Evaluation of cytotoxic and wound healing effect of DMEM extracts of Turkish propolis in MDA-MB-231 cell lines

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) extract of Turkish propolis on proliferation, cytotoxicity and lateral motility in MDA-MB-231 cells.Methods: The antiproliferative activity of DMEM extracts of propolis was determined colorimetrically in MDA-MB-231 cells using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell toxicity and wound healing effects of the prpolis extracts were determined with trypan blue exclusion assay and wound-healing assay, respectively.Results: The cell number of MDA-MB-231 cells were decreased by the extracts at all concentrations for 72 h. The highest antiproliferative activity of the extract was demonstrated at 10 mg/mL for 24 - 72 h. Moreover, 5 and 0.31 mg/mL of the propolis extract showed significant antiproliferative activity at 72 h of incubation. The extract showed cytotoxic effect to MDA-MB-231 cells at 10 mg/mL. The extract (at a dose of 2.5 mg/mL) during 24 - 72 h did not produce any effect on lateral motility in MDA-MB-231 cells in the wound healing assay.Conclusion: These results indicate that the DMEM extract of propolis exerts antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB-231 cells at different concentrations.Keywords: Propolis, Proliferation, Cytotoxicity, Motility, Breast cance

Morphological evaluation of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells treated with DMEM extract of Turkish propolis

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of DMEM extract of Turkish propolis (TP) on the morphology of metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods: The cells were incubated with DMEM extract of TP (collected from Trabzon in Turkey) at a dose of 2.5 mg/mL for 72 h. The effect of DMEM extract on proliferation and cytotoxicity of the cells was determined using 3-[4,5-dimethyltiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue exclusion assay. MDA-MB-231 cells incubated with or without extracts were randomly photographed with a camera-coupled inverted microscope. Treated and control MDA-MB-231 cells were classified as monopolar, bipolar or multipolar, and their dimensions measured with an electronic caliper. Results: Although the extract reduced the proliferation of the cells, the effect was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, no cytotoxic effect was observed. Field diameters, process length and cell body diameters of the treated cells were increased by DMEM extract treatment in bipolar and multipolar cell types, but these parameters were decreased in monopolar cell type, although insignificantly (p < 0.05). In addition, the process thickness of treated MDA-MB-231 cells increased insignificantly in all cell types (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that DMEM extract of TP at a dose of 2.5 mg/mL morphologically suppresses monopolar MDA-MB-231 cells. Future studies would examine the morphological effects of different concentrations of the propolis extract in anti-proliferation, cytotoxicity and morphological investigations in MDA-MB-231 cells

Effect of Turkish propolis extracts on expression of voltage-gated sodium channel Nav 1.5 and 1.7 α-Isoforms in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells

Purpose: To investigate the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water extracts of Turkish propolis (WEP) on mRNA expression of Nav 1.5 and 1.7 α isoforms of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel (VGSC) proteins in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells.Methods: DMSO and WEP (20 μg/mL each) were incubated for 24 h with PC-3 cells and total RNA was extracted using a commercial kit. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) assay was used to determine mRNA levels of the isoforms of VGSC. Expressions of VGSC were assumed to be 100 % in PC-3 cells incubated without extract.Results: Both extracts decreased the expression of VGSC isoforms to varying extents. Expressions of Nav 1.5 and 1.7 was 61.43 ± 4.92 and 58.17 ± 2.88 %, respectively for DMSO; while for WEP, the values were 83.54 ± 15.96 and 80.40 ± 13.87 20 μg/mL, respectively.Conclusion: This results suggest that DMSO and water extracts of Turkish propolis may have antimetastatic activity in PC-3 cells due to down-regulation of expressions mRNA of VGSC α-isoforms.Keywords: Propolis, Voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC), PC-3 Human prostate cancer cell

μ-Squarato-κ2 O 1:O 2-bis­{[2-(2-amino­ethyl)pyridine-κ2 N,N′]aqua­nickel(II)} squarate 0.25-hydrate

