Nest temperatures and sex-ratio estimates of loggerhead turtles at Patara beach on the southwestern coast of Turkey

During the nesting period in 2000 and 2001 on Patara beach, total emergence and non-nesting emergence of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), nest distribution, and nest distance from the sea were recorded . The main nesting seasons for sea turtles (family Cheloniidae) were during June and July. Loggerhead turtles comprised the majority of sea turtle emergence records; only two green turtle (Chelonia mydas) emergences were recorded. The small nesting population (52 and 53 nests in 2000 and 2001, respectively) of sea turtles on Patara beach was due to low hatching success resulting from a rise in seawater levels, owing to beach erosion, and the subsequent inundation of most nests. The temperatures of four nests and sand at different distances from the sea were measured with electronic temperature loggers, which recorded mean nest temperatures of 28.8–30.7 °C, with the mean temperature in the middle third of the incubation period from 28.5 to 31.0 °C. The mean temperatures, incubation periods, temperature during the middle third of the incubation period, and percentage of hatchling sexes were evaluated with respect to sand and nest temperatures. The results showed a female-dominated sex ratio, which was probably the result of predation of nests far from the sea and the seawater inundation of nests close to the sea, as the sand temperature was different at sites close and far from the sea.

The role of tissue persistent organic pollutants and genetic polymorphisms in patients with benign and malignant kidney tumors

This study aimed to explore whether there is an association between environmental exposure to POPs and kidney tumor induction, and whether blood POP concentrations reflect kidney tissue concentrations. POP derivatives were determined in blood, tumor tissue, tumor surrounding tissue, and perirenal fat tissue samples taken from patients who underwent surgery for renal tumors. A voluntary control group was recruited for blood and urine samples as well. Urinary excretions of o,o'-dityrosine, chlorotyrosine, nitrotyrosine, and 8-OHdG were measured in the same patients. The possible role of genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1, GST isozymes P, M, and T, and hOGG1 genes on the predisposition to renal cancer was investigated. Some POPs have been found to be associated with kidney cancer, as evidenced by their significantly high ORs. 8-OHdG levels were significantly higher compared to the control group. The GSTT1 null polymorphism can be a risk factor for malignant but not for benign kidney tumors.

Blood and tissue levels of persistent organic pollutants and genetic susceptibility in patients with breast cancer

We investigated possible associations between the internal concentrations of POPs and correlations between blood and tumor tissue concentrations in patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer and breast reduction as controls. Genetic variations in CYP1A1, GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 and hOGG1 were evaluated to determine whether they represent risk factors for breast cancer. Certain POPs have been found to be associated with breast cancer development. GST-P1 polymorphism represented a significant risk for breast cancer with unadjusted OR. However, the GSTT1 null polymorphism represented a significant risk for breast cancer when OR adjusted for age and smoking status. CYP1A1 polymorphism was a significant risk factor for breast cancer, regardless of whether the OR was adjusted. These results suggest that exposure to certain POPs, GSTT1 and CYP1A1 polymorphisms, age, and smoking status are risk factors for breast cancer. In addition, the blood concentrations of some POPs represent surrogates for breast tissue concentrations.

Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels in the amniotic fluid as indicators of preterm delivery in Turkish women

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the value of amniotic fluid interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the prediction of preterm delivery in singleton pregnancies without any known risk factors for preterm delivery in Turkish women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients in the present perinatology department who underwent mid-trimester genetic amniocentesis due to evidence of increased risk of aneuploidy in their prenatal serum screening tests were included in the study. A sample of amniotic fluid from each patient was assessed for IL-6 and CRP. Concentrations of IL-6 and CRP in the amniotic fluid of preterm delivery and term delivery groups were compared.

RESULTS

Of 151 singleton pregnancies, 142 participants were included in the study. The participants were assigned to either the preterm or term delivery group based on pregnancy outcome. IL-6 levels in the amniotic fluid were significantly higher in the preterm delivery group, and there was a statistically significant negative correlation between IL-6 concentrations in the amniotic fluid and gestational age at delivery (correlation coefficient (CC): -18.5%, p < 0.05). A negative correlation was also detected between CRP levels in the amniotic fluid and gestational age at delivery, but the correlation was not statistically significant (p = 0.068).

CONCLUSION

Measuring IL-6 in the amniotic fluid can identify women at risk of preterm delivery. Because it is not acceptable to perform amniocentesis for this screening, it is more convenient for patients in whom genetic amniocentesis is performed.