Serum protein and zinc levels in patients with thoracic empyema

The element Zn is the metal component or activator of many important enzymes. The tissue concentrations and activities of Zn metalloenzymes direct the rate of protein and nucleic acid syntheses, thereby influencing tissue growth and reperative processes. Most of the serum Zn is normally bound to circulating proteins. Low serum Zn concentrations might result from depletion of Zn-binding proteins. Serum protein and Zn concentrations have been reported to be depressed in patients with acute and chronic diseases. We compare the serum protein and Zn values of patients with thoracic empyema (n=20) with those of a control group (n=20). The values obtained in the empyema group were significantly lower than those in the control group before the study. Test group administered 220 mg zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄. 7H₂O) over 20 d and there was a significant increase in the values for serum protein and Zn after the oral administration of the zinc sulfate.     

Identification of NF-κB1 and NF-κBIΑ Polymorphisms Using PCR–RFLP Assay in a Turkish Population

A polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) assay was used in a Turkish population to determine the frequency of polymorphisms of the nuclear factor-kappa (NF-κB1) and NF-κBIA genes, which have been shown to be related to several inflammatory diseases and cancer pathogenesis. Total genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples taken from 565 healthy volunteers living in Ayd?n Province. The genomic regions in question were amplified by PCR, and the polymorphisms in these regions were detected by a PCR–RFLP assay. The frequencies were 10.3% for the NF-κB1 ?94ins/delATTG del/del genotype, 49.1% for del/ins, and 40.6% for ins/ins. The genotype frequencies of the NF-κBIA 3′UTR A → G genotypes were A/A 19.2%, A/G 42.3%, and G/G 38.5%. Distribution of genotype frequencies was tested by Hardy–Weinberg; the NF-κB1 gene was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (χ² = 3.402, P > 0.05), the NF-κBIA gene was not (χ² = 8.293, P < 0.05).     

Synthesis,docking studies,in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation and DNA damage mechanism of new tyrosine-based tripeptides

Peptides are one of the leading groups of compounds that have been the subject of a great deal of biological research and still continue to attract researchers' attention. In this study, a series of tripeptides based on tyrosine amino acids were synthesized by the triazine method. The cytotoxicity properties of all compounds against human cancer cell lines (MCF-7), ovarian (A2780), prostate (PC-3), and colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2) were determined by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay method, and % cell viability and logIC50 values of the compounds were calculated. Significant decreases in cell viability were observed in all cells (p < 0.05). The comet assay method was used to understand that the compounds that showed a significant decrease in cell viability had this effect through DNA damage. Most of the compounds exhibited cytotoxicity by DNA damage mechanism. Besides, their interactions between investigated molecule groups with PDB ID: 3VHE, 3C0R, 2ZCL, and 2HQ6 target proteins corresponding to cancer cell lines, respectively, were investigated by docking studies. Finally, molecules with high biological activity against biological receptors were determined by ADME analysis.     

Syntheses of 1,2,3-triazole-bridged pyranose sugars with purine and pyrimidine nucleobases and evaluation of their anticancer potential

With the aim to create a library of compounds with potential bioactivities by combining special characteristics of two important groups such as nucleobases and carbohydrates, twenty 1,4-disubstituted-triazole nucleosides were synthesized in good yields (80-94%) using the copper catalyzed ‘Click’ reaction between azido-modified pento- or hexopyranoses and alkyne-bearing pyrimidine or purine nucleobases. Structural elucidation was made with the assistance of spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, 1D-, 2D-NMR, and ESI-TOFMS. All the synthesized triazole nucleosides were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, Hep3B, PC-3) by using the MTT assay. Particularly, compounds 3a and 1b were identified as potential hits against Hep3B cell.     

Nutritional Composition and heavy Metal Concentrations in Sardinella maderensis (Lowe, 1838) obtained from the Mauritanian fisheries

This study attempts to delineate the nutritional value and potential problem of toxic metal contamination in Sardinella maderensis (Lowe,1838) originating from Mauritanian fishery destined for regional common human consumption. Samples caught in Mauritania were delivered to Turkey by ship in 22 days in cold storage. Amino acids, fatty acids and toxic metal analyses of the samples were carried out by using a HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatograph), GC (Gas Chromatography) and a ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry), respectively. Overall, the range of total Saturated Fatty Acids (SFAs), Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFAs) and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) were found to be 34.35%, 28.13% and 34.50%, respectively. In terms of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)+Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were found to be in total 24.34%. Amino acids content such as glutamic acid, histidine, leucine and lysine were 1735.5, 1,409, 1,580 and 1,710.5 mg/100 g tissue, respectively. Toxic metal levels of Hg, Cd, As, Cr, Mn, Co were determined to reach values between 0.03–4.19 mg/kg. Athough the study is limited, it seems that results on the composition of fatty acids and amino acid, indicate the high nutritional value, well suited for human consumption in particular in terms of omega 3 and essential amino acids.