Effect of water extract of Turkish propolis on tuberculosis infection in guinea-pigs.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H(37)R(v))-infected guinea-pig model was used to investigate the effect of water extract of propolis (WEP). After subcutaneous inoculation of tubercle bacilli, each animal received oral WEP (n=9), isoniazid (n=5) or saline (n=6) as placebo and were sacrificed 30 days later. Formation of necrosis was less prominent in the group treated with WEP, but was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The granuloma formation in the same group was more prominent than the placebo and isoniazid groups; however, this finding failed to reach statistical significance by the Kruskal-Wallis test (P>0.05). These findings suggest that Turkish WEP may have a limited effect on the development of tuberculosis infection in this guinea-pig model.     

Mutation Spectrum of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Patients in Turkish Population: Identification of 3 Novel APC Mutations

BackgroundFamilial adenomatous polyposis (OMIM #175100) and MUTYH-associated polyposis (OMIM #608456) are rare cancer-prone disorders characterized by hundreds of adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum, which have a high probability of malignant transformation. Attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis is a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis, which is a term used for the condition in which patients have less than 100 colorectal polyps. Germline heterozygous Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and biallelic MUTYH (mutY DNA glycosylase) pathogenic variations are responsible for familial adenomatous polyposis and MUTYH-associated polyposis respectively. The aim of this study is to discuss the clinical manifestations of patients having pathogenic APC and MUTYH variations.MethodsWe included 27 probands who have more than 10 colonic polyps in this study. After evaluation of their clinical and family histories, the probands were screened for APC and MUTYH variations via next generation sequencing. The family members of the probands carrying pathogenic variations were screened via Sanger sequencing. ResultsAmong 27 probands, pathogenic APC and MUTYH variations were detected in 3 and 6 probands respectively. In the APC gene, 3 novel truncating variations (p.Leu360*, p.Leu1489Phefs*23, and p.Leu912*) were detected in 3 unrelated probands. In the MUTYH gene, only 2 distinct pathogenic variations were detected (p.Pro295Leu and p.Glu480del) in the homozygous or compound heterozygous state.ConclusionIn this study, molecular etiology was clarified in 9 familial polyposis patients. The p.Pro295Leu and p.Glu480del variations seem to be common in the Turkish population and may be considered as a first-step genetic test in Turkish familial polyposis patients showing autosomal recessive inheritance. However more studies are needed to reveal the exact frequency of these variations.     

Trimetazidine has Promising Preventive Effects on Experimental Chronic Pancreatitis Rat Model

Background: It was aimed to evaluate the preventive efficacy of trimetazidine in an experimental chronic pancreatitis rat model.Methods: Chronic pancreatitis model was accomplished with caerulein and alcohol administration. In the study, 40 female Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into 5 groups containing 8 animals in each. Group 1 (chronic pancreatitis); group 2 (chronic pancreatitis + low-dose trimetazidine group); group 3 (chronic pancreatitis + high-dose trimetazidine group); group 4 (placebo group (chronic pancreatitis + saline)); group 5 (sham group). 24 hours after the last injection, all animals were sacrificed. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-β, malondialdehyde, and glutathione peroxidase levels were tested in blood samples. Histopathologic examinations were conducted by a senior pathologist who was unaware of the group allocations.Results: Results of biochemical parameters of the trimetazidine groups (groups 2 and 3) were significantly favorable compared with the chronic pancreatitis group (group 1) (P < .05). The difference between the low-dose- and the high-dose trimetazidine group (group 3) was significant in terms of blood tests (P < .05). The difference between the low-dose trimetazidine group and the chronic pancreatitis group was not significant in terms of histopathologic scores (P > .05); however, the difference was significant between the high-dose trimetazidine group and the chronic pancreatitis group (P < .05).Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this current research is the first study that evaluates trimetazidine’s efficacy in the chronic pancreatitis rat model. Trimetazidine has affirmative preventive properties in the chronic pancreatitis course.     

