Correlation of serum trace elements and melatonin levels to radiological, biochemical, and histological assessment of degeneration in patients with intervertebral disc herniation

The aim of our study was to assess the blood concentrations of some trace elements and melatonin (MLT) in patients with intervertebral disc herniation (IDH) and to investigate the interaction of histological and biochemical degeneration findings with aging. The present study was carried out on 13 subjects (8 women and 5 men) diagnosed with IDH. They were divided into three groups according to their ages. Nighttime serum MLT, zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) levels were determined in all patients. In addition, computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain and magnetic resonance imaging examination of the lumbar spine were obtained in this study. The Zn level and Zn/Mg ratio showed a decline in patients with IDH with aging, whereas the serum Mg level and tissue hydroxyproline content increased. A positive correlation between serum Zn and MLT concentrations was found (r=0.104, p=0.734). In addition, there was a positive correlation between serum Zn level and Zn/Mg ratio (r=0.835 and p<0.01), and a negative correlation between serum Mg level and Zn/Mg ratio (r=−0.571, p<0.05). On CT study, both volume percentage of calcified pineal gland and density of calcification were found to increase progressively with advancing age. The results of semiquantitative evaluation of disc tissues of patients with IDH for histological degeneration findings showed that 66.7% of discs treated had slight degeneration in younger age group, but 75.0% and 100% of discs had moderate or marked degeneration in older age groups. Our data indicated that there is a close relationship between MLT and Zn or Mg levels in the serum samples of patients with IDH, and the levels of these elements might be affected by the presence of degeneration process and serum MLT level, or vice versa.     

Changes in microbial ecology in an anaerobic reactor

This study examined the behaviour of the microbial population in an anaerobic reactor, in terms of changes in numbers of total bacterial community, autofluorescent methanogens, non-methanogens and morphology of the autofluorescent methanogens, using epifluorescence microscopy and microbiological enumeration techniques. A laboratory-scale, continuous flow-completely mixed anaerobic reactor, coupled with a conventional gravity settling tank and a continuous recycling system, was operated at an HRT range between 24 and 12 h, using dairy wastewater as the substrate. The numbers of the total bacterial community and autofluorescent methanogens both decreased during start-up. Also, the proportion of the number of autofluorescent methanogens in the total bacterial community varied from 5% to 16% during operation. In particular, the activity of the methane-forming bacteria decreased significantly at HRTs of 16 and 12 h. A membrane module, instead of a conventional settling tank, would obviously have been a more effective method if recycling were required in the anaerobic treatment system.     

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of flavonoids isolated from Viscum album ssp. album

Viscum album L. has been used in the indigenous systems of medicine for treatment of headache and some inflammatory diseases. In order to evaluate this information, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the five flavonoids (5,7-dimethoxy naringenin or 4',6'-dimethoxy chalcononaringenin) derivatives, isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the extract from V. album ssp. album, were investigated, namely 5,7-dimethoxy-flavanone-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxy-chalcone-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 5,7-dimethoxy-flavanone-4'-O-[2"-O-(5"'-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-beta-D-apiofuranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxy-chalcone-4-O-[2"-O-(5"'-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-beta-Dapiofuranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), 5,7-dimethoxy-flavanone-4'-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5). For the antinociceptive activity assessment the p-benzoquinone-induced writhing test and for the anti-inflammatory activity the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model in mice were used. The ethyl acetate fraction in a dose of 250 mg/kg as well as compounds 2 and 5 in a 30 mg/kg dose were shown to possess remarkable antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities per os without inducing any apparent acute toxicity as well as gastric damage.     

Determination of usnic acid in some Rhizoplaca species from Middle Anatolia and their antimicrobial activities

Three species of lichens, Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca (Sm.) Zopf, Rhizoplaca melanopthalma (DC.) Leuckert & Poelt and Rhizoplaca peltata Ramonds Leuckert, were collected from middle Anatolia, Erciyes Mountain (Kayseri) in Turkey. Their usnic acid amounts were determined by HPLC in acetone extracts. In addition, antimicrobial activities of these extracts were determined against Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), Enterococcus faecalis (RSKK 508), Proteus mirabilis (Pasteur Ens. 235), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was shown that, as the usnic acid amount increased, the antimicrobial activities increased too. The usnic acid contents of Rhizoplaca species varied between 0.19-4.0% dry weight.     

Insulin resistance is not related to plasma homocysteine concentration in healthy premenapausal women

This study was performed to test whether plasma homocysteine concentrations are related to insulin resistance in healthy premenopausal women. For this purpose, the relationship between insulin resistance (as assessed by HOMA index) and fasting plasma homocysteine level was determined in 83 healthy volunteers. The results indicated that homocysteine concentrations did not vary as a function of HOMA index (r = -0.147). Plasma homocysteine concentrations also did not vary as a function of other parameters of insulin resistance such as HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, which they correlated inversely with body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, when individuals were classified according to quartiles of insulin resistance (HOMA index), plasma homocysteine concentrations from the lowest to the highest quartiles were not significantly different. On the other hand, the HOMA index correlated significantly with triglyceride concentrations (r = 0.377, p< 0.001), HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.310, p< 0.01) and BMI (r = 0.468, p< 0.001). These results suggest that plasma homocysteine concentrations are not related to insulin resistance and/or metabolic abnormalities associated with it in premenopausal women.     

Interactions of myeloma cells with osteoclasts promote tumour expansion and bone degradation through activation of a complex signalling network and upregulation of cathepsin K, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)

Bone destruction is one of the most debilitating manifestations of multiple myeloma (MM) and results from the interaction of myeloma cells with the bone marrow microenvironment. Within the bone marrow, the disturbed balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts is important for the development of lytic lesions. However, the mechanisms behind myeloma-mediated bone destruction are not completely understood. In order to address the importance of myeloma cell-osteoclast interactions in MM pathogenesis, we have developed a functional coculture system. We found that myeloma-osteoclast interactions resulted in stimulation of myeloma cell growth and osteoclastic activity through activation of major signalling pathways and upregulation of proteases. Signals from osteoclasts activated the p44/p42 MAPK, STAT3 and PI3K/Akt pathways in myeloma cells. In turn, myeloma cells triggered p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB signalling in osteoclasts. Myeloma-osteoclast interactions stimulated the production of TRAP, cathepsin K, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -9, and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Consistent data with myeloma cell lines and primary myeloma cells underlined the biological relevance of these findings. In conclusion, we demonstrated the critical role of myeloma cell-osteoclast interactions in the existing interdependence between tumour expansion and bone disease. The identified molecular events might provide the rationale for novel treatment strategies.     

A New Species of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilinae) from Turkey

A new species, Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) hopaensis sp. n. is described and Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) hoberlandti Gentili, 1982 is recorded from Turkey for the first time. In addition, a list of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 species known from Turkey is presented.     

Behavior of Aromatic Molecules in Silicalite by the Direct Integration of the Configurational Integral

Abstract

Adsorption data of aromatic molecules adsorbed in silicalite show highly unusual characteristics which were attributed to structural effects caused by the comparable size of molecules and pores. In this study, the interaction of aromatic compounds with silicalite are examined on the molecular level. The interactions are calculated by atom-atom approximation using Lennard-Jones potentials. The constants are calculated, without fitting, from Kirkwood-Muller formulas. Benzene and p-xylene are represented as a rigid structure of 12 and 18 atom centers. The model is anisotropic.

The diffusional behavior of molecules is examined by minimizing the potential energy in the channels which requires less computational time than Molecular Dynamics. The activation energy for the diffusion of benzene, 27.6 kJ/mol, is in excellent agreement with data, 28.8 kJ/mol. The results indicate that both molecules can enter the smaller zig-zag channels. The energetically most favorable location in the main channels is the mid-point between intersections. All rotations are restricted in the channels but the molecules can rotate in any direction (with some movement of the center) at intersections.

The Henry's law constant and internal energy of adsorption at zero coverage are calculated by direct integration of the configurational integral. Direct integration is more efficient than Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics simulations since the molecules are highly restricted in the pores. The predicted internal energy of adsorption, ? 54.86 and ? 75.30 kJ/mol for benzene and p-xylene is in good agreement with data of ? 50.92 and ? 62.15 kJ/mol respectively. There is appreciable difference between the predicted and experimental Henry's law constants. The agreement can be improved by fitting the Lennard-Jones constants which has not been attempted.

Although the calculations are performed at infinite dilution and entropy effects are not included, the results bring insight to the behavior of molecules in highly restricted environments such as in tight pores. Similar simplified calculations can be used to close the gap between highly idealized molecular simulations and complicated systems common in real applications.     

Flavin containing monooxygenase 3 genetic polymorphisms Glu158Lys and Glu308Gly and their relation to ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is a multifactorial disease leading to severe long-term disability and it is the third leading cause of death in developed countries. Although many studies have been reported to elucidate etiological and pathological mechanisms of stroke, the genetic and molecular basis of disease remains poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that reactive oxygen species causing oxidative stress play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis that is the main cause of a group of cardiovascular diseases including ischemic stroke. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between FMO3 Glu158Lys and Glu308Gly variants, and the risk of incidence of ischemic stroke in Turkish population. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the FMO3 gene were genotyped by using PCR-RFLP technique in a sample set of 245 cases and 145 controls. In the case-control analysis, no significant difference was observed between stroke patients and controls with respect to FMO3 Glu158Lys and Glu308Gly polymorphisms' genotype and allele frequency distribution. However, heterozygote 158Glu/Lys (OR = 6.110, P < 0.001) and 308Glu/Gly (OR = 6.000, P = 0.006) genotypes increase the risk of stroke 6 times in hypertensive subjects. On the other hand, the wild type genotypes 158Glu/Glu and 308Glu/Glu had 6.2-fold and 4.8-fold higher risk of ischemic stroke in obese subgroup, respectively. Our results clearly showed that the risk of hypertension-related ischemic stroke was higher in the heterozygote genotype carriers. This is the first study conducted regarding the association of FMO3 Glu158Lys and Glu308Gly genetic polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk in Turkish population.