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The present study investigated the total elemental composition (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Al, S, B, Na, Mg, K, Ca, P, S) in smooth scallop (Flexopecten glaber) meat collected monthly in the Çardak Lagoon (Turkey) in 2017- 2018. Considering the distribution of elements in terms of quantity during the year, the elements were sorted as S> Na> K> P> Mg> Ca> Fe> Zn> Mn> Al> B> Cu> Se and the heavy metals were below the detection limit. Although the elements were at their highest values during autumn and summer, they were at their lowest values during spring and winter. The differences between the months in terms of Fe, Mn, Mg, and Ca elements were found to be statistically significant (p

The present study was performed in Çanakkale Strait from September 2012 to August 2013. Biochemical composition (protein, total lipid, moisture, and ash), condition index, and meat yield of Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis in the net systems hung out the open sea cage units monthly. The mean condition index and meat yield of M. galloprovincialis were found 8.12±0.48 and 16.07±0.70%, respectively. A positive correlation was found between condition index and protein, carbohydrate, and meat yield whereas a negative correlation was seen between condition index and weight, length, lipid, moisture, and ash. In terms of seasons, condition index and protein values were high in autumn, lipid values in summer, and carbohydrate values in spring.

Aim: Oxidative stress and inflammation are important for development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). High fat diet (HFD) acts as promoter and induces cancer formation by diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated carcinogenesis. DEN+HFD experimental model may be suitable to investigate the relationship between diet, cirrhosis and cancer.Methods: Rats were injected with DEN (50 mg/kg/once a week; i.p.) for 4 weeks. After 15 days, rats received HFD with/without supplementations of α-lipoic acid (ALA; 2 g/kg chow), N-acetylcysteine (NAC; 1% w/v drinking water) and their combination for 12 weeks. Results: DEN+HFD-treatment resulted in increase of serum hepatic damage markers, hepatic oxidative stress parameters (lipid/protein oxidation products) and fibrotic changes. However, no HCC nodule was detected. Hepatic GST-pi and Ki-67 expressions also increased. Accordingly, DEN+HFD-treatment resulted in precancerous lesions and high rate of proliferation in the liver. NAC supplementation decreased hepatic oxidative stress and formation of fibrotic and preneoplastic lesions of DEN+HFD-treated rats. However, ALA supplementation did not have a curative effect on these lesions. No synergistic effect was seen with co-administration of ALA and NAC.Conclusions: According to present results NAC, acting as an antioxidant, has ameliorating effect on DEN+HFD-induced oxidative stress and the formation of preneoplastic lesions in liver., Amaç: Oksidatif stres ve inflamasyon steatohepatit (NASH), siroz ve hepatoselüler karsinom (HCC) gelişimi için önemlidir. Yüksek yağlı diyet (HFD) promotör görevi görür ve dietilnitrosamin (DEN) ile başlatılan karsinogenez modelinde kanser oluşumunu indükler. DEN + HFD uygulaması diyet, siroz ve kanser arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmak için uygun bir deneysel model olabilir.Yöntemler: Sıçanlara 4 hafta boyunca DEN (haftada bir kez 50 mg / kg / i.p.) enjekte edildi. 15 gün sonra, sıçanlara HFD tek başına veya α -lipoik asit (ALA; 2 g / kg yem), N-asetilsistein (NAC; içme suyunda % 1 w/v) takviyeleri 12 hafta süreyle verildi.Bulgular: DEN + HFD uygulaması serum hepatik hasar belirteçleri ve hepatik oksidatif stres parametrelerinin (lipit/protein oksidasyon ürünleri) armasına ve fibrotik değişikliklere neden oldu. Ancak, HCC nodülü tespit edilmedi. Hepatik GST-pi ve Ki-67 ekspresyonları de artmış olarak bulunduğundan dolayı, DEN + HFD uygulaması, prekanseröz lezyonlara ve karaciğerde yüksek proliferasyon oranlarına neden oldu. NAC takviyesi, DEN + HFD ile muamele edilen sıçanların karaciğerinde oksidatif stresi ve fibrotik ve preneoplastik lezyonların oluşumunu azalttı. Bununla birlikte, ALA takviyesinin bu lezyonlar üzerinde iyileştirici bir etkisi olmamıştır. ALA ve NAC'nin birlikte uygulanmasıyla hiçbir sinerjistik etki görülmedi.Sonuçlar: Sonuçlarımıza göre, bir antioksidan olan NAC, karaciğerde DEN + HFD'nin neden olduğu artmış oksidatif stresi azaltmada ve preneoplastik lezyonların oluşumu üzerine iyileştirici etkiye sahiptir.

