Identification by using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of lactic acid bacteria isolated from non-commercial yogurts in southern Anatolia, Turkey

Yogurt is a dairy product obtained by bacterial fermentation of milk. Commercial yogurts are produced using standard starters while, in the production of non-commercial yogurt, the microbiota is quite different since yogurts are used as starter for years. To determine the final characteristics of the fermented product it is necessary to know the biochemical properties of the starter cultures, such as acidity, aroma and flavor. This can only be achieved by identifying and characterizing the bacteria in starter cultures. In our study, 208 non-commercial yogurt samples were collected from 9 different locations in Anatolia, southern Turkey. Their pH and lactic acid bacteria profiles were analyzed. Isolated bacteria were identified by MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser sesorption-ionization time-of-flight, mass spectrometry), which is a fast and reliable method for identification of bacterial isolates compared to classical laboratory methods. In this study, 41% of the isolates were identified by using this method, which is 99.9% and 34.0% confidence. The isolates contained two genera (Enterococcus and Lactobacillus) and four species. Afterwards, the four lactic acid bacteria were characterized physiologically and biochemically and we found that they differed from lactic acid bacteria used in commercial yogurt production. [Int Microbiol 20(1): 25-30 (2017)]Keywords: yogurt starters · lactic acid bacteria (LAB) · southern Anatolia (Turkey

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and toxic potential of Teucrium polium L.: A comprehensive review

The aim of this study was to present information about the traditional use and phytochemistry of T. polium, to discuss contradictory views about chemotaxonomy and its toxic effect on liver and kidneys, and to make suggestions about controversial areas and gaps in the literature. Literature data showed that T. polium has toxic effect on kidney tissue. Moreover, in some of the studies on the liver and in all clinical reports, T. polium has also been proven to have toxic effect on the liver. The components responsible for toxicity are thought to be neo-clerodane diterpenoids. However, it has been reported that flavonoids and some polyphenols in the plant also show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It has been concluded that more attention should be paid to the use of this plant. More clinical studies are needed to better understand the effects of T. polium on the liver. The effects of the plant on blood serum parameters and histological changes on the liver tissue should be documented in more detail. It was also concluded that that regular consumption of T. polium should be avoided for long periods of time

Oxidative, Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Damage Potential of Novel Borenium and Borinium Compounds

In this study, the biological properties of novel borenium and borinium compounds in terms of their oxidative, genotoxic, and cytotoxic effects were assessed on cultured human peripheral blood cells, as well as several types of cancer cells. Our results revealed that the borinium compounds yielded the best results in terms of supporting total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In fact, borenium 1, borenium 2, borenium 3, borinium 4, and borinium 5 compounds elevated TAC levels of cultured human blood cells at rates of 42.8%, 101.5%, 69.8%, 33.3%, and 49.2%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between the negative control and the groups treated with all borinium and borenium concentrations from the micronucleus (MN) and chromosome aberration (CA) assays, demonstrating the non-genotoxic effects. Moreover, borenium 1 (60.7% and 50.7%), borenium 2 (70.4% and 57.2%), borenium 3 (53.1% and 45.2%), borinium 4 (55.1% and 48.1%), and borinium 5 (51.0% and 36.1%) minimized the mitomycin C(MMC)-induced genotoxic damages at different rates as determined using CA and MN assays, respectively. Again, it was found that the borinium compounds exhibited higher cytotoxic activity on cancer cells when compared to borenium compounds. Consequently, in light of our in vitro findings, it was suggested that the novel borinium and borenium compounds could be used safely in pharmacology, cosmetics, and various medical fields due to their antioxidant and non-genotoxic features, as well as their cytotoxicity potential on cancer cells

Association between urotensin II gene polymorphism and pre-eclampsia

Objective: To investigate the association of a specific polymorphism (S89N) in exon 3 of the urotensin II (UTS2) gene in pre-eclampsia

Might There Be a Link Between Intron 3 VNTR Polymorphism in the XRCC4 DNA Repair Gene and the Etiopathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

