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Background micro RNAs (mi RNAs) are single-stranded, noncoding RNA molecules. Given the vast regulatory potential of mi RNAs and their often tissue-specific and disease-specific expression patterns, mi RNAs are being assessed as possible biomarkers to aid diagnosis and prediction of different types and stages of cancers, including skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma ( BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma ( SCC) are the most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer ( NMSC). BCC originates from the basal layer of the epidermis, while SCC arises from epidermal keratinocytes or from the dermal appendages. Although NMSCs are currently the most common types of malignancies, both BCC and SCC have a better than 95% cure rate if detected early. Aim To identify plasma mi RNAs suitable for early detection of NMSC. Methods Expression profiles of 741 mi RNAs were evaluated using high-throughput real-time quantitative PCR from plasma samples in 42 patients with NMSC and 282 healthy controls ( HCs). Results Our results demonstrated that in patients with NMSC, compared with HCs, expression levels of miR-30e-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-186-5p and miR-875-5p were significantly ( P < 0.05) upregulated, while those of miR-19a-3p, miR-25-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-451 and miR-576-3p were significantly downregulated. Conclusion Our study suggests that the mi RNAs with significant changes in expression (miR-19a-3p, miR-25-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-145-5p and miR-186-5p) could serve as novel noninvasive biomarkers for detection of NMSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives We aimed to determine whether the presence of Hürthle cells altered the distribution of categories in the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology, or the expected neoplastic and malignant outcome. Methods Fine needle aspiration ( FNA) cytology reports of Hürthle cells in a 2-year period were evaluated. The distribution of Bethesda system categories and the outcome at partial or complete thyroidectomy were compared for FNAs with and without Hürthle cells. Results Of 895 adequate FNAs with Hürthle cells, 764 (85.4%) were classified as benign, 86 (9.6%) as atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance ( AUS/ FLUS), 32 (3.6%) as follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm ( FN/ SFN), 12 (1.3%) as suspicious for malignancy ( SFM) and one (0.1%) as malignant. Of 10 359 adequate FNAs without Hürthle cells, 9707 (93.7%) were classified as benign, 412 (4.0%) as AUS/ FLUS, 77 (0.7%) as FN/ SFN, 93 (0.9%) as SFM and 70 (0.7%) as malignant. The distribution of categories in FNAs with and without Hürthle cells was significantly different ( P < 0.001) as a result of a decrease in benign and an increase in AUS/ FLUS and FN/ SFN categories. Among 128 patients with and 582 without Hürthle cells undergoing surgery, the overall neoplastic and malignancy rates were higher in the former than in the latter group (27.3% versus 14.9%, P < 0.001; 21.1% versus 11.7%, P = 0.003; respectively). Although neoplastic and malignant rates were higher in the group with than without Hürthle cells in all categories, the differences were only significant for a neoplastic outcome of benign cytology (15.1% versus 6.0%, P = 0.0013) and a malignant outcome of FN/ SFN cytology (63.6% versus 21.9%, P = 0.0108). Conclusions We found that the rates of AUS/ FLUS and FN/ SFN categories in the Bethesda system were higher when Hürthle cells were present. After surgery, neoplastic and malignant outcomes were significantly higher in the Hürthle cell group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoluminescence (TL) emission of tridymite, a quartz-like mineral, could be used for a variety purposes, including basic research, ceramic technology, traditional/medical industry, and dating. The current study focused on the investigation of the thermal effects on both the luminescence emission and structural properties of natural tridymite. Thermally stimulated luminescence of beta and UVC irradiated samples exhibits complex glow curves indicating simultaneous physical-chemistry processes such as phase transitions, dehydration, dehydroxylation or redox reactions involving intrinsic defects (O vacancies giving rise to F+ and F-type centers, Schottky and Frenkel defects), extrinsic defects (dopants) and structural defects (stacking fault defects, linear and planar defects or dislocations). TL glow curves can be analyzed despite the complexity by assuming that photon emission can be fitted to 1st order kinetics. The structural changes observed using thermal X-ray diffraction up to 200 °C indicate that the Miller indices (204) and (321) have only a reversible behavior in the range of 26–29° 2θ. Tests based on the TL also corroborate such reversibility. • Thermal stability of the tridymite structure was evaluated by T-XRD. • UVC and beta dose response were investigated by TL technique. • The reusability of the natural tridymite was investigated. • Activation energy (E) and figure of merit (FOM) were calculated using CGCD