Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of The Demographic And Aetiological Factors And Intraoperative Findings On Postoperative Outcomes In Chronic Otitis Media Surgery, Süleyman Cebeci̇, Mehmet Suat Özbi̇len, İsmet Bayramoğlu, Yusuf Kemal Kemaloğlu, Kadi̇r Kemal Uygur, Yildirim Ahmet Bayazit, Recep Karamert

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Surgical success is related with many factors belonging to both the patient and the disease. This study aims to analyse the preoperative and intraoperative characteristics, the postoperative results, and the factors affecting the surgical success in different types of chronic otitis media (COM).Materials and methods: A total of 1510 ears of 1398 patients who underwent COM surgery were included in the study. Postoperative results were obtained from 376 ears of 356 patients who had been followed after surgery. The demographic characteristics of the patients, such as age and sex, operative findings, preoperative audiological examination results, and final audiometric and …

Addition Of Intratympanic Steroid Or Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment To Systemic Steroid Treatment In Sudden Idiopathic Sensorineural Hearing Loss Treatment, And Long-Term Results Of Salvage Treatment, Kemal Keseroğlu, Gökhan Toptaş, Ahmet Uluat, Ömer Bayir, Emel Çadalli Tatar, Güleser Saylam, Mehmet Hakan Korkmaz, Ali̇ Özdek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aims to determine the therapeutic superiority of the addition of intratympanic steroid or hyperbaric oxygen therapy to systemic steroid treatment in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss as initial treatment, and evaluate the long-term results of salvage treatment. Materials and methods: This study was a retrospective clinical trial with a total of 96 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n: 32) received systemic steroid treatment. Group 2 (n: 32) received the Group 1 protocol plus intratympanic steroid treatment. Group 3 (n: 32) received the Group 1 protocol plus hyperbaric …

The Validity And Reliability Of The Turkish Version Of The Body Esteem Scale Foradolescents And Adults (Besaa) For Children, Umut Ece Arslan, Lütfi̇ye Hi̇lal Özcebe, Hande Konşuk Ünlü, Sarp Üner, Mahmut Saadi̇ Yardim, Ozgur Araz, Terry T-K Huang

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Body esteem (BE) is defined as the self-evaluation of one's own body or appearance. The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) consists of three subscales: BE-appearance, BE-weight, and BE-attribution. Though initially developed for adolescents and adults, the use of the scale has recently increased in health-related research on children. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the BESAA for children. Materials and methods: The participants in the study were 4th grade children (aged 9-10 years) in Ankara, Turkey. The validity of the scale was evaluated through exploratory and confirmatory factor …

Real-Life Comparison Of The Viewing Angle And The Image Quality Of Two Commonly Usedviewing Systems For Vitreoretinal Surgery, Kemal Bayrakçeken, Ahmet Murad Hondur, Hati̇ce Tuba Atalay, Yavuz Kemal Aribaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To compare the clinical use, image quality and viewing angle of a commonly used contact wide angle viewing (WAV) system (Advanced Visual Instruments (AVI) Panoramic Imaging Systems, NY, USA) with a commonly used noncontact WAV system (Leica RUV800, Leica Microsystems, Switzerland). Materials and methods: Images of 42 consecutively operated eyes were obtained with both systems at the same surgical stages and were compared for image quality using the Imatest Master 4.5.13 (Imatest LLC, Boulder, USA) software. The viewing angles of the images were calculated using the optic disc sizes measured from the OCT and infrared fundus images. The 68-degree …

Subclinical Cardiac Structural And Electrical Abnormalities In Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Ekrem Aksu, Ejder Berk, Abdullah Sökmen, Güli̇zar Sökmen, Enes Çeli̇k

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: In the literature, there is a paucity of data about the effects of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) on myocardial function and electrophysiological properties of atrium and ventricles. In this study, we investigated cardiac functions and noninvasive predictors of arrhythmias in patients with FMS. Materials and methods: The study included 43 female patients diagnosed with FMS and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. The presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) morphology, P dispersion, QT dispersion, inter- and intraatrial electromechanical delay was evaluated in the groups with 12-lead ECG and standard and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Results: Among electrocardiographic parameters, P dispersion, QT dispersion, …

