Investigación sobre la composición química, minerales y ácidos grasos de dos cultivares de almendra cultivados como orgánico y convencional en el sudeste de Turquía

Organic farming is a human and environment friendly production system that is based on soil fertility and food safety without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides in production, aiming to re-establish the deteriorated ecological balance as a result of harmful production practices. Organic products attract the interest of consumers as they are strongly perceived as healthier products compared to conventional food. This study aimed to determine the differences in chemical, mineral, and fatty acid characteristics between conventionally and organically cultivated Ferragnes and Ferraduel almond cultivars. When conventional and organic almonds were evaluated in terms of fatty acids, proximate compositions, and minerals, crude oil and Mg were statistically insignificant, while Cu was significant (P < 0.05) and all others were quite significant (P < 0.001). Total sugar was higher in organic samples compared to conventional samples in both cultivars. The crude oil and linoleic acid (12.93% for Ferragnes and 14.99% for Ferraduel) were higher in conventional samples but oleic acid (78.9% for Ferragnes and 81.08% for Ferraduel) was higher in organic samples. In addition, organic samples contained higher Mg and Fe but lower P, K, Ca, Na, Zn, Mn and Cu when compared with conventional samples. The results indicate that conventionally cultivated almonds present higher mineral content and lower fatty acid value compared to organically cultivated almonds.La agricultura orgánica es un sistema de producción amigable con el ser humano y el medio ambiente, basado en la fertilidad del suelo y la seguridad alimentaria. Este sistema suele prescindir del uso de fertilizantes químicos y pesticidas en la producción, con el objetivo de prefijar el equilibrio ecológico previamente destruido como resultado natural de prácticas de producción incorrectas. Los productos orgánicos están atrayendo cada vez más el interés de los consumidores ya que se perciben como productos más saludables en comparación con los alimentos convencionales. Este estudio tenía como objetivo determinar las diferencias en las características químicas, minerales y ácidos grasos existentes entre los cultivares de almendra de Ferragnes y de Ferraduel, cultivados tanto convencionalmente como orgánicamente. Cuando se evaluaron las almendras convencionales y las orgánicas en términos de ácidos grasos, composiciones proximal y minerales, el aceite crudo y el Mg fueron estadísticamente insignificantes, mientras que los valores de Cu fue significativo (P < 0.05) y todos los demás fueron bastante significativos (P < 0.001). El azúcar total fue mayor en muestras orgánicas en comparación con muestras convencionales en ambos cultivares. El aceite crudo y el ácido linoleico (12.93% para Ferragnes y 14.99% para Ferraduel) fue mayor en muestras convencionales, pero el ácido oleico (78.9% para Ferragnes y 81.08% para Ferraduel) fue mayor en muestras orgánicas. Además, las muestras orgánicas contenían mayor Mg y Fe pero menor P, K, Ca, Na, Zn, Mn y Cu cuando se compararon con las muestras convencionales. Los resultados indican que las almendras convencionales presentan mayor contenido mineral y menor valor de ácidos grasos en comparación con las cultivadas orgánicamente

Effects of alloplastic graft material combined with a topical ozone application on calvarial bone defects in rats

Background: This study presents the evaluation of the damage in the bone tissue resulting from a calvarial defect in rats and the efficiency of exposure to an ozone application with an alloplastic bone graft on the calvarial bone damage. Materials and methods: Wistar male rats (n = 56) were divided into four groups: a control group (n = 14), defect and ozone group (n = 14), defect and graft group (n = 14), and defect, graft, and ozone group (n = 14). Under anaesthesia, a circular full-thickness bone defect was created in all groups, and the experimental groups were further divided into two sub-groups, with 7 rats in each group sacrificed at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. Bone samples were dissected, fixed in 10% formalin solution, and decalcified with 5% ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA). After the routine follow-up on tissues, immunostaining of osteopontin and osteonectin antibodies was applied to sections and observed under a light microscope. Results: The control group exhibited osteopontin and osteonectin expression in fibroblasts and inflammatory cells at the end of the 4th week with an acceleration at the 8th week. Ozone administration elucidated new trabecular bone formation by increasing osteoblastic activity. Lastly, our observations underscore that a combination of allograft and ozone application increased the osteoblast, osteocyte, and bone matrix development at the 4th and 8th weeks. Conclusions: Exposure to an ozone application with an alloplastic bone graft on calvarial bone damage may induce osteoblastic activity, matrix development, mature bone cell formation, and new bone formation in rats

