Gulderen Karakus

Sequential determination of serum viral titers, virus-specific IgG antibodies, and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ levels in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

BackgroundAlthough there have been a number of studies on the pathogenesis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) recently, knowledge on this topic is still insufficient. This study aims to reveal the kinetics of serum CCHF virus (CCHFV) titers, serum levels of anti-CCHFV immunoglobulin (Ig)G, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and interferon (IFN)-γ in CCHF patients.MethodsIn total, 31 CCHF cases (11 fatal) were studied. Serum samples were obtained daily from all patients from the time of admission and continued for a 7-day hospitalization period for serologic (ELISA), virologic (real-time PCR), and cytokine (ELISA) analysis.ResultsThe mean serum CCHFV titer at admission was 5.5E + 09 copies/mL in fatal cases and 5.7E + 08 copies/mL in survivors (p < 0.001). Compared to survivors, both the mean serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α at admission were found to be significantly increased in fatal cases. The serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and serum CCHFV titer at admission were significantly and positively correlated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) scores (r = 0.626, p = 0.0002; r = 0.461, p = 0.009; and r = 0.625, p = 0.003, respectively). When the data obtained from the sequential determination of CCHFV titer and levels of anti-CCHFV IgG, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10 and IFN-γ were grouped according to the days of illness, the initial serum CCHFV titer of a fatal patient was 5.5E + 09 (copies/mL) and it was 6.1E + 09 (copies/mL) in a survivor on the 2 day of illness. While significant alterations were observed in all cytokines during the monitoring period, IL-6 levels remained consistently higher in fatal cases and TNF-α levels increased in both in fatal and non-fatal CCHF cases.ConclusionsThe increased CCHFV load and higher concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α, the presence of DIC, and the absence of CCHFV specific immunity are strongly associated with death in CCHF.

Synthesis, characterization, and assessment of cytotoxic, antiproliferative, and antiangiogenic effects of a novel procainamide hydrochloride-poly(maleic anhydride-co-styrene) conjugate

Poly(maleic anhydride-co-styrene) (MAST) was synthesized by a free-radical polymerization reaction. A bioactive molecule, procainamide hydrochloride (PH), was then conjugated to MAST. The conjugation product was named as MAST/PH. Structural characterization of MAST and MAST/PH was carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Their molecular weights were determined by size-exclusion chromatography. A mechanism was then suggested for the conjugation reaction. The results of the cytotoxicity assay, employing a mouse fibroblast cell line (L929), indicated that MAST/PH had no cytotoxicity at concentrations 62 μg mL−1 (p > 0.05). Antiproliferative activities of MAST/PH and PH were determined by the BrdU cell proliferation ELISA assay, using C6 and HeLa cell lines. In the experiment, two anticancer chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, were included as positive control. Antiproliferative activity results demonstrated that MAST/PH yielded the highest suppression profile (approximately 42%) at 20 μg/ml, while free PH exerted the same activity at 100 μg/ml. Interestingly, both MAST/PH and PH suppressed the proliferation of only one of the cell lines, C6 cells. Both cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil yielded approximately 60% antiproliferative activity on C6 cells at 20 and 100 μg/ml concentrations. Antiangiogenic capacity of both MAST and MAST/PH was also investigated by using the chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay. Results obtained indicated that while MAST/PH could be included into the category of good antiangiogenic substances, the activity score of MAST was within the weak category.

Amoebicidal Effect of Poly (Maleic Anhydride-Co-Vinyl Acetate) Copolymer on Entamoeba Histolytica Trophozoites

Poly (maleic anhydride-co-vinyl acetate) (MAVA) copolymer was synthesized by free-radical copolymerization in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) at 80oC, using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the initiator. The radical chain copolymerization was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectra. Copolymer surface morphology was visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After these characterization studies, the amoebicidal effect of MAVA was investigated on E.histolytica trophozoites using differing copolymer concentrations and periods of time. Results indicated that MAVA killed all the trophozoites at 32 mg/mL concentration in 3 h.

The effects of therapeutic x-ray doses on mechanical, chemical and physical properties of poly methyl methacrylate.

