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Background and Aims: Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) is a perennial herb. Melissae folium and their preparations have been used for their sedative, spasmolytic and antibacterial actions. The study was aimed to investigate the qualities and also to compare the antioxidant activity potentials of the drug samples available in herbal markets and pharmacies in Turkey Methods: The percentages of the loss on drying and total ash were determined by gravimetric method and the percentage of total hydroxycinnamic derivatives was calculated by a spectrophotometric method according to European Pharmacopoeia. Drug samples were investigated for their potentials to scavenge the DPPH radical by using an in vitro method. Results: The percentages of the loss on drying were found to be between 8.51-16.53 %; whereas total ash amounts were determined between 9.41-11.33 %. The percentage of total hydroxycinnamic derivatives was found in the range of 4.45-12.97 %. The extracts of the samples were found to have DPPH radical scavenging activity with EC50 values ranging from 10.60 to 19.10 mu g/ml. Conclusion: In the assays for total ash and quantification of total hydroxy cinnamic derivatives all of the examined commercial samples were found to be compatible with standards in European Pharmacopoeia. Among the tested samples; a sample sold in pharmacy seems to have the best quality when its compared with the standards in European Pharmacopoeia., Ege University Re-search Fund [14-ECZ-009], This study was supported by Ege University Re-search Fund with the project number 14-ECZ-009.

Background Use of guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMTs) in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) – such as renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors – is suboptimal, especially after hospitalization for HF (hHF). Dapagliflozin was the first sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor approved in patients with HFrEF. In the DAPA-HF study, dapagliflozin decreased the risk of hHF and mortality in patients with HFrEF (with or without type 2 diabetes) compared with placebo. Little is known about the real-world characteristics and treatment profiles of patients initiating dapagliflozin after hHF in clinical practice. Purpose EVOLUTION HF aims to describe characteristics and real-world treatment patterns in patients who initiated GDMTs following hHF. Using data available to date, we focused on dapagliflozin use in two countries (Japan and Sweden). Methods EVOLUTION HF is a multinational observational, longitudinal cohort study using claims and electronic health record databases, which included 514,869 patients with hHF during the study period. Adult patients who initiated dapagliflozin between December 2020 and September 2021 (Japan) or December 2021 (Sweden) were identified and included if they initiated dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily during hHF or within 12 months after a hHF discharge. Patient characteristics and treatment profile at index (initiation of dapagliflozin) are reported overall and by country. Results Overall, 7023 patients were included (3515 from Japan, 3508 from Sweden; Table 1); the mean age was 73±13 years and 70% were male. The median lengths of the hHF leading to dapagliflozin initiation were 16 (interquartile range [IQR] 9–26) days in Japan and 4 (IQR 2–7) days in Sweden. Overall prevalences of atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and established cardiovascular disease were 50%, 23%, 34% and 57%, respectively. Of the 7023 patients who initiated dapagliflozin during hHF or within 12 months of hHF discharge, 45%, 62%, 75% and 87% of patients initiated dapagliflozin in hospital/within 7 days of discharge or within 1, 3 or 6 months of discharge, respectively. Japan had a higher proportion of patients who initiated dapagliflozin in hospital/within 7 days of hHF discharge compared with Sweden (64% vs 27%; Figure 1). At dapagliflozin initiation, 37% and 74% of patients in Japan and Sweden, respectively, had three or four other GDMTs. Conclusions Patients who initiated dapagliflozin following hHF often had comorbidities associated with increased risk of adverse cardiorenal outcomes. Timing of dapagliflozin initiation and use of other GDMTs at index varied between countries. A large proportion of patients initiated dapagliflozin more than 1 month after a hHF or in addition to three or four other GDMTs, indicating an opportunity for earlier dapagliflozin use in patients with HF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): AstraZeneca

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of ghrelin and obestatin as well as the ghrelin/obestatin ratio in non-obese patients with asthma and in healthy non-asthmatic controls and analyzed the relationships to clinical outcomes. Materials and methods 51 patients with stable persistent asthma and 36 healthy controls were included to the study. Pulmonary function tests were conducted in all case. Skin prick test and an asthma control test were conducted in patients with asthma. All patients and controls were compared in terms of ghrelin and obestatin levels, as well as the ghrelin/obestatin ratio. Plasma concentrations of ghrelin and obestatin were detected by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores were calculated as an index of insulin resistance. Result No differences in ghrelin or obestatin levels or the ghrelin/obestatin ratio were detected between patients with asthma and the control group. Ghrelin levels were significantly lower in obese patients. The HOMA-IR score was significantly higher in patients with asthma than in controls. Conclusions Ghrelin and obestatin levels, and the ghrelin/obestatin ratio, were similar in controls and patients with stable asthma. Although the groups were similar in terms of body mass index and waist circumference, the HOMA-IR score was significantly higher in patients with asthma.

