Levosimendan up-regulates transforming growth factor-beta and smad signaling in the aorta in the early stage of sepsis.

Background: This prospective, controlled experimental study was planned to investigate the effects of levosimendan on transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta3 and Smad1, Smad2 and Smad3 expression in the early stages of sepsis.

Methods: Twenty-four rats were randomized into four groups: (1) sham-operated controls, (2) dobutamine group--subjected to abdominal hypertension and peritonitis-induced sepsis using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), then treated with 10 microg x kg(-1) min(-1) intravenous (IV) dobutamine infusion, (3) levosimendan group--as in 2, then treated with levosimendan IV bolus 200 microg x kg(-1) followed by 200 microg x kq(-1) min(-1) IV infusion, and (4) a control group as in 2, with no treatment. All rats were killed 8 hours after CLP.

Antibiotic treatment is superior to ursodeoxycholic acid on total parenteral nutrition associated hepatic dysfunction.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the apoptotic mechanisms, oxidative stress, and mechanisms of effect of antibiotics and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-associated liver injury.

Methods: Four groups of young rabbits were used in the study as follows: Group 1 (n: 7): TPN + Metronidazole (30 mg/kg IV) + Gentamicin (6 mg/kg IV); Group 2 (n: 7): TPN + UDCA (15 mg/kg per oral); Group 3 (n: 6): TPN only; and Group 4 (n: 7): Control group. After 10 days, the animals were killed and livers were removed.

Immunolocalization of VEGF, VEGF receptors, EGF-R and Ki-67 in leiomyoma, cellular leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma.

Angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptors and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), are involved in increased progression in many carcinomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of angiogenesis and immunolocalization of VEGF, its receptors, EGF-R and Ki 67 in leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas using an indirect immunohistochemical method. Samples from patients with leiomyoma, cellular leiomyoma and cellular leiomyosarcoma (n=20 per group) were fixed in 10% formalin and processed using routine paraffin protocols.

Propolis from Turkey induces apoptosis through activating caspases in human breast carcinoma cell lines.

Propolis is a sticky substance that is collected from plants by honeybees that has anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties with biological and therapeutic effects. The target of this study was to investigate the anti-apoptotic effect of propolis extracts (PE) on the caspase pathway in the human breast cell line MCF-7 in culture. Seven different propolis extracts, numbered PE 1-7, produced in their natural ecological environment, were collected from the Hacettepe University Beytepe Campus area in Ankara, Turkey.