DNA repair genes are involved in several diseases such as cancers and autoimmune diseases. Previous studies indicated that a DNA repair system was involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we aimed to examine whether four polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes (xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D [XPD], X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 [XRCC1], and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 4 [XRCC4]) were associated with RA. Sixty-five patients with RA and 70 healthy controls (HCs) were examined for XPD (A-751G), XRCC1 (A399G), and XRCC4 (intron 3 VNTR and G-1394T) polymorphisms. All polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR and/or PCR-RFLP. The association between the polymorphisms and RA was analyzed using the chi-square test and de Finetti program. The intron 3 VNTR polymorphism in the XRCC4 gene showed an association with RA patients. The DI genotype was found lower in RA patients (chi(2)=8.227; p=0.0021), while the II genotype was higher in RA patients (chi(2)=5.285; p=0.010). There were deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) in both intron 3 VNTR and G-1394T polymorphisms in the XRCC4 gene and in the polymorphism in the XRCC1 gene, and the observed genotype counts deviated from those expected according to the HWE (p=0.027, 0.004, and 0.002, respectively); however, there was no deviation in the other gene polymorphisms. There is no statistical difference between the RA patients and HCs for XPD (A-751G), XRCC1 (A399G), and XRCC4 (G-1394T) gene polymorphisms (p>0.05). Although XPD (A-751G), XRCC1 (A399G), and XRCC4 (G-1394T) gene polymorphisms have been extensively investigated in different clinical pictures, this is the first study to evaluate the role of these polymorphisms in the genetic etiopathogenesis of RA in Turkish patients. In conclusion, we suggested that the intron 3 VNTR polymorphism in the XRCC4 gene may be associated with the etiopathogenesis of RA as a marker of immune aging

Genetic contributing factors to substance abuse: an association study between eNOS gene polymorphisms and cannabis addiction in a Turkish population

It is known to be largely related to behavioural changes and neuropsychiatric disorders, and studies demonstrating the influence of eNOS gene variants in the development of depressive, aggressive and suicidal behaviours exist in the literature. Here, we investigate two polymorphisms in the eNOS gene, namely, G894T (Glu298Asp) and intron 4 VNTR, as possible genetic contributing factors to cannabis addiction. DNA samples used in this work were purified from the peripheral blood of 94 unrelated Turkish cannabis-dependent subjects and 100 Turkish control subjects from the southeastern region of Turkey. The eNOS polymorphisms were characterised by the PCR and/or PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) method. The De-finetti programme, chi-square, Fisher's exact test, odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used for statistical analysis. The incidence of aa and TT genotypes and the frequency of the alleles a and T were found to be significantly higher in the cannabis addicts group than in the control subjects (p<0.05). The results indicate that G894T and intron 4 VNTR eNOS gene polymorphisms are statistically-significant contributing factors to susceptibility to cannabis addiction, while the same polymorphism alleles associated with high NO levels are a protective factor in Turkish subjects. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on eNOS gene polymorphisms involving the Turkish population

In vitro cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of newly synthesised boron ionic liquids

In this study, new molecules containing boron were added to the family of ionic organic compounds, in particular, ionic liquids with a cationic center. This study aimed to determine the cytotoxic and genetic effects of a total of four newly synthesised borenium and borinium compounds on human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro. Human peripheral lymphocytes were obtained from heparinised blood samples collected from healthy females aged between 29 and 32 years, with no history of exposure to toxic agents. The cytotoxicity was assayed via the MTT (3-(4.5-dimethylthiazole- 2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) tests; the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity, via the micronucleus (MN) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) tests. The results showed that the borenium compounds did not exhibit cytotoxic activity in the MTT and LDH tests even in high concentrations, the borinium compound did not exhibit cytotoxic effects in lower concentrations in vitro. The borenium compounds did not show genotoxic effects in SCE and MN tests. However, at a high concentration, borinium increased the micronucleus rate in comparison to the negative control group. The obtained results suggest that these newly synthesised cationic boron compounds can be used reliably in health, cosmetics or other industries, taking into consideration their types and concentrations