Objectives Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are well known for their wide range of pharmacological activities. Galanthamine, an Amaryllidaceae alkaloid, is an effective, selective, reversible, and competitive cholinesterase inhibitor marketed under different commercial names in several countries for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this work was to study the alkaloid profiles of the aerial parts and bulbs of both flowering and fruiting periods of Galanthus fosteri Baker (Amaryllidaceae), as well as analyzing their inhibitory activities on both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) for the first time. Materials and Methods The alkaloid profiles of the four samples were determined by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and AChE and BuChE inhibition assays were performed by the modified Ellman method. Results Totally, 22 compounds with mass spectral characteristics of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids were detected in the extracts. Significant AChE and BuChE inhibitory activities were observed in the tested samples (IC50 between 0.189 and 91.23 μg/mL). Conclusion This study shows that G. fosteri, collected from Akdag, Amasya (Turkey), is a potential source of diverse chemical structures of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids with cholinesterase inhibitory properties.

Objective: The Zika virus is an important viral agent that presents the risk of pandemic disease. Infection with the virus can cause microcephaly in infants, as well as other potential effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge about the Zika virus among healthcare personnel in Turkey. Materials and Methods: A total of 290 healthcare personnel from a secondary and a tertiary health institution were included in this study. The data were collected using a survey form prepared by the researchers and statistically analyzed. Results: Among the respondents, there was awareness of the Zika virus in 68.7%, 75.0%, 75.9%, and 77.0% of women, individuals over 35 years of age, doctors, and those with a healthcare career of at least 10 years, respectively. The results revealed that 58.9% knew the true means of transmission, 36.0% were aware of prevention efforts, 41.1% were familiar with potential complications, 0.5% reported knowledge of treatment, and 16.8% responded correctly regarding the availability of a vaccine. The primary source of information about the virus was TV and radio for 68.5% of the participants, and 3.6% cited scientific papers. Conclusion: The Zika virus is a potential pandemic agent. The knowledge level of the healthcare personnel studied was insufficient to meet such a challenge. The ministry of health and universities should provide the appropriate training to healthcare personnel.

Phytochemical studies on Galanthus alpinus Sosn. var. alpinus from Turkey resulted in the isolation of 11 metabolites including, 1 terpenoid; (+)-blumenol A 1, 2 lignans; pinoresinol 2 and epipinoresinol 3, and 8 other compounds; (+)-homolycorine 4, (+)-8-O-demethylhomolycorine 5, arolycoricidine 6, N-Trans-feruloyltyramine 7, (-)-lycorine 8, nicotinic acid 9, O-methylnorbelladine 10 and hordenine 11. To the best of our knowledge, all compounds are reported for the first time from the title species. The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by MS, 1D and 2D experiments. Also, isolated compounds were subjected to in vitro acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity assays. (C) 2018 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Amaryllidaceae family, consisting of economically important plants with ornamental value, is very well-known for its isoquinoline alkaloids with variable biological activities and chemical structures. Among these alkaloids, an effective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine, is prescribed widely in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Plants of the Amaryllidaceae family are therefore, subjected to intensive research to find potent cholinesterase inhibitors. The chemical composition of three Galanthus species including Galanthus krasnovii A.P. Khokhr., Galanthus gracilis Celak. and an endemic species Galanthus peshmenii A.P. Davis & C.D. Brickell were analyzed by GC-MS. In total, twenty-five alkaloids with various chemical structure types and a lignan, namely epipinoresinol were identified. Cholinesterase inhibitory potentials of the plant extracts were also determined by in vitro Ellman's method. Extracts of Galanthus krasnovii bulbs displayed the most promising acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activities (AChE: IC50: 8.26 mg/mL and BuChE: IC50: 6.23 mg/mL). (C) 2020 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Ege University, Research Fund [13/ECZ/018]; TUBITAK (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) [104T272], This work was partially supported by Ege University, Research Fund (Project Number: 13/ECZ/018), and TUBITAK (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, Project Number: 104T272).

In this study, Galanthus elwesii Hook. (Amaryllidaceae) was investigated for its chemical composition by using GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) method and anticholinesterase activity together with molecular modeling studies. Galanthus elwesii was collected from three different regions of Turkey and 44 compounds were detected by GC-MS in six different alkaloid extracts. The molecular docking technique was carried out to exhibit binding orientations of Galanthus elwesii compounds in the gorge of the active site of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of Electrophorus electricus and equine butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) constituted from the crystal structure of human BuChE with the help of homology modeling technique. Interesting results were obtained from the docking study, especially on O -methylleucotamine. The AChE and BuChE inhibitory activities of the extracts were also tested by in vitro Ellman method. The samples collected from Karaburun-Izmir were found to be the most active among others.

