A new chromosomal race (2n=44) of Nannospalax xanthodon from Turkey (Mammalia: Rodentia)

A new karyotype for blind mole rats was recorded in Tunceli province in Eastern Turkey. The karyotype contained 44 chromosomes, including 13 biarmed pairs, 7 acrocentric pairs, and one heteromorphic pair with a submetacentric and an acrocentric homologue in the autosomal complement (FNa=69). The X chromosome was submetacentric and the Y chromosome medium-sized subtelocentric (FN=73). Distinct dark centromeric C-bands were observed on most of the biarmed and three pairs of the acrocentric autosomes. The NORs were detected on short arms of three subtelocentric pairs and one acrocentric pair of autosomes. The diploid number of chromosomes and the karyotype characteristics observed are obviously unique among hitherto studied populations of blind mole rats and the complement can be evaluated as a new chromosome race of Nannospalax xanthodon. The distribution ranges of individual chromosome races of the species recorded in Eastern Anatolia are revised and possible interracial hybridization is discussed in respect of the finding of a new race.     

Comparison of first and second heart sounds after mechanical heart valve replacement

In this article, the spectral features of first heart sounds (S1) and second heart sounds (S2), which comprise the mechanical heart valve sounds obtained after aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve replacement (MVR), are compared to find out the effect of mechanical heart valve replacement and recording area on S1 and S2. For this aim, the Welch method and the autoregressive (AR) method are applied on the S1 and S2 taken from 66 recordings of 8 patients with AVR and 98 recordings from 11 patients with MVR, thereby yielding power spectrum of the heart sounds. Three features relating to frequency of heart sounds and three features relating to energy of heart sounds are obtained. Results show that in comparison to natural heart valves, mechanical heart valves contain higher frequency components and energy, and energy and frequency components do not show common behaviour for either AVR or MVR depending on the recording areas. Aside from the frequency content and energy of the sound generated by mechanical heart valves being affected by the structure of the lungs–thorax and the recording areas, the pressure across the valve incurred during AVR or MVR is a significant factor in determining the frequency and energy levels of the valve sound produced. Though studies on native heart sounds as a non-invasive diagnostic method has been done for many years, it is observed that studies on mechanical heart valves sounds are limited. The results of this paper will contribute to other studies on using a non-invasive method for assessing the mechanical heart valve sounds.     

Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on angiogenesis,apoptosis and oxidatıve stress ın various cancer cell lines

ABSTRACT

Cancer is a common cause of death worldwide. Approximately 80% of cancer patients use complementary or alternative medicines for treatment. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), the main active component of propolis, exhibits cytotoxic, antiproliferative and anti-cancer effects. Despite its anticancer effects CAPE exhibits no known harmful effects toward normal cells. We investigated the effects of CAPE on angiogenesis, apoptosis and oxidative stress using MDA MB-231, N2a and COLO 320 cell lines and CAPE treatments at 24 and 48 h. A two dimensional cell culture system was used and the findings were evaluated by an indirect immunohistochemical method and H-scores were calculated. CAPE was effective for all three cancer cell lines. After 24 and 48 h, we found a significant decrease in live cells and increased stress in the cells based on e-NOS and i-NOS levels.     

A proteomic approach to investigate the distribution and abundance of surface and internal Fasciola hepatica proteins during the chronic stage of natural liver fluke infection in cattle

Fasciola hepatica, a trematode helminth, causes an economically important disease (fasciolosis) in ruminants worldwide. Proteomic analysis of the parasite provides valuable information to understand the relationship between the parasite and its host. Previous studies have identified various parasite proteins, some of which are considered as vaccine candidates or important drug targets. However, the approximate distribution and abundance of the proteins on the surface and within internal parts of the liver fluke are unknown. In this study, two fractions including surface protein fraction (representing surface part of the parasite, near subplasma membrane of the tegument and above the basal membrane of the tegument) and internal protein fraction (representing internal part of the parasite, mainly deeper sides of the tegument including subbasal membrane and other further internal elements of the parasite) were obtained. Components of these two fractions were investigated by an advanced proteomics approach using a high-definition mass spectrometer with nano electrospray ionization source coupled to a high-performance liquid chromatography system (nanoUPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS). FABP1 was found highly abundant in the SPF fraction. Potentially novel F. hepatica proteins showing homology with AKT interacting protein (Xenopus tropicalis), sterol O-acyltransferase 2 (Homo sapiens), and integrin beta 7 (Mus musculus) were identified with high quantities in only the surface fraction of the parasite and may be possible candidates for future control strategies.     

