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Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as biomarkers for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Adipose tissue (AT), for which dysfunction is widely associated with T2D development, has been reported as a major source of circulating miRNAs. However, the role of dysfunctional AT in the altered pattern of circulating miRNAs associated with T2D onset remains unexplored. Herein, we investigated the relationship between T2D-associated circulating miRNAs and AT function, as well as the role of preadipocytes and adipocytes as secreting cells of candidate circulating miRNAs. Among the plasma miRNAs related to T2D onset in the CORonary Diet Intervention with Olive oil and cardiovascular PREVention (CORDIOPREV) cohort, baseline miR-223-3p levels (diminished in patients who next developed T2D [incident-T2D]) were significantly related to AT insulin resistance (IR). Baseline serum from incident-T2D participants induced inflammation and IR in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibited miR-223-3p secretion while enhancing miR-223-3p intracellular accumulation in 3T3-L1 (pre)adipocytes. Overexpression studies showed that an intracellular increase of miR-223-3p impaired glucose and lipid metabolism in these cells. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into the alteration of circulating miRNAs preceding T2D, unveiling both preadipocytes and adipocytes as miR-223-3p-secreting cells and suggesting that inflammation promotes miR-223-3p intracellular accumulation, which might contribute to (pre)adipocyte dysfunction and body metabolic dysregulation., Graphical Abstract, The relationship between adipose dysfunction and circulating miRNAs associated with T2D onset was investigated. Low circulating miR-223-3p related to adipose tissue insulin resistance index (ATIRI) in incident-T2D subjects. Both preadipocytes and adipocytes secrete miR-223-3p, and inflammation-induced intracellular miR-223-3p accumulation leads to cell dysfunction, which might contribute to body metabolic dysregulation.

Kaya, Murat ( Aksaray, Yazar ), Chitosan samples from two mushroom species (Boletus bovinus, Laccaria laccata) were obtained and characterized by viscosimetry, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), elemental analyses (EA), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses. Properties of the fungal chitosan samples were compared to commercial low-molecular weight chitosan, crustacean chitosan (Cervimunida johni) and chitosan obtained from an insect (Hilobius abietis). Additionally, the cytotoxic properties of chitosan in vitro on cancerous hepatoma and non-cancerous ovary cells cultivated on films with different chitosan concentrations was evaluated. As a conclusion, this study clearly revealed that low-molecular weight chitosan films and solutions with high degree of deacetylation can act cytotoxically on both tumor MH-22A and normal CHO cells in vitro. Consequently, this work may be useful for further investigations of natural anticancer products in medical areas.

WOS: 000471268100003 The clinical use of cisplatin, which is a first-line anticancer agent, is highly restricted due to its adverse effects on kidneys that lead to nephrotoxicity. Therefore, some potential reno-protective substances have been used in combination with cisplatin to cope with nephrotoxicity. Due to its high antitumor activity and oxygen-carrying capacity, we investigated the molecular effects of squalene against cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and kidney damage in mice. Single dose of cisplatin (7 mg/kg) was given to male Balb/c mice. Squalene (100 mg/kg/day) was administered orogastrically to mice for 10 days. Following sacrification, molecular alterations were investigated as analysis of the levels of oxidative stress index (OSI), inflammatory cytokines and cell survival-related proteins in addition to histopathological examinations in mice kidney tissue. The level OSI and Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) decreased in the cisplatin and squalene cotreated mice compared to cisplatin-treated mice. Squalene treatment also increased the activation of protein kinase B (AKT). Furthermore, cisplatin-induced inactivation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and histopathological damages were reversed by squalene. It may be suggested that squalene ameliorated the cisplatin-induced histopathological damages in the kidney through activation of AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by regulating the balance of the redox system due to its antioxidative effect.

WOS: 000444689300007, PubMed: 29648970, The aim of this study is to examine the therapeutic effects of Olea europaea L. leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats. In the experiments, 3- to 4-month-old 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, O. europaea leaf extract, CCl4, and curative. The CCl4 and curative groups received CCl4 (0.2mL/kg) intraperitoneally for 10 days to form hepatic injury. O. europaea (80mg/kg) leaf extract was given orally to the curative group dissolved in distilled water the following 14 days. Hepatic and antioxidant enzyme levels, p53, caspase 3, lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA), and also DNA fragmentation levels were determined to establish oxidative stress in hepatic cell damage and its consequences. After formation of liver damage, oral administration of the O. europaea significantly reduced CCl4-induced elevations of serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels (P

Background & aims. G-allele of PNPLA3 (rs738409) favours triglycerides accumulation and steatosis. In this study, we examined the effect of quercetin and natural extracts from mushroom and artichoke on reducing lipid accumulation in hepatic cells. Material and methods. Huh7.5 cells were exposed to oleic acid (OA) and treated with quercetin and extracts to observe the lipid accumulation, the intracellular-TG concentration and the LD size. Sterol regulatory element binding proteins-1 (SREBP-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR alpha-gamma) and cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) gene expression levels were analysed. Results. Quercetin decreased the intracellular lipids, LD size and the levels of intracellular-TG through the down-regulation of SREBP-1c, PPAR gamma and ACAT1 increasing PPAR alpha. The natural-extracts suppressed OA-induced lipid accumulation and the intracellular-TG. They down-regulate the hepatic lipogenesis through SREBP-1c, besides the activation of lipolysis through the increasing of PPAR alpha expression. Conclusions. Quercetin and the aqueous extracts decrease intracellular lipid accumulation by down-regulation of lipogenesis and up-regulation of lipolysis.

The development of functional food ingredients using legume seed proteins has potential for nutraceutical use. We purified recombinant β-conglutin proteins (rβ1 to rβ4, and rβ6) from narrow-leafed lupin using affinity–chromatography, and evaluated their anti-inflammatory activity using ex vivo and in vitro systems. rβ1, rβ3, and rβ6 produced lower levels of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (about –34.0–fold in all cases), iNOS mRNA (−7.15, −7.97, −7.41–fold), interleukin 1β (−12.05, −11.64, −12.16–fold), chemokine CCL5 (−16.0, −18.0, −19.0–fold), and cytokines including TNF-α INF-γ IL-1β IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12 (β1: −28, −100, −8, −2, −49, −45, −127–fold; β3: −22, −400, −9, −3, −33, −10, −2.54–fold; β6: −72, −122, −11, −3, −2000, −13, −338–fold). These results suggest that the β1, β3, and β6 conglutins have potential as functional food components in nutraceuticals and that can provide alternative therapies for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory-related diseases., This work was partially supported by the European Research Program MARIE CURIE (FP7-PEOPLE-24 2011-IOF) through the grant ref. number PIOF-GA-2011-301550 to JCJ-L, KBS and JDA. JCJ-L thanks the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness for the grant ref. RYC-2014-16536 (Ramon y Cajal Research Program), and the grant ref. BFU2016-77243-P.

WOS: 000431499100008, PubMed: 29082480, Magnetosomes are specialized organelles arranged in intracellular chains in magnetotactic bacteria. The superparamagnetic property of these magnetite crystals provides potential applications as contrast-enhancing agents for magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, we compared two different nanoparticles that are bacterial magnetosome and HSA-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for targeting breast cancer. Both magnetosomes and HSA-coated iron oxide nanoparticles were chemically conjugated to fluorescent-labeled anti-EGFR antibodies. Antibody-conjugated nanoparticles were able to bind the MDA-MB-231 cell line, as assessed by flow cytometry. To compare the cytotoxic effect of nanoparticles, MTT assay was used, and according to the results, HSA-coated iron oxide nanoparticles were less cytotoxic to breast cancer cells than magnetosomes. Magnetosomes were bound with higher rate to breast cancer cells than HSA-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. While 250 mu g/ml of magnetosomes was bound 92 +/- 0.2%, 250 mu g/ml of HSA-coated iron oxide nanoparticles was bound with a rate of 65 +/- 5%. In vivo efficiencies of these nanoparticles on breast cancer generated in nude mice were assessed by MRI imaging. Anti-EGFR-modified nanoparticles provide higher resolution images than unmodified nanoparticles. Also, magnetosome with anti-EGFR produced darker image of the tumor tissue in T2-weighted MRI than HSA-coated iron oxide nanoparticles with anti-EGFR. In vivo MR imaging in a mouse breast cancer model shows effective intratumoral distribution of both nanoparticles in the tumor tissue. However, magnetosome demonstrated higher distribution than HSA-coated iron oxide nanoparticles according to fluorescence microscopy evaluation. According to the results of in vitro and in vivo study results, magnetosomes are promising for targeting and therapy applications of the breast cancer cells., Hacettepe University [014BIYB604002], This study was supported by Hacettepe University. Project number is 014BIYB604002.

WOS: 000396955500019, PubMed: 28267493, In previous studies, chitin-based films were produced from chitin nanofibers in dust form and fully characterized. However, chitin films naturally present.in many organisms have not been isolated and characterized. Herein, structurally intact chitin films were successfully extracted from the dorsal pronoturn and the wing of cockroach. Despite using the same extraction procedure, important differences were observed. Especially, hydrophobicity, transparency, antifungal and antibacterial biofilm activities of wing chitin film were recorded notably higher than those of chitin film from the dorsal pronotum. However, better mechanical properties were observed for chitin film from the dorsal pronotum. Notably, among the tested bacteria, two common pathogens could not form biofilms on the surface of the films. This study clearly demonstrated natural chitin films obtained from an insect can provide a new perspective to chitin-based applications where chitin films with high thermal stability, transparency, resistance to bacterial biofilm formation and antifungal activity are needed. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are ubiquitous aquatic microorganisms that biomineralize dissolved iron from the environment into intracellular nanoparticles of magnetite [Fe(II)Fe(III)2O4] or greigite [Fe(II)Fe(III)2S4] in a genetically controlled manner. After cell death, these magnetite and greigite crystals are trapped into sediments which effectively removes iron from the soluble pool. MTB may significantly impact the iron biogeochemical cycle, especially in the ocean where dissolved iron limits nitrogen fixation and primary productivity. Although MTB are ubiquitous in the environment, their impact on the biogeochemical cycling of metallic elements is still poorly constrained. A thorough assessment of the mass of iron incorporated by MTB has been hampered by a lack of methodology to accurately measure the amount of, and variability in, their intracellular iron content. Here, we quantify the mass of iron contained in single MTB cells of the model organism, Magnetospirillum magneticum sp. AMB-1, using a time-resolved mass spectrometry methodology. Bacterial iron content depends on the external iron concentration, and reaches a maximum value of 10-6 ng of iron per cell when bacteria are cultivated with initial iron concentrations of 100 μM or higher. From our experimental results, we calculated the flux of dissolved iron incorporation into natural MTB populations and conclude that MTB may mineralize a significant fraction of environmental dissolved iron into crystals.

Ethylene regulates fruit ripening and several plant functions (germination, plant growth, plant-microbe interactions). Protein quantification of ethylene receptors (ETRs) is essential to study their functions, but is impaired by low resolution tools such as antibodies that are mostly nonspecific, or the lack of sensitivity of shotgun proteomic approaches. We developed a targeted proteomic method, to quantify low-abundance proteins such as ETRs, and coupled this to mRNAs analyses, in two tomato lines: Wild Type (WT) and Never-Ripe (NR) which is insensitive to ethylene because of a gain-of-function mutation in ETR3. We obtained mRNA and protein abundance profiles for each ETR over the fruit development period. Despite a limiting number of replicates, we propose Pearson correlations between mRNA and protein profiles as interesting indicators to discriminate the two genotypes: such correlations are mostly positive in the WT and are affected by the NR mutation. The influence of putative post-transcriptional and post-translational changes are discussed. In NR fruits, the observed accumulation of the mutated ETR3 protein between ripening stages (Mature Green and Breaker + 8 days) may be a cause of NR tomatoes to stay orange. The label-free quantitative proteomics analysis of membrane proteins, concomitant to Parallel Reaction Monitoring analysis, may be a resource to study changes over tomato fruit development. These results could lead to studies about ETR subfunctions and interconnections over fruit development. Variations of RNA-protein correlations may open new fields of research in ETR regulation. Finally, similar approaches may be developed to study ETRs in whole plant development and plant-microorganism interactions.

WOS: 000461832600001, PubMed: 30892416, OBJECTIVE: In this study, the relationship between osteoporotic vertebral fractures and 9041 Guanine/Adenine and 3673 Guanine/Adenine polymorphisms related to the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit-1 (VKORC1) gene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis was investigated. METHOD: DNA was isolated from blood samples collected from 150 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Genotyping of the two polymorphic regions (9041 Guanine/Adenine and 3673 Guanine/Adenine) in VKORC1 was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The presence of radiographic fractures among the 150 patients was ascertained by using the Genant method. RESULT: At least one fracture was detected in 98 patients, and no fracture was observed in 52 patients on radiological images. We found no association between the 9041 Guanine/Adenine (p=0.283) and 3673 Guanine/Adenine (p=0.232) polymorphisms of the VKORC1 gene and the development of secondary postosteoporotic fractures in our study. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between osteoporotic vertebral fracture and VKORC1 gene polymorphism in a postmenopausal Turkish population., Research Foundation of Eskisehir Osmangazi University Turkey [201211D08], This study was supported by the Research Foundation of Eskisehir Osmangazi University Turkey (Project No: 201211D08). No potential conflict of interest was reported.

WOS: 000390671400013, Secondary compounds in higher plants have great diversity in terms of biologic activity. Most of them are used for the defense by plants. This study aims to investigate the effects of benzoic acid, salicylic acid, and Persica vulgaris Mill. (Peach) on the germination of the seeds of cultivated plants such as Triticum aestivum L. (wheat), Zeamays L. (corn), Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea), as well as weeds such as Lepidium campestre (L.) R. Br. and Convolvulus arvensis L. Method 1, in which benzoic acid, salicylic acid, and Persica vulgaris Mill. are added to the germination environment at different doses, and Method 2, in which they are mixed with the irrigation water at the specified doses, have been employed in this study. As a result of this study, it has been determined that the leaf extract of P. vulgaris Mill., Benzoic acid, and salicylic acid prevent the growth of the root and stem in all seeds at high doses in both methods, and they increase the growth at low doses. According to the GC-MS results of the leaf extract of P. vulgaris Mill., benzoic acid has been determined to be at the highest rate. No difference has been found between months as a result of the HPLC analysis of the amounts of benzoic acid. The determination of negative effects of benzoic acid, salicylic acid, and peach leaf extract both on cultivated plants and weeds at high doses will repress the development of cultivated plants as well as weeds. Growing cultivated plants in places with peach trees may decrease the yield. The leaves should not be let decompose on the soil in defoliation season, and fallen leaves should be collected. Not collecting all of the leaves and leaving some of them may increase the development of weeds in the surrounding area since it may cause a low dose effect. (C) 2016 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Somatostatin analogs (SSA) are the mainstay of pharmacological treatment for pituitary adenomas. However, some patients escape from therapy with octreotide, a somatostatin receptor 2 (sst2)-preferring SSA, and pasireotide, a novel multi-sst-preferring SSA, may help to overcome this problem. It has been proposed that correspondence between sst1-sst5 expression pattern and SSA-binding profile could predict patient’s response. To explore the cellular/molecular features associated with octreotide/pasireotide response, we performed a parallel comparison of their in vitro effects, evaluating sst1-sst5 expression, intracellular Ca2+ signaling ([Ca2+]i), hormone secretion and cell viability, in a series of 85 pituitary samples. Somatotropinomas expressed sst5>sst2, yet octreotide reduced [Ca2+]i more efficiently than pasireotide, while both SSA similarly decreased growth hormone release/expression and viability. Corticotropinomas predominantly expressed sst5, but displayed limited response to pasireotide, while octreotide reduced functional endpoints. Non-functioning adenomas preferentially expressed sst3 but, surprisingly, both SSA increased cell viability. Prolactinomas mainly expressed sst1 but were virtually unresponsive to SSA. Finally, both SSA decreased [Ca2+]i in normal pituitaries. In conclusion, both SSA act in vitro on pituitary adenomas exerting both similar and distinct effects; however, no evident correspondence was found with the sst1-sst5 profile. Thus, it seems plausible that additional factors, besides the simple abundance of a given sst, critically influence the SSA response.

