Frequency of angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism in Turkish acute stroke patients

This study was performed in acute stroke patients in the Turkish population to determine the frequency of the A1166C polymorphism in the AT1 gene and to examine the role of this polymorphism in acute stroke development. In this study, 257 genomic DNA samples were analysed (from 206 acute stroke patients and 51 healthy individuals). Genomic DNA was prepared from peripheral blood using the salt-extraction method. The presence of the A1166C polymorphism in the AT1 gene was determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. PCR products were separated by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized by a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. In this study, the allele frequency at the A1166C position was 92% A and 8% C for control and 97% A and 3% C for patients. This difference in allele frequency between the control group and the patient group was not statistically significant. However, genotype and allele frequencies showed a significant difference (P<0.001) in the control and the patient groups. The results of this study show no relationship between the A1166C polymorphism in the AT1 gene and acute stroke in the Turkish population

The Effects Of Vaccinium Myrtillus On Antioxidant System and Lipid Peroxidation in Experimental Diabetic Rats Model

Aim:Vaccinium myrtillus (VM) is popularly known as blueberries used as a therapeutic in many diseases, especially diabetes. VM has an extensive habitat in Turkey and America. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Vaccinium myrtillus on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant system and plasma glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.Materials and Methods:32 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups, including 8 rats in each group. Groups were determined as control (C), streptozotocin (STZ), Vaccinium myrtillus (VM) and Vaccinium myrtillus + streptozotocin (STZ+VM). After preparation of STZ contains citrate buffer (0.1 M, pH 4.5), containing 55 mg/kg, it was applied to the rats as intraperitoneal and single dose. Extracts were given as oral gavage according to the group of animals every day during 10 days (100mg / kg). On day 11, diabetes were introduced by streptozocin (55mg / kg) according to animal groups. Blood glucose was measured from the queue. The catalase that is an antioxidant enzyme, activity was measured, by the Aebi method. Lipid peroxidation product that malondialdehyde (MDA) content was studied by spectrophotometric method according to Draper and Hadley method. The determination of supernatant of the resulting protein extracts of tissue homogenates was made by determining by the Lowry method. The results are evaluated by ANOVA, p<0.05 were considered significant.Results:There was a significant increase in liver CAT values in VM group (p <0.05). When the liver MDA levels were examined, there were significant differences between STZ and VM, STZ and C. When the kidney MDA levels were compared, MDA levels in STZ group were significantly higher than VM (p <0.05).Conclusion:The oxidative stress increase in rats by creation of diabetes. The applying of Vaccinium myrtillus to the diabetic rats reduces oxidative stress and this improves the general state of the rats. More studies are needed to determine more clearly the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Vaccinium myrtillus

The Effects of Vaccinium Myrtillus on Antioxidant System and Lipid Peroxidation in Experimental Diabetic Rats Model

Amaç: Yaban mersini olarak bilinen ve halk arasında diyabet başta olmak üzere birçok hastalıkta tedavi edici olarak kullanılan Vaccinium myrtillus, Türkiye’de yaygın bir yetişme alanına sahiptir. Bu araştırmada, Vaccinium myrtillus’un, streptozotosin (STZ) ile diyabet oluşturulmuş sıçanlarda, lipit peroksidasyonu, antioksidan sistem ve plazma glikoz düzeyi üzerine etkilerinin incelenmesi amaçlandı. Materyal ve Metot: 32 adet Sprague-Dawley yetişkin erkek sıçan, her grupta 8’er adet olmak üzere 4 gruba ayrıldı. Gruplar: Kontrol (K), streptozotosin (STZ), Vaccinium myrtillus (VM), ve Vaccinium myrtillus + streptozotosin (VM + STZ) verilecek şekilde belirlendi. STZ sitratlı tampon (0,1 M, pH 4,5) içerisinde 55 mg/kg olacak şekilde hazırlandıktan sonra sıçanlara tek doz ve intraperitoneal uygulandı. Hazırlanan ekstre hayvanlara gruplarına göre 10 gün boyunca her gün gavaj olarak verildi (100 mg/kg). 11. gün hayvan gruplarına göre streptozosin ile diyabet oluşturuldu (55 mg/kg). Kuyruktan alınan kan ile glikoz ölçüldü. Antioksidan bir enzim olan katalaz, Aebi’nin metodu kullanılarak;lipit peroksidasyon ürünü olan MDA, Draper ve Hadley’in spektrofotometrik metoduyla;protein tayini ise doku homojenatlarından oluşan ekstratların süpernatantlarının Lowry’nin yöntemine göre belirlenmesiyle hesaplandı. Sonuçlar ANOVA testi ile değerlendirilip, p<0,05 değerler anlamlı kabul edilmiştir. Sonuçlar: STZ ile diyabet yapılmadan önce VM verilen grupta karaciğer CAT değerlerinde anlamlı bir artış saptandı. Karaciğer MDA değeri incelendiğinde STZ ile VM arasında ve STZ ile K arasında anlamlı farklılık gözlendi. Böbrek MDA değerinde, STZ ile VM karşılaştırıldığında STZ grubunda MDA değeri yüksek bulundu (p <0,05). Tartışma: Sıçanlarda diyabet oluşturulmasıyla oksidatif stres artmaktadır. Diyabetik sıçanlara Vaccinium myrtillus verilmesi oksidatif stresi azaltmakta ve bu durum sıçanın genel durumunu iyileştirmektedir. Vaccinium myrtillus’un antidiyabetik ve antioksidan etkilerinin daha net belirlenmesi için daha çok çalışmaya ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.Aim: Vaccinium myrtillus (VM) is popularly known as blueberries used as a therapeutic in many diseases, especially diabetes. VM has an extensive habitat in Turkey and America. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Vaccinium myrtillus on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant system and plasma glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: 32 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups, including 8 rats in each group. Groups were determined as control (C), streptozotocin (STZ), Vaccinium myrtillus (VM) and Vaccinium myrtillus + streptozotocin (STZ+VM). After preparation of STZ contains citrate buffer (0.1 M, pH 4.5), containing 55 mg/kg, it was applied to the rats as intraperitoneal and single dose. Extracts were given as oral gavage according to the group of animals every day during 10 days (100mg / kg). On day 11, diabetes were introduced by streptozocin (55mg / kg) according to animal groups. Blood glucose was measured from the queue. The catalase that is an antioxidant enzyme, activity was measured, by the Aebi method. Lipid peroxidation product that malondialdehyde (MDA) content was studied by spectrophotometric method according to Draper and Hadley method. The determination of supernatant of the resulting protein extracts of tissue homogenates was made by determining by the Lowry method. The results are evaluated by ANOVA, p<0.05 were considered significant. Results: There was a significant increase in liver CAT values in VM group (p <0.05). When the liver MDA levels were examined, there were significant differences between STZ and VM, STZ and C. When the kidney MDA levels were compared, MDA levels in STZ group were significantly higher than VM (p <0.05). Conclusion: The oxidative stress increase in rats by creation of diabetes. The applying of Vaccinium myrtillus to the diabetic rats reduces oxidative stress and this improves the general state of the rats. More studies are needed to determine more clearly the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Vaccinium myrtillus

Improving the reporting quality of intervention trials addressing the inter-individual variability in response to the consumption of plant bioactives: quality index and recommendations

PURPOSE: The quality of the study design and data reporting in human trials dealing with the inter-individual variability in response to the consumption of plant bioactives is, in general, low. There is a lack of recommendations supporting the scientific community on this topic. This study aimed at developing a quality index to assist the assessment of the reporting quality of intervention trials addressing the inter-individual variability in response to plant bioactive consumption. Recommendations for better designing and reporting studies were discussed. METHODS: The selection of the parameters used for the development of the quality index was carried out in agreement with the scientific community through a survey. Parameters were defined, grouped into categories, and scored for different quality levels. The applicability of the scoring system was tested in terms of consistency and effort, and its validity was assessed by comparison with a simultaneous evaluation by experts' criteria. RESULTS: The "POSITIVe quality index" included 11 reporting criteria grouped into four categories (Statistics, Reporting, Data presentation, and Individual data availability). It was supported by detailed definitions and guidance for their scoring. The quality index score was tested, and the index demonstrated to be valid, reliable, and responsive. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the reporting quality of studies addressing inter-individual variability in response to plant bioactives highlighted the aspects requiring major improvements. Specific tools and recommendations favoring a complete and transparent reporting on inter-individual variability have been provided to support the scientific community on this field

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

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 stenosis) 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 lifespa

Learning Strategies Which 4th. Grade Primary School Students Using in Social Studies

Bu araştırmada, ilköğretim 4. sınıf öğrencilerinin Sosyal Bilgiler dersinde sınıf ortamında kullandıkları öğrenme stratejilerinin neler olduğu tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırma verileri, araştırmacı tarafından hazırlanan öğrenme stratejileri anket formu öğrencilere bire bir görüşme yolu ile uygulanarak elde edilmiştir. Araştırma verilerinin analizinde aritmetik ortalama ve standart sapma kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonucunda, İlköğretim 4. sınıf öğrencilerinin Sosyal Bilgiler dersinde sınıf ortamında zihinsel tekrar stratejilerini her zaman, örtük ve açık tekrar stratejilerini her zaman, eklemleme stratejilerini her zaman, geri getirmeyi (hatırlamayı) artırıcı stratejilerini her zaman, güdüleme stratejilerini her zaman, dikkat stratejilerini ara sıra, gruplama stratejilerini ara sıra, örgütleme stratejilerini ara sıra kullandıkları, bellek destekleyici stratejilerini ve yürütücü biliş stratejilerini hiçbir zaman kullanmadıkları ortaya çıkmıştır.In this research, it was aimed to find out the learning strategies of 4th grade primary school students in social sciences studies. The data of the research collected by “learning strategies public survey” which was developed by the researcher and it was implied in face to face way. While analyzing the data in this research, Mean and Standard Deviation were used. The findings of the research could be summarized as follows: 4th grade primary school students, in social sciences studies, have always used strategies of mental rehearsal, close and open rehearsal, elaboration, retrieval and motivation. Meanwhile, those students have rarely used attention strategies, chunking strategies and organizing strategies. On the other hand, 4th grade students have never used mnemonic strategies and meta-cognitive strategie

Wet deposition of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Izmir, Turkey

Concentrations of several polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in precipitation (n = 33) at a suburban site in Izmir, Turkey. Total (dissolved + particle) volume weighted mean (VWM) concentrations for Sigma(16)PAHs, Sigma(18)PCBs, Sigma(17)OCPs, and Sigma 7PBDEs were 785, 19.2, 50.5, and 29.6 ng l(-1), respectively. Low molecular weight (LMW) compounds (acenaphthylene, fluorene, phenanthrene) and congeners (PCB-18, 28, and 31) dominated the PAH and PCB concentrations, respectively. For PBDEs, BDE-209, and for OCPs, chlorpyrifos, a currently used pesticide, were the predominant compounds. Annual Sigma 7PBDEs flux was 18.74 mu g m(-2) year(-1). PBDE fluxes were mainly in dissolved phase for all congeners except BDE-209 which had comparable proportions in both phases. Annual flux for Sigma(16)PAHs was 497.4 mu g m(-2) year(-1); higher molecular weight (MW) PAH fluxes had comparable amounts in both phases while lower MW ones were mostly in dissolved phase. Wet deposition fluxes for Sigma(18)PCBs and Sigma(17)OCPs were 9.40 and 31.94 mu g m(-2) year(-1), respectively, and they were predominantly in dissolved phase. Wet deposition fluxes were compared to previously measured annual dry deposition fluxes at the study site to determine their relative contributions to annual total (dry particle + wet) deposition. Dry deposition was the major removal mechanism for most of the PAHs and PCBs contributing >80 % to total (wet + dry) deposition. However, both processes were comparable for PBDEs. Wet deposition was the predominant process for some OCPs such as alpha-chlordane, gamma-chlordane, and trans-nonachlor while both processes were comparable for chlorpyrifos and heptachlor epoxide

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) on Fine and Coarse Atmospheric Particles Measured at Two (Urban and Industrial) Sites

Particle size is an important parameter in terms of human health effects, fate and transport of pollutants associated with particulate matter (PM). Persistent organic pollutant (POP) (i.e., PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, and OCPs) concentrations were measured on fine (d(p) 50%) associated with fine PM. The larger contribution of all POP compounds to fine PM could be attributed to the higher sorption capacity of fine PM because of its relatively higher organic matter content compared to coarse PM. Fine PM fraction of POPs significantly increased with octanol-air partition coefficient (K-OA) (p < 0.01) since larger K-OA values favor the partitioning of POPs to PM. Relationships between fine PM percent and meteorological parameters (i.e., temperature and wind speed) were also investigated. Fine PM percent decreased with temperature and the correlations were significant for 51% of the compounds (p < 0.01), suggesting that the decrease in K-OA with increasing temperature results in less partitioning to PM. Fine PM fraction also decreased with wind speed (p < 0.01 for the 52% of the compounds) that could be attributed to increased resuspension of contaminated coarse particles with increasing wind speed. Using the experimental deposition velocities reported for several POPs in the study area it was shown that dry particle deposition velocity significantly decreases with increasing fine PM fraction (p < 0.01). This indicates that the increase in fine fraction of POPs with decreasing volatility may have important implications for their environmental fate and transport