Distribution and altitudinal structuring of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in southern Anatolia, Turkey: their relation to human cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The two Old World genera, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, were both recorded in southern Anatolia in Turkey. Phlebotomus species predominated and comprised about 93% of the entire collection (3,172 specimens). Out of the sixteen species identified, two belonged to the genus Sergentomyia: S. dentata and S. theodori. The remaining fourteen species in the genus Phlebotomus were grouped under four subgenera including some species that are elsewhere known to act as vectors of human cutaneous leishmaniasis. Most of the Phlebotomus were P. tobbi (32.5%), but P. papatasi, P. transcaucasicus, P. halepensis, P. galilaeus, P. sergenti, P. syriacus, P. neglectus, P. simici, P. alexandri, P. similis, P jacusieli, P. perfiliewi, and P. brevis were also identified. There were two associations of sand fly fauna with altitudinal gradient; the first one at relatively higher altitudes and the second one at lower altitudes. The transition between these two assemblages was within the range of 800-1,000 m. It is likely that Adana and Hatay provinces are transitional areas between western and eastern Anatolia. Mountains do not appear to be important geographical barriers for sand fly distribution. We also found that the proven vector P. sergenti is a widely distributed species throughout southern Anatolia and this species, together with its closely related species P. similis, shows sympatry in Konya Province.     

Levels of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in primary spontaneous pneumothorax

The aim of the present study is to determine whether patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) are subject to oxidative stress. For this purpose, we measured the activities of red blood cell superoxide dismutase, which is an antioxidant enzyme, and the level of plasma malondialdehyde, which is one of the lipid peroxidation markers, in a group of patients with PSP. The study was carried out with 16 patients with PSP and 24 healthy individuals. The two groups were similar to each other in terms of sex, age and smoking attitudes. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity was found to be significantly lower in patients with PSP than in the control group (p < 0.01). The plasma malondialdehyde levels were significantly high in patients with PSP (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of PSP.     

Ultrastructural evaluation of the effect of endosulfan on mice kidney

In this study, the effect of the endosulfan on mice kidney was investigated at ultrastructural level. Moreover, biochemical analyses (G6PD, CAT, SOD, GSH and MDA) were determined in supernatant of kidney tissue. Endosulfan (13mg/kg/day body weight) was administered orally to mices via intragastric-during 10 days. The presence of mitochondrial degeneration in cytoplasm of proximal convoluted tubule cells were a striking feature. Furthermore, there was lipofuscin granules and membranous structures in some of proximal convoluted tubule cells. In some glomeruli, ultrastructural changes such as fusion in pedicels and focal thickening at glomerular basal membrane were seen. There were cytoplasmic bulges in some distal convoluted tubule cells. The biochemical results of the experimental group were significant when compared to the control. The effect of the endosulfan was mainly on the proximal convoluted tubule cells. Morever, the other parts of the nephron were effected. Thus, this degeneration in kidney may be thought that oxidative stress may play a role to the mediator in changing configuration of cell membrane and seem to account for the morphologic alteration of kidney.     

Assessment of genetic markers and glioblastoma stem-like cells in activation of dendritic cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive intraparenchymal primary brain tumor in adults. The principal reasons for the poor outcomes of GBM are the high rates of recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to determine the role of tailored cellular therapy for GBM with a poor prognosis and compare the activity of dendritic cells (DCs) that have encountered GBM cells. Detecting the correlations between methylation and expression of MGMT and PTEN genes and GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs) markers after co-cultures with a mononuclear cell cocktail are also aims for this study. Allogenic umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived DCs were labeled with the CD11a and CD123 for immature DCs, and CD80 and CD11c for mature DCs. CD34, CD45, and CD56 cells were isolated from allogenic UCB for using in DCs maturation. GBM CSCs were detected with CD133/1 and CD111 antibodies after co-culture studies. DC activation was carried out via GBM cells including CD133 and CD111 cells and a mononuclear cells cocktail including CD34, CD45, and CD56 natural killer cells. Real-time PCR was performed to detect the expression and promoter methylation status of PTEN and MGMT genes. The expression of CSCs markers was found in all GBM cases, and a statistically significant correlation was found among them after co-culture studies. The most pronounced affinity of DCs to GBM cells was observed at dilutions between 1/4 and 1/256 in co-cultures. There was a statistically significant correlation between cellularity and granularity ratios for CD123 and CD11c. PTEN and MGMT gene expression and methylation values were evaluated with respect to CSCs expression and no statistical significance was found. Activation of DCs might associate with CSCs and the mononuclear cells cocktail including CD34, CD45, and CD56 cells which were obtained from allogenic UCB.     

In vitro and in vivo effects of iron on the expression and activity of glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase,and glutathione reductase in rat spleen

Iron is an indispensable element for vital activities in almost all living organisms. It is also a cofactor for many proteins, enzymes, and other essential complex biochemical processes. Therefore, iron trafficking is firmly regulated by Hepcidin (Hamp), which is regarded as the marker for iron accumulation. The disruption of iron homeostasis leads to oxidative stress that causes various human diseases, but this mechanism is still unclear. The aim of this study is to provide a better in vivo and in vitro understanding of how long‐term iron overload affects the gene expression and activities of some antioxidant enzymes, such as glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), and glutathione reductase (GR) in the spleen. The findings of this study show that iron overload reduces the gene expression of G6pd, 6pgd, and Gr, but its actual effect was on the protein level.     

Multidrug resistance associated protein 1 protects against bilirubin-induced cytotoxicity

We have shown that multidrug resistance associated protein 1 (MRP1) mediates ATP-dependent extrusion of bilirubin, possibly limiting its potentially toxic accumulation in cells. To determine directly if Mrp1 protects cells against unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) toxicity, mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) were isolated from Mrp1 knockout (-/-) mice and their wild type (WT) (+/+) littermates. Compared to WT cells, cultured MEF (-/-) cells exposed to 40-140 nM unbound [H3]-bilirubin accumulated twice as much [H3]-bilirubin (P<0.01). This was associated with greater, dose-related cytotoxicity, assessed by the methylthiazoletetrazolium test, lactate dehydrogenase release and cellular ATP content. The data confirm that Mrp1 limits intracellular accumulation of UCB and thus decreases its cytotoxicity.     

Phenotypic variation among local populations of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in southern Turkey.

The wing-shape morphology of local populations of the medically important phlebotomine sand flies, Phlebotomus sergenti, P. papatasi, P. tobbi, and P. similis, were examined in both sexes by using geometric morphometrics. There are three major mountain ranges that may serve as geographical barriers for species distribution in the study area and four main gaps were recognized among these barriers. We found no statistically important differences in wing morphology in all examined species in both sexes for all local populations. These results show that the barriers are not sufficient to stop gene flow among local populations of sand flies. The graphical depiction of PCA, CVA, and F-test confirmed our morphometric study suggesting that the difference in wing morphology between P. similis and P. sergenti indicates that these are clearly different species. These two show sympatric distribution in the Konya Plain of Anatolia.