Differential expression of Lp-PLA2 in obesity and type 2 diabetes and the influence of lipids

Aims/hypothesis Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a circulatory macrophage-derived factor that increases with obesity and leads to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite this, its role in adipose tissue and the adipocyte is unknown. Therefore, the aims of this study were to clarify the expression of Lp-PLA2 in relation to different adipose tissue depots and type 2 diabetes, and ascertain whether markers of obesity and type 2 diabetes correlate with circulating Lp-PLA2. A final aim was to evaluate the effect of cholesterol on cellular Lp-PLA2 in an in vitro adipocyte model. Methods Analysis of anthropometric and biochemical variables from a cohort of lean (age 44.4 ± 6.2 years; BMI 22.15 ± 1.8 kg/m2, n = 23), overweight (age 45.4 ± 12.3 years; BMI 26.99 ± 1.5 kg/m2, n = 24), obese (age 49.0 ± 9.1 years; BMI 33.74 ± 3.3 kg/m2, n = 32) and type 2 diabetic women (age 53.0 ± 6.13 years; BMI 35.08 ± 8.6 kg/m2, n = 35), as part of an ethically approved study. Gene and protein expression of PLA2 and its isoforms were assessed in adipose tissue samples, with serum analysis undertaken to assess circulating Lp-PLA2 and its association with cardiometabolic risk markers. A human adipocyte cell model, Chub-S7, was used to address the intracellular change in Lp-PLA2 in adipocytes. Results Lp-PLA2 and calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) isoforms were altered by adiposity, as shown by microarray analysis (p < 0.05). Type 2 diabetes status was also observed to significantly alter gene and protein levels of Lp-PLA2 in abdominal subcutaneous (AbdSc) (p < 0.01), but not omental, adipose tissue. Furthermore, multivariate stepwise regression analysis of circulating Lp-PLA2 and metabolic markers revealed that the greatest predictor of Lp-PLA2 in non-diabetic individuals was LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.004). Additionally, in people with type 2 diabetes, oxidised LDL (oxLDL), triacylglycerols and HDL-cholesterol appeared important predictors, accounting for 59.7% of the variance (p < 0.001). Subsequent in vitro studies determined human adipocytes to be a source of Lp-PLA2, as confirmed by mRNA expression, protein levels and immunochemistry. Further in vitro experiments revealed that treatment with LDL-cholesterol or oxLDL resulted in significant upregulation of Lp-PLA2, while inhibition of Lp-PLA2 reduced oxLDL production by 19.8% (p < 0.05). Conclusions/interpretation Our study suggests adipose tissue and adipocytes are active sources of Lp-PLA2, with differential regulation by fat depot and metabolic state. Moreover, levels of circulating Lp-PLA2 appear to be influenced by unfavourable lipid profiles in type 2 diabetes, which may occur in part through regulation of LDL-cholesterol and oxLDL metabolism in adipocytes

Winter Time Concentrations and Size Distribution of Bioaerosols in Different Residential Settings in the UK

The total concentration and size distribution of bioaerosols in three different types of housing (single room in shared accommodation [type I], single bedroom flat in three-storey building [type II] and two- or threebedroom detached houses [type III]) was assessed during the winter. This research was an extension of a previous study carried out in the summer. The measurement campaign was undertaken in winter 2008 and 30 houses were sampled. Samples were taken from kitchens, living rooms, corridors (only in housing type I) and outdoors with an Anderson 6 stage viable impactor. In housing type I, the total geometric mean concentration was highest in the corridor for both bacteria and fungi (3,171 and 1,281 CFU/m3, respectively). In type II residences, both culturable bacteria and fungi were greatest in the living rooms (3,487 and 833 CFU/m3, respectively). The living rooms in type III residences had largest number of culturable bacteria (1,361 CFU/m3) while fungi were highest in kitchens (280 CFU/m3). The concentrations of culturable bacteria and fungi were greater in mouldy houses than non-mouldy houses. A considerable variation was seen in the size distribution of culturable bacteria in type I residences compared to types II and III. For all housing types more than half of culturable bacterial and fungal aerosol were respirable (<4.7 μm) and so have the potential to penetrate into lower respiratory system. Considerable variation in concentration and size distribution within different housing types in the same geographical region highlights the impact of differences in design, construction, use and management of residential built environment on bioaerosols levels and consequent varied risk of population exposure to airborne biological agents. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Microwave-assisted synthesis and antifungal activity of some new 1H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives

Ozil, Musa/0000-0002-1980-1364WOS: 000262537600017A number of 3-aryl-4-arylmethylideneamino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones were synthesized by reaction of the corresponding aromatic aldehydes with 4-amino-3-aryl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones in anhydrous ethanol under microwave irradiation. The newly synthesized 1H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives were tested for antimicrobial activity. They showed no antibacterial activity but slight mycostatic activity against some Candida species

EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL STUDIES OF 4-[(4-METHYL-5-PHENYL-4H1,2,4-TRIAZOL-3-YL)SULFANYL]BENZENE-1,2-DICARBONITRILE

AKCAY, Hakki Turker/0000-0002-8502-9608; Vazquez-Lopez, Ezequiel M./0000-0002-6012-0931; Hokelek, Tuncer/0000-0002-8602-4382WOS: 000392794300003In this study, 4-[(4-methy1-5-pheny1-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)sulfanyl]benzene-1,2-dicarbonitrile was synthesized and its molecular structure was characterized by means of FT-IR. and X-ray diffraction methods. the crystal is monoclinic and belongs to the P21/n space group. There are three weak intermolecular C-H...N type hydrogen bonds in the molecular structure. the geometrical parameters, vibration frequencies, HOMO LUMO energies, and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) map of the compound (3) in ground state were calculated by using density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) with the 6-311G(d) basis set. Calculated geometrical parameters were compared with X-ray diffraction geometric parameters. on the other hand, theoretical and experimental FT-IR results were also compared.Higher Education CouncilThe author would like to thank the Higher Education Council for supporting this study within international research

Determination of the protonation constants of triazole derivatives in non-aqueous solvents

Different 17 triazole derivatives were titrated with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in four non-aqueous solvents (isopropyl alcohol, rert-butyl alcohol, N,N-dimethylformamide and acetonitrile), using Potentiometric method. The half neutralization potential values and the corresponding pKa values were determined for all cases

Diagnostic Value of Plasma Pentraxin-3 in Acute Appendicitis

PubMed: 29020470Purpose: To measure serum PTX3 levels in patients admitted with right lower quadrant pain to emergency department and to investigate whether this parameter will be helpful for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Materials and methods: This study was conducted with a group of 89 patients over 17 years of age who were admitted with the complaint of right lower quadrant pain to ED and had a preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis clinically and the control group of 31 healthy volunteers in a tertiary university hospital for 3 months. Results: Median PTX3 levels were 3.28 (1.08-30.24) ng/mL in the acute appendicitis groups and 0.97 (0.34-2.62) ng/mL in the control group. A significant difference was observed between acute appendicitis groups and the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PTX3 was found to be significantly higher in patient with acute appendicitis compared to the control group and the patients with non-specific abdominal pain. PTX3 can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. © 2017, Copyright © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Crystal Structure of 4-[(4-Ethyl-5-Phenyl-4H-1,2,4-Triazol-3-yl)Sulfanyl]Phthalonitrile

Vazquez-Lopez, Ezequiel M./0000-0002-6012-0931; AKCAY, Hakki Turker/0000-0002-8502-9608WOS: 000451645700027The structure of the 4-[(4-ethyl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)sulfanyl]phthalonitrile titled molecule is determined by means of X-ray diffraction. the title compound has weak inter- and intramolecular C-H...N-type hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, there is a - interaction between triazole and phenyl rings.Recep Tayyip Erdogan UniversityRecep Tayyip Erdogan University [2014.101.16.01]This study was supported by Recep Tayyip Erdogan University - Research Funding - (Project no 2014.101.16.01)

Carbonic anhydrase I and II autoantibodies in Behcet's disease

Demir, Selim/0000-0002-1863-6280;WOS: 000398616200004PubMed: 28198796Background: Behcet's disease ( BD) is a vasculitis, seen more frequently around the Mediterranean and the Far East, and evinces with oral and genital ulcerations, skin lesions and uveitis. Carbonic anhydrase ( CA) is a metalloenzyme which is widely distributed in the living world, and it is essential for the regulation of acid-base balance. Anti-CA antibodies have been reported in many disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, idiopathic chronic pancreatitis, type 1 diabetes and Graves' disease. the goal of this study was to investigate CA I and II autoantibodies in BD. Methods: 35 patients with BD and 29 healthy controls were included in the study and CA I and II autoantibody levels were investigated by ELISA. Results: the CA I and II autoantibody levels of BD group were significantly higher than the healthy group (p= 0.013, p= 0.0001, respectively). A cut-off value of 0.250 absorbance unit (ABSU) for anti-CA I was associated with 34% sensitivity and 100% specificity and a cut-off value of 0.171 ABSU for anti-CA II was associated with 54% sensitivity and 100% specificity for predicting BD. Conclusion: the CA I and II autoantibody levels in pa-tients with BD were found higher compared to control group and the results suggest that CA I and II autoantibodies may be involved in the pathogenesis of B