WOS: 000417369600022, The alkaloid profiles of the aerial parts and the bulbs of Galanthus woronowii Losinsk. were analyzed by means of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Totally, twenty-eight compounds were detected. Galanthamine and galanthine were found to be the main alkaloids both in the extracts of the aerial parts and the bulbs. Most of the identified compounds were lycorine and galanthamine-type Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. In addition, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor potentials of the extracts prepared from the aerial parts and bulbs were determined by in vitro Ellman's method and both of the extracts were found to exhibit significant activity (aerial parts: IC50 = 0.027 mu g/mL and bulbs: IC50 = 0.084 mu g/mL)., Ege University Research FundEge University [09/ECZ/021, 09/ECZ/018]; TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [104T272], This study was financially supported by Ege University Research Fund (Project No: 09/ECZ/021 and 09/ECZ/018) and partially supported by TUBITAK (104T272).

Background: The MF07-01 trial is a multicenter phase III randomized controlled trial of treatment naive stage IV BC patients comparing loco-regional surgery (LRS) followed by appropriate systemic therapy (ST) versus ST alone. Aims: To evaluate the importance of loco-regional tumor burden and surgery on overall survival rate in patients with de novo stage IV breast cancer. Methods: At initial diagnosis patients were randomized 1:1 to LRS group or ST group. The surgery was a lumpectomy (L) or mastectomy (M) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) ± axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). After surgery all patients received systemic treatment + endocrine treatment (ET) and Trastuzumab based on pathology results. The demographic, pathologic, and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Results:274 patients were accrued; 138 in the LRS group and 136 in the ST group. The groups were comparable regarding age, BMI, HER2 neu, tumor type and size, histologic grade, and bone and visceral metastasis (all p>0.05). In the LRS group 36 patients (26%) had L+ALND, 92 patients (67%) had M+ALND and 10 patients (7%) had M+SLNB, respectively. The patients and tumor characteristicsPatients and Tumors Characteristics and Surgical TreatmentSurgerySystemic TherapyP ValueAge (mean /year±SD)51.8 ±12.651.5±13.6NSMedian follow-up (25%,75%)41.0 (24,54)37 (18,49) Tumor Size (%) T18.7 (12) NST252.2 (72) NST321.7 (30) NST417.4 (24) NSHistologic Grade (%) I4.4 (6)9.6 (10)NSII39.9 (55)31.7 (33)NSIII55.8 (77)58.9 (61)NS Surgical Treatment Lumpectomy+ ALND26 (36)--M + SLNB7 (10)--M + ALND67 (92)---SLNB17 (23)--ALND92.8 (128)--pN+89.1 (123)--30-day mortality1.4 (2)1.5 (2)0.98SLNB-Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; ALND-Axillary Lymph Node Dissection; M-Mastectomy The axillary positivity rate was 89.1%. There were 76 (55%) deaths in the LRS group and 101 (74%) in the ST group during the median 40 (20-51) month follow-up. Overall survival (OS) was 34% higher in the LRS group compared to the ST group (HR: 0.66, 95%CI 0.49-0.88: p = 0.005). Overall survival rate was higher in LN (+) (p=0.01), tumor size Conclusion: In this subgroup analysis, we observed that patients with high grade tumor, without skin or chest wall involvement and positive axilla who underwent surgery for primary breast tumor and axilla had better overall survival than ST in de novo stage IV breast. These results can be considered in clinical research design for stratification. Citation Format: Ozmen V, Ozbas S, Karanlik H, Muslumanoglu M, Igci A, Canturk Z, Utkan NZ, Ozaslan C, Evrensel T, Uras C, Aksaz E, Soyder A, Ugurlu UM, Col C, Cabioglu N, Bozkurt B, Sezgin E, Dagoglu T, Uzunkoy A, Dulger M, Koksal N, Cengiz O, Gulluoglu B, Unal B, Atalay C, Yildirim E, Erdem E, Salimoglu S, Sezer A, Koyuncu A, Gurleyik G, Alagol H, Ulufi N, Berberoglu U, Soran A. The importance of loco-regional tumor burden and surgery on survival in patients with de novo stage IV breast cancer; post-hoc analyses of protocol MF07-01 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-16-01.

