Water proton relaxation rate enhancements and association constants for Mn(II) to serum proteins determined by NMR T1 measurements

The water proton relaxation rate enhancement of Mn(II) bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the association constant for manganese to BSA have already been determined, but such determinations have not been done for human serum albumin (HSA) and other human serum proteins and also for human serum. In this work, NMR T1 values in aqueous solutions of serum proteins and serum were measured versus increasing concentration of Mn(II). Proton relaxation rate enhancements (epsilon*) caused by different manganese concentrations were determined for each solution and 1/epsilon* was fitted against concentrations of Mn(II). Proton relaxation rate enhancements (epsilonb) of Mn(II) bound to albumin, gamma-globulin, (alpha+beta)-globulins and serum were found to be 13.69, 3.09, 8.62, and 10.87, respectively. Free and bound manganese fractions, resulted from each addition of Mn(II) to the sample, were determined by using corresponding (epsilon*) and the epsilonb values. Association constants for Mn(II) to HSA and gamma-globulin were calculated as 1.84 x 10(4) M(-1) and 2.35 x 10(4) M(-1), respectively. Present data suggest that the proton relaxation rate enhancement of Mn(II) in serum is caused by Mn(II) bound to various serum constituents. Data also suggest that association constants for Mn(II) to gamma-globulin are nearly the same as that to HSA.     

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene polymorphism as a potential host susceptibility factor in tuberculosis

Several genes encoding for different cytokines may play crucial roles in host susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB), since the cytokine production capacity varies among individuals and depends on the cytokine gene polymorphism. The association of the cytokine gene polymorphisms with the development of TB was investigated in this study. DNA samples were obtained from a Turkish population of 81 patients with the different clinical forms of TB, and 50 healthy control subjects. All genotyping (IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta and TNF-alpha) experiments were performed using sequence-specific primers PCR (PCR-SSP). Analysis of allele frequencies showed that IL-10 -1082 G allele frequency was significantly more common in TB patients than healthy controls (37.7% vs 23.0%, p: 0.014). No statistically significant differences were observed between the different clinical forms of the disease. These results suggest that the polymorphisms in IL-10 gene may affect susceptibility to TB and increase risk of developing the disease. To confirm the biological significance of our results, further studies should be performed on other population groups.     

In vitro genotoxic effects of four Helichrysum species in human lymphocytes cultures

Helichrysum sanguineum, Helichrysum pamphylicum, Helichrysum orientale, Helichrysum noeanum (Asteraceae) are medicinal plants. For centuries, they have been used as tea in Turkey because of their medicinal properties. So far no scientific evidence has been found in a literature survey regarding the genotoxic effects of these plants. This work evaluated the genotoxic effects on human lymphocyte cultures induced by methanol extracts of these plants, assayed in different concentrations (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL). According to the results, Helichrysum noeanum, Helichrysum pamphylicum and Helichrysum sanguineum induced the formation of micronuclei and decreased the mitotic and replication indexes. Helichrysum orientale did not affect these parameters, whereas Helichrysum noeanum, Helichrysum pamphylicum and Helichrysum sanguineum were clearly genotoxic. They should therefore not be used freely in alternative medicine, although their antiproliferative activity may suggest antimitotic and anticarcinogenic properties. Helichrysum orientale could be used in alternative medicine.     

Minuartia aksoyi sp. nov. and M. buschiana subsp. artvinica subsp. nov. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey

Two new taxa of Minuartia L. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey, Minuartia aksoyi M. Koç & Hamzao?lu sp. nov. and Minuartia buschiana Schischk. subsp. artvinica M. Koç & Hamzao?lu subsp. nov. are described and illustrated. Their taxonomic positions are discussed and they are compared with allied taxa. The distributions of the new and closely related taxa are given. Seed structures were examined by SEM.     

MicroRNA Expression Patterns of CD8+ T Cells in Acute and Chronic Brucellosis

Although our knowledge about Brucella virulence factors and the host response increase rapidly, the mechanisms of immune evasion by the pathogen and causes of chronic disease are still unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the immunological factors which belong to CD8+ T cells and their roles in the transition of brucellosis from acute to chronic infection. Using miRNA microarray, more than 2000 miRNAs were screened in CD8+ T cells of patients with acute or chronic brucellosis and healthy controls that were sorted from peripheral blood with flow cytometry and validated through qRT-PCR. Findings were evaluated using GeneSpring GX (Agilent) 13.0 software and KEGG pathway analysis. Expression of two miRNAs were determined to display a significant fold change in chronic group when compared with acute or control groups. Both miRNAs (miR-126-5p and miR-4753-3p) were decreased (p <0.05 or fold change > 2). These miRNAs have the potential to be the regulators of CD8+ T cell-related marker genes for chronic brucellosis infections. The differentially expressed miRNAs and their predicted target genes are involved in MAPK signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, endocytosis, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and focal adhesion indicating their potential roles in chronic brucellosis and its progression. It is the first study of miRNA expression analysis of human CD8+ T cells to clarify the mechanism of inveteracy in brucellosis.     

Nested PCR for the detection of Aspergillus species in maxillary sinus samples of patients with chronic sinusitis

Background

Fungal rhinosinusitis has become an increasingly recognized disease, being Aspergillus species responsible for most of the cases. Its diagnosis is quite difficult because of the non-specific symptoms and low sensitivity of the current diagnostic methods.