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Purpose Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a serine protease belonging to the collectins and an important factor in the inherited immune system. We aimed to reveal the distribution of different MBL2 genotypes in patients diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Material and methods A total of 147 patients who applied to Pediatric Emergency between 01.12.2019-31.12.2020 included in the study. Patients were divided into two subgroups: Bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Results AA genotype was found to be significantly higher in healthy controls (p = 0.039). In pneumonia group, both AB/BB genotype was significantly higher compared to healthy controls (p = 0.001). While AA genotype was more common in patients with acute bronchiolitis, AB/BB genotypes were more common in the pneumonia group (p = 0.001). The presence of fever, crepitation, tachypnea, pathological x-ray finding and high leukocyte count are significantly more common in patients with AA genotype, while more than 3 days of follow-up duration and severe clinical picture were more common in patients with AB/BB genotypes (p Conclusions Genotypes with low MBL expression were significantly more common in patients with pneumonia and severe infection. All these results reveal the importance of MBL polymorphisms and expression in infections.

For COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease-2019) cases, detecting host-based factors that predispose to infection is a very important research area. In this study, the aim is to investigate the MBL2 and NOS3 gene polymorphisms in COVID-19 patients with lung involvement, whose first nasopharyngeal PCR results were negative. Seventy-nine patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between April-June 2020 who were admitted to a university hospital, and 100 healthy controls were included. In the first statistical analysis performed between PCR-positive, CT-negative and PCR-negative, CT-positive patients; the AB of MBL2 genotype was significantly higher in the first group (p = 0.049). The B allele was also significantly higher in the same subgroup (p = 0.001). The absence of the AB genotype was found to increase the risk of CT positivity by 6.9 times. The AB genotype of MBL2 was higher in healthy controls (p = 0.006). The absence of the AB genotype was found to increase the risk of CT positivity; also, it can be used for early detection and isolation of patients with typical lung involvement who had enough viral loads, but whose initial PCR results were negative.

Objective: Mitochondria are multifunctional and dynamic organelles found in cells. Nicotine is a natural alkaloid found in the tobacco plant and has been well studied as a component of cigarette smoke. It has also been reported to affect mitochondrial function both in vitro and in vivo. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) reduces generation of ROS by mitochondria. Our purpose in this study was to investigate whether the -866G/A variant of the UCP2 gene is associated with smoking status. Methods: A total of 238 individuals consisting of 138 smokers and 100 healthy controls were examined. The UCP2-866G/A variant was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The proportion of individuals carrying the three possible genotype was significantly different between the smoker and healthy control groups. The UCP2-866G/A variant GG genotype was associated significantly with an increased risk of smoking (p=0.001) while AA genotype was associated significantly with a decreased risk of smoking (p=0.001). The UCP2-866G/A variant G allele was found to be increased in the smoker group compared to the healthy controls (p=0.001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the UCP2-866 G/A variant GG genotype and G allele might reflect the risk of smoking status in a Turkish population Amaç: Mitokondriler hücrelerde bulunan çok fonksiyonlu ve dinamik organellerdir. Nikotin tütün bitkisinde bulunan doğal bir alkaloiddir ve sigara içme durumunun iyi çalışılmış bir bileşenidir. Nikotinin in vitro ve in vivo olarak mitokondriyal fonksiyonu etkilediği rapor edilmiştir. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) mitokondri ile ROS üretimini azaltır. Bu çalışmadaki amacımız UCP2-866G/A varyantının sigara içme durumu ile ilişkili olup olmadığını araştırmaktır. Yöntemler: Yüz otuz sekiz sigara içen ve 100 sağlıklı kontrolden oluşan toplam 238 kişi değerlendirildi. UCP2-866G/A varyantı polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu-sınırlayıcı enzim parça uzunluk çeşitliliği metodu ile genotiplendi. Bulgular: Üç olası genotipi taşıyan kişileri oranı sigara içenler ve sağlıklı kontrol grupları arasında belirgin şekilde farklıydı. UCP2- 866G/A varyantı AA genotipi belirgin şekilde azalmış sigara içme riski ile ilişkiyken (p=0,001), GG genotipi belirgin şekilde artmış sigara içme durumu ile ilişkiliydi (p=0,001). UCP2-866G/A varyant G alelinin sigara içen grupta sağlıklı kontrollere göre artmış olduğu bulundu (p=0,001). Sonuç: Verilerimiz UCP2-866 G/A varyant GG genotip ve G alelin Türk popülasyonundaki sigara içme riskini yansıtabileceğini desteklemektedir. WOS:000640072700012

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease caused by malignant plasma cells, causing free light chain release accompanying the increase in monoclonal immunoglobulin. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is one of the large and functional enzyme families composed of various hemoproteins. This protein network has been shown to play a role in many treatment steps in current practices. We aimed to investigate the relationship between genotypes of CYP3A4*1B and treatment response and prognosis of MM. Seventy-two patients diagnosed with MM between January 2016 and 2020 and 100 healthy people to create a control group participated in our study. Genotypes were classified in 3 separate groups as NN, MN, and MM. Both PFS and OS were significantly higher in the NN genotype (p = 0.001, p = 0.014). Being under the age of 65 was 27.988 times more protective for OS and 4.496 times for PFS (p = 0.006, p = 0.017). NN genotype was shown to be 41.666-fold protective for OS and 3.144-fold protective for PFS (p = 0.004, p = 0.030). This study demonstrated that CYP3A4*1B NN genotype, which is an important cytochrome p450 member for the treatment of MM, was 41.666-fold protective for OS and 3.144-fold protective for PFS. It was shown in this study for the first time in the literature as a valuable contribution.

Aim: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disease caused by chronic inflammatory response. Complement system is the major component of the innate immune defence. In this study, we investigated the potential association between complement factor H (CFH) gene Tyr402His variant (rs1061170) with AS in a Turkish population. Methods: Seventy-eight AS patients and 80 healthy individuals were enrolled in the present study as case and control subjects, respectively. The Tyr402His variant of CFH gene was analysed by PCR-RFLP method. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between AS patients and healthy controls in terms of CFH Tyr402His genotype and allele frequencies. However, the visual analogue scale (VAS) daytime and the AS Quality of Life (ASQoL) were significantly different according to CFH Tyr402His genotype distribution (p=0.032 and p=0.036, respectively). VAS of daytime and ASQoL were higher in subjects carrying Tyr402His variant Tyr/Tyr + Tyr/His genotypes compared to those carrying His/His genotype. Conclusion: This is the first study evaluating the association between CFH Tyr402His and susceptibility to AS in a Turkish population. Although CFH Tyr402His variant was not considered a candidate gene for AS susceptibility in our samples, some clinical findings seem to be associated with genotype distribution of CFH Tyr402His variant. Amaç: Ankilozan spondilit (AS) kronik enflamatuar cevabın neden olduğu otoimmün bir hastalıktır. Kompleman sistemi doğal bağışıklığın esas savunma sistemidir. Bu çalışmada, Türk toplumunda kompleman faktör H (CFH) geni Tyr402His varyantı (rs1061170) ve AS arasındaki olası ilişkiyi araştırdık. Yöntemler: Bu çalışmaya 78 AS hastası ve 80 sağlıklı birey, olgu ve kontrol bireyleri olarak alındı. CFH Tyr402His varyantı PPCRRFLP yöntemi ile analiz edildi. Bulgular: AS hastaları ve sağlıklı kontroller arasında CFH Tyr402His genotip ve alel sıklıkları açısından istatistiksel olarak önemli fark yoktu. Ancak, gündüz vizüel analog skala (VAS) ve AS Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği (ASQoL) CFH Tyr402His genotip dağılımına göre önemli derecede farklıydı (p=0.032, p=0.036, sırasıyla). Gündüz VAS ve ASQol Tyr402His varyantı Tyr/Tyr + Tyr/His genotiplerini taşıyan kişilerde His/His genotipi taşıyanlara göre daha yüksekti. Sonuç: Bu, Türk toplumunda CFH Tyr402His varyantı ve AS yatkınlığı arasındaki ilişkiyi değerlendiren ilk çalışmadır. CFH Tyr402His varyantı bizim örneklerde AS yatkınlığı için aday bir gen olmasa da, bazı klinik bulgular CFH Tyr402His varyantın genotip dağılımı ile ilişkili görünmektedir. WOS:000521098000005 2-s2.0-85083251015