WOS: 000379664700004, PubMed: 27089473, Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) has been implicated in wound healing, cellular differentiation, apoptosis and cell survival. TG2 activity increases following acute and chronic liver injury; however, the role of TG2 in tumors, is controversial. TG2 is a retinoid-inducible enzyme. We investigated the effects of retinyl acetate (RA) on the activity and levels of TG2 during the initiation and promotion stages of liver cancer. p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene (p-DAB) was used as initiator and 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was used as promoter in our model of carcinogenesis. Rats were divided into four groups of 24: control, corn oil control, p-DAB + TCDD, and p-DAB + TCDD + RA. Six rats from each group were sacrificed at days 30, 60, 90 and 120. TG2 activity decreased in the p-DAB + TCDD treated group, but TG2 immunostaining scores did not change by days 90 and 120. Neither TG2 enzyme activity nor the immunostaining score of TG2 protein changed in the tissues of the p-DAB + TCDD + RA group by days 90 and 120. TG2 activity was not be ameliorated by RA during the initiation or promotion stages of carcinogen induced liver cancer., Research Foundation of Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey [200811016], Our study was supported by Grant no. 200811016 from the Research Foundation of Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey.

WOS: 000373391800007 PubMed ID: 26960359 In this study, the survival time of wild type E. coli W3110 and 11 mutants was analysed with a plate count method in methylene blue added or control groups under daylight fluoroscence illumination (4950 lux) at different pH values (5.0, 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0) in phosphate buffer. As a result, while the number of bacteria did not decrease under photooxidative stress at pH 5.0 and 6.0 during a 6-hour incubation, the wild type and all mutants decreased more than 2 log. at pH 8.0, and approximately one log. at pH 7.0. It was determined that a 2 log decrease in wild type E. coli takes 3.7 h according to t(99) value at pH 8, these values were 2.39 h in the katE mutant, 2.64 h in the soxR mutant, 2.67 h in the oxyR mutant, 2.71 h in the sodB mutant, 3 h in the btuE mutant, 3.38 h in the zwf mutant and 3.40 h in the soxS mutant, respectively (p

WOS: 000454536700014, This paper examines the impact of inulin, Lactobacillus spp. (candidate probiotics), and synbiotic (inulin + Lactobacillus spp.) preparation on oxalate degrading activity and viability of Escherichia coli. In this study, the lowest viability of E. coli was recorded for the synbiotic treatments of Lactobacillus fermentum BP5 (59%) and IP5 (60%). The oxalate degrading activity of L. fermentum IP5 was 38.18 and 29.60% higher than the other strains after growth in 10 mM and 20 mM MRS-ox plus 5% inulin media, respectively. The mixture of three strains demonstrated higher oxalate degrading capacity than the individual strains and showed the same good growth rates (9.43 CFU mL(-1)) as individuals. The study concludes that the addition of prebiotics has a significant effect on probiotics; therefore, a combination of L. fermentum IP5 with inulin could be a viable probiotic-based functional food approach in administering oxalate metabolism and also treatment of E. coli-related infections., Aksaray University, This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. The authors are grateful to Aksaray University for financial support and Aksaray University Scientific and Technological Research and Application Center (ASUBTAM) for the provision of laboratory facilities. The authors also thank Dr. Silvia Turroni for providing reference cultures (L. delbrueckii DSM 20074 and L. acidophilus NCFM). This text was analysed in terms of grammar and use of language by Lecturer Ekmel Emrah Hakman, MA, in the Academic Foreign Language Support Center, Aksaray University.

WOS: 000464008200010, The higher order relationships of the Pentastomida have historically been tenuous. In one early and influential study, analysis of extracted chitin implicated that pentastomids possess beta-chitin, a paradoxical finding given that the alpha allomorph is found uniformly in the cuticles of all arthropods and is considered as an apomorphic character of the Ecdysozoa. This result was further used to support the idea that the enigmatic pentastomids might be a wholly independent clade. More recent studies, however, firmly place the pentastomids within the Ecdysozoa, suggesting that the state of its chitin should be re-examined. In this study, we extracted high-quality chitin from the pentastomid, Leiperia cincinnalis, and carried out diagnostic analyses. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ThermoGravimetric Analysis (TGA) demonstrated the conspicuous features of alpha-chitin but not beta-chitin. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the cuticle of the anterior part of a specimen revealed nanofibres organized largely in a parallel configuration and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of isolated cuticular chitin exhibited well-defined chitin bundles, these observations being more consistent with the known characteristics of alpha-chitin. Collectively, our analyses demonstrate the clear existence of alpha-chitin in a pentastomid and clarify a contentious issue using modern methods of analysis. (c) 2019 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Oleanolic acid (1) is a pentacyclic triterpene present in olive pomace, which is known to induce apoptosis and to have anti-tumor properties; however, high concentrations of this product are necessary to produce cytotoxic effects. The 3-O-succinyl-28-O-benzyl oleanolate derivative (4) presents greater cytotoxicity and apoptosis effects than its natural precursor, oleanolic acid, or its benzyl derivative (2). This study examines the response of B16–F10 melanoma cells to treatment with compound 4, in comparison to 1 and 3. Our studies show that treatment with 4 results in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and causes apoptotic cell death. At concentrations inhibiting cell growth by 50% and 80%, compound 4 induces strong G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest, around 72–95% apoptosis, and mitochondrial disturbances confirmed by FACS analysis, which probably involve the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic route. Morphological changes including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and loss of nuclear architecture were also observed. In this report, we demonstrated for the first time that in melanoma cancer cells, compound 4 exerts a significant anti-proliferation effect by inducing the apoptotic process with mitochondrial depolarization. These findings support the role of compound 4 as a new, potential therapeutic tool against aberrant cell proliferation in melanoma., This study was supported by grants Group BIO 157 from the Technology and Innovation Council of the Andalucian regional government and AGL2006-12210-C03-02/ALI, SAF2005-01627, ISCIII-RTICC (RD06/0020/0046) from the Spanish government and European Union FEDER funds.

WOS: 000380098900032, PubMed ID: 27364042, The present study outlines a chemical characterization and further effects beneficial to health of edible Rumex scutatus and Pseudosempervivum sempervivum, in addition to presenting the antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory effects and antimicrobial properties of different extracts. The phenolic compounds composition of the extracts was assessed by RP-HPLC-DAD, outlining benzoic acid and rutin as major constituents in P. sempervivum and rutin and hesperidin in R. scutatus. Moreover, further biological effects were tested on key enzymes involved in diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease and skin melanogenesis revealing an important tyrosinase inhibitory effect of Pseudosempervivum water extract. Moreover, both species possessed antimicrobial properties towards bacteria and fungi relevant to public health. Accordingly, we find that R. scutatus and P. sempervivum can be considered as novel functional foods because they are rich sources of biologically active compounds that provide health benefits., Selcuk University Scientific Research Foundation (BAP); Ministry of Education, Science and Technological development of the Republic of Serbia [173032], This study was supported by Selcuk University Scientific Research Foundation (BAP) and The Ministry of Education, Science and Technological development of the Republic of Serbia (Projects no. 173032).

