Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Role Of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists In Lung Cancer Progression And Chemosensitivity In The Context Of Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Sarah L. Kyte

Theses and Dissertations

While cancer chemotherapy continues to significantly contribute to the number of cancer survivors, exposure to these drugs can often result in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a consequence of peripheral nerve fiber dysfunction or degeneration. CIPN is characterized by sensory symptoms in the hands and feet, such as numbness, burning, and allodynia, resulting in an overall decrease in quality of life. Paclitaxel (Taxol), a microtubule poison that is commonly used to treat breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, has been found to cause CIPN in 59-78% of cancer patients. There is currently no effective preventative or therapeutic treatment for this side effect, …

Evaluation And Adaptation Of Live-Cell Interferometry For Applications In Basic, Translational, And Clinical Research, Kevin A. Leslie

Theses and Dissertations

Cell mass is an important indicator of cell health and status. A diverse set of techniques have been developed to precisely measure the masses of single cells, with varying degrees of technical complexity and throughput. Here, the development of a non-invasive, label-free optical technique, termed Live-Cell Interferometry (LCI), is described. Several applications are presented, including an evaluation of LCI’s utility for assessing drug response heterogeneity in patient-derived melanoma lines and the measurement of CD3+ T cell kinetics during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The characterization of mast cells during degranulation, the measurement of viral reactivation kinetics in Kaposi’s Sarcoma, and drug …

Novel Insights Into The Contribution Of Cellular Senescence To Cancer Therapy: Reversibility, Dormancy And Senolysis., Tareq Saleh

Theses and Dissertations

Cellular senescence a specialized form of growth arrest that contributes to the pathogenesis of several aging-related disorders including cancer. While by definition tumor cells are considered immortalized, they can undergo senescence when exposed to conventional and targeted cancer therapy. Therapy-Induced Senescence (TIS) represents a fundamental response to therapy and impacts its outcomes. However, TIS has been considered a positive therapeutic goal since senescent tumor cells are expected to enter a state of permanent growth abrogation. In this work we examined the hypothesis that a subpopulation of senescent cells can re-acquire proliferative potential after a state of senescent dormancy, indicating that …

Alternative Splicing Of Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binding Protein 2 Is Modulated Via Serine Arginine Splicing Factor 3 In Cancer Metastasis, James T. Deligio, James Thomas Deligio

Theses and Dissertations

Our laboratory delineated a role for alternative pre-mRNA splicing (AS) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We found the translational regulator cytosolic polyadenylation element binding protein 2 (CPEB2) which has two isoforms, CPEB2A and CPEB2B, is alternatively spliced during acquisition of anoikis resistance (AnR) and metastasis. The splicing event which determines the CPEB2 isoform is via inclusion/ exclusion of exon four in the mature mRNA transcript. The loss of CPEB2A with a concomitant increase in CPEB2B is required for TNBC cells to metastasize in vivo. We examined RNAseq profiles of TNBC cells which had CPEB2 isoforms specifically downregulated to …

The Role Of Adam10 And Adam17 In Humoral And Type 2 Immunity, Joseph C. Lownik

Theses and Dissertations

The proper regulation of inducible costimulator (ICOS) and its ligand (ICOSL) have been shown to be essential for maintaining immune homeostasis. Loss of either protein results in defective humoral immunity, and overexpression of ICOS results in aberrant antibody production resembling lupus. How ICOSL is regulated in response to ICOS interaction is still unclear. We demonstrate that ADAM10 is the primary physiological sheddase of ICOSL in both mouse and human. Using an in vivo system in which ADAM10 is deleted only on B cells (ADAM10^B-/-), elevated levels of ICOSL were seen. This increase is also seen when ADAM10 is …

Glycosaminoglycan Lyases In The Preparation Of Oligosaccharides, Alhumaidi B. Alabbas

Theses and Dissertations

Glycosaminoglycans are heterogeneous polysaccharides that mediate important biological functions. There has been considerable interest in deciphering the precise GAG sequences that are responsible for protein interactions. In fact, several GAG oligosaccharides have been discovered to date as targeting proteins with higher level of specificity. Yet, it has been difficult to develop GAG oligosaccharides as drugs. One of the key reasons for this state of art is that GAG synthesis is extremely challenging and is highly structure-specific. Thus, much of the biology and pharmacology of GAG remains unknown and unexploited to date.