Background: In a phase 1b study, intravenous daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone induced a very good partial response or better rate of 42% and was well tolerated in patients with heavily pretreated multiple myeloma. We aimed to evaluate whether daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone would improve progression-free survival versus pomalidomide and dexamethasone alone in patients with previously treated multiple myeloma. Methods: In this ongoing, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial (APOLLO) done at 48 academic centres and hospitals across 12 European countries, eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, had relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma with measurable disease, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–2, had at least one previous line of therapy, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor, had a partial response or better to one or more previous lines of antimyeloma therapy, and were refractory to lenalidomide if only one previous line of therapy was received. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by an interactive web-response system in a random block size of two or four to receive pomalidomide and dexamethasone alone or daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone. Randomisation was stratified by number of previous lines of therapy and International Staging System disease stage. All patients received oral pomalidomide (4 mg, once daily on days 1–21) and oral dexamethasone (40 mg once daily on days 1, 8, 15, and 22; 20 mg for those aged 75 years or older) at each 28-day cycle. The daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone group received daratumumab (1800 mg subcutaneously or 16 mg/kg intravenously) weekly during cycles 1 and 2, every 2 weeks during cycles 3–6, and every 4 weeks thereafter until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of study medication. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03180736. Findings: Between June 22, 2017, and June 13, 2019, 304 patients (median age 67 years [IQR 60–72]; 161 [53%] men and 143 [47%] women) were randomly assigned to the daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone group (n=151) or the pomalidomide and dexamethasone group (n=153). At a median follow-up of 16·9 months (IQR 14·4–20·6), the daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone group showed improved progression-free survival compared with the pomalidomide and dexamethasone group (median 12·4 months [95% CI 8·3–19·3] vs 6·9 months [5·5–9·3]; hazard ratio 0·63 [95% CI 0·47–0·85], two-sided p=0·0018). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (101 [68%] of 149 patients in the daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone group vs 76 [51%] of 150 patients in the pomalidomide and dexamethasone group), anaemia (25 [17%] vs 32 [21%]), and thrombocytopenia (26 [17%] vs 27 [18%]). Serious adverse events occurred in 75 (50%) of 149 patients in the daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone group versus 59 (39%) of 150 patients in the pomalidomide and dexamethasone group; pneumonia (23 [15%] vs 12 [8%] patients) and lower respiratory tract infection (18 [12%] vs 14 [9%]) were most common. Treatment-emergent deaths were reported in 11 (7%) patients in the daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone group versus 11 (7%) patients in the pomalidomide and dexamethasone group. Interpretation: Among patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone reduced the risk of disease progression or death versus pomalidomide and dexamethasone alone and could be considered a new treatment option in this setting. Funding: European Myeloma Network and Janssen Research and Development., European Myeloma Network and Janssen Research and Development.

The AETHERA trial reported an increased progression-free survival (PFS) when brentuximab vedotin (BV) was used as maintenance therapy in high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Thus, we aimed to determine the impact and safety of BV as maintenance after ASCT in real-world patients. Seventy-five patients with relapsed/refractory HL started on BV consolidation therapy after ASCT due to high risk of relapse, between January 2016 and July 2019, from 25 institutions, were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 26 months. The most common high-risk features were primary refractory or relapsed disease

Background Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare disease presenting with variable and various clinical findings. PNH might be overlooked and diagnosis may be delayed due to low awareness about PNH. This is the first multicenter study in Turkey, investigating the efficiency of diagnostic screening of PNH by multiparameter flow cytometry (FCM) according to consensus guidelines. Methods We evaluate the efficiency of consensus clinical indications for PNH testing with FCM in 1689peripheral blood samples from 20 centers between January 2014 and December 2017. Results Overall, at the 20 centers contributing to this study, PNH clone were detected in 62/1689 samples (3.6%) by FCM test. 75.8% (n = 47) of patients with PNH clone had aplastic anemia, 3.2% (n = 2) had Coombs (-) hemolytic anemia, 6.5% (n = 4) had unexplained cytopenia, 3.2% (n = 2) had MDS with refractory anemia, 1.6% (n = 1) had hemoglobinuria and 9.7% (n = 6) had others (elevated LDH, splenomegaly, etc.). In contrast, we detect no PNH clone test in patients who were screened for unexplained thrombosis. Conclusions Our study showed that current clinical indications for PNH testing are highly efficient and diagnostic screening of suspected patients for PNH with FCM is recommended. However, advanced screening algorithms are required for patients presenting with unexplained thrombosis and normal complete blood count.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a choice of treatment for malignant and non-malignant diseases. After HSCT, some complications may develop in patients. Cardiac complications are particularly important. The aim of this study was to investigate whether systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is a marker for overall survival (OS) in HSCT patients.In our study, 428 HSCT patients were evaluated. Ejection fraction (EF) and PAP values were investigated during symptom-oriented echocardiography in the pre-HSCT and post-HSCT periods.Pre-HSCT EF values were similar between the groups. In patients with autologous HSCT (auto-HSCT) (PAP25 mmHg), it was found that the 5-year mortality rate was 48.6%, while in the other group (PAP25 mmHg) the 5-year mortality was 25.5%. There was a significant association between 5-year mortality rate and PAP level (p0.046) in the auto-HSCT group. OS was 38% in the pre-auto-HSCT period with PAP values of25 mmHg, while OS was 61% in the pre-auto-HSCT period with PAP values of25 mmHg (p0.001). We determined that there was a statistically significant difference between OS and PAP levels in patients with auto-HSCT. Five-year mortality rate and OS were not significantly different in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT (allo-HSCT) (p0.05).Our results suggest that pre-HSCT PAP value is an important risk factor for mortality and OS in patients undergoing auto-HSCT.Hematopoietik kök hücre transplantasyonu (HKHT) malign ve non-malign hastalıklarda kullanılan bir tedavi seçeneğidir. Nakil sonrasında bir çok komplikasyon gelişmektedir. Kardiyak komplikasyonlar önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, sistolik pulmoner arter basıncının (PAB) nakil yapılan hastaların sağkalımına olan etkisini araştırmaktır.Çalışmamızda 428 HKHT yapılan hasta değerlendirildi. Ejeksiyon fraksiyonu (EF) ve PAB değerleri, semptom oryante ekokardiyografi ile post ve pretransplantasyon dönemde değerlendirildi.Karşılaştırılan gruplar arasında pre-HKHT döneminde EF değerleri açısından farklılık saptanmadı. Beş yıllık mortalite otolog HKHT yapılan hastalarda PAB değeri 25 mmHg üzeri olanlarda %48,6, diğer grupta %25,5 olarak gözlendi ve istatistiksel olarak p0,046 olarak hesaplandı. Total sağkalıma bakıldığında otolog HKHT yapılan hastalarda; nakil öncesi PAB değeri 25 mmHg üzeri olanlarda %38 iken; nakil öncesi PAB değeri 25 mmHg altında olan grupta sağkalım %61 olarak saptandı ve bu durum istatistiksel olarak anlamlı hesaplandı (p0,001). Aynı verileri değerlendirerek total sağkalım ve PAB değeri arasında otology HKHT yapılan hastalarda anlamlı ilişki oldugunu, allojenik HKHT yapılanlar arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki olmadığını tespit etmiş bulunmaktayız.Çalışmamızın sonuçlarına göre HKHT öncesi ve sonrası ölçülen PAB değeri hastalarda total sağkalım ve mortalite üzerine önemli etkisi olan bir faktör olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır.

