Effect of a moustache on nasal Staphylococcus aureus colonisation and nasal cytology results in men.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the results of nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage and nasal cytology in men with and without a moustache. METHODS: The study group comprised 118 adult men with a moustache, and the control group consisted of 123 adult men without a moustache. Samples were taken from the participants' right nasal cavity for cytology and from the left nasal cavity for microbiology. RESULTS: The results for S aureus were positive in 19.5 per cent (n = 23) of participants with a moustache and in 20.3 per cent (n = 25) of men without a moustache. This difference was not significant (p > 0.05). However, nasal cytology revealed rich eosinophil clusters in participants with a moustache. CONCLUSION: The presence or absence of a moustache had no effect on nasal S aureus colonisation. However, further research is needed to understand whether the presence of a moustache increases the risk of allergic or non-allergic rhinitis.

Flavonoids and dementia: an update.

Dementia is a strongly age-related syndrome due to cognitive decline that can be considered a typical example of the combination of physiological and pathological aging-associated changes occurring in old people; it ranges from intact cognition to mild cognitive impairment, which is an intermediate stage of cognitive deterioration, and dementia. The spread of this syndrome has induced to study and try to reduce dementia modifiable risk factors. They include insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, depression, cognitive inactivity or low educational attainment as well as physical inactivity and incorrect diet, which can be considered one of the most important factors. One emerging strategy to decrease the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia may be the use of nutritional interventions. In the last decade, prospective data have suggested that high fruit and vegetable intakes are related to improved cognitive functions and reduced risks of developing a neurodegenerative process. The protective effects against neurodegeneration could be in part due to the intake of flavonoids that have been associated with several health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, increased neuronal signaling, and improved metabolic functions. The present article is aimed at reviewing scientific studies that show the protective effects of flavonoid intake against mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

Prevalence of male pelvic dysfunction: results from the Turkish society of andrology male sexual health study group.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of male pelvic dysfunction (MPD) and its correlation in men ≥40 years of age in a population-based study. This study was designed as a non-interventional, observational, cross-sectional field survey. Participating males of ≥40 years were randomly selected from 19 provinces of Turkey. All participants were asked to complete a survey including data regarding demographics, socio-economic status, socio-cultural factors, medical and sexual history, current medications, comorbidities and three validated questionnaires assessing lower urinary tract symptoms (International Prostate Symptom Score), erectile dysfunction (International Index of Erectile Function) and ejaculatory behaviour (Male Sexual Health Questionnaire-4). MPD was defined by combining abnormal scores calculated from all three questionnaires. All data were analysed statistically and p < 0.05 was accepted as significant. A total of 2730 males of ≥40 years (mean, 54.2 ± 10.6 years) were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of MPD was calculated as 24.4% among all participants. The prevalence of MPD was lowest at age between 40 and 49 years (9.1%) and highest at ≥70 years (76.6%), exhibiting correlation with age. Each decade of increase in age was associated with a 3.4-fold increase in presence of MPD. At logistic regression analyses; age, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, obesity and lower income were found to be independent predictors for increased prevalence of MPD. This study reports prevalence of MPD as 24.4% in males of ≥40 years. Furthermore, age was found to be the main independent predictor of having MPD.

Synthesis and different biological activities of novel benzoxazoles.

A series of 2-[4-(4-substitutedbenzamido/phenylacetamido/butanamido)phenyl]-5-ethylsulphonyl-benzoxazole derivatives were synthesized and biologically evaluated as possible antimicrobial agents and inhibitors of tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The results demonstrated that the synthesized compounds exhibited a broad spectrum of activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 128-16 µg/ml against some Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria as well as Candida albicans and C. krusei. The compound 10 displayed higher activity in this series against methicilline resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with a MIC value of 16 µg/ml than the compared control drugs ampicillin and ceftriaxone. Compound 14 showed moderate tyrosinase inhibition, however, none of the compounds showed effect as inhibitor of AChE and BChE.

