass index (BMI), tumor stage, previous antineoplastic treatments, concomitant medications, and serum estradiol levels. Overall, 17 patients completed the 1-month escitalopram treatment, while 7 patients discontinued escitalopram within the 1 st week of the treatment. Basal anastrozole levels of 24 patients were 26.1±2.4 ng/mL. Among 17 patients who continued 1-month escitalopram treatment was associated with significant increase in plasma anastrozole levels (24.5±2.3 ng/mL to 32.2±3.2 ng/mL, p<0.05). Notably, 1-month escitalopram use was associated with significant increase in plasma anastrozole levels only in the subgroup of obese (BMI >29 kg/m 2 ) patients (23.1±2.8 to 35.9±4.7 ng/mL, p<0.01), while no such interaction was noted among non-obese patients. The estradiol levels of the patients were below ≤10 pg/mL in 75% of patients and no change occurred after escitalopram administration., Conclusion: Escitalopram co-prescription resulted in significant increase in plasma anastrozole levels without affecting the serum estradiol levels. Our findings emphasize the need for close monitoring in case of concomitant use of anastrozole and escitalopram, especially in obese patients and the potential role of therapeutic drug monitoring., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors., (© Copyright 2022 by Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Health.)

Purpose: Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after previous radiation therapy is a significant problem. This study was to determine the potential benefits from re-irradiation by fractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy (FSRT) on survival benefits and effects of severe late toxicities., Materials and Methods: Between 2009 and 2018, treatment outcomes were evaluated retrospectively in 26 patients with locally recurrent NPC treated using FSRT with CyberKnife. Five patients who had metastatic disease and one who had second recurrence were excluded from the study, and the remaining 20 patients were analyzed. The median age was 52 years (range, 28-80 years); re-treatment T stage was as follows: 6 (30%) - T2, 5 (25%) - T3, and 9 (45%) - T4. The median time from initial RT to recurrence was 22 months (range, 8-159 months). The median re-irradiation FSRT dose was 30 Gy in 5 fractions., Results: The median follow-up was 44 months; the overall survival (OS), local failure-free survival, and disease progression-free survival rates at 3 years were 89%, 73%, and 53%, respectively. All patients were evaluated for response after treatment: 9 (45%) had complete, 3 (15%) had partial, and 6 (30%) had no response. Univariate analysis demonstrated that higher cumulative total radiotherapy dose, gross tumor volume, and recurrent time interval were prognostic factors for local failure-free survival. The recurrent time interval was also an independent factor for progression-free survival and OS. The incidence of temporal lobe necrosis and trismus was 10% and 20%, respectively. One patient had Grade 5 toxicity to treatment-related bleeding., Conclusion: Tumor dose coverage is important for treating recurrent NPC, and treatment-related mortality was vascular in nature. FSRT is a promising treatment modality for recurrent NPC., Competing Interests: None

Background: Volumetric shrinkage of normal tissues such as salivary glands, kidneys, hippocampus are observed after radiotherapy. We aimed to assess the alterations in pancreatic volume of patients who received abdominal radiotherapy and define pancreas as an organ at risk for radiation treatment planning., Material-Methods: Forty-nine patients operated for gastric adenocarcinoma who received adjuvant abdominal radiotherapy were in the study group, 27 patients with early stage disease who did not need adjuvant treatment after surgery comprised the control group. An experienced radiologist contoured the pancreas of all the patients from computed tomographies imported to the planning system obtained either for radiation planning purpose or for follow-up after surgery. The same procedure was repeated one year later for both groups. Measured volume of the pancreas was expressed in cm 3 ., Results: Mean pancreatic volumes were similar in both groups at the onset of the study, 51,34 ± 20,33 cm 3 , and 50,12 ± 23,75 cm 3 in the irradiated and the control groups respectively (p = 0,63). One year later, mean pancreatic volumes were significantly decreased in each group; 22,48 ± 10,53 cm 3 , 44,18 ± 23,08 cm 3 respectively, p < 0,001. However, the decrease in pancreatic volume was significantly more pronounced in the irradiated group in comparison to the control group, p < 0,001., Conclusion: Volumetric decrease in normal tissues after radiotherapy is responsible for loss of organ function and radiation related late side effects. Although pancreas is a radiation sensitive organ losing its volume and function after radiation exposure, it is not yet considered as an organ at risk for radiation treatment planning. Pancreas should be contoured as an organ at risk, dose-volume histogram for the organ should be created, and safe organ doses should be determined. This is the first study declaring pancreas as an organ at risk for radiation toxicity and the necessity of defining dose constraints for the organ.

