Effect of atorvastatin therapy on oxidant-antioxidant status and atherosclerotic plaque formation

PubMed ID: 21731885Background: The aim of this study was to determine the oxidant-antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation products, as well as paraoxonase and atherosclerotic plaque formation, in a hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis rabbit model to investigate the effects of atorvastatin in the atherosclerotic process. Methods: Forty male New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups, ie, a control group receiving standard pellets, a group receiving atorvastatin therapy, a hypercholesterolemic group receiving an atherogenic diet, and a group receiving both an atherogenic diet and atorvastatin. Results: The atherogenic diet increased the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (1.84 vs 3.79 nmol/mg protein) and LDL-conjugated diene (147 vs 318 µmol/mg protein) after induction of oxidation by Cu2+, despite an increase of superoxide dismutase activity. Treatment with atorvastatin limited LDL oxidation significantly (LDL thiobarbituric acid reactive substances 2.19 nmol/mg protein, LDL-conjugated diene 222 µmol/mg protein). Paraoxonase, which prevents LDL oxidation and inactivates LDL-derived oxidized phospholipids, showed a pronounced decrease in the group receiving the atherogenic diet (110 U/L to 28 U/L), and atorvastatin treatment increased paraoxonase activity. Histological examination of arcus aorta tissues from the hypercholesterolemic group showed abundant plaque formation surrounding and obstructing the lumen, whereas treatment with atorvastatin prevented or limited plaque formation, keeping the plaque thin and localized. Conclusion: Atorvastatin has dramatic antiatherosclerotic effects, part of which seems to be due to the antioxidant features of the parent drug and/or its metabolites, favoring inhibition of LDL oxidation. © 2011 Sezer et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

Determination of some heavy metals by ICP-OES in edible parts of fish from Sapanca Lake and streams

In this study, 20 fish taken from Sapanca Lake, Sakarya River and Western Black Sea (Karasu) in total and heavy metal accumulation (Cu, Fe abd Zn) in the muscles of 15 species was determined with ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectometer) device. When the results were examined, Cu, Fe and Zn concentration was determined to be 2.60-5.31 mu g/g, 0.25-54.36 mu g/g and 13.66-47.11 mu g/g respectively in fish samples. In addition, the same procedures were applied with the standard reference material DORM-3 reference material (Fish Protein Certified Reference Material for Trace Metals) to determine the accuracy of the method. As a result, it has been determined that the amount of heavy metals contained in the analyzed fish samples is below the limit values provided by the Turkish Food Codex, Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization and therefore consumption of these does not constitute a threat to health

Osseous Metaplasia and Bone Marrow Elements in a Case of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma with osseous metaplasia and bone marrow elements is a relatively rare event in these tumors. We discuss pathological differential diagnosis for this tumor with a review of the literature on this unusual case

In vitro exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) stimulates spontaneous feline uterine contractions

Yildirim, Ebru/0000-0002-6289-0729; Kabakci, Ruhi/0000-0001-9131-0933; Elifoglu, Taha Burak/0000-0002-2302-6321WOS:000560988800020Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is widely used as a plasticizer in various products such as PVC-derived plastics, toys, packaging materials, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DEHP on spontaneous contractions of the feline uterus in vitro. Tubal 1-cm uterine samples prepared from 10, 9, and 12 uteri obtained from adult cats in estrus (n = 5), diestrus (n = 5), and interestrus (n = 5), respectively, after ovariohysterectomy were suspended in an isolated organ bath in aerated Krebs solution at 39 +/- 1 degrees C, and an initial 1 g tension was given. After 1 h equilibration of tissues, the spontaneous contractions were recorded for 10 min as control. The effects of solvent and DEHP (0.001-100 mu M) on contractions were then evaluated in terms of frequency and mean amplitude parameters. It was observed that DEHP had no effect on uterine contractions of cats in interestrus. However, DEHP significantly increased the mean amplitude of uterine contractions during the estrus and diestrus periods at concentrations of 1 mu M and 10 mu M, respectively, depending on the dose (P 0.05). 'this study, carried out for the first time in cats, showed that DEHP has a stimulatory effect on uterine contractions. We concluded that disruption of the uterine contractions, which are essential for physiological reproductive processes such as regular estrous cycles, sperm and zygote transport, implantation and continuation of pregnancy, by DEHP exposure may cause many reproductive problems

