A synthetic approach to novel carvotacetone and antheminone analogues with anti-tumour activity

A synthetic approach to analogues of the terpenoid natural product antheminone A is described which employs (?)-quinic acid as starting material. A key conjugate addition step proved to be unpredictable regarding its stereochemical outcome however the route allowed access to two diastereoisomeric series of compounds. The results of biological assay of the toxicity of the target compounds towards non-small-cell lung cancer cell line A549 are reported.     

The colour/pattern polymorphism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Philaenus spumarius</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in the north-western Black Sea region of Turkey

The heritable elytral colour/pattern polymorphism of Philaenus spumarius in north-western Black Sea region of Turkey was investigated. A total of 2,530 adult spittlebugs, 1,020 females and 1,510 males were collected and analysed in terms of the 11 most common colour forms. Nine different phenotypes, expressed by six different alleles, were determined: populi (POP), typicus (TYP), trilineatus (TRI), marginellus (MAR), flavicollis (FLA), leucocephalus (LCE), gibbus (GIB), albomaculatus (ALB), and leucophtalmus (LOP). The common phenotypes lateralis (LAT) and quadrimaculatus (QUA) of previous studies were not encountered at all. The predominant phenotype was TYP (63%) in females and males followed by POP (31%). TRI (4%) and melanics (5%) were at close proportions. However, only one site had nine phenotypes altogether. The majority of the sites had only the POP and TYP morphs. The melanic forms were found only in females.     

Malondialdehyde, Glutathione, and Nitric Oxide Levels in Toxoplasma gondii Seropositive Patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in the serum malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) levels between normal and T. gondii-infected patients. To this end, MDA, GSH, and NO levels in the sera of 37 seropositive patients and 40 participants in the control group were evaluated. In Toxoplasma ELISA, IgG results of the patient group were 1,013.0 ± 543.8 in optical density (mean ± SD). A statistically significant difference was found between patients and the control group in terms of MDA, GSH, and NO levels. A decrease in GSH activity was detected, while MDA and NO levels increased significantly. Consequently, it is suggested that the use of antioxidant vitamins in addition to a parasite treatment shall prove useful. The high infection vs control ratio of MDA and NO levels probably suggests the occurrence as a mechanism of tissue damage in cases of chronic toxoplasmosis. Moreover, it is recommended that the patient levels of MDA, GSH, and NO should be evaluated in toxoplasmosis.     

Focusing on the ethnobotanical uses of plants in Mersin and Adana provinces (Turkey)

This paper presents the result of a study on the herbal drugs in the herbal markets in Mersin and Adana. The data were collected through direct interviews with herbalists and customers between 2002–2005 and the popular medicinal plants were investigated. A total of 107 species belonging to 56 families were investigated and the samples were listedwith their local and Latin names. The investigation includes cross-checking the disorders and their herbal cures and their recommended use stated by the local herbalists, by the parts used, and by the preparations. The cultivated species and their ethno botanical uses, are documented and extensive inventory is presented. As a result, we observed that these plants are used especially for intestinal digestive disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, (21.68%), respiratory tract system disorders (10.43%), heart-blood circulatory system disorders (8.48%), urinary tract system disorders (7.70%), skin disorders (6.48%) and others.     

Predictors of Hypothyroidism Following Empirical Dose Radioiodine in Toxic Thyroid Nodules: Real-Life Experience

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the factors predicting hypothyroidism after radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment in patients with toxic adenoma and toxic multinodular goiter.MethodsWe retrospectively collected the data of 237 patients with toxic multinodular goiter or toxic adenoma who had consecutively received RAI treatment between 2014 and 2020 at 2 medical centers. Patients who received the second RAI treatment and whose medical records could not be accessed were excluded from the study. Finally, 133 patients were included in the study. RAI was administered at an empirical dose of 15 or 20 mCi.ResultsThe median age of the 133 participants was 69 years (interquartile range, 62-75 years), and 64.7% of the participants were women. A total of 42.1% of the patients had toxic adenoma, whereas 57.9% of patients had toxic multinodular goiter. The median follow-up was 24 months (interquartile range, 11-38 months). During the follow-up, 61.7% of patients became euthyroid, 30.8% developed hypothyroidism, and 7.5% remained hyperthyroid. The median month of hypothyroidism onset was 4 months (interquartile range, 2-9 months). Regression analysis revealed 2 factors that could predict hypothyroidism: thyroid-stimulating hormone (odds ratio, 2.548; 95% CI, 1.042-6.231; P = .04) and thyroid volume (odds ratio, 0.930; 95% CI, 0.885-0.978; P = .005).ConclusionOverall, 30.8% of the cases developed hypothyroidism after the RAI treatment. Approximately 78% of hypothyroidism developed within the first 10 months. The risk of hypothyroidism was higher in patients with higher thyroid-stimulating hormone and smaller thyroid volume.     

Histopathological analysis of vesicular and bullous lesions in Kaposi sarcoma

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: In this study, the clinical and morphological features of vesiculobullous lesions observed in Kaposi sarcoma are analyzed, and the features of bullous Kaposi sarcoma cases are emphasized. METHODS: A total of 178 biopsy materials of 75 cases diagnosed as classic-type cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma were reviewed. Twenty-five cases showing vesiculobullous features were included in the study. Tumor, epidermis, dermis, and clinical data regarding these cases was evaluated. RESULTS: Vesicular changes were observed in 21 (12%) out of 178 lesions of the 75 cases, while bullous changes were present in only 4 (2%). In all cases where vesicular and bullous changes were detected, tumor, epidermis, and dermis changes were similar. All cases were nodular stage KS lesions, whereas hyperkeratosis and serum exudation in the epidermis, marked edema in the dermis, and enlarged lymphatic vessels and chronic inflammatory response were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that changes in vascular resistance occurring during tumor progression are the most important factors comprising vesiculobullous morphology. Virtual slides The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1646397188748474.