Posterior Fossa Horns; A New Calvarial Finding Of Mucopolysaccharidoses With Well-Known Cranial Mri Features, Çağri Damar, Betül Emi̇ne Deri̇nkuyu, Muazzez Asburçe Bi̇ke Olgaç Kiliçkaya, Mehmet Öztürk, Çi̇ğdem Öztunali, Ayşe Gül Alimli, Öznur Leman Boyunaga, Murat Uçar, Fati̇h Süheyl Ezgü, Leyla Tümer, Alp Özgün Börcek, Ahmet Siğirci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of hereditary metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to share the previously unreported calvarial finding of internal hypertrophy of the occipitomastoid sutures (IHOMS) together with some other well- known cranial MRI findings in this patient series. Materials and methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted of 80 cranial MRIs of patients who had been diagnosed and followed up with MPS from 2008 to 2019 in our center. Of these patients, 11 had Hurler, 14 had Hunter, 24 had Sanfilippo, 15 had Morquio, 14 had Maroteaux-Lamy, and 2 had Sly disease. The cranial MRIs …

The Effect Of Baicalein On Wnt/Ss-Catenin Pathway And Mir-25 Expression In Saos-2 Osteosarcoma Cell Line, Esra Örenli̇li̇ Yaylagül, Celal Ülger

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy that occurs frequently in children and adolescents. Baicalein, a flavonoid that has attracted great attention in recent years with its strong antitumor activity, shows a wide range of biological and pharmaceutical effects.MicroRNAs have been found to be involved in many critical processes in cancers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of baicalein and miR-25 on Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway of osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2. Materials and methods: Cell viability was assessed, and qRT-PCR and Western blot were performed to study the effects of baicalein on expression of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway-realted genes …

Alcohol Consumption And Alcohol Policy, Mustafa Necmi̇ İlhan, Di̇lek Yapar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Alcohol is a unique addictive substance used by many people for different reasons. Alcohol use affects not only the users but also the family and the whole society in a negative way. Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances for entertainment purposes in the world and 1 in 3 people is a current drinker. 2348 billion people (43% of the population) aged 15 and over are current drinkers and males drink about 2 times more frequently than females (53.6%/32.3%). According to the Global Alcohol and Health Report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) (2018), total alcohol per …

A Study Of Drynariafortunei In Modulation Of Bmp-2 Signalling By Bone Tissue Engineering, Guo-Chung Dong, Tzn-Yuan Ma, Chi-Han Li, Chih-Ying Chi, Chao-Ming Su, Chih-Ling Huang, Yan-Hsiung Wang, Tzer-Ming Lee

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Drynaria fortunei (Gusuibu; GSB) is a popular traditional Chinese medicine used for bone repair. An increasing number of studies have reported that GSB induces osteogenic differentiation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). These results provide insight into the application of GSB for bone tissue engineering techniques used to repair large bone defects. However, few studies have described the molecular mechanisms of GSB.Materials and methods: In the present study, the effects of GSB and naringin, a marker compound, on the binding of BMP-2 to BMPR and BMP-2-derived signal transduction were investigated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and coculturing with …

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy As A Novel Tool For Rapid Quantification Of Heroin And Metabolites In Saliva, Ramazan Akçan, Mahmut Şeri̇f Yildirim, Hasan İlhan, Burcu Güven, Uğur Tamer, Necdet Sağlam

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Heroin can be detected and quantified by certain analytical methods, however, forensic professionals and criminal laboratories study for cheaper and faster detection tools. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) rises as a possible alternative tool with its widening application spectra. There are few studies regarding Raman and SERS spectra of heroin and its metabolites, which are unfortunately controversial. In this study, we compared five different surfaces in order to find out more efficient Raman-active substrate for opiate detection and rapid quantification of heroin and its metabolites in saliva.Materials and methods: Morphine standard material was used to identify proper surface for SERS …

The Importance Of Quality And Accreditation In Health Care Services In The Process Ofstruggle Against Covid-19, Demet Gökmen Kavak, Ayşe Si̇bel Öksüz, Canan Cengi̇z, İbrahi̇m Hali̇l Kayral, Fi̇gen Çi̇zmeci̇ Şenel

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this research is to evaluate the relationship between the quality of health and accreditation standards with the Covid-19 process and to reveal the importance of quality and accreditation in health care in the process of combating coronavirus. Materials and methods: The relationship between hospital accreditation standards of Turkish Healthcare Quality and Accreditation Institute and the Covid-19 process was evaluated. The standards were analyzed within the framework of the technical guidance areas provided by the World Health Organization for countries for the Covid-19 process. Results: The standards were found to be 79,6% related to the Covid-19 process. …

A Single Center Cohort Of 40 Severe Covid-19 Patients Who Were Treated Withconvalescent Plasma, Ali̇i̇hsan Gemi̇ci̇, Hülya Bi̇lgen, Cem Erdoğan, Abdullah Kansu, Oktay Olmuşçeli̇k, Hüseyi̇n Saffet Beköz, Rumeysa Çakmak, Ali̇ Mert, Ömür Gökmen Sevi̇ndi̇k

