High-density lipoprotein functionality in patients with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels are associated with decreased risk of atherosclerotic disease, but also not all HDL are  functionally equivalent. The functional status of HDL is closely linked to its primary protein component, apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-I) levels and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) enzyme. Functional changes of HDL may arise from hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) induced posttranslational modification of ApoA-1 and PON1 levels. A total of 41 patients who met the research criteria were included in the study. On average, 30 sessions of HBO therapy were performed (range: 20-39). Laboratory measurements were performed at the beginning and at the end of HBO treatment in two groups of the same patients. We measured serum levels of Apo A-1, PON1, oxidized LDL (OxLDL) and routine lipid laboratory parameters to determine possible changes in HDL function with HBO therapy. As unexpected, long term HBO treatment have no effect on OxLDL and also on PON1 enzyme. However, the mean ApoA-1 values in the second group were statistically significantly increased than their pre-treatment values (P < 0.003). This preliminary study showed that HBO therapy increased the amount of serum ApoA-1. Actually, it can be assumed that the treatment of HBO does not have a negative effect on HDL functionality. The increase in ApoA-1 with HBO therapy is probably aimed at protecting against oxidative stress in patients. As a result, there is a need for larger clinical trials to determine the possible effects of HBO therapy on HDL functionality

Impaired oxidative balance and association of blood glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR index in migraine

Introduction: The nature of the relationship between glucose metabolism and occurrence of migraine has not been elucidated precisely. This study investigated the status of oxidative/antioxidative balan-ce and its relationship with the glucose metabolism in migraineurs to get new points of view for the underlying oxidative mechanisms. Materials and methods: Sixty migraineurs and 46 control subjects were included in the study. Oxidative stress index, total oxidant and antioxidant status of both groups were examined in addition to the insulin and HOMA-IR index levels. Results: HOMA-IR index was significantly enhanced in migraineurs (P = 0.038); similarly oxidative stress index and total oxidant status were higher in patients compared to the controls (P < 0.001 for both). Conclusion: This preliminary study shows that oxidative/antioxidative balance shifts towards the oxidative status in migraine. Higher total oxidant status and elevated HOMA-IR index might play a role in the potential early pathogenesis for migraine

Ischemia modified albumin is an indicator of oxidative stress in multiple sclerosis

Introduction: Oligodendrocytes need iron in processes of energy generation and myelination. However, excessive levels of iron may exert iron induced oxidative stress and thus lead to tissue degeneration. Monitoring oxidative stress will be of paramount importance in follow-up of patients with many diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to measure total anti-oxidative status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS) and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in stable relapse remitting MS (RRMS) patients. Materials and methods: Thirty-five RRMS patients (15 males and 20 females; median age 42 (20-55) years) and thirty-five age-sex matched healthy controls (13 males and 22 females; median age 37 (21-60) years) were included in this study. All patients were diagnosed with MS according to the criteria of McDonald. Results: IMA levels were significantly higher in RRMS patients (P < 0.001), while TAS and TOS did not show any significant difference between groups (P = 0.870 and P = 0.460, respectively). Conclusions: Our results suggest IMA as a more efficient serum marker than TAS and TOS in detecting the oxidative stress in MS patients. Serum oxidative stress markers should be included in future study protocols besides clinical and radiological parameter

Biosorption Behaviour of an Arid Land Plant, Euphorbia Rigida, Towards to Heavy Metals: Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies

T he potential of an arid-land plant, Euphorbia rigida E. rigida , for the removal of heavy metals [Pb II , Zn II , Cu II , Cd II , Ni II ] from aqueous solutions was studied in the current work. Batch sorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of pH, particle size, initial metal ion concentration, contact time and temperature. Besides, biosorption data was analysed by different isotherm and kinetic models. Equilibrium studies showed that the biosorption closely follows the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. From the kinetic point of view, pseudo-second order model gave the best fitting with the experimental results. The evaluated thermodynamic parameters showed that biosorption onto E. rigida was a feasible, spontaneous and endothermic process. The affinities of metal ions onto E. rigida decreased as Pb II > Zn II > Cd II > Cu II > Ni II in single metal biosorption. Besides, binary and ternary metal sorption studies were conducted to investigate the co-ion effect. Experimental results showed that E. rigida can be used as an alternative and effective low cost biosorbent for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution

Effects of black locust (robinia pseudeoacacia l.) on soil properties in erosion control areas (a case study of Pamukcular watershed in Artvin

Bu çalışmada; kurak bir iklimin görüldüğü ve erozyon etkilerinin (rüzgar-su) var olduğu Artvin- Pamukçular Havzası’nda yapılan ağaçlandırma çalışmalarının toprak özelliklerinde meydana getirmiş olduğu değişimler ortaya konmaya çalışılmış, ağaçlandırma çalışmalarının üst toprak özelliklerine etkisi araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla iki farklı derinlik (0-10 cm ve 10-20 cm) kademesinden toplam 48 adet poşet (bozulmuş toprak örneği) ve yine her iki derinlik kademesinden 48 adet silindir (bozulmamış toprak örneği) örneği alınmıştır. Alınan toprak örneklerinde mekanik analiz (tekstür tayini), nem ekivalanı (tarla kapasitesi), solma noktası, faydalı su, geçirgenlik (permeabilite), hacim ağırlığı, tane yoğunluğu, gözenek hacmi (porozite), organik madde ve toprak reaksiyonu (pH) belirlenmiştir. Ağaçlandırma çalışmalarının toprak özelliklerine etkisi varyans analizi ile test edilmiştir. Bu çalışmanın sonucunda; Artvin İli Yusufeli İlçesi Pamukçular Havzası’nda yalancı akasya (Robinia pseudeoacacia L.) ile yapılan ağaçlandırma çalışmalarının toprağın fiziksel ve kimyasal özellikleri üzerinde olumlu yönde etkisi olduğu görülmüştür. Bu nedenle, benzer arazi ve iklim özelliklerine sahip kurak ve yarı kurak alanlardaki ağaçlandırma çalışmalarında yalancı akasya türünün kullanılmasının öncelikle toprak özellikleri üzerinde olumlu etkilerinin olacağı öngörülmektedir.In this study, effects of forestation efforts on surface soil characteristics were investigated in erosion- affected areas of Artvin’s Pamukcular Watershed where an arid climate and impacts of soil erosion (caused both by water and wind) are present. In order to implement this goal, total of 48 soil samples from two different sites, disturbed and undisturbed, were collected at the depths of 0 – 10 cm and 10 – 20 cm. Collected samples were analyzed for several soil parameters including texture, moisture equivalent (field capacity), wilting point, permeability, bulk density, particle (solid) density, porosity, organic matter, and pH. Variance analyses were then used to test the effects of forestation works on soil features mentioned above. As a result, the analyses showed that the black locusts (Robinia pseudeoacacia L.) planted in the areas of the forestation efforts in order to control soil erosion had positive effects on the physical and chemical features of the soil within the Watershed of Pamukcular in Yusufeli, Artvin. Therefore, the black locust used in this study may also be used in areas with similar topographic and climatic features

Higher serum lipids and oxidative stress in patients with normal tension glaucoma, but not pseudoexfoliative glaucoma

