Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Placental Heat Shock Protein 70 Overexpression Confers Resistance Against Oxidative Stress In Preeclampsia, Ekambaram Padmini, Bose Vijaya Geetha

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of human pregnancy and a leading cause of premature delivery and fetal growth retardation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), both constitutive (HSC70) and induced (HSP70) forms, along with oxidative stress status in the placental tissues of normotensive (control group) and preeclamptic pregnancies. Materials and Methods: Placental samples were collected after delivery from normotensive pregnancies and preeclamptic patients (n = 20, each). Lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite and nitrate levels, along with antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) …

Resident Physicians In Turkey: Results Of A Survey Of 1069 Residents From 11 Provinces, Erhan Aysan, Gürol Köroğlu, Vi̇ldan Türkeli̇, Abdullah Özgönül, Ali̇ Özyaşar, Çağri Gülümser, Kemal Kiliç, Türker Ertürk, Özhan Özdemi̇r, Ahmet Hamdi̇ Alpaslan, Savaş Bayrak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: To determine the problems, expectations and objectives of resident physicians in Turkey and to provide a contribution to the development and amendment of the residency program. Background: Residency varies considerably in accordance with factors like teaching staff, the institution and government policies. If characteristics, problems, expectations and objectives of resident physicians are stated and known, development and amendment of residency programs will be both easier and faster. Materials and Methods: A 50-question survey was completed by a randomly selected 1069 resident physicians from 15 university and 12 teaching hospitals in 11 provinces (İstanbul-503, Ankara-116, İzmir-86, Erzurum-71, Sivas-60, Bolu-49, Bursa-49, …

Il-10 And Il-13 Production By Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells In Patients With Diabetes Mellitus, Ali̇ İnal, Uğur Muşabak, Göksal Keski̇n, Levent Özsari, Ali̇ Şengül, Mustafa Kutlu, Çağatay Öktenli̇, Zeki̇ Yeşi̇lova

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: It is generally accepted that proinflammatory cytokines secreted by mononuclear cells are responsible for pancreatic beta (B) cell destruction in animal models of autoimmune type-1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Several studies have shown that markers of inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-13 associate with the metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, type-2 DM and type-1 DM. The aim of this study was to examine the in vitro production of IL-10 and IL-13 in cultures of peripheral lymphocytes obtained from patients with type-2 DM, type-1 DM and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients (10 females, 10 males) with type-2 …

Efficacy Of Clomipramine, Sertraline And Terazosin Treatments In Premature Ejaculation, Altuğ Tuncel, Yilmaz Aslan, M. Murad Başar, Ali̇ Atan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To compare the efficacy of oral clomipramine, sertraline and terazosin to placebo in premature ejaculation. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 patients aged from 20 to 58 years were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized into 4 groups. Group 1 (n: 22) took placebo and served as controls. Group 2 (n: 23) patients took 25 mg clomipramine HCl nightly; Group 3 (n: 20) 50 mg sertraline nightly; and Group 4 (n: 25) 5 mg terazosin nightly. The medications were used for two months. After 8 sexual attempts, the patients' clinical responses were assessed using the patient self-description …

The Effects Of Perioperative Low - Moderate Doses Of Dexmedetomidine Infusion On Hemodynamic And Neuroendocrine Parameters, Çeti̇n Kaymak, Hülya Başar, Nur Doğanci, Özgür Sert, Alpaslan Apan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of low and moderate doses of dexmedetomidine infusions by evaluating hemodynamic and neuroendocrine responses in patients undergoing elective transurethral surgery. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients were randomly allocated to receive 0.45 (Group 1) or 0.6 (Group 2) µg kg^{-1} hr^{-1} dexmedetomidine infusion 10 minutes before induction of anesthesia. Heart rate, blood pressures, ETCO2 and peripheral oxygen saturation values and parameters of non-invasive cardiac output were monitored. Measurement times were baseline (I), after dexmedetomidine infusion (II), after thiopental induction (III), after intubation (IV) and at 10-minute intervals during desflurane anesthesia. …

Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Tarda With Progressive Arthropathy With Delayed Diagnosis, Esra Tuğ, Efsun Şenocak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda with progressive arthropathy (SEDT-PA) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary skeletal disease, and mutations in WISP3 are responsible for its onset. WISP3 is essential for maintaining cartilage integrity mainly by regulating the expression of collagen II, and mutations of WISP3 linked to SEDT-PA can compromise this function and lead to cartilage loss, which is frequently misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is characterized by arthralgia, joint contractures, bony swelling of metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints and platyspondyly. Clinical and laboratory signs of joint inflammation such as synovitis, a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and an elevated C-reactive protein level …

Rare Complication Of Meckel´S Diverticulum: Loop Formation Of Diverticulum, Oğuzhan Karatepe, Cem Dural, Candaş Erçeti̇n, Gamze Çitlak, Artur Salmaslioğlu, Osman Bi̇lgi̇n Gülçi̇çek, Servet Karahan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Meckel's diverticulum is the most prevalent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, and is reported to occur in 1%-3% of the general population and autopsy series. The total lifetime rate of complications is widely accepted at 4%. Intestinal obstruction is the most common complication in adult patients. We present the diagnosis and management of our patient with intestinal obstruction due to loop formations of a Meckel's diverticulum.

Adhesion Of Beta1 Integrin To Fibronectin Regulates Cam-Dr Phenotype Via P21^{Waf1/Cip1} In Hl60 Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Aml) Cells, Hande Canpinar, Güneş Esendağli, Emi̇n Kansu, Aysen Günel Özcan, Di̇cle Güç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: Drug resistance is a major obstacle for a successful cancer therapy. Cell adhesion mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) is a novel type of drug resistance and generated via interaction of cancer cells with the microenvironment. In this study, CAM-DR phenotype was analyzed in HL60 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Materials and Methods: Fibronectin (FN) adherence of HL60 cells was tested by a colorimetric adhesion assay. Flow cytometry analyses were performed to evaluate doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and to determine cell cycle status. Proliferation rate was evaluated by [^3H]-thymidine incorporation assay. Western blot and RT-PCR were used for analysis of the factors involved …

Scalpel Versus Electrocautery Dissections: The Effect On Wound Complications And Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Levels In Wound Fluid, Mehmet Özdoğan, Keri̇m Bora Yilmaz, Ci̇hangi̇r Özaslan, Ahmet Gürer, Özlem Gülbahar, Eren Ersoy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Electrocautery has been postulated as a risk factor for wound complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of electrocautery and scalpel dissections on wound complications and local cytokine levels. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy were assigned to flap dissection with either electrocautery (n = 18) or scalpel (n = 20). Blood loss, drain volume and duration, seroma formation and wound complications were recorded. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-\alpha) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were measured in drain fluids at postoperative 24 hours. Results: The electrocautery group had significantly reduced blood loss and total drain volume, but …

Biological Variation And Reference Change Values Of Tsh, Free T3, And Free T4 Levels In Serum Of Healthy Turkish Individuals, Gönül Erden, Ayşe Özden Barazi̇, Günay Tezcan, Meti̇n Yildirimkaya

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels in serum are important for diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid function tests have considerable biological variations. Evaluation of the components of biological variation is essential to assess the usefulness of reference values and to evaluate significance of changes in serial results from an individual. Published estimates may show disagreement about the values of biological variations. Not many studies exist at present that evaluate the reference change values (RCV) of these parameters. The aim of this study was to determine the biological variations of TSH, free T3, and free T4 and to …

Rapid And Simultaneous Determination Of Acetylsalicylic Acid, Paracetamol, And Their Degradation And Toxic Impurity Products By Hplc In Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Cemal Akay, İsmai̇l Tuncer Deği̇m, Ahmet Sayal, Ahmet Aydin, Yalçin Özkan, Hüsametti̇n Gül