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: A SARS-Cov2 infection which was first arised from Wuhan in December 2019 and named as COVID-19. Still there lacks either a specific treatment or a vaccine to treat COVID-19. Convalescent plasma (CP) was previously used successfully to treat SARS-CoV-1 and MERS infections. Health authority in Turkey has published a guideline to integrate this promising option in the treatment process of patients who are prone to high risk of developing severe COVID 19. Materials and Methods: Forty consecutive patients who had received CP at our center were included in the study. Demographics, COVID-19 specific parameters, biomarkers to detect the severity …

Covid-19-Related Anxiety In People Living With Hiv: An Online Cross-Sectional Study, Özlem Kuman Tunçel, Hüsnü Pullukçu, Hüseyi̇n Aytaç Erdem, Behi̇ce Kurtaran, Seli̇n Ece Taşbakan, Meltem Taşbakan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has had an enormous emotional impact on some vulnerable groups, such as people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLHIV). This study was planned with the aim of assessing the anxiety levels of PLHIV and the sources of their anxiety. Materials and methods: A web-based questionnaire was sent to PLHIV using the virtual snowball sampling method. The questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic status, information about HIV infection, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Additionally, some opinions of the participants about COVID-19 were asked. Results: A total of 307 respondents, with …

Tetanus Vaccine During Pregnancy: Data Of A Tertiary Hospital In Turkey, Gülşah Dağdevi̇ren, Gökçen Örgül, Aykan Yücel, Di̇lek Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To evaluate the prevalence of tetanus vaccination in pregnant women and determine the factors affecting the vaccination and barriers to vaccination. Materials and methods: An observational-descriptive study was conducted on 494 women who gave birth at the Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Women's Health Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Participants were divided into 2 groups, vaccinated and unvaccinated. Sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, and prenatal care status were compared between the 2 groups. Results: There were 242 (48.9%) and 252 (51.1%) women in the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, respectively. The vaccination rate decreased as the number of pregnancies increased (P = …

A Novel Turkish Instrument For Assessing Quality Of Life In Chronic Otitis Media -Translation And Validation Of Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory, Belgi̇n Tutar, Zi̇ya Saltürk, Güler Berki̇ten, Muhammet Eni̇s Eki̇nci̇oğlu, Semi̇h Karaketi̇r, Meli̇s Ece Arkan, Muhammed Fati̇h Akgün, Ayça Başkadem Yilmazer, Ercan Kulak, Davi̇d Baechi̇nger, Yavuz Uyar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Questionnaire (ZCMEI-21) is a newly-developed German-language questionnaire. The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of life (QoL) of chronic otitis media (COM) patients and translate, transculturally adapt, and validate the ZCMEI-21 into Turkish. Materials and methods: Based on internationally accepted guidelines, the ZCMEI-21 was translated into Turkish. To assess its validity, the total score of the ZCMEI-21-Tur was compared to the scores taken from the original validation study and a question that was directly related to the health-related QoL (HRQoL), as well as the general criterion EQ-5D-5L. Questionnaires were completed by …

Covid-19 Outbreak Control, Example Of Ministry Of Health Of Turkey, Yasemi̇n Demi̇rbi̇lek, Gülen Pehli̇vantürk, Zeynep Özge Özgüler, Emi̇ne Alp Meşe

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Our first COVID-19 case in Turkey was a 44-year-old male who referred to the hospital on March 9, 2020. The first related death occurred on March 17, 2020. Preparedness for the pandemic has been ongoing before the first case was detected. The National Pandemic Plan was published in 2006. The Pandemic Influenza National Preparedness Plan was available after being updated in light of experiences gained during the 2009 Influenza A pandemic. Accordingly, Pandemic Coordination Boards and Operation Centers have been established on the national and provincial levels. This was an adaptable plan to the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). We formed …

The Early Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Global And Turkish Economy, Ömer Açikgöz, Asli Günay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Individuals infected by the Covid-19 potentially are at risk of health and economic well-being. Today, the Covid-19 is a global issue, and the world economy can be interpreted as almost at the standstill. In this context, this study aims to discuss the potential first reactions of short and long term global economic impacts of the pandemic through sectors by assessing its costs according to the data announced for both the world and Turkey. In addition, this study tries to put forth possible economic and political scenarios for the post-pandemic world. Materials and methods: This is a review article that …