Effects of formaldehyde on vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metallopeptidase 2 and osteonectin levels in periodontal membrane and alveolar bone in rats

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate whether long term formaldehyde inhalation may affect periodontal membrane and alveolar bone loss leading to periodontitis. The negative effects of formaldehyde were described using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and osteonectin antibodies involved in the extracellular matrix and angiogenetic development. Materials and methods: Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 15) and formaldehyde administered group (n = 15). Formaldehyde group was exposed to inhalation of 10 ppm formaldehyde 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Maxillary bone regions were dissected under anaesthesia. After fixation in 10% formaldehyde solution, tissues were passed through graded ethanol series to obtain paraffin blocks. Five-micrometre histological sections were cut with RM2265 rotary microtome stained with Masson trichrome and VEGF, MMP-2 and osteonectin antibodies for examination under Olympus BH-2 light microscopy. Results: The present study revealed that congestion in blood vessels, degeneration of collagen fibres and alveolar matrix around alveolar bone were observed to be more significant in formaldehyde group than the control group (p ≤ 0.001). Interestingly, VEGF expression in the formaldehyde group was the most significant finding between the two groups (p < 0.001). When compared inflammation, MMP-2 and osteonectin expressions were significant (p < 0.01) in the formaldehyde group. Conclusions: It was suggested that formaldehyde toxicity decreased the expression of MMP-2 and in osteoblasts as well as affecting the retention of MMP levels in tooth cavity, which is very low in collagen fibres. But, vice versa for the expression of VEGF in dilated vascular endothelial cells and osteocytes in alveolar bone. As a conclusion, formaldehyde disrupts the periodontal membrane and may cause collagen fibres degeneration by affecting the alveolar bone matrix

Is the homocysteine level a good predictive marker for evaluating kidney function in patients after percutaneous nephrolithotomy?

PubMedID: 29299887Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preoperative, early and late postoperative homocysteine levels and its relationship with kidney function in patients after undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). Materials and Methods: Twenty-three patients with kidney stones underwent PNL and blood samples were taken preoperatively as well as at 48 hours and three months after the operation. The homocysteine level was determined by high pressure liquid chromatography and the fluorometric method in blood samples with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The Cockcroft - Gault formula was used to calculate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Non-contrast computed tomography was performed for all patients before surgery. Stone burden was calculated as the sum of the area of each stone in mm2. Results: Fourteen male (60.9%) and nine female (39.1%) patients were recruited for this study, and the median age was 44.3 ± 15.17 (20 - 71) years. There were no statistically significant differences between the preoperative homocysteine level and the level at 48 hours post-operation (P = .460). However, the homocysteine level three months after the operation was significantly lower than the preoperative and 48 hour levels (P = .001 and P = .003, respectively). Conclusion: Renal function, which deteriorated after the PNL procedure, was preserved or improved over time. Homocysteine may be a sensitive indicator to assess the change in renal function pre-and post-PNL. © 2017, Urology and Nephrology Research Centre

protective effect of alpha-linolenic acid on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in mice

Background: Renal tubular cells are exposed to high toxin concentrations more than other tissues because of active tubular secretion, reabsorption and urine concentration mechanisms in kidneys. Due to this reason, renal tubules are direct targets of nephrotoxicity. Alpha-linolenic acid is a carboxylic acid, whose anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects are shown in various studies. Because of this, a study to examine the protective effects of alpha-linolenic acid on nephrotoxicity is planned. Materials and Methods: Gentamicin is administered to mice for 9 days to form nephrotoxicity and alpha-linolenic acid is administered to mice for 9 days to evaluate protective effects. Cyclooxygenase-2, phospholipase A2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase enzymes in their kidneys are analyzed by using ELISA method to compare the nephrotoxicity levels. Results: Gentamicin administration increased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, phospholipase A2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase enzymes. Alpha-linolenic acid administration to mice that are administered gentamicin previously decreased the rate of increase of the cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase caused by gentamicin while, it didn't have any effect on phospholipase A2 increase. Conclusion: Gentamicin caused an increase in cyclooxygenase-2, phospholipase A2, inducible nitric oxide synthase enzymes in kidneys. Application of alpha-linolenic acid decreased the increase of cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase enzymes significantly while, having no effect on the increase of phospholipase A2. In conclusion, this study shows that the gentamicin administration causes nephrotoxicity and the use of alpha-linolenic acid can be helpful against this toxic effect. © 2016 H.M. Kaplan et al