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of radiation doses very close to the human dose for oral cancers on mechanical, chemical and physical properties for poly methyl-methacrylate (PMMA). METHODS PMMA samples were divided into four different groups: no irradiated group, 25-Gy irradiated group, 50-Gy irradiated group and 75-Gy irradiated group. Each group contained nine samples. After 24 h, a three-point loading test was applied to each PMMA groups. The transverse strength and the elastic modulus were calculated using the test results. The results were analyzed statistically by using one-way analysis of variance. The structural characterizations of the PMMA samples were carried out by a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer to evaluate the chemical structure differences. RESULTS The transverse strength values of 25-Gy, 50-Gy and 75-Gy radiation groups were significantly higher than that of the no radiation group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference among the elastic modulus values of the study groups (p > 0.05). The FTIR findings demonstrated that the irradiation process did not change the chemical structure of the PMMA polymeric materials. CONCLUSION The therapeutic radiation doses increase the mechanical properties of the PMMA; however, the chemical and structural properties have no effect. When the findings of this study are taken into account, it can be said that patients can wear dentures during the radiotherapy.

Effect of Bile Duct Obstruction on the Biliary Secretion of Meropenem in Rats

rHintergrund: Die Verminderung der biliären Ausscheidung von Antibiotika steht im Verhältnis zu einem intrabiliären Druckanstieg. Ziel dieser Studie war es, den Effekt einer Gallengangsobstruktion auf die biliäre Ausscheidung von Meropenem zu untersuchen. Material und Methoden: In dieser Studie wurden 110 Wistar-Albinoratten eingesetzt, welche in 11 Gruppen mit jeweils 10 Ratten unterteilt wurden. In den Gruppen A1, B1, C1, D1, E1 und F wurde der Gallengang 7 Tage lang ligiert. An den Tieren der Kontrollgruppen (A2, B2, C2, D2 und E2) wurde eine Scheinoperation durchgeführt. Die Tiere erhielten eine einmalige Gabe von 14 mg/kg Meropenem, welches über 10 min intravenös infundiert wurde. Die Messung der Serumkonzentration von Meropenem erfolgte in den Gruppen A1 und A2 nach 30 min, in den Gruppen B1 und B2 nach 1 h, in den Gruppen C1 und C2 nach 2 h, in den Gruppen D1 und D2 nach 4 h und in den Gruppen E1 und E2 nach 6 h. In Gruppe F wurde an Tag 7 eine In-situ-Kontrollmessung des intrabiliären Druckes vorgenommen. Ergebnisse: Das Verhältnis der Gallen- / Serumkonzentration von Meropenem in den Ratten mit Gallengangsobstruktion 30 min bzw. 1, 2, 4 und 6 h nach Infusion betrug 163, 113, 67, 36 bzw. 28%. Das Verhältnis der Gallen- / Serumkonzentration von Meropenem in den Tieren der Kontrollgruppe 30 min bzw. 1, 2, 4 und 6 h nach Infusion betrug 302, 149, 123, 127 bzw. 126%. Schlussfolgerung: Verglichen mit den Tiere der Kontrollgruppe war die Meropenem- Konzentration in der Gallenflüssigkeit der Ratten mit

Concentration modulated skin marker for radiotherapy treatment planning process

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE For conformal radiotherapy, it is feasible to achieve high accuracy in contouring the outline of the target volume in treatment planning process. In contouring process, target volume is occasionally defined by means of either surgical clips or skin marker during patient anatomical data acquisition. Treatment planning systems are predicting invalid radiation dose distributions by using surgical clips and skin marker within the patient. Purpose of this study is the production of new skin marker which affects less dose distributions of electron beam. MATERIALS AND METHODS The influences of lead and commercial markers on dose calculations in a 3D treatment planning systems were investigated in terms of electron beam energy and dose profile depth. Dose deviation with commercial marker was observed to smaller than lead marker. However this dose deviation was still at big value. In order to reduce of this value, barium sulfate suspension and ultrasound gel were mixed with different volumetric ratio. With the purpose of acception the most suitable marker for radiation therapy, obtained new suspensions were investigated in terms of visibility and dose deviation. RESULTS B:G/1:10 marker was determined to cause optimum visibility and the lowest dose deviation on dose calculations in terms of electron beam energy and dose profile depth. CONCLUSIONS Appropriate marker, mixture of substances such as barium sulfate suspension and ultrasound gel can be produced. This marker is both ease of usage and practical and economical. Each clinic can prepare marker which is peculiar to suspension with different concentration of substance for specific visibility. But, it should be taken into account resultant dose deviation to beam calculation depending on barium sulfate concentration.