Pharmacological Properties of Edible Asparagus acutifolius and Asparagus officinalis Collected from North Iraq and Turkey (Hatay)

In this study, antioxidant, oxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities of Asparagus acutifolius L. and Asparagus officinalis L., known for their nutritional properties, were determined. In this context, methanol (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of plants were obtained. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined using Rel Assay kits. Antimicrobial activities of plant extracts were determined against the test microorganisms using the agar dilution method. Antiproliferative activity was tested on the lung cancer cell line A549. As a result of the studies, it has been determined that the plant species have high antioxidant potential. In addition, it was observed that the antifungal potentials of plant extracts are high. Antiproliferative activity was determined to be at high level in both plant species. As a result, it has been determined that A. acutifolius and A. officinalis have medical potential and can be used as natural agents in pharmacological designs

Oxidative stress in Arthrospira platensis by two organophosphate pesticides

Abstract Although it is known that organophosphate insecticides are harmfull to aquatic ecosystems, oxidative damages caused by Dimethoate and Chlorpyrifos are not studied on Arthrospira platensis Gomont. In this study, various Chlorpyrifos (0-150 µg mL-1) and Dimethoate (0-250 µg mL-1) concentrations were added to the culture medium in laboratory to evaulate growth rate, chlorophyll-a content and antioxidant parameters of A. platensis. Optical Density (OD560) and chlorophyll-a decreased compared to the control for seven days in both pesticide applications. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased at 50 µg mL-1 Chlorpyrifos concentration but it decreased at all concentrations. Although Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased with Chlorpyrifos application, they did not change with Dimethoate application. Malondialdehyde (MDA) amount decreased at 150 µg mL-1 Chlorpyrifos concentration but it increased in Dimethoate application. The H2O2 content were increased in both applications. Proline decreased in 50 and 75 µg mL-1 Chlorpyrifos concentrations and increased at 150 µg mL-1 concentration, while it increased at 25 µg mL-1 Dimethoate concentration. The results were tested at 0.05 significance level. These pesticides inhibit A. platensis growth and chlorophyll-a production and cause oxidative stress. The excessive use may affect the phytoplankton and have negative consequences in the aquatic ecosystem

Eltrombopag for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia: The aegean region of Turkey experience

Objective: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated disease characterized by transient or persistent decrease of the platelet count to less than 100x109/L. Although it is included in a benign disease group, bleeding complications may be mortal. With a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, thrombopoietin receptor agonists, which came into use in recent years, seem to be an effective option in the treatment of resistant cases. This study aimed to retrospectively assess the efficacy, long-term safety, and tolerability of eltrombopag in Turkish patients with chronic ITP in the Aegean region of Turkey. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data of 40 patients with refractory ITP who were treated with eltrombopag in the Aegean region were examined and evaluated. Results: The total rate of response was 87%, and the median duration of response defined as the number of the platelets being over 50x109/L was 19.5 (interquartile range: 5-60) days. In one patient, venous sinus thrombosis was observed with no other additional risk factors due to or related to thrombosis. Another patient with complete response and irregular follow-up for 12 months was lost due to sudden death as the result of probable acute myocardial infarction. Conclusion: Although the responses to eltrombopag were satisfactory, patients need to be monitored closely for overshooting platelet counts as well as thromboembolic events. © 2015 Turkish Society of Hematology. All rights reserved

Data Descriptor : A European Multi Lake Survey dataset of environmental variables, phytoplankton pigments and cyanotoxins

Under ongoing climate change and increasing anthropogenic activity, which continuously challenge ecosystem resilience, an in-depth understanding of ecological processes is urgently needed. Lakes, as providers of numerous ecosystem services, face multiple stressors that threaten their functioning. Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are a persistent problem resulting from nutrient pollution and climate-change induced stressors, like poor transparency, increased water temperature and enhanced stratification. Consistency in data collection and analysis methods is necessary to achieve fully comparable datasets and for statistical validity, avoiding issues linked to disparate data sources. The European Multi Lake Survey (EMLS) in summer 2015 was an initiative among scientists from 27 countries to collect and analyse lake physical, chemical and biological variables in a fully standardized manner. This database includes in-situ lake variables along with nutrient, pigment and cyanotoxin data of 369 lakes in Europe, which were centrally analysed in dedicated laboratories. Publishing the EMLS methods and dataset might inspire similar initiatives to study across large geographic areas that will contribute to better understanding lake responses in a changing environment.Peer reviewe

LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS-based phenolic profiling of St John’s Wort Teas and their antioxidant activity: Eliciting infusion induced changes

Infusion-induced changes in the phenolics, antioxidant and colour propeties of St John’s wort (genus, Hypericum; specie, Hypericum perforatum L.) teas were studied for the first time. SJW teas prepared as three different infusions and coded as three (3 min), six (6 min) and twelve minutes (12 min). Investigation of phenolic compounds were performed by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 18 phenolics including six chlorogenic acids, three phenolic acids, seven flavonoids and two naphtodianthrones were detected. It is worth noting that the phenolic profiles of St John’s wort teas were similar. However, the quantities of phenolic compounds individually and totally changed significantly for different infusion times. The highest total concentration was detected in 12 min (60.03 mg/L), followed by 6 min (54.81 mg/L) and 3 min (33.07 mg/L). The main difference for different infusion times was the hyperoside found as the most abundant phenolic only in 3 min samples. However, for 6 min and 12 minin infusions, chlorogenic acid was the most dominant phenolic compound. Similar to phenolics, antioxidant capacity of tea infusions showed an increasing trend with the extension of infusion time. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Screening of key odorants and anthocyanin compounds of cv. Okuzgozu (Vitis vinifera L.) red wines with a free run and pressed pomace using GC-MS-Olfactometry and LC-MS-MS