WOS: 000431372400001, PubMed: 29719160, Propolis is a natural bee product, and it has many effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic, and anticancer activity. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential in vivo anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties of propolis extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in rats. Forty-two, 3- to 4-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats were used in six groups. LPS (1mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to rats in inflammation, inflammation + propolis30, and inflammation+propolis90 groups. Thirty milligram/kilogram and 90mg/kg of propolis were given orally 24 h after LPS injection. After the determination of the inflammation in lung and liver tissues by F-18-fluoro-deoxy-d-glucose-positron emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET), samples were collected. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO), and DNA fragmentation were determined. The decrease of MDA levels in inflammation + propolis30 and inflammation + propolis90 groups was determined compared to the inflammation group in lung and liver tissues. The increase of SOD% inhibition in inflammation + propolis90 group was determined in liver, lung, and hemolysate compared to the inflammation group. Increased CAT activities in inflammation + propolis30 and inflammation + propolis90 groups were observed in liver tissue and hemolysate compared to inflammation group. In lung tissue, NO levels were lower in inflammation group compared to the control group, but DNA fragmentation levels were higher. F-18-FDG uptake of tissues in inflammation + propolis30 and inflammation + propolis90 groups was decreased compared to the inflammation group. In conclusion, the data of this study indicate that the propolis application may serve as a potential approach for treating inflammatory diseases through the effect of reducing inflammation and free oxygen radical production.

WOS: 000425561900004 Oleander (Nerium oleander L., fain: Apocynaceae) is an evergreen shrub. Although it is known to be poisonous to humans, a large number of utilizations in folk medicine have been reported against diabetes, rheumatic pain and skin diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the cholinesterase inhibitory activities of oleander flower extracts and to isolate the active components responsible for the activity. The antidiabetic and skin care effects were also determined on some key enzymes (alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, tyrosinase). The flower extracts obtained with aqueous, polar and apolar organic solvents were evaluated for their phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities. The enzyme inhibitory activities (cholinesterase, alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase and tyrosinase) were examined by microtiter plate assays. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by DPPH, FRAP and CUPRAC assays. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride, respectively. The structures of the isolates were elucidated by NMR and MS experiments. In the present study, cholinesterase inhibitory activity of the EtOH extract of the olaender flowers was investigated and beta-sitosterol and oleanolic acid were isolated as the active components. The less polar extracts (n-hexane) exerted better cholinesterase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities than those of the more polar extracts (R-H2O, EtOAc) which had better alpha-glucosidase and tyrosinase activities. The highest antioxidant capacity values were obtained from EtOAc and EtOH extracts. The EtOH extract was found to contain the highest levels of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The results suggest that the flowers of oleander could be a potential source for high value phytochemicals for developing novel drug leads.

WOS: 000431199600005, PubMed: 29654403, Insects' cuticles have a potential to be evaluated as a chitin source. Especially adults of aquatic insects like mayflies (order Ephemeroptera) swarm in enormous numbers in artificially lit areas while mating in spring and then die by leaving huge amounts of dead insects' bodies. Here in this study, mayfly corpses were harvested and used for production of low MW chitosan. Dried mayfly bodies had 10.21% chitin content; mayfly chitin was converted into chitosan with efficiency rate of 78.43% (deacetylation degree, 84.3%; MW, 3.69 kDa). Cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative activity of mayfly and commercially available shrimp chitosans (low, medium, and high MW) were determined on L929 fibroblast and three different cancer types including HeLa, A549, and WiDr. Apoptosis and necrosis stimulating potential of mayfly and commercial chitosans were also evaluated on A549 and WiDr cells using acridine orange and propidium iodide dual staining to observe morphological changes in nuclei and thus to reveal the predominant cell death mechanism. The effects of chitosans have varied depending on cell types, concentration, and chitosan derivatives. Mayfly and low MW chitosans had a cytotoxic effect at a concentration of 500 mu g mL(-1) on non-cancer cells. At concentrations below this value (250 mu g mL(-1)), mayfly and commercial chitosans except high MW one exhibited strong inhibitory activity on cancer cells especially A549 and WiDr cells. Mayfly chitosan induced early and late apoptosis in A549 cells, but late apoptosis and necrosis in WiDr cells. This study suggests that dead bodies of mayflies can be used for production of low MW chitosan with anti-proliferative activity.

WOS: 000452565100002, There are two groups of plant species that spread in gypsiferous soils. While gypsophytes only grow on gypsi-ferous soils, gypsovags can grow on both gypsum and non-gypsum soil. Adaptation of plants to gypsum soils requires biochemical arrangements in addition to proper morphological and physiological characteristics. In this study, three gypsophyte species and on-gypsum and non-gypsum speciments of three gypsovag species were examined for antioxidant capacities. The average phenolic substance contents were 126.5, 30.5 and 37.6 mu g g(-1)W in gypsophile, on-gypsum and in non-gypsum gypsovag species respectively. Gypsophyte, Thymus leucos-tomus var. gypsaceus species was identified as having seven different phenolic compounds and the highest phenolic substance content. However, phenolic substance compositions of gypsophyte and gypsovag plant species do not have common properties and show specific differences for each species. The total antioxidant capacity and carotenoid levels of gypsophyte were found to be quite high even though there was no significant difference between the chlorophyll values of the plant groups under investigation. Differences in car/chl and aox/chl ratios of gypsophiles and gypsovag species suggest that antioxidant compounds have a role in the adaptation of these plants. On the other hand, the values observed in on-gypsum and non-gypsum gypsovag species should be assessed as having no specific role in the formation of oxidative stress in gypsum soils.

WOS: 000417661600120, PubMed: 28842199, Natural and synthetic chitin films, obtained from the same source were produced and their physicochemical properties were examined comparatively. Firstly, natural chitin film was obtained from elytra of an insect (Oryctes nasicornis L) and purity of the obtained chitin film (degree of acetylation: 79 +/- 2%) was demonstrated by solid state C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (C-13 NMR). Then, the synthetic film was produced by dissolving of natural chitin film in LiCl-DMAc. The obtained natural and synthetic films were characterized by AFM, TGA, DSC, FTIR, mechanical properties, light transmission and contact angle. The analyses result demonstrated that natural chitin film lost very important properties such as high thermal stability, transparency, nanofibrous nature, tensile strength, Young's modulus and hydrophobicity after transforming the synthetic film. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Alcohol is a serious public health concern that has a differential impact on individuals depending upon age and sex. Patterns of alcohol consumption have recently changed: heavy episodic drinking—known as binge-drinking—has become most popular among the youth. Herein, we aimed to investigate the consequences of intermittent adolescent alcohol consumption in male and female animals. Thus, Wistar rats were given free access to ethanol (20% in drinking water) or tap water for 2-h sessions during 3 days, and for an additional 4-h session on the 4th day; every week during adolescence, from postnatal day (pnd) 28–52. During this period, animals consumed a moderate amount of alcohol despite blood ethanol concentration (BEC) did not achieve binge-drinking levels. No withdrawal signs were observed: no changes were observed regarding anxiety-like responses in the elevated plus-maze or plasma corticosterone levels (pnd 53–54). In the novel object recognition (NOR) test (pnd 63), a significant deficit in recognition memory was observed in both male and female rats. Western Blot analyses resulted in an increase in the expression of synaptophysin in the frontal cortex (FC) of male and female animals, together with a decrease in the expression of the CB2R in the same brain region. In addition, adolescent alcohol induced, exclusively among females, a decrease in several markers of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, in which epigenetic mechanisms, i.e., histone acetylation, might be involved. Taken together, further research is still needed to specifically correlate sex-specific brain and behavioral consequences of adolescent alcohol exposure.