Objective/Background: Lymphoma is seen as a highly treatable and curable malignancy with aggressive treatment methods. Efficacy is often limited by toxicity and many patients need alternative treatment strategies as they cannot tolerate existing high cytotoxic approaches. Our aim is to compare BEAM [carmustine (BCNU), etoposide, cytarabine (ARA-C, cytosine arabinoside), and melphalan] and mitoxantrone–melphalan (Mx-Mel) regimens utilized in our patients with a diagnosis of lymphoma who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and to demonstrate that the Mx-Mel regimen has similar but less toxic results than the BEAM regimen we have been using frequently as standard conditioning regimen. Methods A total of 101 patients with lymphoma who underwent ASCT were included in our study. The BEAM regimen included BCNU, etoposide, ARA-C, and melphalan. The Mx-Mel regimen included mitoxantrone and melphalan. Results Of 101 patients included in the study, 60 (59.4%) received BEAM and 41 (40.6%) received Mx-Mel (40.6%) conditioning regimen. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 10 (range: 9–20) days and 12 (range: 9–12) days in the BEAM and Mx-Mel arms, respectively; it was statistically significantly shorter in the BEAM arm (p = .001). Conclusion This study demonstrates that the Mx-Mel regimen has similar efficacy and toxicity compared with the BEAM regimen. Although time to neutrophil engraftment was shorter in the BEAM arm, it did not result as significant transplant-related complications between the two regimens. The Mx-Mel regimen is seen as a good alternative with low toxicity and high efficacy.

Context The AETHERA trial reported an increased progression-free survival (PFS) when brentuximab vedotin (BV) was used as maintenance therapy in high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Objective To determine the impact and safety of BV as maintenance after ASCT in real-world patients. Design Patients with relapsed/refractory HL started on BV consolidation therapy after ASCT due to high risk of relapse, between January 2016 and July 2019, from 25 institutions, were retrospectively analyzed. Setting All patients were followed by the bone marrow transplantation team of their hospital. Patients or Other Participants Seventy-five patients were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 26 months. The most common high-risk features were primary refractory or relapsed disease Interventions BV consolidation was initiated within 6 months of ASCT and administered at a dose of 1.8 mg/kg intravenous infusion over 30 min every 3 weeks for up to 16 cycles in an outpatient setting. Main Outcome Features The primary endpoint of the study was PFS; secondary endpoints were safety and overall survival (OS). Results At the time of analysis, 42 patients completed consolidation courses, and BV was discontinued in 33 patients. Fifty patients had an ongoing response (CR in 41, PR in six, and SD in three patients), 25 had progressed. Ten died in the follow-up, eight with progressive disease and two due to infection while in CR. The 2-years PFS and OS rates were 67.75% (95% CI:0.55–0.77) and 87.61% (95% CI:0.76–0.94), respectively. Seventeen patients (23%) received BV in the pre-ASCT treatment lines, and there was no survival difference between the BV naive and BV exposed groups. The most common adverse events were neutropenia (27%) and peripheral neuropathy (21%). Sixteen patients (21.3%) experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicity. BV was discontinued due to AE in 12 patients. Conclusions Consolidation with BV after ASCT can achieve a 2-year PFS of 67.75% (95% CI: 0.55–0.75) with an acceptable toxicity profile.

This study investigates the relationship between cannabinoid use disorder (CUD) or synthetic cannabinoid use disorder (SCUD) and the global methylation, methylation of NR3C1 gene promotor, and NR3C1 BclI poly-morphism, considering clinical parameters. Based on the DSM-5 criteria, 172 SCUD patients? and 44 CUD pa-tients? diagnoses were confirmed with a positive urine test; 88 healthy volunteers were also included in the study. Global DNA methylation was measured using a 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) DNA ELISA Kit. Methylation-specific PCR was used to identify the methylation of the NR3C1 gene. The analysis of the BclI polymorphism of the NR3C1 gene was evaluated by using the PCR-RFLP. Our results demonstrated that the mean of 5-mC percentages of SCUD patients differed significantly from those of the control group. When comparing NR3C1 gene methyl-ation and clinical parameters due to NR3C1 genotype distribution in patients, the genotype distribution was significantly different between the groups, due to the former polysubstance abuse. Additionally, there was a significantly positive correlation between the 5-mC percentages of SCUD patients and the reported durations of their disorders. In summary, whereas global DNA methylation may be associated with SCUD, the methylation of the NR3C1 gene and NR3C1 BclI polymorphism were not related to CUD or SCUD. Istanbul University BAP-YOPIstanbul University [TYO-2019-32579] This study was supported by the Istanbul University BAP-YOP (TYO-2019-32579) program. WOS:000634552600007 2-s2.0-85100380991 PubMed: 33556690

BACKGROUND Cystic echinococcosis, caused by helminths within the genus Echinococcus, is mainly localised in the liver and lungs of affected hosts. Surgery has been the best choice for the treatment of hydatidosis and using effective scolicidal agents during hydatid surgery is required to prevent secondary infection. Several plant extracts have been shown to exert scolicidal efficacy. This study was designed to investigate the in vitro scolicidal activity of methanol extract of Sideritis perfoliata against the protoscolices of hydatid cysts. METHODS The protoscolices were collected from a liver of a sheep slaughtered in Adiyaman city slaughter, Turkey. Three concentrations of the aerial part extract of S perfoliata (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL) were assessed at three different exposure periods. All tests were carried in duplicate. The viability of protoscolices was assessed by the eosin exclusion test (0.1% eosin staining). RESULTS Scolicidal effect of S perfoliata extract at exposure periods of 10, 20 and 30 minutes was 29.6%, 32.5% and 43.6% at the concentration of 0.1%, 37.8%, 50% and 58.1% at concentration of 0.2 mg/mL, and 57.9%, 71.8% and 79.1% at the concentration of 0.4 mg/mL, respectively; indicating a longer time is required to display protoscolicidal effects. LC-MS/MS analysis showed that some phenolic acids, such as fumaric acid (260.13 mg/L), syringic acid (27.92 mg/L) and caffeic acid (26.84 mg/L), and a flavonoid, luteolin (11.23 mg/L) were detected in high concentrations in the extract. CONCLUSIONS This study has demonstrated that the methanol extract of S perfoliata has high scolicidal activity in vitro. However, research on the in vivo efficacy of S perfoliata extract and its potential side effects is required.