The asymmetric unit of title compound, [Ni2(C4O4)(C7H10N2)4(H2O)2]C4O4·0.25H2O, contains one-half of a squarate ligand, one-half of an uncoordinated squarate dianion, two 2-(2-amino­ethyl)pyridine ligands and one aqua ligand, all coordinated to an NiII ion. The compound also contains 0.25 solvent water mol­ecules. The NiII ion has distorted octa­hedral geometry. The squarate ligand adopts a μ-1,2 coordination mode, the intra­dimer NiII⋯NiII separation being 7.1442 (7) Å, while the other squarate unit acts as a counter-anion. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter­molecular O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen-bond inter­actions, forming a three-dimensional network

State reduction of incompletely specified finite sequential machines

Bu çalışmada, kısmen belirli ardışıl makinelerde durum indirgeme konusu ele alınmıştır. Durum indirgeme için geliştirilen algoritmalar, Boole fonksiyonlarının birlikte indirgenmesi, durum kodlama ve tek koşullu örtü problemi çözme gibi lojik tasarımın diğer adımlarına da uygulanmıştır. Bu çalışmada kullanılan kapalı yollar kümesi kavramına ve bu kümeden minimal kapalı örtü elde etmeye dayanan bir yönteme literatürde rastlanmamıştır. Bu algoritmalara dayanan, SRC (State Reduction and Covering) programı geliştirilmiştir. SRC, MCNC ve diğer bençmarklarda Rho yöntemi (Rho vd., 1994) ve Puri yöntemi (Puri ve Gu, 1993) ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Test sonuçlarından da görüldüğü gibi SRC programı özellikle kritik bençmarklarda daha iyi sonuç vermiştir.Anahtar Kelimeler: lojik tasarım, algoritma, durum indirgeme, örtü problemi.This paper is concerned with the problem of synthesizing a class of digital circuits, sequential circuits, more specifically state reduction of of incompletely specified sequential circuits. State reduction is an important step in the design of the synchronous and asynchronous sequential circuits. The algorithms which are developed for state reduction, are also applied to other steps of the logic synthesis, such as multiple-output Boolean minimization, state encoding and unite/binate covering problems. In this paper three algorithms are presented to find a minimal equivalent of a given incompletely specified finite sequential machine. These algorithms use a new concept; closed paths constituted by compatibles or prime compatibles. This closed paths concept and an algorithm which uses this concept is not observed in the literature. These algorithms are implemented in an efficient computer program SRC (State Reduction and Covering). SRC is run and tested on several FSMs including the MCNC FSM benchmarks and the results are given in conclusion. From the test results, it can be seen that, despite of the limited computing resources, SRC is more efficient on all benchmarks, especially on the critical benchmarks. Using these algorithms, MORP (Multiple Output Reduction Program) developed to realize m Boolean functions with n variables. State reduction methods which are developed in this work, are also applied to state encoding problem and a computer program, OPASKOD (Race-free State Assignment Program) developed.Keywords: logic synthesis, algorithm, state reduction, covering problem

Effect of Turkish pollen and propolis extracts on caspase-3 activity in myeloid cancer cell lines

Purpose: To investigate the apoptosis-inducing capacity of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts of bee pollen and propolis in HL-60 Myeloid Cancer Cell Lines.Methods: DMSO extracts of pollen and propolis were incubated separately with HL-60 cells, and caspase-3 activity evaluated. In order to determine the cell cycle characteristics of HL-60 cells with and without extracts of pollen and propolis, the cells were analysed using flow cytometry.Results: The DMSO extract of propolis (0.5 mg/mL) increased apoptosis from undetectable levels to 60.1 %, while maintaining cell viability. The DMSO extract of pollen (2 mg/ml) increased apoptosis from undetectable levels to 52.2 % while decreasing cell viability by 62 %. Caspase-3 activity in HL-60 cells incubated with DMSO extracts of pollen and propolis were 3.6- to 12-fold higher than in controls.Conclusion: Turkish pollen and propolis individually increase apoptosis and the activity of caspase-3 in HL-60 cells. This finding indicates that bee products may have beneficial effects in the treatment of cancer.Keywords: Pollen, Propolis, Apoptosis, Caspase-3, Myeloid Cance

