Gulay Gulbol Duran

Synthesis and anti-proliferative activity of fluoro-substituted chalcones.

A series of novel fluoro-substituted chalcone derivatives have been synthesized. All synthesized compounds were characterized by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), (13)C NMR, and elemental analysis. Their anti-proliferative activities were evaluated against five cancer cells lines, namely, A549, A498, HeLa, A375, and HepG2 using the MTT method. Most of the compounds showed moderate to high activity with IC50 values in the range of 0.029-0.729μM. Of all the synthesized compounds, 10 and 19 exhibited the most potent anti-proliferative activities against cancer cells, and 10 was identified as the most promising compound.

Antiviral Activity of Hatay Propolis Against Replication of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2

Background Propolis is a bee product widely used in folk medicine and possessing many pharmacological properties. In this study we aimed to investigate: i) the antiviral activities of Hatay propolis samples against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in HEp-2 cell line, and ii) the presence of the synergistic effects of propolis with acyclovir against these viruses. Material/Methods All experiments were carried out in HEp-2 cell cultures. Proliferation assays were performed in 24-well flat bottom microplates. We inoculated 1×105 cells per ml and RPMI 1640 medium with 10% fetal calf serum into each well. Studies to determine cytotoxic effect were performed. To investigate the presence of antiviral activity of propolis samples, different concentrations of propolis (3200, 1600, 800, 400, 200, 100, 75, 50, and 25 μg/mL) were added into the culture medium. The amplifications of HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA were performed by real-time PCR method. Acyclovir (Sigma, USA) was chosen as a positive control. Cell morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results The replication of HSV-1 and HSV-2 was significantly suppressed in the presence of 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL of Hatay propolis. We found that propolis began to inhibit HSV-1 replication after 24 h of incubation and propolis activity against HSV-2 was found to start at 48 h following incubation. The activity of propolis against both HSV-1 and HSV-2 was confirmed by a significant decrease in the number of viral copies. Conclusions We determined that Hatay propolis samples have important antiviral effects compared with acyclovir. In particular, the synergy produced by antiviral activity of propolis and acyclovir combined had a stronger effect against HSV-1 and HSV-2 than acyclovir alone.

Relationship between the resistance genes to quaternary ammonium compounds and antibiotic resistance in staphylococci isolated from surgical site infections.

Background We aimed to investigate the prevalence of disinfectant resistance genes (qacA/qacB,qacC) and the aminoglycosides resistance genes [(aac(6′)aph(2″),aph(3′)-IIIa,ant(4′)-Ia)] in both S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains (CoNS) isolated from surgical site infections. Material/Methods Totally, 130 staphylococcal strains isolated from surgical site infections between January 2012 and February 2013 were included in the study. The PCR technique was employed to verify any presence of methicillin resistance gene (mecA), aminoglycoside resistance genes [(aac(6′)/aph (2″), aph(3)-III a ant (4′)-1a)], and disinfectant resistance genes (qacA/qacB,qacC) in staphylococci. Results MecA gene was determined in 58 (44.6%) of 130 staphylococcal isolates. A total of 28 (73.7%) of 38 S. aureus isolates were found to be positive for the mecA gene, and 4 (12.9%) of 31 isolates sensitive to amikacin were sensitive to methicillin. Eighteen (47.4%) of 38 amikacin-resistant S. aureus isolates were found to be positive for qacA/qacB genes and 11 (8.9%) of them were positive for qacC gene. Both mecA and qacA/qacB genes were found to be positive at the same time in 19 amikacin-resistant S. aureus strains. Seven (18.4%) S. aureus isolates were determined to be positive for qacA/qacB and qacC genes. Frequency of qacA/B genes was found to be 47.4% among amikacin-resistant S. aureus strains, while qacC gene was found to be 28.9% (p<0.05). The ratio of qacA/B and qacC genes in CoNS was found to be 37.9% and 20.7%, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions Quaternary ammonium resistance genes were found to be positive at a remarkable ratio in the staphylococcal isolates from surgical wounds. Especially, the high rates of aminoglycosides and methicillin-resistance gene was remarkable in S. aureus isolates. Quaternary ammonium resistance genes were found to be positive.

