New sulfa drug derivatives and their zinc(II) complexes: synthesis, spectroscopic properties and in vitro cytotoxic activities.

Synthesis of four sulfa drug derivatives (L1-L4) and Zn(II) complexes derived from sulfonamide group antibiotic substances was carried out using the hydrothermal technique (HT) and their structures of the obtained compounds were explained using elemental analysis (EA), FT-IR and NMR (1H- and 13C-). Cytotoxic activities of four novel sulfa drug based-Schiff base compounds and their Zn(II) complexes were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using MCF-7 (human breast cancer), Caco-2 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), A2780 (human ovarian cancer) and LNCaP (human prostate adenocarcinoma) cell lines. LogIC50 values of all obtained compounds were computed with the Graphpad Prism 6 program after 24 h of treatment for MCF-7, Caco-2, A2780 and LNCaP cells. Comet assay experiments were performed using LogIC50 concentrations of all compounds to determine DNA damage. Based on the data obtained, all compounds significantly decreased MCF-7, Caco-2, A2780 and LNCaP cell viability compared to the control groups (p < 0.05).

Intracerebroventricular asprosin administration strongly stimulates hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in rats.

Asprosin, a protein-based secretary product of white adipose tissue, stimulates appetite hepatic glucose production. It crosses blood-brain barrier and stimulates appetite center and causes sperm chemotaxis but exact role of this endogenous agent is not completely known. This study was conducted to investigate possible effects of central asprosin infusion on the hormones involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis and sperm cells. Spraque Dawley male rats were divided into four groups; control, sham, low asprosin (34) and high asprosin (68 nM) groups, (n = 10 for each group). Control group remain intact while a brain infusion kit was placed in the lateral ventricles of the rats in the sham group (artificial cerebrospinal fluid) and asprosin (34 and 68 nM) was infused for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the hypothalamus, blood, and epididymis tissues of the rats were collected. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) mRNA and tissue protein levels were determined in the hypothalamus tissue by RT-PCR and Western Blot methods. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone levels were examined using the ELISA method from blood samples and sperm cells were examined in the epididymis tissue. GnRH mRNA and protein expressions of asprosin administered groups were higher than control and sham groups (p < 0.05). Asprosin infusion was also found to increase serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels (p < 0.05). In addition, sperm density, motility, and progressive movement were observed to increase in asprosin administered groups (p < 0.05). This study suggests that central asprosin stimulate the HPT axis and also epididymis tissue. Our results implicates potential role for asprosin in male infertility.

General Health Status, Music Performance Anxiety, and Coping Methods of Musicians Working in Turkish State Symphony Orchestras: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIMS: This study assessed the general health, music performance anxiety (MPA), and coping methods of musicians working in six state orchestras in Turkey. METHODS: All musicians working in the state symphony orchestras (n=384) were invited to participate in the study. In face-to-face interviews, the authors administered a questionnaire, which consisted of five sections: sociodemographic information, history of musical performance, health status, general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and MPA scale. Mann-Whitney U-test, Student's t-test, and Spearman's correlation test were used to analyze the questionnaire data. RESULTS: The 220 musicians who participated included 121 (55%) males and 99 (45%) females, with a mean age of 42.4±11.3 yrs. For musculoskeletal symptoms, 87.6% reported at least one symptom with the most common being pain. For general health status, the GHQ-12 showed 64% of musicians were at low risk, 18.7% at moderate risk, and 17.3% at high risk in terms of mental health. The prevalence of MPA before or during performance was 81.8%, and 60% of musicians stated that performance anxiety negatively affected their performances. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that musicians working in Turkish state symphony orchestras encounter numerous health problems (tinnitus, hearing loss, musculoskeletal symptoms, etc.) due to their profession. No specific health support is provided, especially education and health service provision.