Metabolic activities such as breathing and digestion, resulting from natural functions of the body through oxidation, lead to the formation of free radicals that cause cancer, premature cardiac aging and some chronic diseases. Antioxidants are substances that remove free radicals and prevent cell damage. Seafood significantly contributes to the elimination of free radicals, especially owing to its high quality nutrient content. In this context, the objective of the study was to determine the radical antioxidant capacity and the total amount of carotenes in razor clams. The IC50 (mg g−1) value of the DPPH radical sweeping effect varied over the months (p < 0.05), showing the highest value in June, gradually decreasing from September and reaching the lowest level in February. The total amount of carotenoids also varied, with the highest value in September (p < 0.05). The total amount of chlorophyll ranged from 6.15 μg g−1 in August to 66.71 μg g−1 in December.

Two individuals of Pontastacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) were collected from Atikhisar Reservoir in Canakkale, Turkey. The individuals were caught by using a fyke-net. The fyke-nets were collected after 3-days soaking time from the reservoir on 18 July 2020. The sampling was carried out during the daytime. The sediment of the sampling location had a muddy substrate. Both blue colored individuals of crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) were female. Blue color anomaly was observed in all parts of the bodies of both individuals. Morphometric characteristics were measured and the total lengths were 104.83 mm and 76.92 mm, and weights were 36.09 g and 11.76 g, respectively. The genetics of the mutant species should be examined in future studies to better understanding of the main factors causing color anomalies.

A female albino crayfish Pontastacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) was captured from Atikhisar Reservoir in Canakkale, Turkey on July 18, 2020. The albino crayfish is lacked melanin that is normally found on normal crayfish. The compound eyes of the albino crayfish were black as in normal crayfish. Morphometric characteristics were measured and the total length was 101.98 mm, carapace length was 50.04 mm, carapace width was 26.56 mm and weight was 35.90 g. Albinism is a widespread disorder in the animal kingdom and is triggered by the absence of melanin in the skin, eyes, or hair. Investigation on albinism has commonly focused on mice and humans. Therefore, there is restricted research on albino crayfish. In the present paper, the occurrence of albinism in crayfish is firstly reported from Atikhisar Reservoir in Canakkale, Turkey. Therefore, this paper significantly contributes to the scientific literature by providing the first knowledge on the presence of albino crayfish in the Atikhisar Reservoir, Canakkale, Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Specific learning disorder (SLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that involves complex interactions of genetic, neurobiological and environmental factors, but the definite mechanisms remain mostly unknown. The possible role of neurotrophins has been implicated in the pathophysiology of various neurodevelopmental disorders. This study aimed to investigate whether serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in children with SLD deviate from those of neurotypical brains. METHODS: Forty-four patients with SLD and 44 healthy controls aged 7­–12 years were included. SLD diagnosis and severity was determined using DSM-5–based interviews and SLD clinical observation battery. Serum neurotrophins were measured using enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: BDNF (p=0.032), NGF (p=0.029), and NT-3 (p=0.025) serum levels were significantly higher in the SLD group compared to the control group; however, serum levels of GDNF did not show any significant difference between groups. On the other hand, GDNF serum levels were significantly different between mild and severe SLD groups (p=0.007) and were lower in severe SLD subjects than in mild cases. There was also a significant correlation between patients’ reading speeds and serum levels of GDNF (p=0.025), and GDNF serum levels were lower in patients with slower reading speeds. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that neurotrophins might play a role in the pathophysiology of SLD. Increased serum levels of BDNF, NGF, and NT-3 might reflect compensatory attempts at neuroprotection against neurodevelopmental impairment.

