Can The Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) be used to predict mortality in patients with necrotizing fasciitis?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the impact of mortality and morbidity indices on the diagnosis and prognosis of patients suffering from necrotizing fasciitis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 41 patients (26 females, 15 males) with necrotizing fasciitis (NF). The SII (Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index) was computed using the formula SII = (P × N)/L, where P, N, and L measure the counts of peripheral platelets, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, respectively. This study evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics and follow-up information to assess the comparative effectiveness of SII, CCI (Charlson Comorbidity Index), and LRINEC (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis) scores as mortality and morbidity indices for patients with NF. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off for SII was determined to be 455. The SII value in the group with mortality was significantly higher compared to the group without mortality (p < 0.05). The CCI value in the group with mortality was significantly higher than the group without mortality (p < 0.05). The SII and CCI values were found to be effective in distinguishing between patients who suffered mortality and those who did not. CONCLUSION: SII is a powerful tool for predicting mortality in patients with necrotizing fasciitis (NF). The SII index provides a novel, easily accessible, and inexpensive indicator for monitoring the progress and predicting the survival of patients with NF.

Short-term outcomes of pregnant women with convalescent COVID-19 and factors associated with false-negative polymerase chain reaction test: A prospective cohort study.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical factors associated with false-negative RT-PCR results and to report the outcome of a cohort of pregnant women with COVID-19. METHODS: This cohort study was conducted in a tertiary referral pandemic hospital and included 56 pregnant women. A study including pregnant women with either a laboratory or clinical diagnosis for COVID-19 were included in the study. The primary outcome was clinical factors associated with false-negative RT-PCR results defined as a positive immunoglobulin M assessed by rapid testing in clinically diagnosed patients. Clinical outcomes of laboratory diagnosed patients were also reported. RESULTS: In total, 56 women with either RT-PCR or clinical COVID-19 diagnosis were included in the study. Forty-three women either had RT-PCR positivity or IgM positivity. The clinical outcome of these pregnancies was as follows: mean maternal age 27.7, immunoglobulin M positive patients 76.7%, RT-PCR positive patients 55.8%, maternal comorbidities 11.5%, complications in patients below 20 weeks 34.8%, complications in patients above 20 weeks 65.1%, elevated CRP 83.7%, lymphopenia 30.2%, time from hospital admission to final follow-up days 37 and stillbirth 8.3%. The proportion of women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M was 100% in the RT-PCR positive group and 56.5% in the clinical diagnosis group (P = .002). The symptom onset to RT-PCR testing interval longer than a week (risk ratio: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.14-5.40, P = .003) and presence of dyspnoea (risk ratio: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.14-0.89, P = .035) were associated with false-negative RT-PCR tests. The area under the curve of these parameters predicting false-negative RT-PCR was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.57-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic women with a negative RT-PCR should not be dismissed as potential COVID-19 patients, especially in the presence of prolonged symptom onset-test interval and in women without dyspnoea.

Radical Scavenging and Antiacetylcholinesterase Activities of Ethanolic Extracts of Carob, Clove, and Linden.

CONTEXT: Acetylcholine (ACh) breaks down in a very short time in diseases related to memory loss. It's a neurotransmitter involved in cholinergic transmission in the brain. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) hydrolyzes ACh. When AChE is inhibited, the ACh levels increase in the cholinergic synapses. The investigation of natural AChE inhibitors with minimal side effects has become important. CONTEXT: Objective • This study intended to determine the total phenolic content, total flavonoid contents, radical scavenging activities, and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of ethanolic extracts of carob pods (ceratonia siliqua), clove buds (eugenia aromatica), and linden flowers (tilia cordata). CONTEXT: Design • The research team designed an in-vitro study. CONTEXT: Setting • The study took place at a biochemistry research laboratory where purification of enzymes and studies on their kinetic properties and inhibitions are carried out. CONTEXT: Outcome measures • The antioxidant properties of the extracts including the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and free radical scavenging activities, were determined. The AChE enzyme was partially purified by DE-52 anion exchange chromatography from human erythrocytes. Besides, The AChE inhibitory properties of the ethanolic extracts were investigated. CONTEXT: Results • The TPCs of the carob pods, clove buds, and linden flowers were 46.78 ± 0.020, 103.57 ± 0.020, and 28.81 ± 0.031, mg GAE/L, respectively. The TFCs were 27.35 ± 0.021, 30.85 ± 0.017, and 32.12 ± 0.022 mg QE/L, respectively. While the extracts of carob pods and linden flowers inhibited AChE, with IC50s of 0.838 mg/ml and 0.156 mg/ml, respectively, clove buds didn't show inhibitory effect. CONTEXT: Conclusion • Although the clove buds had the maximum TPC; 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH); and 2,2'-azino-bis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid] (ABTS+) radical scavenging activity, it didn't show anticholinesterase activity.

