Synthesis and antifungal activities of some aryl(benzofuran-2-yl)ketoximes

In this study, some aryl(benzofuran-2-yl)ketoximes and their ethers and esters were synthesised. The structure elucidation of the compounds was performed by IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopic data and elemental analyses results. Antifungal activities of the compounds were examined and notable activity was obtained.     

Effects of honey as a scolicidal agent on the hepatobiliary system

AIM： To examine the effects of 10% diluted honey, which has been shown to be scolicidal, on the liver and biliary system and determine whether it could be used as a scolicidal agent in the presence of biliary-cystic communication. METHODS： Thirty Wistar-Albino rats were divided into two groups. Honey with 10% dilution in the study group and 0.9% saline （NaCI） in the control group were injected into the common bile ducts of rats through a 3-mm duodenotomy. The animals were sacrificed 6 mo alter the procedure. Histopathological, biochemical, and radiological examinations were performed for evaluation of side effects. RESULTS： At the end of the sixth month, liver function tests were found to be normal in both groups. The tissue samples of liver and ductus choledochus of the honey group showed no histomorphologic difference from the control group. No stricture on the biliary tree was detected on the retrograde cholangiograms. CONCLUSION： According to these results, we concluded that 10% diluted honey could be used as scolicidal agent safely in the presence of biliary-cystic communication.     

Sensorineural hearing loss in neurobrucellosis

Neurobrucellosis (NB) is a rare clinical presentation of brucellosis. This form is hard to diagnose because of a lack of definite diagnostic criteria, and its treatment is also hard. The clinical spectrum may cover a span between non-specific neurological symptoms to a severe meningoencephalitis. We report 3 patients with NB, whose main complaint was sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) who were followed up at our hospital for 3 years. We diagnosed NB by positive CSF cultures in 2 patients and by a positive brucella IgG agglutination titer in blood and CSF in the third. Sensorineural hearing loss is a rare complication of NB, which has not attracted enough attention among known manifestations. Neurologists and otologists should be aware of this symptom as a probable clinical presentation of brucellosis.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new macrocyclic ligand and its copper (II), cadmium (II), and lead (II) complexes: genotoxic activity of these complexes in cultured human lymphocytes

A new macrocyclic ligand 1,1'-bis(bis-(6,6'-oxymethylenyl-2,2'-bipyridine) binaphthyl, (L), and its complexes CuL(ClO4)2, CuL(NO3)(2).3H2O, CdL(ClO4)2, and PbL(ClO4)2 have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FAB mass, and elemental analyses. Genotoxicity of these metal complexes has also been investigated by cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay in cultured human lymphocytes. Blood cultures were set up from two healthy donors, and treatment was done with different test concentrations for 24 and 48 h. The current results indicate that all compounds caused cytotoxicity by decreasing the cell number at the 150 microg/mL doses for 48-h treatments. On the other hand, CuL(ClO4)2, CuL(NO3)(2).3H2O and PbL(ClO4)2 exhibited genotoxicity by inducing the number of micronucleated cells at doses of 150 microg/mL for 24-h treatments, but CdL(ClO4)2 did not significantly alter micronucleus induction. Hence, some test compounds may act as mutagens or produce clastogenic effects depending upon their chemical structures.     

Hepatitis A seroprevalence among infants aged 12 months in Ankara

Seroprevalence studies in various age groups contribute to a better understanding of hepatitis A infection and response to hepatitis A immunization. Hepatitis A seroprevalence in 12-month-old infants from Ankara was studied. Among 601 healthy infants, overall hepatitis A seropositivity was found to be 23.5%. There were no gender differences in seropositivity (22.6% for male and 24.5% for female infants). Although vaccination of infants would be an ideal prevention strategy, presence of maternal anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody interferes with the immune response to hepatitis A vaccine in infants and young children. Therefore, further knowledge about decay of maternal antibody in infants is important in determining the optimal age for vaccination against hepatitis A. There is no recommendation for routine hepatitis A vaccination in Turkey. However, we need more seroprevalence studies in different age groups to decide the appropriate timing/age of vaccination.     

