Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: a five-year single-center clinical experience and results.

OBJECTIVE: The current surgical approach in the treatment of hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease is known as hernioplasty together with antireflux surgical procedures. Among the antireflux surgical treatment procedures, the most applied approach is the laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. In this study, we aimed to examine the results and effectiveness of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and to share our clinical experiences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication operation between January 2017 and January 2022 in the general surgery clinic of a tertiary healthcare center were included in the study. The clinical data, preoperative, operative, and postoperative findings and results of the cases were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 46.2 ± 14.7 years, and the female/male ratio was 1.5/1. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification system, 9.9% of the patients had grade I, and 18.3% grade II complications. The patients were followed up for a mean of 32.6 ± 14.8 months. During the follow-up, reoperation was planned in 5.6% of the patients due to recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a well-defined technique. It is a safe and effective surgical method with appropriate patient selection.

The ameliorative effects of Nigella sativa, thymoquinone, and bentonite against aflatoxicosis in broilers via AFAR and Nrf2 signalling pathways, and down-regulation of caspase-3.

1. Aflatoxins (AFs) are metabolites which especially have toxic effects on proteins, and are detoxified by the aflatoxin-B1 aldehyde reductase (AFAR) pathway. In this pathway, the aldo-keto reductase family 7, member A2 (AKR7A2) enzyme, which is controlled by nucleic-related erythroid factor 2 (Nrf2), plays an active role. However, data on the efficacy of this critical pathway in broilers is limited.2. The aim of the following study was to investigate the changes in the expression levels of AKR7A2, Nrf2, and caspase-3, and the effects of Nigella sativa seeds (NS), thymoquinone (TMQ), and bentonite (BNT) in broilers exposed to AFs.3. One-hundred broilers were divided into ten groups (control (CNT); AF; NS; TMQ; BNT; AF+TMQ; AF+NS; AF+BNT; AF+BNT+NS; AF+BNT+TMQ) and fed for 28 d. AF, TMQ, NS and BNT were added to diets at levels of 2 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 50 g/kg and 10 g/kg respectively.4. The addition of AF to the diet decreased AKR7A2 and Nrf2 levels dramatically, but increased caspase-3 (P < 0.01). TMQ, NS and BNT additions to the diet eliminated all negative effects caused by AF (P < 0.01); and AKR7A2 and Nrf2 were further raised in TMQ and NS groups when compared to the control group. TMQ and NS showed a positive effect on detoxification parameters when given together with BNT.5. Supplementation with NS and TMQ enhanced AF detoxification via the AFAR pathway, by increasing AKR7A2 and Nrf2 levels, in addition to reducing hepatocyte apoptosis.

Evaluation of the relationship between appearances of the lingual foramen on panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study is to determine the level of visibility of the lingual foramen in panoramic radiography using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a reference tool. METHOD: A total of 200 patients (111 females and 89 males) were included in the study. Cross-sectional CBCT images of the mandible in the midline were used to locate and define the orifice and diameter of each lingual canal that was detected. The appearance of the lingual foramen in the anterior mandible in panoramic radiography was assessed using a five-point ordinal scale. Descriptive statistics including tables and graphs were used. The correlation between CBCT and panoramic radiography findings were analyzed using Chi-square tests. RESULTS: The lingual foramen was found to be located most frequently in the mandibular midline, above the genial tubercle (78.5%). A narrow-diameter type was found to occur most frequently (56.5%). A prominent genial tubercle was the most commonly found type (57.5%). The lingual foramen could be definitively identified in panoramic radiographs in only 8 cases (4%), while a high degree of probability was found in 25 cases (12.5%). The lingual foramen appears wider and therefore more distinctive in panoramic radiographs when the angulation of the lingual canal is less than 20° to the ground plane. CONCLUSIONS: Radiological evaluation with panoramic radiographs alone may lead to inadequate assessments prior to surgical procedures involving the anterior mandible. Clinicians may consider using three-dimensional imaging for procedures with a risk of hemorrhagic and neurosensory complications such as dental implant placement in the anterior mandible.

