Innate Immune System Response to Burn Damage—Focus on Cytokine Alteration

In the literature, burns are understood as traumatic events accompanied by increased morbidity and mortality among affected patients. Their characteristic feature is the formation of swelling and redness at the site of the burn, which indicates the development of inflammation. This reaction is not only important in the healing process of wounds but is also responsible for stimulating the patient’s innate immune system. As a result of the loss of the protective ability of the epidermis, microbes which include bacteria, fungi, and viruses have easier access to the system, which can result in infections. However, the patient is still able to overcome the infections that occur through a cascade of cytokines and growth factors stimulated by inflammation. Long-term inflammation also has negative consequences for the body, which may result in multi-organ failure or lead to fibrosis and scarring of the skin. The innate immune response to burns is not only immediate, but also severe and prolonged, and some people with burn shock may also experience immunosuppression accompanied by an increased susceptibility to fatal infections. This immunosuppression includes apoptosis-induced lymphopenia, decreased interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion, neutrophil storm, impaired phagocytosis, and decreased monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR. This is why it is important to understand how the immune system works in people with burns and during infections of wounds by microorganisms. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular pathways of cell signaling of the immune system of people affected by burns, taking into account the role of microbial infections.     

Synthesized of Sporopollenin-Immobilized Schiff Bases and Their Vanadium(IV) Sorption Studies

This study investigated the potential use of a biologic polymer Lycopodium clavatum spores (Sporopollenin) for removal of vanadium ions (V(IV)) from aqueous solution. Three Schiff base derivative compounds immobilized sporopollenin were prepared and characterized. Immobilized sporopollenin was characterized via a scanning electron microscope, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis techniques. The sorption capacities of the immobilized surfaces toward V(IV) ions were investigated by batch sorption experiments. V(IV) concentration, initial pH and the temperature effects were studied. The isotherm data of V(IV) ions were correlated reasonably well both Langmuir, Freundlich sorption isotherm. The thermodynamic studies showed that the V(IV) sorption onto immobilized sporopollenin derivatives is a spontaneous, endothermic and a chemical reaction.     

Analysis of roasted and unroasted Pistacia terebinthus volatiles using direct thermal desorption-GCxGC–TOF/MS

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of roasting time on volatile components of Pistacia terebinthus L., a fruit growing wild in Turkey. The whole fruit samples were pan roasted for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 min at 200 °C. Volatile compounds were isolated and identified using the direct thermal desorption (DTD) method coupled with comprehensive gas chromatography – time of flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC–TOF/MS). The major components of the fresh hull of P. terebinthus were α-pinene (10.37%), limonene (8.93%), β-pinene (5.53%), 2-carene (4.47%) and γ-muurolene (4.29%). Eighty-three constituents were characterised from the volatiles of fresh whole P. terebinthus fruits obtained by direct thermal desorption with α-pinene (9.62%), limonene (5.54%), γ-cadinane (5.48%), β-pinene (5.46%), β-caryophyllene (5.24%) being the major constituents. The type and the number of constituents characterised were observed to change with differing roasting times. Limonene (5.56%), α-pinene (4.84%), 5-methylfurfural (4.78%), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF, 3.89%), dimethylmetoxyfuranone (3.67%) and 3-methyl-2(5H)furanone (3.12%) were identified as the major components among the 104 compounds characterised in the volatiles of P. terebinthus, roasted for 25 min. In addition, volatiles of fully roasted P. terebinthus fruits contained furans and furanones (15.42%), pyridines (4.45%) and benzene derivatives (3.81%) as the major groups.     

Hydroxyapatite-Integrated,Heparin- and Glycerol-Functionalized Chitosan-Based Injectable Hydrogels with Improved Mechanical and Proangiogenic Performance

The investigation of natural bioactive injectable composites to induce angiogenesis during bone regeneration has been a part of recent minimally invasive regenerative medicine strategies. Our previous study involved the development of in situ-forming injectable composite hydrogels (Chitosan/Hydroxyapatite/Heparin) for bone regeneration. These hydrogels offered facile rheology, injectability, and gelation at 37 °C, as well as promising pro-angiogenic abilities. In the current study, these hydrogels were modified using glycerol as an additive and a pre-sterile production strategy to enhance their mechanical strength. These modifications allowed a further pH increment during neutralisation with maintained solution homogeneity. The synergetic effect of the pH increment and further hydrogen bonding due to the added glycerol improved the strength of the hydrogels substantially. SEM analyses showed highly cross-linked hydrogels (from high-pH solutions) with a hierarchical interlocking pore morphology. Hydrogel solutions showed more elastic flow properties and incipient gelation times decreased to just 2 to 3 min at 37 °C. Toluidine blue assay and SEM analyses showed that heparin formed a coating at the top layer of the hydrogels which contributed anionic bioactive surface features. The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay confirmed significant enhancement of angiogenesis with chitosan-matrixed hydrogels comprising hydroxyapatite and small quantities of heparin (33 µg/mL) compared to basic chitosan hydrogels.     

A new exposure route to trace elements in indoor particulate matter

Concentrations and emission rates of sixteen trace elements in emitted PM during heating soybean oil using three types of pans, including Teflon, granitium, and cast-iron, were investigated. Statistically significant decreases in Mn and Co emission rates were observed when the oil was heated in the cast-iron pan compared to Teflon and granitium pans. Among the released trace elements, Ni, Ba, Zn, and Cr had more contribution to the emission rate. The concentrations of Fe in the emitted PM₁ were found to be higher when cast-iron pan (8.49 ± 3.35 µg/m³) was utilized compared to Teflon (8.05 ± 2.27 µg/m³) and granitium (7.45 ± 1.38 µg/m³). However, these increases were statistically insignificant. The results of our study support the hypothesis that the trace elements translocate from cooking pans into the heated oil and subsequently to the particulate phase. This translocation creates a new inhalation exposure route to trace elements in indoor environments.     

Synthesis of quaternary piperazine methacrylate homopolymers and their antibiofilm and anti-quorum sensing effects on pathogenic bacteria

In this work, poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA, G) homopolymers with different molecular weights (5600–21,000 gmol⁻¹) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method. Epoxy groups of PGMA homopolymers were converted to hydroxyl and 1-methyl piperazin residues by reacting with 1-methyl piperazine via ring-opening reaction. The obtained poly(2-hydroxy-3-methyl piperazinepropyl methacrylate) (PHMPPMA, G-P) homopolymers (from 9450 to 35,900 gmol⁻¹) were reacted with alkyl halides of different carbon chain lengths (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, pentyl-iodides, hexyl bromide) and benzyl chloride (arylhalide) to form quaternary PHMPPMA homopolymers (G-QP). MIC values varied from 0.125 mg/ml to 5 mg/ml. It was found that homopolymer (1G-6QP) produced by the modification of PHMPPMA with hexyl iodide with low molecular weight had highest quorum-sensing inhibition zone ranging from 14.5 ± 0.5 mm (MIC) and 10.0 ± 0.5 mm (MIC/4) as well as best violacein inhibition 61.0 ± 2.2% (MIC) to 17.3 ± 0.6% (MIC/8). Homopolymer (1G-BzQP) produced by the modification of PHMPPMA with benzyl chloride with the lowest molecular weight had best biofilm inhibition ranging from 77.83 ± 1.60% (MIC) to 18.23 ± 0.87% (MIC/8) on S. aureus, 75.70 ± 5.20% (MIC) to 14.25 ± 1.10% (MIC/8) on E. coli and from 86.16 ± 0.83% (MIC) to 12.41 ± 0.76% (MIC/8) on C. albicans. The synthesized homopolymers can be used to combat microbial resistance and severity of infections.     

Effect of production system on carcass measurements and meat quality of Kivircik lambs

Effect of production system on carcass and meat quality was investigated in four groups of lambs: i. W-C lambs were weaned between 45 and 60 days of age and then were fattened with concentrate feed until slaughter; ii. W-G-S lambs were weaned and then taken to pasture and wheat stubble; iii. UW-C lambs were fattened with concentrate feed and they suckled their dams until slaughter; iv. UW-G lambs were kept with their dams and were taken to pasture in the day-time. Hot carcass weight was 13.62, 12.52, 14.37 and 13.88 kg (P < 0.001), and dressing percentage was 55.24, 51.77, 57.83 and 55.38% (P < 0.001), for W-C, W-G-S, UW-C and UW-G lambs, respectively. Ultimate meat pH was higher in W-G-S lambs than lambs from W-C and UW-C systems (P < 0.05). W-G-S lambs had higher shear force value in longissimus dorsi muscle (P < 0.05) and lower meat lightness (P < 0.001) than those of other systems. Panellists gave the lowest sensory scores, except juiciness, to meat of W-G-S lambs.     

Natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in the granitic region of Kapidag peninsula, Western Anatolia, Turkey

Naturally occurring radionuclides of terrestrial origin (also called primordial radionuclides) are present in various degrees in all media in the environment. This study represents the reports on the natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in the Kapidag granitic region. For this purpose, activities of radionuclides in soil, beach sands and rocks of the region have been investigated to assess the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity. The radium equivalent activities, the absorbed dose rates and the external hazard indexes have been calculated, and also in situ gamma dose rates have been measured in the region. The mean activities of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K with the ranges were determined as 31.1±15.7 (12.1-71.9), 42.5±15.9 (19.7-94.9), 590.3±192.2 (184.7-892.5), in the soil, as 16.5±9.5 (4.9-40.8), 67.1±106.9 (18.5-433.0), 569.2±212.6 (162.0-821.1) in the sand and as 25.4±12.8 (4.8-50.7), 37.8±21.5 (4.5-96.7), and 592.4±285.5 (62.4-1121.6) Bq kg(-1) in the rocks, respectively. It was also observed that the average activities of (137)Cs were ranged 0-27.8 Bq kg(-1) in the soil and 0.6-3.8 Bq kg(-1) in the beach sands. The mean Ra(eq) activities of the rocks, sands and soil were found to be 125.1±59.5, 156.3±157.2 and 137.3±48.8 Bq kg(-1), respectively, lower than the recommended maximum value of 370 Bq kg(-1) with some exceptions. The maximum contributors to the total absorbed gamma dose rates in air were determined as (238)U (45%) for the beach sands, (238)U (40%) for the soil and (40)K (41%) for rocks. The average outdoor gamma dose rates for the soil due to terrestrial and cosmic radiations were found to be 64.6±22.7 and 47.1±9.6 nGy h(-1), respectively, with the total of 111.7±29.5 nGy h(-1) outdoor gamma exposure rate and the annual average effective outdoor gamma dose was calculated as 137±36.2 μSv for the region. The results of the study were discussed with similar studies in close regions and the worldwide averages.     

Assessment of natural radioactivity concentrations and gamma dose rate levels in Kayseri, Turkey

This study assesses the level of background radiation for Kayseri province of Turkey. Natural radionuclide activity concentrations in soil samples were determined using high-resolution gamma spectroscopy. Outdoor gamma dose measurements in air at 1 m above ground level were determined using a portable gamma scintillation detector. The obtained results of uranium and thorium series as well as potassium ((40)K) are discussed. The present data were compared with the data obtained from different areas in Turkey. From the measured gamma-ray spectra, the average activity concentrations were determined for (238)U (range from 3.91 to 794.25 Bq kg(-1)), (232)Th (range from 0.68 to 245.55 Bq kg(-1)) and (40)K (range from 23.68 to 2718.71 Bq kg(-1)). The average activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K were found to be 35.51, 37.27 and 429.66 Bq kg(-1), respectively, and 11.53 Bq kg(-1) for the fission product (137)Cs. The highest values of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K concentrations (794.25 Bq kg(-1), 245.55 Bq kg(-1), 2718.71 Bq kg(-1), respectively) were observed in abnormal samples at Hayriye village. The average outdoor gamma dose rate in air at 1 m above the ground was determined as 114.43 nGy h(-1). Using the data obtained in this study, the average annual effective dose for a person living in Kayseri was found to be about 140.34 μSv.