Evaluation of estrogenic hormones in water reservoirs and municipality treatment plants in Istanbul

The increase in population and industrialization has led to increase wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Turkey's pharmaceutical sector has grown by over 30% in the last decade, therefore the levels of estrogenic hormones are also expected to increase in wastewater. When exposed from external sources, estrogenic hormones may cause endocrine disturbance. This paper assesses the levels of 17 beta-estradiol and estrone levels in treatment plants. A total 16 treatment plants and 4 water reservoirs were analysed for 17 beta-estradiol and estrone using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) test method. 17 beta-estradiol and estrone values were detected in the range of 37-382 ng/L and <1-187 ng/L, respectively. Pre-treatment plants had the highest levels estrogenic hormones, while reservoirs had the least levels

Removal of astrazon red 6B from aqueous solution using waste tea and spent tea bag

This study aimed to remove basic dye (astrazon red 6B (AR)) from liquid environment by adsorption. For this purpose, batch experiments were performed using spent tea leaves (TL) and tea bags (TB) as adsorbents due to their low costs. Adsorption experiments were carried out for different initial concentrations (25-200mg/L), different pH values (pH 2-10), and different adsorbent amounts (0.25-2g/L) of solution. Equilibrium sorption isotherms and kinetics were investigated. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models of adsorption. The adsorption data fitted well to the Freundlich isotherm for TL and Langmuir isotherm for TB. Two kinetic models, pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order, were employed to describe the adsorption mechanism. According to the results of the analysis, the pseudo-second-order equation was determined to be the best model to describe the adsorption behavior for both adsorbents with the determination factor R(2)0.92. The results proved that the spent TL and used TB could be potentially used as low-cost adsorbents for the removal of AR from aqueous solutions

Evaluation of topical application and systemic administration of rosuvastatin in preventing epidural fibrosis in rats

Gurer, Bora/0000-0003-1500-6184WOS: 000349987000023PubMed: 25452015BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Epidural fibrosis is a major challenge in spine surgery, with some patients having recurrent symptoms secondary to excessive formation of scar tissue resulting in neurologic compression. One of the most important factors initiating the epidural fibrosis is assumed to be the transforming growth factor-1 beta (TGF-1 beta). Rosuvastatin (ROS) has shown to demonstrate preventive effects over fibrosis via inhibiting the TGF-1 beta. PURPOSE: We hypothesized that ROS might have preventive effects over epidural fibrosis through the inhibition of TGF-1 beta pathways. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental animal study. METHODS: Forty-eight adult male Wistar Albino rats were equally and randomly divided into four groups (laminectomy, spongostan, topical ROS, and systemic ROS). Laminectomy was performed at the L3 level in all rats. Four weeks later, the extent of epidural fibrosis was assessed both macroscopically and histopathologically. RESULTS: Our data revealed that topical application and systemic administration of ROS both were effective in reducing epidural fibrosis formation. Furthermore, the systemic administration of ROS yielded better results than topical application. CONCLUSIONS: Both topical application and systemic administration of ROS show meaningful preventive effects over epidural fibrosis through multiple mechanisms. The results of our study provide the first experimental evidence of the preventive effects of ROS over epidural fibrosis. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Neuroprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides against traumatic spinal cord injury in rats

Gurer, Bora/0000-0003-1500-6184; Sargon, Mustafa Fevzi/0000-0001-6360-6008WOS: 000363901600010PubMed: 26298021Introduction: Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is a mushroom belonging to the polyporaceae family of Basidiomycota and has widely been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years. G. lucidum has never been studied in traumatic spinal cord injury. The aim of this study is to investigate whether G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPS) can protect the spinal cord after experimental spinal cord injury. Materials and methods: Rats were randomized into five groups of eight animals each: control, sham, trauma, GLPS, and methylprednisolone. In the control group, no surgical intervention was performed. In the sham group, only a laminectomy was performed. In all the other groups, the spinal cord trauma model was created by the occlusion of the spinal cord with an aneurysm clip. In the spinal cord tissue, caspase-3 activity, tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, nitric oxide levels, and superoxide dismutase levels were analysed. Histopathological and ultrastructural evaluations were also performed. Neurological evaluation was performed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scale and the inclined-plane test. Results: After traumatic spinal cord injury, increases in caspase-3 activity, tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, and nitric oxide levels were detected. After the administration of GLPS, decreases were observed in tissue caspase-3 activity, tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, and nitric oxide levels. Furthermore, GLPS treatment showed improved results in histopathological scores, ultrastructural scores, and functional tests. Conclusions: Biochemical, histopathological, and ultrastructural analyses and functional tests reveal that GLPS exhibits meaningful neuroprotective effects against spinal cord injury. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Neuroprotective effects of thymoquinone against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury by attenuation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810WOS: 000376476100013PubMed: 26871652OBJECTIVE lschemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of the spinal cord following thoracoabdominal aortic surgery remains the most devastating complication, with a life-changing impact on the patient. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main constituent of the volatile oil from Nigella sativa seeds, is reported to possess strong antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. This study investigated the effects of TQ administration following I/R injury to the spinal cord. METHODS Thirty-two rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Group 1 underwent only laparotomy. For Group 2, aortic clip occlusion was introduced to produce I/R injury. Group 3 was given 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone intraperitoneally immediately after the I/R injury. Group 4 was given 10 mg/kg of TQ intraperitoneally for 7 days before induction of spinal cord I/R injury, and administration was continued until the animal was euthanized. Locomotor function (Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale and inclined plane test) was assessed at 24 hours postischemia. Spinal cord tissue samples were harvested to analyze tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-peroxidase, catalase, and caspase-3. In addition, histological and ultrastructural evaluations were performed. RESULTS Thymoquinone treatment improved neurological outcome, which was supported by decreased levels of oxidative products (malondialdehyde and nitric oxide) and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1), increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione-peroxidase, and catalase), as well as reduction of motor neuron apoptosis. Light microscopy and electron microscopy results also showed preservation of tissue structure in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS As shown by functional, biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural analysis, TQ exhibits an important protective effect against I/R injury of the spinal cord

