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Relations between Concentrations of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Neopterin as Potential Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases in Haemodialysis-Treated Patients

Objectives. To investigate the correlation between concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and neopterin (NP) as potential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in chronic renal failure patients. Method. In this study, 33 patients with renal failure before and after haemodialysis were compared with healthy control subjects. Serum ADMA and NP levels were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results. When ADMA and NP concentrations in renal failure patients were compared before and after dialysis, before dialysis ADMA and NP concentrations were higher than those in the control group. However, ADMA and NP levels showed a falling mean and clear after dialysis. While there is no correlation between ADMA and NP levels before dialysis, there is a mean and positive correlation between ADMA and NP levels after dialysis. Conclusion. Potential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases include high concentrations of both ADMA and NP levels in chronic renal failure patients. A correlation mean between ADMA and NP levels after dialysis was found, but no correlation between ADMA and NP levels before haemodialysis was discovered. These can be evaluated as two different risk factors independent from each other.

Oxidative stress and cellular immunity in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers

Recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) is an inflammatory condition of the oral mucosa characterized by painful, well-circumscribed, single or multiple round or ovoid ulcerations. The exact etiologic factor(s) of these ulcerations are not yet understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate inflammatory processes and free radical metabolism of 25 patients with RAUs compared to 25 healthy controls. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-10, and IL-12 were determined by ELISA. Nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were measured spectroscopically in serum. The levels of MDA, GSH, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-12, MPO, and TOS, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were higher, and the levels of NO, IL-10, and TAS were lower in patients with RAU than in controls. Statistical analysis showed that GSH, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-10, and OSI differed significantly in patients with RAU compared to controls. These parameters have important roles in oxidant/antioxidant defense.

Determination of oxidative stress and cellular inflammation in patients with diabetic nephropathy and non-diabetic nephropathy being administered hemodialysis treatment due to chronic renal failure

Abstract Objectives: We aimed to evaluate oxidative stress [8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA)] endothelial damage [asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)] and markers of cellular inflammation [interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), neopterin (NP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)] in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and non-diabetic nephropathy who were being administered hemodialysis treatment because of chronic renal failure. Methods: In determining 8-OHdG, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay method was used. Serum MDA, ADMA and NP levels were determined by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). And hs-CRP values were measured with nephelometric method. Results: Serum 8-OHdG and MDA levels were found statistically to have increased when compared with those of the control group in patients groups after dialysis. However, serum ADMA and neopterin levels were observed statistically to have decreased when compared with those of the control group in patients groups after dialysis. But, decreases on ADMA and neopterin levels are still much higher than those of control. IL-6 and TNF-α levels were found to have increased when compared with those of control group in patients groups before dialysis. Conclusion: The oxidative stress in patients with DN, who were being treated with hemodialysis due to chronic renal failure, was higher than that of non-DN patients who were being treated with hemodialysis. In contrast with this, inflammation occurring in non-DN patients was found to have been higher than that of in patients with DN.

Synthesis and characterization of Ag+-decorated poly(glycidyl methacrylate) microparticle design for the adsorption of nucleic acids

In this study, we report on the adsorption of RNA and DNA molecules by exploiting the high binding affinity of these nucleic acids to Ag+ ions anchored on magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) microparticles. PGMA microparticles were synthesized and modified with nicotinamide which enabled to anchor Ag+ ions on the surface. The successful preparation of PGMA was confirmed by the presence of characteristic FTIR peaks. The ESR results showed that the incorporation of FeNi salt to the polymeric structure provided a magnetic property to the microparticles. The amount of nicotinamide and Ag+ ions used to modify the surface of the particles were found to be 1.79 wt% and 52.6 mg Ag/g microparticle, respectively. The high affinity of nucleic acids to Ag+ ions were exploited for the adsorption studies. At the optimum working conditions, the adsorption capacity of microparticles was found to be 40.1 and 11.48 mg nucleic acid/g microparticle for RNA and DNA, respectively. Our study indicated that the use of novel Ag+-decorated magnetic PGMA particles can be successfully employed as adsorbents for fast, easy, and cost-friendly adsorption of nucleic acids with high purity as well as high in quantity.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with GC/MS analysis of the Morus alba L. Leaves