TGF-beta1 gene polymorphisms and peritoneal equilibration test results in CAPD patients

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) stimulates the expression of collagen mRNA in cultured human peritoneal mesangial cells, which may predispose them to developing peritoneal fibrosis. Polymorphisms in the signal sequence genetically may be responsible for increased TGF-beta1 production (i.e., a substitution at amino acid position 10 and 25, +869 Leu(10)-Pro and +915 Arg(25)-Pro, respectively). The aim of this study was to find out whether there is any relation between peritoneal equilibration test (PET) results and TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism. Thirty-two CAPD patients and 72 healthy subjects were included into the study. Each CAPD patient had undergone two PET with a two-year interval. The patients were classified according to the results of a baseline PET as high (high-high average) and low (low-low average) transporters. In high transporters group (n = 20), the genotype frequencies were found as 45% Leu/Leu, 55% Leu/Pro for codon 10; and 85% Arg/Arg, 15% Arg/Pro for codon 25. In low transporters group (n = 12), the genotype frequencies were detected as 66.7% Leu/Leu and 33.3% Leu/Pro for codon 10; and 83.3% Arg/Arg, 16.7% Arg/Pro for codon 25. The distribution of the TGF-beta1 genotypes in our control population was compatible with a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We found no relation between TGF-beta1 genotypes and peritoneal transport group (chi(2) test, p > 0.5). There was no relation between TGF-beta1 genotype and longitudinal change in peritoneal transport. This study is the first study analyzing the possible link between TGF-betal gene polymorphisms and the characteristics of peritoneal transport and longitudinal change of peritoneal transport characteristics in CAPD patients. Further work is needed to clarify the functional importance of these two polymorphisms in TGF-beta1 production and in the development of peritoneal fibrosis.     

Role of transforming growth factor-β2 in, and apossible transforming growth factor-β2 gene polymorphism as a marker of, renal dysfunction in essential hypertension: A study in Turkish patients

Background:

Many studies have shown that transforming growth factor(TGF)-β has a major role in renal scarring in many renal diseases and hypertension.

Objectives:

The primary aim of this study was to investigate both the relationship between hypertension and serum and urinary levels of TGF-β₂ (a more sensitive isoform for glomeruli than TGF-β₁), and the effects of combination therapy with perindopril + indapamide on microalbuminuria, which becomes an early indicator of hypertensive benign nephropathy, and serum and urinary TGF-β₂ levels in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. In addition, we examined the possible relationship between TGF-β₂ gene polymorphism and essential hypertension.

Methods:

This study was conducted at the Department of Nephrology, Medical Faculty, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. Patients aged ≥18 years with newly diagnosed mild to moderate essential hypertension (systolic/diastolic blood pressure [SBP/DBP] >120/>80 mm Hg) who had not previously received antihypertensive treatment were included in the study. Patients with stage I hypertension received perindopril 2 mg + indapamide 0.625 mg (tablet), and patients with stage lI hypertension received perindopril 4 mg + indapamide 1.125 mg (tablet). All study drugs were given OD (morning) PO with food for 6 months. Serum and urinary TGF-β₂ and creatinine levels and serum and urinary albumin levels were measured before and after perindopril + indapamide administration. Amplified DNA fragments of the TGF-β₂ primer region were screened using amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction analysis, and the number of ACA repeats was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Genetic studies were performed using a commercial TGF-β₂ kit.

Results:

Forty patients were enrolled in the study, and 38 patients (27 women, 11 men; mean [SD] age, 46.3 [6.5] years) completed it. SBP and DBP were significantly decreased from baseline with perindopril/indapamide (both, P < 0.001). Microalbuminuria and urinary TGF-β₂ levels also decreased significantly from baseline (P = 0.04 and P < 0.001, respectively), whereas the serum TGF-β₂ level did not change significantly. Three patients, all of whom were found to have TGF-β₂ gene mutations, had increased urinary TGF-β₂ levels despite good blood pressure control.

Conclusions:

The results of this study in patients with mild to moderate hypertension suggest that, despite good clinical control of blood pressure, the persistence of microalbuminuria and high urinary TGF-β₂ levels might predict renal impairment. When treating these patients, genetic tendencies and possible polymorphisms on the TGF-β₂ locus should be kept in mind.