Aim: Acetaldehyde (AA) is one of the main products of alcohol metabolism. Exposure to AA can occur through ingestion of several dietary products, inhalation of cigarette smoke/automobile exhausts, or contact with cosmetics. AA accumulation causes oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the prooxidant/antioxidant status in rats chronically exposed to AA, and to evaluate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and taurine (TAU) on prooxidant/antioxidant balance. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were divided in the following groups (n=8; each): Control, AA, AA+NAC, AA+TAU. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), diene conjugate (DC), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and glutathione (GSH) levels as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined in liver and brain tissues. Results: AA treatment in drinking water was detected to induce prooxidant state in both liver and brain of rats. NAC treatment decreased AA-induced prooxidant status in both tissues. Although TAU treatment diminished ROS levels, MDA and PC levels remained unchanged in examined tissues of AA-treated rats. NAC and TAU elevated liver and brain GSH levels in AA-treated rats. Conclusion: Chronic AA administration has created a prooxidant condition, and NAC/TAU appears to be useful in suppression of the developed oxidative stress.

First Report of Albinism in Turkish Crayfish Pontastacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Astacidae)

Background Studies investigating cognitive dysfunction in psoriatic patients remain inconclusive. Objective To investigate the risk of cognitive decline in plaque‐type psoriasis patients. Methods Serum neurofilament light chain (NFL) and tau protein concentrations in 45 patients with plaque‐type psoriasis and forty‐five healthy controls were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Mean homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR) values (6.82 vs 3.25) and serum levels of insulin (28.19 vs 15.71), NFL (5.74 vs 1.98), and tau (348.17 vs 207.30) in patients with psoriasis were found to be significantly higher than those of in healthy controls. There was a significant positive correlation between NFL and tau (r = .257, P = .015). There was significant correlation between NFL, tau and PASI (r = .310, P = .040) and (r = .383, P = .010), respectively. Significant correlations between NFL and insulin, TC, HDL‐C, TG, VLDL‐C, and BMI were found. NFL (9.38 vs 3.08) and tau (439.28 vs 281.58) concentrations and PASI values (23.94 vs 14.18) in patients with disease onset before 40 years were significantly higher than that of the patients with disease onset after 40 years. C‐reactive protein (CRP) was significantly correlated with BMI (r = .449, P, The levels of NFL, tau,and insulin and the HOMA‐IR values remained significantly increased in the patients with psoriasis compared to those in controls upon stratification by age, gender, BMI, and smoking status.

Aim: The etiopathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) has not been clearly elucidated although the role of chronical inflammation and endothelial dysfunction has been established. Adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule1 (VCAM1) and E-selectin are secreted from vascular endothelium and promote accummulation of leukocytes in damaged endothelial areas. This study examined the possible association of VCAM1 (T-1591C and T-833C) and E-selectin S128R single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the occurence of HT for the first time. Methods: VCAM1 (T-1591C and T-833C), and E-selectin S128R SNPs in DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes of 189 patients with HT and 247 healthy controls were investigated by real-time PCR combined with melting curve analysis using fluorescence-labeled hybridization probes. Results: We did not find significant differences in the distributions of studied polymorphisms between patients with HT and healthy controls. Conclusions: The results of present study suggest that VCAM1 (T-1591C and T-833C) and E-selectin S128R SNPs may not be risk factors for HT. For all that; further studies with a larger cohort, analyzing other polymorphisms in VCAM1 and E-selectin genes are necessary to support our observations.

The endothelin (EDN) axis (EDN1 and EDN1 receptor A, EDNRA) is involved in cellular growth, differentiation, invasiveness, and tumor progression in several cancers. We wanted to examine the possible impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of EDN1 and EDNRA genes on papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) development and general characteristics of PTC. Study population consist of 113 PTC patients and 185 controls. EDN1 (G5665T, T-1370G) and EDNRA (C TT70G, G-231A) SNPs were investigated by real-time PCR. The GG genotype of EDNRA + 70 SNP was associated with threefold increased PTC risk (p = 0.01), and the combined CG + GG genotype was 2.48 fold higher among PTC patients compared to controls. The variant EDNRA - 231 allele was overrepresented in PTC patients according to controls (p = 0.05). The combined GT + TT genotype of EDN1 5665 SNP was related with late (age after 40 years) PTC onset (p = 0.04), and was more prominent among male patients with PTC according to females (p = 0.03). No significant associations between PTC and - 1370 SNP were found. There were no relationships between laboratory parameters and investigated polymorphisms. The EDNRA + 70 SNP was associated with PTC development. The EDN1 5665 SNP was linked with increased risk for late PTC onset and was more prominent among male patients with PTC.

