Effect of torrefaction on fuel properties of biopellets.

The study aimed to determine the effects of torrefaction on the fuel properties of pellets. Therefore, firstly, torrefaction parameters of rose (Rosa Damascena Mill.) oil distillation solid waste and red pine sawdust were determined through the torrefaction optimization process in terms of temperature and holding time. Then, using the selected torrefaction parameters, 14 different raw and torrefied pellets containing RP, PS, and Turkish Elbistan Lignite were prepared in different weight ratios. Finally, the fuel properties of the prepared raw and torrefied pellets, namely dimensions, proximate analyses, higher heating values, tensile strength, durability, abrasive resistance, and water uptake resistances, were investigated. The findings demonstrated that the higher heating values and carbon content of raw biomass samples increased while their volatile matter content decreased. The use of lignite at high concentrations led to an increase in ash content and a decrease in the strength and durability of pellets, which should be emphasized. In addition, red pine sawdust was used in place of solid waste from rose oil distillation solid waste to produce pellets with greater strength. All pellet mixtures with torrefaction had higher heating values and energy densities despite the fact that their mass and energy efficiency had decreased. It was determined that torrefaction increased the pellets' resistance to absorbing water and gave them a more hydrophobic structure. Thus, it was determined that torrefaction could enhance the crucial fuel parameters of the biomass samples.

Microorganisms isolated from the bile of the patients who have undergone cholecystectomy and their antibiotic resistance pattern: multicenter prospective study / Microorganismos aislados de la bilis de los pacientes sometidos a colecistectomía y su patrón de resistencia antibiótica: estudio prospectivo multicéntrico

Background: Gallbladder and biliary tract infections are diseases with high mortality rates if they are not treated properly. Microbiological evaluation of perioperatively collected samples both ensures proper treatment of patients and guides empirical treatment due to the determination of microorganism susceptibility. Aims: This study aimed to isolate the microorganisms in bile cultures from patients who underwent cholecystectomy and to determine sensitivity results of these microorganisms. Methods: This study was a multi-center and prospective design, included 360 patients, and was performed between 2019 and 2020. Culture results of bile taken during cholecystectomy were evaluated. Results: Bacterial growth was found in the bile cultures of 84 out of 360 (23.3%) patients. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had risk factors for resistant microorganisms or not. While Escherichia coli (n = 11, 13%), Enterococcus spp. (n = 8, 9.5%), and Enterobacter spp. (n = 4, 4.7%) were detected most frequently in patients without risk. Staphylococcus spp. (n = 17, 20.2%), Enterococcus spp. (n = 16, 19%), and E. coli (n = 8, 9.5%) were the most frequently found microorganism at-risk patients. In multivariate analysis, bile culture positivity was found higher in patients who had history of biliary disease (p = 0.004), operation performed concurrently with a cholecystectomy (p = 0.035), and high rate of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL) in total leukocyte count (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our study shows that when starting empirical antibiotic treatment for bile ducts, whether patients are at risk for the development of resistant bacterial infection should be evaluated after which antibiotic selection should be made accordingly.(AU)

Microorganisms isolated from the bile of the patients who have undergone cholecystectomy and their antibiotic resistance pattern: multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder and biliary tract infections are diseases with high mortality rates if they are not treated properly. Microbiological evaluation of perioperatively collected samples both ensures proper treatment of patients and guides empirical treatment due to the determination of microorganism susceptibility. AIMS: This study aimed to isolate the microorganisms in bile cultures from patients who underwent cholecystectomy and to determine sensitivity results of these microorganisms. METHODS: This study was a multi-center and prospective design, included 360 patients, and was performed between 2019 and 2020. Culture results of bile taken during cholecystectomy were evaluated. RESULTS: Bacterial growth was found in the bile cultures of 84 out of 360 (23.3%) patients. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had risk factors for resistant microorganisms or not. While Escherichia coli (n = 11, 13%), Enterococcus spp. (n = 8, 9.5%), and Enterobacter spp. (n = 4, 4.7%) were detected most frequently in patients without risk. Staphylococcus spp. (n = 17, 20.2%), Enterococcus spp. (n = 16, 19%), and E. coli (n = 8, 9.5%) were the most frequently found microorganism at-risk patients. In multivariate analysis, bile culture positivity was found higher in patients who had history of biliary disease (p = 0.004), operation performed concurrently with a cholecystectomy (p = 0.035), and high rate of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL) in total leukocyte count (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that when starting empirical antibiotic treatment for bile ducts, whether patients are at risk for the development of resistant bacterial infection should be evaluated after which antibiotic selection should be made accordingly.