Background: Anemia is a major cause of morbidity in patients with cancer resulting in poor physical performance, prognosis and therapy outcome. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of intravenous (iv) iron administration for the correction of anemia, for the prevention of exacerbation of anemia, for decreasing blood transfusion rates, and for the survival of cancer patients., Methods: Patients with different solid tumor diagnosis who received iv iron during their cancer treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Sixty-three patients with hemoglobin (Hgb) levels between ≥ 9 g/dL, and ≤ 10 g/dL, and no urgent need for red blood cell transfusion were included in this retrospective analysis. The aim of cancer treatment was palliative for metastatic patients (36 out of 63), or adjuvant or curative for patients with localized disease (27 out of 63). All the patients received 100 mg of iron sucrose which was delivered intravenously in 100 mL of saline solution, infused within 30 min, 5 infusions every other day. Complete blood count, serum iron, and ferritin levels before and at every 1 to 3 months subsequently after iv iron administration were followed regularly., Results: Initial mean serum Hgb, serum ferritin and serum iron levels were 9.33 g/dL, 156 ng/mL, and 35.9 μg/dL respectively. Mean Hgb, ferritin, and iron levels 1 to 3 months, and 6 to 12 months after iv iron administration were 10.4 g/dL, 11.2 g/dL, 298.6 ng/mL, 296.7 ng/mL, and 71.6 μg/dL, 67.7 μg/dL respectively with a statistically significant increase in the levels (p < 0.001). Nineteen patients (30 %) however had further decrease in Hgb levels despite iv iron administration, and blood transfusion was necessary in 18 of these 19 patients (28.5 %). The 1-year overall survival rates differed in metastatic cancer patients depending on their response to iv iron; 61.1 % in responders versus 35.3 % in non-responders, (p = 0.005), furthermore response to iv iron correlated with tumor response to cancer treatment, and this relation was statistically significant, (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Iv iron administration in cancer patients undergoing active oncologic treatment is an effective and safe measure for correction of anemia, and prevention of worsening of anemia. Amelioration of anemia and increase in Hgb levels with iv iron administration in patients with disseminated cancer is associated with increased tumor response to oncologic treatment and overall survival. Response to iv iron may be both a prognostic and a predictive factor for response to cancer treatment and survival.

Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disease that is caused by various genetics and environmental factors. Genetically, predisposition is an important component for CAD. The candidate apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene is the most studied one. ApoE is composed of e2, e3, e4 alleles and E2/2, E2/3, E2/4, E3/3, E3/4, E4/4 genotypes. In this study, the relationship between CAD and apoE polymorphism and apoE level has been studied in Tokat region., Materials and Methods: The study population is composed of 100 CAD patients diagnosed by coronary angiography and 100 control patients of whom fifty have normal coronary angiography and fifty did not have any CAD symptoms. The serum lipid and apoE levels and apoE genotypes of all participants have been measured, and the relationship between these parameters has been evaluated., Results: Apolipoprotein E, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were statistically low at CAD patients than control patients (p=0.0004, p=0.0005, p=0.0107, p=0.0052 respectively). There was not any significant difference between triglyceride levels (p=0.0848). Waist circumferences were significantly high at CAD patients (p=0.0012). Allele frequencies were as e2 (7.25%), e3 (83.5%), e4 (9.25%) and genotype distributions were as E2/2 (0.5%), E2/3 (13%), E2/4 (0.5%), E3/3 (68.5%), E3/4 (16.5%), E4/4 (1%). The distribution of alleles and genotypes were not significantly different (p>0.05). ApoE levels were higher at e2 allele carriers than e3 and e4 allele carriers (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between e3 and e4 allele carriers., Conclusion: In conclusion, the distribution of apoE genotype and allele at our region is similar to the general of Turkey. The low apoE levels in CAD patients may show the influence of apoE on CAD by local and systemic mechanisms.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential association of single gene polymorphisms of the antioxidant enzymes manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) with prostate cancer (PCa)., Material and Methods: Manganese superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase 1 genotypes and allele frequencies in 49 prostate cancer cases (PCa group) and 98 control subjects were determined. Analysis of genotypes in control group individuals were performed in two subgroups according to serum prostate-specific antigen levels: the control group (n = 49), with prostate specific antigen (PSA) level < 4 ng/ml; and the nonPCa-high PSA control group (n = 49), with serum PSA > 4 ng/ml. Determination of MnSOD Ala-9Val and GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphisms was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification., Results: No association was found between GPX1 polymorphisms and PCa in all groups (p > 0.05). In the PCa group, the frequency of homozygote Val allele carriers was significantly higher in comparison to nonPCa-high PSA control cases. Therefore, Val/Val genotype was found significantly suspicious for PCa risk (OR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.37-4.48; p = 0.002). Furthermore, an overall protective effect of the Ala allele of the MnSOD polymorphism on PCa risk was detected. These findings in this small Turkish population suggested that individual risk of PCa may be modulated by MnSOD polymorphism especially in patients with high PSA, but GPX1 polymorphism seemed to have no effect on PCa risk., Conclusions: The presence of genetic variants of antioxidant enzymes could have a potential influence on genesis of prostatic malignancy.

