Effects of some drugs on purified human erythrocyte CuZnSOD and in vitro inhibitiory effect of 5-fluorouracil on leukocyte total SOD activity

The inhibition and activation effects of some drugs on the activities of superoxide dismutase enzymes (SOD) in human erythrocyte and leukocyte cells was investigated. Firstly, CuZnSOD enzyme was purified 837–fold and 12% efficiency from human erythrocytes by ethanol-chloroform treatment to remove hemoglobin and then ion exchange chromatography (DEAE-Sepharose) and copper chelate affinity chromatography techniques. Inhibition or activation effects of fourteen drugs on CuZnSOD was investigated. None of the studied drugs except for 5-fluorouracil showed any effects on the enzyme. 5-fluorouracil showed activation effects on CuZnSOD at 3.33 mg/ml and 4 mg/ml concentrations with 33% and 32% activation, respectively. Leukocytes were isolated from healthy human blood, lysed in liquid nitrogen and the effect of 5-fluorouracil on the lysate SOD activity investigated. 5-Fluorouracil showed inhibition effects on total SOD activity of human leukocytes at 2 mg/ml and 4 mg/ml concentrations with 42% and 62% inhibition, respectively.     

Diosgenin production in Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) cell cultures in response to yeast extract elicitation

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Diosgenin is an important precursor of steroidal drugs and a number of biotechnology techniques, including gene transfer and elicitation studies, are...     

Molecular and clinical evaluation of Turkish patients with lysinuric protein intolerance

Lysinuric protein intolerance is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by defective transport of the cationic amino acids lysine, arginine and ornithine in the epithelial cells of the basolateral membrane in the small intestine and renal tubules. Mutations in the solute carrier family 7, member 7, SLC7A7, gene cause this multisystemic disease with a variety of clinical symptoms such as hepatosplenomegaly, osteoporosis, hypotonia, developmental delay, pulmonary insufficiency or end-stage renal disease. In the present study, genomic structure of SLC7A7 in six Turkish patients with lysinuric protein intolerance was examined in order to detect disease causing mutations by denaturing high pressure liquid chromatography and direct sequencing. Four novel mutations were identified in SLC7A7: c.223insGTC, p.Val74_Ile75insVal; c.283insTGG, p.Glu94_Thr95insTrp; c.344_347delTTGC, p.Leu115LeufsX53; and c.1099insT, p.Ile367TyrfsX16. Clinical and biochemical findings were evaluated together with these molecular analyses.     

Effect of orexin-A on phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage in starved rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fasting-induced orexin-A (OXA) on inflammation and macrophage phagocytic activity. Fifty six male wistar rats were fasted for 36 h to stimulate OXA synthesis. In 24 rats, air pouches were induced subcutaneously in the intrascapular area. After (6 h) carrageenan injection into the pouches, the contents of the air pouches were removed. The exudate volume, protein content and cell count were measured. After the determination of fasting on inflammation, the peritoneal macrophages were collected from 32 rats to investigate the effect of fasting-induced OXA on macrophage phagocytic activity. Plasma OXA levels were markedly higher in fasted rats compared with control rats. The phagocytic capability of peritoneal macrophages was obtained as a percentage of phagocytosing macrophages and number of phagocytosed particles per cell. In spite of increased blood OXA level SB-334867, selective orexin type 1 receptor antagonist (10 mg/kg) did not change phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages. These findings indicate that 36 h fasting-induced OXA has no significant effect to phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages.     

EFFECTS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTAL L-CARNITINE AND ASCORBIC ACID ON PERFORMANCE,CARCASS COMPOSITION AND PLASMA L-CARNITINE CONCENTRATION OF BROILER CHICKS REARED UNDER DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE

The present study was initiated to determine whether dietary supplemental L-carnitine and ascorbic acid affect growth performance, carcass yield and composition, abdominal fat and plasma L-carnitine concentration of broiler chicks reared under normal and high temperature. During the experiment, two temperature regimes were employed in two experimental rooms, which were identical but different in environmental temperature. The regimes were thermoneutral (20-22°C for 24 h) or recycling hot (34-36°C for 8 h and 20-22°C for 16 h). One-day-old broiler chicks (ROSS) were used in the experiment. A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement was employed with two levels (0 and 50 mg/kg) of supplemental L-carnitine and two levels (0 or 500 mg/kg) of supplemental ascorbic acid in drinking water under thermoneutral or high temperature regimes. Body weight gain was affected by high temperature. However, body weight gain was significantly improved in animals receiving supplemental L-carnitine, ascorbic acid or L-carnitine + ascorbic acid compared to animals receiving unsupplemented diet under high temperature. On the other hand, supplemental L-carnitine or L-carnitine + ascorbic acid reduced body weight gain under thermoneutral condition. Supplemental ascorbic acid significantly improved feed conversion efficiency, the improvement was relatively greater under high temperature. The L-carnitine content in the plasma was higher in the groups receiving supplemental L-carnitine and ascorbic acid under high temperature, while broilers fed supplemental L-carnitine and ascorbic acid had a decreased level of plasma L-carnitine concentration under normal temperature. It is concluded that dietary supplemental L-carnitine or L-carnitine + ascorbic acid may have positive effects on body weight gain, carcass weight under high temperature conditions.     

