Increased AChE and decreased LOOHs, which were influenced by increased PON1, were considered as indicators of efforts towards the protection of dopaminergic activity in central nervous system in RLS group. Increased ESR, MPV and low HRVi indicate elevated sympathetic activity in RLS group. Elevated sympathetic activity might be beneficial in relieving RLS symptoms, also causing increases in TOS. The evidence we found regarding oxidative stress and autonomic nervous system might be seminal in RLS treatment.

No abstract

Ekin I.H., K. Gürtürk, A. Arslan, B. Boynukara: Prevalence and Characteristics of Campylobacter Species Isolated from Gallbladder of Slaughtered Sheep in Van, (Eastern) Turkey. Acta Vet. Brno 2006, 75: 145-149. To determine the prevalence of campylobacter species in gallbladder of sheep in Van, (Eastern) Turkey, a total of 220 gallbladder samples from healthy slaughtered sheep were examined bacteriologically in October 2000 and 2002. Of the 110 samples examined each year, 27 (24.6%) and 24 (21.8%) campylobacter strains were isolated, respectively. Of the 27 campylobacter strains isolated in the year 2000, 14 (51.9%) were identified as C. jejuni, 7 (25.9%) C. fetus, 3 (11.1%) C. coli and 3 (11.1%) C. lari. Similar results were obtained in the study performed in 2002, but C. lari could not be isolated. Growth and biochemical characteristics of all identified Campylobacter species with some exceptions were typical of each species. Six of 13 examined C. fetus strains grew well at both 25 °C and 42 °C in thioglycollate medium and on blood agar. C. jejuni strains differed from C. coli only by Na-hippurate hydrolysis test. Results of the present study revealed that C. jejuni is the most common campylobacter species isolated from gallbladders of sheep. The thermophilic campylobacters in significant proportions may cause contamination of carcass during slaughter and transmission of the food-borne pathogens to humans.

Gürtürk K., I. H. Ekin, A. Arslan: Western Blot Analysis of the IgG-Antibody Response to Acid-Glycine-Extracted Antigens from Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus and C. jejuni in Naturally Infected Sheep. Acta Vet. Brno 2007, 76: 245-251. IgG-antibody response in aborting sheep and in apparently healthy sheep in a flock against acidglycine-extracted antigens from three strains for each C. fetus subsp. fetus and C. jejuni were analysed by Western blot. One strain of C. fetus subsp. fetus was isolated from aborting sheep. Western blot analysis of the sera revealed the presence of IgG antibody binding to the common antigens including proteins with the Mw of 63 kDa and 54 kDa in extracts from both C. fetus subsp. fetus and C. jejuni strains. In addition, IgG antibodies in sera from aborting sheep reacted more strongly with the antigens from C. fetus subsp. fetus strains with Mw of approximately 100, 95 and 86.5 kDa than those of apparently healthy sheep. The binding profile of the antibodies with these antigens appeared to be unique for each C. fetus subsp. fetus strain. On the other hand, IgG antibodies only in sera from aborting sheep recognized strongly the antigens of each C. fetus subsp. fetus strain at the Mw ranged from approximately 26 to 22 kDa. However, the antigenic components between 26 and 22 kDa were not detectable in coomassie blue stained gel and thought to have non-protein nature. These low molecular weight antigens of C. fetus subsp. fetus may be related to a recent infection in aborting sheep. These observations indicate that such speciesspecific antigens or conjugated protein antigens could be used for improving the specificity of the serological tests to detect C. fetus antibodies in sheep sera, and may be the candidates for subunit vaccines against ovine abortion.

Aim: Diabetes mellitus leads to development of neuropathy as a secondary complication. The main mechanism of diabetic neuropathy is the dysregulation of energy balance and glucose homeostasis in brain. This study aimed to examine the effects of curcumin as an antidiabetic compound on the expressions of IRS1, Grb2, K-Ras and Bax proteins in diabetic rat brains. Material and Methods: 16 Wistar albino rats were divided randomly into four groups as: control, curcumin; STZ-treated and STZ+Curcumin treated groups. The rats in STZ group were induced to develop diabetes by intraperitoneal administration of STZ. Then, they were treated with curcumin daily by gavage. Expressions and activation of IRS1, Grb2, K-Ras and Bax were determined by western blot analyses. Results: Western blot analyses showed that curcumin treatment increased IRS1 tyrosine phosphorylation and it reversed the negative effect of STZ on IRS1 activation. K-Ras expression significantly decreased while Bax expression increased in STZ group (p<0.05). No significant changes in the expressions of Grb2 and IRS1 were observed for all groups. Conclusion: Based on the results, it could be suggested that curcumin treatment significantly reversed the negative effects of STZ on insulin signaling pathway members in STZ induced diabetic rat brains.

Objective: Hip fracture is a serious complication that occurs after stroke. The incidence of hip fracture in stroke patients is 2-4 times higher than that in normal people and most of these fractures occur on the paretic side. A significant bone loss on the paretic side of stroke patients has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of alendronate therapy in ambulatory stroke patients. Methods: Ambulatory stroke patients who have been followed in the outpatient clinic (n=20) were enrolled in the study. Their bone mineral density (BMD) values and laboratory parameters were retrospectively evaluated according to the medications given for osteoporosis. The analysis was performed by comparing the results of patients who had been given (Group 1) and not given (Group 2) bisphosphonate (alendronate) for a one-year period. Results: Measurements performed after a one year interval revealed that the BMD values of lumbar region and paretic and nonparetic femur neck were increased in Group 1, whereas these values were decreased in Group 2. However, when the drug use was considered, the changes were statistically significant only for the lumbar region (p=0.004). Conclusion: Alendronate treatment may have a beneficial effect on the hemiosteoporosis of ambulatory stroke patients.