PubMedID: 29469168The principal purpose of the present work is to characterize the aroma, aroma-active, and anthocyanin profiles of Okuzgozu wines and to observe the effect of the pomace pressing technique on these parameters. A total of 58 and 59 volatile compounds were identified and quantified in free-run juice wine (FRW) and pressed pomace wine (PW). Alcohols were found as the most dominant group among aroma compounds followed by esters and acids. However, among all these compounds, only 11 and 13 of them could be considered as key odorants in aromatic extracts of FRW and PW, respectively. According to GC-MS-O analysis, ethyl octanoate (fruity), phenyl ethyl acetate (fruity), and 2-phenyl ethanol (flowery) were found as the main contributors to the overall scent of both wines. Beyond the aroma profiles, anthocyanin contents of both types of wines were also investigated, and total 14 and 15 anthocyanins were identified and quantified in FRW and PW. Malvidin-3-glycoside and its acetyl and coumaroyl forms were identified as the dominant anthocyanins in both wines. It is worth noting the pressing application (2.0 atm) led to an increase of some unpleasant notes in the aroma providing chemical, pharmacy, and fermented aromas in wine. On the other hand, the wines produced with pressed pomace presented higher amounts of anthocyanins. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.ZF2013YL2We thank the Cukurova University Research Fund (No: ZF2013YL2) for its financial support. We also wish to thank Bryan Christiansen for his outstanding editing and proofreading

Vitamin B12 levels in familial Mediterranean fever patients treated with colchicine

Objectives. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease characterised by paroxysmal attacks of serosal inflammation. Colchicine is highly effective in preventing these attacks but it may also disrupt the intestinal absorption of vitamin B12. We hypothesised that patients treated with colchicine for a prolonged period could develop deficiency of the vitamin

Characterization of Key Odorants in Moroccan Argan Oil by Aroma Extract Dilution Analysis

The aroma-active compounds of Moroccan argan oil are sensorily and instrumentally analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O). The purge and trap extraction (PTE) method is used for the extraction of volatile components. A total of 35 aroma compounds are determined including mostly alcohols and pyrazines, and some carboxylic acids, pyrroles, furans, lactones, volatile phenols, an aldehyde, and a ketone. An aroma extract dilution analysis of the aromatic fraction of argan oil isolated by the PTE method reveals 19 key odorants with flavor dilution (FD) factors ranging from 4 to 512, among which nonanal, 2,5-dimethyl-3-ethylpyrazine and 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine show the highest FD factors of 512. As for the principal scents perceived by all panelists, characteristic odor notes in argan oil are found to be roasty, nutty, fatty, earthy, and cheesy. Practical Applications: Nut oil is one of the most widely consumed oils in many countries. The outcomes of this investigation provide valuable information for elucidation of the key odorants and aroma composition of the well-known and expensive Moroccan argan oil. Aroma is a crucial quality parameter of a foodstuff which directly influences customer preferences. Therefore, determining the key odorants of argan oil's aromatic extract isolated by purge and trap methodology is of major importance for the argan oil sector. The purge and trap extraction set for separation followed by analysis and characterization of those compounds via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O) is an effective practical application tool for aroma description in valuable and expensive oil samples. It is observed that the characteristic odor notes of argan oil are related to the few most powerful aroma-active compounds using the aroma extract dilution analysis technique. The aroma-active compounds of Moroccan argan oil are sensorily and instrumentally analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O). The purge and trap extraction (PTE) method is used for the extraction of volatile components. A total of 19 aroma compounds are detected as aroma active by AEDA method among 35 volatiles. Characteristic odor notes in argan oil are found to be roasty, nutty, fatty, earthy, and cheesy. © 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei

Determining Total Phenolics, Anthocyanin Content and Ascorbic Acid Content in Some Plum Genotypes Grown in Ardahan Ecological Conditions

In this study, total phenol content, total anthocyanin content, brix, pH, titrable acidity and total ascorbic acid content in the five plum genotypes cultivated in Ardahan City are determined and sustenance of the plums are revealed. Total phenol content was determined with folin-ciocalteu’s method, total anthocyanin content was determined with pH differential method and total ascorbic acid was determined with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol method.It is detected that the genotype with the highest brix content (%13.9) and lowest acidity (%0.98) is cancur, the genotype with the lowest brix content (%11) and highest acidity (%2.06) is wild plum, the genotype with the highest content of total anthocyanin, total phenolic substance and ascorbic acid is the wild plum and the genotype with the least content of these is the water plum. As a result of the study, it is revealed that the plum fruit has high levels of phenolic substance, anthocyanin and ascorbic acid content, so it has a high sustenance.</p