Evaluation of the brain cellular damage during liver transplantations.

Background: Neuroinflammation in patients undergoing major surgery can lead to neuronal damage, and neuronal damage can be detected through the measurement of biochemical markers of brain damage. S100 beta (S100 ß), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels are considered good biomarkers to detect brain damage that emerged with neurotoxicity. Aim: To evaluate neuronal damage during liver transplantations. Materials and Methods: After approval of the ethics committee and patient consents, preoperative and postoperative cognitive functions of 33 patients undergoing liver transplantation were measured using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), whereas simultaneous neuronal damage was evaluated through the measurement of S100ß, NSE, and GFAP levels. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative MMSE. There was a statistically significant decrease in postoperative GFAP (P < 0.05) and a statistically significant increase in NSE (P < 0.05) compared to preoperative values. The decrease in S100ß (P > 0.05) level was statistically insignificant. Conclusions: Neuroprotective approaches in anesthesia protocol protect patients from brain damage during liver transplantation and prevent the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Since the significant increase in NSE levels during liver transplantations was deemed to have been associated with causes other than neuronal damage, NSE should not be evaluated as a marker of brain damage in these operations.

In vitro investigation of cytotoxic, antioxidant, apoptosis-inducing, and wound healing properties of endemic Centaurea fenzlii Reichardt extracts.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer is a formidable problem for global health, and the increasing burden necessitates the search for new and alternative treatments and/or approaches. For this reason, any approach to cancer treatment is extremely valuable. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of plant-derived compounds in the treatment of cancer. ​Many studies have shown that many of the best-selling anti-cancer drugs are of plant origin. Based on this, the cytotoxic potential of two extracts [C. fenzlii leaf extract (CFL) and C. fenzlii capitula extract (CFC)] from Centaurea fenzlii, a plant species endemic to Turkey, were tested in two different cancer cell lines (DLD1 and ARH77) and a healthy cell line (HUVEC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxic effects of the extracts were determined by MTT assay, changes in the mRNA expressions of the apoptotic genes (apaf, bax, bcl2, bcl2l11, casp3, gadd45a and hrk) were determined via the qRT-PCR technique, and the caspase3 enzyme activity was determined. In addition, the capacities of the extracts against invasion and migration were also evaluated. The chemical content and phenolic composition were evaluated via the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. RESULTS: As a result, the extracts showed a selective cytotoxic effect in all the cancer cell lines examined, especially the DLD1 colorectal cell line. In addition, it has been determined that the extracts inhibit the invasion and migration of cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study reveal that C. fenzlii, which has been found to have acceptable anti-cancer effects, should be investigated with more comprehensive studies.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of home based or hospital based calisthenic exercises in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of calisthenic exercises on balance, walking speed, fatigue, quality of life, and psychological status in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients diagnosed with MS were randomized into two exercise groups (group 1 = hospital-based, group 2 = home-based). Outcome measures including the MS International Quality of Life Scale, 10-meter walking test, Berg Balance Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Inventory were assessed at the baseline and at 12-weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-six participants completed the exercise programme (hospital based = 16, home based = 20). The mean age was 32.83 ± 3.64 years. The mean duration of disease was 6.97 ± 3.15 years. Hospital-based and home-based exercise groups had significant improvements in the balance, 10-meter walking test, anxiety, and the quality of life after the 12-week exercise programme. There was a significant improvement in the hospital-based patients in terms of the depression scores. No significant improvement was observed in terms of fatigue in any of the groups. When both groups were compared, the improvement in the balance and depression scores of the hospital-based patients was significantly higher than the home-based patients. CONCLUSIONS: Calisthenic exercises can be easily performed both at home and in hospital setting. In patients with MS, calisthenic exercises performed at home or at the hospital may improve the balance, quality of life, and the functional and psychological status, while no significant effect has been observed on fatigue.