Galanthamine, is the most known Amaryllidaceae alkaloid, which is currently being prescribed for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to its anti-acetylcholinesterase activity. Narcissus L., a genus belonging to the same family, has been subjected to intensive research owing to its broad alkaloidal range. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate Narcissus tazetta L. in terms of its therapeutic potential in AD and to isolate Amaryllidaceae alkaloids with anticholinesterase activity. A qualitative determination of the alkaloidal contents of aerial parts and bulbs of the plant were carried out via Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis. Additionally, secondary metabolites were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the plant by means of chromatographic methods. The structural elucidation of isolated compounds was established by spectroscopic techniques. Determination of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the isolated Amaryllidaceae alkaloids were accomplished using a microplate assay modified from Ellman's method. These compounds were also subjected to docking studies to determine the non-covalent interactions formed with the active site residues of cholinesterase enzymes. GC–MS monitoring on the profile of N. tazetta was resulted in the detection of 22 alkaloids. Isolation process on the plant has led to isolate four alkaloids belonging to three different skeleton types. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and MS findings verified that those compounds were identical with (?)-9-O-methylpseudolycorine, (?)-narcissidine, (?)-pancratinine-C and (+)-9-O-demethyl-2-?-hydroxyhomolycorine. Among those; 11-hydroxygalanthine and narcissidine have shown significant acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity based on our bioactivity results. It was observed that the docking scores were found close in general, when the docking scores of the isolated alkaloids calculated inside electric eel acetylcholinesterase (eeAChE) and Equus caballus butyrylcholinesterase (eqBuChE) were examined. Increased anti-acetylcholinesterase activity was observed in lycorine-type. This is the first report on the isolation of (?)-pancratinine-C from the genus Narcissus. Docking scores of all the compounds isolated from the title plant were agreeable with the bioactivity results. The evaluation of the results given in this study, reveals that this particular Turkish Narcissus species represents a promising source of bioactive alkaloids with intriguing chemical structures which may have the potential to be drug leads. © 2019, Ege Üniversitesi, Special thanks are extended to Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ali ONUR (Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University) for the collection and identification of the plant material. GC?MS analysis was carried out in FABAL (Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University). This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Three new alkaloids, oxoincartine, 3,11-O-diacetyl-9-O-demethylmaritidine and 11-O-acetyl-9-O-demethylmaritidine together with seven known compounds namely, incartine, galanthamine, galanthine, 9-O-methylpseudolycorine, N,O-dimethylnorbelladine, hordenine and vittatine were isolated from Galanthus fosteri Baker (Amaryllidaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, MS, CD and 1D/2D NMR). Cholinesterase inhibitory activity potentials of the compounds were also determined.

Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Rumex crispus L. and Scrophularia canina L. subsp. bicolor (SM.) Greuter were tested for their antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. Extracts were prepared from the above-ground parts of these plants. Significant antioxidant activity was determined for methanol (IC50: 4.16 µg/mL) and ethyl acetate (IC50: 8.71 µg/mL) extracts of Rumex crispus. Moreover, methanol (IC50: 60.78 µg/mL) and ethyl acetate (IC50: 149.33 µg/mL) extracts of Scrophularia canina subsp. bicolor (SM.) Greuter were shown to have important free radical scavenging antioxidant activity., Methanoland ethyl acetate extracts of Rumex crispus L. and Scrophularia canina L. subsp. bicolor (SM.) Greuter were tested fortheir antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. Extracts were prepared fromthe above-ground parts of these plants. Significant antioxidant activity wasdetermined for methanol (IC50: 4.16 µg/mL) and ethyl acetate (IC50:8.71 µg/mL) extracts of Rumex crispus.Moreover, methanol (IC50: 60.78 µg/mL) and ethyl acetate (IC50:149.33 µg/mL) extracts of Scrophulariacanina subsp. bicolor (SM.)Greuter were shown to have importantfree radical scavenging antioxidant activity.

We propose a deterministic SWAP gate for spatially encoded qubits. The gate is constructed from waveguide crossings, Mach Zender Interferometers and phase shifters providing the gate reconfigurability. Through manipulating the phase of the phase shifters, we can apply either the SWAP or identity gates. As an essential element of nearest neighbor qubit networks, the SWAP gate has a simple structure and presents minimal overhead, making it viable for universal quantum computation., 4 pages, 3 figures, figures modified

Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets for the destruction CD52+ cells, particularly B and T cells. Alemtuzumab is approved in more than 50 countries around the world for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Areas covered: In this review, the authors summarize biological, clinical and safety data related to the use of alemtuzumab in patients with MS. The authors then provide their expert opinion on alemtuzumab and the field as of whole before providing their perspectives for the future. Expert opinion: Alemtuzumab is highly efficacious; more so than first line treatments but comparable to natalizumab. Treatment schedule makes alemtuzumab administration easy and attractive to patients. However, its safety profile makes it a choice for a very limited number of patients, in a specific disease window. As of now, a cure for MS remains elusive and there is an unmet need for a safe and highly potent agent at the level of and beyond the blood brain barrier.