An in vivo and in vitro comparison of the effects of amoxicillin, gentamicin, and cefazolin sodium antibiotics on the mouse hepatic and renal glutathione reductase enzyme.

Despite the fact that the use of antibiotics is increasing worldwide, it is clear that antibiotics can lead to oxidative stress. This is the first study to make a comparison of the impact of frequently prescribed antibiotics, including amoxicillin, gentamicin, and cefazolin sodium, on the gene, protein, and activity of glutathione reductase (GR), which is one of the primary antioxidant enzymes, in mouse liver and kidney tissues. First, the GR enzyme was purified by the 2',5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography with a specific activity of 84.615 EU/mg protein and 9.63 EU/mg protein from the mouse liver and kidney, respectively. The in vitro inhibitory effects of the antibiotics in question was determined. While cefazolin sodium did not exhibit any inhibitory effect, gentamicin and amoxicillin inhibited GR activity in both tissues. Furthermore, the in vivo effects of these drugs were investigated, and amoxicillin and cefazolin sodium-inhibited GR activity in both liver and kidney tissues, while gentamicin did not have any effect on the kidney. Besides, while gentamicin downregulated and cefazolin sodium upregulated Gr gene expression, amoxicillin did not alter it. Protein expression was only affected by the administration of cefazolin sodium in the kidney. This study is important as it demonstrates that while amoxicillin and gentamicin showed parallel effects on the GR activity in liver and kidney tissues both in vitro and in vivo, cefazolin sodium had a very strong effect on hepatic and renal GR in vivo. Furthermore, the antibiotics used in this study induced oxidative stress in both tissues.

In vitro effects of some antibiotics on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from rat (Rattus norvegicus) erythrocyte.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) plays a key function in various biochemical processes as they produce reducing power of the cell. Thus, metabolic reprogramming of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide homeostasis is reported to be an important step in cancer progression as well as in combinational therapeutic approaches. In this study, the effects of the antibiotics, furosemide, cefazolin, cefuroxime, gentamicin and clindamycin on rat erythrocyte G6PD enzyme was studied in in vitro conditions. The enzyme was purified by 2', 5'-adenosine diphosphate Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography in a single purification step with 1825 fold and 83.7% yield. The specific activity of the enzyme was 29.2 EU/mg proteins. The inhibition studies of these antibiotics were carried out on the enzyme revealing that gentamicin, clindamycin and furosemide inhibited the activity of the G6PD with an IC50 of 1.75, 34.65 and 0.526 mM, respectively with Ki of 0.7, 39.8 and 0.860 mM, respectively. All inhibition types were analyzed by Lineweaver-Burk diagram showing noncompetitive inhibition for furosemide and gentamicin while clindamycin inhibited the activity competitively. On the other hand, cefazolin and cefuroxime increased the activity of the enzyme.

The synthesis of N-benzoylindoles as inhibitors of rat erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) play an important function in various biochemical processes as they generate reducing power of the cell. Thus, metabolic reprogramming of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) homeostasis is reported to be a vital step in cancer progression as well as in combinational therapeutic approaches. In this study, N-benzoylindoles 9a--9d, which form the main framework of many natural indole derivatives such as indomethacin and N-benzoylindoylbarbituric acid, were synthesized through three easy and effective steps as an in vitro inhibitor effect of G6PD and 6PGD. The N-benzoylindoles inhibited the enzymatic activity with IC50 in the range of 3.391505 µM for G6PD and 2.19-990 µM for 6PGD.