Thermal dehydration kinetics of non-crystalline manganese borate

346-350In this study, non-crystalline manganese tetrahydric orthoborate (MnH4(BO3)2) has been synthesized by using MnSO4.H2O, NaOH and H3BO3 via hydrothermal method. The characterizations of the synthesized compounds have been conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal dehydration studies have been conducted using the thermogravimetric analysis (DTG/TG). From the XRD result, it is confirmed that amorphous manganese borate is synthesized and the corresponding characteristic borate vibration are observed in FTIR spectrum shows. A particle size distribution at the micron scale with partially agglomerated state is observed from SEM images. The thermogravimetric results show that dehydration process occurs between the temperatures of 40–270 °C in one-step reaction with average weight loss of 19.26%. Average activation energies have been determined by using the non-isothermal kinetics methods of Coats-Redfern, Horowitz-Metzger and Van-Krevelen and found as 37.83, 46.54 and 37.88 kJ mol−1, respectively

Carbon nanotube neurotransistors with ambipolar memory and learning functions

In recent years, neuromorphic computing has gained attention as a promising approach to enhance computing efficiency. Among existing approaches, neurotransistors have emerged as a particularly promising option as they accurately represent neuron structure, integrating the plasticity of synapses along with that of the neuronal membrane. An ambipolar character could offer designers more flexibility in customizing the charge flow to construct circuits of higher complexity. We propose a novel design for an ambipolar neuromorphic transistor, utilizing carbon nanotubes as the semiconducting channel and an ion-doped sol-gel as the polarizable gate dielectric. Due to its tunability and high dielectric constant, the sol-gel effectively modulates the conductivity of nanotubes, leading to efficient and controllable short-term potentiation and depression. Experimental results indicate that the proposed design achieves reliable and tunable synaptic responses with low power consumption. Our findings suggest that the method can potentially provide an efficient solution for realizing more adaptable cognitive computing systems.Comment: 16 pages, 6 pages of supporting information at the end, 6 main figures, 10 supporting figure