ObjectiveMultiple myeloma (MM) arises from malignant plasma cells as a single clone in the bone marrow. Accumulating evidences have reported that there is an association betweenmiR-196a2(rs11614913) variant and various cancers while there were unverified and inconsistent results in MM. The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of themiR-196a2 variant on clinical findings and susceptibility in MM. Two hundred MM patients (156 patients under transplantation of autologous stem cell) and 200 healthy controls included in this study.ResultsThe statistical analysis showed no significant relationship for allele and frequencies ofmiR-196a2genotype between patients and controls (p > 0.05). Log-rank test showed that gender has highly significant impact on both OS and PFS (p = 0.027, p = 0.045).In the univariate analysis, TT genotype (p = 0.022), and CT/TT (p = 0.008) had better OS. In the multivariate analysis, CC/CT-TT were associated with positively OS (p = 0.041). Currently, the most valuable prognostic markers in MM that has clinical implication are genetic abnormalities. It can be concluded from the results thatmiR-1962avariant is effective in prognosis of the MM. It is believed that these findings will help us understand the molecular basis of disease.

Abnormality of the immune system may play an important role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SCZ). We aim to investigate the relationship between clinical features of SCZ and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) -238 G/A, -308 G/A polymorphisms in SCZ patients by comparing genotype distributions of TNF-α gene polymorphisms between patients and healthy controls. A sample of 113 patients with SCZ and 104 healthy volunteers was included in the study. SCID-I was used to confirming the diagnosis according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. We evaluated the patients with some scales and data forms in terms of clinical features, symptom severity, level of insight, suicidal behavior, and treatment response. PCR-RFLP was used to determine TNF-α gene polymorphisms from DNA material. The distributions of TNF-α - 238 G/A and TNF-α - 308 G/A polymorphisms of the patients diagnosed with SCZ were not significantly different from the control group. There was a significant difference in the TNF-α - 238 G/A genotype distributions between treatment-resistant and treatment-responsive SCZ patients. Again, the distributions of TNF-α - 238 G/A genotype of attempted suicide patients in SCZ were significantly different from the non-attempted suicide of SCZ patients. Whereas TNF-α - 238 G/A and -308 G/A polymorphisms were not associated with SCZ, TNF-α - 238 G/A polymorphism may be related to treatment resistance and attempted suicide in SCZ patients in the Turkish population.

Introduction Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), a lymphoid proliferation observed after the solid organ transplantation or allogeneic stem cell transplant, is an important and mortal complication that can occur during the post-transplant period. Classical Hodgkin lymphoma-like PTLD is the least form of PTLD. We are presenting an adult case of classical Hodgkin lymphoma-like PTLD which was successfully treated with nivolumab. Case report A 31-year-old female was diagnosed with primary myelofibrosis and we performed allogeneic stem cell transplantation from her HLA fully matched brother in 2015. Two years after transplant, classical Hodgkin lymphoma-like PTLD was diagnosed. The patient was resistant to six cycles of ABVD chemotherapy and four cycles of brentuximab vedotin. Management and outcome After the failure of ABVD and brentuximab vedotin, we started nivolumab therapy at a dose of 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks. After six cycles, we achieved a PET negative complete remission. After 10 cycles of nivolumab, the patient is still followed with a complete remission. Still, there is no evidence of acute or chronic GvHD, and therefore no need for immunosuppressive treatment. No auto-immune complication was observed. It is planned to give nivolumab treatment to the patient until the progression. Discussion Our case has depicted that the classical Hodgkin lymphoma type PTLD may be resistant to the conventional treatments and anti-CD30 brentuximab vedotine. In such cases, nivolumab may be an effective and worth assessing agent in terms of both activity and safety profile.

Introduction: Psoriasis (Ps) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder with an incompletely understood etiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the suspectibility to Ps and G894T (rs1799983) and variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) variants of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene. Methods: This is a case-controlled study that included 74 Ps patients in addition to 74 matched healthy unrelated controls from the same locality. The NOS3 gene variants were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or PCR- restriction fragment lenght polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The NOS3 G894T TT genotype and T allele were more common in the Ps group compared to the healthy controls (p=0.000, p=0.001, respectively). The NOS3 VNTR variant BB genotype and B allele were higher in the patient group than in the control group (p=0.005, p=0.000 respectively). The NOS3 VNTR AA genotype was lower in the patient group (p=0.027). However, a stratified analysis including arthritis, the Ps area and severity index (PASI), the age of onset, and family history revealed no significant correlation between the NOS3 G894T and NOS3 VNTR genotypes (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the NOS3 G894T and VNTR variants are associated with Ps in a Turkish cohort. However, future studies are needed to understand the genetic role of the NOS3 variants in the development of Ps. Amaç: Psoriazis (Ps) etyolojsi tam olarak anlaşılamayan kronik, immünite ile ilişkili enflamatuar bir deri hastalığıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı Ps hastalığı yatkınlığı ile endotelyal nitrik asit sentaz (NOS3) geni G894T (rs1799983) ve değişken sayılı ardışık tekrar (VNTR) varyantları arasındaki ilişkiyi saptamaktır. Yöntemler: Bu calışma aynı bölgeden seçilen 74 sağlıklı kontrole ilaveten 74 Ps hastası olmak üzere kontrollü vaka çalışmasıdır. NOS3 gen variantları Polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu (PZR) ve/veya PZR-Sınırlayıcı enzim parça uzunluk polimorfizmi (RFLP) ile analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: NOS3 G894T TT genotipi ve T alleli sağlıklı kontrollere göre Ps hastalarında daha fazla bulunuyordu (p=0.000, p=0.001, sırasıyla). NOS3 VNTR varyant BB genotipi ve B alleli hasta grubunda konrol grubuna göre daha fazlaydı (p=0.005, p=0.000 sırasıyla). NOS3 VNTR AA genotipi hasta grubunda azdı (p=0.027). Ancak artrit, Ps alan ve şiddet indeksi (PASI), başlangıç yaşı ve aile hikayesine göre yapılan analiz NOS3 G894T ve NOS3 VNTR genotipleri arasında önemli bir ilişki ortaya koymadı (p>0.05). Sonuç: Bu sonuçlar NOS3 G894T ve VNTR varyantların Türk topluluğunda Ps ile ilişkili olduğunu öne sürmektedir. Ancak, Ps oluşmasında NOS3 varyantlarının genetik rolünü anlamak için ileri çalışmalar gerekmektedir.