Negative effect of feeding with high energy diets on testes and metabolic blood parameters of male Japanese quails, and positive role of milk thistle seed.

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the changes in testicular tissue and cell count, testicular oxidative stress and some metabolic blood parameters of male broiler Japanese quails fed with high energy diet and milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed. One hundred-twenty male 15-day-old Japanese quail chicks were divided into 4 equal groups with 30 each. The applications in each group were repeated 3 times with 10 animals each. Control group was fed with basal diet. Milk thistle seed group was fed with diet including 1% milk thistle seed. High energy diet group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup. High energy diet + milk thistle seed group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup along with 1% milk thistle seed. The feeding period in all groups was 35 days. When the quails reached 50 days old, a total of 48, 12 from each group (4 from each replication) were euthanized and blood samples and testes were collected. Compared with the control group, significant increases in body weight, serum cholesterol and glucose level, aspartate aminotransferase activity and testicular malondialdehyde level; however, significant decreases in serum testosterone level, testicular glutathione peroxidase activity, counts of round and elongated spermatid and sperm as well as histopathologically, significant decreases in seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness, and marked disorganization in germinal cells were determined in quails fed with high energy diet. It was observed that almost all of the disturbances in testicular tissue, cell number, oxidant-antioxidant balance and metabolic blood parameters caused by feeding with high energy diet were significantly prevented by supplementation of milk thistle seed to the diet with high energy. On the other hand, alone milk thistle seed and high energy diet + milk thistle seed administrations decreased body weight in comparison to control and high energy diet groups. As a result, feeding with high energy diet causes disturbances in testes of male quails by affecting liver metabolic functions and testicular oxidant-antioxidant balance, but milk thistle seed addition to diet plays a protective role.

Evaluation of radiographic features of embedded primary molar roots in adult Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: The roots of primary molars were found in the permanent dentition without symptoms on the clinical or radiographic examination. However, their incidence could not be achieved on the current literature. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the radiographic features of the embedded primary molar roots in adult dentulous patients in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data, from 5000 adult patients, including panoramic radiographs and demographic information, were evaluated retrospectively. The prevalence and location of the primary molar roots in the jaws were determined, as well as the prevalence and location of the primary molar roots in the adjacent permanent root levels. RESULTS: Among 5000 Turkish population dentulous patients, 20 retained primary molar roots (0.38%) were found in 19 ones. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the primary molar roots in the present study was found to be lower than that of the previous study. This finding may result from the larger amount of patient data that was evaluated in this study, which used panoramic radiographs.

Quercetin attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced testicular damage in rats.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of quercetin on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced sperm damages, testicular apoptosis and oxidative stress in male rats. Group 1 served as control, group 2 was treated with only quercetin, group 3 was treated with only CCl4 and group 4 received CCl4 + quercetin. All administrations were performed by gavage and maintained for 10 weeks. CCl4 administration caused significant decreases in absolute and relative reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, concentration and testicular glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities, and significant increases in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, abnormal sperm rate and testicular apoptotic cell index, along with some histopathological damages when compared to the control group. However, administration of CCl4 together with quercetin provided statistically significant improvements in LPO level, abnormal sperm rate, the degree of histopathological lesions and testicular apoptotic cell index when compared to only CCl4 group. In addition, improvements observed in absolute and relative weights of reproductive organs, sperm motility and concentration, and testicular GSH-Px and CAT activities in group 4 were statistically insignificant when compared to only CCl4 group. In conclusion, quercetin has antiperoxidative effect, and its oral administration attenuates the CCl4 -induced some damages in male reproductive organs and cells by decreasing the LPO.

Effectiveness of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark oil in the prevention of carbon tetrachloride-induced damages on the male reproductive system.