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: Determinations of drug impurity and drug degradation products are very important from both pharmacological and toxicological perspectives. Establishment of monitoring methods for impurities and degradation products during pharmaceutical development is necessary because of their potential toxicity. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and simultaneous determination method for paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid (ACA) and their degradation and toxic impurity products by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Materials and Methods: A reverse phase (RP)-HPLC method for the simultaneous analysis of paracetamol, ACA, and ascorbic acid and their degradation and impurity products such as …

Review Of Syphilis Patient Records In İzmir State Venereal Diseases Clinic From 1994 To 2004, Meltem Işikgöz Taşbakan, Hüsnü Pullukçu, Şebnem Şenol, Tansu Yamazhan, Levent Kidak, Deni̇z Gökengi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) outpatient clinic with a presumptive or definitive diagnosis of syphilis with regard to demographic characteristics, clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, treatment regimens and follow-up data over a 10-year period. Materials and Methods: The records of patients who had a presumptive/definitive diagnosis of syphilis [according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria] and who were referred to the İzmir State Venereal Diseases Outpatient Clinic or who were diagnosed in the clinic between 1994 and 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: A total of 689 patients were included …

Neural Tube Defects And 19 Bp Deletion Within Intron-1 Of Dihydrofolate Reductase Gene, Nejat Akar, Ece Akar, Yonca Eği̇n, Gülhi̇s Deda, Saadet Arsan, Mesi̇ha Eki̇m

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is necessary for the reduction of the ingested folates before they are used in the body metabolism. Thus, the DHFR enzyme has an important role in folate supplementation and the DHFR gene is a strong candidate for a teratogenic locus for neural tube defects (NTDs). There is a 19 bp deletion within the first intron of the DHFR gene, which may have an effect on folate reduction. We thus studied this mutation in Turkish spina bifida patients and their mothers to determine whether there is an association with the occurrence of NTD. Materials and Methods: The …

Pten Expression In Primary Prostate Carcinoma In Turkish Patients, Di̇lek Ertoy Baydar, Haluk Özen, Osman Saraçbaşi, Erdem Karabulut

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Prostatic adenocarcinoma shows remarkable variability in the incidence and biological behavior between populations from different races and geographical regions of the world. PTEN has been reported as the most commonly mutated tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer. Incidence of PTEN alterations occurring in prostatic carcinoma has not been studied previously in the Turkish population. Materials and Methods: We examined PTEN protein expression immunohistochemically and its significance in 69 primary prostate cancer patients from Turkey. Two tissue microarrays constructed by 0.6 mm cores from radical prostatectomy specimens were used. Clinical information for all patients was obtained from hospital records. Results: …

Oxidative Stress Of Radioiodine Treatment In Patients With Hyperthyroidism, Mustafa Yildiz, Ekrem Çi̇çek, Burçi̇n Aşkim Gümüş, Celal Çerçi̇, Süreyya Çerçi̇, Erol Eroğlu, Namik Deli̇baş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: To investigate radiation-induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes after administration of radioiodine-131 (^{131}I) in patients with hyperthyroidism. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with hyperthyroidism (11 F, 9 M) treated with ^{131}I were included into the study. Blood samples were taken from patients just before, 1 hour after and 3 hours after applying radioiodine. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and levels of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured to evaluate the radiation-induced oxidative damage. Results: We found that enzyme activities of SOD, GPX and CAT were decreased 1 hour and 3 hours after radioiodine treatment …

Functional Vitamin B12 Deficiency Represented By Elevated Urine Methylmalonic Acid Levels In Patients With Migraine, Osman Meti̇n İpçi̇oğlu, Ömer Özcan, Mustafa Gültepe, Hakan Tekeli̇, Mehmet Güney Şenol

