Effects of polyamines and polyamine biosynthetic inhibitors on mitotic activity of Allium cepa root tips.

The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of exogenous polyamines (PAs), putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm) and PA biosynthetic inhibitors, alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), cyclohexilamine (CHA), methylglioxal bis-(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) were investigated in the root meristems of Allium cepa L. The reduction of mitotic index and the induction of chromosomal aberrations such as bridges, stickiness, c-mitotic anaphases, micronuclei, endoredupliction by PAs and PA biosynthetic inhibitors were observed and these were used as evidence of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity.

Removal of cadmium from aqueous solution by Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach. Subsp. nordmanniana) leaves.

The utility of Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach. Subsp. nordmanniana) leaves from Eastern Black Sea region for the removal (sorption) of metal ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. For this, the optimum values of pH, time, metal concentration, leaf concentration, leaf particle size and adsorption capacity were determined. Also the recovery conditions of the metals from leaves were studied. Cd metal was selected because of its toxic properties. Freundlich isotherm model was used to describe the adsorption behaviour and the experimental results obtained for Cd(2+) adsorption, followed this model well. The utility of Nordmann fir leaves to remove toxic metals from aqueous solutions was proved. Hence, this study showed that the leaves of Nordmann fir can provide cheap source as biosorbents for toxic metal removal from natural or wastewaters.

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) after column solid phase extraction on Amberlite XAD-2010.

A speciation procedure for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) based on column solid phase extraction on Amberlite XAD-2010 and flame atomic absorption spectrometry combination. Cr(VI) was quantitatively recovered on Amberlite XAD-2010 resin at pH range of 2.0-3.0 as its diethyldithiocarbamate complex, while the recoveries of Cr(III) was below 5%. The influences of the various parameters including amounts of the reagents, eluent type and its volume, sample volume, etc., on the quantitative recoveries were examined. The interference of matrix and coexistent elements for method were studied. The detection limit (corresponding to three times the standard deviation of the blank) and the enrichment factor for Cr(VI) were found to be 1.28 microg/L and 25, respectively. To verify the accuracy of the method, drinking water certified reference material (CRM-TMDW-500) was analyzed and the results obtained were in good agreement with the certified value. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water samples and preconcentration of total chromium in environmental samples.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy: a single institutional experience with maternal and neonatal outcomes.

We observed 13 pregnant women of 70 females with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) from January 1992 through September 2002. Thirteen mothers with ITP gave birth to twelve babies and two fetuses died. One of the pregnancies produced twins. Seven of the cases were diagnosed with ITP before pregnancy and six during pregnancy. One of the thirteen pregnancies was complicated by preeclampsia, one by ablatio placentae, and one by intrauterine death. Seven mothers received corticosteroid treatment, four high-dose immunoglobulin therapies, and one underwent splenectomy in the second trimester of gestation. At the time of delivery six mothers had normal platelet counts and seven had low platelet counts. Nine deliveries were by vaginal route and four were by cesarean section. Eleven infants were born with normal platelet counts and one was thrombocytopenic at the time of delivery. No infant showed any clinical signs of hemorrhage and there were no neonatal complications. Two fetuses died; one of them because of ablatio placentae and the other was intrauterine dead. In conclusion, ITP in pregnancy requires the management of two patients, the mother and her baby; hence, the close collaboration of a multidisciplinary group composed of a hematologist, obstetrician, anesthesiologist, and neonatologist is essential.

Misoprostol in labor induction.

The efficacy of a new dosing regimen of misoprostol, a recently introduced labor-inducing agent, was studied. Fifty-eight patients received 50 microg of misoprostol intravaginally and the dose was repeated every 3 hours until uterine contractions begin. Those who had an adequate contraction pattern, defined as three contractions in 10 minutes, were not given the repeat dose. Oxytocin augmentation, but not further misoprostol doses, was used in patients with an inadequate contraction pattern. The maximum total daily dose was 200 microg. The patients had the mean age of 28.9 +/- 5.4, the mean gestational age of 211.8 +/- 46.6 days, the mean gravidity of 2.5 +/- 1.2, the mean parity of 0.9 +/- 0.9 and the mean initial Bishop score of 1.6 +/- 1.8. The mean required dose of misoprostol was 120.5 +/- 54.7 microg and 10 of 58 patients required oxytocin augmentation. The mean induction of labor to delivery time was 701.5 +/- 404.0 minutes. When 3 cases who gave birth with caesarean section were excluded, the interval was 708.4 +/- 407.2 minutes. The mean 5th minute Apgar score of the newborns was 8.2 +/- 2.5. Two patients developed tachysystole after the second dose of misoprostol and were managed with vaginal irrigation and O2 supplementation successfully. Slight nausea and vomiting in 2 patients were the other adverse reactions. Our findings revealed that, 50 microg intravaginal misoprostol, combined with oxytocin augmentation when necessary, appears to be an effective and safe method of labor induction.

Determination of relative acidities of some alpha, omega-bis(3-alkyl(aryl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-on-4-yl) alkanes.

The solutions of nine alpha, omega-bis(3-alkyl(aryl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-on-4-yl) alkanes were titrated with tetrabutylammoniumhydroxide (TBAH) in methanol, using potentiometric methods. The half neutralization potentials values were found for all cases. Potentiometric titration curves of compounds in methanol with 0.03 M TBAH are similar to those of weak acids obtained in aqueous media with strong bases. Methanol is found to be a suitable medium for the weakly acidic compounds titrated since they are poorly dissolved in other organic solvents. A comparison among the compounds having the same alkyl chains between the two ring systems has shown that basicity increases and acidity decreases as the size of alkyl chains increases. However, the compound with a substituted phenyl group was found to be the most acidic one among the examined compounds indicating that phenyl group donates ring electrons less effectively to the system. This can be attributed to the stability of the benzene ring.

Laparoscopic treatment of benign adnexial cysts.

The results of laparoscopic adnexial cyst excision operations performed within the last 2.5 years in our clinic are reported. Thirty-three adnexial masses thought to be benign after gynaecological examination and ultrasonographic findings were treated. Laparoscopy was done in 32 cases but laparotomy had to be performed in one case of stage IV endometriosis. The mean duration of the operations was 72.78 +/- 34.09 minutes and no major complication occurred. Pathologic examinations of the specimens were reported as benign in all cases. According to these results, laparoscopy should be the preferred method in the treatment of benign adnexial cysts.

Effect of progestogens on estrogen-induced lipoprotein changes.

A study was performed to evaluate the role of progestogens, on estrogen-induced changes in lipoprotein levels. Sixty postmenopausal symptomatic women, aged 36-59, were included in the study. They were prospectively randomized to a sequential schedule (n = 20), 17 beta-estradiol transdermally 0.05 mg/day on days 1-24 and medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg/day orally on days 15-24 or a continuous schedule (n = 20), 17 beta-estradiol transdermally 0.05 mg/day and medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg/day orally on days 1-24. Patients who had total abdominal hysterectomy+bilateral salphingooopherectomy (n = 20) received only 17 beta-estradiol 0.05 mg/day continuously. Serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels were determined prior to and at the 3rd, 6th and 9th month of therapy in all groups. Mean TC, TG and LDL cholesterol levels did not change significantly during therapy (P > 0.05). Only the mean HDL cholesterol levels showed significant increases in all groups; from 42.30 +/- 9.97 mg/dl to 64.10 +/- 6.81 mg/dl in group I (P < 0.001), from 41.85 +/- 9.09 mg/dl to 60.65 +/- 7.41 mg/dl in group II (P < 0.001) and from 40.70 +/- 11.26 mg/dl to 58.80 +/- 7.74 mg/dl in group III (P < 0.001). It is concluded that medroxyprogesterone acetate, whether used continuously or sequentially, does not oppose the beneficial effects of transdermal 17 beta-estradiol on the lipoprotein profile.