Background: There is growing recognition for the consequences of rectal cancer treatment to maintain an adequate functional sphincter in the long-term rather than preserving the anal sphincter itself. This study aims to evaluate long-term effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by sphincter-preserving resection on anal sphincter function in relation to quality of life (QoL) among locally advanced rectal cancer patients., Methods: Twenty-nine patients treated with nCRT followed by low anterior resection surgery were included in this study. Data on patient demographics, tumor location and symptoms of urgency and fecal soiling were recorded and evaluated with respect to Wexner Fecal Incontinence Scoring Scale, European Organization for Research and Cancer (EORTC) cancer-specific (EORTC QLQ-C30) and colorectal cancer-specific (EORTC QLQ-CR38) questionnaires and anorectal manometrical findings. Correlation of manometrical findings with Wexner Scale, EORTC QLQ-CR38 scores and EORTC QLQ-C30 scores was also evaluated., Results: Median follow-up was 45.6 months (ranged 7.5-98 months. Higher scores for incontinence for gas (p = 0.001), liquid (p = 0.048) and solid (p = 0.019) stool, need to wear pad (p = 0.001) and alteration in life style (p = 0.004) in Wexner scale, while lower scores for future perspective (p = 0.010) and higher scores for defecation problems (p = 0.001) in EORTC QLQ-CR38 were noted in patients with than without urgency. Manometrical findings of resting pressure (mmHg) was positively correlated with body image (r = 0.435, p = 0.030) and sexual functioning (r = 0.479, p = 0.011) items of functional scale, while rectal sensory threshold (RST) volume (mL) was positively correlated with defecation problems (r = 0.424, p = 0.031) items of symptom scale in EORTC QLQ-CR38 and negatively correlated with social function domain (r = -0.479, p = 0.024) in EORTC QLQ-C30. RST volume was also positively correlated with Wexner scores including incontinence for liquid stool (r = 0.459, p = 0.024), need to wear pad (r = 0.466, p = 0.022) and alteration in lifestyle (r = 0.425, p = 0.038)., Conclusion: The high risk of developing functional anal impairment as well as the systematic registration of not only oncological but also functional and QoL related outcomes seem important in rectal cancer patients in the long-term disease follow-up.

In recent years, the studies on the roles of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in several disease models and cell cultures are tremendously growing. It is such a great molecule that was used by ancient times to ameliorate some diseases and nowadays, it is used by modern medicine to test the effectiveness. In this mini-review article, the protection capability of CAPE, as a liposoluble antioxidant and a potent nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor, on oxidative and non-oxidative ovary, and testis damages has been summarized. In view of our laboratory findings/experience and those reported in the hitherto literature, we suggest that CAPE possesses protective effects for pathologies of the reproductive organs induced by untoward effects of harmful molecules such as free oxygen radicals, pesticides, methotrexate, and MK-801 (dizocilpine).