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: Although vitamin B12 is currently used as a treatment option in patients with migraine, a possible cobalamin deficiency in those patients has not yet been investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate cobalamin metabolism in patients with migraine. Materials and Methods: Fifty women having migraine without aura were matched with healthy controls (n=6) with the same age distribution. Fasting serum vitamin B12, folate, plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and first morning urine methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels were determined in patient and control groups. Statistical differences in laboratory parameters between patient and control groups were analyzed by SPSS for Windows …

Serum Transforming Growth Factor-Β (Tgf-Β), Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (Mmp-2), Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (Mmp-9) And Tissue Inhibitors Of Metalloproteinase (Timp-1) Levels In Childhood Asthma, Fi̇gen Doğu, Ali̇şan Yildiran, Deni̇z Güloğlu, Funda Erol Çi̇pe, Mutlu Yüksek, Emel Babacan, Aydan İki̇nci̇oğullari

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: Airway remodelling is a characteristic feature of asthma and is a dynamic process involving extracellular matrix (ECM) production and its degradation. In this regard, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors known as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) have been shown to be important in this process. In the present study, transforming growth factor (TGF)-\beta, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels in serum samples of children with stable asthma and healthy controls were evaluated to determine whether these levels show any difference between asthmatic and healthy children and whether or not these levels change with atopic status. Materials and …

Hematological Complications In 787 Cases Of Acute Brucellosis In Eastern Turkey, İmdat Di̇lek, Ahmet Durmuş, Mustafa Kasim Karahocagi̇l, Hayretti̇n Akdeni̇z, Hasan Karsen, Ali̇ İrfan Baran, Ömer Evi̇rgen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: In this paper, we present the hematological findings of 787 cases diagnosed with acute brucellosis. Materials and Methods: Records of the cases seen between 1994 and 2006 were retrospectively investigated regarding hematological changes. Results: Three hundred sixty-five (46%) patients were male and 422 (54%) were female. Mean age was 32 (range: 11-78 years). Mean hematological values were as follows: Hb 12 g/dl (4-19), Htc 36% (12-56), leukocyte 6.9 x 10^9/L (0.5-25) and platelets 213 x 10^9/L (9-617). According to differential counts, 34% and 14% of patients had mononuclear cell and neutrophil dominance, respectively. Fifty-six percent of patients were found …

Classification Of Sigmoid Volvulus, S. Selçuk Atamanalp, Bülent Aydinli, Gürkan Öztürk, Mahmut Başoğlu, M. İlhan Yildirgan, Durkaya Ören, Abdul Meci̇t Kantarci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: The aim of this study was to establish a classification that will aid in the surgical treatment and prognosis of sigmoid volvulus (SV). Materials and Methods: The records of 420 patients with SV who were treated surgically during a 41.5-year period were reviewed retrospectively. The preoperative and operative criteria that were significantly correlated with mortality were determined. Results: Of 420 patients, 68 (16.2%) died. Age over 60 years (P < 0.001), associated disease (P < 0.001), presence of shock (P < 0.001), and presence of sigmoid colon gangrene (P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with mortality. A classification was made using these criteria. Conclusions: Recommended treatment options and potential mortality rates were determined for each class in the new classification based on the evaluation of the present series, our clinical experience, and literature findings. This classification may be helpful in determination of the surgical treatment and prognosis of SV.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Adolescents: Treatment With Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills Is Effective Even In Hospitalized Patients With Bleeding Disorders, M. Meti̇n Altay, Ali̇ Haberal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: To show the efficacy of oral contraceptive (OC) treatment for hospitalized adolescent patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Materials and Methods: Thirty-one girls with AUB and anemia hospitalized within the last two years were included. The patients´ medical records were evaluated retrospectively. All patients were given combined OC containing 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol plus 0.15 mg desogestrel according to a defined protocol. Results: Among 31 patients, 8 (25.8%) had bleeding disorders: 3 (9.7%) had factor VII deficiency, 3 (9.7%) thrombocytopenia, 1 (3.2%) factor VIII deficiency and 1 (3.2%) von Willebrand disease. Vaginal bleeding stopped in all patients within a …

