Nihal Inandiklioglu

The genotoxic effect of nicotine on chromosomes of human fetal cells: The first report described as an important study

Context: Recent studies have suggested a direct contribution of nicotine − the addictive component of tobacco and tobacco smoke − to human carcinogenesis, and it remains the most common harmful substance to which pregnant women are exposed. Also, it has deleterious effects on the fetus. The sperm of smoking fathers and newborns of smoking mothers have elevated frequencies of chromosome translocations and DNA strand breaks. Objective: We tried to understand the genotoxic effect of nicotine in pregnancies of active or passive smoking mothers. For this reason, we provide the evidence that nicotine exposure in vitro has detrimental effects on fetal cells. Materials and methods: We examined the effect of nicotine sulphate on amniotic cells by designing an experimental setting consisting fetal cells grown in nicotine containing medium (25 ng/mL) in study group and fetal cells grown in control medium, which did not contain nicotine. Results: According to our findings, there is a significant difference of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) between nicotine containing medium grown cells and control medium grown cells, determined by the χ2 test (P <0.001). We found CAs in 21.5% of cells analyzed. The 19.4% of the all cells had numerical aberrations. Chromosomes 21, 22, 8, 15 and 20 related numerical abnormalities were found to be the most frequent numerical abnormalities. Conclusion: Results of this study confirm that the nicotine leads to significant direct genotoxic effects in human fetal cells in vitro. We speculate that there is an association between prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke and in utero aneuploidies.

Genetic alterations of chromosomes, p53 and p16 genes in low- and high-grade bladder cancer

A majority of patients with bladder cancer present with superficial disease and subsequently, some patients show progression to muscle invasive or metastatic disease. Bladder cancer has a complex genetic process and identification of the genetic alterations which occur during progression may lead to the understanding of the nature of the disease and provide the possibility of early treatment. The aim of the present study was to compare the structural and numerical chromosomal differences and changes in the p16 and p53 genes between low-grade (LG) and high-grade (HG) bladder cancer (BC) using cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic methods. Between March 2009 and March 2010, cytogenetic analyses were carried out on tumor and blood samples in 34 patients with transitional cell type BC, and on blood samples of 34 healthy patients as a control group. Fluorescence in situ hybridization probes for the p16 and p53 genes were also used to screen the alterations in these genes in 32 patients with BC. The patients were divided into two groups (LG and HG) and the findings were compared. A total of 11 (32.3%) patients exhibited LGBC, 22 (64.7%) exhibited HGBC and one (3%) patient exhibited carcinoma in situ. There were no differences between the LGBC and HGBC groups according to the number of chromosomal aberrations (P=0.714); however, differences between alterations of the p16 and p53 genes were significant (P=0.002 and P=0.039). Almost all structural abnormalities were found to be located to the 1q21, 1q32, 3p21 and 5q31 regions in patients with HG tumors. In conclusion, the p16 and p53 genes were altered more prominently in patients with HG tumors compared with LG tumors. The structural abnormalities in the 1q21, 1q32, 3p21 and 5q31 regions were observed more frequently in patients with HG tumors. These regions may play significant roles in the progression of BC, but further studies are required to find candidate genes for a panel of BC.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell: Does it Work in an Experimental Model with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome?

We hypothesized that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) would have a possible role in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS disease model was developed in Wistar albino male rats by intratracheal instillation of physiological saline solution. Anesthezied and tracheotomized rats (n = 8) with ARDS were pressure-controlled ventilated. Isolated and characterized rat (r-) BM-MSCs were labeled with GFP gene, and introduced in the lungs of the ARDS rat-model. After applying of MSCs, the life span of each rat was recorded. When rats died, their lung tissues were removed for histopathological examination. Also the tissue sections were analyzed for GFP labeled rBM-MSCs and stained for vimentin, CK19, proinflammatory (MPO, IL-1β, IL-6 and MIP-2) and anti-inflammatory [IL-1ra and prostaglandin E2 receptor (EP3)] cytokines. The histopathological signs of rat-model ARDS were similar to the acute phase of ARDS in humans. rBM-MSCs were observed to home in lung paranchyma. Although the infiltration of neutrophils slightly decreased in the interalveolar, peribronchial and perivascular area, a notable improvement was determined in the degree of hemorrhage, edema and hyaline membrane formation in rats treated with rBM-MSCs. Also decreased proinflammatory cytokines levels and increased the intensity of anti-inflammatory cytokines were established. Therefore MSCs could promote alveoar epithelial repair by mediating of cytokines from a proinflammatory to an anti-inflammatory response. As a novel therapeutic approach, mesenchymal stem cell treatment with intratracheal injection could be helpful in the management of critically ill patients with ARDS.