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the likelihood of detrimental effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) on male reproductive system through oxidative stress mechanism and also protective effects of cinnamon bark oil (CBO). For this purpose, 28 healthy male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, seven rats in each. Group 1 received only olive oil daily; group 2 was treated with 100 mg kg(-1) CBO daily; group 3 was treated with only 0.25 ml kg(-1) CCl4 weekly; and group 4 received weekly CCl4 + daily CBO. All administrations were made by intragastric catheter and maintained for 10 weeks. Body and reproductive organ weights, sperm characteristics, testicular oxidative stress markers and testicular apoptosis were examined. CCl4 administration caused significant decreases in body and reproductive organ weights, testicular catalase (CAT) activity, sperm motility and concentration, and significant increases in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, abnormal sperm rate and apoptotic index along with some histopathological damages compared with the control group. However, significant improvements were observed in absolute weights of testis and epididymis, all sperm quality parameters, LPO level, apoptotic index and testicular histopathological structure following the administration of CCl4 together with CBO when compared to group given CCl4 only. The findings of this study clearly suggest that CBO has protective effect against damages in male reproductive organs and cells induced by CCl4 .

Effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark oil on testicular antioxidant values, apoptotic germ cell and sperm quality.

Cinnamon and its contents have multifactorial properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic. Male infertility is one of the major health problems in life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term cinnamon bark oil (CBO) ingestion on testicular antioxidant values, apoptotic germ cell and sperm quality of adult rats. Twelve male healthy Wistar rats were divided into two groups, each group containing six rats. While olive oil was given to control group, 100 mg kg(-1)  CBO was administered to the other group by gavage daily for 10 weeks. Body and reproductive organ weights, sperm characteristics, testicular lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, and testicular apoptosis via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) method were examined. A significant decrease in malondialdehyde level and marked increases in reduced glutathione level, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were observed in rats treated with CBO compared with the control group. CBO consumption provided a significant increase in weights of testes and epididymides, epididymal sperm concentration, sperm motility and diameter of seminiferous tubules when compared with the control group. However, CBO consumption tended to decrease the abnormal sperm rate and apoptotic germ cell count, but it did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that CBO has improvement effect on testicular oxidant-antioxidant balance and sperm quality, and its consumption may be useful for asthenozoospermic men.

The prevalence of pulp stones in a Turkish population. A radiographic survey.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of pulp stones in a Turkish population. Any possible associations between pulp stones and gender, tooth type and dental arch were also evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Four hundred and sixty nine patients' bitewing radiographs which were reached through the patient database of Erciyes University Dentistry School, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology were examined. Of these 469 subjects whose mean age was 24( ± 10.7), 302 were females and 167 were males. A total of 6,926 teeth were examined during this study. Pulp stones were recorded as present or absent and any relations with gender, tooth type and dental arch were noted. RESULTS: Pulp stones were identified in 270 (57.6 %) of the subjects and in 1,038 (15 %) of the teeth examined. Their presence were seldom found in the premolars (9.07%) but was much higher in the molars (90.92 %). Pulp stone occurrence was significantly more common in the first molars than in the second molars, and in the first premolars than in the second premolars in each dental arch. Their occurrence was higher in the maxilla than in the mandible for each tooth type. No difference between the two genders could be identified. CONCLUSION: Pulp stones are not only incidental radiographic findings of the pulp tissue but may also be an indicator of some serious underlying disease. On the other hand, they may provide useful information to predict about the susceptibility of patients for other dystrophic soft tissue calcifications such as urinary calculi and calcified atheromas. However, further study on this issue is needed.

Purification and characterization of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Lake Van fish (Chalcalburnus tarichiipallas, 1811) liver

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (D-glucose 6-phosphate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49; G6PD) was purified from Lake Van fish (Chalcalburnus tarichii pallas, 1811) liver, using a simple and rapid method, and some characteristics of the enzyme were investigated. The purification procedure was composed of two steps: homogenate preparation and 2¡ä, 5¡ä-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel chromatography, which took 7¨C8 hours. Thanks to the two consecutive procedures, the enzyme, having specific activity of 38 EU/mg protein, was purified with a yield of 44.39% and 1,310 fold. In order to control the enzyme purification SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was done. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a single band for enzyme. Optimal pH, stable pH, optimal temperature, Km and, Vmax values for NADP+ and glucose 6- phosphate (G6P) were also determined for the enzyme. In addition, molecular weight and subunit molecular weights were found by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and gel filtration chromatography respectively (AU)

Mediante un método simple y rápido, se identifica la enzima glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa (..) (AU)

Purification and characterization of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Lake Van fish (Chalcalburnus tarichii pallas, 1811) liver.

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (D-glucose 6-phosphate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49; G6PD) was purified from Lake Van fish (Chalcalburnus tarichii pallas, 1811) liver, using a simple and rapid method, and some characteristics of the enzyme were investigated. The purification procedure was composed of two steps: homogenate preparation and 2', 5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel chromatography, which took 7-8 hours. Thanks to the two consecutive procedures, the enzyme, having specific activity of 38 EU/mg protein, was purified with a yield of 44.39% and 1310 fold. In order to control the enzyme purification SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was done. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a single band for enzyme. Optimal pH, stable pH, optimal temperature, Km and, Vmax values for NADP+ and glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) were also determined for the enzyme. In addition, molecular weight and subunit molecular weights were found by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and gel filtration chromatography respectively.

The effects of some antibiotics on sheep lens glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in vitro.

PURPOSE: To investigate the in vitro effects of gentamicin sulfate, vancomycin hydrochloride, sodium cefazolin and ceftriaxone on glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme (G6PD) purified from sheep lenses. METHODS: G6PD was purified from sheep lenses with a yield of 66.8% and a specific activity of 7.8 U/mg proteins, and 10,400-fold using ammonium sulfate fractionation and 2',5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel. The enzyme activity was determined by Beutler's method. RESULTS: Gentamicin sulfate and vancomycin hydrochloride strongly inhibited the enzyme in vitro. The concentrations causing 50% inhibition (IC50 were 15.34, and 8.0 mM, respectively. Conversely, cefazolin sodium strongly activated this enzyme, and ceftriaxone caused milder activation. CONCLUSIONS: If a patient with G6PD deficiency requires gentamicin sulfate or vancomycin hydrochloride, routine ophthalmic did not inhibit this enzyme. Postmortem studies are now needed to investigate the activity of G6PD and how it is affected by these antibiotics.

The effects of aflatoxin on the reproductive system of roosters.

This study was conducted to determine the pathological changes in testes and epididymides and plasma testosterone levels of adult roosters during experimentally induced aflatoxicosis. In the study, 24 months of age, 32 Babcock breeder males were used, and they were divided into four groups each containing 8 animals. The groups were designed as follows; group 1: Control, no aflatoxin (AF), group 2: 5 ppm (parts per million) total aflatoxin (AF; B1, B2, G1, G2), group 3: 10 ppm AF and group 4: 20 ppm AF in the diet, and the birds were fed for 8 weeks. Grossly, it was seen that the testes of all AF-treatment groups birds were significantly (P < 0.001) atrophied when compared with those of control birds. Histopathologically, there was no spermatogenesis in the testes of 4, 5 and 6 cocks fed on a diet containing AF 5, 10 and 20 ppm, respectively. Furthermore, abnormal spermatozoa were observed in some of AF-treatment groups (in 2 cases in each of 5 and 10 ppm AF-treated groups, and in one case in 20 ppm AF-treated group). There were also mononuclear cell infiltration and/or focal lymphoid cell accumulation in the intertubular areas of the testes and epididymides in all AF-treatment groups. In conclusion, it has been shown that AF might totally or partially (dose related) suppress spermatogenesis, cause abnormality in spermatozoa and atrophy in testes. Furthermore, there was degeneration and desquamation in the epithelium and decrease in the size and thickness of the germinative layer of the seminiferous tubules, and lowered plasma testosterone levels in adult roosters.

Effects of metamizol and magnesium sulfate on enzyme activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase from human erythrocyte in vitro and rat erythrocyte in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Effects of metamizol and magnesium sulfate on erythrocyte glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme activity were investigated in in vitro and in vivo conditions. METHODS: For in vitro studies, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified from human erythrocyte and rats were used for in vivo studies. Enzyme activity was determined according to the Beutler method by using a spectrophotometer at 340 nm. RESULTS: The results of in vitro study showed that their mean K(i) values were 6.35 x 10(-3) M for metamizol and 1.32 x 10(-2) M for magnesium sulfate and their inhibition types were uncompetitive. I(50) value was 17 mM for metamizol and 50 mM for magnesium sulfate in in vitro study. In the case of in vivo studies, 200 mg/kg metamizol inhibited the enzyme activity by 40% during the first 1.5 h (p < 0.05), and 225 mg/kg magnesium sulfate significantly inhibited the enzyme activity throughout 24 h (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that metamizol and magnesium sulfate have significant inhibition effect on the activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme in both in vivo and in vitro.

Effects of melatonin on enzyme activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from human erythrocytes in vitro and from rat erythrocytes in vivo.

The in vivo and in vitro effects of melatonin on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) from human erythrocytes have been investigated. For this purpose, human erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified, at the beginning, 13.654 times in a yield of 28% by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and 2',5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel. A temperature of +4 degrees C was maintained during the purification process. Enzyme activity was determined by the Beutler method using a spectrophotometer at 340 nm. This method was utilized for all kinetic studies. For in vitro experiments, the enzyme activity increased below 0.08 mM melatonin concentration and reached a plateau above 0.1 mM. Ten mg kg(-1)melatonin was administered intraperitonally and indicated the stimulatory effect on the enzyme. Time-dependent in vivo studies were executed for melatonin in Sprague-Dawley type rats. It was found that G6PD activity in the erythrocytes was increased by the melatonin in 1.5 and 3.5 h. These results show that both in vitro(below 0.08 mM) and in vivo pharmacological levels of melatonin increased enzyme activity in erythrocytes. The findings also indicate that melatonin may be pharmacologically useful in patients where a deficiency of the enzyme in red blood cells (RBC) causes haemolytic anaemia.

Effect of cefaperazone/sulbactam and ampicillin/sulbactam on the in vitro activity of human erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

We investigated the effects of the antibiotic drugs cefaperazone/sulbactam and ampicillin/sulbactam on the in vitro activity of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). The enzyme was purified from human erythocytes using 2',5' ADP-Sepharose 4B affinity gel. The enzymatic activity was measured spectrophotometrically at 340 nm, according to the method of Beutler. The I50 values were determined from Activity % - [Drug] graphs, and the Ki constants and inhibition types for each drug were determined using Lineweaver-Burk graphs. The I50 value was 13.5 mg/ml for cefaperazone/sulbactam and 36 mg/ml for ampicillin/sulbactam. The Ki constants were 10.16 for ampicillin/sulbactam and 38.22 for cefaperazone/sulbactam. Cefaperazone/sulbactam competitively inhibited G6PD activity, whereas ampicillin/sulbactam non-competitively inhibited the activity of the enzyme.

Effects of some medical drugs on enzyme activities of carbonic anhydrase from human erythrocytes in vitro and from rat erythrocytes in vivo.