Zinc, selenium, and the vitamins A, E and C, all have specific biological functions that are involved mainly in the antioxidant defence system, which has important implications for the development of chronic diseases. We aimed to assess the reported intake of those six nutrients, as well as the food that contributes to their sources of intakes. Data were obtained from the Spanish ANIBES (“Anthropometry, Intake and Energy Balance in Spain”) study, n = 2009 (9–75 years old). The analyses were performed in the whole population and in the plausible energy reporters after a misreporting analysis according to the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) protocol. A validated, photo-based three-day food record was used to collect the data. Mean (max−min) reported intake for the whole population of zinc was 8.1 ± 0.1 mg/day, (2.3–27.3 mg/day), selenium 75 ± 1 µg/day, (14–265 µg/day), vitamin A 668 µg RE/day (2–11,017 µg RE/day), retinol 364 ± 18 µg/day (0–10,881 µg/day), carotenes 1735 ± 35 µg/day (13–13,962 µg/day), vitamin E 7.0 ± 0.1 mg α-TE/day (0.7–55.2 mg α-TE/day) and vitamin C 84.4 ± 1.4 mg/day (5.0–802.7 mg/day). The main source intakes for zinc were meat and meat products, for selenium cereals and grains, for vitamin E oils and fat, and for vitamin A and C vegetables. There is an elevated percentage of the Spanish ANIBES population not meeting the EFSA recommended intakes for all analysed micronutrients: zinc (83%), vitamin A (60%), vitamin E (80%), vitamin C (36%) and selenium (25%)., The authors would like to thank Coca-Cola Iberia and IPSOS for its support and technical advice, particularly Rafael Urrialde and Javier Ruiz.

The present article describes the isolation of a new natural product of the lobophorin family, designated as lobophorin K (1), from cultures of the marine actinobacteria Streptomyces sp. M-207, previously isolated from the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa collected at 1800 m depth during an expedition to the submarine Avilés Canyon. Its structure was determined using a combination of spectroscopic techniques, mainly ESI-TOF MS and 1D and 2D NMR. This new natural product displayed cytotoxic activity against two human tumor cell lines, such as pancreatic carcinoma (MiaPaca-2) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7). Lobophorin K also displayed moderate and selective antibiotic activity against pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus., The authors are grateful to José Luis Acuña for his invitation to the BIOCANT3 oceanographic expedition (DOSMARES) where Streptomyces sp. M-207 was isolated. This study was financially supported by the Universidad de Oviedo (UNOV-11-MA-02) and Gobierno del Principado de Asturias (SV-PA-13-ECOEMP-62). The polarimeter, IR, and NMR equipment used in this work were acquired via grants for scientific and technological infrastructures from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Grants No. PCT-010000-2010-4 (NMR), INP-2011-0016-PCT-010000 ACT6 (polarimeter and IR)). This is a contribution of the Asturias Marine Observatory.

Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D have important biological roles in the body, especially in bone metabolism. We aimed to study the reported intake, the disparity between the reported consumption and the level needed for adequacy and food sources of these four nutrients in the Spanish population. We assessed the reported intake for both, general population and plausible reporters. Results were extracted from the ANIBES survey, n = 2009. Three-day dietary reported intake data were obtained and misreporting was assessed according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Mean ± SEM (range) total reported consumption of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D for the whole population were 698 ± 7 mg/day (71–2551 mg/day), 1176 ± 8 mg/day, (331–4429 mg/day), 222 ± 2 mg/day (73–782 mg/day), and 4.4 ± 0.1 µg/day (0.0–74.2 µg/day), respectively. In the whole group, 76% and 66%; 79% and 72%; and 94% and 93% of the population had reported intakes below 80% of the national and European recommended daily intakes for calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, respectively; these percentages were over 40% when the plausible reporters were analysed separately. The main food sources were milk and dairy products for calcium and phosphorus, cereals and grains for magnesium and fish for vitamin D. In conclusion, there is an important percentage of the Spanish ANIBES population not meeting the recommended intakes for calcium, magnesium and vitamin D., The ANIBES study was financially supported by a grant from Coca-Cola Iberia through an agreement with the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN).

WOS: 000406984300100, PubMed: 28457957, Current study was designed to use the newly obtained cellulose from waste flower spikes of Thypa latifolia plant for plasmid DNA adsorption. Cellulose was isolated according to a previously described method including acid and base treatment, and cellulose content was recorded as 17%. T. latifolia cellulose was physicochemically characterized via FT-IR, TGA and SEM techniques. Detailed mechanism of plasmid DNA adsorption by newly isolated cellulose was described using chemical quantum calculations. To check the effect of Cu++ immobilization on the affinity of cellulose for plasmid DNA, copper ions were immobilized onto T. latifolia cellulose. pUC18 plasmid DNA was used for adsorption studies. Membranes prepared with only T. latifolia cellulose and Cu++ immobilized T. latifolia cellulose revealed different adsorption ratios as 43.9 and 86.9% respectively. This newly isolated cellulose from waste flower spikes of T. latifolia can be utilized as a suitable carrier for plasmid DNA. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000334092900073, PubMed: 24530368, Spiders are a huge group which includes more than 44,000 species. But there has been no study of the chitin structure of spiders. In this study we physicochemically characterized chitin structure of two common spider species (Geolycosa vultuosa and Hogna radiata). Chitin content was determined as 8-8.5% for G. vultuosa and 6.5-7% for H. radiata. FTIR, TGA and XRD results showed that the chitin structures are in a-form. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) revealed that the surface morphology of each species is different. Chitin yielded from G. vultuosa has two different pore structures. The type one pore is rarely sequenced and its size ranges between 190 and 240 nm, while the type two pore is tightly sequenced and its size ranges between 11 and 32 nm. There is no information in previous studies about the chitin structure with two different pore morphologies. A new chitin surface morphology has been determined in G. vultuosa. The chitin isolated from H. radiata, has classic morphology: nanofibre structures (10-17 nm) and 195-260 nm sized pores. Acetylation degree of the chitin samples was calculated as 97% for G. vultuosa and 99% for H. radiata in accordance with elemental analysis results. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000322105800031, High hydrostatic pressure is a non-thermal food processing technology that is found to increase the percentage of germination, decrease the germination time and improve the microbial quality of seeds. In this study, pressures of 100-400MPa for 10min at 30 degrees C are used to compare the percentage of germination, the microbial quality of seeds, chlorophyll a and b, and total phenolic compounds concentrations in seedlings, and the anatomy-morphology characteristics of garden cress. Enhanced reductions of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total and fecal coliforms, and yeast and mould populations in seeds were observed, especially at 300MPa. In addition, the percentage of germination, chlorophyll content and phenolic compounds concentrations, fresh and dry weights, and hypocotyl lengths of the seedlings are higher than those of all samples, where the percentage of germination is equal to controls but higher than other samples, and radicula length is lower than controls but higher than others.

The present article describes a structurally novel natural product of the paulomycin family, designated as paulomycin G (1), obtained from the marine strain Micromonospora matsumotoense M-412, isolated from Cantabrian Sea sediments collected at 2000 m depth during an oceanographic expedition to the submarine Aviles Canyon. Paulomycin G is structurally unique since—to our knowledge—it is the first member of the paulomycin family of antibiotics lacking the paulomycose moiety. It is also the smallest bioactive paulomycin reported. Its structure was determined using HRMS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. This novel natural product displays strong cytotoxic activities against different human tumour cell lines, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma (MiaPaca_2), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). The compound did not show any significant bioactivity when tested against a panel of bacterial and fungal pathogens.

WOS: 000410849000003, The new vessel formations play a vital role in growth and spread of cancer. Current anti-angiogenic therapies, predominantly based on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition, can inhibit vascular development; however, they are usually ineffective against the primary tumor occurrence. The aim of this study was to assess anti-angiogenic effects of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with Semaphorin (Sema) 3F protein. The polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated AuNPs were covalently functionalized with Sema 3F and labeled with the TAMRA fluorescent dye. The effect of the NPs on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is probed in the way of internalization and viability assays. AuNP-Sema 3F bioconjugates showed great endothelial cell uptake. AuNP-Sema 3F bioconjugates reduced VEGF(165)-induced endothelial cell proliferation more effectively than Sema 3F alone, suggesting that the therapeutic effects of Sema 3F can be improved by conjugation to AuNPs. Also, no significant toxicity effect was induced by bioconjugates. This is the first study that reports a covalent binding of full length Sema 3F to NPs. The exogenously administration of Sema 3F, which has both anti-angiogenic and antitumoral activity, to tumor vasculature via a carrying platform may not only lead to more effective antiangiogenic treatment but also may make current approach more applicable in clinical use like drug delivery system., Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit [010BIYP02604003, 014BIYP604004], This work was supported by the Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (project number: 010BIYP02604003 partially, 014BIYP604004).