An alternative approach is to prepare GAG oligosaccharides using …

Gastrointestinal Microbiota Modulate Antinociceptive Tolerance Development In Mice With Chronic Morphine Exposure, Ryan A. Mischel

Theses and Dissertations

In October 2017, the United States government declared a state of public health emergency in response to the burgeoning prescription opioid epidemic. Opioid analgesics are the gold standard of therapy for moderate to severe pain, but their clinical utility is greatly limited by analgesic tolerance – a primary driver of diminished pain control and opioid dose escalations. Integral in this process are primary afferent sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), the first-order components of nociceptive sensation. With surmounting evidence that morphine and other narcotics can alter gut microbial composition and promote bacterial translocation to other tissues, a question arises …

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 2 Activation: Computational Predictions And Experimental Validation, Amr Ellaithy

Theses and Dissertations

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of signaling proteins in animals and represent the largest family of druggable targets in the human genome. Therefore, it is of no surprise that the molecular mechanisms of GPCR activation and signal transduction have attracted close attention for the past few decades. Several stabilizing interactions within the GPCR transmembrane (TM) domain helices regulate receptor activation. An example is a salt bridge between 2 highly conserved amino acids at the bottom of TM3 and TM6 that has been characterized for a large number of GPCRs. Through structural modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, …

The Contribution Of Sarm1 To Axonal Degeneration In Cns Inflammatory Disorders, Daniel C. Njoku

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that results in demyelination and axonal loss. Efficiently targeting mechanisms of axonal degeneration in MS has the potential to reduce disability but remains an unmet need. Prior research has identified the protein sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1) as a critical factor that promotes axonal destruction in the program of axonal degeneration known as Wallerian degeneration. SARM1 inactivation reduces axonal degeneration in a variety of contexts including traumatic and toxic injury, but it remains unknown to what extent SARM1 is involved in axonal degeneration …

Effects Of The Na-Cl Co-Transporter (Ncc) In Western Diet Induced Metabolic And Cardiac Dysfunction, Zachary S. Cutter

Theses and Dissertations

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine known to be involved in maintaining metabolic homeostasis; however, also capable of inducing cardiac dysfunction. Additionally, IL-18, has been shown to bind to a novel receptor, the Na-Cl Co-transporter (NCC). We hypothesized that NCC mediates IL-18 metabolic and cardiac signaling in mice. Using male C57BL/6J mice, we compared the metabolic and cardiac function changes after at least 8 weeks of high-saturated fat high sugar diet (Western Diet) in NCC knockout (NCCKO), IL-18 knockout (IL-18KO), and wild-type mice. We show that NCCKO mice have significantly increased body weight gain from baseline, no difference in fasting …

Advances In Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Imaging Of Radiological Properties, Dong Han

Theses and Dissertations

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has shown great potential in the reduction of uncertainties of proton ranges and low energy photon cross section estimation used in radiation therapy planning. The work presented herein investigated three contributions for advancing DECT applications. 1) A linear and separable two-parameter DECT, the basis vector model (BVM) was used to estimate proton stopping power. Compared to other nonlinear two-parameter models in the literature, the BVM model shows a comparable accuracy achieved for typical human tissues. This model outperforms other nonlinear models in estimations of linear attenuation coefficients. This is the first study to clearly illustrate the …

Development And Validation Of A Semi-Physiological Pharmacokinetic (Pbpk) Model To Predict Systemic And Pulmonary Exposures After Intravenous, Oral Administration And Pulmonary Inhalation Of Selected Drugs, Budesonide, Tobramycin And Ciprofloxacin, In Humans, Bishoy Hanna