In this study, firstly, the effects of sodium ampicillin, magnesium sulfate, and sodium dipyrone on human carbonic anhydrase (HCA) (EC 4.2.1.1.) isozymes have been investigated in vitro. Human erythrocyte CA-I and CA-II isozymes were separately purified by affinity chromatography. Inhibition or activation effects of three different medical drugs on HCA isozymes were determined using the CO(2)-Hydratase method by plotting activity %vs [medical drug]. I(50)values of the drugs exhibiting inhibition effects were found by means of these graphs. It was observed on HCA-I hydratase activity that sodium ampicillin and sodium dipyrone showed inhibition and activation effects, respectively. However, magnesium sulfate showed no effect. It was observed on HCA-II hydratase activity that sodium ampicillin and magnesium sulfate showed an inhibition effect, and sodium dipyrone showed an activation effect. In addition, in vivo studies were performed for these medical drugs in Sprague-Dawley rats. It was demonstrated that CA in erythrocytes was significantly inhibited by these drugs in 3 h.

EFFECTS OF SOME ANTIBIOTICS ON ENZYME ACTIVITY OF GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE FROM HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES.

Inhibitory effects of some antibiotics on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from the erythrocytes of human have been investigated. For this purpose, at the beginning, erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified 13.654 times in a yield of 28% by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and 2',5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel. Temperature of +4 degrees C was maintained during the purification process. Enzyme activity was determined with the Beutler method by using a spectrophotometer at 340 nm. This method was utilized for all kinetic studies. Sodium ceftizoxime, sodium ampicillin, sodium cefuroxime, sodium cefazolin, sodium cefoperazone, streptomycin sulphate, gentamicin sulphate, and netilmicin sulphate were used as antibiotics. All the antibiotics indicated the inhibitory effects on the enzyme. K(i)constants for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were found by means of Lineweaver-Burk graphs. While sodium cefoperazone, gentamicin sulphate, and netilmicin sulphate showed competitive inhibition, the others displayed non-competitive inhibition. In addition, I(50)values of the antibiotics were determined by plotting activity percent vs [I]. In addition, in vivo studies were done for sodium sefuroxime in Sprague-Dawley type rats. It was found that G6PD in erythrocyte was more inhibited by the drug in 2.5 h. 2000 Academic Press@p$hr Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Effects of some antibiotics on enzyme activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from human erythrocytes.

Inhibitory effects of some antibiotics on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from the erythrocytes of human have been investigated. For this purpose, at the beginning, erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified 13.654 times in a yield of 28% by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and 2',5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel. Temperature of +4 degrees C was maintained during the purification process. Enzyme activity was determined with the Beutler method by using a spectrophotometer at 340 nm. This method was utilized for all kinetic studies. Sodium ceftizoxime, sodium ampicillin, sodium cefuroxime, sodium cefazolin, sodium cefoperazone, streptomycin sulphate, gentamicin sulphate, and netilmicin sulphate were used as antibiotics. All the antibiotics indicated the inhibitory effects on the enzyme. K(i) constants for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were found by means of Lineweaver-Burk graphs. While sodium cefoperazone, gentamicin sulphate, and netilmicin sulphate showed competitive inhibition, the others displayed non-competitive inhibition. In addition, I(50) values of the antibiotics were determined by plotting activity percent vs [I]. In addition, in vivo studies were done for sodium sefuroxime in Sprague-Dawley type rats. It was found that G6PD in erythrocyte was more inhibited by the drug in 2.5 h.

An investigation on plasma progesterone levels during pregnancy and at parturition in the Ivesi sheep.

In this study, plasma progesterone concentrations in a total of 45 Ivesi sheep were investigated during pregnancy and at parturition. Blood samples were collected from all the sheep studied every 20 days commencing on the 30th day of pregnancy. Plasma progesterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. During the second half of the pregnancy, progesterone concentrations in the sheep giving birth to one, two and three lambs were 2.02 +/- 0.08 ng/ml, 3.24 +/- 1.18 ng/ml and 4.90 +/- 0.85 ng/ml, respectively. There was no significant variation in progesterone levels between sheep with male and female offspring. At parturition, plasma progesterone concentrations did not differ significantly between the animals. The present results indicate that plasma progesterone levels could be used not only to determine the pregnancy status of the animal but also to predict the number of fetuses after the second half of the pregnancy.