The effect of body mass index on oncological and surgical outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: A multicentre study of the association of urooncology, Turkey

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on oncological and surgical outcomes in patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively assessed data from patients who underwent RC with pelvic lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion for BC recorded in the bladder cancer database of the Urooncology Association, Turkey, between 2007 and 2019. Patients were stratified into three groups according to the BMI cut-off values recommended by the WHO; Group 1 (normal weight, <25 kg/m2), Group 2 (overweight, 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) and Group 3 (obese, ?30 kg/m2). Results: In all, 494 patients were included, of them 429 (86.8%) were men and 65 (13.2%) were women. The median follow-up was 24 months (12-132 months). At the time of surgery, the number of patients in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 202 (40.9%), 215 (43.5%) and 77 (15.6%), respectively. The mean operation time and time to postoperative oral feeding were longer and major complications were statistically higher in Group 3 compared to Groups 1 and 2 (P =.019, P <.001 and P =.025, respectively). Although the mean overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) was shorter in cases with BMI ? 30 kg/m2 compared with other BMI groups, differences were not statistically significant (P =.532, P =.309, P =.751 and P =.213, respectively). Conclusion: Our study showed that although major complications are more common in obese patients, the increase in BMI does not reveal a significant negative effect on OS, CSS, RFS and MFS. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons LtdWe thank Deniz Bolat for writing support

Immediate and long-term high levels of plasma homocysteine after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in patients with renal stone disease

PubMedID: 24865596Background: Plasma homocysteine levels increase in patients with chronic renal failure. Numerous studies have demonstrated that kidney function is one of the most important determinants of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration. In this study we aimed to evaluate the relationship between tHcy levels and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for patients with renal stones and to see if the change in homocysteine levels continued if renal dysfunction improved. Materials and methods: The study consisted of 20 patients who underwent first-time ESWL for renal stones. Every patient gave 3 blood samples at 24 h before surgery and at 2 days and at 3 months after ESWL for measurement of plasma levels of tHcy, creatinine, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Results: The 20 patients (12 male, 8 female) had a mean age of 42.8 ± 11.7 years. tHcy levels showed a statistically significant increase from 9.4 ± 1.4 to 18 ± 4.8 and 11.2 ± 2.1 at 2 days and at 3 months, respectively. Serum creatinine also showed a statistically significant increase compared to baseline at 2 days and at 3 months after ESWL. Conclusion: After first-time ESWL, the increase in serum levels of creatinine and tHcy due to renal injury, such as ischemia/reperfusion injury, may be severe and continue for a long period, such as 3 months. According to baseline levels, the increase in homocysteine levels as an indicator of oxidant stress was more severe than the creatinine levels after ESWL for renal stones. Our patients were first-time ESWL patients; however, in patients who undergo EWSL more than once long-term high tHcy levels should also be considered as renal. © 2014 Japanese Society of Nephrology

Protective effect of Hypericum perforatum extract on Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in mice

Background and Objective: Hypericum perforatum is a plant which blooms between July and September at farms, borders of roads and woods, top of hills and grasslands, whose anti-inflammatory effects are shown in various studies. Due to this reason, a study is planned to examine the protective effects of Hypericumperforatumon nephrotoxicity caused by gentamicin. Materials and Methods: Gentamicin is administered to mice for 9 days to form nephrotoxicity and Hypericum perforatum extract is administered to mice for 9 days to evaluate protective effects. Cyclooxygenase-2, phospholipase A2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase enzymes in their kidneys are analysed by using ELISA method to compare the nephrotoxicity levels. Results: Gentamicin administration increased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, phospholipase A2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase enzymes. Hypericum perforatum extract administration to mice that are administered gentamicin previously decreased the rate of increase of the cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase caused by gentamicin while, it didn't have any effect on phospholipase A2 increase. Conclusion: Gentamicin caused an increase in cyclooxygenase-2, phospholipase A2, inducible nitric oxide synthase enzymes in kidneys. Application of Hypericum perforatum extract decreased the increase of cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase enzymes significantly while having no effect on the increase of phospholipase A2. In conclusion, this study shows that the gentamicin administration causes nephrotoxicity and the use of Hypericum perforatum extract can be helpful against this toxic effect. © 2016 H.M. Kaplan et al