A Study Of Learning Assessment Of Personal Hygiene Skills Of Mentally Retarded Individuals In Drop-In Day Care Services, Fi̇gen Ar, Esra Kiliç, Ayşegül Akbay Yarpuzlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the success and efficiency of the training practices for acquisition of basic personal hygiene skills and behavior of hand washing and soiling in a relatively heterogeneous group of individuals receiving care from a drop-in day care/special education service. We also analyzed etiologies of the causes of discrepancies in learning behavior implying a need for differentiation of intellectually disabled individuals who are candidates for continuous long-term institutional medical care from those who can be integrated into the community through special education. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 participants with mental retardation …

Clinical And Rhinoscintigraphic Evaluation Of Oral Macrolides In The Management Of Sinonasal Polyposis, Emi̇ne Aydin, Hülya Ortapamuk, Hakan Korkmaz, Engi̇n Dursun, Adi̇l Eryilmaz, Güleser Saylam, Muharrem Dağli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To document the efficacy of low-dose long-term oral macrolide treatment in the management of sinonasal polyposis. The study was designed prospectively in a group of patients with sinonasal polyposis and negative history of surgery. Materials and Methods: Ten patients were administered roxithromycin (RXM) 150 mg/day single oral dose for eight weeks. All patients underwent Tc-99m rhinoscintigraphic evaluation of mucociliary activity and endoscopic evaluation before and after the treatments. Response to treatment, in terms of rhinoscintigraphic and endoscopic improvement, was assessed. Results: Of the 10 patients, 7 were male and 3 female, with an average age of 46 years (27-74). …

Lone Atrial Septal Aneurysm With Spontaneous Echo Contrast: An Increased Stroke Risk, Serpi̇l Demi̇rci̇, M. Cem Dönmez, Süleyman M. Aslan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: The etiology of stroke in young adults may be challenging. After preliminary investigations, a cause is not established in about one-third of patients. Cardiovascular embolism has been recognized as the cause of unexplained stroke or transient ischemic attack in a relevant number of young stroke patients. Materials and Methods: A 39-year-old right-handed woman was admitted to hospital with a left-side weakness of sudden onset. Her personal and family history were unremarkable except for several episodes of left arm weakness lasting for less than 10 minutes. On cranial magnetic resonance imaging, a right frontotemporal infarction was observed. Results: Laboratory work-up …

Unexpected Complication Due To Shigella Flexneri In A Child: Acute Appendicitis, Cüneyt Tayman, Alparslan Tonbul, Emi̇n Mete, Ferhat Çatal, Burhan Köseoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Acute bacillary dysentery (shigellosis) occurs due to infections with shigella sp. The spectrum of acute shigellosis ranges from mild watery diarrhea to severe dysentery. Surgical complications of shigellosis described in children have included appendicitis with or without perforation, colonic perforation, intestinal obstruction, and intraabdominal abscess. Acute appendicitis and infective diarrheal illness can be difficult to differentiate, particularly in children. Thus, patients must be followed up closely until the differentiation between bacterial gastroenteritis and acute appendicitis can be made. We report herein a 10-year-old boy who had acute appendicitis due to Shigella flexneri.

Dermatomyositis Associated With Hemophagocytic Syndrome: A Case Report/Review Of The Literature, Engi̇n Sennaroğlu, Berçem Ayçi̇çek Doğan, Hasan Tunca, Bariş Yilmaz, Gamze Gedi̇k, Burak Ci̇velek, Si̇nem Tümtürk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a disorder that might be transferred genetically due to an autosomal recessive genetic defect of the long arm of chromosome 9 and chromosome 10 (9q21.3-22 and 10q21-22), termed as primary hemophagocytic syndrome (PHPS) or familial hemophagocytic hemophagocytosis (FHPS) and it may be associated with a variety of infections, malignant neoplasms, drugs, autoimmune diseases and various immuno deficiencies, termed as secondary hemophagocytic syndrome (SHPS). For most patients with HPS, the outcome is rapid and fatal unless the diagnosis is made early and followed by prompt therapeutic intervention. Fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia and/or hypofibrinogenemia, low erythrocyte sedimentation rate, …

