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Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare (1-2 %) aggressive plasma cell dyscrasia (PCD) with a poor prognosis and characterized by the presence of more than 20% circulating plasma cells (PCs). Multicolor Flowcytometry is used for differentiating PCs in PCL. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical, laboratory findings and immunophenotypic profiles of patients with PCL. A total of 512 patients were investigated for PCD in our hospital between 2011-2019. The immunophenotypic profile (including, CD27, CD28, CD38, CD138, CD45, CD117, CD19, CD20, CD56, CD33, CD81, and ckappa/clambda,) were evaluated retrospectively. The clinical findings, pathology reports, immunofixation electrophoresis and MFC results of three patients with PCL were reevaluated using 6 color multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC). Only three patients were diagnosed as PCL. PCs population defined by the co-expression of CD38 and CD138 was observed as 50%, 53%, 60%, respectively. Expression of each CD56, CD117, CD20, CD45 was seen in individual cases. CD19 was negative in all cases. Cytoplasmic kappa light chain expression was detected only in one case. Two of the cases were primary and the other was secondary PCL. Bortezomib-based treatment was initiated. Overall survival of primary PCL cases were 24 months and 6 months, whereas secondary PCL was four months. Co-expression of CD38 and CD138 in identifying PCs with MFC may be considered the best combination and leads to early diagnosis within hours and appropriate treatment in patients with PCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The seed proteins are used as molecular markers to clarify the systematic problems. Also, electrophoretic techniques are safe tools to identify the seed proteins. In present study, it was used the SDS-PAGE technique to solve the taxonomical problems of eight taxa of genus Lathyrus belong to three sections Orobus, Lathyrostylis and Pratensis according to the globulin B and glutelin. Methods: The seed materials were collected from natural habitats and 0.5 g seed were homogenized and centrifuged based on extraction procedure. In addition, the amounts of seed storage protein subfractions were determined by using protein assay. The electrophoretic analysis were performed according to the 12% SDS-PAGE. The gel documentation system (Bio-Rad, USA) was used to analyse the electrophoretic data and UPGAMA was used to construct the dendogram to show the relationships among the species under focus. Results: Current study showed that the species of section Pratensis were different from species of sections Orobus and Lathyrostylis. The differences among the studied taxa shown clearly and all studied taxa were choosen from the protein patterns.. Furthermore, present study demonstrated that L. nivalis has the highest globulin B and glutelin. Results of the present study generally supported the morphological data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Alternative and complementary medicine has gained importance in anticancer treatment, reflecting a movement toward an integrated approach to treating various diseases. Natural products originating from plants can contain biologically active substances. Thymol is a major component of many plants from the family Lamiaceae that are often used for medicinal and culinary purposes in Mediterranean countries.Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate thymol's cytotoxic, genotoxic, apoptotic effects on gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells, including measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels at the same time.Design: The research team studied thymol's anticancer potential in vitro.Setting: The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Biochemistry of the Faculty of Medicine at Bezmialem Vakif University (Istanbul, Turkey).Intervention: Caucasian human AGS cells were exposed to 7 concentrations of thymol-10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μM-prepared from a stock solution of 600 μM of thymol in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and after 24 h of incubation, the results were analyzed. The thymol was obtained commercially. The study used a negative control prepared in a concentration of 1:1000 from the stock solution of DMSO.Outcome Measures: Cytotoxicity was determined using (1) the adenosine 5'-triphosphate cell viability assay; (2) the dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate assay to evaluate the generation of ROS; (3) the luminescence-based, total GSH assay to determine the GSH levels; and (4) the comet assay to study genotoxicity. Apoptotic induction of thymol was detected (5) by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining and (6) by Western blotting using a value below the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50).Results: Thymol showed significant cytotoxic, genotoxic, apoptotic, ROS-generating, and GSH-reducing effects, in a dose-dependent manner (P ≤ .001). A close negative relationship existed between cell viability and the ROS level.Conclusions: After researchers have confirmed thymol's anticarcinogenic effects in vitro on healthy cell lines and in vivo, it may be found to be a novel and strong therapeutic agent against gastric cancer. The study's results suggest that thymol may have therapeutic power when developed from natural components of the diet for treatment of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) landraces are considered to be important genetic resources for improving maize. To use these sources effectively, the extent of genetic diversity among them needs to be determined. While maize landraces from different countries have been evaluated, there is only limited information available on Turkish maize landraces. Thus, our objective was to investigate the genetic relations among 35 different landraces, along with inbred lines B73 and Mo17, using the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). We also measured seven kernel-quality traits, viz., protein content, oil content, zein content, lysine content, tryptophan content, and amylose/amylopectin content. Cluster analysis was performed to classify the Turkish maize landraces relative to protein-band variation. Results of protein-band analyses showed there was significant diversity among maize landraces. There was also considerable variation for the kernel-quality traits of the landraces. Kernel oil varied from 2.83% to 6.27%, protein from 6.67% to 11.34%, zein from 1.87% to 8.88%, tryptophan from 0.017% to 0.053%, lysine from 0.14% to 0.81%, amylose from 5.9% 37.6%, and amylopectin from 62.4% to 94.1% among the landraces. A total of 25 protein subunits, with molecular weight ranging from 10 to 110 kDa, were determined, and all of them, except for three bands, were polymorphic. Polymorphism information content (PIC) of the subunits ranged between 0.00 and 0.50. Maize landraces were classified into two main clusters; the first cluster included 18 landraces and inbred lines B73 and Mo17, whereas the second cluster comprised 17 maize landraces. Overall, results revealed that Turkish maize landraces having similar geographical origins were classified in the same clusters and exhibited a high level of diversity relative to protein subunits. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this study was to determine the intra- and intergenetic diversities of eight different goat populations in Turkey including Hair, Angora, Kilis, Yayladag, Shami, Honamli, Saanen, and Alpine. A total of 244 DNA samples were genotyped using 11 microsatellites loci. The genetic differentiation between breeds was considerable as a result of the statistically significant (P<0.001) pairwise FST values of each pair of breeds. Exceptionally, FST values calculated for Honamli and Hair breeds were statistically nonsignificant (P>0.05). Heterozygosity values ranged between 0.62 and 0.73. According to the structure and assignment test, Angora and Yayladag goats were assigned to the breed they belong to, while other breeds were assigned to two or more different groups. Because this study for the first time presented genetic data on the Yayladag goat, results of structure analysis and assigned test suggest that further analyses are needed using additional and different molecular markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the major etiologic agent of cervical carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV infection and genotype distribution in cervical swabs from 2,234 Turkish and 357 Albanian women with similar lifestyles from two different countries. Materials and Methods: HPV detection and typing were performed by type specific multiplex fluorescent PCR and fragments were directly genotyped by high resolution fluorescence capillary electrophoresis. Results: The most common type was HPV 16 and the second one was HPV 6 for both country. The third common type was 39 and 18 for Turkish and Albanian women, respectively. Conclusions: When we compare our results with other studies, there are differences between the frequency and order of the HPV genotypes detected at the second and subsequent frequencies. This may due to differences in the quality and type of samples analyzed, as well as the HPV detection methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, Kilis and Honamli goats are used, which are specific local genetic resources of Turkey. The herds were independent, but they had similar care and nutrition circumstances. From each breed 30 samples were taken, in all 120 samples were collected. Erythrocyte, whole blood and serum samples were used for haemoglobin (Hb), glutathione (GSH) and transferrin (Tf), ceruloplasmin (Cp) analysis, respectively. In the analysis of these samples, Hb and Tf bands were determined by electrophoresis. However, Cp and GSH levels were analyzed by the spectrophotometer. 3 Hb phenotypes (AA, BB, AB) and 6 Tf phenotypes (AA, AB, AC, BB, BC, CC) were determined in this study. In addition, both the observed and the expected values of polymorphic characteristic for 2 characters were presented according to the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE). Cp levels were detected as 0.822 ± 0.055 mg/dl and 1.793 ± 0.109 mg/dl in Kilis and Honamli herds, respectively. Also GSH levels were detected as, 42,486 ± 1,034 mg/dl and 33.515 ± 0.345 mg/dl in these breeds, respectively. On the other hand, the high and low GSH levels (GSHH and GSHh) of herds were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective of this study was to evaluate microsatellite markers in paternity testing of native cattle breeds in Turkey. Blood samples were collected from Anatolian Black (n=51), Anatolian Grey (n=54), South Anatolian Red (n=51), Native Southern Anatolian Yellow (n=51), East Anatolian Red (n=45) and Zavot (n = 19) cattle. From the blood samples DNA was isolated by using