Mannose Binding Lectin and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Gene Polymorphisms in Turkish Children with Cardiomyopathy: No Association with MBL2 Codon 54 A/B Genotype, but an Association between MIF -173 CC Genotype

<p>Myocardial inflammation is one of the commonest mechanisms in cardiomyopathy (CMP). Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a key molecule in innate immunity, while macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a constitutive element of the host defenses. We investigated the possible association between polymorphisms of MBL2 and MIF genes and CMP in Turkish children. Twenty-children with CMP and 30 healthy controls were analyzed for codon 54 A/B polymorphism in MBL, and -173 G/C polymorphism in MIF genes by using PCR-RFLP methods. No significant difference was found between genotypes and alleles of MBL2 gene codon 54 A/B polymorphism in patients and controls (p&#62;0.05). However, serum uric acid levels was found higher in dilated CMP patients with AA genotype. Frequency of MIF -173 CC genotype was significantly higher in patients (p&#60;0.05), and sodium levels were higher in patients with MIF -173 CC genotype. This study is the first to investigate the MBL and MIF gene polymorphisms in Turkish children with CMP. We conclude that CC genotype of MIF (-173) polymorphism may be a risk factor for CMP patients. However, further studies with larger samples are needed to address the exact role of this polymorphism in CMP.</p

Might There Be a Link Between Intron 3 VNTR Polymorphism in the XRCC4

DNA repair genes are involved in several diseases such as cancers and autoimmune diseases. Previous studies indicated that a DNA repair system was involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we aimed to examine whether four polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes (xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D [XPD], X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 [XRCC1], and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 4 [XRCC4]) were associated with RA. Sixty-five patients with RA and 70 healthy controls (HCs) were examined for XPD (A-751G), XRCC1 (A399G), and XRCC4 (intron 3 VNTR and G-1394T) polymorphisms. All polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR and/or PCR-RFLP. The association between the polymorphisms and RA was analyzed using the chi-square test and de Finetti program. The intron 3 VNTR polymorphism in the XRCC4 gene showed an association with RA patients. The DI genotype was found lower in RA patients (chi(2)=8.227; p=0.0021), while the II genotype was higher in RA patients (chi(2)=5.285; p=0.010). There were deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) in both intron 3 VNTR and G-1394T polymorphisms in the XRCC4 gene and in the polymorphism in the XRCC1 gene, and the observed genotype counts deviated from those expected according to the HWE (p=0.027, 0.004, and 0.002, respectively); however, there was no deviation in the other gene polymorphisms. There is no statistical difference between the RA patients and HCs for XPD (A-751G), XRCC1 (A399G), and XRCC4 (G-1394T) gene polymorphisms (p>0.05). Although XPD (A-751G), XRCC1 (A399G), and XRCC4 (G-1394T) gene polymorphisms have been extensively investigated in different clinical pictures, this is the first study to evaluate the role of these polymorphisms in the genetic etiopathogenesis of RA in Turkish patients. In conclusion, we suggested that the intron 3 VNTR polymorphism in the XRCC4 gene may be associated with the etiopathogenesis of RA as a marker of immune aging

The role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms in patients with lung cancer

Objectives Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in the lung tissues. The most common causes of lung cancer include smoking, exposure to radon gas, asbestos, environmental pollutants as well as genetic factors. Nitric oxide (NO) has potential mutagenic and carcinogenic activity and may play an important role in lung cancer. Endothelial NO, synthesized from L-arginine by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), inhibits apoptosis and promotes angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible relationship between eNOS gene intron 4 variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) and exon 7-G894T (Glu298Asp)polymorphisms and lung cancer risk. Methods DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of 107 lung cancer patients and 100 control subjects. Designated polymorphisms were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results Our study showed that the frequencies of theb/bgenotype andballele of eNOS gene intron 4 VNTR polymorphism were significantly higher in lung cancer patients than in controls (P 0.05). Conclusion These results suggest that the presence of the intron 4 VNTR*ballele andb/bgenotype may be a genetic risk factor for development of lung cancer. Further larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings