Civil Society Monitoring Report 2012

TUSEV published the first Civil Society Monitoring Report in 2011 in order to more closely observe and evaluate developments in the area of civil society. The purposes of this report are for civil society to be recognized, better understood and bring awareness to challenges faced, as well as portraying developments over the past ten years. We believe that the favorable assessment of the Civil Society Monitoring Report by the representatives of civil society and the various institutions in the international arena is a significant progress. The Civil Society Monitoring Report 2012 presents the developments and achievements in the area of civil society, as well as the shortcomings and difficulties observed in practice within the period of 2011-2012. Also, the report compares findings of this year with the previous year

An investigation of the effects of Cinnamomum cassia bark extracts on oxidative DNA damage and possible cytotoxic and apoptotic activities in transformed/untransformed cell lines from Type 1 diabetic patients, in vitro.

It was shown that patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) had increased level of oxidative DNA damage and decreased efficacy of DNA repair. These changes were implicated in the increased cancer risk in patients with diabetes mellitus. Cinnamon bark extracts have diverse biological activities including antidiabetic and anti-tumor properties. Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) is a common used cinnamon species present in commercial cinnamon preparations. We aimed to investigate the effects of cinnamon extracts prepared from C. cassia bark on endogenous and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative DNA damage, as well as cytotoxic and apoptotic activities in this study. Type 1 diabetic (T1DM) lymphocytes (GM02765, GM01838) and fibroblasts (GM01837) were obtained from NIGMS Human Genetic Cell Repository of Coriell Institute, New Jersey, USA. Cytotoxicity analysis were performed by using a tetrazolium salt, 4-[3-(4-iodophenyl) 2-(4-nitrophenyl) 2H-5-tetrazolio] 1,3-benzene disulfonate (WST-1). The effects of extracts on endogenous and H2O2-induced oxidative DNA damage were studied using the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE; Comet Assay), a technique allowing DNA damage in a single cell. Apoptotic activities of extracts were investigated by TUNEL and Annexin V/PI assays. using flow cytometry. IC50 and IC20 values of the extracts varied and the effects on endogenous and H2O2-induced DNA damage were different regarding cell lines and extracts. Although their protective effects at some doses against to H2O2-induced oxidative damage, our results suggested DNA damaging and apoptotic potential of cinnamon bark extracts on Type 1 diabetic cell lines, in vitro

An investigation of urinary 2,5-hexanedione excretion in shoe- manufacture workers

2,5-Hexanedione (2,5-HD) is the major metabolite of n-hexane and is considered responsible for n-hexane-induced polyneuropathy. Therefore, urinary 2,5-HD excretion has been measured for biological monitoring of exposure to n-hexane. In the present study, we determined urinary 2,5-HD levels in shoe-manufacture employees by gas chromatographic method. None of the urinary 2,5-HD levels were over the biological exposure index recommended by ACGIH. Results were compared by the urinary 2,5-HD levels of healthy subjects not exposed to n-hexane. The difference between the groups has been found statistically significant (p<0.0001). Correlation between urinary 2,5- HD concentrations and age or working period was not found

Effect of calmodulin-inhibitors and verapamil on the nephrotoxicity of cadmium in rat.

Recent reports indicate that calmodulin inhibitors (CIs) can modify cadmium (Cd) toxicity in rodents. Pretreatment with CIs prevents Cd-induced testicular damage in mice and reduces the severity of such damage in rats. On the other hand it has been suggested that the cellular transport of Cd can be partly inhibited by the calcium-channel inhibitor, verapamil. The aim of this study was to determine whether these inhibitors can prevent the toxic effects of Cd on the kidney which is the critical organ. For that purpose, we have examined the effects of two CIs (trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine) and of verapamil on the development of tubular damage in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were injected subcutaneously 5 days a week for 8 weeks with cadmium chloride (1 mg Cd/kg), alone or in association with trifluoperazine (20 mg/kg), chlorpromazine (15 mg/kg) or verapamil (2 x 5 mg/kg). The development of renal dysfunction was followed by measuring the urinary excretion of the low molecular weight protein Clara cell protein (CC16). In Cd-treated rats, the urinary excretion of CC16 started to increase from week 6 to reach at the end of experiment values more than 100-times above normal. CIs or verapamil did not influence the rise of urinary CC16 induced by Cd. The three inhibitors, by contrast, enhanced the accumulation of Cd in the liver and, at the exception of chlorpromazine, in the kidneys of Cd-treated rats. Although interfering with the metabolism of Cd, CIs and verapamil do not prevent renal damage in rats chronically exposed to this heavy metal

Lithium intoxication on patients receiving lithium therapy

Although lithium is used extensively to treat bipolar disorders, it has a narrow therapeutic range. Intoxications due to lithium arises as a result of prolonged therapy. As lithium toxicity may not present dramatic symptomatology, the pysicians managing patients may be unaware of the subtle changes occuring in the prodromal phase of lithium poisoning. These type of intoxications are characterized by central nervous system and kidney toxicity

Evaluation of methyl parathion residues in apple samples obtained from different regions of Turkey [Torkiyenin farkli bolgelerinden saglanan elma orneklerinde metil paratiyon kalintilarinin degerlendirmesi]

In this study, the levels of methyl parathion (MP) residue in apples collected by Market-Basket method were evaluated. A multiresidual analysis method recommended by AOAC for organophosphorus insecticides has been applied for MP analysis. A Hewlett-Packard 5890-II gas-chromatograph equipped with nitrogen-phosphor detector and SE-30 column was used. MP residues in 18 samples were found at levels below the maximum residue limits registered both in Turkey (0.1 ppm) and by Codex Alimentarius Commission (0.2 ppm) while no detectable levels were found in the rest

An investigation of household product labels in Turkey

WOS: A1997WZ70500012PubMed ID: 9167252One hundred ninety-nine household product labels were evaluated for Turkish marking and labeling requirements and the adequacy for management of high dose exposures. Fifty-six percent of the products were proper. The rest had inadequate information or did not have warning instructions, an ingredients list and/or other requirements. The requirements do not provide adequate consumer warning and management of overdose ingestions. Household product labeling standards on Turkey should be reviewed and improved by collaboration with poison centers and manufacturers

An investigation of toxicity potential of nimesulide in juvenile rats [Juvenil si{dotless}çanlarda nimesulid'in toksisite potansiyelinin araşti{dotless}ri{dotless}lmasi{dotless}]

Nimesulide has been widely used in pediatry for treatment of inflammation associated to respiratory tract infections, fever, several chronic inflammatory conditions, and pain in many countries. However, very few but serious cases of adverse effects, particularly hepatic dysfunction and liver injury have been reported. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in nimesulide-induced adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity. However, several reports demonstrated the reducing effect of nimesulide on oxidative damage and its direct free radical scavenging activity. This study was performed to investigate the effects of nimesulide on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in juvenile rats as well as its tissue damage potential. Four weeks-old Wistar albino, female rats were used. Nimesulide was given by gavage at two doses for 14 days. Blood and tissue samples were taken under pentobarbital anesthesia. Nimesulide treatment caused increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decrease in catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6P-DH) activities were not changed. Tissue damage and changes in some serum parameters were also observed.Our results, indicating the possibility of tissue damage and alterations of oxidant/antioxidant status by nimesulide, might provide important contribution to the literature about the cautions for nimesulide use in juveniles