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Department Of Chemistry News, Spring 2012, Illinois State University, Department Of Chemistry

Chem Letter

Newsletter of the Illinois State University Department of Chemistry

Glacial Deposits, Vol. 40, 2011-2012, Department Of Geography-Geology

Glacial Deposits

Newsletter of the Department of Geography-Geology

Investigation Of Polyurea-Crosslinked Silica Aerogels As A Neuronal Scaffold: A Pilot Study, Firouzeh Sabri, Judith A. Cole, M. Cody Scarbrough, Nicholas Leventis

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Polymer crosslinked aerogels are an attractive class of materials for future implant applications particularly as a biomaterial for the support of nerve growth. The low density and nano-porous structure of this material combined with large surface area, high mechanical strength, and tunable surface properties, make aerogels materials with a high potential in aiding repair of injuries of the peripheral nervous system. However, the interaction of neurons with aerogels remains to be investigated. Methodology: In this work the attachment and growth of neurons on clear polyurea crosslinked silica aerogels (PCSA) coated with: poly-L-lysine, basement membrane extract (BME), and laminin1 was …

Noncanonical Reactions Of Flavoenzymes, Pablo Sobrado

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Enzymes containing flavin cofactors are predominantly involved in redox reactions in numerous cellular processes where the protein environment modulates the chemical reactivity of the flavin to either transfer one or two electrons. Some flavoenzymes catalyze reactions with no net redox change. In these reactions, the protein environment modulates the reactivity of the flavin to perform novel chemistries. Recent mechanistic and structural data supporting novel flavin functionalities in reactions catalyzed by chorismate synthase, type II isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, UDP-galactopyranose mutase, and alkyl-dihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase are presented in this review. In these enzymes, the flavin plays either a direct role in acid/base …

Reproducing Value: How Tax Law Differentially Values Fertility, Sexuality & Marriage, Tessa R. Davis

Faculty Publications

Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code permits a deduction for an individual’s fertility expenses, but it does not do so evenhandedly. This paper focuses on the current discriminatory effects of §213 doctrine as it is applied to the deductibility of fertility treatments for single persons and/or homosexual couples, as compared to heterosexual, married couples. Traditional economic analysis of the Code fails to explain such discrimination, thus a new approach is required. Utilizing tools from anthropological theory, this paper recognizes and analyzes our tax code (and specifically §213) as a cultural artifact and therein challenges the presumed objectivity of our …

Middle-Income Peers As Educational Resources And The Constitutional Right To Equal Access, Derek W. Black

Faculty Publications

Concentrated poverty in public schools continues to be a leading determinate of the educational opportunities that minority students receive. Since the effective end of mandatory desegregation, advocates have lacked legal tools to address it. As an alternative, some advocates and scholars have attempted to incorporate the concerns of concentrated poverty and racial segregation into educational litigation under state constitutions, but these efforts have been slow to take hold. Thus, all that has remained for students in poor and minority schools is the hope that school finance litigation could direct sufficient resources to mitigate their plight. This Article offers another solution. …

Corporate Social Responsibility After Disaster, Susan S. Kuo, Benjamin Means

Faculty Publications

In recent years, corporations have devoted substantial resources to disaster relief worldwide. For instance, Wal-Mart garnered favorable attention for its contributions in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. According to company press releases, Wal-Mart recently gave hundreds of thousands of dollars for disaster relief in Brazil following a flood, and it has pledged millions in support of Japan in the wake of the tsunami.

Large corporations have not only the economic resources, but also the logistical capacity and operational expertise to make a difference in the first terrible days after a disaster. However, commentators disagree about how …

Symptom Presentation Of Pediatric Bipolar And Related Disorders In Children A Descriptive Study To Improve Educational Understanding And Supports, Leslie Fanning

Master's Theses and Capstones

Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and other mental health disorders has grown in recent years. As early childhood professionals meet children with these diagnoses, they face challenges in supporting a new population of children with special needs. This paper discusses current research on prevalence in early childhood classrooms, comorbid disorders, and current supports. Educators and professionals currently working in PreK-3rd grade were surveyed about the prevalence and supports for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD) and related disorders. Results of this study reflect the research that suggest children with PBD may present slightly different behaviors than those with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. In order …

Table Of Contents

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Scas Officers And Council Members 2011 - 2012

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Eliminating Gender Stereotypes In Public School Dress Codes: The Necessity Of Respecting Personal Preference, Natalie Smith

The Journal of Law and Education

No abstract provided.