Objectives Nilotinib is a BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP). This study was the first prospective evaluation of the efficacy and safety of nilotinib in Turkish patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. The primary endpoint of the study was the rate of major molecular response (MMR; BCR-ABL1 ≤ 0.1% on the International Scale [BCR-ABL1IS]) by 12 months. Methods Patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP were treated with nilotinib 300 mg twice daily. This analysis was based on the first 12 months of follow-up in a 24-month study. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01274351). Results Of 112 patients enrolled, 66.1% (80% CI, 59.7-72.0%) achieved MMR and 22.3% achieved a deep molecular response of MR4.5 (BCR-ABL1IS ≤0.0032%) by 12 months. During the first year of treatment, one patient progressed to blast crisis and two patients died. Safety results were consistent with previous studies. Most adverse events (AEs) were grade 1/2. Most frequently reported nonhematologic AEs of any grade were elevations in bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, and triglycerides. Conclusion These results support the use of nilotinib 300 mg twice daily as a standard-of-care treatment option for patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP with low and intermediate risk.

Objective: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Altered miRNA expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Therefore, we aimed to explore the effects of miR-196a2T/C (rs11614913) variant profile on susceptibility to AS in a Turkish population. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 78 AS patients and 79 healthy controls. miR-196a2T/C variant was genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated using the χ2 test. Results: The frequency of T/C and T/T genotypes of the miR196a2T/C were higher in AS patients compared to healthy controls (p=0.034 and p=0.028, respectively). The subjects carrying the miR-196a2T/C variant T/T genotype showed a 2.542-fold increased AS risk than the control group. However, no difference was observed in the allele frequencies of miR-196a2T/C between AS patients and the controls. It was found that C/C genotype of miR-196a2T/C variant was more frequent in AS patients with enthesitis than AS patients without enthesitis (p=0.042). Conclusion: The miR-196a2T/C variant represents a genetic risk factor for increased susceptibility to AS and is associated with enthesitis in the Turkish population.

Background: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare acquired hematopoietic stem cell disease that may lead to weakness and death of patients, if unrecognized and untreated. Although consensus guidelines were reviewed recently for the diagnostic screening of PNH with multi-parameter flow cytometry (FCM), until now, no study has investigated the efficiency of such clinical indications in older patients. Methods: Overall, 20 centers participated in the study and a total of 1,689 patients were included, 313 of whom were at geriatric age and 1,376 were aged 18 - 64 years. We evaluated the efficiency of consensus clinical indica-tions for PNH testing using FCM in peripheral blood samples and compared the results of older patients and pa-tients aged 18 - 64 years. Results: PNH clones were detected positive in 7/313 (2.2%) of the older patients. Five (74.4%) of the patients with PNH clones had aplastic anemia, 1 had unexplained cytopenia, and 1 patient had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with refractory anemia. PNH clones were not detected in any older patients who were screened for unex-plained thrombosis, Coombs (-) hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, and others (e.g., elevated lactate dehydroge-nase (LDH), splenomegaly). We detected PNH clones in 55/1376 (4%) samples of the patients aged under 65 years. Forty-two (76.4%) patients with PNH clones had aplastic anemia, 2 patients had Coombs (-) hemolytic anemia, 3 patients had unexplained cytopenia, 1 patient had MDS with refractory anemia, 1 patient had hemoglobinuria, and 6 (10.9%) had others (e.g., elevated LDH, splenomegaly). PNH clones were not detected in any patients who were screened for unexplained thrombosis. There was no statistical difference between the geriatric population and patients aged 18 - 64 years in terms of clinical indications for PNH screening with FCM (p = 0.49). Conclusions: Our results showed that the current clinical indications for PNH screening with FCM were also effi-cient in older patients. We suggest that older patients with unexplained anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome with refractory anemia, and unexplained cytopenia should be screened for PNH with FCM to identify patients who would benefit from treatment. © 2020 Verlag Klinisches Labor GmbH. All rights reserved.

Background: Addictive substances are known to result in oxidative stress (OS). OS enhances the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces antioxidant capacity. Peroxides and oxygen radicals, including hydrogen peroxide and superoxide and radical nitrogen species, including nitric oxide (NO), are parts of the ROS. Gene variants of the endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) affect the plasma levels of NO. This study aimed to investigate whether there was an association between eNOS variants and substance use disorders (SUDs) risk in the Turkish population. Methods: Two eNOS variants (G894T and 27 bp VNTR 4b/a in intron 4) were examined in 216 SUD patients and 140 healthy controls. The eNOS variants were assessed with the PCR based on the RFLP analysis. Since the patient group consisted only of men, the control group was examined as a mixed and male-only. Results: The eNOS G894T homozygous T/T genotype revealed a significant association with susceptibility to SUD. The patients carrying T/T genotype had SUD risk 1.054 times as much as the controls and male controls had (p=0.004 and p=0.038, respectively). eNOS 4a/4a genotype increased in patients as compared to male controls (p=0.048). The homozygous 4b/4b genotype was higher in the male control group than in SUD patients (p=0.029). eNOS VNTR 4a allele was more prevalent in the patients than in both controls and male controls (p=0.026 and p=0.0033, respectively). Conclusion: This study is one of the first studies investigating the relationship between two eNOS gene variants and SUD in our country. Our findings show that eNOS G894T and VNTR variants may be the significant risk factor for SUDs in Turkish subjects.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a proinflammatory multifunctional cytokine produced by macrophages. A dysregulation of the immune system contribute to the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the TNF-alpha gene -308G/A promoter variant and the risk of BD. Methods: A total of 104 BD patients and 94 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Genomic DNA was isolated and TNF-alpha-308G/A variant was analyzed using PCR-RFLP method. Results: TNF-alpha-308G/A variant GG genotype and G allele were more prevalent in BD patients compared to the controls (p = 0.002 and p = 0.017, respectively). The patients carrying GG genotype had a 5.927-fold higher risk of developing BD. Then, we divided patients into two groups as smokers and non-smokers. TNF-alpha-308G/A variant GA genotype was higher in non-smoker BD patients than smoker patients (p = 0.027). We found that TNF-alpha-308G/A AA genotype and A allele increased in smoker patients compared to non-smoker patients (p = 0.008, p = 0.002, respectively). Discussion: Our results provided evidence that TNF-alpha-308G/A variant may contribute to development of BD in a Turkish cohort. In addition, this variant plays a relevant role in the smoker status of BD. WOS:000647554000002 2-s2.0-85105314666