Critically Ill Covid-19 Patient, Burçi̇n Halaçli, Akin Kaya, Arzu Topeli̇ İski̇t

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stands out as the major pandemic that we have experienced in the last century. As it affects every social structure, it brought the importance of intensive care support once again to the agenda of healthcare system after causing severe acute respiratory syndrome. The precautions to be taken against this virus, where our knowledge is extremely small, intensive care units take an indispensable place in pandemic planning. In this review, we aimed to emphasize the crucial points regarding intensive care management of COVID-19 patients, which we have written not only for intensivists but also for all healthcare …

Risk Indices That Predict In-Hospital Mortality Of Elderly Patients, Di̇lek Dülger, Özgür Albuz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Mortality in the elderly population tends to be higher than in all other age groups; the risk factors that predict mortality among those in this age cohort are not fully understood. This large-scale clinical study aimed to identify effective risk factors that predict mortality in the elderly population with a particular focus on age and hospitalization status. Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed outcomes from patients with clinical follow-up between July 2015 and January 2020 at 29 Mayıs State Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Patient records with missing or ambiguous data were excluded. Age, sex, length of hospital stay, comorbidities, consultation …

Ocular Toxicity Of Intravitreal Golimumab In A Rabbit Model, Ceren Durmaz Engi̇n, Serap Ci̇laker Miçili, Osman Yilmaz, Hüsnü Alper Bağriyanik, Beki̇r Uğur Ergür, Fatoş Önen, Ali̇ Osman Saatci̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To investigate the effect of intravitreal golimumab on rabbit retina histopathology. Materials and methods: Sixteen albino New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups. The right eye of each rabbit in groups I, II, and III received a single intravitreal injection of 5 mg/0.05 mL (6 eyes), 10 mg/0.1 mL (6 eyes), or 20 mg/0.2 mL (4 eyes) golimumab, while left eyes served as controls with the same volume of a balanced salt solution injection. All animals were examined using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy before and after intravitreal injection and at days 1 and 7. Animals were euthanized …

Statistical Shape Analysis Of Hand And Wrist In Paediatric Population On Radiographs, Ural Koç, İlker Ercan, Senem Özdemi̇r, Semi̇h Bolu, Ayşegül Yabaci, Onur Taydaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The goal of this study was to compare differences in hand and wrist shapes and to evaluate these according to growth and allometry in children on radiographs related to bone age.Materials and methods: The study included 263 males and 189 females. A total of 452 left hand and wrist radiographs were retrospectively collected. Standard anatomical landmarks marked on radiographs.Results: There were seen to be significant differences in comparisons of hand and wrist shapes according to sex (P = 0.009). The most suitable model in the growth models was seen as the Gompertz growth model for both females and males …

Effects Of Immunization Program On Morbidity And Mortality Rates Ofvaccine-Preventable Diseases In Turkey, Tufan Nayi̇r, Ersi̇n Nazlican, Musa Şahi̇n, Fati̇h Kara, Emi̇ne Alp Meşe

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aims to serve as a unique consolidated source in Turkey's vaccination history and as an example for other countries by objectively revealing the change in mortality and morbidity rates in Turkey following the beginning of vaccination without asserting any claim on the benefits or risks of vaccines. This unbiased research will also help health professionals identify the challenges more easily when they face with the people who hesitate to vaccinate their children. Materials and methods: Descriptive research design is adopted in this study. The coverages of vaccinations, mortality, and morbidity rates were identified through a retrospective analysis …

Iron Homeostasis Is Altered In Response To Hypoxia And Hypothermic Preconditioning Inbrain Glial Cells, Lati̇fe Arzu Aral, Mehmet Ali̇ Ergün, Ayşe Başak Engi̇n, Alp Özgün Börcek, Hayrunni̇sa Bolay Belen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Altered iron metabolism is one of the pathophysiological mechanisms occurring during hypoxic injuries in the central nervous system. Proper homeostasis of cellular iron is regulated by iron import, storage, and export proteins that prevent excess iron overload or iron starvation in cells. Therapeutic hypothermia is an approved treatment for hypoxic ischemia in newborns, but the underlying molecular mechanism is still unknown. We studied the effects of hypoxia, preceded with preconditioning, on the iron homeostasis of glial cells, known as a major actor in the inflammatory process during perinatal brain injury. Materials and methods: Primary microglia and astrocytes in culture …