On the distribution of the Fire-bellied Toad,Bombina bombina,in Turkey

Abstract

The Lake of Köyceg¯iz (Köyceg¯iz Gölü) in southwest Turkey is influenced by several external factors such as sulfuric springs, :Mediterranean seawater and a relatively strong changing wind. These give rise to an exceptional hydrochemistry and hydrophysics, which are reflected in the phyto and zooplankton. The complicated layer structure of the lake is determined more by chemical gradients than by temperature. The water body is divided in two layers of differing hydrology. The upper layer is subject to full circulation while the lower one is strictly stratified by chemical gradients caused by the sulfuric sources and an influx of-Mediterranean water. The lake can be classified as meromictic. Subsurface freshwater springs may well influence the system, but to a lesser degree. Phyto- and zooplankton are characterized by a limited number of species and a low biomass. ’This is due to a very thin euphotic zone as well as the brackish character of the lake water.     

On the occurrence and status of the Chameleon,Chamaeleo chamaeleon,in Turkey

Abstract

The main distribution area of the Chameleon in Turkey is the Aegean and the Mediterranean regions, however, records are also available from the Marmara region and from southeast Anatolia.     

The severity of chewing disorders is related to gross motor function and trunk control in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Purpose: The frequency of chewing disorders increases with decreasing level of gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Besides its frequency, the severity of chewing disorders is also important. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between chewing performance level and gross motor function, and trunk postural control in children with CP.

Materials and methods: The study included 119 children with CP (age 2–10 years). Chewing performance level was determined by the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale (KCPS). The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was used to determine the level of gross motor function. Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) was used to measure trunk control.

Results: Children with spastic CP with a median age of 4?years were evaluated, of which 50.4% were male. The percentages of patients classified to GMFCS levels I to V were 43.7%, 6.7%, 9.2%, 5.0%, and 35.3%, respectively. The median KCPS score was 3 (min?=?0, max?=?4). A good correlation was found between KCPS and GMFCS (p?<?.001, r?=?0.70). Negative, excellent correlations between KCPS and SATCo static, SATCo active, and SATCo reactive postural controls were found (p?<?.001, r?=?–0.75, r?=?–0.77, r?=?–0.79; respectively).

Conclusions: The severity of chewing disorders is related to the level of gross motor function and trunk postural control in children with CP.

Clinical trial number: NCT03241160     

Synthesis and anticancer activity of acyl thioureas bearing pyrazole moiety

In this work novel organic based compounds, acyl thiourea derivatives were synthesized and their anticancer activities were investigated. A new series of acyl thiourea derivatives containing pyrazole ring were prepared in good yield through one pot reaction of 4-benzoyl-1, 5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonyl chloride with ammonium thiocyanate and various amines. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. Anticancer activities of synthesized compounds were evaluated on human colon, liver and leukemia cancer cell lines. Cell culture studies have demonstrated significant toxicity of the compounds on the cell lines, and the levels of toxicity have altered in the presence of various side groups. These results confirm that novel pyrazolyl acyl thioureas derived compounds may be utilized for cancer treatment. Furthermore, these compounds have a great potential and significance for further investigations.     

Reproductive biology of the broad‐snout [Chondrostoma holmwoodii (Boulenger, 1896)] in Tahtalı Dam Lake, İzmir,Turkey

The study aimed to determine the reproductive characteristics of the broad‐snout Chondrostoma holmwoodii population (spawning season, number of eggs and first age of sexual maturity) in order to assess the population status in the Tahtal? Dam Lake reservoir. A total of 1208 specimens were examined of which 72.1% were females and 27.9% males (female:male ratio = 1 : 0.40); the percentage of males, however, declined in the higher age classes (IV and V). The monthly determined gonadosomatic index indicated that the peak reproduction period of the species is in April and early May. The study covered age classes I–V, with specimens at age II reaching maturity. The total number of eggs per female varied from 8000 to 41 700, the mean number of eggs increasing proportionally with age of the spawner. Egg diameters also increased during the 5‐month ripening period from December to April.