International evaluation of unrecognizably uglifying human faces in late and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease. Sagliker syndrome. A unique catastrophic entity, cytogenetic studies for chromosomal abnormalities, calcium-sensing receptor gene and GNAS1 mutations. Striking and promising missense mutations on the GNAS1 gene exons 1, 4, 10, 4.

Hypotheses explaining pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SH) in late and severe CKD as a unique entity called Sagliker syndrome (SS) are still unclear. This international study contains 60 patients from Turkey, India, Malaysia, China, Romania, Egypt, Tunisia, Taiwan, Mexico, Algeria, Poland, Russia, and Iran. We examined patients and first degree relatives for cytogenetic chromosomal abnormalities, calcium sensing receptor (Ca SR) genes in exons 2 and 3 abnormalities and GNAS1 genes mutations in exons 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13. Our syndrome could be a new syndrome in between SH, CKD, and hereditary bone dystrophies. We could not find chromosomal abnormalities in cytogenetics and on Ca SR gene exons 2 and 3. Interestingly, we did find promising missense mutations on the GNAS1 gene exons 1, 4, 10, 4. We finally thought that those catastrophic bone diseases were severe SH and its late treatments due to monetary deficiencies and iatrogenic mistreatments not started as early as possible. This was a sine qua non humanity task. Those brand new striking GNAS1 genes missense mutations have to be considered from now on for the genesis of SS.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in amniotic fluids of pregnant women in south-central Turkey†

The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in amniotic fluid of 200 pregnant women from the Cukurova region of Turkey. The concentrations of OCPs [hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (p,p′-DDT), and various metabolites], and different PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection as follows: HCB 6.6 ± 4.7, ΣHCH 21.6 ± 14.2, ΣDDT 12.5 ± 7.5, and ΣPCBs 74.0 ± 54 ng mL−1. Correlations of maternal or gestational age and levels of OCPs and PCBs were not significant. The levels of these organochlorine compounds (OCs) were below detection limit for 5% of the samples, 80% contained more than one OC. This study illustrates that prenatal exposure of a fetus to OCs is prevalent in the Cukurova region.

Chromosome imbalances and alterations of AURKA and MYCN genes in children with neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB), like most human cancers, is characterized by genomic instability, manifested at the chromosomal level as allelic gain, loss or rearrangement. Genetics methods, as well as conventional and molecular cytogenetics may provide valuable clues for the identification of target loci and successful search for major genes in neuroblastoma. We aimed to investigate AURKA and MYCN gene rearrangements and the chromosomal aberrations (CAs) to determine the prognosis of neuroblastoma. METHODS We performed cytogenetic analysis by G-banding in 25 cases [11 girls (44%) and 14 boys (66%)] and in 25 controls. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with AURKA and MYCN gene probes was also used on interphase nuclei to screen for alterations. RESULTS Some 18.4% of patient cells exhibited CAs., with a significant difference between patient and control groups in the frequencies (P<0.0001). Some 72% of the cells had structural aberrations, and only 28% had numerical chnages in patients. Structural aberrations consisted of deletions, translocations, breaks and fragility in various chromosomes, 84% and 52% of the patients having deletions and translocations, respectively. Among these expressed CAs, there was a higher frequency at 1q21, 1q32, 2q21, 2q31, 2p24, 4q31, 9q11, 9q22, 13q14, 14q11.2, 14q24, and 15q22 in patients. 32% of the patients had chromosome breaks, most frequently in chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 19 and X. The number of cells with breaks and the genomic damage frequencies were higher in patients (p<0.001). Aneuploidies in chromosomes X, 22, 3, 17 and 18 were most frequently observed. Numerical chromosome abnormalities were distinctive in 10.7% of sex chromosomes. Fragile sites were observed in 16% of our patients. CONCLUSION Our data confirmed that there is a close correlation between amplification of the two genes, amplification of MYCN possibly contributing significantly to the oncogenic properties of AURKA. The high frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and amplifications of AURKA and MYCN genes indicate prognostic value in children with neuroblastomas and may point to contributing factors in their development.

Frequency and Types of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Turkish Women with Amenorrhea

STUDY OBJECTIVE To estimate the frequency and the type of chromosomal abnormalities (CA) in patients with primary (PA) and secondary amenorrhea (SA). DESIGN This retrospective study was comprised of patients had been referred to our laboratory between 1990 to 2008 and designed as original article. SETTING Medical Faculty of Cukurova University in Turkey. PARTICIPANTS Chromosomal analysis was carried out on 393 patients with PA and SA that were referred to Cytogenetic laboratory of Medical Biology and Genetic Department, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University. INTERVENTIONS Lymphocyte culturing depended karyotyping. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Standard lymphocyte culturing procedure and karyotyping was performed to all samples. RESULTS PA and SA were identified in 393 patients. The karyotype was normal in 337 cases (85.8%) and abnormal in 56 (14.2%) patients. CAs were found in 54 (13.7%) and 2 (0.5%) of women with PA and SA, respectively. Females carrying rearrangements between autosomal and sex chromosomes were detected in 2% (8/393). The numerical abnormalities of the X chromosome were detected in 39.3% (22/56) (monosomy and mosaic). Structural abnormalities of the X and the other chromosomes were detected in 25.5% (13 of 56). Structural mosaicism of X chromosome was found in 5.4% (3 of 56). Male karyotype (46, XY) was found in 33.9% (19/56). The most frequently detected abnormality were X chromosome monosomies or mosaics. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that some causes of amenorrhea could be due to CAs. Therefore, cytogenetic study should be important test in the evaluation of patients with PA or SA. The most common abnormality seen is 45,X karyotype (monosomy X/Turner Syndrome) and its variants.