Current concepts on selected plant secondary metabolites with promising inhibitory effects against enzymes linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become one of the deadliest diseases for human beings with special incidence in elderly population. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most prevalent cause of dementia. The neuropathology of AD has not been fully elucidated yet, however, cholinergic hypothesis is the most accepted theory nowadays, resulting from the cholinergic deficit emerging in the brains of AD patients. Shortage of the neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and butyrylcholine has been demonstrated, and therefore, inhibition of the enzymes; acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) that break down acetylcholine and butyrylcholine has become a standard approach for AD treatment. However, cholinesterase inhibitors are only effective in symptomatic treatment and have no ability to impede the disease. The pathogenesis of AD is highly complex and another hypothesis is the formation of amyloid plaques containing beta-amyloid peptide, which causes neurolesions in the brains of AD patients. Beta-amyloid peptide is generated after the sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein, especially by the beta- and gamma-secretase in the amyloidogenic pathway. The secretases involved in the processing of amyloid precursor protein are of particular interest and, consequently, the inhibition of secretase enzyme family of protease type has become another desired treatment strategy for AD. On the other hand, medicinal plants are attractive sources for drug research and development as they produce chemically-varying molecules with preferred biological activities. The aim of this article is to review the available data on selected inhibitors from plant secondary metabolites with emphasis on cholinesterase, prolyl endopeptidase, and secretase enzyme families as being the current treatments of AD.

An overview on natural cholinesterase inhibitors--a multi-targeted drug class--and their mass production.

Cholinesterase enzyme family consisting of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butrylcholinesterase (BChE) is important in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), explained by "cholinergic hypothesis". Accordingly, deficiency of the neuromediator called "acetylcholine" excessive amount of BChE has been well-described in the brains of AD patients. Consequently, cholinesterase inhibition has become one of the most-prescribed treatment strategies for AD. In fact, cholinesterase inhibitors have been also reported for their effectiveness in some other diseases including glaucoma, myasthenia gravies, as well as Down syndrome, lately. They play a role in the action of mechanism of insecticidal drugs such as carbamate derivatives as well as nerve gases such as malathion and parathion. All these utilizations can make them a multi-targeted drug class putting a special emphasis on AD therapy in the first place. Several inhibitors of cholinesterases with synthetic and natural origins are available in drug market; however, the reasons including side effects, relatively low bioavailability, etc. limit their uses in medicine and there is still a great demand to discover new cholinesterase inhibitors. Galanthamine, an alkaloid derivative isolated from snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis L.), is the latest anticholinesterase drug used against AD. Huperzine A, isolated from Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trev. is the most-promising drug candidate with potent anticholinesterase effect and it is a licensed anti-AD drug in China. In this review, a short introduction will be given on known cholinesterase inhibitors and, then, galanthamine and huperzine A will be covered in regard with their cholinesterase inhibitory potentials and mass productions by organic synthesis and in vitro culture techniques.

Ability and utility of diffusion-weighted MRI with different b values in the evaluation of benign and malignant renal lesions.

AIM: To evaluate the ability and the utility of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with high and low b values to visualize benign and malignant renal lesions, and to determine which b value (b=100, 600, or 1000s/mm(2)) was most useful in differentiating benign from malignant renal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with 67 renal lesions and 50 normal contralateral kidneys (as control) were enrolled in the study. DW imaging was performed with b values of 100, 600, and 1000s/mm(2). Results of the histopathological evaluation were compared with the DW MRI results. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and the sensitivity and specificity for differentiating malignant renal lesions from benign renal lesions were calculated for each b value. RESULTS: The mean ADC values of normal renal parenchyma with b=100, 600, and 1000s/mm(2) values were (3.14±0.54)×10(-3), (2.52±0.30)×10(-3), and (2.16±0.43)×10(-3)mm(2)/s, respectively. The mean ADC values of benign renal lesions (n=35) with b=100, 600, and 1000s/mm(2) values were (2.88±0.88)×10(-3), (2.58±0.91)×10(-3), and (2.10±0.93)×10(-3)mm(2)/s, respectively. The mean ADC values of malignant renal lesions (n=32) with b=100, 600, and 1000 values were (2.74±0.58)×10(-3), (2.09±0.63)×10(-3), and (1.66±0.51)×10(-3)mm(2)/s, respectively. Using DW imaging malignant renal lesions could be differentiated from benign renal lesions, and also angiomyolipomas and oncocytomas could be differentiated from renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: DW MRI with quantitative ADC measurements can be useful in the differentiation of benign and malignant renal lesions. High b values (b=600 and 1000s/mm(2)) had the best specificity and sensitivity.

Acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase inhibition studies and antioxidant activities of 33 Scutellaria L. taxa from Turkey.