method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N. Dincer, S. Balci, A. Yazgan, G. Guney, R. Ersoy, B. Cakir and G. Guler Follow-up of atypia and follicular lesions of undetermined significance in thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology Objective: To report our experience of atypia of undetermined significance (AUS)/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS) rate and outcome. Methods: Among 7658 patients with 19 569 nodules, 524 (2.7%) nodules were diagnosed as AUS/FLUS on fine needle aspiration (FNA). After exclusion of patients with simultaneous nodules that were suspicious for follicular neoplasm or malignancy or that were malignant, 368 (4.8%) patients were diagnosed as AUS/FLUS. The outcome of 146 patients who had undergone surgery or repeated fine needle aspirate at the time of preparation of this study was evaluated. The original FNAs were matched to repeated FNAs and thyroidectomy or diagnostic lobectomy specimens. Results: Seventy-two (19.6%) of the 368 patients had directly undergone surgery, either a lobectomy or a thyroidectomy: of these, 27 (37.5%) had neoplastic nodules (21 were malignant). Seventy-four (20.1%) of the 368 patients had repeat FNA. On second FNA, 47 of 74 (63.5%) were benign, three were suspicious for follicular neoplasm, one was malignant and 23 (31.1%) were non-diagnostic. Four patients had a third FNA: two were AUS/FLUS, one was malignant and one non-diagnostic. One patient had a fourth FNA, which was diagnosed as AUS/FLUS. Sixteen (21.6%) of 74 patients with repeat FNA had surgery: three of these had neoplastic nodules (two were malignant). Overall, 88 of the 368 (23.9%) patients had a thyroidectomy of which 30 (34.1%) were neoplastic and 23 (26.1%) malignant. The neoplastic rate for patients who were once diagnosed with AUS/FLUS was 8.2% and the malignancy rate 6.3%. The malignancy rate for patients on follow-up at the time we prepared the study was 15.7% (23/146); 222 remained on follow-up without surgery or repeat FNA or were managed elsewhere. Conclusions: Although in this category repeat FNA is expected rather than excision, we suggest evaluation of all AUS/FLUS patients in multidisciplinary meetings to decide management and recommend follow-up of all patients with this diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We show that the rod-shaped Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) can be coated with the wide band gap semiconductor zinc oxide by electroless deposition under mild reaction conditions. The process involves pretreatment with aqueous Pd(II), followed by nucleation of ZnO, directed to palladium centers formed on the surface of TMV. The mechanism is based on the local pH change due to the reduction of nitrate by dimethylamine borane at the palladium. Morphology and chemical composition have been analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by energy filtering TEM, respectively. The optical properties were elucidated by cathodoluminescence, which showed the desired near-band edge emission. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Isolates of Phytophthora cambivora, P. cinnamomi, P. citricola, P. europaea, P. quercetorum and two unidentified species were tested for their pathogenicity to eastern US oak species by root and stem inoculations. Experiments were conducted during two different periods and included 1-, 2- and 20-year-old oaks grown under greenhouse and field conditions. Species of Phytophthora were pathogenic in varying degrees to the oak species tested. All species were pathogenic to fine and taproots of at least one oak species. The fine root damage caused by the species of Phytophthora ranged from 9 to 55% when compared to the controls. Roots were more susceptible during the fall inoculation period than the summer. With exception of Phytophthora sp1 and P. quercina-like, all species of Phytophthora were pathogenic to oak stems with P. cinnamomi and P. citricola being the most aggressive. Quercus montana and Q. rubra were the most susceptible oak species to stem inoculation. Lesion sizes were considerably larger when 20-year-old trees were inoculated. Generally, no significant differences in lesion sizes were detected in greenhouse tests when the summer and fall inoculation periods were compared. However, on 2-year-old field-grown seedlings, lesion sizes were considerably smaller or not significantly different from controls during the fall inoculation period, suggesting lower, late season temperatures may restrict lesion development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven different Phytophthora species were used to test the foliar susceptibility of the common eastern US oak species and understory plants to Phytophthora infection. The Phytophthora species employed were Phytophthora cambivora, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Phytophthora citricola, Phytophthora europaea, Phytophthora quercetorum, Phytophthora quercina-like and Phytophthora sp1. Inoculation of detached-leaves with agar plugs containing mycelia of Phytophthora provided an estimate of their relative susceptibility. Lesions were always greater when foliage was wounded and young. On deciduous plants, lesion sizes were considerably reduced with the