Cytochrome P4501A1 genotypes and smoking- and hypertension-related ischemic stroke risk

This study aimed to determine whether the coding (A4889G) and noncoding region (T6235C) polymorphisms of the gene coding for cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1), a xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme responsible for the metabolism of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in Turkish population. Study group consisted of 226 ischemic stroke patients and 113 controls. Genotypes were attained by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for A4889G and PCR/restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for T6235C. Frequency of 6235C allele was significantly lower in patients (0.151) compared with controls (0.226, P = 0.015). Prevalence of hypertension and hypertension-associated ischemic stroke risk was lower for 6235C allele carriers. This allele decreased ischemic stroke risk twofold (adjusted odds ratio = 0.48, P = 0.005). There was almost no difference in 4889G allele frequencies in patients (0.445) and controls (0.425). However, prevalence of hypertension was lower in 4889G allele carriers when compared with the wild-type genotypes. In addition, risk of ischemic stroke for smoker and hypertensive individuals was lower when they have at least one 4889G allele. The present study demonstrated that CYP1A1 genetic variants contribute to interindividual variability in smoking- and hypertension-induced ischemic stroke risk

Association analysis of Glutathione S-transferase omega-1 and omega-2 genetic polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk in a Turkish population

PMID = 3041776

When should contralateral testicular fixation be performed in postpubertal patients with testicular torsion: A comparative study

Objective: In this study, we aimed to describe the timing of contralateral testicular fixation with our ten year results in postpubertal patients with testicular torsion with a patient-based approach. Methods: Postpubertal patients diagnosed with testicular torsion in a tertiary hospital between January-2012 and September-2022 were divided into two groups according to the > criteria we adopted in our clinic. Group 1 in whom the contralateral teste was fixed in the same surgical act and group 2 in whom the fixation was deferred. Both groups, were retrospectively examined, statistically analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 41 patients were included in the study. Among those, 19 (46.3%) were fixed in the same act, and 22 (53.7%) underwent postponed elective contralateral testicular fixation. Early term wound dehiscence was observed in one patient in each group (4.5% group 1 vs. 5.3% group 2). In the postoperative period, no contralateral testicular atrophy or torsion was detected in the study groups during 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: There is no algorithm for when contralateral testicular fixation should be performed in postpubertal patients with testicular torsion. Patient-based approaches, in which the clinical characteristics of the patient are prioritized in determining the timing of contralateral testicular fixation, can produce more effective and safe results.(c) 2023 AEU. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved

Brain aluminium accumulation and oxidative stress in the presence of calcium silicate dental cements

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a calcium silicate dental cement used for various applications in dentistry. This study was undertaken to test whether the presence of three commercial brands of calcium silicate dental cements in the dental extraction socket of rats would affect the brain aluminium (Al) levels and oxidative stress parameters. Right upper incisor was extracted and polyethylene tubes filled with MTA Angelus, MTA Fillapex or Theracal LC, or left empty for the control group, were inserted into the extraction socket. Rats were killed 7, 30 or 60 days after operation. Brain tissues were obtained before killing. Al levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined using spectrophotometry. A transient peak was observed in brain Al level of MTA Angelus group on day 7, while MTA Fillapex and Theracal LC groups reached highest brain Al level on day 60. Brain TBARS level, CAT, SOD and GPx activities transiently increased on day 7 and then returned to almost normal levels. This in vivo study for the first time indicated that initial washout may have occurred in MTA Angelus, while element leaching after the setting is complete may have taken place for MTA Fillapex and Theracal LC. Moreover, oxidative stress was induced and antioxidant enzymes were transiently upregulated. Further studies to search for oxidative neuronal damage should be done to completely understand the possible toxic effects of calcium silicate cements on the brain

Clinical Course of Coronavirus disease 2019 C-19 in Patients with Bronchiectasis

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the whole world and caused the death of more than 6 million people. The disease has been observed to have a more severe course in patients with chronic lung diseases. There are limited data regarding COVID-19 in patients with bronchiectasis. The aim of this article is to investigate the course of COVID-19 and factors affecting the clinical outcome in patients with bronchiectasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted using the Turkish Adult Bronchiectasis Database (TEBVEB) to which 25 centers in Türkiye contributed between March 2019 and January 2022. The database consisted of 1035 patients, and COVID-19-related data were recorded for 606 patients. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen (19.6%) of the bronchiectasis patients (64 female, mean age 57.3 ± 13.9) had COVID-19. Patients with bronchiectasis who developed COVID-19 more frequently had other comorbidities (P = .034). They also more frequently had cystic bron-chiectasis (P = .009) and their Bronchiectasis Severity Index was significantly higher (P = .019). Eighty-two (68.9%) of the patients who had COVID-19 were followed up in the outpatient clinic, 27 (22.7%) in the inpatient ward and 10 (8.4%) patients in the intensive care unit. There tended to be a higher percentage of males among patients admitted to the hospital (P = .073); similarly, the mean age of the patients admitted to the hospital was also higher (60.8 vs 55.8 years for the outpatients), but these differences did not reach statistical significance (P = .071). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study showed that severe bronchiectasis, presence of cystic bronchiectasis and worse Bronchiectasis Severity Index are associated with the development of COVID-19, but not with the severity of infection. © 2024, AVES. All rights reserved

Exploring juror evaluations of expert opinions using the Expert Persuasion Expectancy framework

Title: Exploring Juror Evaluations of Expert Opinions Using the Expert Persuasion Expectancy (ExPEx) Framework Purpose Factfinders in trials struggle to differentiate witnesses who offer genuinely expert opinions from those who do not. The Expert Persuasion Expectancy (ExPEx) framework proposes eight attributes logically relevant to this assessment: foundation, field, specialty, ability, opinion, support, consistency and trustworthiness. We present two experiments examining the effects of these attributes on the persuasiveness of a forensic gait analysis opinion. Methods Jury-eligible participants rated the credibility, value and weight of an expert report that was either generally strong (Exp. 1; N = 437) or generally weak (Exp. 2; N = 435). The quality of ExPEx attributes varied between participants. Allocation to condition (none, foundation, field, specialty, ability, opinion, support, consistency, trustworthiness) determined which attribute in the report would be weak (cf. strong; Exp. 1), or strong (cf. weak; Exp. 2). Results In Experiment 1, the persuasiveness of a strong report was significantly undermined by weak versions of ability, consistency and trustworthiness. In Experiment 2. a weak report was significantly improved by strong versions of ability and consistency. Unplanned analyses of subjective ratings also identified effects of foundation, field, specialty and opinion. Conclusions We found that evidence that ability (i.e., personal proficiency), consistency (i.e., endorsement by other experts), and trustworthiness (i.e., objectivity) attributes influence opinion persuasiveness in logically appropriate ways. Ensuring that factfinders have information about these attributes may improve their assessments of expert opinion evidence. KEYWORDS: Expert opinion; Persuasion; Expert Testimony; Jury decision-making; Expert evidenc