Probing plasma fluorinated graphene via spectromicroscopy.

Plasma fluorination of graphene is studied using a combination of spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, giving insight into the yield and fluorination mechanism for functionalization of supported graphene with both CF4 and SF6 gas precursors. Ion acceleration during fluorination is used to probe the effect on grafting functionalities. Adatom clustering, which occurs with CF4 plasma treatment, is suppressed when higher kinetic energy is supplied to the ions. During SF6 plasma functionalization, the sulfur atoms tend to bond to bare copper areas instead of affecting the graphene chemistry, except when the kinetic energy of the ions is restricted. Using scanning photoelectron microscopy, with a 100 nm spatial resolution, the chemical bonding environment is evaluated in the fluorinated carbon network at selected regions and the functionalization homogeneity is controlled in individual graphene flakes.

The effects of lycopene on methotrexate-induced liver injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene (Lyc) on methotrexate (Mtx) induced liver toxicity in rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: control, Lyc, Mtx and Mtx-L: Control group: Rats were given only the vehicle. Lyc group: Rats were given Lyc (10 mg/kg) with corn oil by oral gavage for ten days. Mtx group: Rats were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 20 mg/kg of Mtx and given corn oil by oral gavage. Mtx-L group: Rats were post-treated with Lyc (10 mg/kg) for ten days after a single dose of Mtx (20 mg/kg). RESULTS: Mtx administration increased histopathological damage, TNF-α, IL-1ß, TOS, TAS and OSI levels in tissues; AST, ALT levels in the blood. Sinusoidal dilatation, inflammatory cell infiltration and congestion were significantly improved in the Mtx-L aon histopathologic examination of the rats.In Mtx-L group that were treated at the Lyc, TNF-α and IL-1ß levels of liver tissue were decreased significantly compared to Mtx group whereas the decrease in OSI was not significant. Lyc treatment improved the AST and ALT values in Mtx-L group. But only AST improvement was significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed that Lyc might be useful in protecting the liver from injury due to Mtx in rats by reducing the increased proinflammatory cytokine levels (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 44).

High Prolidase Levels may be a Marker of Irreversible Extracellular Matrix Changes in Controlled Acromegaly Patients?

The present study aimed to evaluate the activity of prolidase in controlled acromegaly patients and its association with oxidative stress. 25 acromegalic patients in remission who were followed in our outpatient clinic and 31 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), total antioxidative status (TAS), total oxidative stress (TOS), total free sulfhydryl (-SH), paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase (ARE), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and prolidase activity levels were measured. Percent ratio of TOS to TAS level was accepted as oxidative stress index (OSI). Serum prolidase activity, TOS, OSI, and LOOH levels were significantly higher in acromegaly patients compared to the healthy control group (p<0.001, p=0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). SH levels were significantly lower in the acromegaly patients compared to the healthy control group (p=0.002). Prolidase activity were positively correlated with TOS, OSI, LOOH and negatively correlated with -SH in patients with acromegaly (r=0.471, p<0.001; r=0.527, p<0.001; r=0.717, p<0.001; r=- 0.516, p<0.001, respectively). These associations were confirmed in the multiple regression analysis (R(2)=0.502, p<0.001). In conclusion, serum prolidase activity and oxidative stress levels were high in controlled acromegaly patients. These results suggest that extracellular matrix changes continue eventhough the disease is controlled, and elevated oxidative stress is involved in the increased prolidase activity in acromegaly patients.

Association of serum paraoxonase activity and coronary artery calcification.

AIM: It has been known that there was a relation between the activities of serum paraoxonase (PON) and the severity of the coronary artery disease. However, little is known about association of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and serum PON activities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between CAC and serum PON activities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measure serum PON activities from 122 patients (42 female, mean age = 62±10 years) with angiographically documented CAC (Group I), and 138 patients (54 female, mean age = 60±10 years) without CAC (Group II). Coronary calcification was detected with fluoroscopy before coronary angiography. Serum PON activities were measured by spectrophotometrically method. Patient characteristics and baseline data were recorded from patient's files. RESULTS: The triglyceride levels is lower in group I than group II (p = 0.040). Diastolic blood pressure and frequency of diabetes mellitus was higher in the group I than group II (respectively p = 0.012 and p = 0.022). The other clinic and laboratory parameters were similar in two groups (all p > 0.05). The only statistically significant differences between with CAC and without CAC groups in respect to serum PON activities were present (170.6 ± 59.6 vs. 209.6 ± 69.8 U/ml; respectively, p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between serum PON activities and presence of CAC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the serum PON activities are decreased in patients with CAC. The serum PON activities may play a role in development of the CAC and reduced serum PON activity might represent a biochemical marker of CAC.

Prolidase activity and oxidative stress parameters in patients with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oxidative stress is believed to have a role in the development of nasal polyps (NPs). It is also known that prolidase activity increases secondary to chronic inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between prolidase activity and oxidative stress parameters in patients with NPs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with NPs, septal deviations and the concha hypertrophies were recruited to the study. Patients were divided into two groups; group 1 (n=30) consisted of patients with NPs, and group 2 (n=30) included patients with septal deviations and concha hypertrophies. Polyp specimens were taken from all patients who underwent endoscopic surgery for NPs. Control specimens were acquired from patients who underwent an operation for septoplasty or concha hypertrophy. Blood and tissue samples were obtained to assess lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), catalase (CAT) and prolidase activity. RESULTS: Compared to group 2, group 1 had significantly higher LOOH and prolidase levels, and lower CAT levels both in serum and tissue samples (p<0.05 for all). Prolidase activity was correlated with increased LOOH and decreased CAT levels (r = 0.507 p = 0.004; r = - 0.579, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that oxidative stress and prolidase activity, both in serum and the tissue in patients with NPs, were higher than in patients without NPs.

Serum ceruloplasmin levels in acute decompensated heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a serum protein that belongs to the family of α2-globulins and it is increased in patients with after acute myocardial infarction complicated with heart failure. Aim of the study was to investigate levels of serum Cp in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional observational study consists of three groups: Fifty patients with decompensated heart failure (Group 1) and same 50 patients after compensation (Group 2); 50 control patients group with comparable age and sex without heart failure (Group 3). Demographic, echocardiographic and biochemical data of patients were collected. Serum Cp level was determined spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Serum ceruloplasmin was significantly increased in Groups 1 (820.8 ± 78.5 IU/dL) and 2 (873.5 ± 121.0 IU/dL) compared, to Group 3 (640.6 ± 132.4 IU/dL) (p<0.001). In the sub-group analysis, this difference was due to the difference between Groups 3, Group 1 and 2 (both p=0.0001) whereas no significant difference was present between Group I and Group 2 (p>0.063). A positive correlation was found between Cp and female sex, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, acetylsalisilic acid and diuretic use, left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameter, mitral regurgitation, and negative correlation was found between Cp and ejection fraction (p<0.05 for all) whereas none of the parameters were independently associated with serum Cp level (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the present study suggest that serum Cp level is increased in both decompensated and compensated HF compared to controls. Further large scale studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of increased Cp in HF.