Identification of medically important Candida species by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the rDNA ITS1 and ITS2 regions

Aim: We aimed to identify the distribution of species in candidal strains isolated from clinical samples and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method based on Msp I and Bln I restrictive enzyme cuts of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products after the amplification of ITS1 and ITS2 regions of rDNA genotypically. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty candidal strains isolated from various clinical samples were studies/ included. Phenotypic species assessment was performed using automated VITEK-2 system and kit used with the biochemical tests. Common genomic region amplification peculiar to candidal strains was carried out using ITS1 and ITS2 primer pairs. After the amplification, PCR products were cut with Msp I and Bln I restriction enzymes for species identification. Results: The majority of Candida isolates were isolated from urine (78.6%) while other isolates were composed of strains isolated from swab, wound, blood and other samples by 11.3%, 3.3%, 2% and 4.7%, respectively. The result of RFLP analysis carried out with Msp I and Bln I restriction enzymes showed that candidal strains were Candida albicans by 45.3%, Candida glabrata by 19.3%, Candida tropicalis by 14.6%, Candida parapsilosis by 5.3%, Candida krusei by 5.3%, Candida lusitaniae by 0.6% and other candidal strains by 9.3%. Conclusion: When the ability to identify Candida to species level of phenotypic and PCR-RFLP methods was assessed, a great difference was found between these two methods. It may be argued that Msp I and Bln I restriction enzyme fragments can be used in the identification of medically important Candida species. Further studies are needed to develop this kind of restriction profile to be used in the identification of candidal strains.

Virulence Factors in Staphylococci Isolated From Nasal Cavities of Footballers

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the rate of Panton‐Valentine Leukocidin producing Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin (mecA) and slime (icaA/icaD) genes in staphylococcal strains isolated from nasal cavities of footballers. Materials and Methods: Nasal swab samples were taken from each footballers and a healthy control group for the isolation of staphylococcal strains. The polymerase chain reaction technique was used to determine Panton‐Valentine Leukocidin, mecA and icaA/icaD genes in staphylococcal isolates. Results: Among 91 S. aureus strains, the presence of mecA gene was detected as 9.9%. This ratio was 17.9% (27 of 151) among the coagulase‐negative staphylococci. A significant difference was found between coagulase‐negative staphylococci and S. aureus isolates regarding the presence of mecA gene (P < 0.001). As for the genes of the slime, icaA/icaD genes were detected in 198 of 242 (81.8%) strains. The occurrence of slime genes was 91.2% and 89.4% among the S. aureus coagulase and negative staphylococci, respectively (P > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the frequency of the mecA and slime genes when compared with the healthy control group and the football players (P < 0.01). Of 91 isolates, 22 were found to be methicillin resistant by the oxacillin disc diffusion method, whereas the remaining (220) were methicillin susceptible. Methicillin resistance was detected as 14.9% by the polymerase chain reaction method, whereas it was found as 9.1% by phenotypic methods. Conclusions: Early and accurate diagnosis of virulent staphylococcal strains is crucial because the virulent coagulase‐negative and coagulase‐positive staphylococcal strains in the nasal floras of footballers may be major potential sources of superficial and deep tissue infections.

Investigation of the Relation Between FAS, FASLG Polymorphisms and Serum Fas, FasL Levels in Patients with Psoriasis

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is a multifactorial and inflammatory chronic skin disease indicated with T-cell-mediated keratinocyte hyper-proliferation. Demographic, epidemiological (family, twin), serological, and genetic studies have clearly demonstrated that psoriasis is a polygenic and multifactorial disease. Aim: The objectives of the study are; to determine the prevalence of the polymorphisms of FAS (Fas cell surface receptor gene) -671 A>G (rs:1800682) and FASLG (Fas ligand gene) -844 T>C (rs:763110), to investigate the serum levels of sFas and sFasL, and also to discover any relationship between gene polymorphisms and serum levels in psoriatic patients. Material and Methods: 50 treated and 69 untreated patients, and 140 healthy controls were included in the study. Polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The serum levels were measured in randomly selected treated (39) and untreated (40) patients, also in 84 healthy controls using micro-ELISA technique. Results: There was no statistical difference between polymorphisms in the patient and control groups. However, sFas and sFasL levels in both treated and untreated patients were higher than that of the controls. Conclusion: The investigated FAS and FASLG polymorphisms were not found to be directly associated with the psoriasis. Elevated sFas and sFasL levels in psoriatic patients showed that these factors may possess a significant role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Fas and Fas ligand gene polymorphisms in Turkish patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent fever, serositis, abdominal pain, arthritis, arthralgia and erysipelas like erythema. Fas and Fas ligand molecules play a central role in the apoptosis signaling of various cell types including neutrophils. Neutrophils are the major cell population involved in acute inflammation in patients with FMF and the role of Fas and Fas ligand molecules in this cells of FMF patients may be crucial. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the Fas cell surface receptor gene (FAS); NM_000043.5: c.-671A>G (rs1800682, MvaI) and Fas ligand gene (FASLG), NM_000639.2: c.-844C>T (rs763110, BsrD1) functional polymorphisms in patients with FMF and their relation to the main clinical features of the disease. The polymorphisms in the promoter regions of FAS c.-671A>G and FASLG c.-844C>T were investigated in 97 non-related FMF patients and 70 non-related healthy controls by using PCR-RFLP technique. The frequencies of FAS c-671AG genotype and G allele were not significantly different between FMF patients and healthy subjects. The frequency of FASLG -844TC genotype was found significantly different between the patients with FMF and healthy controls whereas T or C allele frequency was not significantly different between the groups. Haplotype frequencies of the studied polymorphisms were also not significantly different between FMF patients and controls. There were no correlations between the studied FAS c.-671A>G and FASLG c.-844C>T polymorphisms and the main clinical features of FMF such as fever, arthritis, abdominal and chest pain, arthralgia and erysipelas-like erythema. Our findings suggest that FAS c.-671AG genotype or G allele and FASLG c.-844 allele are not to be a risk factor, whereas FASLG c.-844TC genotype may be protective in the studied Turkish population. According to our results we may suggest that although not statistically significant, higher frequencies of FASLG c.-844CC genotype in FMF patients may be related to delayed apoptosis of neutrophils and ultimately cause neutrophilic inflammation by increasing FASLG expression.