Aim: To investigate the effects of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on prooxidant-antioxidant balance in liver tissue, as well as liver function tests in experimental hyperthyroidism.Materials and Methods: For the evaluation of prooxidant-antioxidant balance, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), glutathione (GSH) levels, and superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were determined. Histopathological examinations were also performed. Hyperthyroidism was induced by the administration of L-thyroxine [T4, 12 mg/L] in drinking water for 10 weeks. The ALA [100 mg/kg/day; 0.2% (w/w) in diet] was administered in last 5 weeks of experimental period. Results: Oxidative stress in liver tissue from hyperthyroid rats was accentuated. Significant increases in hepatic ROS, MDA, and PC levels were found. Additionally, increased FRAP and decreased GSH levels were observed. ALA treatment lowered the elevated serum free T3 and T4 levels and significantly decreased hepatic ROS, MDA and PC levels. Serum liver function tests in hiperthyroid rats before and after ALA treatment were not changed. Conclusion: Our results indicate that ALA treatment was effective in the improvement of changes in prooxidant-antioxidant balance, and may be useful as supportive agent for the treatment of hypertyroidism.

The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) has a very important economic potential for aquaculture, but on the other hand, is among the highly invasive species in the world and within the Mediterranean ecosystem. In the 1960s, C. gigas was brought to Europe for aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions from Japan and Canada. The Turkish waters are the part of the Mediterranean Sea, which is the world’s most invaded sea. The invasion of alien species results from marine transportation and aquaculture activities of non-native species. A heavy maritime traffic is also present in the Marmara Sea, which connects the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. The identification of the invasive species and their distributions is very prominent in terms of protecting natural habitat and monitoring the effects of invasive species. In this study, 30 individuals, morphologically identified as C. gigas, were collected from Bandırma bay. The genomic DNAs were extracted from each sample’s muscle tissue using universal salt extraction method. Partial sequences of COI and 16S Mitochondrial DNA loci of the sample DNAs were obtained for species identification. The sequences were searched against the database and results were retrieved from BLAST. All the sequences obtained in this study showed significant similarity with the C. gigas sequences present in the database (E=0). The sample sequences resulted in 9 different haplotypes for the COI locus (hd: 0.5296 and variance: 0.01256±0.112) and 5 different haplotypes for the 16S rDNA locus (hd: 0.2529, Variance: 0.01076±0.104). The results of this study provided the first molecular evidence for the presence of non-native Pacific oyster individuals in the Marmara Sea.

Pinna nobilis, commonly known as the fan mussel, is an endemic and endangered species found in the Mediterranean Sea. The association between the crab, Nepinnotheres pinnotheres (Decapoda), and P. nobilis (Bivalvia) from the Aegean Sea, Turkey was examined in this study. The crab samples were collected in the Urla Karantina Island, Izmir Bay, the Aegean Sea. The biometric characters of bivalve and crab in this coexistence were analyzed. 80% of the P. nobilis was occupied by N. pinnotheres.

The etiopathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) - has not been clearly elucidated although the role of chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines has been established. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is required to maintain immune homeostasis, and is implicated in lymphocyte infiltration, production of autoantibodies and thyrocyte destruction seen in patients with HT.The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association of Leu10Pro (c.869TC) and Arg25Pro (c.915GC) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TGFβ1 gene with the occurrence of HT.We analyzed the genotype and allele frequencies of polymorphisms at codon 10 and 25 in 178 patients who had been diagnosed as having HT and 197 healthy controls using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).There was no notable risk for HT afflicted by Leu10Pro (c.869TC) polymorphism of TGFβ1 gene. However, there was a significant increase of Arg25Pro (c.915GC) C allele frequency in patients with HT compared with healthy controls (p=0.003, OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.23-2.84). Moreover, heterozygous (CG) subjects had a 2.53-fold increased risk for developing HT with respect to wild (GG) homozygotes (p0.001, 95% CI=1.57-4.05). TSH levels in CG heterozygous patients were increased in comparison with wild homozygotes (p=0.006).This study indicates that the Arg25Pro (c.915GC) polymorphism of TGFβ1 gene may be related to increased risk for HT.

Background Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease associated with increase of some pro-inflammatory mediators. We wanted to investigate whether there is a relationship between psoriasis and visfatin, fetuin-A and pentraxin 3 (PTX3)—pro-inflammatory mediators implicated in the development of insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis. Methods Visfatin, fetuin-A, and PTX3 concentrations were measured in 45 patients with plaque-type psoriasis and 45 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Serum levels of visfatin, fetuin-A, and PTX3 in patients with psoriasis were found to be higher than in healthy controls (P = 0.002, P = 0.009, P < 0.001, respectively). Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score correlated significantly with visfatin and fetuin-A levels (P = 0.011, P = 0.040, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between visfatin and fetuin-A (P < 0.001). PTX3 levels were correlated positively with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), insulin, triglyceride (TG), and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL; P = 0.009, P = 0.007, P = 0.023, P = 0.024, respectively). Conclusions Increased serum visfatin, fetuin-A, and PTX3 levels, and the presence of positive correlation between visfatin, fetuin-A, and PASI score, probably reflect the inflammatory state and IR seen in psoriasis.

Purpose Endothelin1 (EDN1) is well established marker of inflammation. The functions of EDN1 are mediated mainly by endothelin receptors type A (EDNRA). The etiopathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) remains still elusive although the role of chronic inflammation and subsequent endothelial dysfunction has been established. This study examined firstly the possible association of EDN1 (G5665Tand T-1370G) and EDNRA (C+70G and G-231A) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the occurrence of HT, and evaluates the relationship between genotypes and clinical/laboratory manifestation of HT. Materials and methods We analyzed genotype and allele distributions of above mentioned polymorphisms in 163 patients with HT and 181 healthy controls by real-time PCR combined with melting curve analysis. Results No significant associations between HT and variant alleles of EDN1 5665 and - 1370, as well as EDNRA +70 and - 231 SNPs were found. Haplotype analysis demonstrated that there was a strong (D’ = 0.76, r 2 = 0.487) and weak (D’ = 0.403, r 2 = 0.086) linkage disequilibrium (LD) between EDN1 - 1370 and 5665, and between EDNRA - 231 and + 70 SNPs, respectively. However, haplotype frequencies in patients were similar to those in controls. In addition, it was observed that the EDNRA +70 G allele had protective effect against early (at age before 40 years) disease onset of HT (OR: 0.51, 95% CI = 0.32-0.79, p = 0.003). Conclusion Although no significant associations between susceptibility to HT with EDN1 5665 and - 1370, as well as with EDNRA+ 70 and - 231 SNPs were found, EDNRA + 70 polymorphism was related with decreased risk for early onset HT.

Graves' disease (GD) arises due to complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is required to maintain immune homeostasis, and is implicated in lymphocyte infiltration, thyroid follicular cell hyperplasia, and production of autoantibody in the thyroid gland of patients with GD.The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association of Leu10Pro (c.869TC) and Arg25Pro (c.915GC) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TGFβ1 gene with the occurrence of GD.We analyzed the genotype and allele frequencies of these SNPs in 171 patients with GD and 197 healthy controls using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).The distribution of Leu10Pro (c.869TC) genotype and allele frequencies in the control and GD groups were not significantly different. However, there was a significant increase of Arg25Pro (c.915GC) C allele frequency in patients with GD compared with healthy controls (p0.0001, OR=4.77, 95% CI=3.32-7.03). In addition, C allele carrying subjects (CG+CC) had 5.31-fold increased risk for developing GD according to GG homozygotes (p0.0001, 95% CI=3.43-8.44). No association between polymorphisms and GD phenotypes was observed.This study indicates that the Arg25Pro (c.915GC) polymorphism of TGFβ1 gene may be related to occurrence of GD.

Objectives To examine the relationship between premature ejaculation and plasma melatonin levels, and assess the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating premature ejaculation. Methods A total of 60 men with lifelong premature ejaculation and 40 healthy male controls were included in the present study. For each participant, a medical history was obtained, a physical examination was carried out, and intravaginal ejaculation latency time and melatonin levels were measured. Premature ejaculation patients were randomly categorized into three treatment groups: group 1 received fluoxetine (20 mg/day), group 2 received paroxetine (20 mg/day) and group 3 received sertraline (50 mg/day). Results The mean baseline plasma melatonin levels in men with premature ejaculation were significantly lower than in the healthy controls (5.34 vs 14.84 pg/mL). After 4 weeks of treatment, the mean intravaginal ejaculation latency time scores for all of the premature ejaculation treatment groups showed a significant improvement from the baseline values. The plasma melatonin levels were also significantly increased (P