a standard phenol/ chloroform method. A total of 20 microsatellite loci were selected from a FAO/ISAG-suggested list. Polymerase chain reaction products were separated by capillary electrophoresis and marker genotypes were determined by fragment analysis. In statistical analyses, allel numbers, observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosities, deviation from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and probability of exclusion (PE) at each microsatellite locus were calculated. A total of 269 different alleles were observed and the mean allele was identified as 13.45. Mean Ho and He values were observed as 0.619-0.852 and 0.669-0.877, respectively. The results indicated that the microsatellite test panel including the most informative 7 loci had total PE value of >0.9999 in each populations and can thereby be used for parentage testing studies of native cattle breeds in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asphalt has a highly complex structure and it contains several organic compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic compounds. In this study, comet assay was used to detect the DNA damage in blood lymphocytes of 30 workers exposed to asphalt fumes and 30 nonexposed controls. This is the first report on Turkish asphalt workers’ investigated DNA damage using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). The DNA damage was evaluated by the percentage of DNA in the comet tail (% tail DNA) for each cell. According to our results, workers exposed to asphalt fumes had higher DNA damage than the control group (p < 0.01). The present study showed that asphalt fumes caused a significant increase in DNA damage and the comet assay is a suitable method for determining DNA damage in asphalt workers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To determine whether there is a relationship between genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase zeta 1 (GSTZ1) and gastric cancer. The contribution of GSTZ1 genotypes to susceptibility to the risk of gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. Methods: Using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method in an ethnic Turkish population, we examined the frequency of the GSTZ1 gene polymorphism in patients with GC patients (n = 73) and control individuals (n = 80). Results: For GSTZ1 A94G polymorphism, in the group of patients with the GC, the frequency of the GG genotype was quite a bit higher in comparison with that of the control group; however, this increase was not statistically significant. For the GSTZ1 A124G polymorphism, the GSTZ1 heterozygous genotype (AG) occurred more frequently in GC patients than in controls; however, it was not associated with risk of developing GC. We found no significant association between the A94G or A124G variants of the GSTZ1 gene and risk of gastric cancer. Conclusions: Our data indicate no association between GSTZ1 genotypes and risk of gastric cancer. Despite its marked decline in many industrialized countries, gastric cancer remains the most common cause of death by cancer in areas such as Japan, Turkey, and South America. Gastric cancer (GC) is a disease of complex etiology that involves intimately interconnected infectious, dietary, environmental, and genetic factors. Although it has been estimated that 67% of GCs could be prevented by implementing lifestyle changes, the fact that some individuals develop GC but others do not, despite exposure to similar potentially carcinogenic factors, suggests that genetic predisposition may also play an important role in the etiology of GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the four known isoforms of the staphylococcal exfoliative toxins (ETs), only ETA and ETB are the major causative agents. General knowledge is that the gene for ETA is located on the chromosome, whereas that for ETB is located on a large plasmid. Yoshizawa and co-workers (2000, Microbiol. Immunol. 44(3): 189-191) isolated, for the first time, a temperate phage (φETA) that carried the structural gene for ETA from an ETA-producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, we presented eta gene encoding temperate phages isolated from methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) isolates obtained from patients in a Turkish hospital. Molecular analysis of the phage genome revealed that the eta gene is located upstream to amidase and holin genes, the same as in the φETA genome. However, partial sequence analysis of amidase and holin genes revealed polymorphic variation. In addition to polymorphic variation, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of all of the phage genomes showed that the ETA-containing phage is different from the rest of the phage genomes. The phylogenetic dendrogram of pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis showed that the ETA-carrying MRSA is quite different from the rest of the MRSA strains. This is the first report showing that a MRSA strain carries an ETA-encoding phage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-four Turkish barley genotypes were differentiated and identified using barley simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Amplification of SSR loci were generated using 17 SSR primers. These SSR primers totally produced 67 alleles ranging from two to six alleles per locus with a mean value of 3.94 alleles per locus. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.507 to 1.000. Maximum genetic similarity was found between Efes-98- Basgül, and among Anadolu-86, Obruk-86, Anadolu-98, Tokak 157/37 and Orza-96. Minimum genetic similarity was between Bolayir and Angora. Although SSR markers cannot classify 34 Turkish barley cultivars based on end use, growth habits and row groups, 27 Turkish barley genotypes could be identified uniquely using 17 SSR primers. These results will are useful proves for protecting breeder's rights and designing new crossings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hb E-Saskatoon and Hb G-Coushatta are rare hemoglobin variants that are not a health problem. Herein we present a Turkish woman that was diagnosed as homozygous Hb E-Saskatoon (only the second such case reported from Turkey) and a Turkish boy diagnosed as heterozygote Hb E-Saskatoon. Additionally, 2 Turkish sisters diagnosed as heterozygote Hb G-Coushatta are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion envenomation still remains a major health problem in many tropical and subtropical countries. Antivenom is still widely administered in the treatment of envenomation. Scorpion venoms is used as source of antigen to the production of antivenom. Therefore, quality control and homogeneity of venom are a crucial point. In this study, adult Mesobuthus gibbosus and Mesobuthus eupeus scorpions were collected from Osmaniye and Nigde provinces in Turkey. After extraction, the venom composition was analyzed using one-dimensional gel electrophoresis (1-DE). Only one common protein (70 kDa) band was found in all venom samples. Three protein bands (70, 87 and 100 kDa) were also detected in the venom of female scorpions in Osmaniye and Nigde provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyfiavone) is one of the leading components supporting targeted treatment options. We explored the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of various doses of apigenin administered alone and together with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)--a chemotherapeutic agent with high cytotoxicity--for different incubation periods, on morphologic, DNA, RNA (messenger RNA [mRNA]), and protein levels on the p53 mutant HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. Treatment with apigenin alone for a 72-hour incubation at 90-µM dose resulted in an apoptotic percentage of 24.92% (P = .001). A higher percentage (29.13%) was observed after treatment with the same dose of apigenin plus 5-FU for the same incubation period (P=.001). These results were confirmed as mRNA and protein expression levels of caspase-3 increased 2.567-fold and mRNA expression levels of caspase-8 increased 3.689-fold compared with the control group. On the other hand, mRNA expression levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and cyclin D1 (CCND1) decreased by 0.423-fold and 0.231-fold, respectively. To our knowledge this is the first study showing that treatment with apigenin alone results in cell cycle arrest through activation of caspase cascade and stimulation of apoptosis in HT29 cells. It also shows that use of apigenin plus 5-FU further increases this effect. This study draws attention to the probable clinical effectiveness of apigenin plus a chemotherapeutic agent with high cytotoxicity. It also highlights the induction of desirable apoptotic effects by targeting the caspase cascade pathway through administration of reduced doses for shorter incubation periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the genotypic distribution of organic anion transporting polypeptide 2 (OATP-2) gene mutations and the relationship with hyperbilirubinemia of unknown etiology. Polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques were used for detection of OATP-2 gene mutations in 155 newborn infants: 37 with unexplained hyperbilirubinemia, 65 with explained hyperbilirubinemia, and 53 without hyperbilirubinemia. In the OATP-2 gene, we identified A→G transitions at nucleotide positions 388 and 411 and observed six polymorphic forms. The 388/411-411 mutation was the most common form (43%) in subjects with hyperbilirubinemia of unknown etiology. Male sex [odds ratio (OR): 3.08] and two polymorphic forms of the OATP-2 gene [the 388/411-411 A→G mutation (OR: 3.6) and the 388-411 mutation (OR: 2.4)] increased the risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. In male infants with the 388 A→G mutation of the OATP-2 gene, the levels of unconjugated bilirubin in plasma were significantly increased compared with those observed in females. The polymorphic forms of 388 nucleotide of the OATP-2 gene were identified as risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia of unknown etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to biochemically measure the production of nitric oxide in gingival crevicular fluid and immunohistochemically measure the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the gingiva of patients with sickle cell disease. Additionally, we aimed to obtain insight into the immunopathology of sickle cell disease by comparing inducible nitric oxide synthase levels in patients with sickle cell disease and controls using gingiva and gingival crevicular fluid. Materials and Methods: The study included 20 sickle cell disease patients and 20 healthy controls. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to measure inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in gingiva and nitric oxide levels in gingival crevicular fluid were spectrophotometrically measured. Results: Nitric oxide levels in the patients and controls did not differ significantly (21.2±4.5 and 23.1±2.3 μM L-1, respectively, p>0.05). There weren't any statistically significant differences in infiltrated inflammatory cells, density of inflammatory cells that stained with inducible nitric oxide synthase, or nitric oxide expression in gingiva between the patient and control groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this is the first study to examine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the gingiva and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with sickle cell disease. Using the gingiva and gingival crevicular fluid we were unable to observe sickle cell disease-associated inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and a difference in nitric oxide levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the characteristics of Salmonella serotype Typhi and Salmonella serotype Paratyphi B, which still remain significant in Turkey. Materials and methods: Eighteen S. Typhi and 42 S. Paratyphi B strains isolated from clinical samples were investigated by plasmid profile analysis, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR), and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) methods. Results: Plasmid profile analysis showed that 10 out of 18 (56%) S. Typhi isolates harbored 1 to 3 plasmids, and 11 out of 42 (26.2%) S. Paratyphi B isolates harbored 1 to 4 plasmids. PFGE performed with restriction enzyme AvrII grouped both S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi B isolates into 14 clusters; with restriction enzyme XbaI, S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi B isolates were grouped into 13 and 12 clusters, respectively. Conclusion: These results showed that plasmid profile analysis and PFGE are reliable and discriminative methods complementing the phenotypic characters of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi B isolates, and may contribute to the epidemiologic investigation of typhoid or paratyphoid diseases. The study presented here is the first report on S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi B isolates from Turkey investigated by plasmid profile analysis, ERIC-PCR, and PFGE methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, esterase variation was investigated for one Trichogramma turkestanica Meyer and two Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko populations collected from Southeast Turkey. Depending on the banding patterns there were slower (Est1) and faster (Est2) bands as two different isozymes were determined. T. turkestanica had a different banding pattern than T. brassicae. At the same time, numbers of parasitized eggs and female and male offspring, and adult longevity were determined for each population. There were no significant differences between cultures except adult longevity. Some morphometric characters of cultures were also measured, comprising body length, flagellum length, head width, the longest seta of the flagellum, hind tibia and hind wing length. All characters were similar between the two T. brassicae populations and were significantly different from T. turkestanica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomy of mole rats (Nannospalax) is highly provisional and the genus is in a need of a thorough revision. In this investigation, 23 (13♂♂, 10♀♀) specimens from the Central East (Malatya, Sivas) and Northeast (Kars, Ardahan) Anatolian provinces, were studied karyologically and twelve of these specimens (7♂♂, 5♀♀) were employed to analyse electrophoretic patterns of their blood proteins (serology). This study indicated chromosomal separation of both region (2n=50, NF=82, NFa=78 and 2n=60, NF=70, NFa=66). The separation of both regions was supported by the differences obtained in serograms in which blood serum proteins were composed by 11 fractions belonging to the 2n=50 chromosomal specimens and by 10 fractions in 2n=60 chromosomal specimens. Therefore the serological data obtained from this study support the results of the present and earlier karyological studies showing that populations of mole rats in both regions are karyologically and genetically distinct one from another. It is suggested that these two populations could be assigned to separate putative biological species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTR) locus D1S80, located on chromosome 1 (1p35-36), has a repeat unit 16 bp in length, and different numbers of these repeat units have been observed for populations of different origins and ethnicity. We used a molecular identification method based on capillary electrophoresis separation to analyze D1S80 locus polymorphism among 74 subjects from Denizli province, Turkey, finding an amplified fragment length size of 379–635 bp. Allele repeat numbers were deduced from these sizes and sequence comparison. The most common alleles were repeat units 24 (34.3%) and 18 (22.4%), with frequencies of 0.414 and 0.207, respectively. Other alleles were 25 (7.86%), 28 (5.71%), 22 (4.25%), and 29 (2.86%). The allele with 23 repeat units was not observed. Results were in Hardy–Weinberg linkage disequilibrium. Observed heterozygosity was 0.614, and expected heterozygosity was 0.787. Theta( k) value was 4.86 (95% confidence interval limits). Capillary electrophoresis is a powerful approach for accurate identification of VNTR loci, especially for low base pair units like D1S80, for prenatal diagnosis, linkage analysis, forensic