Spectrum of mutations in the familial Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) in Turkish patients of the Central Anatolia region: a comparison of two mutation detection system

The purpose of this study was to determine the spectrum of the most common mutations in the familial Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) in Turkish patients from the Central Anatolia region, by using two different methods for detecting FMF-associated mutations with different screening panels, and compare our results with other diagnostic molecular genetics centers. A total of 1579 patients were analyzed. Genomic DNA from 304 patients was tested for 6 common mutations located in exon 2 (E148Q), and exon 10 (M680I, M694V, M694I, V726A, R761H) by real-time PCR while 1275 patients were tested for 17 mutations located in exon 2 (E148Q), and exon10 [M680I (G/C), M680I (G/A), I692del, M694V, M694I, K695R, V726A, S675N, G678E, M680L, T681I, M694L, K695M, R717S, I720M, V722M] by pyrosequencing. The most frequent mutation was M694V, followed by M680I, E148Q, and V726A. Ten mutations in the panel were not detected in any patients. Finally, we compared our results with those of other centers in Turkey to contribute to the identified spectrum of Turkish MEFV mutations and we discuss which MEFV mutations are informative for evaluating an FMF patient.

Warburg micro syndrome in two children from a highly inbred Turkish family

Warburg Micro syndrome (WMS) was first reported by Warburg in 1993. The cardinal features are microcephaly, microphthalmia, congenital cataract and intellectual disability. We report on two children from a highly inbred family with microcephaly, congenital cataract, optic atrophy, hypotonia and severe psychomotor retardation. This phenotype is similar to other reported rare entities and especially to the family reported by Warburg. Four other children in the same family may also have been affected. In this report, the symptoms and features of our cases are compared with the Warburg Micro syndrome patients in literature.

Effect of mobile phone station on micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberrations in human blood cells

The use of mobile telephones has rapidly increased worldwide as well as the number of mobile phone base stations that lead to rise low level radiofrequency emissions which may in turn have possible harm for human health. The national radiation protection board has published the known effects of radio waves exposure on humans living close to mobile phone base stations. However, several studies have claimed that the base station has detrimental effects on different tissues. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of mobile phone base stations on the micronucleus (MN) frequency and chromosomal aberrations on blood in people who were living around mobile phone base stations and healthy controls. Frequency of MN and chromosomal aberrations in study and control groups was 8.96 +/- 3.51 and 6.97 +/- 1.52 (p: 0.16); 0.36 +/- 0.31 and 0.75 +/- 0.61 (p: 0.07), respectively. Our results show that there was not a significant difference of MN frequency and chromosomal aberrations between the two study groups. The results claim that cellular phones and their base stations do not produce important carcinogenic changes.

A new heritable fragile site at 15q13 in a three-generation family

Here, we describe a family ascertained through recurrent spontaneous abortions in which a new heritable fragile site located at 15q13 is segregating. The fragile site was present in nine members of a three-generation family and expressed spontaneously in a high proportion of the metaphases varying from 88 to 95% under standard culture conditions in all the carriers. This didn't change under folate deficiency.