Reappraisal of properties soils encountered in the Golden Horn

Haliç üstünde inşa edilen ve edilmekte olan Haliç Köprüsü, Yeni Galata Köprüsü, Haliç Metro Geçiş Köprüsü sondajlarından ve yapım sırasında elde edilen bilgiler, bu bölgedeki zeminlerin özellikleri hakkında ayrıntılı bilgiler elde edilmesini sağlamaktadır. Membadan mansaba doğru bu köprüler Haliç Köprüsü, Haliç Metro Geçiş Köprüsü, Yeni Galata Köprüsü olarak sıralanmaktadır. Yeni Galata Köprüsü kazıklarının girdiği çakıl tabakası, yaklaşık 80 m derinliktedir. Haliç Metro Metro Geçiş Köprüsü ekseninde kaya tabakasının derinliği, Azapkapı tarafında 55 metreden, Unkapanı tarafında 80 metreye alçalmaktadır. Yeni Galata Köprüsü kazıklarının oturduğu çakıl tabakası, Haliç Metro Geçiş Köprüsü yerindeki kaya tabakasına göre yatay olarak kabul edilebilir. Buna karşılık, Haliç Metro Geçiş Köprüsü’nün Unkapanı tarafında taban kayasında derin bir çukur bulunmaktadır. Böyle bir çukurun varlığı, Haliç’te kaya yüzeyinin enine ve boyuna doğrultudaki genel eğimlerine uymayan bir durum oluşturmaktadır. Kaya tabakaları çok yumuşak, kalın kil/silt tabakaları ile örtülüdür. Kıyılarda kalın şehir dolgusu bulunmaktadır. Yumuşak tabakaların üst yüzü hemen hemen yataydır ve bu durum zeminin yüksek su muhtevasını yansıtmaktadır. Likit limit kıvamında tabakalar, bir çanak şeklindeki taban kayasını doldurmaktadır. Haliç’in büyük ekseni boyunca kaya tabakasının derinliği, Haliç’in ağız kısmına doğru büyük bir eğimle alçalmakta ve 80 m kadar derinliğe ulaşmaktadır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Haliç (Golden Horn), yumuşak killi zeminler, çatlaklı ayrışmış kayalar.The Golden Horn is a seven and half kilometres long natural inlet of Boğaziçi Strait. It has a maximum width of about 700 m near its entrance. At its deepest part its  depth is 40 m. The Golden Horn divides historical part of the city from the rest. The geology of the Istanbul area has been studied by many investigators. Penck was first to recognize the shales and graywackes as the oldest of the formations encountered in the area. He named them as the Thrace series. Subsequent investigations indicated the existence of various lithological and paleontological zones in Thrace series, and it is concluded that they belonged to the Early Carboniferous Period of the same era. Over centuries, the detritus brought by Alibey, Kâğıthane, and other creeks, heavy industrial and domestic wastes, and uncontrolled fills have changed drastically almost the entire cross section of the Golden Horn. Along the shores, many valleys have been levelled off by generally uncontrolled fills, and comparatively large areas have been reclaimed.The thickness of the man-made fill is over 40 m along the south shore and over 30 m along the north shore on the axis of the New Galata Bridge. The thickness of the fill decreases with increasing distance from the shore. Man-made fill is underlain by sedimentary deposits consisting of sand, silt and clay in varying proportions. In general it is described as grey-dark organic silty clay of marine origin. On the Eminönü (South) site of the New Galata Bridge, the soft layers are underlain by a few meters thick weathered shale. Over the deeper part of the waterway and towards the Karaköy side soft layers is underlain by cobbly gravel. The design of new bridges over the Golden Horn was subject to severe constraints. The New Galata Bridge is founded on large diameter tubular steel piles. Piles were driven into limestone, diabase and sandstone origined gravel which is encountered between the depths of 76 m and 88 m. Most of the piles of the New Galata Bridge were driven into the shuttered rock bottom. The adoption of a closed end pile having a diameter as large as 2000 mm is well suited to the soil conditions and the design requirements – the damage of the pile tip is prevented, settlement criteria are satisfied. The piles of the New Galata Bridge were designed to carry high working loads (up to 12 000 kN) in end bearing and to comply with severe restrictions on allowable settlement.  A box girder  bridge carried on temporary  supports was constructed over the test pile and was loaded by ingots. Four hydraulic jacks were placed on the head of the test pile to obtain a total reaction of 2000 tonnes. The composite piles of the Metro Crossing Bridge extended to depths over 100 m. They were designed to carry even higher loads (up to 47 000 kN). Osterberg type of loading tests was made on Metro Crossing Bridge. In general dynamic measurements are not considered as a reliable substitute to static pile loading test. On the Metro Crossing Bridge site, dynamic analysis (PDA) is carried out and dynamic response during pile driving is also recorded. Results are found consistent with  the exploration data. Depth of water on the axis of Metro Crossing Bridge is about 34 m. Soil profile is overlain by very soft, almost at liquid consistency, silt clay layer. The thickness of clay layer varied between 30 m and 50 m. Very soft silty clay layer is underlain by sandstone, siltstone and mudstone layers. Depth of rock is 55 m at Azapkapı (North) and 80 m at Unkapanı (South) side of the Bridge. Sea bottom at Golden Horn Bridge site is very shallow. Depth of rock is more than 70 m and is overlain by a gravel layer. The depth of exploration at Metro Crossing Bridge site was well over 100 m. Special attention was given to ascertain the level and characteristics of a suitable stratum. Form the initial data indicated existence of weathered rocks and alternating strong and weak rock formations. Soil investigations and pile driving provided ample information about the rock bottom of the Golden Horn. Rock levels at the site of Golden Horn Bridge and at the site of New Galata Bridge are almost flat in comparison with that of the Metro Crossing Bridge. Furthermore transversal profile of the rock bottom at Metro Crossing Bridge contains a deeper section near Unkapanı (South). Existence of such depression is not confirming with the general slopes of the rock strata. Keywords: Golden Horn, soft clayey soils, soft rocks

Municipal solid waste landfill site selection using Multi-Criteria Decision Making and GIS: case study of Bursa province

Rapid population growth, economic development and industrialization have created many problems related to municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in developing countries like Turkey. Solid waste disposal has become mandatory because of increasingly common factors such as global warming and contamination of water resources. In recent years, this situation has revealed the need for effective management of solid waste. Suitable site selection requires evaluation and analysis of multiplefactor. Therefore, it is very important that the design of landfill site selection take into account environmental, economical and sociologicalfactors. In order to do this, the Geographical Information System (GIS) used with Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques is a useful tool for creating a model. One such MCDM is the Spatial-integrated Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). In this study, TOPSIS was applied to integrate environmental, economical and sociological sensitivity into determine alternative solid waste landfill sites for Bursa Province, Turkey. Using the data obtained by comparing the geo-statistics, six of the most suitable landfill areas were determined. In the final stage, as a result of this study, the Kayapa district was identified as the most suitable landfill area