OBJECTIVE An increasing number of epidemiological and molecular evidence proposes that inflammation is a significant factor in the etiology of cancers. Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) encodes a lymphokine involved in cell-mediated immunity, immunoregulation, and inflammation. It has been reported that MIF is linked with a higher risk of several cancer types. In the present study, we investigated the association of MIF rs755622 variant with the risk of breast cancer (BC) and gastrointestinal cancer in a Turkish cohort. METHODS The present study included a total of 153 subjects, which consisted of 33 BC patients, 53 gastrointestinal cancer patients and 67 healthy controls. Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral venous blood. The rs755622 variant of the MIF gene was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The results were statistically analyzed by calculating the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the ?2 test. RESULTS There was a statistical difference between the BC patients and controls for the MIF rs755622 variant. MIF rs755622 GG genotype and G allele were increased in BC patients compared to controls (p=0.016, p=0.017, respectively). No significant difference was observed between gastrointestinal cancer patients and controls for the MIF rs755622 variant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Our results showed that the MIF rs755622 variant might play a potential role in BC physiopathology. WOS:000565170700006 2-s2.0-85091336939

WOS: 000491229800399 …

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eltrombopag, an oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist, in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Materials and Methods A total of 285 chronic ITP patients (187 women, 65.6%; 98 men, 34.4%) followed in 55 centers were enrolled in this retrospective cohort. Response to treatment was assessed according to platelet count (/mm3) and defined as complete (platelet count of >100,000/mm3), partial (30,000-100,000/mm3 or doubling of platelet count after treatment), or unresponsive (

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate whether VNTR variants in the Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) and the XRCC4 gene play any role in nicotine dependence (ND) and/or Schizophrenia+ND (Sch+ND) ethiopathogenesis. METHODS Present study included 100 individuals with ND, 60 patients with Sch+ND, and 70 healthy controls. These variants were analyzed using PCR. RESULTS The cases with ND had higher eNOS VNTR-BB genotype than the healthy control subjects (p = 0.001). eNOS-AA genotype was lower in cases with Sch+ND and ND groups compared to the controls (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). eNOS-B allele was found significantly more frequently in Sch+ND group compared to the controls (p = 0.001). eNOS-A allele was significantly lower in ND group than the controls (p = 0.001). XRCC4-ID genotype was more common in the ND group than the control group (p = 0.001) as heterozygosity disadvantage. XRCC4-DD genotype was more common in the Sch+ND group compared to the controls (p = 0.035). The frequency of XRCC4-I allele was lower in the Sch+ND group compared to the controls (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that eNOS and XRCC4 VNTR variants might play a potential role in Sch+ND and/or ND pathophysiology (Tab. 2, Ref. 48).

Introduction: In this study, clinical, laboratory, radiological, and serological examinations of fascioliasis patients were analyzed, and data with a significant impact on differential diagnosis were evaluated. Methodology: Clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings and treatment responses of a total of 22 fascioliasis patients, treated between October 2009 and September 2014, were evaluated. Nineteen patients were diagnosed with fascioliasis at the invasive phase and three patients at the chronic phase. Patients were followed up for clinical, laboratory, and radiology findings for a period of three months to one year after treatment. Results: The most frequent complaints in both groups were abdominal pain, and the most common physical examination finding was epigastric tenderness. In the performed examination, an eosinophil elevation in whole blood count was detected in 19 patients (100%) in the hepatic phase, and in 2 patients (66.6%) in the biliary phase. The results of the Fasciola hepatica indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) test ordered in the diagnosis were positive in all patients. Treatment with 10 mg/kg/day triclabendazole for two consecutive days was effective. Live parasites were extracted from patients in the biliary phase with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In the follow-ups, remission in IHA titer and clinical and radiological improvement was achieved in all patients. Conclusions: If hypereosinophilia is detected by peripheral smear in patients who are admitted with complaints such as abdominal pain, weakness, nausea, myalgia, and weight loss, radiological evaluation and serological tests should be performed and fascioliasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) is a potentially life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We retrospectively evaluated the incidence, risk factors, treatment and survival for HSOS after allo-HSCT in Turkey. We also reported our experience of defibrotide (DF) for HSOS prophylaxis in high-risk (HR) patients. Across Turkey, 1153 patients from 10 centers were enrolled in the study. We evaluated the medical records of patients who were treated with allo-SCT between January 2012 and December 2015. The study included 1153 patients (687 males/466 females) with median age of 38 (15?71) years. The incidence of HSOS was 7.5 % (n = 86). The incidences of HSOS in the HR/DF+, HR/DF- and standard risk (SR) group were 8%, 66.7 % and 6.2 %, respectively. The rate of HSOS development was not statistically different between HR/DF + and SR group (p = 0.237). HSOS prophylaxis (defibrotide) was significantly decreased HSOS-related mortality (p = 0.004). The incidence of HSOS was found similar to literature in this large Turkish cohort. Defibrotide prophylaxis appears to be associated with low incidence of HSOS development and reduced HSOS-related mortality. Although these results are promising, future studies are needed to support the efficacy of defibrotide prophylaxis in patients with risk of HSOS. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd, We thank to Raika Durusoy for statistical analysis and data interpretation.

OBJECTIVE: Nicotine is the main addictive agent present in tobacco and is principally metabolized by a cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation process. While smoking patterns differ widely among smokers, the metabolization rate of nicotine can also be affected by variations in rates of enzyme activity between individuals. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the significance of CYP2A gene variants in the smoking status in a Turkish population using next-generation sequencing (NGS). METHODS: This case–control study involved 64 subjects with Nicotine dependence (ND) and 36 Non-smoker (NS) subjects. Amplicants designed by “Primer-BLAST” programme were all sequenced using the “Illimuna-MiseqQ-platform”. RESULTS: It was found that there were five SNPs in the CYP2A6 gene (rs8192725, rs7248240, rs1809810, rs8192733 and rs28399435). CYP2A6 rs1809810 homozygous TT genotype and T allele were seen in lower percentages in ND group compared to the NS group (p =0.045; p =0.021). Individuals with CYP2A6 rs1809810 TT genotypes and T allele showed odds ratio of 4.760 and 5.360 for developing protective role ND, respectively. CYP2A6 rs8192733 CC genotype and C allele were both lower in ND group (respectively p =0.001, p =0.023) while GC genotype was higher in the ND group (p =0.004). CYP2A6 rs28399435 TT genotype and T allele were more common in the ND group (respectively p =0.001, p =0.001). CYP2A6 rs28399435 CC genotype was lower in the ND group than in the NS group (p =0.010). CONCLUSIONS:CYP2A6 rs1809810, rs8192733, rs28399435 could be genetic risk factors for ND in a Turkish population. © 2018, © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. 47815 This study was supported by Istanbul BAP-ONAP (47815) programme. This study was supported by Istanbul University BAP-ONAP (47815) programme. The authors would like to thank the ?Yedikule Smoking Cessation Study Group? for their contributions. Yedikule Smoking Cessation Study Group: Ay?e Bahad?r, Sibel Yurt, Efsun Gonca Ugur Chousein, Seda Tural Onur, Balma Akbaba Bagc?, Didem Gorgun Hattatoglu, M. Gonenc Ortakoylu, Bar?? Ac?kmese, ?ule Gul, Elif Tanr?verdi O. 2-s2.0-85057596434