The effects of Femore™ cream on sexual dysfunction in Turkish women.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of Femore™ cream on sexual dysfunction in menopause and women's satisfaction levels. BACKGROUND: The recent interest of public and the world of medicine in female sexual function have led to a rapid increase in the number of studies on the subject. DESIGN: The study was designed as an observational intervention study. METHODS: The research data were collected by using a Women Information Form consisting of 13 items; a Sexual Function Index to measure sexual function; and a Satisfaction Determination Form to determine the level of satisfaction with the medical service the women received for the problems with their reproductive organs. The study was conducted with 29 menopausal women who complied with the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: It was found that women's average age was 52·6; that the average menarche age was 13·0; and that the average menopause age was 46·2. The major complaint of nearly all the women who were aware of their sexual dysfunction was vaginal dryness, and it was concluded that they took no precautions against this problem. The total scores obtained from the Sexual Function Index were reported to be an average of 18·8 ± 4·2 before use of Femore™ cream and an average of 42·3 ± 2·0 after use of Femore™ cream. The average score concerning satisfaction with the use of Femore™ cream was noted to be 9·06 ± 0·40. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggested that applying Femore™ cream had positive influences on sexual dysfunction and all subdomains. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Women's sexual health can therefore be assessed at primary care centres, and it is considered that health professionals employed at these centres, a majority of whom are female nurses and obstetricians, can play an important role in guiding women on the issue.

Incision wound healing activity of pine bark extract containing topical formulations: a study with histopathological and biochemical analyses in albino rats.

The present study was designed to identify and compare the in vivo wound healing capacity of a bark extract from Pinus brutia and Pycnogenol in an incision wound model in rats. O/W cream formulations were prepared incorporating 2% Pycnogenol and P. brutia bark extract. The rats were divided into three groups (n = 8). Subsequently placebo and test formulations were applied to animals once a day from day "0" until the 9th day. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were studied in addition to histopathological examinations. Treatment with F. brutia extract containing cream inhibited lipid peroxidation by a 35% decrease in MDA and 46.8% increase in SOD activity, whereas 19.3% decrease in MDA and 34.7% increase in SOD activity were attained with Pynogenol compared to control. The histological data revealed a better performance of P. brutia extract enriched formulation in terms of degeneration of hair roots, increased vascularization and a decrease in necrotic area. Consequently, a high wound healing activity was observed in animals treated with P. brutia extract significantly accelerating the wound healing process.

DNA damage and its relationship with other oxidative stress parameters in Behcet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic, chronic inflammatory, relapsing disorder that is characterized by oral/genital ulcerations, ocular, arthritic, vascular, and neurologic involvements. Recent findings suggest the role of increased oxidative stress and insufficient antioxidant defence system in BD pathogenesis. It has been proposed that the increase in phagocytic cell activity by triggering oxidative reactions in various targets such as lipids, proteins, and DNA leads to severe inflammatory and degenerative pathologies seen in BD In this study, oxidant/antioxidant status of patients with BD was evaluated in comparison with controls and in respect to disease activity by measuring serum nitrite/nitrate, vitamin A, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and total sulfhydryl levels (T-SH). The increase in serum MDA and 8-OHdG levels (respectively 30.04 vs. 17.93 nmol/ml, P = 0.0004 and 1.60 vs. 1.03 ng/ml, P = 0.0019) and the decrease in T-SH levels of patients with BD in comparison with controls (0.69 vs. 0.76 mmol/l, P = 0.0085) all indicate the impaired oxidant/antioxidant status in BD. The positive correlation found between MDA/8-OHdG levels (P = 0.02), and the negative correlations both between T-SH/8-OHdG levels (P = 0.031) and T-SH/MDA levels (P = 0.009) show the concordance between the parameters evaluating oxidant-antioxidant status. Among the parameters used for evaluating oxidant/antioxidant status, serum 8-OHdG was the only one showing significantly higher levels in patients with clinically active disease in comparison (P = 0.004) to patients in inactive period. Therefore, 8-OHdG that is assessed for the fist time in BD with this study can be proposed as a more reliable indicator of oxidant stress in evaluating disease activity.

Effects of tamoxifen on tissue nitrite/nitrate levels and plasma lipid peroxidation in female rats.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The effects of tamoxifen on lipid peroxidation and oxidant-antioxidant balance in an animal model were studied. METHODS: Twelve female adult rats were divided into two groups and DMSO and tamoxifen dissolved in DMSO were administered. Tissues taken from the brain, liver and ovary of rats were dissected. MDA, nitrite, nitrate levels and plasma LDL oxidation in brain, ovary and liver tissues were measured and compared. RESULTS: Induced LDL MDA levels were significantly lower in the tamoxifen group (p = 0.009). MDA levels in the liver were significantly lower in the tamoxifen group whereas nitrite levels were found significantly higher (p < 0.05). Brain and ovarian tissues demonstrated no significant difference with respect to MDA, nitrite and nitrate levels. CONCLUSION: Tamoxifen has no negative effects on lipid peroxidation in an animal model.

Acrokeratoelastoidosis treated with the erbium:YAG laser.