An experimental and theoretical approach to the molecular structure of 2-{4-[3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-3-methylcyclobutyl]thiazol-2-yl}isoindoline-1,3-dione

The title compound, 2-{4-[3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-3-methylcyclobutyl]thiazol-2-yl}isoindoline-1,3-dione (C₂₄H₂₂N₂O₂S), was synthesized and characterized by IR-NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a?=?19.7799(13) Å, b?=?6.7473(4) Å, c?=?15.7259(9) Å and β?=?103.416(5)°. In addition, the molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) ¹H and ¹³C chemical shift values of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated by using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (DFT/B3LYP) with 6–31G(d), 6–31 + G(d,p) and LANL2DZ basis sets, and compared with the experimental data. To determine conformational flexibility, molecular energy profile of the title compound was obtained by semi-empirical (AM1) calculations with respect to two selected degrees of torsional freedom, which were varied from ?180° to +180° in steps of 5°. Besides, molecular electrostatic potential, frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis and thermodynamic properties of the title compound were investigated by theoretical calculations.     

Radionuclides content in grape molasses soil samples from Central Black Sea region of Turkey

The activity concentrations of radionuclides in grape molasses soil samples collected from Zile (Tokat) plain in the Central Black Sea region of Turkey were measured by using gamma spectrometer with a NaI(Tl) detector. Also, the concentrations of ²²²Rn in soil samples and air were estimated essentially taking the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra measured in soil samples. Grape molasses soil samples with calcium carbonate content are used for sedimentation for making molasses in this region. The average activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs were found as 62 ± 2, 68 ± 3, 479 ± 35, and 8.0 ± 0.3 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The average concentrations of ²²²Rn in soil samples and air were estimated to be 50 kBq m^?3 and 144 Bq m^?3. From the activity concentrations, absorbed gamma dose rate in outdoor air (D), annual effective dose from external exposure (E_E), annual effective dose from inhalation of radon (E_I), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were estimated in order to assess radiological risks. The average values of D, E_E, E_I, and ELCR were found to be 90 nGy h^?1, 110 μSv y^?1, 1360 μSv y^?1, and 4 × 10^?4, respectively.     

Mercury uptake and phytotoxicity in terrestrial plants grown naturally in the Gumuskoy (Kutahya) mining area,Turkey

This study investigated mercury (Hg) uptake and transport from the soil to different plant parts by documenting the distribution and accumulation of Hg in the roots and shoots of 12 terrestrial plant species, all of which grow naturally in surface soils of the Gumuskoy Pb-Ag mining area. Plant samples and their associated soils were collected and analyzed for Hg content by ICP-MS. Mean Hg values in the soils, roots, and shoots of all plants were 6.914, 460, and 206 µg kg^?1, respectively and lower than 1. The mean enrichment factors for the roots (ECR) and shoots (ECS) of these plants were 0.06 and 0.09, respectively and lower than 1. These results show that the roots of the studied plants prevented Hg from reaching the aerial parts of the plants. The mean translocation factor (TLF) was 1.29 and higher than 1. The mean TLF values indicated that all 12 plant species had the ability to transfer Hg from the roots to the shoots but that transfer was more efficient in plants with higher ECR and ECS. Therefore, these plants could be useful for the biomonitoring of environmental pollution and for rehabilitating areas contaminated by Hg.     

Neurofeedback Intervention in Fibromyalgia Syndrome; a Randomized,Controlled, Rater Blind Clinical Trial

We designed a randomized, rater blind study to assess the efficacy of EEG Biofeedback (Neurofeedback-NFB) in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Eighteen patients received twenty sessions of NFB-sensory motor rhythm (SMR) treatment (NFB group) during 4 weeks, and eighteen patients were given 10 mg per day escitalopram treatment (control group) for 8 weeks. Visual Analog Scales for pain and fatigue, Hamilton and Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory Scales, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Short Form 36 were used as outcome measures which were applied at baseline and 2nd, 4th, 8th, 16th, 24th weeks. Mean amplitudes of EEG rhythms (delta, theta, alpha, SMR, beta1 and beta2) and theta/SMR ratio were also measured in NFB group. All post-treatment measurements showed significant improvements in both of the groups (for all parameters p < 0.05). NFB group displayed greater benefits than controls (for all parameters p < 0.05). Therapeutic efficacy of NFB was found to begin at 2nd week and reached to a maximum effect at 4th week. On the other hand, the improvements in SSRI treatment were also detected to begin at 2nd week but reached to a maximum effect at 8th week. No statistically significant changes were noted regarding mean amplitudes of EEG rhythms (p > 0.05 for all). However, theta/SMR ratio showed a significant decrease at 4th week compared to baseline in the NFB group (p < 0.05). These data support the efficacy of NFB as a treatment for pain, psychological symptoms and impaired quality of life associated with fibromyalgia.