This study entailed a cross-examination of oxidant/antioxidant balance, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-linked paraoxonase 1 (PON1) phenotypes, and levels of serum routine lipids among patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) compared with healthy control groups. We aimed to investigate the links between oxidative stress (OS), HDL-related antioxidant enzyme activities and dyslipidemia in distinct subtypes of glaucoma. The study included 32 patients with NTG, 31 patients with PEXG, and 40 control subjects. Levels of PON1 and arylesterase enzymatic activity, total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status were measured by spectrophotometry and OS indexes (OSI) were calculated. The phenotype distribution of PON1 was determined using the dual substrate method. Blood serum levels of HDL, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were measured. The TOS and OSI values in the NTG group were significantly higher compared with the other groups (both p < 0.01). The phenotype distribution found in the glaucoma and control groups were NTG: QQ, 59.4%; QR, 37.5%; RR, 3.1%; PEXG: QQ, 45.1%; QR, 48.4%; RR, 6.5%; and in the control group: QQ, 42.5%; QR, 50.0%; RR, 7.5%. Serum TC levels were significantly higher than the control in both NTG and PEXG groups, whereas TG was significantly higher in NTG only (p < 0.01 and p < 0.02, respectively). Hyperlipidemia, OS and variations in phenotype distribution of PON1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of different types of glaucoma

Omentum adiposity is linked with resistin gene expression

Background: This study demonstrated site-specific adipose tissue resistin gene expression differences in individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. The relationship between conventional drug therapy and adipose tissue resistin gene expression was also determined. Paired omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues were excised during elective surgery from morbidly obese and obese patients. Methods: Resistin mRNA expressions were determined by qPCR. All tissue sections also were also analyzed for their resistin and CD68 protein expressions by immunohistochemistry. Results: No significant difference for omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue resistin mRNA expression levels were found among morbidly obese and obese study groups. The omental adipocytes resistin mRNA expressions increased with macrophage number both in the omental and subcutaneus fat. Resistin mRNA expressions of the omental and subcutaneous fat were in positive correlation. As the omental adipocytes radius decreased, the macrophage number increased in subcutaneous fat. In the omentum the adipocytes diameter and areas increased, in correlation with macrophage number. The antidiabetic drug use was found to increase adipocyte size both in the omentum and subcutaneous fat. Conclusions: The higher resistin gene expression in the omental fat may induce the increase in size and number of adipocytes, thus leading to elavation in omental fat mass

Li+ doped chitosan-based solid polymer electrolyte incorporated with PEDOT:PSS for electrochromic device

In this study, solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) based on chitosan (Ch) was prepared with addition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), lithium trifluro methane sulfonate (LiTRIF), propylene carbonate (PC) by solvent casting technique. The chitosan-based polymer electrolyte was characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The ionic conductivity value was calculated as 4.2 x 10-4 S/cm. The SPE having good ionic conductivity was used to fabricate electrochromic device with glass/ITO/WO3׀PEDOT:PSS-Ch-LiTRIF-PC׀ITO/glass whose performance was evaluated via cyclic voltammetry, transmittance, repeating chronoamperometry. The optical contrast of ECD was attained as 22% at 800 nm, which resulting in coloration efficiency of 67 cm2/C. The ECD displays fast response time for coloration (tc ) is 0.29 s. Upon reversal of potential bleaching (tb ) forms within 3 s. The findings demonstrated that this SPE electrolyte has promising candidate for use in optoelectronic applications

1,8-naftalen imid ve 1,8-naftalen benzimidazol türevlerinin sentezleri ve fotofiziksel-elektrokimyasal özelliklerinin incelenmesi

Bu tezde, N-butil-1,8-naftalen imid, N-(2-etil hekzil)-1,8-naftalen imid, 1,8-naftalen benzimidazol, 1,8-naftalen-(3,4-piridin imidazol), 1,8- naftalen-(7-metil imidazol), 1,8-(8-bromo imidazol) bileşikleri sentezlenmiştir. Sentezlenen tüm türevlerin yapıları spektroskopik yöntemler kullanılarak aydınlatılmıştır. Türevlerin yapıları UV-vis, fluoresans, FTIR, 1H NMR ile aydınlatılarak, bu türevlerin TGA ile termal dayanımları, döngüsel voltammetri ile redoks potansiyelleri tespit edilerek, fotofiziksel (kuantum verimleri) ve elektrokimyasal özellikleri ortaya konmuştur. Sentezlenen bu türevler, fotoelektronik teknolojiler alanında kullanım imkanı bulmaktadırlar