Aim: To evaluate survival data in patients with gastric cancer in relation to postoperative adjuvant therapy and survival determinants, Methods: A total of 201 patients (mean±SD age: 56.0±11.9 years, 69.7% were males) with gastric carcinoma who were operated and followed up at Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital between 1998 and 2010 were included in this retrospective study. Follow up was evaluated divided into two consecutive periods (before 2008 and 2008-2010, respectively) based on introduction of 3-D conformal technique in radiotherapy at our clinic in 2008. Data on patient demographics, clinical and histopathological characteristics of gastric carcinoma and the type of treatment applied after surgery [postoperative adjuvant treatment protocols including chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and chemotherapy (CT), supportive therapy or follow up without any treatment] were recorded. The median duration and determinants of local recurrence free (LRF) survival, distant metastasis free (DMF) survival and overall survival were evaluated in the overall population as well as with respect to follow up years [1998-2008 (n=127) vs 2008-2010 (n=74)]., Results: Median duration for LRF survival, DMF survival and overall survival were 31.9, 24.1 and 31.9 mo, respectively in patients with postoperative adjuvant CRT. No significant difference was noted in median duration for LRF survival, DMF survival and overall survival with respect to treatment protocols in the overall population and also with respect to followed up periods. In the overall population, CT protocols FUFA [5-fluorouracil (400 mg/m2) and leucovorin-folinic acid (FA, 20 mg/m2)] (29.9 mo) and UFT®+Antrex® [a fixed combination of the oral FU prodrug tegafur (flouroprymidine, FT, 300 mg/m2 per day) with FA (Antrex®), 15 mg tablet, two times a day] (42.5 mo) was significantly associated with longer LRF survival times than other CT protocols (P=0.036), while no difference was noted between CT protocols in terms of DMF survival and overall survival. Among patients received CRT, overall survival was significantly longer in patients with negative than positive surgical margin (27.7 mo vs 22.4 mo, P=0.016) in the overall study population, while time of radiotherapy initiation had no significant impact on survival times. Nodal stage was determined to be independent predictor of LRF survival in the overall study population with 4.959 fold (P=0.042) increase in mortality in patients with nodal stage N2 compared to patients with nodal stage N0, and independent predictor of overall survival with 5.132 fold (P=0.006), 5.263 fold (P=0.027) and 4.056 fold (P=0.009) increase in the mortality in patients with nodal stage N3a (before 2008), N3b (before 2008) and N2 (overall study population) when compared to patients with N0 stage, respectively., Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the likelihood of postoperative adjuvant CRT to have a survival benefit in patients with resectable gastric carcinoma.

Background: Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is one major area of interest in forensic medicine. We investigated changes of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in rat brain and renal tissues in the PMI and examined the potential changes which may be useful for an estimation of time of death., Methods: Forty albino female rats were used in this study. The rats were sacrificed and divided into five groups: Group 1: 0 hour, Group 2: 6 hours, Group 3: 12 hours, Group 4: 24 hours, and Group 5: 48 hours. The rats were housed at room temperature (22 degrees C ± 2 degrees C) for the defined period for each group, and their brains and kidneys were excised., Results: The postmortem MDA levels were significantly different between groups for both renal and brain tissues (p = 0.003; p = 0.007). The diagnostic adequacy of MDA was calculated. Regarding SOD and GSH-Px, we were not able to obtain any date that would be useful for the prediction of PMI., Conclusions: According to this study, it is possible that an estimation of the PMI can be made using postmortem MDA levels. Regarding SOD and GSH-Px, we were not able to obtain any data that would be useful for the prediction of PMI.

