Background and ObjectivesGenetic influence on T-wave peak to End (Tpe) time in patients with a first anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is uncertain. A polymorphism in the angiotensin-II type 1 receptor (AT1R) gene was discovered recently. The polymorphism consists of an A or C variant, given three different possible genotypes: AA, AC, CC. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of polymorphism of the AT1R gene polymorphism on Tpe after a first anterior AMI.Subjects and MethodsThe subjects were 142 patients (110 men, 32 women, 58±13 years) with a first anterior AMI; ten patients were excluded from this study. Based on the polymorphism of the AT1R gene, they were classified into two groups: Group 1 (AA genotype) of 91 patients and group 2 (AC and CC genotype) of 41 patients. A 12-lead resting ECG was recorded at admission to the coronary care unit in patients with anterior AMI and were manually measured with a ruler. QTc, QTd, QTcd, Tpe, Tpe/QT parameters were measured.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics of patients (p>0.05). We found significant reduction in QTc, QTd, QTcd, Tpe, Tpe/QT indices Group 1 (AA genotype) (mean 66±28 ms) than group 2 (AC and CC genotype) (mean 95±34 ms) (p<0.05).ConclusionIn patients with a first anterior AMI, AT1R gene polymorphisms may influence on repolarization parameters. Although further studies are required.

This study aimed to histological changes compare placental villous basal lamina and amniotic membrane changes in complicated pregnancy. Studies were performed on the human placentas, delivered between 24-39 weeks of gestation. Patients were separated equally into 4 groups (Control, preeclampsia (PE), gestastional diabetes (GD), and HELLP syndrome groups). Placental tissue samples were dissected and fixed in 10% neutral formalin buffer. Routine paraffin tissue protocol was followed. Some of the sections were stained with Periodic Acid Schiff. Remaining sections were stained with integrin alpha-6 antibody. To define expression percentage, mean of the staining area/total staining area ratio were calculated. The statistical significance of the expression percentages was compared by One Way ANOVA and Tukey tests with SPSS Statistics V24 software. In PAS-stained preeclamptic, HELLP and gestational diabetes groups placental villous basal lamina and vasculosyncytial membranes were thicker than the control group. A significant difference was observed in all 3 groups compared to the control group the placental villous basal lamina thickness of the HELLP group was found to be significantly different from all three groups. In chorionic villi of HELLP group, dense integrin expression was found in placental villous basal lamina similar to that in GD and preeclampsia groups. The HELLP group was significantly different from all groups. In preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and HELLP placentas, the placental viiöz basal lamina and amniotic membrane significantly thickened and structural changes were observed.

Abstract:Background: Epstein-Barr Virus, frequently referred to as EBV, is a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common human viruses. The virus occurs worldwide, and most people become infected with EBV sometime during their lives. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the serological profi les of specifi c antibodies among the sera of suspected EBV infection patients along with VCA-IgG avidity. Methods: A total of 522 patient's sera were sent to The Clinical Microbiology Laboratory for EBV specifi c antibody detection and were studied by IFA method during a two year period. The serum samples were tested for EBV specifi c VCA IgG, VCA IgM, EA, EBNA antibodies and VCA IgG aviditity. Results: Among 33 patients those who had low avidity for VCA IgG, 27 (81.8 %) of them had a serologic profi le as follows; positive VCA IgG, negative VCA IgM, negative EA and negative EBNA. Conclusion: While this profi le is considered as a primary infection, the frequency of the coexistence of VCA IgG low avidity with this profi le is interepreted that avidity may lead to detect primary infection (Tab. 2, Ref. 25 Abbreviations: IFA -indirect fl uorescent antibody, EBV -Epstein-Barr virus, EA -early antigen,VCA -viral capsid antigen, EBNA -epstein-barr nuclear antigen.Epstein-Barr virus, commonly referred to as EBV, is a human specifi c member of the herpesvirus family and is a B-cell lymphotropic virus. An EBV infection occurs by close contact with EBV presented in oral secretions. The virus initially wells in the oropharyngeal epithelial cells and causes persistent infections. Seroepidemiologic studies indicate that EBV infections are common in all communities and occur worldwide, and most people become infected with EBV sometime during their lives. In Europe including Turkey, as many as 70-80 % of adolescents and 80-90 % of adults are reported to be seropositive for EBV (1).The course of EBV infection can vary with regard to the age and health status of the person. In young children host-virus infection can take place with no apparent symptoms. By contrast, in 30-50 % of the adult patients EBV infection can cause diffuse lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and tonsillitis. In some cases exanthematous reactions triggered by EBV can be mistaken with an eruption of rubella (2). Moreover, EBV infection is shown to be associated with lymphoproliferative disorders in patients who are suffering from immunodefi ciency, Burkitt lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (3,4). Infectious mononucleosis is also caused by infection of B cells by EBV and is generally diagnosed by serological methods. EBV serology is utilized to help distinguish EBV reactivation infections from primary EBV infections and to demonstrate acute EBV infections. During this process, it is critically important to perform the tests at the same time for the presence of EBV-VCA IgM, EBV-VCAIgG, anti-EBV-EA, anti EBV-EBNA and VCA IgG avidity (2).The spectrum of antibody assays comprises unspecifi c tests, such as the long-known te...