The effect of astaxanthin and cadmium on rat erythrocyte G6PD, 6PGD, GR, and TrxR enzymes activities in vivo and on rat erythrocyte 6PGD enzyme activity in vitro.

In this study, the effects of astaxanthin (AST) that belongs to carotenoid family and cadmium (Cd), which is an important heavy metal, on rat erythrocyte G6PD, 6PGD, GR, and TrxR enzyme activities in vivo and on rat erythrocyte 6PGD enzyme activity in vitro were studied. In in vitro studies, 6PGD enzyme was purified from rat erythrocytes with 2',5'-ADP Sepharose4B affinity chromatography. Results showed inhibition of enzyme by Cd at IC50 ; 346.5 µM value and increase of 6PGD enzyme activity by AST. In vivo studies showed an increase in G6PD, 6PGD, and GR enzyme activities (P Ëƒ 0.05) and no chance in TrxR enzyme activity by AST. Cd ion inhibited G6PD, 6PGD, and GR enzyme activities (P Ë‚ 0.05) and also decreased TrxR enzyme activity (P Ëƒ 0.05). AST + Cd group G6PD enzyme activity was statistically low compared with control group (P Ë‚ 0.05). 6PGD and TrxR enzyme activities decreased without statistical significance (P Ëƒ 0.05); however, GR enzyme activity increased statistically significantly (P Ë‚ 0.05).

In vitro cytotoxic and in vivo antitumoral activities of some aminomethyl derivatives of 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones-Evaluation of their acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase enzymes inhibition profiles.

The 1,2,4-triazole and its derivatives were reported to exhibit various pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumoural, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties. In this study, a series of triazole compounds (M1-M10) were evaluated for some biological activities. In vitro qualifications of these compounds on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and human carbonic anhydrase enzyme activities were performed. Also, their antitumoral activities in human colon cancer (HT29) cell line cultures were examined. In addition, colon cancer experimentation was induced in rats by an in vivo method, and the in vivo anticancer effects of triazole derivatives were investigated. Also, the effects of these derivatives in levels of antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin E, and MDA were studied in rat liver and blood samples. Most of the compounds were found to exhibit significant antioxidant and antitumoral activities. All the compounds had cytotoxic activities on HT29 cell lines with their IC50 values lower than 10 µM concentrations. The low IC 50 values of the compounds are M1 (3.88 µM), M2 (2.18 µM), M3 (4.2 µM), M4 (2.58 µM), M5 (2.88 µM), M6 (2.37 µM), M7 (3.49 µM), M8 (4.01 µM), M9 (8.90 µM), and M10 (3.12 µM).

Purification of glutathione S-transferase enzyme from quail liver tissue and inhibition effects of (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-(4-((E)-3-(aryl)acryloyl)phenyl)-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-4,7-methanoisoindole-1,3(2H)-dione derivatives on the enzyme activity.

The use of quail meat and eggs has made this animal important in recent years, with its low cost and high yields. Glutathione S-transferases (GST, E.C.2.5.1.18) are an important enzyme family, which play a critical role in detoxification system. In our study, GST was purified from quail liver tissue with 47.88-fold purification and 12.33% recovery by glutathione agarose affinity chromatography. The purity of enzyme was checked by SDS-PAGE method and showed a single band. In addition, inhibition effects of (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-(4-((E)-3-(aryl)acryloyl)phenyl)-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-4,7methanoisoindole-1,3(2H)-dion derivatives (1a-g) were investigated on the enzyme activity. The inhibition parameters (IC50 and Ki values) were calculated for these compounds. IC50 values of these derivatives (1a-e) were found as 23.00, 15.75, 115.50, 10.00, and 28.75 µM, respectively. Ki values of these derivatives (1a-e) were calculated in the range of 3.04 ± 0.50 to 131.50 ± 32.50 µM. However, for f and g compounds, the inhibition effects on the enzyme were not found.

Inhibitory properties of some heavy metals on carbonic anhydrase I and II isozymes activities purified from Van Lake fish (Chalcalburnus Tarichi) gill.

In this study, CA I and II isoenzymes were purified from Van Lake fish gills by using Sepharose-4B-L-tyrosine-sulfanilamide affinity chromatography and to determine the effects of some metals on the enzyme activities. For purified CA I isoenzyme, yield, specific activity, and purification fold were obtained as 42.07%, 4948.12 EU/mg protein, and 116.61 and for CA II isoenzyme, 7%, 1798.56 EU/mg protein, and 42.38 respectively. Activity of CA was determined by measuring "CO2-hydratase activity". Purity control was checked by SDS-PAGE. In vitro inhibitory effect of Cu2+, Ag+, Cd2+, Ni2+ metal ions, and arsenic (V) oxide were also examined for both isozymes activities. Whereas Cu2+, Ag+, Cd2+, and Ni2+ ions showed inhibitory effects on both isozymes, arsenic (V) oxide showed activation effect. IC50 values were calculated by drawing activity %-[I] graphs for metal ions exhibiting inhibitory effects. IC50 values were determined as 3.39, 6.38, 13.52, and 206 µM for CA I isozyme and 6.16, 20.29, 46, and 223 µM for CA II isozyme respectively.

Some metals inhibit the glutathione S-transferase from Van Lake fish gills.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are the superfamily of multifunctional detoxification isoenzymes and play important role cellular signaling. The present article focuses on the role of Cd2+ , Cu2+ , Zn2+ , and Ag+ in vitro inhibition of GST. For this purpose, GST was purified from Van Lake fish (Chalcalburnus tarichii Pallas) gills with 110.664 EU mg-1 specific activity and 79.6% yield using GSH-agarose affinity chromatographic method. The metal ions were tested at various concentrations on in vitro GST activity. IC50 values were found for Cd+2 , Cu+2 , Zn+2 , Ag+ as 450.32, 320.25, 1510.13, and 16.43 µM, respectively. Ki constants were calculated as 197.05 ± 105.23, 333.10 ± 152.76, 1670.21 ± 665.43, and 0.433 ± 0.251 µM, respectively. Ag+ showed better inhibitory effect compared with the other metal ions. The inhibition mechanisms of Cd2+ and Cu2+ were non-competitive, whereas Zn2+ and Ag+ were competitive. Co2+ , Cr2+ , Pb2+ , and Fe3+ had no inhibitory activity on GST.

Effect of astaxanthin and aluminum chloride on erythrocyte G6PD and 6PGD enzyme activities in vivo and on erythrocyte G6PD in vitro in rats.

In this study, we investigated the effect of astaxanthin (Ast) and aluminum (Al) on the erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) enzymes activities in vivo and on G6PD enzyme in vitro in rats. For in vitro studies, G6PD enzyme was purified from rat erythrocyte by using 2',5'-ADP-Sepharose 4B affinity gel. The effects of Ast and Al3+ ion were investigated on the purified enzyme. It was determined that Ast increased the enzyme activity, whereas Al3+ inhibited the enzyme activity noncompetitively (IC50 values; 0.679 mM, Ki values 1.32 mM). For in vivo studies, the rats were divided into the groups: control (Cont.), Al, Ast, and Al + Ast. The last three groups were compared with the control group. In Al group, a significant degree of inhibition was observed in the activity of G6PD and 6PGD enzymes when compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas there was an increase in the activities of G6PD and 6PGD enzymes in Ast and Al + Ast groups (P < 0.05).