Background: Telomeres are protective caps consisted of specific tandem repeats (5'-TTAGGG-3'). Shortening of telomeres at each cell division is known as "mitotic clock" of the cells, which renders telomeres as important regulators of lifespan. TRF2 is one of the critical members of shelterin complex, which is a protein complex responsible from the preservation of cap structure, and loss or mutation of TRF2 results in DNA damage, senescence or apoptosis. Since cancer is frequently associated with aberrant cell cycle progression, defective DNA repair or apoptosis pathways, TRF2 could be one likely candidate for cancer therapy. Here we investigated the prognostic role of TRF2 levels in cervical cancer patients. Fold-induction rates were evaluated with respect to median values after real-time PCR analysis. Overall survival, distant disease-free and local recurrence-free survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier long rank test., Results: Both five year overall- and disease-free survival rates were longer in patients with higher TRF2 expression compared to lower expression, but results were not statistically significant (69.2% vs 28.9%, respectively). Mean local recurrence-free survivals (LRF) were very close ( 58.6, CI: 44.3-72.9 vs 54.5, CI: 32.1-76.9 months) for high and low expressions, respectively. Cumulative proportion of LRF at the end of five year period was 76.9% for high and 57.1% for low TRF2 expression (P = 0.75). Statistically significant difference was found between survival ratios and Bcl-xL and p53 gene expressions, but not with TRF2. A respectable correlation between TRF2 expression and apoptosis along with distant metastasis was noted (P = 0.045 and 0.036, respectively). Additionally, high TRF2 expression levels had a positive impact in five year survival rate of stage IIIB-IVA patients (P = 0.04)., Conclusions: Our results support the role of TRF2 in apoptosis and imply a positive relation with distant metastases and survival in advanced stage patients. The remarkable difference in survival periods of patients with different TRF2 expressions suggest that TRF2 may be a candidate factor to estimate survival for cervical cancer, a preliminary observation which should further be verified with a larger cohort.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of pomegranate juice (PJ) on oxidative stress (OS) and sperm concentration in a rat model of testicular torsion-detorsion. A total of 21 Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of seven rats, as follows: i) control group, which underwent sham surgery; ii) ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group, designed to determine the effects of the testicular torsion-detorsion process on rats; and iii) PJ+I/R group, designed to evaluate the effect of PJ on the OS and sperm cell concentrations induced by the torsion-detorsion process. In the PJ+I/R group, the rats were given 0.4 ml/day PJ orally over a period of eight weeks prior to surgery. Ipsilateral orchiectomy was carried out and 5-cm 3 blood samples were obtained from the inferior vena cava of all rats. Biochemical analyses were performed to calculate the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the testicular tissue and serum. The concentrations of spermatids, spermatocytes and spermatogonia in the seminiferous tubules were assessed using histopathological methods. Serum and tissue SOD and MDA levels were significantly higher in rats from the I/R group compared with the control group (P<0.001). PJ treatment significantly decreased the SOD and MDA levels in both the serum and testicular tissue of the rats (P<0.001). The spermatid, spermatocyte and spermatogonia concentrations were significantly reduced in the I/R group compared with the control group (P<0.001). PJ treatment significantly improved the concentrations of spermatids, spermatocytes and spermatogonia compared with those in the I/R group (P=0.008). The experimentally established testicular torsion-detorsion model led to OS in the rat testes. Daily consumption of PJ prior to surgery reduced OS parameters and improved sperm cell concentrations.

Background: The conflicting information related to oxidative stress status in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria has been reported in several studies. However, the association between acute urticaria (AU) and oxidative stress has not been investigated exhaustively., Objectives: To evaluate the role of the oxidative stress in the patients with AU by determining the oxidant/antioxidant activity in AU and to establish its clinical significance., Methods: About 50 patients with AU, (10 males, 40 females) and 30 unrelated healthy controls (4 males, 26 females) were enrolled into the study. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), serum NO and protein carbonyls levels in the plasma were measured spectrophotometrically at samples., Results: A statistically significant increase was observed in serum Cu-ZnSOD activities of the patients when compared with that of the controls (p < 0.001), while a statistically significant decrease was observed in GSH-Px activities of the patients according to the controls (p = 0.002). Serum MDA and NO levels were significantly higher in patients with AU when compared with control group (p < 0.001 for both of them). The levels of protein carbonyls were significantly lower in patients with AU when compared with control group (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: It seems there is an oxidative burden in the patients with AU. Cutaneous oxidative stress may play a role in pathogenesis of the disease.

Recent studies have suggested the involvement of increased reactive oxygen species levels and decreased antioxidant system functions in psoriasis pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to examine to investigate possible associations between the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD Ala-9Val) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx1 Pro198Leu) polymorphisms and psoriasis susceptibility and disease progression in a Turkish population. The study group consisted of 100 unrelated patients with psoriasis and 167 unrelated healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes of whole blood which were obtained from all patients and control subjects. Genotyping was performed to identify MnSOD Ala-9Val and GPx1 Pro198Leu polymorphisms by a method based on PCR amplification and detection of polymorphisms with hybridization probes labeled with fluorescent dyes. Genotype and allele frequencies were compared between patients with psoriasis and 106 healthy control subjects. There was no significant difference between the MnSOD Ala-9Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the psoriasis patients and the control group (p = 0.99 and p = 0.89, respectively). There was also no significant difference between distributions of the genotype or allele frequencies of the GPx1 Pro198Leu SNP of the patient groups and control subjects (p = 0.99 and p = 0.96, respectively). Also, no significant difference was found between clinical severity of psoriasis and MnSOD Ala-9Val and GPx1 Pro198Leu polymorphism. This is the first report investigating the possible associations between the MnSOD Ala-9Val and GPx1 Pro198Leu polymorphisms and psoriasis susceptibility and disease progression in the Turkish population even if no significant difference was found between patient groups and control subjects. Further studies with large cohort on different populations and ethnicities will be able to better clarify the association.

