Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Maras powder (a type of smokeless tobacco obtained from Nicotiana rustica Linn and mixed with the ashes of wood, especially from oak, walnut or grapevine) on the microRNA (miRNA) deregulation of oral mucosa, and it compares these effects with those of smoking. Methodology: Oral mucosal samples were collected from 74 patients, consisting of 16 nonusers, 26 smokers, and 32Maras powder users. Genes associated with oral cancer were selected and 90 microRNAs targeting these genes were identified. MicroRNA were isolated and purified using the microRNA isolation kit. MicroRNA were expressed using Fluidigm RT-PCR. Results: A positive correlation between the duration of Maras powder use with miR-31 expression levels, and a negative correlation between the Maras powder chewing time and miR-372 expression levels was found. In addition, there is a negative correlation between the amount of Maras powder consumed and expression levels of miR-375, miR-378a, miR-145, and miR-10b; moreover, another negative correlation is observed between the number of cigarettes consumed and the expression levels of and miR-92a levels were downregulated significantly more in Maras powder users when compared with smokers and nonusers (p<0.05). Conclusion:The results show both chewing Maras powder and smoking have an effect on deregulation of miR-200b and miR-92a expressions. This leads to the belief that assessing the expression of these two miRNAs is a promising noninvasive method of analysis, especially in mutagen exposures. Finally, large-scale and high-throughput studies may help to identify an extensive miRNA expression profile associated with tobacco use and improve the understanding of oral malignancies.

Androgenetic alopecia is a common cosmetical condition that accompany by some disorders with high androgen level. Evaluating the possible relationship between androgenetic alopecia and bone mineral density, and its relevance with hair-loss stages were aimed. A cross-sectional study including 106 alopecia patients who also had joint complaints, was conducted on screening of recorded data regarding hair loss stages, bone mineral density and fix and modifiable factors related with bone density, such as body mass index, daily consumptions of calcium, caffeine and alcohol, smoking, birth count, daily sun exposure, usual physical activity, and hormone values including free and total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, sex hormone binding globulin, follicular stimulating hormone, leutinizing hormone, 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. Alopecia was classified by hair loss-scale of Ludwig. Bone mineral density in the hip and lumbar spine was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Stratos dR 2D Fan-Beam). Data was analysed by Number Cruncher Statistical System, 2007. Results were compared to p<0.05. About 90% of the subjects were under the age of 35 and 60% of them were in the Ludwig stage-2. Osteopenia was detected in the rates of 34.90%, 36.79% and 23.58%, and osteoporosis was detected in the rates of 4.72%, 5.66% and 3.77% in femur-neck, total hip and lumbar spine T-scores, respectively. Z-scores were lower in the rates of 19.81%, 14.15% and 11.32 % in the same order, compare to the agematched reference values. Predisposing factors, laboratory test results and bone mineral density scores did not show any differences according to the Ludwig stages (each at p>0.05). We suggest that all women with early-onset androgenetic alopecia should be thoroughly investigated to the possibility of premature bone loss.

Hirsutism is a condition defining as acquired excess of hairs in the androgen-sensitive skin regions of women. It may be idiopathic, or can be resulted from metabolic or androgen-related disorders. Objective: In order to determine of possible correlation between hirsutism scores and central obesity, comparisons of abdominal subcutaneous fatty tissue thickness, metabolic syndrome criteria and also hirsutism-related hormones, according to hirsutism stages were aimed. Method: A prospective study was conducted on 144 women between the ages of 18-50, from October 2014 to March 2016. Beside hirsutism scores (determined by modified Ferriman-Gallway evaluation system) and subcutaneous abdominal fatty tissue thickness, metabolic syndrome criteria and hirsutism-related hormones were detected. Fatty tissue thicknes were determined by ultrasonographic measurements from 4 points around the umbilicus. Data was compared to hirsutism stages, and evaluated with Number Cruncher Statistical System 2007, as considered p < 0.05 was significant. Results: Only moderate and severe hirsutism groups were detected, and mean age was 24.47 ±7.52 years. The most accompanying finding was polycystic ovary syndrome. Higher means for fatty tissue thickness (p=0.0001 for each four region), weight, body mass index, waist circumferences, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (each p=0.0001), insulin (p=0.038), Homeostatic Model Assesment for Insulin Resistance (p=0.033), triglyceride (p=0.003), free androgen index (p=0.004) and total testosterone (p=0.036), and lower means for high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.003) and sex hormone binding globuline (p=0.008) were obtained in severe hirsutism group. Existence of 1, 2 and 3 metabolic syndrome criteria, and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome were also more detected in higher-score group (each p=0.0001). Conclusions: Women with higher hirsutism scores are more likely to develop thicker subcutaneous abdominal fatty tissue and metabolic syndrome than those with moderate scores. Subcutaneous abdominal fatty tissue thicknesss may a simple metabotrophic indicator for preliminary assessment of severity of hirsutism in especially overweight women.