Theses and Dissertations

Using a semi-PBPK modeling/quantitative meta-analysis approach, this project investigated what factors affect pulmonary and systemic exposures of Budesonide (BUD), Tobramycin (TOB), and Ciprofloxacin (CIP) after inhalation:

Three structurally different pulmonary disposition models were developed for each drug, including pulmonary absorption (all three), excretion (TOB and CIP) and sequestration (TOB) in a peripheral and central lung compartment. Systemic disposition parameters were estimated using available human mean plasma (c_p(t)) and sputum (c_s(t)) concentration profiles after IV administration, and GI absorption parameters were estimated from these profiles after oral administration. Pulmonary disposition parameters were estimated from c_p(t) …

Understanding The Role Of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase And Its Function As A Driving Force Behind The Er Stress Response In Fibrostenotic Crohn’S Disease-Affected Ileal Smooth Muscle Cells, Prashant Yadav

Theses and Dissertations

Crohn’s disease (CD) affects about 780,000 people in the United States alone, and it is estimated that 6-15 per 100,000 persons will receive a diagnosis of this disease each year. There currently is no cure for Crohn’s disease, and available medical therapies simply serve to alleviate the inflammation. This does not help treat fibrostenosis that Crohn’s disease patients may develop, which can only be treated surgically. Finding alternatives to treat CD requires an understanding of mechanisms at the biochemical level. In this thesis, we attempted to gain a better understanding of certain pathways found to be active in Crohn’s disease-affected …

Cortactin Phosphorylation By Casein Kinase 2 Regulates Actin Related Protein 2/3 Complex Activity And Invadopodia Function, Steven Michael Markwell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Malregulation of the actin cytoskeleton enhances tumor cell motility and invasion. The actin-binding protein cortactin facilitates branched actin network formation through activation of the actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex. Arp2/3 complex activation is responsible for driving increased migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by governing invadopodia formation and activity. While cortactin-mediated activation of Arp2/3 complex and invadopodia regulation has been well established, signaling pathways responsible for governing cortactin binding to Arp2/3 are unknown. In this dissertation we identify casein kinase (CK) 2α phosphorylation of cortactin as a negative regulator of Arp2/3 binding. CK2α directly phosphorylates cortactin at a conserved threonine …

S100b As A Potential Biomarker For Concussion In Male And Female Collegiate Rugby Athletes, Monica L. Ortiz

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Sport related concussions are among the top ten most common sport injuries. Substantial and mounting evidence points to extensive short and long term negative consequences from mismanaged sport related concussions. Consequently, researchers have called for better diagnostic concussion tests that are rapid, reliable, sensitive, specific and objective. The purpose of this research was to determine the ability of salivary S100B to detect concussions, predict concussion symptom resolution time, and correlate with changes in neurocognitive performance over the course of one athletic season. A repeated measures of salivary S100B and neurocognitive performance using the ImPACT test and a concussion symptom questionnaire …

Cytoplasmic Abnormalities Of Mature Oocytes Have A Significant Effect On Fertilization Inbologna Poor Responders, Halenur Bozdağ, Esra Akdeni̇z, Belgi̇n Devranoğlu, Murat Haksever, Bülent Emre Bi̇lgi̇ç, Hüseyi̇n Tayfun Kutlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: We aimed to investigate whether oocyte morphologic abnormalities affected cycle outcome in poor responder infertile women who fulfilled the Bologna criteria. Materials and methods: Data were obtained from infertile couples who underwent ICSI and embryo transfer at the Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children's Health Training and Research Hospital Assisted Reproduction Unit in İstanbul, Turkey. They were allocated to two groups: Group A, poor responders, and Group B, normal responders. All morphological abnormalities of oocytes retrieved were reviewed and grouped as cytoplasmic abnormalities or extracytoplasmic abnormalities. All morphological features were compared between the poor and normal responder groups. ICSI cycle …

Detection Of Ccnd1, C-Myc, And Fgfr1 Amplification Using Modified Sybr Green Qpcr And Fish In Breast Cancer, Asaad Azarnezhad, Mina Tabrizi, Firozeh Javan, Parvin Mehdipour

