In silico detection of Cucurbitacin-E on antioxidant enzymes of model organism Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and variation of antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in treated larvae

Background: In silico studies further provided predictive binding properties of selected ligands for inhibition of target protein. In the study, molecular binding poses of Cucurbitacin-E and antioxidant enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of Galleria mellonella were determined in silico. Cucurbitacins are the most important components of Ecballium elaterium. The first cucurbitacin isolated from the plant was Cucurbitacin-E. In this study, the toxic effect of E. elaterium (L.) A. Rich. (Cucurbitaceae) fruit juice on G. mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae, which is known as a good model insect, was also detected, and its effect on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation was revealed. Results: The plant fruit juice was tested on the target larvae of G. mellonella with different doses for 24 h. After the application, mortality rate, LC50, LC90 and LC99 values, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the activity changes of antioxidant enzymes were determined. Mortality increased with the increasing concentration of fruit juice. Also, increasing doses of essential oil caused decreasing in SOD, CAT, GST GPx, GR and AChE activities and increasing in MDA levels. As a result of in silico studies, maximum binding energy was obtained from G. mellonella CAT enzyme with Cucurbitacin E as a ligand. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate the in silico binding potential of Cucurbitacin E on G. mellonella enzymes. The results indicate that E. elaterium can be used against G. mellonella in a pest control program

Is neck circumference measurement an indicator for abdominal obesity? A pilot study on Turkish Adults

Background: Neck circumference (NC) measurement is one of the simple screening measurements which can be used as an index of upper body fat distribution to identify obesity.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between neck circumferences and obesity.Methods:A total 411 volunteer adults participated in this study (174 men, 237 women). A questionnaire which consisted of anthropometric measurements and demographic features was used. Patients with NC ≥37 cm for men and ≥34 cm for women require evaluation of overweight status.Results: The percentages of the men and women with BMI ≥ 25kg/m2 were 55.2% and 27.0% respectively and with high neck circumferences were 85.1% and 38.8%, respectively. The percentages of the men and women with high waist circumference were 31.6% and 79.3%, respectively. In both gender there were positive significant correlations between neck circumference, body weight (men, r=0.576; women, r=0.702; p=0.000), waist circumferences (men, r=0.593; women r=0.667; p=0.000), hip circumferences (men, r=0.568; women, r=0.617; p=0.000) and BMI (men, r=0.587; women, r=0.688; p=0.000).Conclusions: This study indicates that NC was associated with body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and waist/hip ratio for men and women. A significant association was found between NC and conventional overweight and obesity indexes. NC was associated with waist/hip ratio for men and women.Key words: Neck circumference, obesity

The effect of carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (Corm-2) on healing of ischemic colon anastomosis in rats

Background/aim: Ischemia on the colon wall negatively affects healing of anastomosis. We were aimed to evaluate the effects of carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) on the healing of anastomosis in a rat model of the ischemic colon. Materials and methods: In this prospective study a total of 60 rats were randomly divided into three groups as colon transection and end-to-end anastomosis (Group I), colon transection, and end-to-end anastomosis following the induction of ischemia (Group II), and colon transection and end-to-end anastomosis following the induction of ischemia and treated with daily intraperitoneal administration of CORM-2 (Group III). Each group was also divided into two equal subgroups as postoperative 3rd and 7th day. Postoperative healing of anastomoses was evaluated by anastomosis burst pressure (ABP), tissue biomarkers including hydroxyproline (HP), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and histopathological findings. Results: In the ischemic group treated with CORM-2, lower MDA and higher HP levels were observed in comparison to the untreated ischemic group on the 3rd day. GSH and HP levels were higher and MDA levels was lower in the ischemic rats treated with CORM-2 than in the ischemic untreated rats on the 7th day. In the ischemic group treated with CORM-2, the mucosal epithelial score decreased and the neoangiogenesis score increased compared to the untreated rats on the 7th day. Conclusion: In ischemic colon anastomosis, reduces cell destruction by suppressing the oxidative reaction, and strengthening the antioxidative mechanisms of the cells. It also increases collagen formation, epithelial development, and neoangiogenesis

Turner syndrome and associated problems in turkish children: A multicenter study

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population. Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014. Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosi) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%. Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespan. © Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology

Clinical characteristics and growth hormone treatment in patients with prader-willi syndrome

Objective: To investigate clinical characteristics and response to growth hormone (GH) treatment in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) in Turkey. Methods: The data of 52 PWS patients from ten centers was retrospectively analyzed. A nation-wide, web-based data system was used for data collection. Demographic, clinical, genetic, and laboratory data and follow-up information of the patients were evaluated. Results: The median age of patients at presentation was 1.5 years, and 50% were females. Genetic analysis showed microdeletion in 69.2%, uniparental disomy in 11.5%, imprinting defect in 1.9% and methylation abnormality in 17.3%. Hypotonia (55.7%), feeding difficulties (36.5%) and obesity (30.7%) were the most common complaints. Cryptorchidism and micropenis were present in 69.2% and 15.3% of males, respectively. At presentation, 25% had short stature, 44.2% were obese, 9.6% were overweight and 17.3% were underweight. Median age of obese patients was significantly higher than underweight patients. Central hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency were present in 30.7% and 4.7%, respectively. Hypogonadism was present in 75% at normal age of puberty. GH treatment was started in 40% at a mean age of 4.7±2.7 years. After two years of GH treatment, a significant increase in height SDS was observed. However, body mass index (BMI) standard deviation (SDS) remained unchanged. Conclusion: The most frequent complaints were hypotonia and feeding difficulty at first presentation. Obesity was the initial finding in 44.2%. GH treatment was started in less than half of the patients. While GH treatment significantly increased height SDS, BMI SDS remained unchanged, possibly due to the relatively older age at GH start. Keywords: Prader-Willi syndrome, endocrine dysfunction, growth hormone treatment, body compositio

The Effect of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Process on Hemodynamic, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Changes

Aim: Operation of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), is the most commonly used method of renal stone surgery. During this operation, kidney must be continually irrigated with isotonic liquid. In our study, we investigated the volume of irrigation, irrigation duration, input the number of percutaneous renal parenchymal thickness and the degree of this finding the effects of on hemodynamic, electrolyte and metabolic changes. Method: 64 patient with an indication for percutaneous nephrolithotomy were included in the study. Before irrigation, during irrigation and the post- irrigation; pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (bp), electrolytes, arterial blood gases were measured. In preoperative and postoperative 1. and 24. hours hemoglobin, creatinine levels were measured. Before the operation; pelvicaliectasis degree, parenchymal thickness, volume and duration of irrigation and the number of percutaneous entry were recorded in all patients. Results: Following the start of irrigation, changes in diastolic and systolic bp and pulse also not statistically significant. No significant change of partial oxygen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen saturation pressure was observed. After the operation, serum sodium, potassium, calcium values are within normal limits, but when compared with preoperative values the decrease of these values statistically significant were observed. Bicarbonate and ph values with irrigation period had a negative correlation. Although not clinically significant parenchymal thickness was found to be negative correlation with decrease of calcium. Additionally degrees of pelvicaliectasis has been found negative correlation with the decrease of sodium and bicarbonate. Conclusion: Hemodynamics and electrolytes did not change significantly both during and after the PNL process, but metabolic acidosis was observed towards the end of the PNL process. In long-term irrigation, repeated percutaneous entrances, people with moderate and severe pelvikaliektazis, especially in order to prevent electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis, it was concluded that may be useful for follow-up AKG and electrolits during and after PNL

DATÇA YARIMADASINDAKİ KUVATERNER YAŞLI VOLKANÎK KAYAÇLARIN PETROLOJİSİ VE KÖKENSEL YORUMU

Güneybatı Anadolu'da yer alan Datça yarımadasında, çok genç çökeller içinde, tüf yatakları ile süngertaşı ve lav parçaları gibi volkanik ürünler saptanmıştır. Petrolojik özellikleri ve bölgesel yayılımları göz önüne alındığında, bu volkanitlerin olasılıkla 40 000-50 000 yıl kadar önce, yarımadanın yaklaşık 18 km batısındaki Nysiros adasından şiddetli patlamalarla havadan gelip düşerek yığıştıkları sonucuna varılmıştır. Tamamen volkanik bir ada olan Nysiros adası, Ege Denizindeki Pliyo-Kuvaterner yaşlı aktif volkanik ada yayının en doğu ucunu oluşturmaktadır. Datça yarımadasındaki volkanik ürünlerle, Nysiros adasındaki volkanitier tamamen eş petrografik ve kimyasal özellikler göstermekte olup, tipik kalkalkalin niteliktedirler

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Horseshoe Kidney: Our First Experience

Objective To share our experience in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedures in patients with horseshoe kidney. Materials and Methods The data of 7 patients undergoing PCNL were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative clinical and laboratory data of patients (including complete urinalysis, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, and coagulation tests) were recorded. The stone surface area (mm2) was calculated by graph paper tracing of two dimensional projection of the stone on a plain film of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (KUB) in the anteroposterior view by investigators. In addition, per-operative and post-operative findings were evaluated. Success and complication rates (according to the classification of Clavien) were also determined. Results The mean stone surface area was 1234 (range 250-2460 mm2) mm2. Six patients were treated through a single tract, and one patient required additional access. Access was directed to the middle calyx (n=2), superior calyx (n=4), middle and inferior calyx (n=1) through the supracostal (n=2) and subcostal (n=5) areas. Mean operative time was 131 (range 70-215 minutes) minutes. Stone-free rate after single session PCNL was 71% (n=5) and increased to 86% (n=6) with a post-operative secondary ureterorenoscopy procedure. Complications including bleeding necessitating blood transfusion (Clavien grade 2) and prolonged drainage (Clavien degree 3a) were occurred in only 2 patients (24%). Conclusion PCNL is a safe and successful procedure in patients with horseshoe kidney and comparable with PNL procedures in patients with normal renal anatom