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mediator implicated with cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, and monocyte/macrophage chemotaxis. In present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between VEGF gene polymorphisms (G+405C, T‐460C, and A‐2578C) and PTC susceptibility. METHODS: DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes of 127 patients with PTC and 203 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed by real‐time PCR. Association of genotypes with susceptibility of PTC was analyzed with multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age, gender and smoking status. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In G+405C polymorphism, the frequencies of C allele (related with increased VEGF production) and combined CG+CC genotype were found to be higher (3.5 and 5‐fold, respectively) among patients with PTC than controls (P

The present study is carried out in Kilya Bay (in the Dardanelles) between February 2002 and February 2004. The purpose of this study was to determine the most suitable collector material, time to collect mussel seed, and the growth rate. In the first three months of the study, different collector materials (net rope, polypropylene rope, sisal rope, and jute rope) were deployed in the water column. Spat recruitment was not varied between collector materials (p>0.05). When resistance of ropes were compared against the effects of water, it was found that net rope was most suitable for the mussel seed collection. Net collectors were deployed in February, March, April, May, June, and January. Mussel spat settlement was observed throughout the study, however between collectors, spat attachment was significantly different between months (p

To investigate whether soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) levels are increased in euthyroid patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and whether they are associated with thyroid autoimmunity and metabolic parameters.Cross-sectional.In total, 80 euthyroid patients with HT and 80 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched control participants were included. Serum sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO), thyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, and lipid levels and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed in all participants.The patients with HT had significantly higher levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 than controls (both p0.001). The difference was sustained after adjustment for TSH and levothyroxine use. Regression analysis demonstrated that sICAM-1 was related to anti-TPO (p0.001), and sVCAM-1 was related to both anti-TPO and-TG (p0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively); this relationship was sustained after adjustment for age and BMI. Although FBG and HOMA-IR were higher in the HT group, logistic regression analysis revealed that there was no effect of anti-TPO, anti-TG, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and C-reactive protein (CRP) on the occurrence of high FBG and high HOMA-IR.sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were significantly elevated in the patients with euthyroid HT and correlated closely with thyroid autoimmunity. However, soluble adhesion molecules had no relation with glucose metabolism parameters in the HT patients.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease characterised by accentuated keratinocyte proliferation, hyperkeratinisation, leukocyte and T-lymphocyte chemotaxis, and neoangiogenesis. Chronic inflammation, imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and many angiogenic mediators has been implicated in the disease etiopathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether psoriasis is related to fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and placental growth factor (PLGF) - mediators related to insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis.Forty five patients with plaque type psoriasis and forty five healthy controls were included in the study. Serum FGF23 and PLGF concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Mean homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) values and serum levels of insulin, FGF23 and PLGF, in patients with psoriasis were found to be higher than those of in healthy controls (p= 0.001, p=0.001, p=0.001 and p=0.003 respectively). Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score correlated significantly with PLGF levels (p=0.039). There was a significant positive correlation between FGF23 and PLGF (p0.001). CRP was significantly correlated with BMI (p=0.019), glucose (p=0.017), TC (p=0.043), TG (p=0.003), and VLDL-C (p=0.004) in patients with psoriasis.Increased serum FGF23 and PLGF levels and the presence of positive correlation between PLGF and PASI score probably reflects the inflammatory state and IR seen in psoriasis. Above mentioned correlations provide rationale for possible application of serum FGF23 and especially of PLGF measurements as biomarkers of disease severity, which could be useful for management of treatment efficacy.

Background Although prooxidant and antioxidant status were reported to be changed in clinical and experimental hypothyroidism, obtained results are conflicting. In addition, in subclinical hypothyroidism, scarced and controversial data are available about oxidative stress. Therefore, we aimed to investigate prooxidant–antioxidant status only in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients with subclinical (sHT) and overt hypothyroidism (oHT). Subjects and methods Thirty sHT and 18 oHT patients and 30 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Endogenous and prooxidant 2,2′-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH)-induced malondialdehyde (MDA), diene conjugate (DC), protein carbonyl (PC) and nitrotyrosine (NT) levels as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined in serum. In addition, endogenous DC and copper-induced MDA levels were measured in low density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction. Results Although there were no significant difference in serum endogenous MDA and DC levels, AAPH-induced MDA levels were significantly increased in sHT patients. All these parameters increased in oHT patients. Serum PC levels were detected to be increased in both sHT and oHT patients. Serum FRAP values did not alter in sHT patients, but they lowered in oHT patients. Endogenous DC and copper-induced MDA levels in LDL fraction did not change in sHT patients. However, these parameters were detected to be increased significantly in oHT patients as compared to controls and sHT patients. Conclusion In conclusion, there were significant increases in oxidative stress parameters in serum and LDL-fraction in oHT patients. However, oxidative stress was detected to stimulate partly in serum, but not LDL fraction in sHT patients.

This study examined firstly the possible association of G241R and K469E single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ICAM-1 gene with the occurrence of Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). G241R and K469E SNPs in DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes of 190 HT and 247 healthy controls were investigated by real-time PCR combined with melting curve analysis using fluorescence-labeled hybridization probes. There was a significant increase of ICAM-1 241R allele frequency in patients with HT compared with healthy controls (P = 0.04, OR = 1.84, 95 % CI = 1.00-3.37). Regarding ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism, patients homozygous for E allele had 1.73-fold increased risk for developing HT according to KK homozygotes (P = 0.04, 95 % CI = 1.00-3.01). The 469E allele frequency was higher in HT patients according to controls, however the difference was at borderline significance (P = 0.05, OR = 1.30, 95 % CI = 1.00-1.70). No associations between polymorphisms and HT phenotypes were observed. We suggest that the G241R and K469E SNPs of ICAM-1 gene may be related to occurrence of HT. However, more studies with larger sample size including other loci of the ICAM-1 gene are necessary to support our findings before any definite statement can be made about the relationship between HT and ICAM-1 polymorphism.

Muir-Torre syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis characterized by the occurrence of sebaceous gland neoplasm associated with visceral malignancies. Most patients present with sebaceous adenomas, but cystic sebaceous neoplasms have been reported as specific markers of the syndrome. Gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers are the most common internal malignancies. Colorectal cancer is the commonest visceral neoplasm in Muir-Torre syndrome patients. In this case report, we describe a rare case of Muir-Torre syndrome associated with colon cancer, and we demonstrate the important role of the dermatopathologist in alerting the clinician to the possibility of Muir-Torre syndrome when the diagnosis of sebaceous neoplasm is made.

Background: Vitiligo is a progressive depigmenting disorder characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes from the epidermis. The etiopathogenesis of vitiligo is still unclear. Vitamin D has both stimulatory and protective effects on melanocytes and acts through its nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) on target cells. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to vitiligo. Methods: 98 patients with vitiligo and 216 age- and sex-matched controls recruited from dermatology outpatients attending the same department were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes using a DNA isolation kit. The VDR polymorphisms of BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, FokI and Cdx2 were investigated by rapid capillary PCR with melting curve analysis. Differences in genotype distributions and allele frequencies in vitiligo cases versus controls were compared for statistical significance using χ2 test. Results: Subjects with TaqI polymorphism had a 2.23-fold increased risk of developing vitiligo. Furthermore, a haplotype analysis showed that BsmI/ApaI/TaqI/FokI/Cdx2 GCCCG was significantly overrepresented in the vitiligo patients in comparison with controls (p = 0.031). Conclusion: This study showed that VDR TaqI gene polymorphism and the haplotype BsmI/ApaI/ TaqI/FokI/Cdx2 GCCCG may be considered as novel risk factors in vitiligo.

In this study, we investigated the effect of l-carnosine (CAR) on prooxidant–antioxidant balance in several tissues of rats exposed to chronic stress. Both cold and immobilization stresses were applied to rats at the same time. In the stress group, rats were placed in restraint cages and kept in a cold room (+4°C) for 1 h for 21 days (5 days a week). Rats were injected with CAR (250 mg/kg, i.p.) at 30 min before stress application. Malondialdehyde, diene conjugate, protein carbonyl and nitrotyrosine levels, nonenzymatic (glutathione, vitamin E, and vitamin C), and enzymatic (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) antioxidants were determined in the liver, heart, and brain tissues. Chronic cold plus immobilization stress was observed to affect especially the prooxidant–antioxidant status in the brain tissue of rats. This is the first report showing the beneficial effects of CAR on oxidative stress in the brain in rats exposed to stress. Keywords:: cold plus immobilization stress, l-carnosine, prooxidant–antioxidant balance, liver, brain