İstanbul’daki Vakıf Üniversitelerinin Kuruluş Dönemlerine göre Etkinlik Analizi

Bu çalışmada Veri Zarflama Analizi (VZA) yöntemiyle İstanbul’da bulunan vakıf üniversitelerinin etkinliklerinin belirlenmesi, etkin olmayan üniversiteler için referans alabileceği referans kümesinin belirlenmesi ve kuruluş dönemlerine göre etkinlik düzeyleri arasında farklılık olup olmadığının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Literatür taraması sonrası üniversitelerin etkinlik analizinde kullanılan girdi ve çıktı değişkenleri belirlenmiştir. İstanbul’da bulunan 31 vakıf üniversitesinin etkinlik analizleri yapılmıştır. İstanbul’da bulunan vakıf üniversitelerinden önlisans ve lisans bölümlerinden mezuniyet sayısına göre 2 tanesinin etkin, lisansüstü programlardan mezuniyet sayısına göre 1 tanesinin etkin, akademik değerlendirme puanına göre 3 tanesinin etkin ve genel olarak 9 tanesinin etkin olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, kuruluş dönemlerine göre İstanbul’da bulunan vakıf üniversitelerinin etkinlik düzeyleri arasında anlamlı bir farklılık olmadığı görülmüştür

Aktivnost arginaze u ovarijskim strukturama krava švicarske smeđe pasmine i njezinih križanaca.

Arginase is the last enzyme of the urea cycle. It catalyses the hydrolysis of L-arginine to L-ornitine and urea. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of arginase activity in ovarian structures such as: Graaf follicles, GF (Medium and Large size, M- and L-size), Corpus Haemorrhagicum (CH), and various types of Corpus Luteum (CL) such as: cyclic CL (CCL), 2-4 month pregnancy CL (2-4 MCL) and 4-7 month pregnancy CL (4-7 MCL). Ovarian tissues of 62 cows (7-10 years old and Brown Swiss or its cross-breeds), collected from a local slaughterhouse, were used as material. The materials were divided into 6 experimental groups, as follows: MGF group (n = 7), LGF group (n = 21), CH group (n = 7), CCL group (n = 6), 2-4 MCL group (n = 9) and 4-7 MCL group (n = 12). Arginase activities were measured as 0.056 ± 0.017, 0.100 ± 0.016, 2.517 ± 0.521, 0.827 ± 0.190, 0.674 ± 0.106 and 0.833 ± 0.093 U/mg protein in all groups, respectively. Arginase activity in the CH group was significantly higher than that in the CCL, 2-4 MCL and 4-7 MCL groups (P<0.001). The lowest enzyme activity was in the MGF and LGF groups. Hence, it was concluded that the arginase enzyme might play a crucial role in cell division, proliferation and differentiation in the ovarian tissues (especially the CH) of mature cows.Arginaza je posljednji enzim u ciklusu ureje koji katalizira hidrolizu L-arginina u L-ornitin i ureju. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi prisutnost aktivnosti arginaze u ovarijskim strukturama kao što su Graafovi folikuli, GF (srednje veliki - M i veliki - L), corpus haemorrhagicum (CH) i različiti tipovi corpus luteum (CL) kao što su ciklični (CCL), 2-4 mjeseca graviditetni (2-4 MCL) i 4-7 mjeseci graviditetni (4-7 MCL). Tkiva ovarija od 62 krave (švicarske smeđe pasmine i križanaca u dobi od 7 do 10 godina) prikupljena su u lokalnoj klaonici. Materijali su bili podijeljeni u 6 pokusnih skupina kako slijedi: MGF skupina (n = 7), LGF skupina (n = 21), CH skupina (n = 7), CCL skupina (n = 6), 2-4 MCL skupina (n = 9) i 4-7 MCL skupina (n = 12). Slijedom navedenih skupina, aktivnost arginaze bila je 0,056 ± 0,017, 0,100 ± 0,016, 2,517 ± 0,521, 0,827 ± 0,190, 0,674 ± 0,106 i 0,833 ± 0,093 U/mg. Aktivnost arginaze u CH skupini bila je signifikantno viša u odnosu na skupine CCL, 2-4 MCL i 4-7 MCL (P<0,001). Najniža aktivnost enzima bila je u skupinama MGF i LGF. Zaključeno je o mogućoj ključnoj ulozi aktivnosti enzima arginaze u diobi stanica, proliferaciji i diferencijaciji ovarijskih tkiva (osobito CH) kod odraslih krava

