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In this study, antioxidant (TAS), oxidant (TOS) and antimicrobial activities of samples collected from Osmaniye province, which is located in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey and where Arum dioscoridis Sm. consumption is common, were determined. Water extracts of leaf parts of plant samples were obtained in a soxhlet device. TAS and TOS status were determined using Rel Assay kits. Antimicrobial activities of plant samples were determined against standard bacterial and fungal strains using agar dilution method. At the end of the studies, the highest TAS value among the plant samples was determined as 6.486±0.182. The highest TOS value was determined as 15.576±0.235. The highest OSI (oxidative stress index) value was determined as 0.285±0.007. In addition, A. dioscoridis extracts were determined to be effective against test microorganisms at 50-800 µg/mL concentrations. As a result, it was determined that the samples collected from different regions of the A. dioscoridis samples used in our study showed variability. In addition, it has been determined that A. dioscoridis may be an important antioxidant and antimicrobial source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haloalkalitolerant fungi can survive in environments with high salt concentrations and pH values. The bioactive compounds produced under stressful conditions have potential biotechnological applications. In this study, 52 microfungi isolated from Acıgöl Lake in Türkiye, offering polyextreme conditions, were screened for some biotechnological properties. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the isolates were determined using the agar diffusion and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging methods, respectively. Enzyme activities were determined by various methods using the agar diffusion technique. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out using cell-free filtrate of microfungi. 40% of the isolates showed antimicrobial activity against at least one of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Candida albicans ATCC 90028 used as the test microorganisms. Penicillium dipodomyicola showed the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, while P. brevicompactum showed the highest activity against C. albicans. Penicillium dipodomyicola and P. bilaiae were found to have free radical scavenging activity of a level (90% and above) that can compete with positive control. All of the isolates with amylase activity belonged to Aspergillus and Penicillium and the most prominent three of them were A. ochraceous, A. flavus and P. brevicompactum. 55% of the isolates showed proteolytic activity, among which A. alliaceus had the highest activity. Almost all isolates (92%) showed lipolytic activity. Aspergillus amstelodami, P. sizovae and P. solitum had a significant level of lipolytic activity. 35% of the isolates showed cellulolytic activity with highest values Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides, P. dipodomyicola and P. bilaiae. Eight of the isolates carried out AgNP synthesis within 24 h. When all the results were evaluated, Aspergillus amstelodami, A. ochraceus, Penicillium dipodomyicola, and P. brevicompactum appeared to have the potential to serve in different industrial areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the aerial parts of Salvia hypargeia were subjected to hydrodistillation and the resulting compounds were analyzed in GC–MS. Antimicrobial activity of S. hypargeia essential oil (EO) against A. baumannii, S. aureus, and C. tropicalis were determined by agar well diffusion assay and microdilution method. Antimicrobial mechanism of the EO were investigated based on change of TTC-dehydrogenase relative, leakages of intracellular protein, DNA and potassium ion (K +). The main components of the EO were β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, camphor, α-pinene, 4-terpineol, and 4-thujanol. The MICs of the EO against the microorganisms were 15.2 mg/mL for S. aureus, 17.5 mg/mL for C. tropicalis and 28.8 mg/mL for A. baumannii. The inhibition zones were 18.16 mm, 25.01 mm, and 27.01 mm for A. baumannii, S. aureus, and C. tropicalis, respectively (p < 0.05). An increase in DNA, protein and K+ leakage was observed when microorganisms were exposed to the EO. The TTC-DRA of the treated microorganism cells was also significantly decreased because of slowing the respiration. The present study provided an experimental basis of practical application of S. hypargeia EO as a natural agent. [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]