Kaya, Gulen Irem/0000-0003-1024-6509, WOS: 000495125500002, The chemical composition of the bulbs of Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) from Turkey (Pamucak, Aydn) has been determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 29 compounds belonging to different skeletal types of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids were identified. Lycorine, galanthamine, crinine, and pancracine were found as major constituents. Interestingly, indole alkaloids (1-acetyl-beta-carboline and galanthindole) were also detected. Acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitory activity potentials of the alkaloidal extract were also determined. the results of the present study show that Turkish P. maritimum comprises a rich repository for bioactive alkaloids with intriguing structural diversities.

WOS: 000390671400033, The phytochemical investigation on Galanthus cilicicus Baker (Amaryllidaceae) led to the isolation of four alkaloids (tazettine 1, galanthamine 2, sanguinine 3, and haemanthamine 4). The alkaloid patterns of bulbs and aerial parts of G. cilicicus were also studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty alkaloids were detected. In the aerial parts, among the detected alkaloids, haemanthamine and tazettine were the main alkaloids, whereas in the bulbs galanthamine and tazettine were predominantly found. A microplate assay modified from in vitro Ellman's method was used to determine the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory potentials of the alkaloidal extracts prepared from the bulbs and aerial parts of G. cilicicus. The prepared extracts showed remarkable AChE and BuChE inhibitory activities. Since some Amaryllidaceae alkaloids have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory properties, we have also investigated the potentials of both alkaloidal extracts to inhibit a key feature of inflammation, i.e. the interaction of leukocytes and endothelial cells. Both extracts concentration dependently decreased the adhesion of a humanmonocytic cell line onto tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) activated primary human endothelial cells. Moreover, the extracts lowered the surface expression of the endothelial adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), which mediates leukocyteendothelial cell interaction. (C) 2016 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Ege UniversityEge University [13/ECZ/018]; FABAL (Ege University Faculty of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre), This study was financially supported by Ege University, Research Fund 13/ECZ/018 and FABAL (Ege University Faculty of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre).

WOS: 000400155300003, In the present study, a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been used for the quantitative determination of lycorine in the aerial parts and bulbs of G. elwesii Hook. A simple method for the extraction of lycorine in low mass plant samples was employed utilizing pre-packed columns with diatomaceous earth (Extrelut (R)). The chromatographic separation was performed using an isocratic system with a mobile phase of trifluoroacetic acid-water-acetonitrile (0.01:92.5:7.5,v/v/v) applied at a flow rate 1 mL min(-1) using diode array detector. The content of lycorine in the bulbs and aerial parts of G. elwesii collected from Demirci (Manisa) was found as 0.130 and 0.162 %, respectively. Additionally, in the bulbs of the specimens collected from Sogucak (Balikesir), lycorine was quantified as 0.055 %, whereas in the aerial parts, it was determined as 0.006 %. The method was validated partially with respect to system specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ). Validation procedures displayed that the method was specific, accurate and precise., Ege University Research FundEge University [09/ECZ/037]; TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [104T272]; EBILTEMEge University [2007/BIL/007], This study was financially supported by the Ege University Research Fund (Project No: 09/ECZ/037) and partially supported by TUBITAK (104T272) and EBILTEM (2007/BIL/007).

structures, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the alkaloid composition of G. gracilis, collected from a different locality in Turkey, by GC/MS. In this study, the alkaloid extracts of Galanthus gracilis Celak. were examined by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and 20 alkaloids were reported. Homolycorine and 8-O-demethylhomolycorine are the main alkaloids in the extracts obtained from the aerial parts and bulbs, respectively. Additionally, the AChE inhibitory activity of the extracts prepared from the aerial parts and bulbs of G. gracilis was investigated by in vitro Ellmans method [10]. Potent inhibitory activity was recorded in the extracts of the bulbs and aerial parts of G. gracilis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a GC/MS study on the alkaloids of G. gracilis growing in Turkey. Based on the GC/MS analysis, a total of 20 alkaloids was detected in two different extracts prepared from G. gracilis (Table 1). The identified compounds possessed various Amaryllidaceae alkaloid skeleton types including phenanthridine, galanthamine, crinine, tazettine, lycorine, and homolycorine. Generally, homolycorine and tazettine type alkaloids were major components in the tested samples. Homolycorine was found to be the main alkaloid in the aerial part extract of G. gracilis (71.62%). Similarly, the extract obtained from the bulbs contained 8-O-demethylhomolycorine (44.39%), homolycorine (18.00%), and galanthindole (17.95%) in very high amounts. Tazettine was found to be present in both of the extracts (aerial parts, 18.41%; bulbs, 6.47%). Moreover, in the extracts of the bulbs, lycorine was detected (5.45%) and galanthamine was found in trace amounts. Due to the absence of related literature, GG-1 and GG-2 were not identified, but their mass fragmentation has specific properties for Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. AChE inhibitory activity potentials of the extracts were carried out using in vitro Ellmans method, and both of the extracts showed significant activity. The bulb extract of G. gracilis (IC 50 11.82 g/mL) was found to be more active than the extract of the aerial parts (IC 50 25.5 g/mL). Galanthamine was used as a positive control (IC 50 0.043 g/mL).