Morus alba L. (Moraceae) leaves are used effectively to treat fever, protect liver from damage, strengthen the joints, facilitate discharge of urine in Turkey folk medicine. In this study we aimed to determine in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity with GC/MS analysis of the Morus alba L. leaves. Dried plant leaves samples are milled and extracted with distilled water and ethanol in Soxlet machine. After extraction, extract samples were concentrated in rotary evaporator machine. Total antioxidant status values were determined as mmol Trolox Equivalent/L spectrophotometrically by using Erel’s method. Sterile extracts used to avoid contamination in antimicrobial activity test. As test microorganisms Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Pseudomonas aeroginosa (ATCC 27853), Candida albicans (ATCC 90028) were used. Antimicrobial activity was determined with disk diffusion method. We used ethanol extracts of samples in GC/MS analysis. Ethanol and distilled water extracts showed antioxidant activity in different rate. Besides, ethanol extracts have an antimicrobial activity but water extracts have not antimicrobial activity on our test microorganisms. We determined four compounds (9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester, linolenic acid ethyl ester, gibberellic acid) with GC/MS analysis in ethanol extracts. In this researh we enlightened antimicrobial and antioxidant activities with GC/MS analysis of Morus alba L. leaves. So this research support of using this plant leaves in pharmacological and medical processes. Keywords: Antioxidant activity; Antimicrobial activity; GC/MS analysis; Morus alba L., extraction DOI: 10.17350/HJSE19030000006 Full Text:

Synthesis, Spectral, and Thermal Studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)-Glycinato Complexes and Investigation of Their Biological Properties: Crystal Structure of [Cu(µ-gly)2(H2O)]n

ABSTRACT The complexes of metal cations with glycine amino acid were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, TGA, UV-Vis, and elemental analysis methods. Just the CuII-complex was suitably obtained as a single crystal. Neighboring chains are linked together to form a three-dimensional network via hydrogen-bonding interactions between coordinated water molecule, amino atoms, and O atoms of the bridging carboxylate groups. The other complex structures were thought to be similar to the CuII structure, and because of their spectroscopic studies they are similar to each other. Finally, the biological activities of complexes were investigated. The metal complexes showed more antimicrobial activity. The total antioxidant capacity of the metal complexes was determined.

Electrostatic adsorption of asymmetric dimethyl arginine (adma) on poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-acrylic acid) nanoparticles

ABSTRACT Separation and purification of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) molecule, which is an important biomolecule in terms of cardiovascular diseases, is of great importance. Among the methods, the adsorption technique is of considerable demand, and as an adsorbent, the nanoparticles are widely used. In this study, an ADMA isolation was performed via a novel method. Therefore, ADMA adsorption was achieved using a poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-acrylic acid) (poly(HEMA-AA)) nanoparticles. The change in the adsorption capacity was investigated in terms of changing interaction time, initial ADMA concentration, stirring rate, temperature and ionic strength. The functional group on the polymeric nanoparticles was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR); the surface morphology was determined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transient electron microscopy (TEM) and surface area (BET) analyzes. The Elisa Spectrophotometer was used for the quantitative analysis of the ADMA molecule. The adsorption capacity of the nanoparticles was determined as 23.76 mg/g. The adsorption process was characterized according to the isotherm calculation.

Prevalence and Seasonal Dispersion of Rotavirus for Children between 0 and 5 Years Old

Rotavirus is one of the most important viral agents during childhood. This study has focused on determination of rotavirus infection prevalence in children 0 to 5 years old who suffered from acute gastroenteritis in the specified region. This study was conducted using the stool specimens of 188 children. Rotavirus antigen was detected using the ELISA technique. Rotavirus positivity was detected in 38 (20%). Rotavirus is active in the winter-autumn season in Turkey. As a result, epidemiologic monitoring of infection is considered to be an important factor in the etiology of acute gastroenteritis. In this study, very important data that contribute to epidemiologic studies not only in Turkey but also all around the world were obtained.

Synthesis and Thermal Characterization of p-Coumaric Acid Complexes of CoII, NiII, CuII and ZnII Metal Cations and Biological Applications

The phenolic compound used in this study is p-coumaric acid, which is the derivative of phenolic acid playing a role in giving color, odor and taste to the plants. The p-coumaric acid is an organic compound derived from cinnamic acid. There are three isomers of this structure as ortho-, meta- and para- depending on the location of the hydroxyl group within the structure. In this study, metal complexes of p-coumaric acid ligand with the transition metal cations (CoII, NiII, CuII, ZnII) were synthesized. The structure of the synthesized complexes was studied via elemental analysis, infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, melting point and thermal analysis. Furthermore the biological properties of these new molecules were studied. Keywords: p-coumaric acid, metal complexes, thermal analysis, spectroscopy, biological activity DOI: 10.17350/HJSE19030000027 Full Text: