Oxidative DNA damage correlates with carotid artery atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients

Oxidative stress is accepted as a nonclassical cardiovascular risk factor in chronic renal failure patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between oxidative DNA damage (8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine/deoxyguanosine [8‐OHdG/dG] ratio), oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, and carotid artery intima‐media thickness (CIMT) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Forty chronic HD patients without known atherosclerotic disease and 48 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy individuals were included in the study. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and 8‐OHdG/dG ratio were determined as oxidative stress markers. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured as antioxidants. CIMT was assessed by carotid artery ultrasonography. 8‐OHdG/dG ratios and MDA levels were higher; SOD and GPx activities were lower in HD patients compared to controls. HD patients had significantly higher CIMT compared to controls (0.61 ± 0.08 vs. 0.42 ± 0.05, p < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between CIMT and 8‐OHdG/dG ratio (r = 0.57, p < 0.01) and MDA levels (r = 0.41, p < 0.01), while there was a significant negative correlation between CIMT and SOD (r = ?0.47, p < 0.01) and GPx levels (r = ?0.62, p < 0.01). It is firstly demonstrated that CIMT is positively correlated with oxidative DNA damage in HD patients without known atherosclerotic disease.     

A preliminary study on functionality of Gundelia tournefortii L. as a new stabiliser in ice cream production

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Gundelia tournefortii L. leaves and G. tournefortii L. milk as a new natural stabiliser on the quality characteristics of ice cream. For this aim, G. tournefortii L. leaves were added to an ice cream mix at three different concentrations (0.6, 1.0 and 3.0% w/w), and also, its milk was used as a stabiliser at 0.6% w/w concentration for ice cream production. Certain physical and sensorial characteristics of ice creams were compared with those of some commercial food gums such as guar gum, carrageenan and salep. Also, the chemical structure of G. tournefortii L. milk was determined using infrared spectra and elemental analyses. In comparison with commercial stabilisers, G. tournefortii L. did not display a notable effect on quality characteristics (viscosity, overrun, first dripping times and complete melting times). However, when considering these quality characteristics, the values for G. tournefortii L. milk were close to the values obtained for the commercial gums. In terms of sensorial characteristics, all the concentrations of G. tournefortii L. leaves were given low scores by panellists compared to the commercial stabiliser. However, G. tournefortii L. milk was given scores similar to the commercial stabiliser.     

Effect of different denture adhesives on retention of complete dentures: an in vivo study

The increase in prevalence of tooth loss with the effect of population aging produces the growing need for complete dentures. The success and acceptance of complete dentures by the patient depends on sufficient retention and stability. Therefore, denture adhesives are regularly used by denture wearers to improve the function of complete denture. We evaluated the effect of three different denture adhesives (Corega, Protefix, Fittydent) on the retention of maxillary complete denture (MCD) using with digital dynamometer (DD). For this purpose, denture adhesives were applied on MCDs of 30 participants. After chewing procedure, the force was applied at 45° to the palatal surface of denture by DD. Dislodgement force was recorded by means of Newton. There were four measurements on each patient including; group of control: Group C; Group CR: Corega; Group F: Fittydent; Group P: Protefix. The result of the study was statistically evaluated by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD test. Statistics of ANOVA showed a significant difference among all the four groups (p = 0.00, <0.05). Tukey HSD test indicated that there was a statistical difference between Group F and the other groups, but there was not a significant difference between the other groups. The highest adhesive strength value was observed in group F, the lowest in group C. Use of denture adhesives improved the retentive strength of complete denture.     

The fate of wastewater-derived NDMA precursors in the aquatic environment

To assess the stability of precursors of the chloramine disinfection byproduct N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) under conditions expected in effluent-dominated surface waters, effluent samples from four municipal wastewater treatment plants were subjected to chlorination and chloramination followed by incubation in the presence of inocula derived from activated sludge. Samples subjected to free chlorine disinfection showed lower initial concentrations of NDMA precursors than those that were not chlorinated or were disinfected with pre-formed chloramines. For chloraminated and control (unchlorinated) treatments, the concentration of NDMA precursors decreased by an average of 24% over the 30-day incubation in samples from three of the four facilities. At the fourth facility, where samples were collected on three different days, NDMA precursor concentrations decreased by approximately 80% in one sample and decreased by less than 20% in the other two samples. In contrast to the low reactivity of the NDMA precursors, NDMA disappeared within 30 days under the conditions employed in these experiments. These results and measurements made in an effluent-dominated river suggest that although NDMA may be removed after wastewater effluent is discharged, wastewater-derived NDMA precursors could persist long enough to form significant concentrations of NDMA in drinking water treatment plants that use water originating from sources that are subjected to wastewater effluent discharges.     

