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Different kinds of organophosphorous compounds (OP) are used as pesticides in Turkish agriculture. Suicidal, accidental, or occupational exposure may occur in developing countries. OP inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities; on the other hand, serum paraoxonase (PON1) hydrolyzes the toxic metabolites of a variety of OP. In recent years, some studies have shown that PON1 activity is an important marker in individuals who are exposed to OP. Both serum cholinesterase and PON1 activities were measured spectrophotometrically from 18 male agricultural workers who were chronically exposed to azinphos methyl, chlorpyriphos, or malathion and other pesticides during cereal spraying, transportation, and storage. The individuals were classified according to PON1 phenotypes using the antimode 60% stimulation method to determine the dividing point between non-salt-stimulated, A type (homozygotes for the low activity allele), and salt-stimulated AB (heterozygotes) and B types (homozygotes for the high-activity allele). A positive correlation was found between AChE activities and percent of PON1 stimulation. The individuals with phenotype A had the lowest enzyme activities. This study suggests that individuals with phenotype A might be more sensitive to OP-induced toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) plays an essential role in meeting the demand for edible oil worldwide. The yield of sunflower seeds encompasses several component traits, including the disc diameter. Over three consecutive years, 2019, 2020, and 2022, we assessed phenotypic variation in disc diameter across a diverse set of sunflower accessions (N = 342) in replicated field trials. Upon aggregating the phenotypic data from multiple years, we estimated the broad sense heritability ( H 2 ) of the disc diameter trait to be 0.88. A subset of N = 274 accessions was genotyped by using the tunable genotyping-by-sequencing (tGBS) method, resulting in 226,779 high-quality SNPs. Using these SNPs and the disc diameter phenotype, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) employing two statistical approaches: the mixed linear model (MLM) and the fixed and random model circulating probability unification (farmCPU). The MLM and farmCPU GWAS approaches identified 106 and 8 significant SNPs located close to 53 and 21 genes, respectively. The MLM analysis identified two significant peaks: a prominent signal on chromosome 10 and a relatively weaker signal on chromosome 16, both of which were also detected by farmCPU. The genetic loci associated with disc diameter, as well as the related candidate genes, present promising avenues for further functional validation and serve as a basis for sunflower oil yield improvement., Competing Interests: The Authors did not report any conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Plant Direct published by American Society of Plant Biologists and the Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the most essential oil crops in the world. Several component traits, including flowering time, plant height, stem diameter, seed weight, and kernel weight, determine sunflower seed and oil yield. Although the genetic mechanisms governing the variation of these yield-related traits have been studied using various approaches, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have not been widely applied to sunflowers. In this study, a set of 342 sunflower accessions was evaluated in 2019 and 2020 using an incomplete randomized block design, and GWAS was conducted utilizing two complementary approaches: the mixed linear model (MLM) and the fixed and random model circulating probability unification (farmCPU) model by fitting 226,779 high-quality SNPs. As a result, GWAS identified a number of trait-associated SNPs. Those SNPs were located close to several genes that may serve as a basis for further molecular characterization and provide promising targets for sunflower yield improvement.

Aim: To evaluate effects of intensive insulin treatment modalities on cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)., Materials and Methods: A total of 25 patients with T1DM receiving intensive insulin therapy either in the form of continuous insulin pump (IP group; n=13) or as multiple daily injections (MDI group; n=12) and 13 controls (control group, n=13) were included. Data on demographics, anthropometrics, diabetes history, and laboratory findings including glycemic and lipid parameters, and cardiovascular biomarkers [C-reactive protein (mg/dL), homocysteine (μmol/L), fibrinogen (mg/dL), oxidized LDL (ng/dL), PAI-1 (ng/mL), MCP-1 (pg/mL) and VEGF (pg/mL)] were recorded in each group. Correlation of cardiovascular biomarkers to other parameters was also evaluated in T1DM patients., Results: Apart from significantly higher mean (SD) values for HbA1c [6.1 (0.3) vs. 5.6 (0.5)% (43 (3) vs. 38 (5) mmol/mol), p<0.05)] and HDL-cholesterol [71.5 (13.6) vs. 58.2 (10.8), p<0.01) in the IP than in the MDI group, no significance difference was noted between insulin treatment modalities as well as between patient and control groups in terms of demographic, anthropometric and laboratory parameters. Negative correlation of MCP-1 to treatment duration (r=-0.615, p=0.025), and HDL-c to CRP (r=-0.685, p=0.010) and VEGF (r=-0.678, p=0.011) was noted in IP group, whereas positive correlation of PAI-1 to diabetes age (r=0.805, p=0.002) and treatment duration was noted in MDI group., Conclusion: Our findings in a cohort of T1DM patients with optimal glycemic control revealed that intensive insulin therapy was not associated with an increase in atherosclerotic markers in T1DM, regardless of whether continuous IP infusion or MDIs was administered., (Copyright © 2015 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)] plays an essential role in mineral balance but has also been recognized as a powerful modulator of immune response. We aimed to examine the effect of the 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment on insulin/c-peptide, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and blood glucose in rats that take streptozotocin (STZ)., Methods: Forty pieces of male rats of Albino family whose average weights were 261.00+/-07.62 g were used in the study. Rats were made diabetic by giving STZ of 40 mg/kg during 5 days through intraperitoneal path. Some of the diabetic group and nondiabetic group were received 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3). The levels of SOD, insulin, c-peptide, glucose, SOD, and catalase were measured at the zero, second, fourth, and sixth weeks., Results: Erythrocyte SOD levels didn't show a significant difference at the end of the sixth week in all groups when compared to the beginning. While erythrocyte catalase levels didn't show a significant difference in nondiabetic control and nondiabetic with vitamin D, and diabetic with vitamin D groups at the end of sixth week when compared to the beginning, a significant measurement was made in diabetic without vitamin D group. Maximal insulinitis scoring values were observed in diabetic without vitamin D that didn't receive 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment., Conclusion: The highness of insulin and c-peptide levels in the group that received treatment when compared to other groups and the lowness of oxidative markers such as SOD, catalase in this study can be explained by the fact that 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment prevents the intervention of apoptosis mechanism.