identification, paternity testing, anthropological research, and phylogenetic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an important virulence determinant of Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PVL genes in clinical S. aureusisolates and to determine the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec(SCCmec) types of methicillin-resistant S. aureus(MRSA) strains obtained from inpatients and outpatients of two hospitals in Turkey. Of the 304 S. aureusstrains (230 hospital acquired [HA] and 74 community-onset [CO]), 261 were MRSA and 43 were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus(MSSA). PVL positivity was determined in 12 (1 HA and 11 community acquired) strains. Eight were MRSA, and four were MSSA. Seven of the PVL-positive strains were isolated from wound specimens, four from urine, and one from synovial fluid. SCCmectype III (93.78) was more prevalent among HA-MRSA strains, and SCCmectype IIIB (41.18) was more prevalent among CO-MRSA strains. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of the PVL-positive isolates were different. Our results indicate that PVL-positive strains are able to cause infection in nearly every system without the need for additional risk factors. Our PVL-positive CO-MRSA strains carry SCCmectypes other than types IV and V. Due to the presence of PVL-positive strains in the hospitals, it is important to establish appropriate infection control measures to prevent their spread in the community and in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intensive care unit (ICU)-based OXA-23-producing multiple-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) outbreak was detected between October 2005 and October 2006. A total of 47 patients were infected/colonized with the outbreak strain. Clinical data were available from 37 patients. The all-cause mortality rate among the patients exposed to the epidemic strain was 35% (13/37). The outbreak strain and the resistance determinants were characterized both by microbiological methods and by molecular techniques. Cloning and sequencing experiments identified IS AbaI-associated bla oxa−23 on the chromosome. Screening of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter isolated from the ICU during the outbreak period with PCR identified 97 isolates as positive for the IS AbaI-bla oxa−23 structure. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and plasmid analyses with selected nonrepetitive isolates revealed the clonality. Disk diffusion on cloxacillin-supplemented agar media and the real-time PCR experiments showed that outbreak isolates are overexpressing the ampC enzyme. This study highlights the occurrence of OXA-23-producing and ampC-overexpressing MDRAB in ICUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal muscle protein bands of Bufo viridis samples from 5 different populations in Turkey were investigated by SDSPAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Poly Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis). The total number of skeletal muscle protein bands was 23 in Hatay, Kayseri, Rize, and Tekirdağ samples, and 25 in the Mersin sample. It can be ascertained from the present study that some populations of B. viridis in Turkey could be different according to skeletal muscle protein bands and SDS-PAGE results comparing different muscle protein bands could be helpful for taxonomical investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levantine vipers, Macrovipera lebetina (Linnaeus), from Cyprus and southern Anatolia were investigated comparatively regarding morphology, hemipenes and electrophoresis patterns of venom proteins. There were discernible differences between these compared features of the 2 populations. In the light of these differences, it is concluded that the southern Anatolian population should not be identified as the nominate subspecies M. I. lebetina (Linnaeus), which lives in Cyprus. The study material from northeastern Anatolia did not allow us to make a good comparison between M. lebetinafrom southern and NE Anatolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 26 environmental Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans strains isolated from 634 samples of pigeon droppings collected from 54 different provinces of Turkey in 1996 and 1997 were included in this study. The results of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) showed that the 26 strains could be separated into 24 different PFGE patterns. In a mating-type study, of 26 strains, 20 were MAT α, four were MATa, one was MATa/ α and one was non-typable by STE20 specific primers. By the polymerase chain reaction typing, all the isolates were serotype A. The extensive heterogeneity among these isolates suggests that a single clonal population may not be present in Turkey. Additionally, the presence of an A MATa/D MAT α hybrid may indicate the existence of strains that are A MATa mating type in Turkish environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeybee colonies from Turkey, Naxcivan (Azerbaijan) and Austria were studied for morphometric and electrophoretic variation and for comparison among different subspecies. Out of six enzyme systems, four were found to be polymorphic with 14 allozymes. Discriminant function analysis of 10 morphometric variables resulted in a total of four groups. Cluster analysis of electrophoretic data showed a similar type of groupings. Among the four polymorphic loci, Mdh-1 showed the highest