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aims of this study were to detect CCND1, C-MYC, and FGFR1 amplification using qPCR, confirmation with FISH, and to further assess their clinicopathological relevance. Materials and methods: Thirty-five breast tumor samples were analyzed for amplification of the selected genes using modified SYBR Green qPCR. The accuracy of the qPCR was assessed by FISH as a gold-standard method. Results: CCND1, C-MYC, and FGFR1 amplifications were observed in 34.28%, 28.57%, and 17.14% of the 35 samples, respectively. qPCR results were significantly confirmed by FISH and qPCR and FISH showed excellent correlation (P = 0.000). CCND1 amplification with tumor stage (P …

Detection Of The Differences In The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values In Differenthistopathological Types Of Malignant Breast Lesions And Comparison Of Cellular Region/Stroma Ratio And Histopathological Results, Nevi̇n Köremezli̇ Keski̇n, Pinar Balci, Işil Başara Akin, Esra Yavuz Gürkan, Ali̇ İbrahi̇m Sevi̇nç, Meri̇h Güray Durak, Ayça Erşen Danyeli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of malignant breast lesions with different histopathological types on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the cellular region/stroma (CR/S) ratio and histopathological results. Materials and methods: Breast diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance findings of 59 patients were retrospectively analyzed for malignant breast lesions. The CR/S ratio was calculated using breast wide-excisional biopsy or mastectomy specimens. Results: Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for malignant lesions and subtypes. An ADC threshold of 1.260 × 10-3 mm2/s was set to detect invasive ductal carcinoma with 80.8% sensitivity and 81.4% specificity. An ADC threshold of …

The Impact Of Donor And Recipient Kir Genes And Kir Ligands On The Occurrence Of Acutegraft-Versus-Host Disease And Graft Survival After Hla-Identical Sibling Hematopoieticstem Cell Transplantation, Seyed Ahmad Hoseinian, Davood Jafari, Mehdi Mahmoodi, Kamran Alimoghaddam, Mohammadreza Ostadali, Azita Talebzadeh Bonakdar, Arron Munggela Foma, Mir Saeed Yekaninejad, Ali Akbar Amirzargar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: After allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), donor natural killer (NK) cells trigger alloreactions against potential recipient cells by their killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). This study investigated whether KIR/HLA genotypes and KIR haplotypes of donors and recipients exhibit a critical function in the prevalence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and persistence of the graft after HLA-identical sibling allo-HSCT for patients with hematological malignancies. Materials and methods: We studied KIR and HLA genotypes in 115 related donors and recipients (56 patients with AML and 59 patients with ALL) who had received allo-HSCT from HLA-matched sibling donors. We evaluated 17 KIR …

The In Vitro Effect Of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Oncandida And Staphylococcus Biofilms, Özlem Güzel Tunçcan, Ayşe Kalkanci, Eli̇f Ayça Ünal, Olkar Abdulmajed, Merve Erdoğan, Murat Di̇zbay, Kayhan Çağlar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic treatment (APDT) in a biofilm model using combinations of various dyes (rose bengal, riboflavin, and methylene blue) as photosensitizers and light sources (LED and UVA) against staphylococcal and candidal biofilms. Materials and methods: Sterile microtiter plates were used for the development and quantification of the biofilms. APDT was carried out using combinations of the light sources and dyes. The percentage of the growth inhibition was then calculated using a spectrophotometer. The broth media in the wells were aspirated, wells were stained with crystal violet, and optical density values …

Octreotide Ameliorates Dermal Fibrosis In Bleomycin-Induced Scleroderma, Si̇bel Oyucu Orhan, Ahmet Tektemur, Nevzat Gözel, İbrahi̇m Hani̇fi̇ Özercan, Servet Yolbaş, Ahmet Yildirim, Ebru Önalan, Süleyman Serdar Koca

