BACKGROUND Polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are suggested to increase the risk of gastric cancer (GC). AIM To investigate the HLA allele frequencies of patients with GC relative to a control group in terms of CagA+ multiple (≥ 2) EPIYA-C repeats. METHODS The patient group comprised 94 patients [44 GC and 50 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients], and the control group comprised 86 individuals [(50 non-ulcer dyspepsia patients and 36 people with asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori )]. Polymerase chain reaction was performed for the amplification of the H. pylori cagA gene and typing of EPIYA motifs. HLA sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) typing was performed using Lifecodes SSO typing kits (HLA-A, HLA-B HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQA1-B1 kits). RESULTS The comparison of GC cases in terms of CagA+ multiple (≥ 2) EPIYA-C repeats showed that only the HLA-DQB1*06 allele [odds ratio (OR): 0.37, P = 0.036] was significantly lower, but significance was lost after correction (Pc = 0.1845). The HLA-DQA1*01 allele had a high ratio in GC cases with multiple EPIYA-C repeats, but this was not significant in the univariate analysis. We compared allele frequencies in the DU cases alone and in GC and DU cases together using the same criterion, and none of the HLA alleles were significantly associated with GC or DU. Also, none of the alleles were detected as independent risk factors after the multivariate analysis. On the other hand, in a multivariate logistic regression with no discriminative criterion, HLA-DQA1*01 (OR = 1.848), HLA-DQB1*06 (OR = 1.821) and HLA-A*02 (OR = 1.579) alleles were detected as independent risk factors for GC and DU. CONCLUSION None of the HLA alleles were detected as independent risk factors in terms of CagA+ multiple EPIYA-C repeats. However, HLA-DQA1*01, HLA-DQB1*0601, and HLA-A*2 were independent risk factors with no criterion in the multivariate analysis. We suggest that the association of these alleles with gastric malignancies is not specifically related to cagA and multiple EPIYA C repeats.

No abstract

Aim Obesity is a disease complicating the course of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness in adults with obesity may be compromised. Our aim is to investigate the spike-protein receptor-binding domain antibody titers against BNT162b2 mRNA and inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (CoronaVac) vaccines in people with severe obesity. It is anticipated that the results to be obtained may provide invaluable information about future SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategies in this vulnerable population. Methods A total of 124 consecutive patients with severe obesity (age > 18 years, BMI ≥ 40 kg/m 2 ) presenting between August and November 2021 were enrolled. The normal weight control group (age > 18, BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ) was recruited from 166 subjects who visited the vaccination unit. SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein antibody titers were measured in patients with severe obesity and in normal weight controls who received two doses of BNT162b2, or CoronaVac vaccines. SARS-CoV-2 IgG Nucleocapsid Protein antibody (NCP Ab) testing was performed to discover prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Blood samples were taken from individuals at 4th week and after 2nd dose of vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers were determined by quantitative serological methods. Results A total of 290 individuals (220 female, 70 male) who have received two doses of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac vaccines were enrolled in the study. Seventy had prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. In 220 subjects (non-prior infection) vaccinated with BNT162b2 or CoronaVac, the antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen of patients with severe obesity were significantly lower than normal weight controls (p = 0.001, p = 0.001 respectively). In seventy subjects with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, spike antigen antibody titers in patients with severe obesity, vaccinated with BNT162b2 or CoronaVac, were not significantly different from normal weight controls (p = 0.1, p = 0.1 respectively). In patients with severe obesity, with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, spike antigen antibody levels of those vaccinated with BNT162b2 were found to be significantly higher than those vaccinated with CoronaVac (p = 0.043, p < 0.001 respectively). Conclusion Patients with severe obesity generated significantly reduced antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen after CoronaVac and BNT162b2 vaccines compared to people with normal weight. Antibody levels in patients with severe obesity vaccinated with BNT162b2 were found to be significantly higher than those vaccinated with CoronaVac. People living with severe obesity should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination and BNT162b2 vaccine may be recommended for this vulnerable population. KeywordsSevere obesity • Vaccines • Antibody response Key Points • Individuals with severe obesity had low antibody responses to the BNT163b2 vaccine. • Individuals with severe obesity had low antibody responses to the CoronaVac vaccine. • BNT162b2 vaccine responses were better than CoronaVac in severely obese individuals. • BNT162b2 can be recommended for the COVID-19 vaccine to...