Oxidative stress and imbalance in the oxidant/antioxidant system have a critical role in carcinogenesis by affecting necrosis and apoptosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant status and cell death modes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).Twenty-nine patients with OSCC and 29 control subjects were included in the study. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined in plasma samples of all subjects. The necrotic and apoptotic cell death modes were evaluated with M65 ELISA and M30 ELISA, respectively.MDA and AOPP values as oxidative stress markers were higher in patients with OSCC than in the control group. FRAP values evaluating plasma antioxidant status increased in OSCC patients. M65 and M30 levels indicating necrosis and apoptosis were significantly higher in OSCC patients compared to controls. There were significant correlations between MDA, AOPP and FRAP; M65 and M30 values.The elevated levels of oxidative stress markers together with the increase of antioxidant capacity and the presence of a strong correlation between MDA, AOPP and FRAP suggest an activation of antioxidant defense against accentuated oxidative stress determined in OSCC. Enhanced oxidation of lipids and proteins may cause decomposition of cell membranes with subsequent leakage of cytoskeletal cytokeratins as CK18 and caspase-cleaved CK18 (evaluated as M65 and M30, respectively) in the circulation, suggesting that both cell death modes are affected in OSCC.

Extraintestinal manifestations are frequent in patients with ulcerative colitis. They are most commonly associated with active bowel disease but can also occur prior to bowel disease or during a period of remission. The disease often requires long-term therapy. The tolerability of drugs is essential for the comprehensive management of patients. Azathioprine is considered an indispensable drug for the treatment of severe ulcerative colitis patients. It is used to prevent relapse or to treat patients who are refractory to corticosteroids. We report a patient who had alopecia areata, vitiligo, recurrent episcleritis, ulcerative colitis and azathioprine-induced liver injury, and review the related literature.

Objective Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be involved in the physiological regulation of ovarian angiogenesis and pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). VEGF −2578 A/C, −460 T/C and +405 G/C single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are known to be related to VEGF production. Study design In order to investigate the possible association between VEGF gene and PCOS susceptibility, we analyzed genotype and allele distributions of above mentioned SNPs in 137 patients with PCOS and 155 healthy women. Differences in genotype distributions and allele frequencies in the cases and controls were compared for statistical significance using the χ2-test. Haplotype frequencies were estimated using a contingency χ2-test. Mann–Whitney U test was used for the statistics of the clinical and biochemical parameters. Results No significant association between PCOS and the variant alleles of VEGF −2578 (OR: 0.91, 95% CI = 0.65–1.26), −460 (OR: 0.78, 95% CI = 0.56–1.08), and +405 (OR: 1.25, 95% CI = 0.81–1.93) was observed. However, haplotype analysis demonstrated that the frequency of CTG haplotype, was higher among PCOS compared with controls (p = 0.019) and that there is a strong linkage disequilibrium (D′ = 0.873, r2 = 0.752) between −2578 and −460 polymorphisms. Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that the −2578, −460 and +405 SNPs of VEGF gene are not significant risk factors for PCOS development alone. However, because of the high VEGF producer CTG haplotype was more frequent among the PCOS, we suppose that investigated polymorphisms – interacting with other genetic and environmental factors – could play a role in the development of PCOS.

Objective – Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the regulatory regions of the cytokine genes for tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 have been suggested to influence the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with conflicting results. Aim – To investigate the TNFα–308, IL-6 –174 and IL-10 –1082 gene polymorphisms as susceptibility factors for AD. Methods – We analyzed genotype and allele distributions of these polymorphisms in 101 sporadic AD patients and 138 healthy controls. Results – Heterozygotes (AG) or combined genotype (AG+AA) for IL-10 –1082 were associated with approximately two-fold increase in the risk of AD. Carriers of A alleles of both TNFα–308 and IL-10 –1082 had 6.5 times higher risk for AD in comparison with non-carriers. Concomitant presence of both mutant TNFα–308 A and IL-6 –174 C alleles raised three-fold the AD risk, whereas there was no notable risk for AD afflicted by IL-6 –174 polymorphism alone. Conclusion – Our results suggest that TNFα and IL-10 promoter polymorphism might be a risk factor for AD. The combined effects of TNFα–308, IL-6 –174 and IL-10 –1082 variant alleles may be more decisive to induce functional differences and modify the risk for AD.