Neuroprotective effects of rosuvastatin against traumatic spinal cord injury in rats

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810; Sargon, Mustafa Fevzi/0000-0001-6360-6008; Gurer, Bora/0000-0003-1500-6184WOS: 000343140600006PubMed: 25084223Rosuvastatin, which is a potent stain, has never been studied in traumatic spinal cord injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether rosuvastatin treatment could protect the spinal cord after experimental spinal cord injury. Rats were randomized into the following five groups of eight animals each: control, sham, trauma, rosuvastatin, and methylprednisolone. In the control group, no surgical intervention was performed. In the sham group, only laminectomy was performed. In all the other groups, the spinal cord trauma model was created by the occlusion of the spinal cord with an aneurysm clip. In the spinal cord tissue, caspase-3 activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, nitric oxide levels, and superoxide dismutase levels were analyzed. Histopathological and ultrastructural evaluations were also performed. Neurological evaluation was performed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scale and the inclined plane test After traumatic spinal cord injury, increases in caspase-3 activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, and nitric oxide levels were detected. In contrast, the superoxide dismutase levels were decreased. After the administration of rosuvastatin, decreases were observed in the tissue caspase-3 activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, and nitric oxide levels. In contrast, tissue superoxide dismutase levels were increased. Furthermore, rosuvastatin treatment showed improved results concerning the histopathological scores, the ultrastructural score and the functional tests. Biochemical, histopathological, ultrastructural analysis and functional tests revealed that rosuvastatin exhibits meaningful neuroprotective effects against spinal cord injury. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Aged Garlic Extract Attenuates Neuronal Injury in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Sargon, Mustafa Fevzi/0000-0001-6360-6008WOS: 000377433000011PubMed: 27183321Garlic has been used as a food as well as a component of traditional medicine. Aged garlic extract (AGE) is claimed to promote human health through antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activities with neuroprotective effects. We evaluated the possible beneficial effect of AGE neurologically, pathologically, ultrastructurally, and biochemically in a spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model of rats. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham (no I/R), I/R, and AGE (I/R+AGE); each group consisted of eight animals. Animals were evaluated neurologically with the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring system. The spinal cord tissue samples were harvested for pathological and ultrastructural examinations. Oxidative products (Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), inflammatory cytokines (tissue tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1), and caspase-3 activity were analyzed. The AGE group had significantly higher BBB scores than the I/R group. Pathologically, AGE group revealed reduced degree of ischemia and spinal cord edema. Ultrastructural results also showed preservation of tissue structure in the AGE group. Oxidative product levels of the I/R group were significantly higher than both the other groups, and antioxidant enzyme levels of AGE group were significantly higher than the I/R group. There was also significant difference between the sham and AGE groups in terms of total antioxidant enzyme levels. Furthermore, AGE treatment significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokines and caspase-3 activity than the I/R group. This study demonstrates the considerable neuroprotective effect of AGE on the neurological, pathological, ultrastructural, and biochemical status of rats with I/R-induced spinal cord injury

A very rare spinal cord tumor primary spinal oligodendroglioma: A review of sixty cases in the literature

Literature review. In this study, we evaluated a case of primary spinal oligodendroglioma (PSO) with a rare localization between L3 and S2, and also examined sixty cases in the literature in terms of demographic characteristics, clinical, radiological, and histopathological characteristics, and treatment planning. A case of PSO has been presented, and the relevant literature between 1931 and 2016 was reviewed. A total of 57 papers regarding PSO were found and utilized in this review. The main treatment options include radical surgical excision with neuromonitoring, followed by radiotherapy. Despite these treatment protocols, the relapse rate is high, and treatment does not significantly prolong survival. Oligodendrogliomas are rare among the primary spinal cord tumors. Oligodendrogliomas are predominantly found in the cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord, or junctions during childhood and adulthood. Extension to the sacral region, inferior to the Conus, is very rare. Furthermore, of the sixty cases in the literature, the case we present here is the first to be reported in this particular age group. These localizations usually occur in the pediatric age group and after relapses. While for a limited number of cases the oligodendroglioma initiates in the thoracic region and reaches as far as L2, we encountered a case of an oligodendroglioma within the range of L3 to S2. Clinical findings are observed in accordance with location, and magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard for diagnosis

Early Induction of ADAMTS1,-4,-5 and-9 in IL-Stimulated Mouse Astrocytes

AIM: Astrocytes and extracellular matrix molecules have important roles in regulating synaptic functions between neurons in the central nervous system. However, under pathological conditions, these constituents are activated to form glial scar that is thought to be harmful for neuronal regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern of ADAMTS1, -4, -5 and -9 in IL-1 stimulated astrocyte cultures obtained from postnatal day zero mouse brains

Early induction of adamts1, -4, -5 and -9 in il-stimulated mouse astrocytes

AIM: Astrocytes and extracellular matrix molecules have important roles in regulating synaptic functions between neurons in the central nervous system. However, under pathological conditions, these constituents are activated to form glial scar that is thought to be harmful for neuronal regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern of ADAMTS1, -4, -5 and -9 in IL-1 stimulated astrocyte cultures obtained from postnatal day zero mouse brains