increasing foliar age, although with evergreen plants lesion sizes remained similar regardless of foliar age when more aggressive isolates were tested. Infections seldom resulted when foliage was not wounded. With young and mature foliage, P. citricola usually produced the largest lesions. Young foliage of Quercus rubra was the most susceptible to infection followed by Castanea dentata for both wounded and non-wounded inoculations. Mature foliage of Hamamelis virginiana, Kalmia latifolia and Quercus alba were the most susceptible to wound and non-wound inoculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) is a rare neuronal migration disorder in which immature neurons fail to undergo a directed migration from the ventricular and subventricular zones to the cerebral cortex. Classic PNH occurs predominantly in females and is associated with periods of epilepsy and near-normal intelligence. One gene associated with PNH was mapped to chromosome Xq28. PNH with learning disability is reported in 15 male patients with several syndromes and various congenital abnormalities such as craniosynostosis, frontonasal malformation, and agenesis of the corpus callosum. We present a 26-year-old male patient who was followed up with the diagnosis of epilepsy from the age of 1 year. Additionally the patient had severe learning disability, obesity, and hypogonadism. Imaging of his brain demonstrated PNH. Klinefelter syndrome was clinically suspected, and analysis of his chromosomes revealed a karyotype 46,XY,der(19)t(X;19) (q11.1-11.2;p13.3). Molecular techniques, such as subtelomere-specific fluorescent in-situ hybridization and multicolour banding, were also used. The same translocation was demonstrated in his mother and his maternal grandmother. This family might help to explain the gene localization of X-linked recessive PNH. In our patient, PNH is associated with familial (X;19) translocation. To our knowledge, this unique combination has not been reported in the medical literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Simple electrochemical deposition techniques can produce highly defined metal nanostructures in templates. Electroless deposition (ELD) can be effectively used for depositing metals on insulators such as biological or plastic surfaces. With biomolecular templates, metallization methods are often restricted to mild reductions, and the deposition of copper at pH values above 12 is usually not applicable. We produced copper nanowires of 3nm in diameter and up to 150nm in length by electroless deposition within the 4nm wide channel of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles. We employed a low pH (∼7.5) copper electroless deposition solution that is compatible with biomolecules. The fabrication process of the nanowires is based on sensitization of tobacco mosaic virus with Pd(II) prior to the electroless deposition. We analyzed the chemical composition of the nanowires by energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy, and used the method also for nickel and cobalt nanowires deposited within the viral channel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a case study of a 19-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with dyskeratosis congenita (DC), an inherited disease which is characterized with abnormal skin pigmentation, mucosal leukoplakia, and nail dystrophy.

Focuses on Walker Warburg Syndrome (WWS), a congenital syndrome phenotype and homozygous pericentric inversion 9 (inv9). Origin of WWS phenotype; Presence of prenatal and postnatal growth retardation and inv9 as coincidence of WWS; Complex on homozygosity of pericentric inversion 9.

The present study aimed to evaluate the role of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) type II deiodinase enzyme gene (DIO2) expression in developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 51 obese patients with MetS and without MetS and 13 healthy subjects enrolled in the study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), hip circumference, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) of all subjects were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) of all subjects were analyzed. Expression of the DIO2 gene in adipose tissue was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). BMI, WC and WHR were not significantly difference between obese with and without MetS. SBP, DBP, FPG and TG were significantly higher in obese with MetS group than obese without MetS group. While the free triiodothyronine (T3) level was in the normal range in all group, it was significantly lower in the obese with MetS than both obese without MetS and control group. DIO2 expression was significantly lower in the obese with MetS group compared to the control. In correlation analysis, DIO2 expression was negatively correlated with DBP, TG and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels and positively correlated with free T3. In conclusion, the reduction of SAT DIO2 expression is negatively correlated with DBP and TG levels that are associated with the MetS. This might have an effect on developing MetS. We believe that DIO2 gene may be an important molecular target for future studies in developing targeted treatment options for obese people with MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA (miRNA) is an abundant class of small non-coding RNAs that act as gene regulators. Recent studies have suggested that miRNA deregulation is associated with the initiation and progression of human cancer. However, information about ovarian cancer-related miRNA is mostly limited to tissue miRNA. The aim of this study was to find specific profiles of plasma-derived miRNAs of ovarian cancer. In this present study, the expression profiles of 740 miRNAs in plasma from 18 patients and 24 healthy women subjects were evaluated using microfluidic based multiplex qRT-PCR. Our results demonstrated that expression levels of eight miRNAs were significantly upregulated in patients with ovarian cancer when compared with a control group (p < 0.05). Expression levels of four miRNAs were found significantly downregulated in patients with ovarian cancer (p < 0.05). In addition, 10 miRNAs were expressed only in the ovarian cancer group and miR-138-5p of these miRNAs is ovarian specific. In conclusion, our study suggests that detecting these ovarian cancer specific miRNAs in plasma might serve as novel non-invasive biomarkers for ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a healthy woman with two abortions who is a carrier for a rare heterozygous double recombinant of an inv(5) chromosome, karyotype 46,XX,rec(5)dup(5p) inv(5)(p13q22),rec(5)dup(5q)inv(5)(p13q22). Her father had a 46,XY,inv(5)(p13q22) karyotype; his consanguineous wife had died. Molecular investigation of 11 highly polymorphic markers spanning chromosome 5 revealed biparental inheritance for two markers (D5S406, D5S681) on 5p15.3 and 5q13.1, and an allele constellation not compatible with paternal heterodisomy for marker D5S623 on 5q11.2. Eight markers were not informative. Three mechanisms of formation are proposed: First, fertilization of a normal oocyte by a sperm carrying the two recombinant chromosomes 5, followed by postzygotic recombination between the normal maternal homologue and the rec(5)dup(5p), and by loss of the mitotically recombined maternal homologue, leading to segmental paternal heterodisomy 5q13→qter (trisomic rescue). Second, postzygotic recombination in a 46,XX,inv(5)(p13q22) zygote resulting in the 46,XX,rec(5)dup(5p)inv(5)(p13q22),rec(5) dup(5q)inv(5)(p13q22) karyotype, followed by absence of the original cell line in lymphocytes. Third and most likely, both parents were inv(5) carriers and complementary recombinations in maternal and paternal meiosis resulted in a zygote with two recombinant chromosomes 5. Our patient refused any further studies but later reported the birth of a phenotypically normal child. This is the first report known to us of complementation by two non-homologous recombinant chromosomes in a phenotypically normal woman, and the first example of a child born to a carrier of complementary recombinant chromosomes. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate whether functional variants of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene play any role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) ethiopathogenesis and treatment in the Turkish population. Because, eNOS variants are responsible for alteration of the NO level in plasma, by reducing/increasing the endothelial NO synthesis. In the study, two eNOS gene variants (G894T and intron 4 VNTR A/B) were examined at extracted DNAs from 65 peripheral blood cell of RA patients. For the control, blood samples obtained from 70 healthy persons were studied. Genotyping of molecular variants was performed by PCR-RFLP and/or PCR technique. The data obtained was compared in itself and response to therapy. We found that 'TT genotypic frequency' for the G894T variant was significantly associated with RA with an overall risk of 8.3-fold ( p 0.029). No association was identified between intron 4 VNTR A/B variant and RA. At the 6 months, the mean visual analog scale (VAS), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and disease activity score for 28 joints (DAS 28) improvement was not significant among groups. Improvement in DAS was significantly better in anti-TNF treatment than disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) treatment treated subgroup. We report for the first time that variants in the eNOS 'TT' genotype might be contributed to the increased risk of RA in the Turkish population. These results imply that functional variants of eNOS gene might have an effect on RA patients and response to anti-TNF treatment. In addition, the results suggest that eNOS variants might be associated and affect host susceptibility and/or response to treatment in Turkish RA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a technique and results of arch reconstruction in combination with selective cerebral and myocardial perfusion (SCMP) and short-term total circulatory arrest (TCA) (5-10 minutes) through ascending aortic cannulation. It explains that selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) has started to be employed in aortic arch repair, following the hurtful effects of the prolonged deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) technique.

A letter to the editor is presented on the topic of anesthesia complications.