Testicular torsion (TT) is a serious urologic emergency that is observed in adolescent males and that can lead to infertility if left untreated. The ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury due to TT has been implicated in the pathogenesis of testicular damage. We investigated the effects of melatonin on oxidative damage in the ipsilateral and contralateral testes of rats induced by unilateral TT. A total of 21 prepubertal male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups, each consisting of seven rats. In Group 1 (SHAM group): a sham operation to the left testis and bilateral orchiectomy were performed. In Group 2 (I/R group): I/R injury was created by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction for 2 h and detorsing the testis after 2 h. Group 3 (I/R + MEL group): rats were subjected to I/R injury and one-shot melatonin injection (50 mg kg?1, intraperitoneal (i.p.)). The testes of the rats were excised bilaterally in all groups. The testicular tissue activities of antioxidant catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase enzymes (GSH-Px), and the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined. Administration of melatonin caused a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation and enzyme activities in the ipsilateral testis when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). All of the changes in the enzyme activities of the contralateral testis were insignificant (P > 0.05). MDA levels were signifi cantly altered in the contralateral testis (P = 0.009). Melatonin administration decreased the deleterious effects of I/R injury in the ipsilateral torted testes of the rats. The contralateral testes were slightly affected by unilateral TT.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the reference intervals for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in healthy individuals with normal levels of serum free thyroxine (fT4) and without sonographic pathologies, and determine the effects of age, gender, and residence on the TSH reference intervals., Subjects and Methods: This research was a population-based study conducted in 70 regions. The random sampling method was used to select the 1095 subjects of the study among inhabitants aged 18 and above. Patients who had a previous history of thyroid disease and had been taking medication were excluded from the study as this may have affected their fT4 or TSH levels. In addition, subjects who had serum fT4 without a reference range and abnormal ultrasonography findings were also excluded. A total of 408 subjects were used for establishing the reference intervals for TSH., Results: The data for TSH in the study group were not normally distributed according to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov index. The geometric mean was 1.62 mIU/L, the median was 1.40 mIU/L, and the 95% reference intervals were 0.38-4.22 mIU/L. The median TSH level was higher in females compared to males (p < 0.05). In the female subjects 2.5th percentile of TSH was lower and 97.5th percentile was higher than those of males. The reference intervals of TSH were of lower values in subjects over 50 years old (p < 0.001)., Discussion: Studies suggest that determination of the TSH reference intervals may differ due to environmental influences or due to age, gender, and race. It is suggested that the lower limit of normal TSH for the adult Turkish population would be 0.38 mIU/L and the upper limit similar to the traditional value of 4.2 mIU/L. If each clinician uses their population-specific reference interval for TSH, thyroid function abnormalities can be accurately estimated.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of RCC and Ala16Val polymorphism in Turkish patients with RCC. Materials and Methods. A total of 41 patients with RCC who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy in our clinic and 50 healthy volunteers living in the same geographic area were included in this study. DNA samples from serum of RCC patients and controls were genotyped for MnSOD polymorphism analysis. Genotype ratios and allele frequencies were compared between two groups and odd ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated statistically. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. There was a significant difference in the MnSOD genotype distributions between the RCC patients and the controls in terms of Ala/Ala+Ala/Val and Val/Val genotypes (P = 0.039). The Ala/Ala+Ala/Val genotypes were found significantly suspicious for RCC with an OR of 2.64 (95% CI = 1.06-6.69, P = 0.039). In addition, Ala allele was found significantly suspicious for RCC with an OR of 2.26 (95% CI = 1.24-4.12, P = 0.009). Conclusion. Our study indicated that MnSOD Ala16Val polymorphism may be one of the many genetic factors for renal cancer susceptibility in Turkish patients.