Beneficial effects of dexpanthenol on mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion injury in experimental rat model

Background and aim It has been reported that intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury results from oxidative stress caused by increased reactive oxygen species. Dexpanthenol (Dxp) is an alcohol analogue with epitelization, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and increasing peristalsis activities. In the present study, the aim was to investigate protective and therapeutic effects of Dxp against intestinal I/R injury. Materials and methods Overall, 40 rats were assigned into five groups including one control, one alone Dxp, and three I/R groups (40-min ischemia; followed by 2-h reperfusion). In two I/R groups, Dxp (500?mg/kg, i.m.) was given before or during ischemia. The histopathological findings including apoptotic changes, and also tissue and serum biochemical parameters levels, were determined. Oxidative stress and ileum damage were assessed by biochemical and histological examination. In the control (n?=?8) and alone Dxp (n?=?8; 500?mg/kg, i.m. of Dxp was given at least 30?min before recording), groups were incised via laparotomy, and electrical activity was recorded from their intestines. In this experiment, the effect of Dxp on the motility of the intestine was examined by analyzing electrical activity. Results In ileum, oxidant levels were found to be higher, while antioxidant levels were found to be lower in I/R groups when compared with controls. Dxp approximated high levels of oxidants than those in the control group, while it increased antioxidant values compared with I/R groups. Histopathological changes caused by intestinal I/R injury and histological improvements were observed in both groups given Dxp. In the Dxp group, electrical signal activity markedly increased compared with the control group. Conclusions Here, it was seen that Dxp had protective and therapeutic effects on intestinal I/R injury and gastrointestinal system peristaltism.     

Novel benzimidazole derivatives as selective CB2 agonists

The preparation and evaluation of a novel class of CB2 agonists based on a benzimidazole moiety are reported. They showed binding affinities up to 1nM towards the CB2 receptor with partial to full agonist potencies. They also demonstrated good to excellent selectivity (>1000-fold) over the CB1 receptor.     

Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Magnesium Levels, Glasgow Coma Scores, and In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Stroke

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) magnesium (Mg⁺²) levels, Glasgow Coma Scores (GCS), and 7-day mortality in acute stroke patients. Patients with acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke arriving within the first 3 h of symptoms were included in the study. The control group consisted of healthy volunteers. GCS was determined, and blood and CSF samples were taken in order to establish serum and CSF glucose, Mg⁺², sodium, potassium, calcium, and chlorine levels. Mortality was recorded at 7 days after admission. CSF Mg⁺² in the ischemic infarct group was significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.006). CSF Mg⁺² in the ischemic infarct patients with a GCS ≤ 8 were significantly lower (p = 0.002) than controls and in ischemic infarct patients with a GCS ≥9. In the ischemic stroke patients, CSF Mg⁺² and GCS were significantly correlated (r = 55, p = 0.031). CSF Mg⁺² levels in ischemic stroke patients who died within 7 days were significantly lower than controls, ischemic stroke patients who survived, and hemorrhagic stroke patients who died (p = 0.002, p = 0.042, and p = 0.005, respectively). Low CSF Mg⁺² levels in patients with acute ischemic stoke at admission predicted a higher 1-week mortality.     

Discovery of μ-opioid selective ligands derived from 1-aminotetralin scaffolds made via metal-catalyzed ring-opening reactions

A series of 1-aminotetralin scaffolds was synthesized via metal-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of heterobicyclic alkenes. Small libraries of amides and amines were made using the amino group of each scaffold as a handle. Screening of these libraries against human opioid receptors led to the identification of (S)–(S)-5.2a as a high-affinity selective μ ligand (IC₅₀ μ = 5 nM, κ = 707 nM, δ = 3,795 nM) displaying μ-agonist/antagonist properties due to its partial agonism (EC₅₀ = 2.6 μM; E_max = 18%).     

The anatomical and micromorphological properties of three endemic and medicinal Salvia species (Lamiaceae) in Erzincan (Turkey)

In this study, we comparatively investigated three endemic Salvia species spreading in Erzincan (Turkey) in terms of anatomy and micromorphology. For anatomical investigation, cross sections taken from stems and leaves of the species were examined under light microscope. For micromorphological investigation, epidermal surface and nutlet structure were examined using scanning electron microscopy. The S. euphratica and S. divaricata species were examined anatomically and micromorphologically for the first time, and S. hypargea was examined micromorphologically for the first time. In anatomical examinations, it was seen that stem and leaf structures of the species were similar. In micromorphological analyses, it has been seen that hairiness of the nutlet surface and nutlet ornamentations (verrucate and rugose type) created a difference between the species.     

Age and growth of Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814): an endemic fish species of Lake Van (Turkey)

In total, 240 tarek, Alburnus tarichi, specimens were caught throughout February 2008 in Lake Van, Turkey, a lake with highly salty‐alkaline conditions. Ages, lengths and weights of A. tarichi were determined to estimate length–weight relationships and age composition. Otolith dimensions were also determined. Female : male ratio was 1.47 : 1. Fork length and total weight of specimens ranged from 14.3 to 19.2 cm and 45.76 to 99.63 g, respectively. Maximum age observed was 6 years. Length–weight relationships were calculated for female, male and combined sexes as, W = 0.057FL^2.582W = 0.102FL^2.513 W = 0.074FL^2.544, respectively. Concerning types of growth, negative allometric growth (b < 3) was observed for all tarek specimens. The lagenar otolith was large and flat and marks on otoliths were typically clear, consistent and easy to interpret. Mean otolith length, breadth and weight were determined as 2.592 mm, 2.381 mm, 0.0026 g, respectively. While the otolith weight displayed a curvilinear relationship with the fork length, otolith length and breadth were linearly related to the fork length by height correlation coefficients.     

Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Testosterone Levels of Athletes and Sedentary Subjects at Rest and after Exhaustion

This study was performed to assess how 4 weeks of magnesium supplementation and exercise affect the free and total plasma testosterone levels of sportsmen practicing tae kwon do and sedentary controls at rest and after exhaustion. The testosterone levels were determined at four different periods: resting before supplementation, exhaustion before supplementation, resting after supplementation, and exhaustion after supplementation in three study groups, which are as follows: Group 1—sedentary controls supplemented with 10 mg magnesium per kilogram body weight. Group 2—tae kwon do athletes practicing 90–120 min/day supplemented with 10 mg magnesium per kilogram body weight. Group 3—tae kwon do athletes practicing 90–120 min/day receiving no magnesium supplements. The free plasma testosterone levels increased at exhaustion before and after supplementation compared to resting levels. Exercise also increased testosterone levels relative to sedentary subjects. Similar increases were observed for total testosterone. Our results show that supplementation with magnesium increases free and total testosterone values in sedentary and in athletes. The increases are higher in those who exercise than in sedentary individuals.     

Alternative splicing and proteome diversity in plants: the tip of the iceberg has just emerged

Alternative splicing has recently emerged as one of the most significant generators of functional complexity in several relatively well-studied animal genomes, but little is known about the extent of this phenomenon in higher plants. However, recent computational and experimental studies discussed here suggest that alternative splicing probably plays a far more significant role in the generation of proteome diversity in plants than was previously thought.