Chromosome imbalances and alterations in the p53 gene in uterine myomas from the same family members: familial leiomyomatosis in Turkey.

Uterine leiomyomas (UL) are extremely common neoplasms in women of reproductive age, and are associated with a variety of characteristic choromosomal aberrations (CAs). The p53 gene has been reported to play a crucial role in suppressing the growth of a variety of cancer cells. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of CAs and the p53 gene on ULs. We performed cytogenetic analysis by G-banding in 10 cases undergoing myomectomy or hysterectomy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a p53 gene probe was also used on interphase nuclei to screen for deletions. In patients, CAs were found in 23.4% of 500 cells analysed, significantly more frequent than in the control group (p<0.001). In the patients, 76% of the abnormalities were structural aberrations (deletions, translocations and breaks), and only 24% were numerical. Deletions were the most common structural aberration observed in CAs. Among these CAs, specific changes in five loci 1q11, 1q42, 2p23, 5q31 and Xp22 have been found in our patients and these changes were not reported previously in UL. The chromosome breaks were more frequent in cases, from high to low, 1, 2, 6, 9, 3, 5, 10 and 12. Chromosome 22, X, 3, 17 and 18 aneuploidy was observed to be the most frequent among all numerical aberrations. We observed a low frequency of p53 losses (2-11%) in our cases. The increased incidence of autosomal deletions, translocations, chromatid breaks and aneuploidy, could contribute to the progression of the disease along with other chromosomal alterations.

The Reliability of Maternal Serum Triple Test in Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Chromosomal Abnormalities of Pregnant Turkish Women

AIM The purpose of this article was to evaluate the reliability of maternal serum triple marker screening of alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and unconjugated estriol for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormalities in Turkish pregnant women. METHOD Medical records were used to analyze indications of amniocentesis and quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction. Anomaly screening was performed for all patients between 13 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. A total of 1725 pregnancies with chromosomal abnormality risk according to triple test screening were accepted for fetal chromosome analysis and quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Chromosomal aberrations were observed in 56 (3.2%) cases. About 44.6% of the abnormalities detected were numerical aberrations; however, 55.3% of the abnormalities were structural aberrations. Abnormalities detected were inversion of chromosome 9 in 20 cases, trisomy 21 in 14 cases, 46,XX/47,XX, +21 in 1 case, trisomy 18 in 2 cases, trisomy 13 in 1 case, 47,XXY, in 1 case, 45,X, in 1 case, structural abnormalities in 12 cases, and mosaic or tetraploidy in 6 cases. CONCLUSION Second trimester triple test is an effective screening tool for detecting fetal Down syndrome in Turkish women.

Report of a new case with pentasomy X and novel clinical findings.

Abstract Pentasomy X is an extremely rare sex chromosome abnormality, a condition that only affects females, in which three more X chromosomes are added to the normally present two chromosomes in females. We investigated the novel clinical findings in a 1-year-old female baby with pentasomy X, and determined the parental origins of the X chromosomes. Our case had thenar atrophy, postnatal growth deficiency, developmental delay, mongoloid slant, microcephaly, ear anomalies, micrognathia and congenital heart disease. A conventional cytogenetic technique was applied for the diagnosis of the polysomy X, and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) using 11 inherited short tandem repeat (STR) alleles specific to the chromosome X for the determination of parental origin of X chromosomes. A cytogenetic evaluation revealed that the karyotype of the infant was 49,XXXXX. Comparison of the infant’s features with previously reported cases indicated a clinically recognizable specific pattern of malformations referred to as the pentasomy X syndrome. However, to the best of our know-ledge, this is the first report of thenar atrophy in a patient with 49,XXXXX. The molecular analysis suggested that four X chromosomes of the infant originated from the mother as a result of the non disjunction events in meiosis I and meiosis II. We here state that the clinical manifestations seen in our case were consistent with those described previously in patients with pentasomy X. The degree of early hypotonia constitutes an important early prognostic feature in this syndrome. The pathogenesis of pentasomy X is not clear at present, but it is thought to be caused by successive maternal non disjunctions.