Global Threat Of Covid 19 And Evacuation Of The Citizens Of Different Countries, İrfan Şencan, Semanur Kuzi̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Beginning from China on December 2019, COVID-19 epidemic has spreaded all over the world in a short period of time and has been a pandemic. In challenge with this pandemic quarantine technique has been used widely after tens of years. In the course of the pandemic, many countries evacuated their citizens from affected regions and combined the evacuation with quarantine process. Some examples of these countries who evacuated their citizens are Germany, Italy, Spain, and USA. In further times, during the course of pandemic, according to spread, other countries evacuated their citizens from these countries too. Despite being the origin …

Kinetics Of Notch Signaling During Osteoclastogenesis, Amber Larissa Framstad

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Bone remodeling, the process of removing and replacing damaged bone matrix, is a dynamic physiological process essential to maintaining bone composition and integrity. Improper coordination of resorption and formation can lead to pathologic changes in bone composition and quality, as is seen in osteoporosis, a bone disorder most seen in post-metapausal women attributed to decreased estrogen levels. The Notch signal pathway is a highly conserved direct cell communication pathway known to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and survival in many cell types including the differentiation of osteoclasts from bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). Osteoclastogenesis is initiated in BMMs by receptor activator of …

The Role Of Neural Precursor Cell Expressed Developmentally Down-Regulated Protein 9 In Enhanced Aggressiveness Of Hexavalent Chromium Transformed Bronchial Epithelial Cells, Peter Van Wie

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is classified as a confirmed human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research and Cancer (IARC) and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Chronic exposure to (Cr(VI)) causes malignant cell transformation in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells. These Cr(VI)-transformed cells exhibit a highly aggressive phenotype including increased migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. The Cas family protein neuronal precursor developmentally down regulated protein 9 (NEDD9/Cas-L/HEF1) was dramatically overexpressed in Cr(VI)-transformed cells compared to normal BEAS-2B cells. Knockdown of NEDD9 by its shRNA reduced migration and invasion in vitro measured by migration and invasion assays. shNEDD9 reduced tumor formation …

The Coulter Principle: For The Good Of Humankind, Marshall Graham

Theses and Dissertations--History

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 made Wallace H. Coulter abruptly comprehend the critical need for rapid and accurate blood-cell counts in providing care for victims of radiation exposure. This thesis documents the unwritten story of his journey from that comprehension through his invention and implementation of the Coulter Principle, its commercialization in the first widely available automated blood-cell counter, and elaboration of that ground-breaking counter into increasingly sophisticated instrumentation for analysis not only of blood cells, but of particles involved in many other scientific disciplines. International cold-war politics and the burgeoning of increasingly powerful nuclear …

Combination Of Investigational Cell-Based Therapy And Deep Brain Stimulation To Alter The Progression Of Parkinson’S Disease, Nader El Seblani

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the motor symptoms are caused by progressive loss of midbrain dopamine neurons. There is no current treatment that can slow or reverse PD. Our current “DBS-Plus” clinical trial (NCT02369003) features the implantation in vivo of autologous Schwann cells (SCs) derived from a patient’s sural nerve into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) in combination with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy for treating patients with advanced PD.

The central hypothesis of our research is that transdifferentiated SCs within conditioned nerve tissue will deliver pro-regenerative factors to enhance the survival of …

Correlating The Physicochemical Properties Of Magnesium Stearate With Tablet Dissolution And Lubrication, Julie L. Calahan

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Magnesium stearate (MgSt) is the most commonly used pharmaceutical excipient and is present in over half the tablet formulations on the market. In spite of its popularity as an effective lubricant, it has been repeatedly recognized that there is significant variability between MgSt samples, which can cause inconsistent lubrication between batches of MgSt. The hypothesis of this research is that the batch-to-batch variability in tablet lubrication and dissolution observed in tablet formulations containing different MgSt samples can be correlated with differences in MgSt physicochemical properties (fatty acid salt composition, crystal hydrate form, particle size and surface area). Developing correlations between …

Functional Impact Of Angiotensinogen Specific Domains On Angiotensin Ii-Mediated Functions, Chia-Hua Wu

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Angiotensinogen (AGT) is the only substrate for all angiotensin peptides in the renin angiotensin system (RAS). Cleavage of AGT by renin is a rate-limiting step of angiotensin peptides productions in the RAS and regulates angiotensin peptides-associated pathophysiological functions. Only ten N-terminal residues are cleaved by renin and the functions of remaining part of AGT protein, which is called des(angiotensin I)AGT, remain unclear. Despite of pivotal roles of AGT in the RAS, studies related to how AGT is metabolized and how des(angiotensin I)AGT regulates AGT functions or AngII-mediated functions are limited.

Renin cleavage of AGT shows species specificity. It has been …