Acrokeratoelastoidosis is a rare skin disorder characterized by grouped, small, firm, translucent papules distributed on the margins of the hands and feet. We report a 21-year-old white patient with acrokeratoelastoidosis in whom Er:YAG laser surgery was carried out, resulting in a slight post-treatment improvement of the disease with slight flattening of the lesions. No clinical recurrence of the lesions developed during the 6 months of follow-up. We suggest that Er:YAG laser surgery of acrokeratoelastoidosis may be considered as a treatment option for this rare disease; however, patients should be informed of the limited clinical improvement obtained with this treatment.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory skin disease of unknown aetiology. Recently, increased oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris and vitiligo. AIM: To evaluate the status of the oxidative stress and antioxidant defence system in patients with LP. METHODS: In total, 40 patients with LP (23 men, 17 women; mean +/- SD age 43.27 +/- 1.96 years) and 40 control subjects, matched for age and gender, were enrolled in this prospective study. The exclusion criteria included medication with immunosuppressive agents, history of trauma and surgery, and history of alcohol ingestion for at least 1 month prior to the study. The serum nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and the erythrocyte catalase (CAT) levels were investigated in both groups. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD levels of serum NO (74.60 +/- 17.96 micromol/L) and MDA (18.24 +/- 5.21 micromol/L) in patients with LP were higher than those of the control group (P = 0.007 and P = 0.031, respectively). Serum SOD levels (18.19 +/- 3.71 U/mL) in patients with LP were also higher than in healthy controls (P = 0.002). In contrast, erythrocyte CAT levels (13 557.80 +/- 4134.42 U/kg haemoglobin) were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that increased oxidative stress, increased lipid peroxidation and an imbalance in the antioxidant defence system may be involved in the pathogenesis of LP.

The effect of l-deprenyl on tissue mRNA expressions of NOS isoforms and NO levels in an experimental diabetes mellitus model.

Diabetes and aging share some common mechanisms in their pathogenesis and diabetics are more prone to diseases of the elderly. Seeking for therapies likely to be proposed in the synchronised treatment of aging and diabetes is of great interest and l-deprenyl, a selective monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) inhibitor, is a possible candidate with its antioxidant, antiapoptotic and neuroprotective properties. Tissue MAO, NO and mRNA expression of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) isoforms were assessed in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats to evaluate the effect of l-deprenyl treatment. Twelve weeks of treatment had no significant effect on NO levels. Four-weeks treatment decreased tissue MAO activities and caused a decrease in expression of NOS-2 and NOS-3 in heart tissue of both controls and diabetics, and a decrease of liver NOS-3 expression in controls (p < 0.05). l-Deprenyl, causing a decrease in tissue NOS expressions, might be of benefit by protecting the organism from the toxic radical effects of NO.

Electrical and optical properties of an organic semiconductor based on polyaniline prepared by emulsion polymerization and fabrication of Ag/polyaniline/n-Si Schottky diode.

The electrical, optical, and metal-semiconductor contact properties of the polyaniline prepared by emulsion polymerization have been investigated to obtain an organic semiconductor material. The obtained results suggest that the polyaniline (PANI) studied is an organic semiconductor material with optical band gap (E(g) = 2.21 eV) and room electrical conductivity (sigma(25) = 3.12 x 10(-2) S/cm) values. A Schottky diode with configuration Ag/PANI/n-Si was fabricated. The ideality factor and barrier height of Ag/PANI/n-Si diode at room temperature were found to be 4.59 and 0.38 eV, respectively. The obtained diode parameters change with temperature. The Richardson constant A* value for the Ag/PANI/n-Si diode was found to be 3.81 x 10(-4) A/cm(2).K. The Ag/PANI/n-Si diode is a metal-insulator-semiconductor-type device. The standard deviation, which is a measure of the barrier homogeneity, was found to be 0.14, indicating the presence of interface inhomogeneities. It can be concluded that the polyaniline prepared by emulsion polymerization is an organic semiconductor and Ag/PANI/n-Si configuration shows a Schottky contact.

Spectroscopic and electrochemical investigation of ternary complexes of D- or L-aspartic acid containing polyacrylamides-Cu(2+)-bovine serum albumin and their radio-stability.

D- or L-aspartic acid containing polyacrylamides were synthesized. Binary and ternary complex formation between these polymers with copper and bovine serum albumin was studied by spectroscopic and electrochemical measurement. Depending on the ratio of the polymer/copper and protein/polymer, the mixture exhibited water-soluble and insoluble character. A hypothetical structural scheme for the formation of ternary complexes is proposed. The effect of radiation on these complexes was also investigated.