Raising the sustainable development awareness is of great importance forthe continuation of the world's livability. Teachers have a greatresponsibility in order for individuals to make sustainable development a partof their lives. For this reason, teachers need to be individuals withsustainable development awareness. In this study, it was aimed to develop ascale for determining the sustainable development awareness of teachercandidates. The developed scale consists of three sub-dimensions includingeconomy, society, and environment and a total of 36 items. 425 science teachercandidates from seven state universities in Turkey participated in theresearch. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for the overall scalewas calculated as 0.91. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed for thevalidity of the scale. In light of the analyses, the scale was found to possessthe qualifications to determine the sustainable development awareness of scienceteacher candidates., Raising the sustainable development awareness is of great importance for the continuation of the world's livability. Teachers have a great responsibility in order for individuals to make sustainable development a part of their lives. For this reason, teachers need to be individuals with sustainable development awareness. In this study, it was aimed to develop a scale for determining the sustainable development awareness of teacher candidates. The developed scale consists of three sub-dimensions including economy, society, and environment and a total of 36 items. 425 science teacher candidates from seven state universities in Turkey participated in the research. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for the overall scale was calculated as 0.91. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed for the validity of the scale. In light of the analyses, the scale was found to possess the qualifications to determine the sustainable development awareness of science teacher candidates.

Effects of grooves on antenna performance parameters such as gain, VSWR, HPBW and SLL are investigated for aperture type Ku band antenna. The antenna has dual cavity step transition from WR75 waveguide with two grooves on the aperture plane. Simulations shows that groove shape plays an important role in antenna performance. With careful design of the grooves, performance of a single antenna matches to that of an two-element array antenna.

Turkey is an endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) according to the data of World Health Organization. CL is more widely distributed in Sanliurfa region (located at south-eastern part of Anatolia) of Turkey, while visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is reported sporadically from all parts of Turkey, especially in pediatric cases. However VL has not been reported from our region yet. Here we report two cases of VL from Kahramanmaras region (located at eastern part of South Anatolia), one of which was a 57-year-old immuncompromised patient and the other was a 18-year-old immunocompetent patient. The common symptoms of the patients were high fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. The diagnosis of both patients was made by demonstration of the amastigotes of parasite in Giemsa-stained smears prepared from bone marrow aspiration samples, and isolation of promastigotes from cultures in NNN medium. The isolates were identified as Leishmania donovani with PCR and sequencing methods. Both of the patients were treated successfully with liposomal amphotericin B, resulting in complete cure. In conclusion, cases with fever of unknown origin, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia and hypergammaglobulinemia should be considered in terms of VL especially in Kahramanmaras region.

WOS: 000448137100007, PubMed ID: 29486663, Objectives: This report presents final results (24 months of follow-up) from the first prospective, national study of frontline nilotinib in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in Turkey. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML in chronic phase (CML-CP; N = 112) received nilotinib 300 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint, which was the cumulative rate of major molecular response (MMR; BCR-ABL1, Novartis Pharmaceuticals CorporationNovartis, This work was supported by the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

"Telekom SRBIJA" a.d.;Ericsson;et al.;ETF - School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade;Ministry of Trade, Turism and Telecommunications;VLATACOM d.o.o, 25th Telecommunications Forum, TELFOR 2017 -- 21 November 2017 through 22 November 2017 -- -- 134133, 2-s2.0-85045760685, Circular waveguide to dual-cavity transition is proposed for wideband, high gain, high aperture efficiency and low profile (60.6mm) antenna. Target bandwidth is Ku band downlink and uplink frequency bands. Simulation result shows 40% (10-15GHz) fractional bandwidth at VSWR, TEYDEB-5150052, ACKNOWLEDGMENT This work is partly supported by The Scientific and Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under grant no: TEYDEB-5150052, and SVS Telecommunications, Istanbul, Turkey.

The purpose of this article is to present a new theoretical discovery based on certain observations in natural phenomenon such as tyndall effect in such a way that neurologically known retinal vision facts fit with it According to this strange but strongly challenging way of hypothetical approach people with different eye colours perceive colours not only in different tones such as light or navy but they see them totally different such as what one call ldquo orange rsquo rsquo seem ldquo green rsquo rsquo to the other and that yet none of people are aware of this situation ever in their lives The present article states with strong theoretical evidence of why this is the case using anatomically known iris light reflection It is expected that this study will contribute visual and retinal studies in medicine

This article is aimed at investigating the possibilities of preventing tumour growth associated with cancer by the use of Anti Epileptic Drugs The number of studies on the topic is still limited in number but more studies associated with the use of Anti Epileptic Medicine in cancer prevention can provide a much needed breakthrough in the prevention of cancer and tumour growth Success in this field will not only provide a new means by which to minimize or prevent metastasis but will also help in saving cost and time by using a drug already in use for a different function Recent studies have shown the possibility of some anti epileptic drugs in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells this though faces some challenges since there have also been links that suggest some of thisanti epileptic drugs can be carcinogenic to humans The analyses and information collection leading to the mentioned supposition has been done by assessing previous literature in the topic and further strengthen the case in a bid to raise attention of the scientific communities with the hope of further research on the area to potentially come up with a new treatment for cancer

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether functional variants of Catechol-O-Methyltrans-ferase (COMT) (rs4680) and Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CNR2) (rs2501432) genes play a role in tobacco use disor-der (TUD) or tobacco use disorder and schizophrenia (TUDSch) comorbidity. Methods: This study consisted of 163 participants with TUD, 60 participants with TUDSch, and 106 gender-, age- and ethnicity-matched non-smoker con-trols (HNC). While the TUD and TUDSch were diagnosed according to the DSM-5, the severity of TUD was rated according to the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. Genotyping of COMT and CNR2 genes was determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP). Results: Distributions of genotypes and allele frequencies were compared among the groups. Patients with TUDSch had higher frequency of COMT Val/Val genotype compared to the TUD and HNC groups (p=0.001, p=0.034, respect-tively). Patients with TUD had higher frequency of Val/Met genotype than TUDSch and HNC groups (p=0.001, p=0.033, respectively). The frequency of the Val allele was higher in TUDSch than the HNC group, whereas the frequency of the Met allele was higher in TUD than in the TUDSch group (p=0.047, p=0.001, respectively). Addi-tionally, patients with TUD had higher frequency of TT CNR2 genotype than the HNC group (p=0.019). Conclusion: While the Val/Val genotype of the COMT gene is associated with an increased risk for TUDSch, the Val/Met geno-type is associated with an increased risk for TUD. Additionally, the TT CNR2 genotype was associated with in-creased risk for TUD in the Turkish population.

