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Objectives: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the important reasons for admission to surgical clinics. While mortality rates in this disease are approximately 1% in all cases, this rate rises to 15% in cases of pancreatic necrosis. For this reason, it is very important to elucidate the necrotizing pancreatitis pathogenesis. It has been shown that thiol disulfide hemostasis (TDH) is impaired in AP. However, in necrotizing pancreatitis, this situation still remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to determine TDH in acute necrotizing pancreatitis and to reveal the use of this parameter in the preliminary diagnosis of necrotizing pancreatitis. Methods: 100 healthy controls and 160 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis were included in this study. According to tomography results, AP patients were divided into two groups as acute edematous pancreatitis (AEP) and acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). Total and native thiol values of the AP patients and control group were measured; reduced thiol, oxidized thiol and thiol oxidation/reduction ratios were calculated from these parameters. The differences detected between the groups were analyzed statistically. The results obtained from the AEP and ANP groups were compared with the ROC analysis, and the effectiveness of TDH in early diagnosis was determined. Results: It was found that the reduced thiol ratio and thiol oxidation/reduction ratio decreased in AEP and ANP patients compared to the control group. It was found that the reduced thiol ratio (AUROC: 0.979, sensitivity: 98.33% and specificity 92.00%) could be used in the early diagnosis of ANP. Conclusion: The disruption of TDH contributes to the increase in oxidative stress in AP. This balance is disturbed more in ANP compared to AEP. TDH can be used as a marker in the diagnosis of -+ANP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep and wakefulness are multifactorial, complex and well-regulated physiological processes that occur in all living things. Environmental and genetic factors that affect sleep and wakefulness can change the cycle determined by the circadian rhythm and the duration and intensity of daily brain activity. Considering the necessity of good sleep for health, it is clear that defining the factors that regulate the spontaneous sleepwake cycle is important for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many sleep disorders. The facts that the extracellular concentration of adenosine which is defined as an endogenous sleep factor increases during long-term wakefulness, especially in the cortex and basal forebrain, and decreases during sleep, and in addition, caffeine, which is frequently consumed in daily life, acts via this molecule, indicate that it is a molecule that should be considered in the homeostasis of sleep. In this review, studies examining the regulation of the sequential sleepwake cycle and the role of adenosine in this regulation are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although different types of currents have been defined as store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), the best characterized of these is Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ currents (ICRAC). The SOCE pathway is an important way to generate cytosolic Ca2+ signals that regulate various biological processes. Abnormal SOCE appears to be one of the underlying causes of several diseases, particularly allergies, diabetes, inflammation, and cancer. In this study, the effects of hyperglycemia on SOCE activity were investigated by electrophysiological methods. Methods: In this study, rat basophilic leukemia-1 (RBL-1) cells were grown using DMEM solutions with high glucose (HG, 50mM) and normal glucose (5.5mM) concentrations. Following 72 h incubation period, SOCE activity was measured by Fura-2 based Ca2+ imaging technique and ICRAC currents recorded by voltage clamp method. Results: ICRAC current measurements were performed by the patch-clmap method and Fura-2 based Ca2+ imaging methods. For positive control experiments, using the PYR6 (SOCE blocker), it was confirmed that the currents were through the SOCE pathway. In addition, it was determined by two different methods that hyperglycemia significantly increased SOCE activity in RBL-1 cells compared to control values. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that the SOCE pathway may have an important role in the disturbances in Ca2+ homeostasis and Ca2+ content of ER/SR stores encountered in diabetic pathologies. Although these findings at the cellular level are limited, it is thought that they will make great contributions to future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, it was aimed to compare the oxidative stress levels of individuals who do bodybuilding exercises, normal weight sedentary, overweight and obese individuals and nor- mal weight individuals who do regular physical exercise. Materials and Methods: 122 male volunteers aged between 18-45 years were included in the study. Participants were divided into 4 different groups according to the type of exercise they were interested in and their Body Mass Index. Oxidative stress levels in individuals doing bodybu- ilding exercises were compared with sedentary normal weight, obese individuals and normal we- ight