Background Th1 cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-γ, have critical importance in the CD4 cell driven antimycobacterial activity. Th2 type immune response is a characteristic feature of atopic disorders. Th1 and Th2 cells have been reported to negatively cross-regulate each other in vitro and in experimental animals. Our aim in the present study is to determine whether the atopy affects radiological extent of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and disease severity. Materials and methods A total of 82 male patients with pulmonary TB were prospectively enrolled in the study between March 2005 and March 2006. All patients were evaluated for atopic symptoms and TB related systemic symptoms. Radiological dissemination was scored and cavitation was noted. The skin prick test (SPT) was performed and serum total IgE level was measured. Results The SPTs were positive in 28 of 82 (34.1 %) patients. There was no distinction between SPT-positive and negative patients in terms of pulmonary cavitation and radiological dissemination. The median IgE level of moderate-severe radiologically disseminated TB patients was significantly higher than that of mild radiologically disseminated TB patients (130 IU/ml vs. 58 IU/ml). Cavitary TB patients had also significantly higher median IgE levels (78 IU/ml vs. 46 IU/ml) (p Conclusion This study suggests that SPT-positivity and atopic respiratory phenotype do not affect the formation of cavitation, radiological dissemination and systemic symptoms of pulmonary TB. The high level of IgE in patients with cavitary and radiologically disseminated TB may be a consequence of a dysregulated immune response to infection or reflect disease activity.

The long recorded history of earthquakes in Japan affords an opportunity to forecast seismic shaking exclusively from past shaking. We calculate the time-averaged (Poisson) probability of severe shaking by using more than 10,000 intensity observations recorded since AD 1600 in a 350 km-wide box centered on Tokyo. Unlike other hazard-assessment methods, source and site effects are included without modeling, and we do not need to know the size or location of any earthquake nor the location and slip rate of any fault. The two key assumptions are that the slope of the observed frequency-intensity relation at every site is the same, and that the 400-year record is long enough to encompass the full range of seismic behavior. Tests we conduct here suggest that both assumptions are sound. The resulting 30-year probability of IJMA≥6 shaking (∼ PGA≥0.4 g or MMI≥ IX) is 30%–40% in Tokyo, Kawasaki, and Yokohama, and 10%–15% in Chiba and Tsukuba. This result means that there is a 30% chance that 4 million people will be subjected to IJMA≥6 shaking during an average 30-year period. We also produce exceedance maps of PGA for building-code regulations, and calculate short-term hazard associated with a hypothetical catastrophe bond. Our results resemble an independent assessment developed from conventional seismic hazard analysis for greater Tokyo.

This study aims to report the basic tendencies at the presentations made at international conferences about Turkish language education, which are regularly carried out in Turkey. This report will enable discussing basic tendencies and points open to further development in Turkish language education, which is an interdiciplinary topic of science. This study is a descriptive research and a literature survey restricted by the database constructed. In this research, conducted by document analysis technique, which is a qualitative research method, content analysis has been carried out on conference books, abstract booklets and programmes in the frame of predefined categories. In the database, there are 1523 presentations, 837 being about Turkish language education and 686 in other fields. The findings obtained from the 837 presentations were primarly on the first level speakers of Turkish. In terms of content, the studies on material (tool) evaluation (especially textbook evaluation) and skill development (especially writing and reading skills) outnumbered other studies. Finally, the majority of studies were descriptive; therefore studies offering innovative ideas and solutions were lacking, Bu çalışmada, Türkçenin eğitimi-öğretimi alanında -Türkiye’de düzenli olarak yapılan- uluslararası bilimsel toplantılarda sunulan bildirilerdeki temel eğilimlerin raporlaştırılması amaçlanmaktadır. Bu rapor yoluyla disiplinlerarası bir bilim alanı olan Türkçenin eğitimi-öğretiminde temel eğilimler ve geliştirilmesi gereken alanlar tartışılabilecektir. Çalışma, betimsel bir araştırmadır ve oluşturulan veritabanı sınırlılığında bir tür alanyazını taramasıdır. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden “belge inceleme tekniği” ile yürütülen bu araştırmada, kurultay kitaplarından, özet kitapçıklarından ve kurultay programlarından elde edilen veritabanı üzerinde, belirlenen ulamlar çerçevesinde içerik çözümlemesi yapılmıştır. Veritabanında Türkçenin eğitimi-öğretimiyle ilgili 837 ve alan dışı konularda 686 olmak üzere 1523 bildiri bulunmaktadır. Alanla doğrudan ilgili 837 bildiri üzerinden elde edilen bulgular, söz konusu bilimsel toplantılarda çalışmaların hedeflediği konuşucu düzleminin büyük oranda birinci dil (anadili) olduğu, konu alanı bakımından materyal (araç) değerlendirme (özelikle ders kitabı incelemeleri) ve beceri geliştirme (özellikle yazma ve okuma becerileri) çalışmalarının sayıca üstün olduğu; araştırmaların çoğunlukla durum belirleme ve değerlendirme türünde yapıldığı ve dolayısıyla yenilik getiren/öneren çalışmaların oldukça az görüldüğü sonuçlarına işaret etmektedir.