The members of Scutellaria L. (Lamiaceae) is known to be rich particularly in flavonoids and among them, S. baicalensis has been recorded to be used for memory-enhancing purpose. Therefore, we initiated a study to screen the methanol extracts prepared from the aerial parts of 33 Turkish Scutellaria species for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities, which are the key enzymes taking place in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Besides, the methanol extracts were tested in vitro against another enzyme, tyrosinase, which is associated with melanin hyperpigmentation. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenger effect, ferrous ion-chelating ability, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were also determined. AChE, BChE, and tyrosinase inhibition of the extracts were performed on ELISA microplate reader by spectrophotometric method. The extracts showed weak inhibition against AChE and BChE, while the best tyrosinase inhibition was caused by the methanol extract of S. brevibracteata subsp. subvelutina. The extracts had a very high DDPH radical scavenging effect and moderate antioxidant activity in ferrous ion-chelating and FRAP tests.

Urethral erosion of a bone screw after internal urethrotomy: a rare complication after pelvic trauma.

BACKGROUND: Although screw breakage or loosening are rarely encountered, they were reported to occur after instability of the internal fixation. METHODS: A man with a history of traumatic pelvic fracture 6 months ago presented to our clinic with inability to void. An anterior urethral meatotomy was made and a calcified but intact screw was removed from the urethra. CONCLUSIONS: Screw migration with urological manifestations are extremely rare and usually include bladder migration with a subsequent voiding of the screw. We present a case in which internal urethrotomy for posterior urethral stricture caused erosion of a bone screw into the urethra which was subsequently removed by anterior meatotomy.

Cholinesterase inhibitory activities of some flavonoid derivatives and chosen xanthone and their molecular docking studies.

Flavonoids are one of the largest classes of plant secondary metabolites and are known to possess a number of significant biological activities for human health. In this study, we examined in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities of four flavonoid derivatives--quercetin, rutin, kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-galactoside and macluraxanthone. The in vitro results showed that quercetin and macluraxanthone displayed a concentration-dependant inhibition of AChE and BChE. Macluraxanthone showed to be the most potent and specific inhibitor of both the enzymes having the IC(50) values of 8.47 and 29.8 microM, respectively. The enzyme kinetic studies revealed that quercetin inhibited both the enzymes in competitive manner, whereas the mode of inhibition of macluraxanthone was non-competitive against AChE and competitive against BChE. The inhibitory profiles of the compounds have been compared with standard AChE inhibitor galanthamine. To get insight of the intermolecular interactions, the molecular docking studies of these two compounds were performed at the active site 3D space of both the enzymes, using ICM-Dock module. Docking studies exhibited that macluraxanthone binds much more tightly with both the enzymes than quercetin. The calculated docking and binding energies also supported the in vitro inhibitory profiles (IC(50) values). Both the compounds showed several strong hydrogen bonds to several important amino acid residues of both the enzymes. A number of hydrophobic interactions could also explain the potency of the compounds to inhibit AChE and BChE.

Cholinesterase inhibitory effects of the extracts and compounds of Maclura pomifera (Rafin.) Schneider.

We have investigated anticholinesterase potential of the methanol extracts from the leaf, wood, flower, twig, and stem bark of the female and male individuals and rhizodermis and fruit from the female tree of Maclura pomifera (Rafin.) Schneider (Moraceae) along with its major isoflavonoids; osajin and pomiferin as well as their semi-synthetic derivatives; iso-osajin and iso-pomiferin. Anticholinesterase activity was determined by Ellman method using ELISA microplate reader. Osajin and pomiferin had a noticeable inhibition of AChE with IC(50) values of 2.239 and 0.096 mM, respectively, while their iso-derivatives were found to display less inhibition towards AChE. The extracts and compounds did not inhibit BChE. The extracts were analyzed for osajin and pomiferin contents by LC-DAD-MS and only the fruits and female flowers contained osajin (fruit: 8.87%, female flowers: 0.19%, w/w) and pomiferin (fruit: 13.6%, female flowers: 0.36%, w/w).

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant properties of Cyclotrichium niveum, Thymus praecox subsp. caucasicus var. caucasicus, Echinacea purpurea and E. pallida.

The dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of Cyclotrichium niveum (CN) and Thymus praecox subsp. caucasicus var. caucasicus (TP), Echinacea purpurea (EPU), and E. pallida (EPA) along with the essential oils of CN and TP were assessed for their anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and antioxidant activities. AChE inhibition was estimated using spectrophotometric method of Ellman. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferrous ion-chelating power tests. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of CN and TP were also tested. CN essential oil was found to contain isomenthone (56.21%) and pulegone (19.76%). The ethyl acetate (83.11-87.98%) and dichloromethane (73.45-84.02%) extracts of CN showed the highest AChE inhibition. The ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of TP exerted significant DPPH scavenger effect. The water extracts of CN and TP and the chloroform extract of the aerial parts of EPU displayed the highest ferrous ion-chelating effect. The leaf and flower essential oils of TP had the best FRAP.