individuals doing regular physical exercise. Serum thiol-disulfide parameters were measured to determine oxidative stress levels. Results: It was observed that dynamic thiol / disulfide homeostasis was achieved in participants with normal weight and regular exercise, but dynamic thiol / disulfide homeostasis was impaired in the group doing bodybuilding exercise. Conclusions: The results of the experiment show that we should avoid heavy exercises such as bodybuilding, and that regular and normal exercises should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisms are born, grow, reproduce and die throughout their basic life cycle. Homeostasis (maintenance of internal balance) in multicellular organisms in these process is achieved by maintaining the balance between cell proliferation and programmed cell death. Controlled disintegration of aged, completed, or damaged tissues by organism due to various reasons such as the formation of tracheal elements, leaf senescence or resistance to stress factors is realized with the help of programmed cell death (PCD). This process controlled by a variety of environmental factors is also directed by molecularly. Programmed cell death types identified in animals are explained in detail. As well as the types of programmed cell death in plants have not been completely clarified, it has recently collected under two main topics as developmentally related programmed cell death (dPCD) and environmentally induced cell death (ePCD). In this review, the types of programmed cell death in plants are described and explained with their examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to invastigate dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis, a new oxidative stress marker of oxidant and antioxidant balance, serum native thiol, total thiol and disulfide levels in patients with chronic otitis media in this study. Method: A total of 59 patients with chronic otitis media between the ages of 18-60 and 59 healthy volunteers in the same age group were included in this study whose diagnosis was confirmed by otomicroscopic examination and audiological tests. The control group consisted of 59 healthy individuals who were asymptomatic with no medical history and normal physical examination. Pure tone audiometry and computed tomography of temporal bone were examined in all patients. Patients showing granulation tissue in mastoid cells and soft tissue density in the middle ear on computed tomography were selected for the study. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis parameters were measured by the spectrophotometric method using commercially avaible kits (Rel Assay Diagnostics, Turkey). Results: Half of the 118 participants included in this study were cases and the other half constituted the control group. 74 (62,7%) of all participants included in the study were found to be women. The mean age of the case group was 42,03 ± 11,01; the average age of the control group was 41,47 ± 10,90. Various blood values and rates of the participants in the case and control groups were compared. Blood levels of native thiol (399,27 ± 41,57) and total thiol (411,30 ± 42,15) in the case group were determined as native thiol (422,13 ± 41,03) and total thiol (435,93 ± 44, 03) was significantly lower than the values of the control groups (p<0.01). Disulphide values of the case group (21,18 ± 4,57) were higher than the disulphide value in the control group (19,87 ± 5,01); but no significant difference was found between them, statistically (p>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the present results obtained from this study indicated that dynamic thiol changes were significantly impaired in patients with chronic otitis media. Further clinical studies and observations are needed to find out how effective the addition of antioxidant therapy can be in the treatment of chronic otitis media, whether it will change the treatment modalities, or whether it can break the absolute dominance of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pneumonia, is an important infection of the newborn period and clinic status goes with inflammation of the lungs. Every newborn with respiratory distress should be carefully evaluated for pneumonia. Dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis is involved in many mechanisms such as antioxidant protection, apoptosis, regulation of enzyme activity and detoxification. The aim of this study is to determine the thiol-disulfide homeostasis in neonatal pneumonia. Material and Methods: We included data of a total of 80 cases in study, 40 patients with neonatal pneumonia and 40 healthy cases in control group admitted to hospital between January 2019- January 2020. Physical examination findings, blood count and biochemistry results, chest radiography, blood culture and viral PCR results were recorded in the patient group. Disulfide, native thiol and total thiol levels of all cases were determined and their rates were calculated. Pearson's chi-square test, Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney-U test were used for statistical analysis, and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of gender distribution, type of delivery, gestational week and mean of birth weight (p>0.05). Before treatment disulfide levels were higher than native and total thiol levels in the patients with pneumonia and we have seen decreased disulfide levels after treatment (p<0.05). The ratio of pre-treatment disulfide level to native and total thiol levels in pneumonia group was higher than the control group (p<0.05). But the ratio of disulfide level to native and total thiol levels after treatment were similar to the control group. Conclusion: High pre-treatment disulfide level and low serum native thiol and total thiol levels showed oxidative stress in patients with pneumonia, while the higher thiol levels after treatment as like control group showed that oxidative stress regressed. The thiol-disulfide homeostasis, which can be studied with very low serum levels, will be supportive in diagnosis and treatment follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by progressive neuronal degeneration in specific locations of the central nervous system. The organisms have developed complex antioxidant systems to regulate the effects and eliminate the damage of free radicals, which plays a role in the etiology of many neurodegenerative diseases. Oxidative stress is thought to play a pathophysiological role in PD. In this study, it was aimed to explore the role of dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis as an oxidative stress marker in PD pathophysiology as well as its relation with the characteristics of the disease. Material and Method: The study was conducted with 36 PD patients and 22 healthy individuals. Total Thiol (TT) (μmol/L) and Native Thiol (NT) (μmol/L) were measured, total thiols were mea- sured, and thiol/disulfide balance was detected as a new oxidative marker. Results: NT values were found lower in PD group (p<0.05). NT and TT levels were found in (-) relation with UPDRS scores similar to TT level relation with H-Y stage (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on these findings indicating that thiol-disulfide homeostasis is disrupted in favor of the oxidative process, the importance of this mechanism in both PD pathophysiology and progress can be emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Obesity is a more common and important health problem in childhood. We aimed to determine sociodemographic and clinical factors contributing weight loss. Material and Methods: Medical records of 120 obese patients (6-18 years old) applied at least twice for follow-up between 2012 ( January)-2016 (September) were reviewed. Age, gender, socioeconomic status, family obesity, comorbidities, medications, operations, exercise frequency, screen time, physical examination findings and biochemical/hormone values [thyroid hormone, fasting insulin/glucose, cholesterol levels, Homeostasis model assesment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), oral glucose tolerance test results (if applied) were recorded. Patients with a difference between the initial and last body mass index standart deviation higher than -0.2 were defined as "the good losing weight" group; the rest as "the poorly losing weight" group. The SPSS 22.0 program was used for analyzes. Results: Puberty stage showed a significant difference (p=0,019); 65% of patients in the poorly losing weight group but 54% of other group were at stage 4-5 . The initial body mass index standart deviation and exercise frequency were higher in the good losing weight group, the last measured body mass index standart deviation was lower (p=0). In the other group, baseline HOMA-IR was higher (p=0.037); there were more metformin-initiated patients but the difference was not significant. Conclusion: We observed that exercise frequency was higher in cases with good weight loss; therefore, we consider that increasing physical activity is an important step. Other crucial outcomes are that the initial body mass index standart deviation is higher while HOMA-IR is lower in those cases and that puberty stage is higher in poorly weight losing patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the relationship of leptin with vitamin D and parathormone (PTH) levels in postmenopausal women who have no osteoporosis and to evaluate the effect of these three parameters on bone mineral dansity and bone homeostasis. Methods: Sixty-eight postmenopausal patients with no osteoporosis, who attended the general internal medicine, geriatric and endocrinology outpatient clinics between November 2013 and June 2014, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to vitamin D levels. Results: Group 1 consisted of 27 patients with low vitamin D levels and group 2 consisted of 41 patients with normal vitamin D levels. Two groups were similar in terms of age, age of menopause and body mass index (BMI). The mean PTH level and the mean leptin level in group 1 were statistically significantly higher than in group 2 (p= 0.01; p=0.01, respectively). There was no significant correlation between leptin and PTH in group 1 (r=0.16, p=0.4), however, a positive correlation was observed in group 2 (r=0.46, p=0.002). We found a significant positive correlation between leptin and BMI in both groups (r=0.40, p< 0.01). No significant correlation was found between leptin and vitamin D in both groups. Conclusion: In our study, the high leptin levels in postmenapasaul women having low vitamin D levels without osteoporosis or obesity may suggest the role of leptin in the prevention of osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep is a physiologically active process and the function of cognitive processes is known for a long time. It is also known that sleep has a crucial role in two distinct phases of memory. The first one is the information encoding phase which is prior to the learning process; and the second one is the consolidation phase which is related with the persistency of new information after learning occurs. Consolidation is thought as a function of evolutionarily preserved sleep for many forms of memory. The aim of this review is to get together the main study findings which investigating the relationship between the micro and macro structures of sleep and declarative memory processes. Firstly, definition of sleep is given, and then the specific role of sleep in declarative memory consolidation process is explained. In this context, the projected active system consolidation and synaptic homeostasis hypothesis are explicated. The study results investigating the effects of sleep deprivation on declarative memory and information processing phases are summarized. Finally, the role of sleep spindle and slow wave activity on memory processes, which make up the microstructure of sleep, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sebaceous glands have physiological functions such as immunological, endocrinological and barrier functions, and are therefore important glands in skin homeostasis. Normal development and continuity of the glands are necessary for the physiological effects of the skin. Abnormalities in the development of sebaceous glands can lead to disorders in their physiological functions, resulting in many diseases. The best-known function of the glands cells, sebocytes, is to produce sebum. The lipid mixture, sebum, acts as a physicochemical and biological barrier to protect the skin. In addition, sebocytes are capable of producing proinflammatory cytokines and lipidderived inflammatory mediators. Various hormones and mediators with receptors in the sebaceous membrane and the nucleus play a role in the regulation of sebaceous gland functions. They are neuroendocrine organ/tissue compartments in which various mediators are synthesized/metabolized and are also target organs on which receptors of those mediators are expressed. Sebaceous glands are also recognized as an active neuroimmunoendocrine organ by participating in the regulation of immunological functions and inflammatory processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on metabolic syndrome and insuline resistance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Materials and Methods: This study evaluated retrospectively with 30 patients who received OSAS diagnosis following polysomnography between the years January 2016 - January 2017, whose Respiratory Disturbance Index were above 15, and who were between the ages of 18-78, having no diabetes, chronic liver and kidney disease, malignancy and mental retardation. The anthropometric measures and blood values of these patients before the CPAP treatment and 3 months afterwards were evaluated in their controls. The effect of CPAP treatment on metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance assessed by homeostatic model assessment index was investigated Results: It has been observed that the body mass index (BMI) decreases significantly following the CPAP treatment. No significant changes were found in the anthropometric measurements including the neck circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist/hip ratios as well as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome parameters (before of treatment BMI: 31.33±5.58, post treatment BMI: 30.83±7.13, p=0.03). The ESS evaluating the subjective daytime sleepiness following the CPAP treatment has decreased significantly. Conclusion: Although this study didn't improve insulin resistance with assessed homeostatic model assessment, and metabolic syndrome, a significant improvement in BMI and ESS was demonstrated in post treatment. Long-term studies with more cases and with high compliance are needed to demonstrate the effects of CPAP treatment on metabolic syndrome in OSAS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and design: In this study, we aimed to identify whether there was an association of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in reproductive women. Materials and methods: We investigated insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, which is known to be associated with insulin-resistance, in 55 females with AGA (Ludwig I and above) who were under 45 years of age and 50 age-matched woman without AGA. We used homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) to identify insulin resistance. The cut-off value for HOMA was accepted as 2.7. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was established using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. Results: Serum fasting blood glucose levels were significantly higher in females with AGA than in controls (p<0.05). According to HOMA index, insulin resistance was determined in 11 of 55 (20%) patients in the AGA group, whereas it was identified in only 6 of 50 (12%) controls. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The two groups were also compared for the levels of QUICKI. The mean levels of QUICKI in patient control groups were 0.36±0.04 and 0.36±0.03, respectively. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Finally, when the two groups were assessed according to the NCEP ATP III-criteria, metabolic syndrome was identified in 5 out of the 55 (9.1%) patients in the AGA group whereas none of participants had metabolic syndrome in control group. The difference between these groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: In our study, it was shown that there was no significant relationship of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome with AGA in women. (Turkderm 2015; 49: 134-8) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Platelet function disorders due to congenital and acquired etiologies is one of the most common causes of bleeding encountered in clinical practice. Methods: Platelet disfunctions are characterized by adhesion, aggregation or secretion steps of platelet homeostasis. Results: For the evaluation of platelet function disorders, complete blood count with morphological review of platelets by peripheral blood smear should be the first step, followed by the bleeding time and specific platelet function tests (PFT). Conclusion: Platelet function tests are used to evaluate hereditary platelet function disorders, to identify the patients with bleeding risk and to follow-up the effectiveness of anti-platelet therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of respiration, whether artificial or spontaneous, is to get homeostasis. Mechanical ventilators are electronic, mechanical, or pneumatic devices that are doing respiration automatically according to the process of the parameters that are set by us. In the historical process, the developments in anesthesia and intensive care units have led us to classify these devices according to the actuating mechanism, the use of negative and positive pressure, occurrence of respiratory volume, or according to the ventilation period. However, many modern ventilators are complex devices with a combination of these classifications. In the near future, these devices will turn into smart devices, and all adjustments will be done automatically according to the patient's conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hair follicle is the primary unit that produces a single outgrowing visible hair shaft. All hair follicles have a regeneration cycle consisting growth, destruction and resting phase, all of which are controlled by several intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. All hair forming cell populations arise from hair follicle stem cells that are located in bulge and hair germ. Epithelial progenitors themselves surround a core cluster of mesenchymal cells, the dermal papilla, which is thought to provide signals to coordinate hair growth. The exchange of molecular cues between epithelial and mesenchymal compartments begins during embryogenesis, when hair follicles are first formed. After initial hair follicle formation and a prolonged period of growth, follicles undergo cycles of destruction and regeneration throughout life. For new hair re-growth, signal exchange between dermal papilla cells and stem/progenitor cells is thought to occur in a process that is reminiscent of embryonic hair follicle formation. Many diverse developmental programs require coordinated mesenchymal-epithelial interactions for completion, and studies of hair growth provide an exquisite system in which to study the complexities of this universally important process. The purpose of this mini review is to provide a short glance at the growth cycle of the hair and to present the conceptual data regarding the hair homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hair follicle is the primary unit that produces a single outgrowing visible hair shaft. All hair follicles have a regeneration cycle consisting growth, destruction and resting phase, all of which are controlled by several intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. All hair forming cell populations arise from hair follicle stem cells that are located in bulge and hair germ. Epithelial progenitors themselves surround a core cluster of mesenchymal cells, the dermal papilla, which is thought to provide signals to coordinate hair growth. The exchange of molecular cues between epithelial and mesenchymal compartments begins during embryogenesis, when hair follicles are first formed. After initial hair follicle formation and a prolonged period of growth, follicles undergo cycles of destruction and regeneration throughout life. For new hair re-growth, signal exchange between dermal papilla cells and stem/progenitor cells is thought to occur in a process that is reminiscent of embryonic hair follicle formation. Many diverse developmental programs require coordinated mesenchymal-epithelial interactions for completion, and studies of hair growth provide an exquisite system in which to study the complexities of this universally important process. The purpose of this mini review is to provide a short glance at the growth cycle of the hair and to present the conceptual data regarding the hair homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Telmisartan has been reported to increase insulin sensitivity by acting as a partial PPAR-gamma agonist, regardless of its reninangiotensin system inhibition, but losartan has no such activity. In this study, we compared the effects of telmisartan and losartan on insulin sensitivity among type 2 diabetic patients. Material and Method: Age-, sex- and weight-matched patients, who had been on telmisartan or losartan treatment for at least 3 months, were included. Their anthropometric measurements were performed, blood pressures were recorded. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained for analyzing the levels of glucose, HbA1C, insulin and adiponectin. HOMA-IR was calculated. An euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp procedure was performed in each subject and M index was calculated. Thereafter, telmisartan and losartan were withdrawn in both groups. A cross-over design was planned; following a wash-out period of 15 days, losartan group (Group 1) was given telmisartan 80 mg/day, telmisartan group (Group 2) was administered losartan 50 mg/day. After 12 weeks of therapy, all measurements, calculations and the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp test were re-performed. Results: General characteristics of the patients at inclusion were similar. Nine cases in group 1 and 8 cases in Group 2 concluded the follow-up. In Group 1, among all follow-up parameters, only weight exhibited a significant decrease at final evaluation (p=0,034). In Group 2, only M value was found to increase (p=0,028). Discussion: Our findings indicated that losartan improved insulin sensitivity in patients with concomitant hypertension and type 2 diabetes, and telmisartan use resulted in more weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clara cells firstly identified as a distinct cell type by Kolliker in 1881 are non-ciliated secretory cells located in the small airways. These cells can be easily identified by their distinct dome-shaped morphology and numerous secretory granules among the other epithelial cells. The distribution of Clara cells throughout the respiratory system is in a species-specific manner. These cells have several lung protective functions. Clara cells, basically function in lung homeostasis, play roles in xenobiotic metabolism and immune system regulation. In humans, many forms of lung cancer originate from Clara cells. The aim of this review was to give information about morphological and function features of the Clara cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin resistance can be broadly defined as a subnormal biological response to endogenous or exogenous insulin. This definition may pertain to many biological actions of insulin in many tissues of the body. Insulin is essential for normal growth and development; and for normal homeostasis of glucose, fat and protein metabolism. Understanding the signaling patways involved in insülin action could lead to a beter understanding of the pathophysiology of insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Insulin resistance has an important role in the pathogenesis of the type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance has been shown to be associated with prevalent atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Thus the recognition of insulin resistance seems to have clinical relevance in identifying subjects at high risk for type 2 diabetes and/ or cardiovascular disease. Understanding the signaling pathways involved in insulin action could lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants encounter many stress factors which affect their growth and development throughout their lifecycles because of their sessile nature. These stress conditions which can be originated by biotic and abiotic factors can adversely affect the quantity and quality of the product with leading to physiological and biochemical damage to crops. Plants have molecular response mechanisms for protecting and reducing negative effects of stress factors and these mechanisms can be divided in three groups, including homeostasis of ions and macromolecules, synthesis of protective molecules and formation and detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Homeostasis of macromolecules and ions is one of the response mechanisms of plants against dehydration and contains activation and inactivation of aquaporins and ion transport systems which play a role for controlling of water transmission and ion balance. The other stress response of plants is based on synthesis protective molecules such as low molecular weighted soluble substances or osmolites, heat shock (HSP) and LEA (late embroyogenesis abundont proteins) proteins. These molecules are participate in cell as an osmotic regulator and osmoprotectan. The last molecular responses of plants is the generation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants which are responsible for synthesis and detoxification of ROS under stress condition. Today, in biotechnology which has become one of the most popular research area, improving the adaptation and resistance of plants against stress conditions is primarily depends on a clear understanding of the effects of stress in plants. In this respect, increasing the sources and studies of stress molecular biology would be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D is one of the oldest hormones affecting individuals of all ages. The major cause of vitamin D deficiency is lack of sun exposure. It was reported that the efficiency of vitamin D is not limited only to maintaining bone health by managing the calcium homeostasis; it also seems to have anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating and pro-apoptotic properties. Vitamin D has specific receptors in many tissue and organs such as the skin, immune system, pancreas, gonads, brain, prostate, breast, muscle, and large intestine, etc. Recent epidemiological studies have reported that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, cancer incidence and autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25 (OH) D) level should be determined in a patient with suspected vitamin D deficiency. Deficiency is defined as a serum 25 (OH) D level below 15 ng/ml, and insufficiency is defined as a serum 25 (OH) D level of 15 to 20 ng/ml. To prevent vitamin D deficiency, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants and children receive 400 IU of vitamin D from diet and supplementation. It has been reported that vitamin D up to 2000 U per day does not cause vitamin D intoxication in adult and childhood age groups According to a report published by the American Medical Institute, when determining tolerable upper limits, oral maintenance doses causing no hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria or ectopic calcification should be taken into account. Therefore, the administration of vitamin D has been reported to be safe at 1000 lU/day for ages 0-1, 2500 IU/day for ages 1-3, 3000 IU/day for ages 3-8, and 4000 IU/day for persons 9 years of age, adults and pregnant women. In adults, vitamin D supplementation of at least 800-1000 U was recommended to reduce fracture and fall rates. In this paper, we review the non-skeletal effect of vitamin D in light of the recent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D plays a central role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, and it is essential for the proper development and maintenance of bone. Recent studies show that vitamin D is effective for different tissue functions in addition to bone metabolism. The study group was comprised of 101 healthy newborn infants with a gestational age of 38 weeks or more. Umbilical cord 25 (OH) D levels were measured. Newborns were divided into two groups according to the 25(OH) D levels (<12 ng/ml and >12 ng/ml). Thirty-one percent of these newborn infants had severe deficiency. There were no differences between the groups according to the mother's education, clothing style, home condition, profession, gestational age, vitamin D supplementation, newborn's gender, and birth weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead is a toxic metal, and is still present in our environment - in water, soil, and imported products manufactured with lead. Lead intoxication is the foremost environmental health threat to children in the world. Children are far more susceptible to lead neurotoxicity than adults because they absorb a higher fraction of lead and have a developing system of cell differentiation and growth that is more vulnerable to inhibition and damage. However, it has also been indicated that low-level exposures of lead result in cognitive dysfunction, neurobehavioral disorders, neurological damage, hypertension, and renal impairment. A common factor in the mechanism of all lead toxicities is oxidative damage. It increases production of free radicals and decreases availability of antioxidant reserves to respond to the resultant damage. The pathogenesis of lead toxicity is multifactorial, as interrupting enzyme activation, inhibiting trace mineral absorption, binding to sulfhydryl proteins, altering calcium homeostasis, and lowering the level of available sulfhydryl antioxidant reserves in the body. Calcium disodium EDTA and DMSA have been used as chelative agents for lead abatement in both adults and children. While chelation is the conventional recommendation for acute lead toxicity, chronic exposure is still under investigation. In addition to appropriate treatment for toxic metal exposure and accumulation, it is also important to minimize the effects of the metal. In this article, the role of antioxidants in the treatment of lead-related pathologies will be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To prolong the lifetime and improve the life quality is very important apart from curing the cancer which is among the first three leading cause of death in a variety of region in the world. Cancer could be summarized as the irregular and immortal life cycle of the cells through the imbalance of genes which controls the normal life cycle. By this way they harm the homeostasis. Many scientists have been continuously working on a variety of plans to cure the cancer. Melatonin is currently under investigation as an alternative among these plans. Main findings: The efficacies of pineal gland, the biological significance of that is known for thousand of years and its secretory product melatonin have systematically studied at the beginning of 20th century for the first time. Since then, enormous studies have been conducted in terms of its direct anti-cancer efficacy as well as a chronobiological regulator, antioxidant and immune modulator. Apart from the efficacy of melatonin on variety of cancers, when used along with classical cancer treatment protocols, researches have shown that melatonin boosts general conditions, clinical outcome and life span. Conclusion: These data support the idea that melatonin, which is inexpensive, easy to produce and almost free from serious side effects, might be considered as an adjuvant therapeutic in the treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]