The Sister-Chromatid Exchange and Acetylcholine Esterase Enzyme Levels among Patients with Insecticide Intoxication in the Cukurova Region, Turkey.

This study included 45 patients with intentional insecticide intoxication and 21 with accidental intoxication who were treated at the First-Aid and Emergency Department of Balcali Hospital at the Faculty of Medicine in the Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey, while the control group consisted of 25 people selected from university personnel known to be healthy. Patients with a history of X-ray exposure in the last 6 months or of any virus disease as well as continuous drug users and smokers were excluded, leaving a total of 49 patients. Acetylcholine esterase (Pseudocholinesterase) enzyme (AchE), sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE), the mitotic index (MI), and the replication index (RI) were evaluated. Blood samples were cultured for SCE evaluation and sera separated for AchE levels. Insecticide exposure was generally intentional for suicide in adolescents and at older ages, but accidental for children. AchE levels were found to be significantly lower in organophosphorus (OP) and carbamated (CB) insecticide poisoning groups in comparison with the control group (p&#60;0.001), while the pyrethroid (PY) group was not statistically different for the AchE effect (p&#62;0.05). SCE was found to be significantly higher in OP and CB groups (p&#60;0.001), while the PY and control groups were statistically similar for SCE levels (p&#62;0.05). This study showed an increase in SCE in response to orally ingested insecticides. These findings indicate that insecticide exposure results in cell abnormalities, with resulting impediments to the division and replication of cells, as suggested by MI decreases and RI increases, while the speed of the division cycles of stimulated cells increases.</p

Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene in Turkish women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia

The genetic background predisposing pregnant women to pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) is still unknown. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether there is an association between the TNF-alpha-308 and 850 polymorphisms and PE or eclampsia. In this study, 40 cases of eclampsia, 113 cases of PE and 80 normotensive control cases were genotyped for the TNF-alpha-G-308A and C-850 polymorphisms. At position 308, the replacement of Guanine with Adenosine was denoted as TNF2. We found a significant difference between the TNF2 allele frequencies of the eclamptic, pre-eclamptic and normotensive controls. TNF2 (AA) polymorphism frequency was significantly higher among the eclamptics and pre-eclamptics (control : 5%, PE : 13.3%, E : 12.9%). A significantly different genotype distribution of C-850T polymorphism was observed between the PE/E and control groups, with the frequency of the variant TT genotype being significantly reduced in the preeclamptics (PE : 17% ; E : 17.5%) when compared with the control group (24.3%). We have demonstrated an association between TNF-alpha polymorphisms and pre-eclampsia susceptibility. However, it is not known whether C-850T polymorphism has a functional effect on the TNF-alpha gene. In addition, it was not possible to determine whether this polymorphism promotes the progression from PE to eclampsia because of no statistically significant difference between eclampsia and the controls

The effects of daylight exposure on melatonin levels, Kiss1 expression, and melanoma formation in mice

Aim To determine how daylight exposure in mice affects melatonin protein expression in blood and Kiss1 gene expression in the hypothalamus. The second aim was to assess the relationship between skin cancer formation, daylight exposure, melatonin blood level, and kisspeptin gene expression level. Methods New-born mice (n = 96) were assigned into the blind group or daylight group. The blind group was raised in the dark and the daylight group was raised under 12 hours light/12 hours dark cycle for 17 weeks. At the end of the 11th week, melanoma cell line was inoculated to mice, and tumor growth was observed for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, melatonin level was measured from blood serum and Kiss1 expression from the hypothalamus. Results The blind group had significantly higher melatonin and lower Kiss1 expression levels than the daylight group. Tumor volume was inversely proportional to melatonin levels and directly proportional to Kiss1 expression levels. Tumor growth speed was lower in the blind than in the daylight group. Conclusion Melatonin and Kiss1 were shown to be nvolved in tumor suppression. They were affected by daylight and were mutually affected by each other

Cancer Pathways

A &#8221;cancer pathway&#8221; is a cellular regulatory system whose activation or inactivation by a genetic or epigenetic mutation is essential for the development of at least one human canver. Typically, cancer pathways become evident by alterations in different components of the same regulatory system in individual cases of one cancer type or in distinct cancers. By this latter criterion, several regulatory systems can be regarded as prototypic cancer pathways. These comprise the MAPK pathway, the TP53 regulatory system, and the cell cycle regulatory net work centered around RB1. These pathways all interact with each other. Further pathways and proteins are also connected to them, such as the PI3K pathway, the PKC kinases, the STAT pathway, the NF&#954;B pathway, and the TGF&#946; response pathway. The third group of cancer pathways comprises the WNT and Hedgehog response pathways and the NOTCH regulatory system. [Archives Medical Review Journal 2011; 20(4.000): 187-229