No abstract

No abstract

In this study, 13 new hybrid compounds (7a-m) were synthesized starting from ursolic acid, and their cytotoxic activities were investigated on the BEAS-2B and A549 cell lines. In addition, the synthesized compounds were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans to determine their anti-microbial properties. The hybrid compounds that exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity against the BEAS-2B were 7k, 7b, and 7g.The cytotoxicity of the compounds against A549 was evaluated, the IC50 value of 7k, 7b, and 7g are found as 0.15 µM, 0.31 µM, and 0.26 µM, respectively. The results showed that the selectivity of 7k was 7 times higher than doxorubicin against the A549 cells. According to the antimicrobial activity studies 7c is found as the most effective compound against S. aureus.

Günümüzde kansere ve diğer mikroorganizmalara karşı kullanılan ilaçların pek çoğunun biyoyararlanımının düşük olması ve başta toksisite gibi yan etkilerinden dolayı tedavide yeni ilaçların varlığına ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Her gün artan sayıda anti-kanser veya antibiyotik ilaç geliştirilmesine rağmen, bu ilaçların seçiciliklerinin düşük olması ve çoklu ilaç direncinin kazanılması, başarılı bir tedavinin önüne geçmektedir. Bu nedenle, tümör hücrelerini veya mikroorganizmaları yok etmek veya en azından çoğalmasını durdurmak için yeni, güçlü ve seçici ajanlarının keşfine önemli ölçüde ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Bu çalışma kapsamında 18 adet yeni 1,2,3-triazol/arilidenhidrazid yapısında hibrit bileşik sentezlendi. Elde edilen 18 yeni bileşiğin (17a-r) Staphylococcus Aureus ve Escheric1hia coli bakteri türleri ve Candida albicans mantar türü üzerindeki anti-mikrobiyal etkinlikleri araştırıldı. Elde edilen sonuçlar anti-mikrobiyal ilaç seftazidim ile karşılaştırıldı. Bileşiklerin anti fungal etkinliklerinin MİK değerleri 62.5 μM olarak bulunurken anti-bakteriyel etkinliklerinin MİK değerleri 62.5-125 μM olarak belirlendi.

Aims Despite high vaccination rates, increasing case numbers continue to be reported with the identification of new variants of concern, and the issue of durability of the vaccine-induced immune response remains hot topic. Real-life data regarding time-dependent immunogenicity of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines are scarce. We aimed to investigate the changes in the antibody at the different times after the second dose of the CoronaVac vaccine. Methods The study included 175 HCWs vaccinated with inactive CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences, China) SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in two doses. Anti-spike/RBD IgG levels were measured first, third, and sixth months after the second dose. Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (IgG II Quant test, Abbott, USA), which is 100% compatible with plaque reduction neutralization test, was used. Results Mean age of the participants was 38 ± 11.23 years (range between 22 and 66) of whom 119 (63.9%) were female, and 56 (32%) were male. Dramatic reductions were demonstrated in median antibody levels particularly in the infection-naïve group, comprising 138 HCWs compared to those with prior history of COVID-19 infection ( n = 37) ( p < 0.001). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, blood groups, BMI, and comorbid diseases. Conclusions While antibody positivity remained above 90% in the 6th month after two doses of inactivated vaccine in HCWs, the median titers of neutralizing antibodies decreased rapidly. The decrease was more rapid and significant in those with no history of prior COVID-19 infection. In this critical phase of the pandemic, where we are facing the dominance of the Omicron variant after Delta, booster doses have become vital.