Increased mean platelet volume in patients with infective endocarditis and embolic events

Background: Platelet activation appears to play an important role in thromboembolic com­plications of infective endocarditis (IE). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a potentially useful marker of platelet activity and a quick and easy determinant of thrombotic risk. Hence the aim of this study was to investigate the baseline platelet volume indices (MPV and platelet distribution width [PDW]) in IE patients who developed embolic events in the follow-up period and who did not. Methods: The study group consisted of 76 consecutive patients (female: 55, male: 21, mean age: 26 years old, ranged: 8–64 years) with definite IE according to Duke Criteria. Thirty four healthy subjects, who were age and gender adjusted, served as the control group. The mean duration of hospital stay was 44 days. Results: Among the IE patients, 13 (13/76, 17.1%) had major embolic events. Significantly larger vegetations were observed in patients with embolic events as compared to non-embolic group (1.4 vs. 1.0 cm, p = 0.03). MPV at hospital admission was higher in patients who had embolic events in the follow-up period compared to both those who did not and the control subjects (10.62 ± 1.13 vs. 9.25 ± 0.97 and 8.93 ± 0.82 fL, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Similarly, the patients with embolic events had increased PDW compared to the non-embolic ones and the control group (16.31 ± 2.42 vs. 14.35 ± 1.97 and 14.04 ± 1.82%, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that IE patients with embolic events had in­creased MPV and PDW values, compared to non-embolics. Future prospective studies with standardized measurements may clarify the clinical role of platelet volume indices in thrombo­embolic complications of IE

A new method for the state reduction of incompletely specified finite sequential machines and application of the developed methods to the other logic synthesis steps

Tez (Doktora) -- İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, 2003Thesis (PhD) -- İstanbul Technical University, Institute of Science and Technology, 2003Bu çalışmada kısmen belirli ardışıl makinelerde durum indirgeme konusu ele alınmıştır. Durum indirgeme için geliştirilen algoritmalar, Boole fonksiyonlarının birlikte indirgenmesi, durum kodlama ve tek koşullu örtü problemi çözme gibi lojik tasarımın diğer adımlarına da uygulanmıştır. Bunun sonucunda birden çok Boole fonksiyonunu birlikte indirgeyebilen MORP (Multiple Output Reduction Program) ve kritik yarış içermeyen durum kodlaması yapabilen OPASKOD (Optimal Asenkron Kodlama) programları geliştirilmiştir. Bu çalışmada kullanılan kapalı yollar kümesi kavramına ve bu kümeden minimal kapalı örtü elde etmeye dayanan bir yönteme literatürde rastlanmamıştır. Bu algoritmalara dayanan, SRC (State Reduction and Covering) programı geliştirilmiştir. SRC, MCNC ve diğer bençmarklarda Rho (1994) ve Puri (1993) ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Test sonuçlarından da görüldüğü gibi SRC programı özellikle kritik bençmarklarda daha iyi sonuç vermiştir.This thesis is concerned with the problem of synthesizing a class of digital circuits, sequential circuits, more specifically state reduction of of incompletely specified sequential circuits. The algorithms which are developed for state reduction, are also applied to other steps of the logic synthesis, such as multiple-output Boolean minimization, state encoding and unite/binate covering problems. In this paper three algorithms are presented to find a minimal equivalent of a given incompletely specified finite sequential machine. These algorithms use a new concept; closed paths constituted by compatibles or prime compatibles. This closed paths concept and an algorithm which uses this concept is not observed in the literature. These algorithms are implemented in an efficient computer program SRC (State Reduction and Covering). SRC is run and tested on several FSMs including the MCNC FSM benchmarks and the results are given in conclusion. From the test results, it can be seen that, despite of the limited computing resources, SRC is more efficient on all benchmarks, especially on the critical benchmarks. Using these algorithms, MORP (Multiple Output Reduction Program) developed to realize m Boolean functions with n variables. State reduction methods which are developed in this work, are also applied to state encoding problem and a computer program, OPASKOD (Race-free State Assignment Program) developed.DoktoraPh