The effect of post surface silanization and luting agents on the push-out bond strengths of adhesively inserted fiber reinforced posts

The effect of silane treatment on the push-out bond strengths of three different luting agents to fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts after thermocycling was evaluated.Sixty single-rooted human maxillary central incisors were sectioned below the cemento-enamel junction, and the roots were endodontically treated. RelyX Fiber Posts (size #2) were inserted using etch-and-rinse, self-etch, and self-adhesive luting agents (cementing agents). For half of the specimen in each group, the fiber posts were treated with a silane coupling agent. Bonded specimens were cut (2-mm-thick sections) and push-out tests were performed (crosshead speed, 0.5 mm/min). Failure modes were evaluated using a stereomicroscope at original magnification ×40.For each luting agent the use of silane did not result in any statistically significant difference at any level of the root compared to those of the control groups except for Variolink II and RelyX Unicem luting agents in apical root section (p<0.05; one-way ANOVA). The post hoc analysis showed that regardless of the pre-treatment procedures, Variolink II achieved significantly higher bond strengths than Panavia F 2.0 and RelyX Unicem in all root sections (p<0.05).The use of a silane coupling agent had no influence on bond strengths depending on the luting agent used, whereas the type of luting agent (etch-and-rinse, self-etch, and self-adhesive) appeared to be a significant influence on the push-out bond strength values independent of the pre-treatment used. Therefore, pre-treatment of fiber posts with a silane coupling agent does not seem to be mandatory, which saves time in the clinical situation.     

CO2 emissions of Turkish manufacturing industry: A decomposition analysis

In this study, CO₂ emissions of Turkish manufacturing industry are calculated by using the fuel consumption data at ISIC revision 2, four digit level. Study covers 57 industries, for the 1995–2001 period. Log Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method is used to decompose the changes in the CO₂ emissions of manufacturing industry into five components; changes in activity, activity structure, sectoral energy intensity, sectoral energy mix and emission factors. Mainly, it is found that changes in total industrial activity and energy intensity are the primary factors determining the changes in CO₂ emissions during the study period. It is also indicated that among the fuels used, coal is the main determining factor and among the sectors, 3710 (iron and steel basic industries) is the dirtiest sector dominating the industrial CO₂ emissions in the Turkish manufacturing industry.     

Influence of pH on recombinant human growth hormone production by Pichia pastoris

BACKGROUND: Effect of pH on recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) production by Pichia pastoris hGH‐Mut⁺ was investigated at pH = 4.2, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0. RESULTS: The highest cell concentration was obtained at pH = 6.0 with 53 g L^?1, while the highest rhGH concentration was attained at pH = 5.0 as 0.27 g L^?1. Total protease secretion increased with increase in pH and with the cultivation time. Oxygen uptake rate increased with increasing pH up to pH = 6.0, having the maximum value, 37 mmol m^?3 s^?1, at pH = 5.5. K_La values were similar at all the conditions, having a maximum value of 0.14 s^?1 at pH = 5.0. Taking the final rhGH concentration into account, the most favourable pH was 5.0; where AOX1 expression level showed a similar trend to AOX activity profiles, having the highest value of 9.4 × 10¹⁰ copy mg^?1 CDW at t = 15 h; in parallel to AOX1 expression profile, hGH expression level increased until t = 15 h, with the highest value of 4.0 × 10¹⁰ copy mg^?1 CDW, where a sharp increase in rhGH concentration was obtained. The expression levels of pep4, prb1 and prc1 genes, responsible from the production of proteinase A, proteinase B and, carboxypeptidase Y, were parallel to each other. CONCLUSION: Since it was shown that pH is a crucial operating parameter in fermentation processes using P. pastoris, keeping pH constant at its determined optimum value, pH = 5.0, during the bioprocess is vital in terms of recombinant protein production. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and surface properties of polydimethylsiloxane‐based block copolymers: poly[dimethylsiloxane‐block‐ (ethyl methacrylate)] and poly[dimethylsiloxane‐block‐(hydroxyethyl methacrylate)]

A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) macroazoinitiator was synthesized from bis(hydroxyalkyl)‐terminated PDMS and 4,4′‐azobis‐4‐cyanopentanoic acid by a condensation reaction. The bifunctional macroinitiator was used for the block copolymerization of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and 2‐(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (TMSHEMA) monomers. The poly(DMS‐block‐EMA) and poly(DMS‐block‐TMSHEMA) copolymers thus obtained were characterized using Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. After the deprotection of trimethylsilyl groups, poly(DMS‐block‐HEMA) and poly(DMS‐block‐EMA) copolymer film surfaces were analysed using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effects of the PDMS concentration in the copolymers on both air and glass sides of films were examined. The PDMS segments oriented and moved to the glass side in poly(DMS‐block‐EMA) copolymer film while orientation to the air side became evident with increasing DMS content in poly(DMS‐block‐HEMA) copolymer film. The block copolymerization technique described here is a versatile and economic method and is also applicable to a wide range of monomers. The copolymers obtained have phase‐separated morphologies and the effects of DMS segments on copolymer film surfaces are different at the glass and air sides. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of additive effects on the PVA/starch cryogels: Synthesis,characterization, cytotoxicity,and genotoxicity studies

The research goal of this study is to produce suitable scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Different ratios of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/starch (90:10, 70:30, 50:50) and crosslinking methods have been used to prepare cryogels. Chemically crosslinked cryogels were synthesized using glutaraldehyde as the crosslinking agent. For the physically crosslinked cryogels, sodium dodecyl sulfate was used during cryogelation as the foaming agent. Chemical structure and pore morphology were demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Swelling ratio and degradation profile of the scaffolds were also determined. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazoyl-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and SEM were used to investigate the biocompatibility of the scaffolds and cell morphology. Genotoxicity test was performed to show DNA fragmentation. The overall results demonstrated that PVA/starch cryogels could have potentially appealing application as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications and additives affect the architecture and characteristic properties of the cryogels.