Dermal efficacy of Bendiocarb onmammals, used for mosquito control in Çukurova

Bu çalışmada, dermal olarak uygulanan ve karbamatlı bir insektisit olan Bendiocarb'ın laboratuvar koşullarında bir memeli türü olan sıçanların serum ve tam kan kolinesteraz (ChE) aktivitesi üzerindeki inhibisyon etkisi incelendi. Bunun için püskürtme dozu (Sivrisinek mücadelesinde kullanılan %1'lik doz) ve dermal LD50 dozu gözönüne alınarak hazırlanan bendiocarb'ın (%80 WP) artan konsantrasyonlarının serum ChE aktivitesi üzerindeki inhibisyon etkisi ve teknik bendiocarb'ın aynı dermal dozlarının in vitro koşullarda serum ChE aktivitesi üzerindeki inhibisyonu araştırılmıştır. Dermal in vitro ve in vivo çalışmalarımızda artan bendiocarb konsantrasyonları ile enzim aktivitesi değerleri arasında negatif bir ilişki olduğu ve bendiocarb'ın (%80 WP) püskürtme dozunun dermal olarak bir kez alınmasının memelilerde önemli bir etkiye sebep olmamakla birlikte kümülatif bir etki yaptığı saptandı. Halbuki teknik bendiocarb'ın aynı dermal dozları kullanılarak yaptığımız in vitro çalışmalarda ChE inhibisyonunun oldukça yüksek değerde olduğu bulundu.Inhibitory effect of bendiocarb on serum and whole blood cholinesterase activities of rats was investigated in laboratory conditions, bendiocarb a carbamate insecticide, was applied dermally to the rats. The concentrations of insecticide (80% WP) were choosen in accordance with the spray dosages used for mosquito control and the LD50 dermal dosages for rats. In vitro inhibition of serum cholinesterase activity was determined by using technical bendiocarb in the same dermal dosages. Both in vitro and in vivo dermal studies showed that there is a negative correlation between bendiocarb (80% WP) concentrations and enzyme activities. Application of one dose of bendiocarb did not also have a signif&amp;Yacute;cant inhibition on enzyme activity but a cumulative effect on the following days. On the contrary, in vltro studies showed that the inhibitory effect of technical bendiocarb in the same concentrations was found to be in very high levels

Insecticide resistance in malaria vector An. sacharovi

Özet: İnsan sıtma hastalığının vektörü olan An. sacharovi ve benzer böceklerde insektisitelere karşı gelişen direnci günümüzde uygulanan hassasiyet testleri başarılı bir şekilde saptamaktadır. Direnç hak kında daha detaylı bilgi sağlamak için biyokimyasal ve genetik temele dayanan alternatif yöntemler geliştirilmiştir. Bu çalışmanın ilk aşamasında; farklı sezonlarda, insektisit uygulamalarının yoğun olduğu Tabakalar, Herekli köyleri ile nispeten az insektisit kullanılan Menekşe köyünde toplanan An sacharovi dişileri ve bunlarla karşılaştırmak için hiçbir insektisit baskısı altında bulunmayan ve tüm yıl boyunca aktif olan An. sacharovi kolonisi dişileri hassasiyet testlerine maruz bırakıldılar. Türkiye’de sivrisinek mücadelesinde kullanılan insektisitlerden: DDT %4, Malathion %5, Propoxur %1, Deltamethrin %0.025 ve Permethrin %0.25 insektisitlerinin letal dozları kullanılarak örnekler hassas ve dirençli olarak gruplandırıldı. Çalışmanın ikinci aşamasında, organofosfat ve karbamat insektisit direncinde hedef yapı olan Asetilkolin Esteraz (AchE) enzimi ile organoklar ve pyrethroid insektisitlerin etkisizleştirilmesinde çok büyük rolü olan Glutatyon S-Transferaz (GST) olmak üzere üç enzim çalışıldı. Hassasiyet test sonuçlarına göre yaptığımız gruplandırma ile aynı örneklerde üç enzim için ölçtüğümüz aktivite oranları arasındaki uyum diskriminant analizi ile test edilerek AchE enzimi için %76.6, GST az enzimi için %74.1 ve Genel Esteraz enzimi için de %62.2 gibi oldukça yüksek bir uyumluluk bulunmuştur. Her üç enzim için de saptadığımız aktivitelerin, dirençlilerde hassaslardan anlamlı derecede daha yüksek olmasının yanında, gonoaktif döneme ait enzim aktivitelerinin de yağlanmış sezondan anllamlı derecede daha yüksek olduğu bulundu. Ayrıca çok yoğun insektisit kullanılan lokalitelerde AchE, GST ve Genel Esteraz enzim aktivitelerinin oldukça yüksek ve insektisitlerin az kullanıldığı veya hiç kullanılmadığı lokalitelerde ise aktivitenin düşük olduğu bulundu.Susceptibility tests have been successfully used for many years to determine insecticide resistance raised in pest and vector insects, including An. sacharovi,the primary human malaria vector in Turkey. As this method does not provide sufficient information about physiological resistance, an alternative method of enzyme tests based on biochemical and genetic evaluations has been developed. In this study, both methods were used for comparison. First of all, susceptibility to insecticides was tested in adult females of An. sacharovi collected in different seasons from Tabaklar and Herekli Villages, where insecticides are used intensively for both agricultural and vector control purposes, and from Menekse Village, where insecticide applications are more limited. Samples taken from laboratory colonies consisting of mosquitoes under non-insecticide pressure during the gonoactive season were also tested for comparison with the field material. In the susceptibility test using lethal doses of DDT 4%, Malathion 5%, Propoxur %1, Deltamethrin 0.025% and Permethrin 0.25%, each sample was divided into resistant and susceptible groups, then the changes in the activity levels of enzymes were studied in these groups. Three enzymes were tested; Acetylcholine Esterase (AChE), which is the target site in organophosphate and carbamate insecticide resistance, Glutathione S-Transferase (GST), which has a significant role in the detoxification of organochlorine and pyrethroide insecticides, and non-specific General Esterase, which has a role in the detoxification of all insecticides. The activities of the three enzymes were found at higher levels in the resistant groups than in the susceptible groups and also at higher levels in the gonoactive period than in the hibernation season. It was also found that AchE, GST and General Esterase enzyme activities were higher in localities receiving intensive insecticide application than in localities where insecticides are used in smaller quantities or not at all