and Est-3 the lowest differentiation among populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the venom extract of five viper species (Vigera xanthina, Vipera ammodytes, Vipera kaznakovi, Vipete wagneri and Vipera lebetina) collected from various regions of Turkey was subjected to polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis. No pressure was applied to the venom glands to provide venom extract. Important differences were detected among the electrophoretic patterns of venom proteins belonging to the five viper species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Albumin concentrations in female Bronze turkeys were compared using agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and the bromocresol green (BCG) dye-binding method. The correlation coefficient observed for albumin in the BCG and AGE methods was low, and statistical differences were observed at paired t test ( p < 0.0001). Compared with electrophoresis, the BCG-binding method yielded significantly lower albumin values for female turkeys during laying season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypericum olympicum L. (Hypericaceae) flowering aerial parts has been utilized in Turkish folk medicine as a remedy against inflamed skin problems. This study was designed to state the effect of H. olympicum on dermatological problems. For this purpose effect of the plant extract on the DNA strand break and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)–9 activity of human dermal fibroblast (HDFs) cells irradiated with UVB as well as antioxidant activity potential were studied. The methanolic extract of Hypericum olympicum (HOM) was prepared by maceration at room temperature. DNA damage and increased MMP–9 activity in HDFs were induced by UVB irradiation. The cell viability was measured by water–soluble tetrazolium salt (WST)–1 assay. The effects on DNA strand break was investigated by single gel electrophoresis (commonly known as Comet assay), while MMP–9 activity was observed by gelatin zymography assay. In vitro antioxidant tests were performed to indicate the effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS). The major metabolites were identified and their concentrations were measured by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). HOM was found to recover DNA damage dose–dependently. The enzymatic activity of MMP–9 was inhibited almost 100% by the treatment of 1.5 mg/mL of the extract. It also enhanced cell proliferation in those cells, and also it was shown to possess antioxidant activity. The major metabolites of HOM were identified as chlorogenic acid and quercetin glycosides (rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin). Experimental studies have proven the traditional use of Hypericum olympicum in inflamed skin problems acting by inhibition of the inflammatory pathway and recovery of DNA damage induced experimentally. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allele frequencies of the 10 STRs loci (D16S539, D2S1338, D3S1358, vWA, D18S51, D21S11, D8S1179, D19S433, FGA, THO1) included in the AmpFlSTR SGM Plus Kit (PE Applied Biosystems) were obtained from a sample of 166 unrelated individuals in Aegean region of Turkey. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study related to the impact of vancomycin minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) on outcome of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. It informs about the isolation of 131 non-duplicate MRSA strains from hospital-acquired or healthcare-associated bloodstream infections of adult patients. It also highlights the role of bacterial factors such as clonal identity, Valentine Leukocidin and toxin for outcome of MRSA bacteremia.

This study includes the results of a 2-day education project titled "Molecular Biology Laboratory Summer School, MoBiLYO." The project was held at a University Research Center by scientists from Department of Pharmacology and graduate students. The project was composed of introductory lectures, model construction, DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis. The participants were 13-year-old eighth-graders attending primary schools affiliated with Ministry of National Education in urban and rural areas of Izmir, Turkey. The purpose of this study was to introduce basic molecular biology concepts through individually performed experiments such as PCR and gel electrophoresis integrated with creative drama. The students were assessed at the beginning and the end of each project day via mini-tests, experimental and presentation skills evaluation forms. Data showed that students' knowledge about DNA structure and basic molecular biology techniques significantly increased. On the basis of experimental and presentational skills, there was no significant difference between kids from urban and rural schools or between public and boarding public schools, whereas the average score of girls was significantly higher than that of boys. In conclusion, individually performed experiments integrated with creative drama significantly increased students' perception of complex experimental procedures on basic molecular biology concepts. Data suggests that integration of these concepts into the science and technology curriculum of Turkish primary education may support the recruitment of future scientists who can handle rapidly developing genomic techniques that will affect our everyday life., (© 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.)

The aims of this study were as follows: (i) to isolate Arcobacter spp. from the stool samples of patients with gastroenteritis; (ii) to identify them with molecular methods; (iii) to genotype them using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR; and (iv) to determine their antibiotic susceptibilities. For the study, a total of 3287 diarrhoeal stool samples submitted to the Microbiology Laboratory of the Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey, between 2010 and 2011 were analysed. Campylobacter blood-free selective medium supplemented with cefoperazone, amphotericin B and teicoplanin was used for isolation. Medium inoculated with stool samples was incubated microaerobically at 37 °C for 72-96 h. Phenotypic tests, a genus-specific PCR and a multiplex PCR were used to identify the arcobacters, whilst ERIC-PCR was used for genotyping and the antibiotic susceptibilities of the isolates were detected by E-test. Arcobacter spp. were isolated from nine of the 3287 samples. These nine isolates were identified as Arcobacter butzleri and all showed different ERIC-PCR profiles. All nine isolates were resistant to ampicillin and susceptible to gentamicin, tetracycline, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. As far as is known, this is the first study in which A. butzleri has been isolated from human acute gastrointestinal infections in Turkey. According to these results, it is recommended that, when investigating the aetiology of infections of the digestive system in humans, Arcobacter spp. be considered for inclusion. The results of this study should contribute to our knowledge related to A. butzleri infections in humans.

Maras powder (MP) is a kind of smokeless tobacco used in the south-eastern region of Turkey and in several other countries of Middle and Far East. The present study was performed to assess the impacts of MP and cigarette smoking on the possible DNA damaging effect. Alkaline comet assay, which is a reliable and an important tool in human biomonitoring studies in the area of genetic toxicology, was used in peripheral lymphocytes of MP users, cigarette smokers, and non-smokers while their frequencies of total comet scores (TCS) were evaluated. The mean TCS (+/-SD) frequency in the peripheral lymphocytes was 14.4 (+/-10.04) for MP users and 8.26 (+/-5.38), 5.94 (+/-3.87) for cigarette smokers (P < 0.05) and non-smoking control subjects, respectively (P < 0.001). There was no significant effect of daily consumption of MP and the duration of MP usage on comet frequencies. In reply to a wrong belief among MP users ("the use of smokeless tobacco product is substantially less hazardous than cigarettes"), the present study shows that the oral use of smokeless tobacco represents a genotoxic hazard which is even higher than the DNA damage observed in cigarette smokers. Therefore, habitual use of MP should be taken into account and could be considered unsafe, equally harmful, and it should not be viewed as a safe alternative to cigarettes.

A 13-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is presented. The peripheral smear showed, in addition to lymphoblasts, marked anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and polychromasia. In vitro sickling test was positive. Hemoglobin electrophoresis at pH 9.0 on starch gel revealed the presence of hemoglobin A, hemoglobin S, and a band with a mobility of hemoglobin A2. Structural analysis revealed the presence of hemoglobin S and an alpha-chain variant, hemoglobin Q-Iran. The patient attained remission with the initial therapy administered but a relapse occurred five months later. Our study indicates the need for detailed investigation of leukemia patients in which abnormal hemoglobins are prevalent.

A total of 1,582 subjects from 10 villages of different ethnic populations were screened for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (GdB-, Mediterranean variant) and hemoglobin S gene, and the coincidence of both abnormalities was determined. Although the prevalence of both abnormalities was found to be highest in an Eti-Turk group living in the Tarsus area, coincidence was not significant. In a single village of Adana Eti-Turks, however, coincidence was found to be significant, although neither the frequency of G6PD deficiency nor the existence of hemoglobin S gene was highest in that village.