Endothelium-dependent induction of vasorelaxation by Melissa officinalis L. ssp. officinalis in rat isolated thoracic aorta.

In the current study, vasorelaxant effect produced by the aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis L. ssp. officinalis (MOO) (Lamiaceae) and its possible mechanism in isolated rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine were examined. In the first series of experiments, effect of MOO on the baseline and phenylephrine (10(-5)M) precontracted arteries was investigated, while in the second group of experiments, endothelium intact or endothelium denuded effect was determined. The agents used were N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME), an irreversible inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, indomethacin (10 microM), a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, and glibenclamide (10 microM), an ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker. The extract was found to exert a vasorelaxant effect and rosmarinic acid quantity, the characteristic compound of the plant, was analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (18.75%), and was further confirmed by LC-MS analysis giving a prominent [M(+1)] molecular ion peak at m/z 365. Total phenol amount in the extract was determined using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent (0.284 mg/mg extract). Vasorelaxant effect of the extract was entirely dependent on the presence of endothelium and was abolished by pretreatment with L-NAME, whereas pretreatment with indomethacin and glibenclamide reduced the relaxation to a minor extent. Rosmarinic acid was also tested in the same manner as the extract and was found to exert vasorelaxant effect. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of MOO vasodilates via nitric oxide pathway with the possible involvement of prostacycline and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) pathways as well.

Scrotal ultrasonography: should it be used in routine evaluation of infertile men?

Several studies have suggested that male infertility and testicular cancer may have common aetiological factors. Scrotal ultrasonography (US) has an important role in the diagnosis of testicular tumours when not palpable by physical examination. In this study, we present two infertile men referred to our clinic. Patients were evaluated by a detailed physical examination, semen analyses and hormonal assessment. Both patients underwent scrotal US examination. Semen analysis of the patients revealed oligoasthenospermia in both patients. Scrotal US revealed hypoechoic masses in the left and right testes of both patients, which were nonpalpable by physical examination. Scrotal exploration and subsequent orchidectomy were performed. Histopathological examination revealed mixed germ cell tumour and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour in case 1 and case 2 respectively. With these cases, we discussed the role of scrotal US in the routine diagnostic evaluation of infertile men.

Bioassay-guided isolation of kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-galactoside with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity from the aerial part of Calluna vulgaris L.

Calluna vulgaris L. (Ericaceae) is used for the treatment of various inflammatory ailments in traditional medicines. In order to evaluate this ethnobotanical information, its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities were studied using in vivo experimental models in mice. The ethanolic extract of the plant was first fractionated into five extracts; namely, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol, and water fractions. Among them, the EtOAc Fr. was found to be the most effective and was further subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation procedures. After successive column chromatography applications, on Sephadex LH-20 and silica gel, a component, which is responsible for the above-mentioned activities of this species of Turkish origin, was isolated and its structure was elucidated as kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-galactoside, a common flavonol derivative by means of spectral techniques.

The gross anatomy of larynx, trachea and syrinx in the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus).

Five long-legged buzzards (Buteo rufinus), weighing 475-570 g, were used in this study. It was determined that long-legged buzzards' larynx is composed of three different cartilages. Among these cartilages, the cricoid and procricoid cartilages were single and the arytenoid cartilage was double. The partially ossified corpus and ala of the cricoid cartilage were connected with cartilaginous plate. Trachea was formed up of complete cartilage circles. The tracheal cartilages were notched in dorsal and ventral directions and a number of the tracheal cartilages inter-mingling one another were between 89-96. Syrinx, which was covered with the inter-clavicular air sac, was in contact with basis cordis. It was observed that there is tracheobronchial type syrinx in long-legged buzzard and this syrinx is formed by two different cartilage groups named as the cartt. tracheosyringeales and cartt. bronchosyringeales. The first cartilage rings of the cartt. tracheosyringeales formed the tympanum. The tympanum, cartt. tracheosyringeales and cartt. bronchosyringeales were created of three, two or three and four cartilage rings, respectively. Membrana tympaniformis lateralis and medialis, two pairs of thin membranes constituting voice formation, also determined in long-legged buzzard. Membrana tympaniformis lateralis was observed to be very short between the first and second cartilage rings of cartt. bronchosyringeales. Although the instrictic syringeal muscles were not present in long-legged buzzard, the sternotracheal and tracheolateral muscles, expressed as extrinsic syringeal muscles, were evident. In this study, which is expected to give contribution to veterinary anatomy literature, the similarities and differences in larynx, trachea and syrinx of long-legged buzzard with other bird species were exposed.