Tumor Epithelial Cell Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (Mmp-9) Is A Prognostic Marker In Colorectal Cancer, Ds Zuzga, Av Gibbons, P Li, Wj Lubbe, I Chervoneva, Giovanni Mario Pitari

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers

Presented at American Association Cancer Research in 2008

Zuzga D.S., Gibbons A.V., Li P., Lubbe W.J., Chervoneva I., Pitari G.M. “Tumor epithelial cell MMP-9 is a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer”. In: American Association for Cancer Research Special Conference, Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development: Proceedings; 2008 Sept 22-25; Philadelphia, PA. Abstract A40.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality indeveloped nations. Mortality from colon cancer largely reflects metastasis, thespread of the disease to distant sites. Early diagnosis of pre-metastatic diseaseand accurate stratification of patients with metastasis is pivotal to decreasemortality rates from colon cancer by effectively …

Induction Of The Heat Shock Response To Protect Against Polyglutamine Diseases And The Role Of Protein Sumoylation In Laminopathies And Alzheimer's Disease, Yu-Qian Zhang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Heat shock proteins function as molecular chaperones which help protein folding and prevent protein aggregation. My study shows that celastrol, a pharmacological compound capable of up-regulating the levels of heat shock proteins, inhibits cell death and protein aggregation caused by expanded polyglutamine containing protein, and the protective effects of celastrol are dependent on heat shock factor 1. These results suggest the potential of celastrol as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of polyglutamine diseases.

Sumoylation is a protein modification which plays diverse roles in regulating the target proteins. My study shows that lamin A is a target of protein sumoylation, …

Implications For The Hsf2/Prc1 Interaction And Regulation Of Condensin By Phosphorylation During Mitosis, Lynea Alene Murphy

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

At the beginning of mitosis, chromosomes are condensed and segregated to facilitate correct alignment later in cytokinesis. Condensin is the pentameric enzyme responsible for this DNA compaction and is composed of two structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) subunits and three non-SMC subunits. Condensin mutations generate chromosomal abnormalities due to improper segregation, leading to genome instability and eventual malignant transformation of the cell. Cdc2 phosphorylation of the non-SMC subunits, CAP-G, CAP-D2, and CAP-H, has been demonstrated to be important for condensin supercoiling activity and function. While these subunits are thought to be phosphorylated by Cdc2, the exact sites have not yet …

Thermal Sensitivity Of Vagal Pulmonary Sensory Neurons: Role Of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Channels, Dan Ni

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Hyperthermia can occur in lungs and airways during both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. A previous study carried out in our laboratory showed that hyperthermia activates and sensitizes vagal bronchopulmonary Cfiber afferents, whether this effect is through a direct action of hyperthermia on sensory nerves is not known. This dissertation study was aimed to investigate the thermal-sensitivity of pulmonary sensory neurons, and the roles of thermalsensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of neurons isolated from nodose/jugular ganglia were applied in the study. Results of this study showed that hyperthermia directly activates pulmonary sensory neurons, and this effect …

Nitration And Inactivation Of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Plays A Critical Role In Metabolic Switch, Muthuswamy Anantharaman

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial, progressive, age-related neurodegenerative disease. Oxidative stress hypothesis is most prevalent and is gaining significant support. Inspite of the progress achieved on oxidative stress related damages in AD brain; the modification occurring on the various cellular antioxidant enzymes antioxidant has not been identified. Tyrosine nitration, a marker for peroxynitrite induced oxidative damage to protein is widespread in AD brain and Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), primary mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme is prone to peroxynitrite induced nitration and inactivation. Nitration of proteins involved in energy metabolism has been demonstrated in AD brain, which may explain the altered glucose …