Molecular perspective on targeted therapy in breast cancer: a review of current status.

Breast cancer is categorized at the molecular level according to the status of certain hormone and growth factor receptors, and this classification forms the basis of current diagnosis and treatment. The development of resistance to treatment and recurrence of the disease have led researchers to develop new therapies. In recent years, most of the research in the field of oncology has focused on the development of targeted therapies, which are treatment methods developed directly against molecular abnormalities. Promising advances have been made in clinical trials investigating the effect of these new treatment modalities and their combinations with existing therapeutic treatments in the treatment of breast cancer. Monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors, cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors, anti-angiogenic drugs, PARP inhibitors are among the targeted therapies used in breast cancer treatment. In this review, we aim to present a molecular view of recently approved target agents used in breast cancer.

Capsaicin prevents radiotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure in rats.

Ionising radiation exposure of 5-10gray (Gy) to the pelvic area induces premature ovarian failure (POF). Twenty-four young adult Wistar albino female rats were were treated with subcutaneous capsaicin 0.5mg/kg per day or placebo for 10days then exposed to whole body irradiation. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control; (2) capsaicin; (3) radiation only (IR): rats were injected with placebo before exposure to a single dose of 8.3-Gy whole body irradiation; (4) radiation-capsaicin (IR+CAP): rats were injected with capsaicin prior to whole body irradiation. Radiation triggered oxidative stress, increased ovarian inflammation, increased follicular apoptosis and diminished ovarian follicle pool. Capsaicin significantly ameliorated oxidative stress by decreasing serum total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, disulphide, and malondialdehyde levels (P ≤0.001); ovarian inflammatory status by decreasing expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, PARP-1 (P =0.002); apoptosis by decreasing expressions of active caspase-3 and p53 (P =0.015, P =0.002); and follicle counts by increasing primordial follicles and decreasing apoptotic follicles (P ≤0.001) in rats when administered before radiation exposure. The beneficial effects of capsaicin are demonstrated for the first time on ionising radiation exposed rat ovaries. Capsaicin pre-treatment before radiotherapy restores the primordial follicle pool, inhibits atresia of ovarian follicles and may be an acceptable therapeutic modality to prevent radiation-induced POF.

Effects of amnion derived mesenchymal stem cells on fibrosis in a 5/6 nephrectomy model in rats.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by disruption of the glomerulus, tubule and vascular structures by renal fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) ameliorate CKD. We investigated the effects of human amnion derived MSC (hAMSC) on fibrosis using expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), collagen type I (COL-1) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-7). We also investigated levels of urinary creatinine and nitrogen in CKD. We used a 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) induced CKD model. We used 36 rats in six groups of six animals: sham group, 5/6 Nx group, 15 days after 5/6 Nx (5/6 Nx + 15) group, 30 days after 5/6 Nx (5/6 Nx + 30) group, transfer of hAMSC 15 days after 5/6 Nx (5/6 Nx + hAMSC + 15) group and transfer of hAMSC 30 days after 5/6 Nx (5/6 Nx + hAMSC + 30) group. We isolated 106 hAMSC from the amnion and transplanted them via the rat tail vein into the 5/6 Nx + hAMSC + 15 and 5/6 Nx + hAMSC + 30 groups. We measured the expression of BMP-7, COL-1 and TGF-ß using western blot and immunohistochemistry, and their gene expressions were analyzed by quantitative real time PCR. TGF-ß and COL-1 protein, and gene expressions were increased in the 5/6 Nx +30 group compared to the 5/6 Nx + hAMSC + 30 group. Conversely, both protein and gene expression of BMP-7 was increased in 5/6 Nx + hAMSC + 30 group compared to the 5/6 Nx groups. Increased TGF-ß together with decreased BMP-7 expression may cause fibrosis by epithelial-mesenchymal transition due to chronic renal injury. Increased COL-1 levels cause accumulation of extracellular matrix in CKD. Levels of urea, creatinine and nitrogen were increased significantly in 5/6 Nx + 15 and 5/6 Nx + 30 groups compared to the hAMSC groups. We found that hAMSC ameliorate CKD.