Morphometric study of the intraorbital muscles (musculi bulbi) in New Zealand rabbit.

Eight female New Zealand rabbits were used. The bulbus oculi was removed bilaterally from orbita then intraorbital muscles were revealed by dissection and their length and breadth and the distance of the muscle insertion to the corneal limbus were measured. Junction formations of the insertion tendon of intraorbital muscle to the sclera were identified.

In vitro antiprotozoal activity of the lipophilic extracts of different parts of Turkish Pistacia vera L.

Thirteen lipophilic extracts prepared with n-hexane from various parts of Pistacia vera L. tree (Anacardiaceae) growing in Turkey were screened for their in vitro activity against four parasitic protozoa, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium falciparum. Melarsoprol, benznidazole, miltefosine, artemisinin and chloroquine were used as reference drugs. The cytotoxic potentials of the extracts on rat skeletal myoblast (L6) cells were also assessed and compared to that of podophyllotoxin. The screening method employed was medium-throughput, where the extracts were tested at two concentrations, at 0.8 and 4.8 microg/ml (T. brucei rhodesiense, L. donovani and Plasmodium falciparum), or at 1.6 and 9.7 microg/ml (T. cruzi and L6 cells). At 4.8 microg/ml concentration, the branch extract of Pistacia vera (PV-BR) significantly inhibited (77.3%) the growth of L. donovani, whereas the dry leaf extract (PV-DL) was active against Plasmodium falciparum (60.6% inhibition). The IC50 values of these extracts were determined as 2.3 microg/ml (PV-BR, L. donovani) and 3.65 microg/ml (PV-DL, Plasmodium falciparum). None of the extracts possessed cytotoxicity on mammalian cells.

Facial bones of long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus).

The department of National Parks and Protection of Wild Nature sent five (two males, three females) adult long-legged buzzards for investigation of their deaths to Ankara University Veterinary Faculty. Facial bones of buzzards were evaluated. Distinguishing facial features such as strong os premaxillare, cavum nasale filled with spider webbing-like structures, prominent os prefrontalis and processes, H-shaped paraglossum were determined. In this study, we investigated the anatomic properties of facial bones in long-legged buzzard. We also aimed to identify the data using these bones in order to separate different bird species.

Turkish freshwater and marine macrophyte extracts show in vitro antiprotozoal activity and inhibit FabI, a key enzyme of Plasmodium falciparum fatty acid biosynthesis.

The ethanolic extracts of a number of Turkish freshwater macrophytes (Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus tricophyllus and Cladophora glomerata) and marine macroalgae (Dictyota dichotoma, Halopteris scoparia, Posidonia oceanica, Scinaia furcellata, Sargassum natans and Ulva lactuca) were assayed for their in vitro antiprotozoal activity. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium falciparum were used as test organisms. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was also assessed against primary rat skeletal myoblasts (L6 cells). Whereas none of the extracts were active against T. cruzi, all crude extracts displayed appreciable trypanocidal activity against T. brucei rhodesiense, with S. natans being the most active one (IC(50) 7.4microg/ml). Except for the marine alga H. scoparia, all extracts also possessed leishmanicidal potential. The best antileishmanial activity was exerted by U. lactuca and P. oceanica (IC(50)'s 5.9 and 8.0microg/ml, respectively). Five extracts that demonstrated inhibitory activity towards P. falciparum (IC(50)'s 18.1-48.8microg/ml) were simultaneously assayed against FabI, a crucial enzyme of the fatty acid system of P. falciparum, to find out whether FabI was their target. The extracts of C. glomerata and U. lactuca efficiently inhibited the FabI enzyme with IC(50) values of 1.0 and 4.0microg/ml, respectively. None of the extracts were cytotoxic towards mammalian L6 cells. This work reports for the first time antiprotozoal activity of some Turkish marine and freshwater algae, as well as a target-based antiplasmodial screening for the identification of P. falciparum FabI inhibitors from aquatic and marine macrophytes.