Background Allergic reactions to antibiotics are commonly reported in the clinical practice. The treatment of antibiotic hypersensitivity (AH) consists of suggesting to avoid the offending antibiotics and to use safe alternatives after performing oral provocation tests (OPT). Moxifloxacin is a new fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent with a broad spectrum activity. Allergic reactions to moxifloxacin have rarely been described and therefore it could be tolerated by antibiotic allergic subjects. Objectives The aim of this survey was to investigate the tolerability of moxifloxacin in antibiotic intolerant patients. Materials and methods A prospective study was conducted in 20 patients diagnosed with AH at our clinic between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2003. We performed single blind, one day OPT protocol for moxifloxacin with a total dose of 1000 mg. Results The mean age of the patients was 38.05 ± 14.1 and 17 (85 %) of them were females. There were only two patients with accompanying allergic diseases; one with bronchial asthma and the other with chronic urticaria. The rates of common anamnestic antibiotic hypersensitivities were 50% with amoxicillin, 40 % with penicillin, 20 % with sulphonamides, respectively. Urticaria (80 %) was the leading reaction appearing after antibiotic ingestion. Seventeen of 20 patients tolerated moxifloxacin at therapeutic doses without any problem. One patient experienced generalized urticaria 4 hours after ingestion of the first dose of the drug, which resolved spontaneously 5 hours after the onset. Another patient experienced tachycardia (heart rate did not exceed beyond 115 per minute) 2.5 hours after ingestion of first dose of the drug, which resolved spontaneously 2 hours after the onset. And a third one developed severe nausea lasting for two hours. Conclusion Given the high incidence of hypersensitivity reactions to beta-lactam antibiotics the use of new fluoroquinolone, moxifloxacin might represent a therapeutic alternative.

Background: The aim was to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with seasonal rhinitis (SR) and to disclose differences in the treatment of SR between an adult allergy clinic and other clinics over time. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted based on clinical records of 774 out of 955 patients diagnosed with SR in an adult allergy clinic between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 2003. Results: The mean age of the patients was 29.1 ± 9.29 years and 62.7% were female. The most common major complaints of the patients were nasal symptoms in 82.3%. The mean duration of the disease was 6.76 ± 6.8 years. The patients were symptomatic with a mean of 3.5 ± 1.7 months a year, mostly during the period between April and July. Skin prick tests were positive in 685 patients (90.3%), where the most common sensitivity was against timothy grass (85.1%). The most common accompanying allergic diseases were food hypersensitivity in 14%, bronchial asthma in 13.4%, and drug allergy and/or intolerance in 9.6%. Although the use of specific immunotherapy and short-acting sedative antihistamines decreased over time, the use of nasal steroids and long-acting nonsedative antihistamines tended to increase before admission to our clinic. Older age (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.06–2.94), presence of familial atopy (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04–2.85), respiratory symptoms (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.75–2.50), ocular symptoms (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.98) and metal allergy (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.07–0.89) were associated with the development of asthma in patients with SR. Conclusion: SR lasts approximately 3.5 months and the main cause in Ankara, Turkey is grass pollen sensitivity. Patients with any other allergic conditions make up 39.8% of the patients. SR patients are referred to allergy clinics quite late, which might be due to SR not being considered as a serious disease.