WOS: 000323423000012, Fatty acid profiles of total, neutral, and polar lipids in the liver, muscle, and intestine of female individuals of Vimba vimba (L., 1758) were determined by gas chromatography. C16:0, C16: 1 n-7, C18:1 n-7, and C18:1 n-9 were the most abundant fatty acids in total and neutral lipids in all tissues investigated. In addition to these acids, C20:4 n-6 (arachidonic acid) and C22:6 n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid) were the other fatty acids having high percentages in the polar lipid fraction of the tissues. The highest and lowest n-3 to n-6 ratios, which are a good indicator of the quality of fish oils, were determined in the muscle (1.68) and liver (0.68) in the polar lipid fraction, respectively. It was determined that the species had low levels of the n-3 forms of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the investigated tissues. For a better understanding of fatty acid metabolism of V. vimba, more detailed studies are required in terms of feeding experiments.

WOS: 000385186300003, PubMed ID: 27765962, Fatty acid (FA) compositions of total lipid, phospholipid (PL) and triacylglycerol (TAG) fractions have been determined in muscle tissues of Silurus triostegus. The distributions of saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) proportions were found to be different among total lipid, PL and TAG fractions from lipids in muscle tissues of the male and female S. triostegus in all seasons. Triacylglycerol contained a lower proportion of PUFA and a higher proportion of MUFA and SFA than PL while PL contained higher proportion of PUFA than proportion of MUFA and SFA compared to TAG. Triacylglycerol and PL fatty acid compositions in muscle tissues of the male and female fish species were found different. The most abundant fatty acids in the investigated seasons were palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1 n-9), palmitoleic acid (C16:1 n-7) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3). It was shown that the total lipid content and FA compositions in muscle tissues of the male and female S. triostegus were influenced by reproduction period and season., Dicle University Scientific Research Foundation [DUAPK-08-FF-07], This study was financed by the Dicle University Scientific Research Foundation (DUAPK-08-FF-07).

WOS: 000390621900011, PubMed ID: 27717786, A thermostable metalloprotease, produced from an environmental strain of Candida kefyr 41 PSB, was purified 16 fold with a 60% yield by cold ethanol precipitation and affinity chromatography (bentoniteacrylamide-cysteine microcomposite). The purified enzyme appeared as a single protein band at 43 kDa. Its optimum pH and temperature points were found to be 7.0 and 105 degrees C, respectively. K-m and V-max values of the enzyme were determined to be 3.5 mg/mL and 4.4 mu mol mL(-1) min(-1), 1.65 mg/mL and 6.1 mu mol mL(-1) min(-1), using casein and gelatine as the substrates, respectively. The activity was inhibited by using ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), indicating that the enzyme was a metalloprotease. Stability of the enzyme was investigated by using thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. The thermal inactivation profile of the enzyme conformed to the first order kinetics. The half life of the enzyme at 95, 105, 115, 125 and 135 degrees C was 1310, 610, 220, 150, and 86 min, respectively. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Cumhuriyet University (CUBAP) [F-368], This work was supported by The Research Fund of Cumhuriyet University (CUBAP, Project no: F-368).

WOS: 000290815300009, Three pepper cultivars (PM-702: resistant, Demre-8 and KM-hot: susceptible) with different resistances to Phytophthora capsici-22 (P. capsici-22) were inoculated with different concentrations of zoospores to analyze the time course of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), praline and total protein. Samples were collected from the leaves of three pepper cultivars on the 2nd, 4th. and 6th days after infection; important differences were observed in PAL activity, MDA amount, H(2)O(2), proline, and total protein with respect to zoospore concentration, infection time, and type of pepper cultivars. Activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), the first enzyme in the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway, was increased in inoculated leaves of all three cultivars. The increase in production of PAL upon challenge was higher in the infected plants compared to the non-infected (control) plants. An early induction of PAL was observed in the leaves of all peppers infected with P. capsici within two days, making it one of the detected earlier responses to infection. Moreover, pathogen stress increased the rate of lipid peroxidation (which is indicated by increasing MDA content). Production of reactive oxygen species, H(2)O(2), and lipid peroxidation increased in pepper leaves by increasing time of infection and inoculum concentration. The findings suggested that PM-702 pepper cultivar was inherently better protected against lipid peroxidation under P. capsici stress than KM-hot and Demre-8. In addition, it was observed that proline content in the leaves of infected susceptible cultivars increased with time, but highest proline and total protein in non-infected (control) leaves were recorded in resistant cultivar. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000258550400009, PubMed: 17920681, Chemical toxic pollutants (especially heavy metals) are important sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological systems. Membrane phospholipids of aerobic organisms are continually subjected to oxidant challenges from endogenous and exogenous sources, while peroxidized membranes and lipid peroxidation products represent constant threats to aerobic cells. The primary antioxidant protection against free radical and ROS is provided by the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), respectively. The trace element selenium has been implicated in chemo-prevention and drug-resistance through reduction of oxidative stress. Selenium could prevent damage to the unsaturated fatty acid Of subcellular membranes by lipid peroxidation induced by free radicals. The results reported here show that sodium selenite has an important contribution to antioxidative defense for the spleen and heart of rainbow trout. The ability of sodium selenite to prevent the oxidative stress induced by heavy metals (Cd2+, Cr3+) in fish was rationalized. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved., Inonu University Research Fund [BAP 2004/27], This work was supported by Inonu University Research Fund (BAP 2004/27).

WOS: 000375143700006, Aims: Glycyrrhiza L. is one of the most widely used plants in traditional medicine since antiquity. For the determining of the biochemical composition and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of two Glycyrrhiza species different parts. Study Design: In the current study, antioxidant activities, essential oils and fatty acid compositions of root and aerial parts of G. iconica and G. flavescens subsp. flavescens were examined. To measure antioxidant activities of methanol extracts, different chemical methods were carried out. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biology, Physiology and Biochemistry Research Laboratory (December 2011-November 2012). Methodology: The antioxidant capacity tests were designed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of methanol extracts of Glycyrrhiza species tested. The extracts will be executed for their possible antioxidant activities by five different test systems namely total antioxidant capacity (phosphomolibdat assay), beta-carotene/linoleic acid test system, free radical scavenging (DPPH), ferric and cupric ion reducing power (CUPRAC). Total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations of each extract were also determined by using both Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride. Results: The root of G. iconica showed the highest activity in all methods. The major components of essential oils from Glycyrrhiza species were 1-pentylcyclobutene, naphtalene, hexahydro farnesyl acetone, phytol, dimethylamine and n-hexadecanoic acid. In fatty acid profiles of these two taxa, the main fatty acids were palmitic and linoleic acids. Conclusion: Our results showed that studied parts of two Glycyrrhiza species can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants that could be important in pharmaceutical industry., scientific and technological research council of turkey (tubitak); [111t614], This research was supported financially as a project (project no: 111t614). We thank to the scientific and technological research council of turkey (tubitak) for financial support.