Several inorganic materials have been shown previously to hold some osteogenic capacity. The purpose of this study is to compare the bone-forming abilities of hydroxyapatite ceramic, high-density porous polyethylene, and bone collagen within the periosteal island flap of rabbit tibia using histological and biochemical analysis. With this goal, four discrete experimental groups were formed, each comprising 22 New Zealand male rabbits. A sac was created on each rabbit tibial periosteum flap in each of the groups, and each of the previously mentioned materials was placed within this sac separately. One of these groups was thought as a control group without any material being placed inside the periosteal sac. Biopsies were taken at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 for biochemical analysis and at weeks 2 and 8 for histological evaluation. Neo-osteogenesis was evaluated quantitatively by determination of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels biochemically as well as by the percentage of new bone formation inside the periosteal sac histologically. Results show statistically that the osteogenic effect of high-density porous polyethylene is greater than that of the other materials used in this study (P < 0.05).

Histopathological changes in the brains of embryos from female rats treated with nicotine during pregnancy and possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and catecholamines in the nicotine-induced abnormalities of developing brain were investigated. Sexually mature female Wistar rats were given 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg nicotine hydrogen tartrate (NHT) subcutaneously for 20 days after mating. Levels of cotinine, a nicotine metabolite, in the maternal plasma increased dose-dependently. Fetus and fetal brain weights were significantly lower in all nicotine-treated groups. Light microscopy of hippocampal CA1 area showed a decrease in the number of cells per unit area. Electron microscopy of the same region revealed a dose-dependent increase in intracytoplasmic edema, mitochondrial swelling, dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear configurative abnormalities, and condensation of the nuclear chromatin. Nitrate + nitrite levels in fetal brain homogenates were significantly lower in the groups treated with 2 and 3 mg/kg NHT. Norepinephrine and normetanephrine (NMN) levels were significantly higher in 2 and 3 mg/kg NHT groups, as well as dopamine, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycole (MHPG), and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in the 3-mg/kg NHT group. In conclusion, maternal nicotine exposure may lead to structural abnormalities of the fetal brain tissue and may result in decreased levels of NO and increased levels of catecholamines and their metabolites.

Effect of agmatine (10-400 mg/kg) on neuropathic pain in a rat model produced by loose ligatures around the common sciatic nerve was studied. The involvement of possible alterations in nitric oxide (NO) levels [measured as its stable metabolites nitrate + nitrite] and in noradrenergic activity [measured as norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG) levels] in this effect was also investigated biochemically in the brainstem and cerebellum. Agmatine increased the neuropathic pain threshold at 300 and 400 mg/kg. There was almost a twofold increase in nitrate + nitrite levels in the brainstem and cerebellum of the rats with neuropathic pain and agmatine decreased the high nitrate + nitrite levels only in the brainstem at 300 mg/kg and both in the brainstem and cerebellum at 400 mg/kg. Ligation of sciatic nerve resulted in almost twofold increase in norepinephrine and MHPG levels only in the brainstem of the rats. Agmatine decreased MHPG levels at 300 and 400 mg/kg, however it decreased norepinephrine levels only at the higher dose. These findings indicate that agmatine decreases neuropathic pain, an effect which may involve the reduction of NO levels and noradrenergic activity in the brain.

To investigate the effect of blood perfusion difference on oxidant status, mice were trained by a 7-week running program. Two days after the last training session, mice were exercised for 60 minutes at the same training intensity. Changes in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), as an index of lipid peroxidation, in intestine, kidney and muscle, were studied in trained mice immediately (0 h), 3 h and 24 h after the running exercise and in unexercised control group. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and xanthine oxidase (XO) were determined in these tissues. Tissue SOD activities were unaffected by the exercise. Muscle GPx activity increased after exercise (0 h and 3 h group, P < 0.01) and returned to control levels at 24 h, but there was not any significant difference in intestinal and renal tissues. Renal tissue XO activity could not be determined. There was not any significant difference among groups in intestinal tissue XO activity. The activity of XO was decreased only in skeletal muscle at 0 h (P < 0.05). TBARS levels of exercised groups were higher than control in muscle (P < 0.01). Intestinal TBARS levels decreased at 0 h (P < 0.05), than reached to control level. Renal TBARS levels of 0 h and 24 h group was higher than control (P < 0.01, P < 0.01 respectively). The results show that a long distance running exercise may cause lipid peroxidation damage in skeletal muscle and kidney.