Objective: Schizophrenia (Sch) and bipolar disorder (BD) are debilitating chronic psychiatric disorders that are both etiologically and clinically heterogeneous. According to the gathered evidence, multiple mental disorders are accompanied by inflammation. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), as a regulatory cytokine, is involved in the immune response as a proinflammatory mediator. Several critical physiological functions are regulated and governed by nitric oxide (NO) in the central nervous system. This study aimed to investigate the association between IFN-γ +874T/A and eNOS 894G/T variants and Sch or BD susceptibility. Methods: Blood samples were collected from patients and healthy subjects. IFN-γ +874T/A and eNOS 894G/T variants were genotyped with the PCR-RFLP. We evaluated the patients with some clinical parameters (the duration of the disorder, age of onset, number of hospitalizations, family history, tobacco smoking or drug, alcohol usage). Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS version. Results: When the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the IFN-γ +874T/A and eNOS 894G/T in the patients diagnosed with Sch or BD were compared with the control group, there were not found to be significant differences between the groups. When comparing IFN-γ +874T/A and eNOS 894G/T genotype distributions and allele frequencies of Sch or BD patients due to clinical parameters, the genotype distribution of IFN-γ +874T/A in BD patients was significantly different between the groups due to the presence of tobacco smoking (OR: 0.217, 95%Cl: 0.054–0.878; p = 0.032). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that examines the association between the IFN-γ and eNOS gene variants and Sch or BD in a Turkish population. Although IFN-γ +874T/A and eNOS 894G/T variants are not considered as candidate genes for Sch or BD, the results indicated that the BD patients carrying IFN-γ +874T/A AA genotype were less susceptible to tobacco smoking in a Turkish population.

This study was performed to evaluate psychiatric symptoms and resilience levels of the hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients and their relatives. The study enrolled 51 patients and 45 relatives undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Data were collected using Personal Information Form, Brief Symptom Inventory and Resilience Scale for Adults. Psychiatric symptoms of both patients and their relatives were negatively associated with resilience levels. Patients and their relatives with a higher degree of resilience showed a lower degree of psychiatric symptoms. The study results demonstrate that haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a process that affects patients as well as their families. We suggest that patients and their family members be evaluated for psychiatric symptoms by nurses during this process and resilience level of patients be increased by helping them improve their coping and problem-solving skills for adaptation throughout the process.

WOS: 000339392600005, PubMed ID: 24819208, Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL-2), interleukin (IL)-4, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), chemokine receptor 5 (CCR-5), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (RA) gene polymorphisms (GPs) in acute leukemias (ALs) and to evaluate their roles in febrile neutropenia (FN) resulting from chemotherapy. Methods: The study included 60 AL patients hospitalized between the period of July 2001 and August 2006. Polymorphisms for the genes ACE(I/D), CCR-5, IL-1RA, MBL-2, TLR-4, and IL-4 were typed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or PCR-restriction fragment length polymerase. Genotype frequencies for these genes were compared in the patient and control groups. The relationships between the genotypes and the body distribution of infections, pathogens, the duration of neutropenia, and febrile episodes in AL patients were evaluated. Results: No significant differences in either the genotype distribution or the allelic frequencies of TLR-4, IL-4, CCR-5, IL-1RN GPs were observed between patients and healthy controls. The AB/BB genotype (53.3%) in the MBL-2 gene was found to be significantly higher in the AL patients compared with control groups. There were correlations between the presence of MBL-2, TLR-4, and ACE polymorphisms and clinical parameters due to FN. Overall, bacteremia was more common in MBL BB and ACE DD. Gram-positive bacteremia was more common in ACE for ID versus DD genotype. Gram-negative bacteremia was more common for both the MBL-2 AB/BB genotype and TLR-4 AG genotype. Median durations of febrile episodes were significantly shorter in ACE DD and MBL AB/BB. Conclusion: Although TLR-4, ACE, and MBL-2 GPs have been extensively investigated in different clinical pictures, this is the first study to evaluate the role of these polymorphisms in the genetic etiopathogenesis of FN in patients with ALs. As a conclusion, TLR-4, ACE, and MBL-2 genes might play roles in the genetic etiopathogenesis of FN in patients with ALs.

To evaluate a relationship between preeclampsia and prolidase enzyme activity.A prospective cohort study of 41 pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia and 31 healthy pregnant women as control group was selected at Harran University Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The prolidase enzyme activity was analyzed in maternal and umbilical cord plasma, amniotic fluid and placental and umbilical cord tissues by Chinard method in addition to maternal serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT).A significant relationship was found between plasma prolidase activity (635 ± 83 U/L) (p = 0.007), umbilical cord plasma prolidase activity (610 ± 90 U/L) (p = 0.013), amniotic fluid prolidase activity (558 ± 100 U/L) (p = 0.001), umbilical cord tissue prolidase activity (4248 ± 1675 U/gr protein) (p = 0.013) and placental tissue prolidase activity (2116 ± 601 U/gr protein) (p = 0.001) in preeclamptic group when compared to healthy pregnant women.There is a strong correlation between prolidase enzyme activity and preeclampsia. Prolidase enzyme activity may play a role in preeclampsia.

It is not clear how gene polymorphisms affecting drugs can contributes totheir efficacy in multiple myeloma (MM). We here aimed to explore associations among gene polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), nitric oxide synthesis 3 (NOS3) and multi-drug resistance 1 (MDR1), clinical parameters, prognosis and survival in MM patients treated with VAD (vincristine-adriamycine-dexamethasone), MP (mephalane-prednisolone), autolougus stem cell transplantation (ASCT), BODEC (bortezomib-dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide) and TD (thalidomide-dexamethasone). We analyzed TNFalpha, NOS 3 and MDR1 in 77 patients with MM and 77 healthy controls. The genotyping was performed with PCR and/or PCR-RFLP. There was no clinically significant difference between MM and control groups when TNFalpha (-238) and (-857) and MDR1 gene polymorphisms were studied. However, the TNFalpha gene polymorphism (-308) GG genotype (p=0.012) and NOS3 (+894) TT genotype (p=0.008) were more common in the MM group compared to healthy controls. NOS3 (VNTR) AA (p=0.007) and NOS3 (+894) GG genotypes (p=0.004) were decreased in the MM group in contrast. In conclusion, the NOS3 (+894) TT and TNFalpha (-308) GG genotypes may have roles in myeloma pathogenesis. Keywords

Highlights • Epidermal cysts can be located in any part of the body, though mainly on the face, torso, extremities and scalp, but they are rarely localized on the vulva. • Most of the vulvar epidermal cysts described so far have been localized on the clitoris; and circumcision procedures and trauma have been demonstrated as underlying causes. • Our patient, had not been previously exposed to trauma or undergone any surgical intervention. • Vulvar epidermal cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vulvar mass., Introduction Epidermoid cysts can occur in a variety of locations including face, trunk, neck, extremities and scalp. Up to now, those vulvar epidermal cysts reported in the literature were localized on the labia majora and the clitoris. This is the first case of epidermal cyst reported on the labia minora. Presentation of case A 47-year-old, multiparous woman presented with a history of a palpable vulvar mass, without pain but causing difficulty in walking. The large mass was 6 cm in diameter and located in the left labium minus. The labial mass was surgically removed. The final pathologic diagnosis was a vulvar epidermoid cyst. The patient was discharged from hospital without any complications. Discussion Total surgical excision of the mass is more appropriate for definitive histopathological diagnosis and for the prevention of future development of complications. MRI is very important in the localization of the mass and relationship with other tissues regarding treatment planning of larger vulvar masses. Conclusion Epidermal cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a vulvar mass.