Promoting Search Diversity In Ant Colony Optimization With Stubborn Ants, Ashraf M. Abdelbar, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In ant colony optimization (ACO) methods, including Ant System and MAX-MIN Ant System, each ant stochastically generates its candidate solution, in a given iteration, based on the same pheromone and heuristic information as every other ant. Stubborn ants is an ACO variation in which if an ant generates a particular candidate solution in a given iteration, then the components of that solution will have a higher probability of being selected in the candidate solution generated by that ant in the next iteration. In previous work, we evaluated this variation with the M M AS Ant System model and the Traveling …

The Perfect Food For Perfect Health And Pleasure?, Cem Ekmekçi̇oğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

How perfect a food or meal is depends on hedonic and nutritional factors. The hedonic component is influenced by all of our 5 senses. In addition, social, environmental, and cognitive/experiential factors may have an effect on our attitude towards a food. On the other hand, nutrient composition and content, as well as bioavailability, determine how nutritionally perfect a food is. So, does the perfect food exist? What makes a food or a meal perfect? This paper will try to answer these questions by briefly discussing the most important variables.

Investigation Of The In Vitro Activities Of Various Antibiotics Against Brucella Melitensis Strains, Onur Kaya, Füsun Zeynep Akçam, Güler Yayli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of Brucella melitensis strains in our region. Brucellosis is a common disease in Turkey. Moreover, difficulties are encountered in the treatment process, such as long-lasting therapy, relapses, and side effects of drugs. Hence, novel treatment approaches and the susceptibility of current antibiotics are vital. Materials and methods: Thirty-four Brucella spp. isolated from blood samples of patients with brucellosis were included. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for tetracycline, rifampicin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin were detected by broth microdilution. Results: Tetracycline had the lowest and streptomycin the highest MIC_{50} and MIC_{90} values, respectively. A total of 5 …

Transplantation Of Undifferentiated Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Improves Sciatic Nerve Regeneration And Functional Recovery Through Inside-Out Vein Graft In Rats, Rahim Mohammadi, Saeed Azizi, Nowruz Delirezh, Rahim Hobbenaghi, Keyvan Amini

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To study the effect of undifferentiated bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat sciatic nerve regeneration model. In recent years, cell transplantation has become the focus of attention, and reliable outcomes have been achieved in regeneration of the sciatic nerve. Materials and methods: A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using an inside-out vein graft (IOVG) filled with undifferentiated BMSCs (2 × 107 cells/mL). In the control group, the vein was filled with phosphate buffered saline alone. The regenerated fibers were studied 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. Assessment of nerve regeneration was based …

Integron-Associated Resistance Genes Among Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Clinical Specimens, Fatma Budak, Murat Kasap, Feti̇ye Kolayli, Aynur Karadeni̇zli̇, Mustafa Haluk Vahaboğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To characterize common beta-lactamase genes and the role of integrons in beta-lactam antibiotic resistance among multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa strains isolated from intensive care units in Turkey. Materials and methods: After the examination of 67 P. aeruginosa isolates, 14 were found to be resistant to all of the tested beta-lactams and aminoglycosides. These 14 strains were studied to characterize the beta-lactamases and related integrons. Evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentrations, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening, isoelectric focusing, outer membrane isolation and analysis, and cloning and sequencing were performed according to published protocols. Results: PCR screening for common beta-lactamases detected PER-1 and …

Effects Of Two Different Doses Of Acetylsalicylic Acid On Serum Nitric Oxide, Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, And Homocysteine Levels In Healthy Volunteers*, İdri̇s Mehmetoğlu, Sevi̇l Kurban