FBXW7 is a component of SCF (complex of SKP1, CUL1 and F-box-protein)-type ubiquitin ligases that targets several oncoproteins for ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome. FBXW7 regulates cellular apoptosis by targeting MCL1 for ubiquitination. Recently, we identified PLK1 as a new substrate of FBXW7 modulating the intra-S-phase DNA-damage checkpoint. Taxanes are frequently used in breast cancer treatments, but the acquisition of resistance makes these treatments ineffective. We investigated the role of FBXW7 and their substrates MCL1 and PLK1 in regulating the apoptotic response to paclitaxel treatment in breast cancer cells and their expression in breast cancer tissues. Paclitaxel-sensitive MDA-MB-468 and a paclitaxel-resistant MDA-MB-468R subclone were used to study the role of FBXW7 and substrates in paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. Forced expression of FBXW7 or downregulation of MCL1 or PLK1 restored sensitivity to paclitaxel in MDA-MB-468R cells. By contrary, FBXW7-silenced MDA-MB-468 cells became resistant to paclitaxel. The expression of FBXW7 and substrates were studied in 296 invasive carcinomas by immunohistochemistry and disease-free survival was analyzed in a subset of patients treated with paclitaxel. In breast cancer tissues, loss of FBXW7 correlated with adverse prognosis markers and loss of FBXW7 and MCL1 or PLK1 accumulation were associated with diminished disease-free survival in paclitaxel-treated patients. We conclude that FBXW7 regulates the response to paclitaxel by targeting MCL1 and PLK1 in breast cancer cells and thus targeting these substrates may be a valuable adjunct for paclitaxel treatment. Also, FBXW7, MCL1 and PLK1 may be relevant predictive markers of tumor progression and response to paclitaxel treatment., This work was supported by research grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS PI13/02282), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (SAF2014-53799-C2-1/2-R), Consejería de Salud (AI-0025-2015) and Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa (P10-CTS-6243), Junta de Andalucía. ML Flores was supported by a pre-doctoral grant from the Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía (CTS-6243). C Sáez was supported by a contract from Nicolás Monardes Program, Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía.

WOS: 000369326900002, Chitin specimens from 16 arthropod species (13 of Insecta and 3 of Arachnida) were isolated for the first time using the same method. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and elemental analysis have been applied to determine how physicochemical properties of chitin specimens are affected by taxonomic relationship. The characterisation studies revealed that physicochemical nature of the chitin specimens differed greatly and were found partially specific to taxa. Significant differences in the surface morphologies of chitin specimens were observed even in the same order. However, the chitin contents were recorded to be specific to the order in the class Insecta. The highest chitin content was observed in Coleoptera (18.2-25.2 %) followed by Hemiptera (10.6-14.5 %), Odonata (9.5-10.1 %), Hymenoptera (7.8-9.3 %), Diptera (8.1 %), Blattodea (4.7 %). In addition, the crystalline index (CrI) values of chitin specimens from Coleoptera were found to be higher than the other orders in Insecta. This study revealed that the chitin contents and CrI values can be related to taxonomical relationships.

Fusarium species, particularly Fusarium graminearum and F culmorum, are the main cause of trichothecene type B contamination in cereals. Data on the distribution of Fusarium trichothecene genotypes in cereals in Europe are scattered in time and space. Furthermore, a common core set of related variables (sampling method, host cultivar, previous crop, etc.) that would allow more effective analysis of factors influencing the spatial and temporal population distribution, is lacking. Consequently, based on the available data, it is difficult to identify factors influencing chemotype distribution and spread at the European level. Here we describe the results of a collaborative integrated work which aims (1) to characterize the trichothecene genotypes of strains from three Fusarium species, collected over the period 2000-2013 and (2) to enhance the standardization of epidemiological data collection. Information on host plant, country of origin, sampling location, year of sampling and previous crop of 1147 F graminearurn, 479 F culmorum, and 3 F cortaderiae strains obtained from 17 European countries was compiled and a map of trichothecene type B genotype distribution was plotted for each species. All information on the strains was collected in a freely accessible and updatable database (www.catalogueeu.luxmcc.lu), which will serve as a starting point for epidemiological analysis of potential spatial and temporal trichothecene genotype shifts in Europe. The analysis of the currently available European dataset showed that in F. grarninearum, the predominant genotype was 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) (82.9%), followed by 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) (13.6%), and nivalenol (NIV) (3.5%). In F culmorum, the prevalent genotype was 3-ADON (59.9%), while the NIV genotype accounted for the remaining 40.1%. Both, geographical and temporal patterns of trichothecene genotypes distribution were identified. Ministere de l'Agriculture, de la Viticulture et de la Protection des Consommateurs-Administration des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture; M.I.U.R. Project AGROGEN (Laboratory of GENomics for traits of AGROnomic importance in durum wheat: Identification of useful genes, functional analysis and assisted selection by biological markers for the development of the national seed chain) [602/Ric]; Felix Thornley Cobbold Trust; John Oldacre Foundation; Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech RepublicMinistry of Agriculture, Czech Republic [800415]; Spanish Ministry MINECOSpanish Government [AGL201.4-53928-C2-2-R]; Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Norway; Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (GABI-KANADA), BonnFederal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF) [FKZ 0313711A]; German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), BonnDeutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) [A/06/92183]; Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; Direction Generale de l'Agriculture, Direction de la Recherche [D31-3159, D31-1162, D31-7055]; P.O.R. SARDEGNA F.S.; Danish Directorate for Food, Fisheries and Agri Business [FFS05-3]; Academy of FinlandAcademy of Finland [126917, 131957, 250904, 252162, 267188, 266984]; Olvi Foundation; Turku University Foundation; CIMO travel grant; Nordic network project New Emerging Mycotoxins and Secondary Metabolites in Toxigenic Fungi of Northern Europe - Nordic Research Board [090014] The Luxembourg institute of Science and Technology, LU, acknowledges the Ministere de l'Agriculture, de la Viticulture et de la Protection des Consommateurs-Administration des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture for financially supporting the Sentinelle project. The work on Italian strains has been financially supported through the M.I.U.R. Project AGROGEN (Laboratory of GENomics for traits of AGROnomic importance in durum wheat: Identification of useful genes, functional analysis and assisted selection by biological markers for the development of the national seed chain) (D. D. 14.03.2005 n. 602/Ric). Funding for the research of Ryan Basler was provided by Felix Thornley Cobbold Trust and the John Oldacre Foundation.; The work of JC was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, Project No. 800415. The research of MG and PG was supported by the Spanish Ministry MINECO (AGL201.4-53928-C2-2-R). The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Norway funded the work of IH. The research of TM was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (GABI-KANADA #FKZ 0313711A), Bonn and by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Bonn (code no.: A/06/92183). PP acknowledges the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for funding the project FinMyco on Fusarium and mycotoxins in Finland. The research of JS was funded by the Direction Generale de l'Agriculture, Direction de la Recherche (ref. D31-3159, D31-1162, D31-7055), in the framework of a project entitled Caracterization et dynamique des fusarioses sur mais en Region Wallonne. BS acknowledges support by P.O.R. SARDEGNA F.S.E. 2007-2013-Obiettivo competitivita regionale e occupazione, Asse IV Capitale umano, Linea di Attivita 1.3.1 (research project Identification of natural and natural-like molecules inhibiting mycotoxin biosynthesis by Fusaria pathogenic on cereals). UT thanks the Danish Directorate for Food, Fisheries and Agri Business grant FFS05-3 for financial support. The work of TY was financially supported by the Academy of Finland (no. 126917, 131957, 250904, 252162, 267188, and 266984), Olvi Foundation, Turku University Foundation, a CIMO travel grant to Taha Hussien, and the Nordic network project New Emerging Mycotoxins and Secondary Metabolites in Toxigenic Fungi of Northern Europe (project 090014), which was funded by the Nordic Research Board.

WOS: 000389090900024, PubMed ID: 27581558, A strain of Lactobacillus fermentum producing two isozymes of a 20 kDa beta-amylase was isolated from the faecal sample of a newborn. The starin was identified by sequencing its 16S rRNA gene. The two beta-amylase isozymes were resolved and visualized by two dimensional protein gel electrophoresis (2-D gel electrophoresis). Some of the physical and biochemical properties of the enzymes were characterized. The beta-amylase displayed two optimum pH s, 5.0 and 10.0 and two optimum temperatures, 45 degrees C and 37 degrees C, respectively. The isozymes hydrolyzed different substrates: glycogen at pH 5.0, and corn starch at pH 10.0. The activity did not require Ca2+, though the activity at pH 10.0 was enhanced in the presence of 5.0 mM and 10.0 mM CaCl2, 110% and 130%, respectively. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Cumhuriyet University, Turkey/Sivas (CUBAP) [F-408], This work was supported by The Research Fund of Cumhuriyet University, Turkey/Sivas (CUBAP, project number F-408).

WOS: 000247759200014, PubMed ID: 17157500, Methanolic extracts of three different Tanacetum subspecies [Tanacetum densum (Lab.) Schultz Bip. subsp. sivasicum Hub-Mor and Grierson, Tanacetum densum (Lab.) Schultz Bip. subsp. eginense Heywood and Tanacetum densum (Lab.) Schultz Bip. subsp. amani Heywood] which are endemic to Turkish flora were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by two complementary test systems namely DPPH free radical scavenging and beta-carotene/linoleic acid. In DPPH system, the most active plant was T densum subsp. amani with an IC50 value of 69.30 +/- 0.37 mu g/ml. On the other hand, T. densum subsp. sivasicum exerted greater antioxidant activity than those of other subspecies in beta-carotene/linoleic acid system (79.10% +/- 1.83). Antioxidant activities of BHT, curcumine and ascorbic acid were also determined as positive controls in parallel experiments. Total phenolic constituents of the extracts of Tanacetum subspecies were performed employing the literature methods involving Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and gallic acid as standard. The amount of total phenolics was highest in subsp. sivasicum (162.33 +/- 3.57 mu g/mg), followed by subsp. amani (158.44 +/- 2.17 mu g/mg). Especially, a positive correlation was observed between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the extracts. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000245411500012, This study was designed to examine the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Clinopodium vulgare. GC-MS analysis of the oil resulted in the identification of 40 compounds, representing 99.4% of the oil; thymol (38.9%), gamma-ter-pinene (29.6%) and p-cymene (9.1 %) were the main components. The samples were subjected to a screening for their possible antioxidant activity by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and beta-carotene-linoleic acid assays. In the first case, IC50 value of the C. vulgare essential oil was determined as 63.0 +/- 2.71 mu g/ml. IC50 value of thymol and gamma-terpinene, the major compounds of the oil, was determined as 161 +/- 1.3 mu g/ml and 122 +/- 2.5 mu g/ml, respectively, whereas p-cymene did not show antioxidant activity. In beta-carotene-linoleic acid system, C. vulgare essential oil exhibited 52.3 +/- 1.19% inhibition against linoleic acid oxidation. In both systems, antioxidant capacities of BHT, curcurnine and ascorbic acid were also determined in parallel experiments. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000239284800008, PubMed ID: 16785043, The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts of Parmelia saxatilis (L) Ach., Platismatia glauca (L.) W.L. Club. & C.F. Culb., Ramalina pollinaria (Wesstr.) Ach., Ramalina polymorpha (Liljeblad) Ach. and Umbilicaria nylanderiana (Zahlbr.) H. Magn. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by two separate methods: scavenging of free radical DPPH and the inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation. Extracts of Parmelia saxatilis, Platismatia glauca., Ramalina pollinaria and Ramalina polymorpha did not exert any activity in both assays, whereas those of Umbilicaria nylanderiana provided 50% inhibition at 400.2 mu g/ml concentration in the former and gave 53% inhibition at 2g/l concentration. Total phenolic constituents of extracts from lichen species tested (P. saxatilis, P. glauca, R. pollinaria, R. polymorpha and U. nylanderiana) were 1.0% (w/w), 1.1% (w/w), 1.0% (w/w), 0.8% (w/w) and (3.0% w/w), respectively (as gallic acid equivalent); implying that the observed activity could be related to the amount of polar phenolics. Extracts were also found to possess antimicrobial activity against some test bacteria and fungi and yeast. (c) 2005 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000183824200009, PubMed ID: 12822930, The present study was designated to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil, obtained by using a Clevenger distillation apparatus, water soluble (polar) and water insoluble (nonpolar) subfractions of the methanol extracts from aerial parts of Satureja hortensis L. plants, and methanol extract from calli established from the seeds using Gamborg's 135 basal media supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (1.0 ppm), 6-benzylaminopurine (N-6-benzyladenine) (1.0 ppm), and sucrose (2.5%). The antimicrobial test results showed that the essential oil of S. hortensis had great potential antimicrobial activities against all 23 bacteria and 15 fungi and yeast species tested. In contrast, the methanol extract from callus cultures and water soluble subfraction of the methanol extract did not show antimicrobial activities, but the nonpolar subfraction had antibacterial activity against only five out of 23 bacterial species, which were Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus fecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidis, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Antioxidant studies suggested that the polar subfractions of the methanol extract of intact plant and methanol extract of callus cultures were able to reduce the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl to the yellow-colored diphenylpicrylhydrazine. In this assay, the strongest effect was observed for the tissue culture extract, with an IC50 value of 23.76 +/- 0.80 mug/mL, which could be compared with the synthetic antioxidant agent butylated hydroxytoluene. On the other hand, linoleic acid oxidation was 95% inhibited in the presence of the essential oil while the inhibition was 90% with the chloroform subfraction of the intact plant. The chemical composition of a hydrodistilled essential oil of S. hortensis was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC)/flame ionization detection (FID) and a GC-mass spectrometry system. A total 22 constituents representing 99.9% of the essential oil were identified by GC-FID analaysis. Thymol (29.0%), carvacrol (26.5%), gamma-terpinene (22.6%), and p-cymene (9.3%) were the main components.

WOS: 000350230200002, The fatty acid composition and omega 3/omega 6 ratios in the muscle of wild and reared Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) in the Tohma River (Sivas, Turkey) were determined by gas chromatography. There were quantitative differences between some fatty acids in the muscles of wild and reared rainbow trout. The most abundant fatty acids in both wild and reared fish were palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1 omega 9), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3). The levels of omega 3 series and omega 6 series fatty acids in wild fish muscle were higher than in the reared fish. The omega 3/omega 6 ratios in muscle were found to be 1.92 (reared fish) and 2.28 (wild fish). The higher omega 3/omega 6 ratio in the wild fish might be a result of the season and the richer feeding conditions in the river under natural conditions. However, daily and continuously reared fish might be turned into more beneficial food for human consumption.

WOS: 000365178600007, High hydrostatic pressure is a non-thermal food processing technology, which also has several successful applications in different areas besides food processing. In this study, Capsicum annuum L. (pepper) seeds are subjected to 50, 100, 200 and 300MPa pressure for 5min at 25 degrees C and the seedlings of HHP processed seeds are used to compare percentage of seed germination and biochemical properties such as chlorophyll a, b and a/b, proline content, total protein, carotenoid, malondialdehyde, glucose, fructose and phenolic compounds concentrations. As a result of the study, it was observed that there are remarkable changes in terms of biochemical properties especially for seedlings, whose seeds were pressurized at 200 and 300MPa. More detailed studies are needed to put forward the mechanism behind the changes in biochemical properties., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey [TUBITAK-TOVAG-113O518], This work was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey under Grant TUBITAK-TOVAG-113O518.

International audience; Synthetic functional mimics of the O-antigen from Shigella flexneri 2a are seen as promising vaccine components against endemic shigellosis. Herein, the influence of the polysaccharide non-stoichiometric di-O-acetylation on antigenicity is addressed for the first time. Three decasaccharides, representing relevant internal mono-and di-O-acetylation profiles of the O-antigen, were synthesized from a pivotal protected decasaccharide designed to tailor late stage site-selective O-acetylation. The latter was obtained via a convergent route involving the imidate glycosylation chemistry. Binding studies to five protective mIgGs showed that none of the acetates adds significantly to broad antibody recognition. Yet, one of the five antibodies had a unique pattern of binding. With IC50 in the micromolar to submicromolar range mIgG F22-4 exemplifies a remarkable tight binding antibody against diversely O-acetylated and non-O-acetylated fragments of a neutral polysaccharide of medical importance.