Effects of Human Placental Amnion Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Proliferation and Apoptosis Mechanisms in Chronic Kidney Disease in the Rat.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The feature of chronic kidney failure (CKF) is loss of kidney functions due to erosion of healthy tissue and fibrosis. Recent studies showed that Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiated into tubular epithelial cells thus renal function and structures renewed.Furthermore, MSCs protect renal function in CKF. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) can repair fibrosis and determine the effects on proliferation and apoptosis mechanisms in chronic kidney failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, rat model of CKF was constituted by applying Aristolochic acid (AA). hAMSCs were isolated from term placenta amnion membrane and transplanted into tail vein of rats. At the end of 30 days and 60 days of recovery period, we examined expressions of PCNA, p57 and Parp-1 by western blotting. Immunoreactivity of PCNA, Ki67, IL-6 and Collagen type I were detected by immunohistochemistry. Besides, apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. Serum creatinine and urea were measured. Expressions of PCNA and Ki67 increased in hAMSC groups compared with AA group. Furthermore, expressions of PARP-1 apoptosis marker and p57 cell cycle inhibitory protein increased in AA group significantly according to control, hAMSC groups and sham groups. IL-6 proinflammatory cytokine increased in AA group significantly according to control, hAMSCs groups and sham groups. Expressions of Collagen type I protein reduced in hAMSCs groups compared to AA group. After hAMSC treatment, serum creatinine and urea levels significantly decreased compared to AA group. After injection of hAMSC to rats, Masson’s Trichrome and Sirius Red staining showed fibrosis reduction in kidney. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results hAMSCs can be ameliorate renal failure.

Glucocorticoid exposure altered angiogenic factor expression via Akt/mTOR pathway in rat placenta.

During pregnancy, glucocorticoids (GCs) are used for fetal lung maturation in women at risk of preterm labor. Exogenous GCs do not have exclusively beneficial effects and repeated use of GCs remains controversial. It has been observed that GC exposed rats have smaller placentas and intrauterine growth retarded fetuses. In this study, we questioned whether or not glucocorticoids effect placental angiogenesis mechanisms. One of the most important signaling pathways among several downstream of VEGFR-2 is PI3K/Akt which subsequently activates the mammalian target of rapamycin. Therefore, we hypothesized that overexposure to GCs may adversely affect placental angiogenesis mechanisms by regulating pro-angiogenic factors and their receptors via Akt/mTOR pathway. According to our results Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, administration led to a decrease in VEGF, PIGF expression during pregnancy. VEGFR2 expression was first decreased at gestational day 14 and afterwards increased at gestational days 16, 18 and 20 in rat placentas. These results are in accordance with the reduced phosphorylation of Akt, 4EBP1 and p70S6K. Dexamethasone injection also resulted in a reduction of VEGF, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 mRNA expression at gestational days 14 and 20, but PIGF mRNA expression was not altered. Growth retarded fetuses seen in Dexamethasone treated pregnancies, may be a result of altered angiogenic factor expression of the placenta mediated via altered mTOR pathway signaling.