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To examine the effects of ASA on serum nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and homocysteine levels in healthy volunteers. Materials and methods: Totally, 26 apparently healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Of the participants, 13 (5F, 8M) received 100 mg of ASA daily and 13 (5F, 8M) received 150 mg of ASA daily for 2 months. Serum NO, ADMA, and homocysteine levels were measured before and 1 and 2 months after ASA treatment Serum NO, ADMA, and homocysteine levels were measured before and 1 and 2 months after ASA treatment. Results: ADMA levels of the group receiving 150 …

Prognostic Impact Of Matrix Metalloproteinases (Mmp-9 And Mmp-2) And Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Ahmet Yurdakul, Nalan Akyürek, Şenay Yilmaz, Jale Karakaya, Leyla Memi̇ş, Can Öztürk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-9 and MMP-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in metastasis and their relationship with survival. Early metastasis is the most common cause of lung cancer death. Angiogenesis and basement membrane damage are necessary for growth and invasion of the tumoral cells. VEGF, involved in angiogenic activity, and MMPs, involved in matrix destruction, are important for metastasis in lung cancer. Materials and methods: Using immunohistochemistry analysis, we evaluated MMP-9, MMP-2, and VEGF expressions in paraffin specimens from 91 patients with histopathologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer and the relationship between MMP-9, MMP-2, …

Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Val108/158met Gene And Alcoholism In Turkish Subjects, Ayşe Ender Altintoprak, Bülent Kayahan, Burçi̇n Tezcanli, Buket Kosova, Hakan Coşkunol

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine if the functional Val108/158Met polymorphism causes a tendency toward alcohol addiction in Turkish cases. This polymorphism of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been associated with many psychiatric disorders, as well as with alcoholism. Materials and methods: The allele and genotype associations of the Val108/158Met polymorphism in 110 Turkish alcoholics and 330 healthy subjects were investigated, constituting our study and control groups, by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Distribution of the Met/Met genotype was 16.4% to 20.6% and frequency of the Met allele was 36.8% to 39.5% in the study group compared to the control group. The …

Quantitative Analysis Of Odontoblast Cells In Fluorotic And Nonfluorotic Primary Tooth Pulp, Tuba Şentut, Zühal Kirzioğlu, Alpaslan Gökçi̇men, Hüseyi̇n Aslan, Yildirim Erdoğan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the effect of fluoride ingested during the development period on the number of odontoblast cells using stereological methods. Materials and methods: A total of 56 freshly extracted primary first and second molar teeth were used, obtained from children (aged between 9 and 11 years) requiring dental extractions for clinical reasons. Following histological procedures, longitudinal tooth sections, 25 µm thick, were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The total number of odontoblast cells was estimated using the optical fractionator method with a stereological workstation. All of the data were expressed as means ± standard deviations for each group, and statistical …

The Evaluation Of Plasma Arginine, Arginase, And Nitric Oxide Levels In Patients With Esophageal Cancer, İbrahi̇m Kaplan, Yener Aydin, Yusuf Bi̇len, Fatma Genç, Mevlüt Sai̇t Keleş, Ati̇la Eroğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Many studies have been conducted to investigate plasma arginine, arginase, and nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with different types of cancer, and it has been suggested that these might be important factors for patients with cancer. In the present study, plasma arginine, arginase, and nitric oxide levels were evaluated in patients with esophageal cancer. Materials and methods: A total of 100 patients (51 females and 49 males) diagnosed with esophageal cancer but not yet operated on were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 62.03 ± 12.4 years. Patients treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy …

Increased Nitrite Levels In Exhaled Breath Condensate In Asthma-Like Syndrome Induced By Occupational Sulfur Dioxide Exposure*, Zeki̇ Yildirim, Sadik Söğüt, Nurhan Köksal, Talat Kiliç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate whether nitrite levels were abnormally high in expired breath condensate (EBC) from workers with asthma-like syndrome. Materials and methods: We measured the nitrite levels in EBC from 48 volunteer workers, including 25 smokers, with asthma-like syndrome before and after SO2 exposure and compared these levels with those from 44 nonexposed control subjects, including 23 smokers. Results: Baseline concentrations of nitrite in the workers before SO2 exposure were higher (19.31 ± 1.06 nmol/mL) than in the controls (13.08 ± 1.36 nmol/mL; P < 0.001). Acute SO2 exposure produced a significant increase in concentrations of nitrite (23.62 ± 1.36) compared to the baseline value (P < 0.05). Preexposure nitrite concentrations were similar in smoking and nonsmoking workers (17.85 ± 1.72 and 20.20 ± 1.59; P > 0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that nitrite levels in EBC are increased in the asthma-like syndrome induced by …

Oxidative Stress Status Of Individuals Involved In Traffic Accidents*, Bora Özdemi̇r, Atilhan Kaya, Özgür Söğüt, Hali̇l Kaya, Mehmet Tahi̇r Gökdemi̇r, Osman Celbi̇ş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the role of the oxidative stress status of drivers involved in traffic accidents as a risk factor. Materials and methods: Twenty-six drivers and 28 passengers involved in traffic accidents and 31 healthy control drivers and 30 healthy control pedestrians were enrolled in the present study. The total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured in blood samples. Results: The mean value of the TOS level in drivers involved in traffic accidents was significantly higher than that of the control pedestrians (P =< 0.05). The mean value of the TAS level in passengers involved in traffic accidents was significantly lower than that of the control drivers and pedestrians (P =< 0.001 and P =< 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: This is the first study assessing the oxidative markers of individuals involved in a traffic accident compared with a control group. The results reveal that involvement in a traffic accident has an effect on oxidative markers. However, further studies are required in order to use the oxidative stress status of drivers involved in traffic accidents as a marker for estimating the accident risk.

Contribution Of Phospholipase C And Protein Kinase C But Not Endothelin-Converting Enzyme To Contractile Responses Of Ethanol, Naci̇ye Döndaş, Hali̇l Mahi̇r Kaplan, Derya Kaya, Erği̇n Şi̇ngi̇ri̇k

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To evaluate the possible roles of phospholipase C, protein kinase C, and endothelin-converting enzyme on contractions induced by ethanol (164 mM) in isolated gastric fundal strips of mice. Materials and methods: After the mice were killed, the stomach of each was removed and longitudinal muscle strips were prepared from the gastric fundus. The strips were mounted in organ baths and their responses were recorded isometrically. Ethanol (164 mM) was added to the organ baths and a steady-state contraction was obtained. After the first ethanol response was recorded, the preparations were incubated separately with lidocaine (1-100 µM), neomycin (10-500 µM), …

The Effect Of N-Acetylcysteine On Growth And Biofilm Formation In Staphylococcus Epidermidis Strains, Sahra Kirmusaoğlu, Seyhun Yurdugül, Mücahi̇de Esra Koçoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To examine the possible preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis strains, which cause very important problems such as implant-associated infections in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients worldwide. Materials and methods: The effects of varying concentrations of NAC on the formation of biofilm by 28 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis was investigated spectrophotometrically by micro-ELISA assay. Results: Significant differences in biofilm formation in the presence of various NAC concentrations were found in 15 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and 13 methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus epidermidis strains (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It was found that slime formation was decreased due to the increased concentrations of the NAC treatments. Based on these findings, it is possible to use NAC as an antibiofilm agent on medical devices or in catheter lock solutions to prevent colonization and implant-associated infections.

In Vitro Efficacy Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Against Leishmania Tropica Promastigotes And Amastigotes, Özgür Koru, Soykan Özkoç, Kemal Şi̇mşek, Gürkan Mert, Hakan Ay, Seray Töz, Mehmet Tanyüksel

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To assess the efficiency of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on L. tropica, which is the major causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Turkey. Materials and methods: The effects of HBO on Leishmania tropica promastigote and amastigote forms were studied at a pressure of 2.5 atmosphere absolute (ata). We examined the cytotoxic effect of HBO on promastigotes using the trypan blue exclusion test and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye-reduction assay. To investigate the effects of HBO treatment on the growth of the promastigotes, HBO-treated and non-HBO-treated cell culture flasks were incubated at 26 °C for 3 days, while the effects …

Assessment Of Exposure To Tobacco Smoke: Measurement Of Exhaled Carbon Monoxide And Hair Nicotine, Sibel Doruk, İbrahi̇m Demi̇rtaş, Hüseyi̇n Akşi̇t, Ünal Erkorkmaz, Zehra Seyfi̇kli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To investigate the effect of tobacco smoke (TS) exposure on the quantity of exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) and hair nicotine (HN) and to evaluate the relationship between these values. Materials and methods: Included in the study were 96 subjects (64 male, 32 female) divided into 3 groups. The subjects in Group 1 (n = 46) were current smokers, and the subjects in Group 2 (n = 20) and Group 3 (n = 30) were nonsmokers with or without environmental TS exposure, respectively. The eCO level of all of the subjects was measured with a breath CO monitor. Gas chromatography/mass …

Btla (C272) Expression On Cd4+ T Cells In Behçet Patients, Nafi̇ye Fulya İlhan, Nesri̇n Demi̇r, Tamer Demi̇r, Ahmet Gödekmerdan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the peripheral blood levels of B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA/CD272) on T cells and its role in Behçet disease (BD), and to define the role of inhibitory receptors on BD. Materials and methods: Included in this study were 25 patients with BD and 20 healthy control subjects, matched for age and sex. Results: CD4+CD272+ (P < 0.001) and CD3+CD272+ (P < 0.001) T cell levels were significantly higher in BD patients (active and remission) compared to the healthy controls. However, there was no difference between the active patients and those in remission in terms of CD4+CD272+ T cells, while CD3+CD272+ T cell levels were significantly higher in active-phase BD patients compared to patients in the remission phase (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Further functional studies could be implemented to investigate the effectiveness of the present research parameter in the diagnosis or follow-up of certain diseases similar to BD and with obscure etiology, as well as its contribution to immune dysregulation of BD. BTLA can additionally modulate T cell response in BD on different inflammatory areas and it can be upregulated in BD because of T cell activation. The results of the present study indicate that BTLA expression on CD4+ Th (T helper) cells might play a limiting role on the inflammation at peripheral sites or organs in BD.

Dysregulation Of Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity And Bcl-2 And Caspase-3 Gene Expressions In Renal Tissue Of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats, Hüseyi̇n Aktuğ, Vi̇ldan Bozok Çeti̇ntaş, Buket Kosova, Fati̇h Oltulu, Şi̇ri̇n Bakti Demi̇ray, Türker Çavuşoğlu, Saadet Özen Akarca, Altuğ Yavaşoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate the effects of diabetes on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and on gene expressions of B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2) and caspase-3 in the renal tissues of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rats. Materials and methods: Twenty rats were analyzed in 2 equally distributed groups of healthy controls and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Rats with blood glucose levels of >=250 mg/dL were considered diabetic. Renal tissue sections were analyzed histomorphologically and immunohistochemically. Gene expressions of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Bcl-2 expression significantly decreased in the diabetic group, both at the gene and protein level. …

The Effects Of Stobadine On Purine Metabolism In Rats Treated With Carbon Tetrachloride, Ni̇lüfer Bayrakdar, Seda Duygulu Devay, Mi̇ne Yavuz Taşlipinar, Suna Ömeroğlu, Seyhan Gümüşlü, Mustafa Kavutçu, Orhan Canbolat

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl_4) and adenosine deaminase (ADA), 5'-nucleotidase (5'NT), xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The effect of stobadine on purine metabolism was also evaluated. Materials and methods: This study measured the effect of CCl_4 on ADA, 5'NT, XO enzyme activities, and MDA levels, and measured the histopathologic changes in liver cells. Results: Our research found that ADA, XO activities, and MDA levels increased in the CCl_4 group when compared with the control group. This was also supported by the histopathological …