Introduction of cadmium chloride additive to improve the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells

With the increase in the importance of using green energy sources to meet the world''s energy demands, attempts have been made to push perovskite solar cell technology toward industrialization all around the world. Improving the properties of perovskite materials as the heart of PSCs is one of the methods to fabricate favorable photovoltaic (PV) solar cells based on perovskites. Here, cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) was used as an additive source for the perovskite precursor to improve its PV properties. Results indicated CdCl₂ improves the perovskite growth and tailors its crystalline properties, suggesting boosted charge transport processes in the bulk and interfaces of the perovskite layer with electron–hole transport layers. Overall, by incorporation of 1.0% into the MAPbI₃ layer, a maximum power conversion efficiency of 15.28% was recorded for perovskite-based solar cells, higher than the 12.17% for the control devices. The developed method not only improved the PV performance of devices but also boosted the stability behavior of solar cells due to the passivated domain boundaries and enhanced hydrophobicity in the CdCl₂-based devices.

With the increase in the importance of using green energy sources to meet the world''s energy demands, attempts have been made to push perovskite solar cell technology toward industrialization all around the world.     

The possible mechanisms of protocatechuic acid-induced central analgesia

It is aimed to investigate the central antinociceptive effect of protocatechuic acid and the involvement of stimulation of opioidergic, serotonin 5-HT_2A/2C, α2-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors in protocatechuic acid-induced central analgesia in mice. Time-dependent antinociceptive effects of protocatechuic acid at the oral doses of 75, 150 and 300?mg/kg were tested in hot-plate (integrated supraspinal response) and tail-immersion (spinal reflex) tests in mice. To investigate the mechanisms of action; the mice administered 300?mg/kg protocatechuic acid (p.o.) were pre-treated with non-specific opioid antagonist naloxone (5?mg/kg, i.p.), serotonin 5-HT_2A/2C receptor antagonist ketanserin (1?mg/kg, i.p.), α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (1?mg/kg, i.p.) and non-specific muscarinic antagonist atropine (5?mg/kg, i.p.), respectively. The antinociceptive effect of protocatechuic acid was observed at the doses of 75, 150 and 300?mg/kg in tail-immersion test, at the doses of 150 and 300?mg/kg in hot-plate test at different time interval. The enhancement in the latency of protocatechuic acid-induced response to thermal stimuli was antagonized by yohimbine, naloxone and atropine in tail-immersion test, while it was antagonized only by yohimbine and naloxone pretreatments in hot-plate test. These results indicated that protocatechuic acid has the central antinociceptive action that is probably organized by spinal mediated cholinergic and opiodiergic, also spinal and supraspinal mediated noradrenergic modulation. However, further studies are required to understand how protocatechuic acid organizes the interactions of these modulatory systems. As a whole, these findings reinforce that protocatechuic acid is a potential agent that might be used for pain relief. Additionally, the clarification of the effect and mechanisms of action of protocatechuic acid will contribute to new therapeutic approaches and provide guidance for new drug development studies.     

Nanoparticles as potential clinical therapeutic agents in Alzheimer’s disease: focus on selenium nanoparticles

Introduction: In etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), involvement of amyloid β (Aβ) plaque accumulation and oxidative stress in the brain have important roles. Several nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide, silica dioxide, silver and zinc oxide have been experimentally using for treatment of neurological disease. In the last decade, there has been a great interest on combination of antioxidant bioactive compounds such as selenium (Se) and flavonoids with the oxidant nanoparticles in AD. We evaluated the most current data available on the physiological effects of oxidant and antioxidant nanoparticles.

Areas covered: Oxidative nanoparticles decreased the activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in the brain of rats and mice. However, Se-rich nanoparticles in small size (5–15 nm) depleted Aβ formation through decreasing ROS production. Reports on low levels of Se in blood and tissue samples and the low activities of GSH-Px, catalase and SOD enzymes in AD patients and animal models support the proposed crucial role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of AD.

Expert commentary: In conclusion, present literature suggests that Se-rich nanoparticles appeared to be a potential therapeutic compound for the treatment of AD.     

Protective effects of thymoquinone and methotrexate on the renal injury in collagen-induced arthritis