Evaluation of dehiscence and fenestration in adolescents affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate using cone-beam computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the dehiscence and fenestration presence in maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth of patients affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and compared the findings with a well-matched control group of noncleft patients using cone-beam computed tomography. METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 51 patients were divided into 2 groups (group 1, 21 patients affected by BCLP; mean age; 14.62 ± 2.89 years; and group 2, 30 patients as the noncleft control group; mean age, 14.22 ± 1.05 years) and assessed them for dehiscence and fenestration in the anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth. Data were analyzed with the Student t test, Pearson chi-square test, and Fischer exact test. RESULTS: The prevalences of dehiscence in patients affected by BCLP were 61.11% in the maxillary and 48.41% in the mandibular anterior teeth, whereas the rates in the noncleft group were 7.78% and 16.67%, respectively (P < 0.001). The presence of fenestration was found to be statistically significantly higher in the maxillary central incisors of the BCLP group compared with the noncleft controls (P < 0.05), and almost similar rates were noted for the other teeth, with no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that patients affected by BCLP may have higher prevalences of dehiscence in the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and of fenestration in the maxillary central incisors.

Purification and Characterization of Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase, and Glutathione Reductase from Rat Heart and Inhibition Effects of Furosemide, Digoxin, and Dopamine on the Enzymes Activities.

The present study was aimed to investigate characterization and purification of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase from rat heart and the inhibitory effect of three drugs. The purification of the enzymes was performed using 2',5'-ADP sepharose 4B affinity material. The subunit and the natural molecular weights were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. Biochemical characteristics such as the optimum temperature, pH, stable pH, and salt concentration were examined for each enzyme. Types of product inhibition and Ki values with Km and Vmax values of the substrates and coenzymes were determined. According to the obtained Ki and IC50 values, furosemide, digoxin, and dopamine showed inhibitory effect on the enzyme activities at low millimolar concentrations in vitro conditions. Dopamine inhibited the activity of these enzymes as competitive, whereas furosemide and digoxin inhibited the activity of the enzyme as noncompetitive.

Purification and biochemical characterization of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase from rat lung and inhibition effects of some antibiotics.

G6PD, 6PGD and GR have been purified separately in the single step from rat lung using 2', 5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The purified enzymes showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular weights of the enzymes were estimated to be 134 kDa for G6PD, 107 kDa for 6PGD and 121 kDa for GR by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration chromatography, and the subunit molecular weights was respectively found to be 66, 52 and 63 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Optimum pH, stable pH, optimum ionic strength, optimum temperature, KM and Vmax values for substrates were determined. Product inhibition studies were also performed. The enzymes were inhibited by levofloxacin, furosemide, ceftazidime, cefuroxime and gentamicin as in vitro with IC50 values in the range of 0.07-30.13 mM. In vivo studies demonstrated that lung GR was inhibited by furosemide and lung 6PGD was inhibited by levofloxacin.

Ameliorating effect of pomegranate juice consumption on carbon tetrachloride-induced sperm damages, lipid peroxidation, and testicular apoptosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption has an ameliorating effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced sperm damages and testicular apoptosis associated with the oxidative stress in male rats. The study comprised of four groups (groups 1-4). Group 1 received olive oil + distilled water daily; group 2 was treated with 5 ml/kg PJ + olive oil daily; group 3 was treated with 0.25 ml/kg CCl4 dissolved in olive oil, weekly + distilled water daily; and group 4 received weekly CCl4 + daily PJ. All administrations were performed by gavage and maintained for 10 weeks. CCl4 administration caused significant decreases in body and reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, concentration and testicular catalase activity, significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and abnormal sperm rate and apoptotic index along with some histopathological damages when compared with the control group. However, significant ameliorations were observed in absolute weights of testis and epididymis, all sperm quality parameters, MDA level, apoptotic index, and testicular histopathological structure following the administration of CCl4 together with PJ when compared with group given CCl4 only. In conclusion, PJ consumption ameliorates the CCl4-induced damages in male reproductive organs and cells by decreasing the lipid peroxidation.

Relationship between CBCT and panoramic images of the morphology and angulation of the posterior mandibular jaw bone.