The demand for kidney transplantation due to improved recipient outcomes has stimulated surgeons to expand the criteria for usable donors, but still the use of organs from deceased donors with terminal acute renal failure is uncommon. We report 2 kidney transplant recipients from a cadaveric donor who was not accepted by other centers because of acute renal failure. The donor, a 24-year-old man with an intracerebral hemorrhage, displayed a serum creatinine (SCr) value of 0.6 mg/dL on hospital admission, which increased to 7.3 mg/dL on the fourth hospital day. After the diagnosis of brain death and refusal of the kidneys by other regional centers, we decided to transplant the 2 kidneys. Recipient 1, a 31-year-old man on an 11-year dialysis program, discontinued hemodialysis after 7 days of delayed graft function. The SCr level decreased gradually and was stable at 1.08 mg/dL on postoperative day (POD) 45. The contralateral graft was transplanted into a 30-year-old man (recipient 2) undergoing dialysis treatment for 7 years. After 10 days of delayed graft function, the SCr decreased gradually with continued hemodialysis until POD 24. The SCr level has been stable at 1.34 mg/dL on POD 52. At the end of the third month the SCr levels in recipients 1 and 2 were 1.1 mg/dL and 1.4 mg/dL, respectively. In conclusion, one may safely expand the donor pool with kidneys from deceased donors with acute renal failure (ARF) with good short-term outcomes.

Asbestos deposits have been used locally by the rural inhabitants of Central and Southeastern Anatolia for domestic purposes for many years. Mineralogical analysis revealed that tremolite is the most prominent asbestos type found in the region. There is in addition another mineral fiber found particularly in three villages located in the Cappadocian region of Central Anatolia (zeolite villages). This is a non-asbestos mineral, which has been identified as the fibrous zeolite, erionite. This fiber is present in the volcanic tuffs, which are used as building stone. Hence, exposure to erionite fibers is always possible in the houses, annexes, and streets of the villages. It has been demonstrated that both asbestos and erionite cause a variety of benign and malignant chest diseases. Among the diseases, calcified pleural plaques (CPP) are the most frequently seen and may be used as an indicator of mineral fiber exposure. Asbestos and erionite exposure are the main causes of malignant mesotheliomas in Turkey. In zeolite villages malignant mesothelioma is responsible for more than 50% of the total deaths. A recent study showed that simian virus 40 is not a cofactor in the pathogenesis of environmental malignant mesothelioma in Turkey. An additional recent genetic-epidemiological study showed that there are some families, which are genetically predisposed to mesothelioma.

The use of organophosphates (OP) in agriculture as insecticides is widespread all over the world. Except for this purpose, it is known that OP have been using against pediculosis capitis in human. We report unusual causes of organophosphate poisoning. A 7 years old child and her mother were admitted to the emergency unit due to poisoning after exposure from emulsion of OP that was used for the treatment of head lice. The daughter who was poisoned by the way of inhalation and direct contact brought to the emergency unit with cardiac arrest. Child was revived with cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, but died at the eighteen days of the treatment in intensive care unit. The mother was bradicardic when she admitted to the emergency unit. After the primary treatment, the mother was taken to the intensive care unit. The mother was discharged after the medical treatment in the intensive care unit for 6 days. The hairs of patients were cut, clothes were removed and bodies were washed in order to avoid recontamination. This is important also for avoiding from contamination of surrounding healthcare personnel. Misuses of OP toxicities are not rare and it may be life threatening. Some of accidental poisonings are intentionally misuse for a purpose of treatment. It should be written on each box that OP should not be used for other purposes like treatment of head lice.

Purpose: To evaluate thoracic CT findings of long-term hemodialysis patients. Material and Methods: Thoracic CT findings of 117 uremic patients (61 men, 56 women) with complaints of cough, dyspnea, low-grade pyrexia, malaise, weight loss, and profuse perspiration were retrospectively documented. Results: Atelectasis (60%), cardiomegaly (60%), pleural effusion (51%), vascular congestion (44%), parenchymal consolidation (38%), parenchymal scarring-fibrosis (31%), and lymphadenopathy (29%) were the most common CT findings in the thoraces of the long-term hemodialysis patients. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 13 patients (11%) who had parenchymal infiltration. Thoracic tuberculosis was identified in 15 patients (13%), 11 of these cases being confined to the lung parenchyma, 3 to the pleura, and 1 involving the pleura and pericardium. Conclusion: In patients under long-term hemodialysis treatment, parenchymal consolidation, secondary to infectious agents such as S. aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is the most important CT finding since these lesions can be detected and treated successfully if they are considered as etiologic factors early on.

Infections, such as tuberculosis, measles and diphtheria, may decrease the risk of developing atopic allergic disorders. Patients with pulmonary TB having similar allergic skin prick test sensitivity as healthy controls but unable to show vigorous atopic phenotype in their healthy period might be a sign for Th1-Th2 immune interaction.