The molecular investigations on the subgenus Artemisia Less. of the genus Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) in Turkey

The genus Artemisia L. of the family Asteraceae is systematically very complex. The aim of this study was to evaluate taxonomic positions of taxa of the subgenus Artemisia belonging to the genus Artemisia in Turkey using some molecular techniques. In this molecular study, 44 individuals belong to 14 species of the subgenus Artemisia were examined. Analyses were performed on the combined dataset using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference and Molecular parameters obtained from co-evaluations of sequences of the psbA-trnH, ITS and ETS regions of examined individuals were used in the phylogenetic tree drawing. According to the results of this study, two molecular groups have been formed based on the DNA sequence similarity of the species, but there are no obvious morphological characters corresponding to two molecular groups. There is no also agreement between the two molecular groups and the two morphological groups formed according to the hairiness condition of the receptacle of species. Due to the lack of molecular significance of their receptacles with or without hair, dividing of the subgenus Artemisia species into new subgenera or sections was not considered appropriate. Likewise, it has been found that with or without hair on the corolla lobes of the central hermaphrodite disc flowers have no molecular significance. It was found that there were no gene flow and hybridization between the 14 species of the subgenus Artemisia and these 14 species were found completed their speciation. This study is important as it is the first molecular based study relating with belong to subgenus Artemisia species growing naturally in Turkey. In addition, new haplotypes related to the populations of Turkey belonging to the subgenus Artemisia taxa were reported by us for the first time and added to the GenBank database.

An investigation on the chloroplast and nuclear genomes of taxa belong to the subgenus Dracunculus (Bess.) Rydb. of Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) in Turkey

Artemisia is one of the biggest genera in the family Asteraceae, with around 500-600 taxa at specific and sub-specific levels and organised in 5 subgenera. Due to the high number of taxa, a lot taxonomists are trying to solve the problem of its classification and phylogeny but its natural classification still hasn't been achieved. In this research, 60 individuals belonging to 4 taxa of the subgenus Dracunculus of Artemisia L. in Turkey were examined. For all the examined individuals from both the same and different populations belonging to the taxa of the subgenus Dracunculus, the sequences of the regions both psbA-trnH of chloroplast DNA and ITS of nuclear DNA were determined. Also, the gene regions obtained were recorded in the NCBI GenBank database and an accession number was taken. It was found that there was no gene flow and hybridization between the four studied taxa of the subgenus Dracunculus, and these 4 taxa also completed their speciation. According to the results of this molecular study, A. campestris var. campestris, A. campestris var. marschalliana and A. campestris var. araratica were proposed to be raised from the variety level to the species level. This research is important as it is the first molecular based study relating with the subgenus Dracunculus growing in Turkey.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on biochemical and histological parameters of muscle groups in proximity to the distracted rat tibia

We investigated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on rat muscles during tibial distraction osteogenesis (DO) at normal and hyperdistraction rates. Animals in groups 1 and 2 were distracted by 0.5 mm/day and those in groups 3 and 4 by 1 mm/day. Groups 2 and 4 received HBOT during distraction. Group 5 served as control. Superoxide dismutase (SOD; U/g protein), malondialdehyde (nmol/g protein), glutathione (mmol/g protein), and protein levels (g/dl) were determined. SOD was significantly higher in group 2 (4.59 ± 0.97) than in controls (2.19 ± 0.7) (P = 0.0001), and lower in group 4 (3.74 ± 1.70) than in group 2 (P=0.011). Malondialdehyde was significantly higher in group 2 (0.72 ± 0.23) than in controls (0.38 ± 0.10) (P=0.005). Total protein levels were better preserved with HBOT in distracted muscles: group 2 (3.24 ± 0.37) vs. group 1 (1.88 ± 0.60), and group 4 (3.45 ± 0.70) vs. group 3 (2.03 ± 0.75) (both P=0.0001). Numbers of fibres were lower in group 1 (4.88 ± 0.59) than in group 2 (6.07 ± 0.86), and in group 3 (5.13 ± 0.36) than in group 4 (6.14 ± 0.74) (both P=0.001). Numbers of nuclei were higher in group 1 (11.29 ± 2.47) than in group 2 (9.03 ± 1.53) (P=0.04), and in group 3 (12.43 ± 3.32) than in group 4 (9.08 ± 1.58) (P=0.001). Fibres and nuclei with HBOT were similar to those of controls. HBOT decreased the inflammatory cell infiltrate for group 1 (19.8 ± 8.54) vs. group 2 (4.2 ± 2.53) and group 3 (36.54 ± 11.29) vs. group 4 (21.5 ± 9.23) (both P=0.001). HBOT improves the adaptation of distracted muscle by increasing fibres and antioxidants while decreasing inflammation.

Soluble Lectin-Like Oxidized LDL Receptor 1 as a Possible Mediator of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) defines a well-known cluster of metabolic disturbances associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (sLOX-1) levels in patients with MetS, possible association of sLOX-1 with oxidized LDL (oxLDL), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nitric oxide (NOx), endothelin-1 (ET-1), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and arylesterase (ARE) activities, and these parameters compared with healthy controls.

METHODS

A total of 55 patients (37 women, 18 men) with MetS and 29 healthy controls (19 women, 10 men) with a body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m(2) were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

sLOX-1, oxLDL, and ET-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with MetS than in control subjects (P = 0.023 P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). MetS patients have significantly lower eNOS and NOx levels, and PON1 and ARE activities than control subjects (P = 0.017, P < 0.004, P < 0.001, and P = 0.010, respectively). A positive correlation was observed between the sLOX-1 levels and the oxLDL, ET-1, BMI, glucose levels. ET-1 levels also exhibited significant negative correlation with ARE activity.

CONCLUSION

sLOX-1 levels are associated with cardiovascular risk factors, such as increased oxLDL, obesity, and diabetes, in patients with MetS. An increased concentration of sLOX-1 could be an early predictor of endothelial damage in MetS. In addition, it appears that oxLDL, ET-1, eNOS, NOx, PON1, and ARE activities may accurately reflect the levels of endothelial dysfunction in MetS patients.

Plasma AGE-peptides and C-peptide in early-stage diabetic nephropathy patients on thiamine and pyridoxine therapy

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate circulatory AGE-peptide levels in diabetic nephropathy and to observe the effects of thiamine (vitamin B1) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) therapy.

METHODS

Type 2 diabetic patients (N.=57) were divided into two groups as "with nephropathy" (N.=27) and "without nephropathy" (N.=30). Diabetic nephropathy patients were treated with either B6 (N.=12) (250 mg/day) or B1+B6 (N.=15) (250 mg/day, each) for five months. At the beginning and the end of the experimentation period, glucose, HbA1c, triglyceride, cholesterol, insulin, C-peptide, thiamine pyrophosphate, pyridoxal phosphate and AGE- peptides were measured.

RESULTS

AGE-peptides were higher in the diabetic group with nephropathy than without nephropathy (P=0.005). Within five months AGE-peptides increased in the diabetic group without nephropathy (P=0.042) but not in the group with nephropathy treated either with B1+B6 or B6. In B6 treated group a substantial decrease was observed in HbA1c (P=0.033). B1+B6 or B6 treatment both caused an increase in C-peptide (P=0.006, P=0.004).

CONCLUSION

Among the parameters measured, plasma AGE-peptides was the only parameter found to be higher in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients "with nephropathy" than "without nephropathy". However, patients with nephropathy treated with B1+B6 or B6 did not display any further increase in AGE-peptides within five months. Both of the treatments caused an increase in C-peptide.

Destructive complication due to the use of a microdebrider: a case report

Microdebriders are powered tools used in ear, nose, and throat surgeries. In this case, a use of a microdebrider in a patient who underwent revision endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyposis resulted in a destructive complication, namely a large skull base defect.

Relationship between the affected ear in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and habitual head-lying side during bedrest

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between the habitual head position during bedrest and the affected ear in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective trial of patients with active BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal, confirmed on physical examination.

METHODS

Seventy-five patients were asked to explain the head position and lying side they were accustomed to before falling asleep in bed.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (67 per cent) habitually adopted a lateral head position during bedrest. The ear affected by BPPV was found to be consistent with the head-lying side during bedrest in 43 cases (86 per cent) (29 cases for the right ear and 14 cases for the left ear).

CONCLUSION

Habitual lateral head-positioning during bedrest can be a major factor leading to the development of BPPV in the ipsilateral ear.

Collagen ultrastructure and TGF-beta1 expression preserved with aminoguanidine during wound healing in diabetic rats

Advanced glycoxidation end products have been implicated in delayed diabetic wound healing. In this study, we evaluated the effects of aminoguanidine, which is an advanced glycation and nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, on extracellular matrix protein expression, collagen configuration, and nitrite/nitrate levels in wounds of diabetic rats. Sixteen Wistar male rats were made diabetic by streptozotocin. Of these, eight rats were given AG (aminoguanidine bicarbonate (AG) (group DAG) in their drinking water, and eight rats were followed as diabetic paired controls (group D). Eight healthy rats were followed as the healthy control group (group H). At the eighth week, a 2 x 2 cm area full-thickness skin defect was created. The degree of contraction of the open wounds was evaluated for 2 weeks duration. On the 15th postoperative day, wound surface areas were measured, and wound specimens and blood samples were collected. The shrinking percentage of the wounds was small in both groups H and DAG compared with group D (p < 0.05). Similar to healthy rats, the aminoguanidine-treated diabetic rats had very strong transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 expression in granulation tissue and intact skin in comparison with diabetic controls. In the diabetic group, the intact skin demonstrated sparsely distributed regular collagen fibers in the granulation zone, and the regular pattern of collagen fibers was lost. In conclusion, aminoguanidine improves wound healing, restores growth factor TGF-beta1 expression, and preserves collagen ultra structure, whereas it has no prominent effect on NO levels within wound tissue in diabetic rats.

Prosthetic reconstruction of the trachea in rabbit

BACKGROUND

Various tracheal reconstruction techniques have been developed for stenosis. Different types of grafts, flaps and synthetic materials have been used for reconstruction of the defect when primary anastomosis was unsuccessful or not indicated. The mentioned reconstruction methods have limited success. Polytetrafluoro-ethylene (PTFE) prosthesis is a microporous polymer and has been applied for implantation on a wide range. It is also appropriate for tracheal reconstruction.

METHODS

In the present study, segmental defects were created in 12 New Zealand rabbits. The rabbits were divided into 2 subgroups; the first group was applied an end-to-end anastomosis whilst the second a PTFE prosthesis. After 2 months, these applications were compared clinically, endoscopically and histopathologically to each other.

RESULTS

Necrosis and extrusion were not observed in the rabbits with PTFE applications. After 1 month, the tracheal stenosis was found on endoscopic examination in 5 animals in the first group and 2 animals in the second group. While in longer defects, end-to-end anastomosis causes tracheal tension, PTFE applications have been well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that PTFE prosthesis is a suitable alternative method in reconstruction of circumferential tracheal defects.

Oxidative stress in heart tissue of hyperthyroid and iron supplemented rats

This study was designed to investigate the effect of hyperthyroidism and/or iron supplementation or cardiac oxidative stress parameters--the lipid peroxidation end product glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (CSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD)--in rats. In plasma, ferritin as an indicator of iron status and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) as an indicator of damage to the heart tissue were analyzed. Our findings show that hyperthyroidism increased lipooxidative damage as reflected by higher lipid peroxidation end product levels and elevated antioxidant defense parameters-GSH and GSH-Px. Iron supplementation per se does not affect oxidative stress parameters studied in the euthyroid state. Although iron increased lipid peroxidation in the hyperthyroid state, this effect was less than that seen in euthyroidism. Iron supplementation to hyperthyroid rats significantly lowered plasma ferritin levels, suggesting increased iron elimination with consequently reduced oxidative stress.

Evaluation of antioxidant status in liver tissues: effect of iron supplementation in experimental hyperthyroidism

The antioxidant defense system in liver tissue in experimental hyperthyroidism and/or in iron supplementation was investigated. Thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH), ferritin (marker of iron status), antioxidant status components (glutathione [GSH], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], superoxide dismutase [SOD]), and serum transaminases (GOT and GPT, both of which are known to be released from damaged hepatocytes), were measured. Hyperthyroidism in rats, induced by L-thyroxine administration, significantly raised SOD activity (p < 0.05), but significantly decreased GSH-Px activity and GSH values (p < 0.001) in the liver. In the L-thyroxine administered and iron supplemented (TI) group, GSH and GSH-Px values of liver tissues were significantly lower than those of control rats (p < 0.05). GSH-Px levels of the TI group were higher (p < 0.001), and SOD levels significantly lower (p < 0.001) than those of the L-thyroxine administered group. We conclude that hyperthyroidism induces SOD activity in liver; ferritin levels increase in hyperthyroidism, contributing to the antioxidant defense system; GSH-Px and GSH levels are decreased significantly in hyperthyroidism either due to inactivation due to increased oxidative stress or to insufficient synthesis; iron supple- and GPT analysis); iron decreases the effect of T4. This must be taken into consideration during iron supplementation.

Evaluation of oxidative stress parameters in blood of patients with laryngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

In this study, plasma lipid peroxidation as assessed by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and erythrocyte antioxidant status markers namely CuZn superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione and plasma levels of vitamin C and E were investigated in 20 patients with larygneal carcinoma and 15 healthy controls.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Lipid peroxidation was observed to be significantly higher (0.01 > p > 0.001) in the larynx carcinoma group in comparison to the healthy controls. Both stage I + 11 and stage III carcinoma patients were observed to have significantly higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances than the control group. A significant difference was found in plasma vitamin E level between the control group and stage I + 11 and stage III carcinoma patients (p < 0.01, 0.05 > p > 0.02, respectively).

RESULTS

Our findings reveal the presence of increased lipooxidative damage in laryngeal carcinoma patients, but no change with respect to the endogenous antioxidant components-GSH, GSH Px, and CuZn SOD.