Unlabelled: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a delayed immunologically mediated sequela of throat infection by group A β-hemolytic streptococci. Inflammatory cytokines may play a pathogenic role in ARF. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential associations between interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and IL-10 gene polymorphisms and childhood ARF. Thirty-eight ARF patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were analyzed for eight polymorphisms in five different cytokine genes [IFN-γ (+874), IL-6 (-174), TNF-α (-308), TGF-β1 (+10, +25), and IL-10 (-1082, -819, -592)]. Cytokine genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer methods. Patients with ARF had significantly higher frequencies of IFN-γ (+874) polymorphism in both TT genotype (p=0.0002) and T allele (p=0.0004). No statistically significant differences were observed in genotypes, haplotypes, and allele frequencies of IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-10 genes between ARF and control groups (p>0.05). GG genotype frequency of TNF-α gene (low expression) was higher in patients who had previous ARF history (p=0.006). High expression of TGF-β1 (TT/GG, TC/GG) was more frequent in patients with CRP positivity (p=0.034). IL-6 CC genotype (low expression) frequency was higher in patients with tricuspid valve insufficiency (p=0.002), while IFN-γ TT genotype (high expression) frequency was higher in patients with mitral valve prolapse (p=0.049).Conclusion: High expression of the IFN-γ gene may carry a higher risk for ARF in Turkish children, while IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 may have an impact in mediating some clinical and laboratory manifestations of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies developing against thrombocyte membrane glycoproteins (GPs), such as GPIIa/IIIa and GPIb/IX. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of inflammatory cytokine genes were investigated in 71 patients with chronic ITP and 71 healthy controls, and they were compared with the clinical parameters. The polymorphisms in the SNPs were investigated with the polymerase chain reaction, polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primer, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. It was found that the high expression of TNF-alpha (−308) AG phenotype significantly increased in cases with ITP (odds ratio, OR: 0.318, 95%% confidence intervals, CI: 0.103-0.987, p < 0.05). TT genotype in TGF-beta 1 (codon 10) significantly decreased in ITP in comparison with the controls (OR: 0.342, 95%% CI: 0.149-0.787, p == 0.016). IFN-gamma (++874) TT genotype was detected to be high in cases with ITP (OR: 3.301, 95%% CI: 1.400-7.784, p < 0.05), whereas AA genotype was found to be significantly lower (OR: 4.993, 95%% CI: 1.586-15.721, p < 0.05). MBL (codon 54) BB genotype (OR: 1.164, 95%% CI: 1.059-1.279, p < 0.05) and IL1A A1/A2 genotype (OR: 0.249, 95%% CI: 0.076-0.815, p < 0.05) were found to be significantly higher in cases with ITP than in healthy controls. TNF-alpha (−308) AG phenotype was detected to be significantly higher in steroid-refractory and splenectomized cases at the end of the first year than in the steroid-responsive (complete response (CR) and remission ( R)) cases (OR: 4.137, 95%% CI: 1.156-14.807, p < 0.05). When we compared the cases, from whom we obtained a CR at their first steroid response, with 12 cases, who entered R but from whom we could not obtain any CR, the frequencies of IFN-gamma (++874) AA genotype were found as 12 (20.3%%) and 6 (50%%) (OR: 0.082, 95%% CI: 0.009-0.793, p < 0.05). MBL (codon 54) AB genotype was detected to be significantly higher in CR patients than in R cases (OR: 1.273, 95%% CI: 1.110-1.459, p < 0.05). With these findings, it was found that TNF-alpha/AG, TGF-beta 1/TT, IFN-gamma/TT, MBL/BB, and IL-1RA A1/A2 genotypes were detected as the genes of susceptibility to ITP, while TNF-alpha/AG, IFN-gamma/AA, and MBL/AB genotypes might be important in response to steroid treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The methanol conversion and a feasible methanol co-reaction with methyl iodide were studied on a vanadium incorporated MCM-41 type (V-MCM-41) mesoporous catalyst, which was prepared by a direct hydrothermal synthesis method. Adsorption/desorption as well as conversion derivates of radioactive methanol were easily followed by radioactivity detectors on V-MCM-41. The transformation and co-reaction products were analyzed by a gas chromatograph equipped with Radio/FID detectors. The radiodetector was applied to distinguish 11C-derivates from the non-radioactive methyl iodide and its derivates. The radio-labeling method proved methanol transformation to methylal and, in the presence of methyl iodide, decided the roles of methyl group and iodide of methyl iodide in newly synthesized methyl iodide formation in the absence of oxygen gas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We describe a rare occurrence of pericentric inversion in homologues of chromosome 9 observed in a 2-mo-old female baby with eye and brain abnormalities. Her clinical and neuroradiological features are similar to the signs of Walker-Warburg syndrome. We found the same inversion in heterozygous condition in all metaphases of both parents, who are related, and in two grandparents and their mother. The cytogenetic abnormality alone does not explain the phenotype in this patient, but it warrants further linkage studies with emphasis on the pericentric region of chromosome 9 in patients with Walker-Warburg syndrome phenotype. This family case is unique and raises suspicions about whether the pericentric region of chromosome 9 has any connection with the phenotype of Walker-Warker syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]