PURPOSE: We determined actual bucco-lingual angulation values and morphological variations of residual bone in the mandibular posterior edentulous region using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and panoramic radiography. A second aim was to investigate whether it was possible to predict bone morphology from panoramic radiographs. METHODS: Data were collected from 77 consecutive patients referred for both CBCT and panoramic radiography in our department. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the probable implant placement region were investigated. The bucco-lingual angulation values and crest type were determined directly from the cross-sectional images of the posterior edentulous region. The edentulous region was divided into three groups: second premolar, first molar, or second molar region. The observations were evaluated by the computer software, SPSS 22.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, USA). The crest type was classified into three groups: type U, type C, or type P. Kappa statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used in statistical analyses. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Type C was more frequent in the second premolar region and the crest type had changed to type U in the second molar region. The predictability of the type U was highest in the second molar region. Moderate agreement was found in the predictability of type U in the molars (κ = 0.602). The mean value of bucco-lingual angulation was highest in the second molar region, followed by the first molar region. There were statistically significant differences between the bucco-lingual angulation of the crest types in the second premolar and first molar regions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bucco-lingual angulation values and morphology change through the posterior mandible. Type U was predicted at a higher rate in the second molar region from panoramic radiographs. These results demonstrate predicting high-risk areas in the posterior mandible for implant therapy from panoramic radiography.

Reattachment of a partially amputated ear without microsurgery.

Traumatic ear amputations are relatively rare. Whenever possible, ear re-implantation should be attempted; however the choice of the surgical procedure must be judicious. In the current report, a case of complete non-microsurgical salvage of a partially amputated ear treated by the pocket technique described by Mladick was presented. The surgical technique is described in detail by serial photographs, along with the postoperative management and outcome of the patients. The revascularisation of the severed part was successful. Morphological result was very good when the ear was freed from the pocket. We recommend the Mladick's procedure for reimplantation of fragments less than 1/2 of the auricle with favourable tissue condition.

A compendium of expression patterns of cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes in the mouse embryo.

Cholesterol and its biosynthetic pathway intermediates and derivatives are required for many developmental processes including membrane biogenesis, transmembrane receptor signaling, steroid biogenesis, nuclear receptor activation, and posttranslational modification of hedgehog (Hh) proteins. To perform such multifaceted tasks depends on stringent regulation of expression of cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes (CBEs). We established for a whole organism, for the first time, the 3D expression pattern of all genes required for cholesterol biosynthesis (CBS), starting from acetyl-CoA and ending with cholesterol. This data was produced by high-throughput in situ hybridization on serial sections through the mouse fetus. The textually annotated image data were seamlessly integrated into the METscout and GenePaint public databases. This novel information helps in the understanding of why CBEs are expressed at particular locations within the fetus. For example, strong CBE expression is detected at sites of cell proliferation and also where cell growth increases membrane surface, such as in neurons sprouting axons and forming synapses. The CBE data also sheds light on the spatial relationship of cells and tissue that express sonic Hh (Shh) and produce cholesterol, respectively. We discovered that not all cells expressing Shh are capable of CBS. This finding suggests novel ways by which cholesterylation of Shh is regulated.

Purification and characterization of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver and investigation of the effects of some metal ions on enzyme activity.

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (d-glucose 6-phosphate: NADP(+) oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49; G6PD) is a key enzyme that is localized in all mammal tissues, especially in cytoplasmic sections and that catalyzes the first step of pentose phosphate metabolic pathway. In this study, G6PD enzyme was purified 1444-fold with a yield of 77% from rainbow trout liver using 2',5'-ADP-sepharose-4B affinity chromatography. Moreover, a purity check of the enzyme was performed with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Some characteristic features like optimal pH, stable pH, optimal temperature and optimal ionic strength were determined for the purified enzyme. In addition to this, in vitro effects of ions like silver nitrate (Ag(+)), thallium sulphate (TI(+)), cobalt (II) nitrate (Co(2+)) and arsenic (V) oxide (As(5+)) on enzyme activity were researched. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Ag(+), Co(2+) and As(5+) metal ions, which showed an inhibitory effect, were found to be 0.0044, 0.084 and 4.058 mM, respectively; and their inhibition constants (K i) were found to be 0.0052 ± 0.00042, 0.087 ± 0.015700 and 4.833 ± 1.753207 mM, respectively. Tl(+) not exhibited inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity.