Phenylethanoid glycosides from Scutellaria galericulata

From the aerial parts of Scutellaria galericulata L., four phenylethanoid glycosides, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-(6-O-caffeoyl)-\beta -D-glucopyranoside (1), calceolarioside B (2), osmanthuside E (3) and martynoside (4), were isolated. The structure elucidations of the isolated compounds were performed by spectroscopic (UV, IR, ESI-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR) methods. Compounds 1-4 demonstrated scavenging properties toward the 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical in TLC autographic assays

Anticipation via canards in excitable systems

Neurons can anticipate incoming signals by exploiting a physiological mechanism that is not well understood. This article offers a novel explanation on how a receiver neuron can predict the sender’s dynamics in a unidirectionally-coupled configuration, in which both sender and receiver follow the evolution of a multi-scale excitable system. We present a novel theoretical viewpoint based on a mathematical object, called canard, to explain anticipation in excitable systems. We provide a numerical approach, which allows to determine the transient effects of canards. To demonstrate the general validity of canard-mediated anticipation in the context of excitable systems, we illustrate our framework in two examples, a multi-scale radio-wave circuit (the van der Pol model) that inspired a caricature neuronal model (the FitzHugh-Nagumo model) and a biophysical neuronal model (a 2-dimensional reduction of the Hodgkin-Huxley model), where canards act as messengers to the senders’ prediction. We also propose an experimental paradigm that would enable experimental neuroscientists to validate our predictions. We conclude with an outlook to possible fascinating research avenues to further unfold the mechanisms underpinning anticipation. We envisage that our approach can be employed by a wider class of excitable systems with appropriate theoretical extensions.ERC Advanced Grant NerVi no. 227747 Ikerbasque (The Basque Foundation for Science

Association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase promoter region (T-786C) gene polymorphism with acute coronary syndrome and coronary heart disease

İstanbul Bilim Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi.Background Nitric oxide (NO) is an endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) which has an important role for regulating the heart-vessel physiology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the eNOS T-786C polymorphism on lipid parameters and the development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and coronary heart disease (CHD) for the first time in a Turkish study group. We have analyzed the genotype frequencies of the T-786C polymorphism of the eNOS gene in 10 ACS patients (5 men, 5 women), 20 CHD patients (14 men, 6 women), and 31 controls (10 men, 21 women), who were angiographically proven to have normal coronaries. Results The demographic, biochemical and left ventricule systolic dysfunction data of the ACS, CHD patients and controls were analyzed as a function of eNOS T-786C genotypes. The eNOS gene T-786C polymorphism frequencies for T/T, C/T and C/C genotypes were respectively 10%, 40%, 50% in subjects with ACS; 75%, 20%, 5% in subjects with CHD and 67.7%, 25.8%, 6.5% in the control group. Significant difference was observed in genotype frequencies between the study groups for T-786C polymorphism (p = 0.001). The CC genotype frequency was found to be the most prevalent in ACS group in comparison to CHD and control groups (p = 0.001). TT was the most frequently observed genotype in both CHD patients and controls (p = 0.001). Left ventricule systolic dysfunction frequency was found to be highest in C/T genotype carriers (66.7%) in patients (ACS+CHD). None of the patients with LVSD were carrying the normal genotype (T/T). The eNOS T-786C polymorphism was not found to be effective over any analyzed lipid variable in patients (ACS+CHD). The HDL-cholesterol levels were found to be lower in CHD group were compared to controls (p < 0.01), whereas glucose and leucocyte levels of the ACS and CHD groups were both higher than controls (p < 0.001). Conclusion The significantly high frequency of eNOS -786C/C genotype in ACS patients than in those of controls, indicate the genotype association with ACS. The finding of significantly high frequency of T/T genotype in the CHD group, may support the relationship of CC genotype with ACS without CHD. The high frequency of the mutant (C/C) and heterozygous (C/T) genotypes found may be linked to left ventricule remodeling after MI

The Synthesis of Styrene-Oligoester Copolymer and Investigation of Their Physico-mechanical Properties

The copolymerization reaction of commercial propylene oxide with glycidylmethacrilate in the presence of BF3·O(C2H5)2 catalyst have been investigated. The composition and structure of copolymerization products and anchored functional groups have been determined using IR and gel chromatographic methods. The physico-mechanical properties and utility of polyfunctional unsaturated oligoester were investigated. The obtained thermoset product via the reaction of the oligoester with both styrene and oligostyrene obtained from the bottom of column as a waste material during the rectification operation of styrene in the presence of radicalic initiator has a good adhesion capability, hardness and high heat and water resistance. Thus the waste material was converted to the high valuable polymeric material

Artifact-Removed Quantitative Analysis of Choriocapillaris Flow Voids

Objectives:To investigate choriocapillaris flow voids (FV) with a new optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) image processing strategy that can eliminate artifacts caused by vitreous opacities, sub-retinal pigment epithelium fluid and deposits, and subretinal fluid (SRF) by thresholding the en-face OCT image of the outer retina.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with drusen and patients with active central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). FV number (FVn), average area (FVav), and maximum area (FVmax) and the percentage of nonperfused choriocapillaris area (PNPCA) obtained using the proposed strategy were compared with those obtained by removing only artifacts caused by the superficial capillary plexus (SCP).Results:The SRF group included 21 eyes with active CSC and the drusen group included 29 eyes with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration. FVav, FVmax, FVn, and PNPCA obtained using the algorithm were significantly lower than those obtained by removing only SCP-related artefacts in both groups (all p<0.05). The algorithm was also able to remove 96.9% of artifacts secondary to vitreous opacities and all artifacts secondary to serous pigment epithelial detachments.Conclusion:Choriocapillaris nonperfusion areas on OCTA images may be overestimated in eyes with RPE abnormalities and SRF due to artifacts. These artifact areas on choriocapillaris OCTA images can be removed using thresholded images of the outer retina en-face OCT scans. Our new artifact-removal strategy is useful in the assessment of choriocapillaris FV in eyes with SRF, drusen, drusen-like deposits, and pigment epithelial detachment

Sex- differences in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency:Data from the EARCO Registry

Background: Sex and gender influence many aspects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Limited data are available on this topic in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). We therefore aimed to investigate sex issues in the EARCO registry, a prospective, international, observational cohort study.Methods: Baseline data from PiZZ individuals, enrolled in the registry with complete data on sex and smoking history were analysed by group comparisons and binary logistic regression analyses.Results: 1283 patients with AATD, 49.3% women were analysed. Females reported less tobacco consumption (16.8 ± 12.2 vs. 19.6 ± 14.5 PY, p = 0.006), occupational exposures towards gases, dusts or asbestos (p &lt; 0.005 each) and consumed less alcohol (5.5 ± 7.6 vs. 8.4 ± 10.3 u/week, p &lt; 0.001). Females reported COPD (41% vs. 57%, p &lt; 0.001) and liver disease (11% vs. 20%, p &lt; 0.001) less often. However, they had a higher prevalence of bronchiectasis (24% vs. 13%, p &lt; 0.001). Despite better lung function (FEV1%pred. 73.6 ± 29.9 vs. 62.7 ± 29.5, p &lt; 0.001) females reported a similar symptom burden (CAT 13.4 ± 9.5 vs. 12.5 ± 8.9, p = ns) and exacerbation frequency (at least one in the previous year 30% vs. 26%, p = ns) compared to males. In multivariate analyses, female sex was an independent risk factor for exacerbations in the previous year OR 1.6 p = 0.001 in addition to smoking history, COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis and was also identified as risk factors for symptom burden (CAT ≥ 10) OR 1.4 p = 0.014 besides age, BMI, COPD and smoking history.Conclusion: Men had higher rates of COPD and liver disease, women were more likely to have bronchiectasis. Women's higher symptom burden and exacerbation frequency suggest they may need tailored treatment approaches

PPAR-alpha L162V polymorphism in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/aims: Several lines of evidence suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. L162V polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha gene enhances the transactivation activity of this transcription factor. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical correlates of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha L162V polymorphism in hepatitis virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: 90 hepatocellular carcinoma patients diagnosed at Ankara University Gastroenterology Clinic between January 2002 and July 2003 and 80 healthy controls with normal body mass index, blood chemistry and with negative viral serology were included. peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha L162V polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP. Results: hepatocellular carcinoma etiologies were as follows: 56 HBV, 12 HBV+HDV, 22 HCV. Eighty-seven patients (97%) were cirrhotic, and 60 patients (67.5%) had advanced tumors. In 83 (92%) of 90 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, gene segment including polymorphic region could be amplified by PCR (50 HBV, 12 HBV+HDV, 21 HCV) and 6 of them (7.2%, all infected with HBV) had L162V polymorphism, while 2 (2.5%) of 80 controls had this polymorphism (p=0.162). This trend became more remarkable when only HBV (HBV+HDV)-infected patients were compared with controls (6/62, 9.7% vs. 2/80, 2.5%, respectively, p=0.071). Five of 6 patients with L162V had advanced disease. Conclusions: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha L162V polymorphism tends to occur in HBV-induced epatocellular carcinoma and is absent in HCV-related epatocellular carcinoma. These findings may show clues for the existence of different carcinogenesis mechanisms in these two common etiologies. Frequent occurrence of advanced disease in patients with L162V polymorphism suggests a role for this polymorphism in tumor progression

Neurogenic bladder in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: Treatment and follow-up

Study design:Multi-center, cross-sectional study.Objectives:Our aim was to evaluate the treatment methods and follow-up of neurogenic bladder in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury retrospectively using a questionnaire.Setting: Turkey.Methods:Three hundred and thirty-seven patients who had spinal cord injury for at least 2 years were enrolled from six centers in the neurogenic bladder study group. They were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about treatments they received and techniques they used for bladder management.Results:The study included 246 male and 91 female patients with a mean age of 42±14 years. Intermittent catheterization ( IC) was performed in 77.9% of the patients, 3.8% had indwelling catheters, 13.8% had normal spontaneous micturition, 2.6% performed voiding maneuvers, 1.3% used diapers and 0.6% used condom catheters. No gender difference was found regarding the techniques used in bladder rehabilitation ( P>0.05). Overall, 63.2% of patients used anticholinergic drugs; anticholinergic drug use was similar between genders ( P>0.05). The most common anticholinergic drug used was oxybutynin ( 40.3%), followed by trospium ( 32.6%), tolterodine ( 19.3%) darifenacin ( 3.3%), propiverine ( 3.3%) and solifenacin ( 1.1%). The specialties of the physicians who first prescribed the anticholinergic drug were physiatrists ( 76.2%), urologists ( 22.1%) and neurologists ( 1.7%). Only four patients had previously received injections of botulinum-toxin-A into the detrusor muscle and three of them stated that their symptoms showed improvement. Most of the patients ( 77%) had regular follow-up examinations, including urine cultures, urinary system ultrasound and urodynamic tests, when necessary; the reasons for not having regular control visits were living distant from hospital ( 15.3%) and monetary problems ( 7.7%). Of the patients, 42.7% did not experience urinary tract infections ( UTI), 36.4% had bacteriuria but no UTI episodes with fever, 15.9% had 1-2 clinical UTI episodes per year and 5% had ≥3 clinical UTIs. The clinical characteristics of patients with and without UTI ( at least one symptomatic UTI during 1 year) were similar ( P>0.05). The frequency of symptomatic UTI was similar in patients using different bladder management techniques ( P>0.05).Conclusion:The most frequently used technique for bladder rehabilitation in patients with SCI was IC ( 77.9%). In all, 63.2% of patients used anticholinergic drugs, oxybutynin being the most commonly used drug. Also, 77% of patients had regular control visits for neurogenic bladder; 42.7% did not experience any UTIs. © 2014 International Spinal Cord Society

Intermittent catheterization in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: Obstacles, worries, level of satisfaction

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the obstacles in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) face performing intermittent catheterization (IC), also their worries and level of satisfaction. Methods: Two hundred sixty-nine patients performing IC for at least 3 months were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about their opinions on IC. Results: In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves, 10.4% had performed by their mothers, 7.8% by another caregiver and 7.4% by their spouse. For the 72 (26%) patients unable to apply IC, reasons were insufficient hand function (56.1%), being unable to sit appropriately (35.4%) and spasticity (8.5%). In all, 70% of male patients had insufficient hand function, 20% could not sit and 10% had spasticity while 56.3% of female patients could not sit, 37.5% had insufficient hand function and 63% had spasticity. Difference between sexes was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Worries patients had when starting IC were fear of being dependent on IC (50.2%), accidentally injuring self (43.8%), embarrassment (43.2%), causing an infection (40.2%), bleeding (32.7%), fear of feeling pain (30.2%) and hygiene (24.7%). More women felt embarrassment; other items were similar in both sexes. In all, 46.9% of patients had urinary incontinence in intervals. Conclusion: In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves. Men's most common obstacle was insufficient hand function while women's was being unable to sit appropriately. Patients' most common worries were being dependent on IC for life. In all, 46.9% had incontinence in intervals; 47.9% said IC improved their life quality; and 97.4% preferred IC over continuous catheterization. © 2014 International Spinal Cord Society All rights reserved

Colorimetric microwell plate reverse-hybridization assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection

Direct smear examination using Ziehl-Neelsen staining for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) diagnosis is inexpensive and easy to use, but has the major limitation of low sensitivity. Rapid molecular methods are becoming more widely available in centralized laboratories, but they depend on timely reporting of results and strict quality assurance obtainable only from costly commercial kits available in high burden nations. This study describes a pre-commercial colorimetric method, Detect-TB, for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in which an oligonucleotide probe is fixed onto wells of microwell plates and hybridized with biotinylated polymerase chain reaction amplification products derived from clinical samples. The probe is capable of hybridising with the IS6110 insertion element and was used to specifically recognise the M. tuberculosis complex. When combined with an improved silica-based DNA extraction method, the sensitivity of the test was 50 colony-forming units of the M. tuberculosis reference strain H37Rv. The results that were in agreement with reference detection methods were observed in 95.2% (453/476) of samples included in the analysis. Sensitivity and specificity for 301 induced sputum samples and 175 spontaneous sputum samples were 85% and 98%, and 94% and 100%, respectively. This colorimetric method showed similar specificity to that described for commercially available kits and may provide an important contribution for PTB diagnosis