Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in Goats from Korkuteli District of Antalya

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in goats from the Korkuteli district of Antalya.

METHODS

During the study, sera samples were obtained from 184 female goats and analyzed for the presence of antibodies against N. caninum using a commercial ELISA kit.

RESULTS

Seroprevalence of N. caninum was determined as 4.89%. Seropositivity of N. caninum in goats was not statistically significant (p>0.05) in terms of study centers, age groups, and abort situation.

CONCLUSION

This study reports the first data on the presence and seroprevalence of N. caninum in the goats in the region.

Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. in Musca spp.: Detection Using Molecular Approaches

Objective

This study aimed to detect the presence of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma endosymbionts in Musca flies through molecular approaches.

Methods

In total, 40 Musca spp. (20 female and 20 male) were used. Before DNA extraction, the flies were dissected and their heads, wings and legs were detached from their bodies under a stereomicroscope. Genomic DNA was analysed by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers against Musca beta-tubulin. Afterward, the samples were examined for the presence of Wolbachia spp. using primers against Wolbachia wsp and GroEL. Furthermore, the DNA samples were analysed by PCR to detect the presence of Spiroplasma using primers against the 16S rRNA.

Results

No Wolbachia positivity was detected in Musca flies, as shown by the negative PCR results for wsp and GroEL. Spiroplasma positivity was detected in 5% (1/20) of the female Musca flies but not in the male flies (0/20).

Conclusion

Wolbachia spp. were not detected in Musca flies. Of the total Musca flies, only one was positive for Spiroplasma spp. To our knowledge, this is the first study to detect the presence of Spiroplasma in Musca flies.

In vitro and histological investigation of antitumor effect of some triazole compounds in colon cancer cell line

1,2,4-Triazoles are used as antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antioxidant against some oxidative radical species. Recently, many 1,2,4-triazoles continue to be synthesized. In this study, the effect of the 1,2,4-triazole derivatives on human colon cancer (HT29) was investigated in vitro and in vivo in rats. MTT test was applied to in in vitro experiments. For in vivo study, rats were divided into seven groups as follows: Control group (negative control), azoxymethane (AOM), AOM + cisplatin 15, AOM + L1, AOM + L2, AOM + L3, and AOM + L4. To create colon cancer, the AOM injection was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 15 mg/kg, three times (once weekly). The in vivo studies were completed at 28 weeks. It was found that the 1,2,4-triazole derivatives reduced the cell viability (P < 0.05). In all animals in the experimental groups, mild dysplasia was detected in 100% of the colon mucosal epithelium. Severe dysplasia and adenocarcinoma were observed in L1 groups. As a result, this study determined that the 1,2,4-triazole derivatives exhibit antitumor activity.

The Importance of Checking Leishmania Promastigotes Viability in the Proteomics Analysis of Secretions

OBJECTIVE

The study was conducted to detect the prevalence of haemoprotozoan parasites in the domestic and wild pigeons in Niğde province.

METHODS

The study material included a total of 216 pigeons, which comprised 105 domestic (55 females, 50 males) and 111 wild (53 females, 58 males) pigeons belonging to Niğde province. Smears were prepared using the blood collected from the vena cutanea ulnaris of the pigeons and then examined for the presence of haemoprotozoan parasites under a light microscope using immersion objective.

RESULTS

The microscopic examination of the smears showed that 107 (49.54%) of the 216 pigeons were infected with Haemoproteus columbae. The samples collected from 9 (8.57%) of the 105 domestic pigeons and 98 (88.29%) of the 111 wild pigeons were positive for H. columbae. The positivity rates of H. columbae between the domestic and wild pigeons were calculated to be statistically significant (p<0.01). The average level of parasitaemia in the 107 pigeons infected with H. columbae was detected to be 2.85%. On the other hand, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma species were not observed in the blood smears of the pigeons.

CONCLUSION

This is the first survey regarding H. columbae performed on the domestic and wild pigeons in Niğde province.

Evaluation of antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of 1,2-bis (p-amino-phenoxy) ethane derivative Schiff bases and metal complexes

In this study, the effects of the two Schiff base derivatives and their metal complexes were tested for MDA concentration, which is an indicator of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C levels in cell culture. A comparison was performed among the groups and it was observed that MDA, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C concentrations were statistically changed. According to the results, all compounds caused a significant oxidative stress without Zn complexes. Moreover, Mn(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ni(II) complexes of Schiff bases derived from a condensation of 1,2-bis (p-aminophenoxy) ethane with naphthaldehydes and 4-methoxy benzaldehyde were examined in terms of antitumor activity against MCF-7 human breast cancer and L1210 murine leukemia cells. Furthermore, the derivatives were tested for antioxidative and prooxidative effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The compounds which were tested revealed that there was an antitumor activity for MCF-7 and L 1210 cancer cells. Also, some of the compounds induced oxidative harmful.

In vitro cytotoxic and in vivo antitumoral activities of some aminomethyl derivatives of 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones-Evaluation of their acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase enzymes inhibition profiles

The 1,2,4-triazole and its derivatives were reported to exhibit various pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumoural, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties. In this study, a series of triazole compounds (M1-M10) were evaluated for some biological activities. In vitro qualifications of these compounds on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and human carbonic anhydrase enzyme activities were performed. Also, their antitumoral activities in human colon cancer (HT29) cell line cultures were examined. In addition, colon cancer experimentation was induced in rats by an in vivo method, and the in vivo anticancer effects of triazole derivatives were investigated. Also, the effects of these derivatives in levels of antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin E, and MDA were studied in rat liver and blood samples. Most of the compounds were found to exhibit significant antioxidant and antitumoral activities. All the compounds had cytotoxic activities on HT29 cell lines with their IC50 values lower than 10 µM concentrations. The low IC 50 values of the compounds are M1 (3.88 µM), M2 (2.18 µM), M3 (4.2 µM), M4 (2.58 µM), M5 (2.88 µM), M6 (2.37 µM), M7 (3.49 µM), M8 (4.01 µM), M9 (8.90 µM), and M10 (3.12 µM).

Investigation of Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. in Phlebotomus species by molecular methods

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. in natural populations of sand flies in Turkey by molecular methods. A total of 40 Phlebotomus specimens (19 female and 21 male) were used in this study. Genomic DNA from whole sand flies was isolated and Wolbachia spp. infection prevalence was investigated by using Wolbachia gene specific primer sets (wsp and GroEL). In addition, the DNA were analyzed for the presence of Spiroplasma infections utilizing bacterium specific 16 S rDNA PCR-amplification primers. Results of this analysis showed a Wolbachia infection prevalence of 70% (28/40). There was no sex-bias in infection prevalence, being 76% (16/21) and 63% (12/19) in males and females, respectively. Analysis of Spiroplasma infections indicated that 26% (5/19) of female sand flies were positive for infection, while none of the screened males (0/21) were positive. Of the 40 sand fly samples, only 2 were found to be positive for both Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. The present study demonstrates the presence of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma infections in the natural sand fly populations in Turkey. This is the first report on Spiroplasma infection in the sand flies from Turkey.

The determination of the effect of some 1,3,4 thiadiazole derivatives on biochemical content (Fatty Acids, Sterols, Lipophilic Vitamins) in rat liver

Thiadiazole derivatives and its metal compounds have antibacterial, antifungal, antitumoral, antiproliferative and antioxidant properties. In the study, the effects caused by thiadiazole ligand and its metal complexes upon the fatty acids and lipophilic vitamins in livers of rats were examined. The fatty acids in liver were specified by GC while the lipophilic vitamins were specified by HPLC. It was observed that the amounts of oleic acids (18:1, n-9) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) notably increased in the Mn complex group while the amounts of arachidonic acid (20:4, n-6) notably increased in the ligand group, compared to control group. The amounts of vitamin K2, vitamin D3 and α-tocopherol considerably increased in all groups compared to control group. It was noted that the amounts of α-tocopherol were elevated in both the Mn and Cr complex groups compared to control group. However, this elevation was matching with the amount in the same groups. Nevertheless, the amount of retinol was determined to be lower in the Mn complex group compared to other groups. Accordingly, it can be considered that thanks to the utilization of toxic metals such as manganese, cadmium and chrome, unsaturated fatty acids influenced the activities of the enzymes in liver tissue, which are in charge of fatty acid chain elongation.

Biochemical evaluation of hydroxyurea derivative schiff bases in liver of rats

In this study, it was aimed to examine the antioxidant and antihepatotoxic effects of hydroxyurea derivative Schiff bases on serum biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, LDH, urea, creatinine and total bilirubin) and antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, GPx, MDA). In this study, a total of 49 adult male Wistar rats was examined and they were divided into 7 equal groups. DMSO, which is diluted only with corn oil, was administered to control group. 25 mg / kg ligand, 25 mg / kg Schiff base - manganese, 25 mg / kg Schiff base-copper, 25 mg / kg Schiff base - zinc, 25 mg / kg Schiff base - nickel, 25 mg / kg Schiff base - cobalt complexes were administered to rats of experimental group subcutaneously for 15 days with three-day intervals throughout the test process. All specimens were killed by decapitation and their livers were extracted. According to the results obtained, ALT level was observed to be higher (P&lt;0.05) in the Cu-L group compared to other groups. LDH level was observed to be higher (P&lt;0.05) in the Cu-L and Co-L groups compared to other groups. SOD level was observed to be higher (P&lt;0.05) in the Cu-L, Mn-L and Zn-L groups compared to other groups. MDA level was observed to be higher (P&lt;0.05) in the Ni-L, Cu-L, Zn-L groups compared to other groups. In conclusion, it can be suggested that the determination of the pharmacological characteristics of them can be beneficial in numerous fields of application thanks to the antioxidant and hepatotoxic activities demonstrated by hydroxyurea derivative Schiff bases.

Investigation of biological effects of some Mannich Bases containing Bis-1,2,4- Triazole

In this study, the effects of Mannich bases containing bis-1,2,4-triazole on the levels of in vivo malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C) were examined in serum, livers and kidneys of rats. DA and vitamin (A, E, C) levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant effect was investigated by determining the MDA levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells as in vitro. Furthermore, the antitumor effects of compounds were investigated against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Interrelations of results among control and compound groups were evaluated using SPSS statistical software package. As a result, some of the compounds showed effective biological activity when compared to control conditions. The test compounds used in this study may be effective for utilization in the selection and design of model compounds for further studies.

Synthesis and biological activities of some novel aminomethyl derivatives of 4-substituted-5-(2-thienyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones

A novel series of compounds were synthesized by cyclic condensation reaction of substituted isothiocyanate (2a-c) with 2-thiophenecarboxylic acid hydrazide (1) in the presence of ethyl alcohol, to obtain intermediate thiosemicarbazides (3a-c), which were further treated with sodium hydroxide in the presence of ethanol to obtain triazole derivatives (4a-c). The latter were refluxed with substituted secondary amines and formaldehyde for 6-10 h to afford Mannich bases (5a-k). The synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of their spectral (IR, (13)C and (1)H NMR) data and evaluated for biological activities. Some of the compounds were found to exhibit significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.

6-Phenyl-3-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazolo-[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole: synthesis, experimental, theoretical characterization and biological activities

The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies, and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shift values of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) methods with 6-31G(d) basis sets, and compared with the experimental data. The calculated results show that the optimized geometries can well reproduce the crystal structural parameters and the theoretical vibrational frequencies, and (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shift values show good agreement with experimental data. To determine conformational flexibility, molecular energy profile of the title compound was obtained by HF/6-31G(d) and (DFT/B3LYP) calculations with respect to selected degree of torsional freedom, which was varied from -180° to +180° in steps of 10°. The energetic behavior of the title compound in solvent media was examined using the B3LYP method with the 6-31G(d) basis set by applying the Onsager and the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The results obtained with these methods reveal that the PCM method provided more stable structure than Onsager's method. The title compound has been tested in vitro for biological effects.

The effects of pollution on the vitamins A, E, C, beta-carotene contents and oxidative stress of the freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus

In this study, we determined the effects of pollution on levels of antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C), beta-carotene and malondialdehyde (MDA), in the hepatopancreas and muscle tissues of freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus). The crayfish samples were collected from Aydincik (unpolluted control site) and Ağin (polluted site) in the Keban Dam Lake (Elazig-Turkey) in August 2007. The results showed that the concentrations of vitamins E, C and beta-carotene in both tissues were significantly lower, and MDA levels were higher than in controls. There were no significant alterations in vitamin A levels. In comparison among the sex groups, some values were different significantly between the localities. The comparison of same-sex groups of the different localities also showed that concentrations of the vitamins E, C, beta-carotene and MDA changed statistically according to the tissues between the localities.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate supplementation can improve antioxidant status in stressed quail

1. Heat stress causes oxidative stress, which decreases plasma antioxidants in poultry. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol in green tea, is a powerful antioxidant against lipid peroxidation. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary EGCG supplementation on performance, carcase characteristics, concentrations of malondialdehyde, lipid peroxidation indicator, vitamins C, E, A, cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to a high ambient temperature of 34 degrees C. 2. One hundred and eighty Japanese quails (10 d old) were assigned at random to 6 treatment groups consisting of 10 replicates of three birds. Birds were kept in cages in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermo-neutral) or 34 degrees C (heat stress) for 8 h/d. Birds were fed either a basal diet or the diet supplemented with 200 or 400 mg of EGCG/kg of diet. 3. EGCG supplementation linearly increased feed intake, live weight gain, feed efficiency, cold carcase weight and yield under heat stress conditions but did not show the same effect at thermoneutral conditions. Serum vitamin C, E, and A concentrations increased in birds reared at high temperature while non-significant changes occurred in thermo-neutral groups. Malondialdehyde concentrations in serum and liver decreased in all birds of both thermo-neutral and heat stressed groups as dietary EGCG supplementation increased. Heat stress-induced increase in serum cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose concentrations were linearly reversed by EGCG supplementation. 4. The results indicate that EGCG supplementation improved the live performance and antioxidant status of heat-stressed Japanese quail.

Were pneumothorax and its management known in 15th-century anatolia?

Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard, a student of René Laennec's, first recognized pneumothorax in 1803, and Laennec himself described the full clinical picture of the condition in 1819. Treatment of pneumothorax was not begun as a standard procedure until World War II, but we think that Serefeddin Sabuncuoglu recognized the condition and applied treatment in the 15th century.Sabuncuoglu (1385-1470) was a surgeon who lived in Amasya (in Anatolia). In 1465, he completed Cerrahiyyetül Haniyye (Imperial Surgery), the 1st illustrated surgical textbook in the Turkish-Islamic medical literature. We describe the highlights of the book's recommendations concerning treatment of thoracic trauma, particularly of pneumothorax. We reproduce 2 of the colored miniature illustrations and add our comments regarding the advice of Sabuncuoglu. Most notably, he advocated "mihceme," a cupping therapy, as a simple technique of thoracic aspiration.

[The role of Turkish physicians in the vaccination against typhus during the years of World War I]

During the years of World War I, several severe typhus epidemics were seen in Erzurum and nearby cities. A total of 164 health officers, 125 of whom were physicians, struggled against the epidemic in the region but also they lost their lives due to typhus. Vaccination against typhus was one of the means of fighting the epidemic. However, there were some claims that a small group of Turkish physicians injected typhus-contaminated serum into Armenian civilians during World War I, and that this should be accepted as a form of biological warfare against Armenian civilians. The purpose of this article is to set out how, by whom, and on whom, and under what conditions the typhus vaccination was applied in order to reveal the truth in terms of the evidence found in historical documents. The typhus vaccine was prepared from blood taken from febrile patients affected by the disease. After the blood of the patients were defibrinated and inactivated at 60 degrees C for an hour, it was used. As the amount of blood needed to prepare the vaccine was so great, the amount of available vaccine was always insufficient to meet the demand. Hence, the prepared vaccine was only applied to those which had the higher risk of contracting typhus such as physicians and nurses. The vaccine prepared by The Third Army Health Commander Dr. Tevfik Salim was first applied to nine officers, five of whom were physicians, and among whom were Dr. Haydar Cemal and Dr. Salahattin on March 28, 1915 in Hasankale, Erzurum. Furthermore, the same vaccine was applied to people in the vicinity by Dr. Alaattin in Erzurum, Dr. Abdulhalim Asim in Bayburt, Dr. Izak in Sivas and Dr. Mihran in Hasankale. Ali Ihsan Sabis and Fevzi Cakmak, who were high ranking officers, were among those who volunteered to have the vaccination. The Third Army Health Commander Dr. Tevfik Salim ordered that the vaccine should not be applied without blood inactivation. Despite this order, Dr. Hamit Osman, who had a mental illness, applied the vaccination without inactivating the blood to some people. Among those were physicians of the Red Crescent Hospital together with soldiers who were nursing in the hospitals in Erzincan. Dr. Hamdi Suat inactivated the blood by leaving it at -16 degrees C for 24-48 hours, and instead of giving a single dose, he applied three-doses with 3-day-intervals, followed by a one more dose, which he called "the vaccine for absolute immunization" to the same people after 10-23 days. This "vaccine for absolute immunization" was actually typhus-contaminated blood which had not been inactivated. It should be noted that he injected himself with the same form of vaccine. In his article published in German in 1916 and in Turkish in 1917, he stated that he injected "the vaccine for absolute immunization" to some subjects 'condemned to death'. Dr. Haydar Cemal claimed, in a newspaper dated December 23, 1918, that the people reported as subjects 'condemned to death' were indeed Armenians, and that the innocent Armenians marked out for deportation were inoculated with the blood of typhus fever patients, and that he eyewitnessed all these events. As a result of his claims, the Interior Ministry demanded an immediate investigation, and at the end of that investigation it was understood that Dr. Haydar Cemal and Dr. Hamdi Suat had never worked together in Erzincan at the time Dr. Haydar Cemal claimed. All the claims were refuted by the investigating committee and nobody was charged. During a severe typhus epidemic, Turkish physicians injected the typhus vaccine for the purpose of "saving a life from the fire". The typhus vaccine was prepared using the available scientific knowledge of the time. No racial or religious discrimination against the people vaccinated had been proved. According to the sources, the claim that some Turkish physicians used the blood of patients with typhus as a means of biological warfare does not reflect the historical truth.

Antioxidant, pro-oxidant effect of the thiosemicarbazone derivative Schiff base (4-(1-phenylmethylcyclobutane-3-yl)-2-(2-hydroxybenzylidenehydrazino) thiazole) and its metal complexes on rats

Adverse biological activities of thiosemicarbazone (TSC) and Schiff base (SB) derivatives have been widely studied in rats and in other animal species using different doses, times and routes of administration. However, there are few studies describing changes in some biochemical parameters in vivo which are indicative of oxidative stress in biological systems and of morphological changes of tissues. In this study, the rats were injected subcutaneously with a new thiosemicarbazone thiazole ring containing a Schiff base (LH) and its Cu(L)2 and Zn(L)2 complexes (25 mg kg(-1) body weight) and then sacrificed after 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 days. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the new compounds on the serum antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C), selenium (Se), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, erythrocyte GSH-Px enzyme activity and morphological changes in the liver, kidney and adrenal gland tissues. It was observed that erythrocyte GSH-Px activity, serum MDA and vitamins A, E concentrations were statistically changed (p < 0.02), but serum levels of selenium, and vitamin C were not changed. In conclusion, the parameters measured show that Cu(L)2 caused considerable oxidative stress and Zn(L)2 behaved as an antioxidant. No oxidative stress in LH was observed compared to the control group.

[Culicoides latr, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) species in the Niğde province]

This study was carried out in order to detect Culicoides species in the Niğde province (Tepe and Mezbaha) from June 2001-October 2001. Light traps were used for the collection of Culicoides specimens. The Culicoides specimens were cleared in phenol alcohol and they were mounted on slides. In this study a total of 593 Culicoides specimens composed of 548 females and 45 males were collected and 12 species (Culicoides punctatus, C. circumscriptus, C. festivipennis, C. gejgelensis, C. longipennis, C. maritimus, C. picturatus, C. puncticollis, C. nubeculosus, C. odiatus, C. pumilus and C. subneglectus), were identified.

The resuscitation greats. Cemil Topuzlu Pasha: one of the forgotten pioneers in the history of open chest cardiac massage

One of the pioneers of open chest cardiac massage was Cemil Topuzlu Pasha, in Turkey. He presented his experience in open heart cardiac massage in several papers published in Ottoman and French and German. On 27 August 1903 one of his patients undergoing external urethrotomy under chloroform anaesthesia developed cardiac arrest and he performed open chest cardiac massage. He reported his approach to this event and discussed the literature regarding resuscitation available at the beginning of 20th century. Meanwhile he had defined "Do Not Resuscitate" code in cases involving serious heart disease and other diseases where life expectancy is very short. The Ottoman version of his report is translated in this paper.

[Synthesis of two new acetanilide derivatives and their effect on the serum antioxidant vitamins (A, E, and C) and the MDA level in rats]

Acetanilide derivatives, 2,2'-thiobis[N-(4-nitrophenyl)acetamide] and 2,2'-thiobis[N-(4-chlorophenyl)acetamide], were synthesized and characterized. They were shown to cause a considerable oxidative stress in rats.

[The remains of cattle slaughtered in the open fields provided the growth medium for the myiasis fly.]

This study has been carried out to show that myiasis flies can grow on the carelessly discarded remains of slaughtered cattle. For this purpose, 11 larvae that were found on a piece of cattle remains that weighed 250 grams was put into 70% alcohol for identification; and the remaining 20 larvae were put into a pot containing sand on the bottom. The pot was covered with a piece of cloth in order to let them complete their growth. Later the pot was put outside so that the larvae could develop under natural conditions and daily growth of the larvae was determined. Pupas were produced by the larvae after 21 days and adult flies, after 28 days. With the help of identification keys, it was determined that out of the eleven larvae that were initially put into 70% alcohol, 5 larvae were third period Calliphora vicina and 3 larvae, second period. The remaining 3 larvae were third period Muscina stabulans. All of the 18 flies that developed from the 20 larvae in the covered pot outside were C. vicina.

Effects on rat testes of the thiosemicarbazone derivative Schiff base (4-(1-phenylmethylcyclobutane-3-yl)-2-(2-hydroxybenzylidenehydrazino)thiazole) and its cadmium(II) complex

The aim of this study was to investigate structural and biochemical changes in testes of rats treated with the thiosemicarbazone derivative thiazole ring Schiff base, (4-(1-phenyl-methylcyclobutane-3-yl)-2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene-hydrazino) thiazole (L), and its Cd(II) complex (CdL(2)). The animals were divided into three groups. Group I was designated as control. The rats in groups II and III were injected subcutaneously with L or CdL(2) respectively at 150-mg kg(-1) doses at 3-day intervals for 15 days. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and testes were removed for histological examinations. Serum levels of vitamin A, E and MDA of the L-injected group were similar to the control group. While CdL(2) treatment decreased serum vitamin A and E levels, it increased the MDA level compared to other groups. Histologically, the testes structures of L-treated animals were similar to the control. Spermatogenic cells in seminiferous tubules of CdL(2)-treated animals displayed necrosis. Nuclei of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were pyknotic and heterochromatic. Homogenous pink particles were present in place of the spermatids. The interstitial areas were oedematous and intertubular vessels were plugged. In conclusion, the present results indicate that L does not cause biochemical and morphological alterations, but its Cd(II) complex has degenerative effects in normal rat testes.

Antioxidant status & lipid peroxidation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating, chronic multisystem disease with an unknown etiology. Recent findings indicate that increased oxidative stress and/or defective antioxidant status contribute to the etiology of RA. The present study was undertaken to examine the oxidant and antioxidant systems in patients with RA and healthy controls.

METHODS

Twenty two patients with RA and 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C) in serum samples were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine activity levels of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), in erythrocytes.

RESULTS

MDA levels in patients with RA were found to be significantly (P<0.005) higher than controls whereas levels of vitamins A, E, C and activities of GSH-Px, SOD were lower in the patients compared to controls (P<0.005 for SOD and antioxidant vitamins; P<0.05 for GSH-Px).

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

There was an increased oxidative stress and a low antioxidant status in patients with RA. These changes are probably due to efforts for reducing lipid peroxidation and hence to lower tissue damage.

Determination of free malondialdehyde in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography

Lipid peroxidation involves the oxidative deterioration of polyunsaturated fatty acids in biomembranes and generates a variety of aldehydic products including malondialdehyde (MDA). To demonstrate the occurrence of lipid peroxidation in biological systems, the production of MDA has been shown to be a relevant indicator. Therefore, we describe a new method for measurement of free malondialdehyde in human serum. A simple, rapid but sensitive method for determination of MDA in human serum was applied to goiter patients and control groups. Patients with goiter had high levels of MDA compared to control groups. Our method is fast and practical for clinical measurements. The detection limit was found to be 1.2 x 10(-8) mol L(-1).

[Struggle against typhus in the Caucasian front during the 1st World War]

As an infectious disease, typhus has triggered many epidemics during the course of wars and caused thousands of death all through the ages. The French physician Charles Nicolle (1886-1936) defined its agent as a louse transferring the disease from man to man in 1909 and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1928. Many cases were reported during the 1st World War both in the European and the Ottoman armies; and one of the most severe epidemics broke in the Caucasian front; a great number of civilians and soldiers died at winter in 1914 and 1915. Lice had to be destroyed in order to prevent the epidemic, but etuves in the Caucasian front was too few to achieve it. Clothes were cleansed in ovens by means of a method proposed by Dr. Abdülkadir Noyan (1886-1977). On March 28, 1915 the first typhus vaccination, obtained from the infected blood of the patients, was applied by Dr. Tevfik Salim (Saklam) (1882-1963). In 1916 Dr. Ahmet Fikri Tüzer discovered a disinfection apparatus called "buğu sandiği" (vapour box) which was widely used in the Caucasian front after 1917. This apparatus was highly useful in controlling the typhus epidemics. 164 health officers lost their lifes in the Caucasian front between 1914-1918, in addition, 7310 military casualties were recorded from 1915 to the end of the war.