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is a differentiation and growth factor. Antifibrotic action of octreotide has been reported in pulmonary fibrosis. The present study aimed to research the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of octreotide on a bleomycin (BLM)-induced experimental scleroderma model. Materials and methods: Sixty Balb/c female mice were divided into 6 groups. Daily subcutaneous BLM (100 μg) was injected for 3 weeks in groups II and III and for 6 weeks in groups V and VI. Octreotide (100 μg/kg per day) was injected subcutaneously for the first 3 weeks in group III (prophylactic) and the second 3 weeks in …

Hand Functions In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Comparative Study With Rheumatoidarthritis Patients And Healthy Subjects, Songül Bağlan Yentür, Zeynep Tuna, Oğuzhan Mete, Ahmet Gökkurt, Nurten Gi̇zem Tore, Hami̇t Küçük, Berna Göker, Deran Oskay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently affects the small joints of the hand and may result in difficulty in activities of daily living. There are very few studies evaluating the problems encountered in the hands in patients with SLE. The aim of this study is to evaluate hand functions in patients with SLE and compare them with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy subjects. Materials and methods: A total 46 female patients meeting the SLE classification criteria were recruited. Similarly, 51 female RA patients and 46 healthy female subjects served as the control groups. To assess the upper extremity disability …

Methodology Of A New Inflammatory Arthritis Registry: Treasure, Umut Kalyoncu, Etem Koray Taşcilar, Ali̇ İhsan Ertenli̇, Hüseyi̇n Edi̇z Dalkiliç, Cemal Bes, Orhan Küçükşahi̇n, Ti̇muçi̇n Kaşi̇foğlu, Ni̇lüfer Alpay Kanitez, Hakan Emmungi̇l, Gezmi̇ş Ki̇myon, Nazi̇fe Şule Yaşar Bi̇lge, Servet Akar, Mehmet Pami̇r Atagündüz, Süleyman Serdar Koca, Aşkin Ateş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The TReasure registry, created in 2017, is an observational multicenter cohort that includes inflammatory arthritis patients. This article reviews the methodology and objectives of the TReasure registry established to collect data from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients. Methodology: Fifteen rheumatology centers in Turkey will contribute data to the TReasure database. The actual proprietor of the database is the Hacettepe Rheumatology Association (HRD) and Hacettepe Financial Enterprises. Pharmaceutical companies that operate in Turkey (in alphabetical or er), Abbvie, Amgen, BMS, Celltrion Healthcare, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, support the TReasure registry. TReasure is a web-based database to which …

Multitarget Therapy Versus Intravenous Cyclophosphamide In The Induction Treatment Of Lupus Nephritis: A Metaanalysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Jin Deng, Lei Luo, Lin Zhu, Huan Xie, Hong-Ping Xie

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Multitarget therapy for lupus nephritis (LN) remains in its exploratory phrase and the recent evidence is insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), tacrolimus (TAC), and steroids (multitarget therapy) versus intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVC) and steroids in induction treatment of LN. Materials and methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials of MMF plus TAC versus IVC in LN using PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the China Biology Medicine Database, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database. We assessed the retrieved citations and selected studies according to predefined inclusion and …

Paricalcitol Inhibits The Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway And Amelioratesexperimentally Induced Arthritis, Servet Yolbaş, Ahmet Yildirim, Ahmet Tektemur, Zulfi̇naz Betül Çeli̇k, Ebru Önalan, İbrahi̇m Hani̇fi̇ Özercan, Mehmet Mustafa Akin, Süleyman Serdar Koca

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The Wnt/ß-catenin pathway has important biological activities, including the differentiation of cells and joint formations. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of paricalcitol on experimentally induced arthritis. Materials and methods: Type II collagen combined with Freund's adjuvant was applied to induce arthritis in Wistar albino female rats. Paricalcitol (0.3 μg/kg daily) was subcutaneously injected starting 1 day after collagen applications (prophylactic group) or 1 day after the onset of arthritis (therapeutic group), until day 29. Results: The 29th day arthritis scores were lower compared to the 13th day scores in the paricalcitol groups (P < 0.05), while they were higher in the arthritis group (P < 0.05). Marked cartilage-bone destruction and extensive perisynovial inflammation were detected in the arthritis group. Decreased cartilage-bone destruction and perisynovial inflammation in the paws were observed in the paricalcitol groups. The tissue mRNA levels of DKK1, Wnt5a, and axin-2 were higher in the arthritis group than in the control group. In the paricalcitol groups, mRNA expressions were lower than in the arthritis group. Conclusion: The present study shows that the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway is active in arthritis. Moreover, paricalcitol ameliorates arthritis via inhibiting the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Paricalcitol and the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway are candidates for research in human rheumatoid arthritis.