Available online xxxxCongenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) is a rare disease in which there is both ventriculoarterial and atrioventricular discordance. The systemic ventricle is of right morphology and patients are at high risk of developing systemic ventricular dysfunction. We report on a 41 year old male patient with primary PCI and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries. IntroductionCongenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA), first described by Karl von Rokitansky in 1875. CCTGA is a rare disease in which there is both ventriculoarterial and atrioventricular discordance. 1 The atrioventricular discordance implies that the morphological left atrium into the morphological right ventricle (RV), and the morphological right atrium drains into the morphological left ventricle (LV). Thus, the RV supports the systemic circulation, and the LV supplies the pulmonary circulation. The systemic ventricle is of right morphology and patients are at high risk of developing systemic ventricular dysfunction. 2 The clinical course is complicated by associated intracardiac defects such as ventricular septal defect, left atrioventricular valve regurgitation, subvalvar and valvar pulmonary stenosis, and atrioventricular conduction disturbances. Their life expectancy is limited by the onset of systemic (morphologically right) ventricular failure in their 40s or 50s. 3 We report here the interesting case of primary PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries. Case reportA 41 year old male presented to the emergency department complaining of chest pain with no history of previous episodes in the 5 March 2011. His chest pain began at the rest and lasted several hours. The pain was substernal, with radiation to his back and left arm. He had several risk factors including smoking and dyslipidemia.On admission, he was diaphoretic and restless. His pulse was regular at 85 beats/min and his blood pressure was 110/70 mm-Hg. Physical examination showed no remarkable findings. His initial electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrated sinus rhythm, 2 mm ST elevation and peaked T wave in leads V1-V3 and negative T wave in leads D1,aVL,V4-V6, incomplete LBBB (Fig. 1). We administered 100 IU/kg unfractionated heparin i.v., 300 mg aspirin per os (chewed), 600 mg clopidogrel per os. It was decided to perform emergency coronary angiography with primary PCI.The left coronary angiogram was performed. Left main was normal. LAD had got 40% stenosis after first diagonal (D1). D1 was small and had got proximal 60% stenoses. Coronary angiography showed two Cx arteries arising from the left main and right coronary arteries. Coronary angiography revealed that the left Cx (LCx) originating from the left main coronary artery was normal. There was another Cx (RCx) arising from the proximal part of the right coronary artery (RCA) with a significant stenosis in the mid segment. The right coronary angiogram was performed and it was shown tha...

Plasmodium vivax is the most common cause of malaria worldwide as well as southeastern Turkey. After the implementation of a successful national elimination program that the local malaria cases were not reported in 2011, malaria returned to county of Savur located in southeastern Turkey in summer of 2012. The present study aimed to determine the prevalent P. vivax genotypes isolated from southeastern Turkey. Genetic polymorphism in P. vivax CSP gene was analyzed by PCR-RFLP to assess the ratio of VK210 and VK247 types. Blood samples were obtained from 15 patients who lived in southeastern between 2005-2006. According to the results, VK210 type was detected in 10 samples (66.6%), VK247 type was observed in three samples (20%). Remaining two samples showed mixed infection (13.3%). The results of the present study first time showed the ratio of P. vivax genotypes in southeastern Turkey before the elimination in 2011. The results of the present study will be enable researchers to compare the new isolates with the previously detected ones and design new treatment and/elimination strategies.

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Objectives: Malnutrition is frequently seen in stroke patients. Malnutrition worsens the prognosis and increases the mortality rate in acute ischemic stroke patients. Malnutrition is a significant factor not only in the initiation of infection but also in its progression. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is a new index that evaluates the nutrition and inflammatory status. This study aims to investigate the relationship between PNI and stroke-related infection (SRI) development during hospitalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: Acute ischemic stroke was the primary diagnosis for 158 patients who were admitted to the neurology intensive care unit. Patients’ demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were recorded. PNI was calculated according to the formula given below. PNI: 10 × serum albumin (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (mm3). PNI > 380 normal, PNI: 350–380 moderate malnutrition risk, PNI < 350 severe malnutrition risk. Results: A total of 158 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in the study. There were 70 male and 88 female patients, whereas the mean age of the patients was 67.79 ± 14.0 years. Nosocomial infection developed in 34 (21%) of the patients. Compared to high PNI scores, patients with low PNI scores were generally older, and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, atrial fibrillation, infection, mortality rate, and hospitalization rates were all significantly higher. Conclusions: In this study, we discovered that patients with poor PNI had a considerably increased rate of infection development. It is vital to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with acute ischemic stroke during hospitalization.

The present study showed that real-time PCR can be useful in the diagnosis and species identification of Plasmodium spp. as well as the detection of mixed infections in addition to microscopy in Turkey.