Abstract The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of Listeria spp. in stray dogs in the Kayseri province of Turkey. In addition, serotyping, genotyping and virulence gene analysis of the isolated Listeria spp. were performed and their pathogenicity and antibacterial susceptibility were investigated. The study included 80 rectal swaps taken from 80 stray dogs of different ages and gender that were sheltered in the Kayseri Municipal Dog Shelter. Listeria selective broth and Listeria selective agar were used for the isolation of Listeria spp. and the isolates were identified using a Microbact 12L (Oxoid, England) identification test kit. 16S rDNA sequencing and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed for molecular identification of the isolates, multiplex PCR and a serological test were performed for serotyping, and PCR was used for virulence gene analysis. For determining the pathogenicity of L. monocytogenes and L. innocua isolates, a total of 100 mice (50 pregnant and 50 non-pregnant) were used. The mice were infected intraperitoneally; the inoculation dose was 1 × 109 CFU/mL and 0.2 mL was used for each animal. Tissue samples obtained from infected mice were processed for the re-isolation of the Listeria spp. and then stained with hematoxylin eosin and Brown-Brenn Gram stain. The antibiotic susceptibilities of the isolates were determined by the disk diffusion method. Listeria spp. were isolated from 5 (6.25%) of the 80 fecal samples. While 1 of the isolates was identified as L. monocytogenes, 4 of them were identified as L. innocua. Serotyping by serological and molecular methods revealed the isolate of L. monocytogenes to be serotype 1/2a. According to the phylogenetic trees, L. innocua and L. monocytogenes strains were clustered in different groups. The L. monocytogenes isolate was positive for all virulence genes tested. All L. innocua isolates were positive for the plcB gene. While all L. innocua isolates were negative for the lin1068 gene, 3 L. innocua isolates were found to be positive for the lin0558 gene. In mice infected with L. monocytogenes , pathological findings were observed in the uterus, intestines, pancreas, and heart. In mice infected with L. innocua, pathological findings were observed in the stomach, intestines and spleen. L. monocytogenes- or L. innocua- related infections or other inflammatory reactions were not observed in the brains of infected animals. On histopathological examination with Gram stain, an abundance of Listeria spp. was observed in the lesions of the liver, spleen, uterus, and kidney. Moreover, while abortion was observed in all animals infected with L. monocytogenes , it was not observed in any of the animals infected with L. innocua. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that all 5 isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, erythromycin, gentamicin, penicillin G, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and were resistant to nalidixic acid, streptomycin, and cefuroxime sodium. Considering also the pathogenicity of the isolated microorganisms, it can be suggested that stray dogs as carriers of Listeria spp. are a significant risk to public health. As L. innocua isolates, which are considered apathogenic, led to the occurrence of lesions similar to those caused by L. monocytogenes , detailed studies on the pathogenesis of L. innocua infections caused by L. innocua isolates recovered from various sources are required. Highlights • Listeria spp. were isolated from 5 (6.25%) of 80 stray dogs feces. • L. innocua and L. monocytogenes isolates were clustered in different groups according to the phylogenetic tree. • While the L. monocytogenes isolate was positive for all virulence genes tested, all L. innocua isolates had only the plcB. • L. innocua isolates caused similar lesions in mice to those caused by L. monocytogenes. • This study suggested that stray dogs as carriers of Listeria spp. are a significant risk to public health. [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]

The detection of meat species used in meat and meat products is important because of economical reasons as well as the protection of human health. In this study, the presence of horse and pig meat in 140 samples of meat and meat products (45 meat, 45 minced meat, 20 fermented sucuk, 30 hamburger meat) collected from the markets of Mersin and Adana Provincies of Turkey was investigated. Horse meat was detected in four (2.9%) of 140 samples. The same samples were found positive for horse meat by three different techniques used in analysis. Pig meat was detected in none of the samples. National food monitoring systems and checkpoints for meat imported from abroad, and the number of samples checked should be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The composition and frequency of antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria, the abundance of heterotrophic aerobic bacteria (HPC) and possible in-situ use of chromogenic agar were investigated in the ships'' ballast water coming from different regions of the world to the Sea of Marmara, Turkey for the first time. The samples that were taken from 21 unit ships coming from various marine environments of the Southern China Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, Turkey in 2009 and 2010 were tested. 38 bacteria species, 27 of them pathogenic bacteria belonging to 17 familia, were detected. Vibrio cholera was not detected in the samples. However, the presence of a high number of HPC, including a cocktail of pathogenic bacteria showed that the ships carry a potential risk for the Sea of Marmara. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]

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]

In this study, 600 storedCandidaspecies, isolated from vaginal samples of immunocompetent women, and phenotypically identified asC. albicanson the basis of a positive germ tube test, were screened for the presence ofC. dubliniensisby three phenotypical methods. Only one strain (0.17%) failed to grow at 45 °C, and produced abundant chlamydospores on both the cornmeal-Tween 80 agar and the Staib agar. This strain was identified asC. dubliniensisby using the ID-32C kit (bioMerieux Vitek) and confirmed by DNA sequencing ofinternal transcript spacer (ITS) region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]