The Comparative Effects Of Esmolol And Amiodarone On Isolated Coronary Arterybypass Grafts, Demet Özkaramanli Gür, Özcan Gür, Selami̇ Gürkan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Esmolol and amiodarone are two most commonly used antiarrhythmic drugs in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Nevertheless, blockade of beta-2 receptors by increasing doses raise concerns about possible vasospasms. We studied the vasoactive effects of amiodarone and esmolol on left internal mammary artery (LIMA), radial artery (RA), and saphenous vein (SV) grafts. Materials and methods: After determining the presence of functional smooth muscle and endothelial layers, the responses of submaximally preconstricted graft samples were recorded in a tissue bath system. A total of 96 graft samples from 40 patients were used: 16 LIMA, 16 RA, and 16 SV …

Identification Of Candida Species By Restriction Enzyme Analysis, Reyhan Yi̇ş, Mi̇ne Doluca

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The identification of Candida species isolated from clinical specimens provides information about antifungal susceptibility and sheds light on the choice of empirical treatment. In the present study, restriction enzyme analysis of C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species previously identified by conventional methods was done to evaluate the utility of restriction enzyme analysis for more rapid and reliable identification of Candida species. Materials and methods: A total of 146 Candida strains isolated from various clinical specimens and ATCC strains were included. PCR products were digested with MwoI for all species and with BslI for C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis strains. …

Emerging Biomarker For Predicting Acute Kidney Injuryafter Cardiac Surgery: Cystatin C, Onur Saydam, Ercan Türkmen, Oytun Portakal Akçi̇n, Mustafa Arici, Riza Doğan, Meti̇n Demi̇rci̇n, İlhan Paşaoğlu, Mustafa Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common situation and rapid diagnosis and risk classification are important in the prevention and management of AKI. Changes in serum creatinine (SCr) levels in the current consensus criteria do not allow clinicians to diagnose CPB-associated AKI until 48 h after surgery. Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective single center study involving 57 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CBP to compare serum beta-trace protein (BTP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin-2 (NGAL), and cystatin C (CysC) levels with SCr for early diagnosis of CPB associated AKI. We defined AKI according to KDIGO …

Investigation Of Syphilis Coinfection And Performance Of The Architect Syphilis Tp Elisa Screening Test In Hiv Positive Patients, Cemi̇le Sönmez, Tüli̇n Demi̇r, Fi̇gen Sezen, Selçuk Kiliç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Limited data on syphilis coinfection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive cases exist in Turkey. Our aim is to investigate syphilis coinfection and to evaluate the compatibility of the screening Architect Syphilis Tp ELISA with the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-abs) confirmation test in HIV positive cases. Materials and methods: Totally 519 HIV positive patients were included in the study. Enzyme linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) was used as a screening test and positive samples were confirmed by line immunassay (LIA). In order to discriminate acute HIV infection and false ELISA positivity, HIV-1 RNA PCR was performed in ELFA positive …

Losartan Inhibits Egfr Transactivation In Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Mustafa Kirça, Akin Yeşi̇lkaya

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced molecular signaling pathways play a significant role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and atherosclerosis. In addition to the well-known effects of Ang II, it may activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a process known as transactivation, which contributes to vascular pathologies. The aim of this study was to determine whether losartan could reduce EGFR transactivation induced by Ang II. Additionally, we evaluated the roles of heparin-binding epidermal-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in Ang II-induced EGFR transactivation. Materials and methods: Vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated from a rat …