The goal of this investigation was to study the protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) and methotrexate (MTX) on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. On day 0 under ether anesthesia, the experimental groups were immunized with 0.5 mg native chick collagen II (CII) solubilized in 0.1 M acetic acid and emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Control rats were gavaged with vehicle, whereas CII was administered intradermally. In addition, arthritis treated with TQ group received TQ (10 mg kg(-1) bw by gavage once a week for 3 weeks starting on day 0); and arthritis treated with MTX group received MTX (MTX was suspended in corn oil and administered by gavage at 1 mg kg (-1) bw once a week for 3 weeks starting on day 0). A significant decrease in the incidence and severity of arthritis by clinical and radiographic assessments was found in recipients of therapy, compared with that of controls. The MTX treatment significantly (P<0.01) decreased the elevated serum NO, urea and creatinine in arthritic rats. Likewise, TQ treatment was also able to reduce significantly (P<0.05) serum NO, urea and creatinine levels, but to lesser extent than MTX. The histopathologic abnormalities are consistent with the hydropic epithelial cell degenerations and moderate tubular dilatation in the some proximal and distal tubules. The severity of the degenerative changes in most of the shrunken glomerules and vascular congestion were also observed in arthritic animals. Preventive treatment of TQ and especially MTX significantly inhibited kidney dysfunction and this histopathologic alterations. These studies indicate that TQ can be used similar to MTX as a safe and effective therapy for CIA and may be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Additive effect of latanoprost and dorzolamide in patients with elevated intraocular pressure

Purpose : To evaluate the additive ocular hypotensive effect of latanoprost and dorzolamide in combination, on intraocular pressure reduction in patients with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods : Thirty patients with ocular hypertension or early capsular or primary open-angle glaucoma and elevated IOP were randomly assigned to two parallel treatment groups. The treatment period was twenty days. Fifteen patients (Group 1) received latanoprost once daily during the first ten days and, in addition, dorzolamide three times daily during the second ten days. Fifteen patients (Group 2) received dorzolamide three times daily during the first ten days and, in addition latanoprost, once daily during the second ten days. IOP was measured and conjunctival hyperemia was evaluated. Results : In Group 1, the mean IOP on day 0 was 26.8 mmHg; on day 10, 18.7 mmHg; and on day 20, 15.9 mmHg. In Group 2, the mean IOP on day 0 was 26.3 mmHg; on day 10, 21.2 mmHg; and on day 20, 16.1 mmHg. Both groups had clinically significant IOP- lowering effect on day 10 as compared with baseline day (30.2% and 19.4% respectively) (p < 0.01). When dorzolamide was added to latanoprost, the additional IOP reduction was 2.8 mmHg (15%) (p<0.01) compared with 5.1 mmHg (24.1%) (p<0.01when latanoprost was added to dorzolamide. No local serious adverse reactions were observed. A mild but statistically significant increase in conjunctival hyperemia was seen in latanoprost applied patients. Conclusions : The results showed that latanoprost and dorzolamide can be combined successfully to reduce IOP with their additive effects.     

Pain induced by phacoemulsification performed by residents using topical anesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient-reported pain induced by phacoemulsification performed by residents using topical anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study comprised 81 eyes of 76 consecutive patients having phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia. Surgery was performed by an experienced surgeon (group 1; n=41 eyes) or by two residents (group 2; n=40 eyes). No sedation or intracameral anesthesia was used in either group. Eighty eyes had clear corneal phacoemulsification with foldable acrylic posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Patients were asked postoperatively to grade the pain they experienced during the procedure using a visual analog pain scale from 0 to 10. RESULTS: The median pain score for the overall pain was 1.59 +/- 1.43 (range: 0 to 6) in group 1 and 1.95 +/- 1.64 (range: 0 to 7) in group 2 (P = .291). The mean pain score for the maximum pain perceived was 2.39 +/- 1.86 (range: 0 to 7) in group 1 and 2.53 +/- 1.67 (range: 0 to 7) in group 2 (P = .734). There was no significant correlation between the duration of surgery and the overall pain score (r = 0.102, P = .365). CONCLUSION: Topical anesthesia had sufficient analgesic effects in selected patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery by resident surgeons. The pain felt during the operation was low and tolerable.     

Neurophysiologic basis of Back-Shu and Huatuo-Jiaji points

Acupuncture, a method of traditional Chinese medicine that uses Back-Shu and Huatuo-Jiaji points, is especially effective for treating diseases of the visceral organs. Applying acupuncture on Back-Shu points affects visceral organs in many ways. For example, it dilates the bronchus, affects the heartbeat, stomach motility, urinary bladder contractions and so on. Acupuncture's effects can be explained as viscero-cutaneous, cutaneo-visceral, cutaneo-muscular, and viscero-muscular reflexes. Segmental dispersion of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems is related to the location of Back-Shu points. Changes in visceral organs caused by application of acupuncture can be explained as modulation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.