The habitats of preadult stages of culicidae (Diptera) species commonly found in cukurova and important physical and chemical characteristics of these habitats

In the vicinity of the villages Mantas, YeniÇay, Aliaga, Hasanaga and Asagikulak (Tarsus, IÇel) the larval habitats of mosquitos commonly found in Çukurova were investigated during breeding period from April to November in order to determine the types and physical-chemical characteristics of breeding water e.i. temperature, color, conductivity and oxygen, phosphate, nitrite, chlorine and ammonia. Of 5 species commonly found in the area, Anopheles sacharovi and A. hyrcanus were found to occur in the natural or artifical clean and permanent water bodies, ponds and streams, preferably in waters richly oxygenous and slightly salty. The larvae of Culex tritaeniorhynchus and C. pipiens pipiens were able to survive in types of habitat observed in the area. The larvae of C. tritaeniorhynchus were found to be tolerant to greater temperature changes where as the larvae of Aedes caspius caspius were found to be tolerant to the high temperatures as well as to nitrite and phosphate.In the vicinity of the villages Mantas, YeniÇay, Aliaga, Hasanaga and Asagikulak (Tarsus, IÇel) the larval habitats of mosquitos commonly found in Çukurova were investigated during breeding period from April to November in order to determine the types and physical-chemical characteristics of breeding water e.i. temperature, color, conductivity and oxygen, phosphate, nitrite, chlorine and ammonia. Of 5 species commonly found in the area, Anopheles sacharovi and A. hyrcanus were found to occur in the natural or artifical clean and permanent water bodies, ponds and streams, preferably in waters richly oxygenous and slightly salty. The larvae of Culex tritaeniorhynchus and C. pipiens pipiens were able to survive in types of habitat observed in the area. The larvae of C. tritaeniorhynchus were found to be tolerant to greater temperature changes where as the larvae of Aedes caspius caspius were found to be tolerant to the high temperatures as well as to nitrite and phosphate

Determination of organophosphate resistance dependent over-produce esterase allel type with electrophoresis in the malaria vector species Anopheles sacharovi and Culex pipiens (Diptera:Culicidae)

In this study, over-produce esterase allele types dependent on organophosphate resistance in mosquitoes were determined by cellulose acetate gel electrophoresis in the human malaria vector species Anopheles sacharovi and Culex pipiens in Çukurova (Adana). We found A2 and A5 allele bands with some unknown and unidentified gel bands in some An. sacharovi field samples, of which some bands seemed to match with over-produce esterase. We identified A2-B2 allele types for all the Cx. pipiens samples collected in this study.In this study, over-produce esterase allele types dependent on organophosphate resistance in mosquitoes were determined by cellulose acetate gel electrophoresis in the human malaria vector species Anopheles sacharovi and Culex pipiens in Çukurova (Adana). We found A2 and A5 allele bands with some unknown and unidentified gel bands in some An. sacharovi field samples, of which some bands seemed to match with over-produce esterase. We identified A2-B2 allele types for all the Cx. pipiens samples collected in this study

Osteoporosis and Related Genes: VDR, ESR And COL1A1

Osteoporosis is now considered as one of the major and growing health care problems around the world. Osteoporosis is the most prevalent metabolic bone disease among developed countries and it is defined as a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in bone fragility. Bone is a highly metabolically active tissue in which the processes of osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption are continuous throughout life. Coupling of osteoblast and osteoclast action ensures that a normal bone structure is maintained. A loss of bone homeostasis may result in a decrease in bone mass leading to osteoporosis or in a defect in the mineralization of bone. Numerous genetic, hormonal, nutritional and life-style factors contribute to the acquisition and maintenance of bone mass. Among them, genetic variations explain as much as 50-80% of the variance for bone mineral density (BMD) in the population. Many genes that could be related to osteoporosis have been studied and of them all Vitamin D receptor (VDR), estrogen receptor alpha (ESR&#945;) and collagen 1 alpha 1 chain (COL1A1) genes have been the most focused on. [Archives Medical Review Journal 2011; 20(4.000): 246-269