The frequency of slime, adhesin and methicillin resistance genes among staphylococci isolated from nasal samples of multiple sclerosis patients

It was aimed to determine the carriage rate of Staphylococcus aureus and the occurrence of methicillin resistance, slime and adhesin genes in staphylococcal strains isolated from the nasal cavities of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The presence of mecA and femA, and the genes implicated in adhesion were determined by multiplex PCR in all strains. The femA gene was detected in 46.6% of 105 MS patients. While 18.1% of isolates carried the mecA gene, 81.9% of isolates were negative for the mecA gene. The presence of icaA/icaD genes was determined in a total of 84.8% of all strains. While 85.7% of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates were positive in terms of slime genes, this ratio was determined as 81.6% among the Staphylococcus aureus strains. The occurrence of clfA gene was determined in 29 of 49 (59.2%) S. aureus isolates. Also, 45 out of 49 (91.8%) S. aureus was found to carry the fnbA gene. The carriage rate of the cna gene was determined in 40 (81.6%) isolates among the 49 S. aureus strains. The rate of methicillin resistance gene, slime production and the frequency of adhesin genes in MS patients were also significantly higher than the healthy control population. Determination of the nasal S. aureus carriers and the virulence of these strains will be important for prediction of the MS prognosis in these patients. And treating these S.aureus carriers will be very useful in preventing MS relapses.

ADANA PROPOLİS ÖRNEKLERİNİN ANTİBAKTERİYEL VE ANTİFUNGAL ETKİSİNİN ARAŞTIRILMASI

Giri s ve Amac: Propolis, yapisinda 300’den fazla biyolojik olarak aktif bileseni olan ve kompozisyonu ile bilesenlerinin oranlari bolgeden bolgeye ve bitki turlerine bagli olarak degiskenlik gosteren bir ari urunudur. Bu calismada Adana orijinli propolisin bazi Gram pozitif ve Gram suslara karsi antibakteriyel, maya formundaki mantarlara karsi ise antifungal antifungal aktivitelerinin varligi arastirilmistir. Gerec ve Yontem: Calismada Gram pozitif suslardan Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Enterococcus faecalis (ATTCC 29212), Streptococcus pyogenes ve Gram negatif suslardan Esherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Enterobacter cloacae (ATCC 13047), Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes ve maya formundaki mantarlardan ise Candida albicans (ATCC 90028), Candida krusei (ATCC 6258), Candida glabrata (ATCC 32554), Candida tropicalis (ATCC 22019) ve Candida parapsilosis kullanilmistir. Antimikrobiyal aktivite calismalari makrodilusyon yontemi kullanilarak CLSI onerileri dogrultusunda yapilmistir. Bulgular ve Sonuc: Propolis orneklerinin Gram pozitif bakterilere karsi antibakteriyal etkileri (MIK degeri 64-1024 ug/ml), Gram negatif (MIK degeri 256-1024 ug/ml) ve maya suslarina karsi elde edilen antimikrobiyal aktiviteden (MIK degeri 128-1024 ug/ml) daha yuksek olarak bulunmustur. Mayalara karsi etkinligin Gram negatif bakterilere nazaran daha yuksek oldugu saptanmistir. Introduction and Aim: Propolis is a hive product that contain more than 300 active components, and the chemical compositions and the rates of constituents varies to the geographical origin, and the plant source. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of Adana propolis samples against some Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and yeastlike fungi. Materials and Methods: The following strains were included in the peresent study: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Enterococcus faecalis (ATTCC 29212), Streptococcus pyogenes , Esherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Enterobacter cloacae (ATCC 13047), Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes , Candida albicans (ATCC 90028), Candida krusei (ATCC 6258), Candida glabrata (ATCC 32554), Candida tropicalis (ATCC 22019) and Candida parapsilosis . The macrodilution method for antimicrobial activity studies was performed according to the procedure of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Results and Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity of propolis against to Gram positive bacteria (MIC 64-1024 ug/ml) was higher both in Gram negative bacteria (MIC 256-1024 ug/ml) and yeast like fungi (MIC 128-1024 ug/ml). In addition, it was determined that the activity of propolis against to yeast like fungi more than Gram negative bacteria.