Alpha thalassemia syndromes are caused by mutations on one or more of the four α-globin genes. Mutations could be either more commonly deletional or non-deletional. As some deletions (3.7 and 4.2) cause α+-thalassemia, some cause (-20.5, MED, THAI, FIL) α0 -thalassemia. The aim of this study was to determine alpha thalassemia mutations in patients with unsolved hypochromic microcytic anemia and to evaluate types of mutations. Two hundred six patients with hypochromic microcytic anemia were evaluated for alpha thalassemia. A venous blood sample of 2 mL was drawn from each patient for DNA isolation. The samples were investigated for α-thalassemia mutations by using the Vienna Lab α-Globlin StripAssay TM commercial kit. Fourteen different mutations were determined in 95 (46.1%) patients. The most common mutation was the 3.7 single gene deletion and was found in 37 patients (n=37/95, 39%). Others common mutations were the 20.5 kb double gene deletion (n=20 patients, 21%), MED double gene deletion (n=17 patients, 17.9%), α2 IVS1 (n=10 patients, 10.5%), α2 cd142 Hb Koya Dora (n=6 patients, 6.3%), α2 polyA1 (Saudi type) (n=6 patients, 6.3%), 4.2 single gene deletion (n=4 patients, 4.2%), α1 cd14 (n=2 patients, 2.1%), and -FIL mutation (n=2 patients 2.1%), respectively. Hb Adana, Hb Icaria, α2 init cd and α2 polyA2 (Turkish type) were found in 1% of the patients (n=1). Seven patients (7.4%) had α-thalassemia triplication. In our study, three mutations (Hb Icaria, α1 cd14, α2 init.cd) were determined firstly in Turkey. Seven mutations (-SEA, -THAI, Hb Constant Spring, α2 cd19, α2 cd59, α2 cd125, Hb Paksé) were not determined in this study. Alpha thalassemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypochromic microcytic anemia especially in cases without iron deficiency and b-thalassemia carrier state. Genetic testing should be performed for the suspicious cases. We also recommend that a national database with all mutations in Turkey should be created to screen the alpha thalassemia cost-effectively.

Backround: The in vitro cytotoxic effects of six different clear aligner materials were evaluated using the MTT analysis. Methods: The clear aligner material samples [Duran (ScheuDental GmbH, Iserlohn, Germany), Zendura-Flx (Bay Materials LLC, Fremont, CA, USA), Taglus (Laxmi Dental Export Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, India), Smart Track (Align Technology, San Jose, CA, USA), Zendura (Bay Materials LLC, Fremont, CA, USA), Essix C + (Essix ^® (Raintree Essix, Inc., 4001 Division St, Metairie, LA-USA)] were initially kept in a saline solution in airtight test tubes for 8 weeks at 37°C. According to the recommended ISO standards, the weights of the samples were divided by the volumes of the dilutions in the ratio of 0.1 g/ml. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of the samples, an MTT analysis was performed using a human gingival fibroblast cell line (HGF). To analyse the data, the Kruskal– Wallis test was applied (a=0.05). Results: Zendura was the most cytotoxic material resulting in 67.3 ± 16.20% cell viability, followed by Smart Track with 87.6 ± 5.53% cell viability. While Duran, Essix C + had 92.6 ± 26.34% and 94.9 ± 8.54% cell viability, Zendura-Flx, Taglus had 106.9 ± 12.76% and 113.183 ± 7.45% cell viability, respectively. Conclusion: While Zendura and Smart Track showed mild cytotoxicity, other materials showed greater cell viabilities. According to the ISO standards, the clinical use of each brand of aligners, except Zendura, may be considered reliable. Taking into account standard deviation, Zendura and Duran should be used with caution. The suppliers of aligners should adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations since an increase in ion release might arise from material wear.

Objective: To compare clinical pregnancy rate through ICSI-ET between polycystic ovarian syndrome patients and women with normal ovaries (control group). We also investigated whether serum Anti-Müllerian hormone level or LH/FSH ratio may predict clinical pregnancy rate in both groups.Study Design: In this retrospective study, endocrine/ clinical parameters and cycle characteristics of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (n=32) and women with normal ovaries (n=115) aged 0.05, respectively). The LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in women who conceived compared to women who did not in the polycystic ovarian syndrome group (0.9 vs. 0.6, respectively, p=0.4). The cut-off value of 0.6 in the LH/FSH ratio predicted clinical pregnancy with a specificity of 76% and a sensitivity of 65% in the polycystic ovarian syndrome group. Anti-Müllerian hormone was significantly higher in women who conceived compared to women who did not in the control group (4.0 ng/mL vs. 2.1 ng/mL, respectively, p=0.4).Conclusion: Polycystic ovarian syndrome patients have a similar clinical pregnancy rate with women having normal ovaries through ICSI-ET. The LH/FSH ratio assessed prior to ovulation induction was significantly higher in pregnant polycystic ovarian syndrome patients compared to polycystic ovarian syndrome patients who did not conceive. Anti-Müllerian hormone level was significantly higher in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women with normal ovaries.