Yazar "Erkunt, Alak, S." seçeneğine göre listele
Listeleniyor 1 - 7 / 7
Sayfa Başına Sonuç
Sıralama seçenekleri
Öğe Genetic characterization of Bartonella henselae samples isolated from stray cats by multi-locus sequence typing(BioMed Central Ltd, 2023) Can, H.; Güvendi, M.; Sürgeç, E.; Köseoğlu, A.E.; Erkunt, Alak, S.; Karakavuk, M.; Gül, A.Background: Bartonella henselae is one of the most commonly identified Bartonella species associated with several human diseases. Although B. henselae was detected in humans and cats in Turkey, they have not been genotyped previously. Therefore, this study aimed to genotype B. henselae samples (n = 44) isolated from stray cats using the multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) method. For this aim, eight different housekeeping markers were amplified by nested PCR and then sequenced to reveal sequence types (STs) of B. henselae samples. Results: Allelic profiles obtained from 40 B. henselae isolates (90.9%) were compatible with available allelic profiles in the MLST online database. However, allelic profiles obtained from the remaining 4 B. henselae isolates (9.1%) were incompatible with the database. Among B. henselae isolates with compatible allelic profiles, 5 different STs including ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35 and ST36 were identified according to the B. henselae MLST online database. ST35 was the most prevalent ST with a prevalence rate of 29.5% (13/44), followed by ST36 with a prevalence rate of 22.7% (10/44). In addition, ST5 (16%, 7/44) and ST9 (18.2%, 8/44) were also among the prevalent STs. The prevalence of ST1 was 4.5% (2/44). For B. henselae isolates with incompatible allelic profiles, we recommended a new ST called ST38. Conclusion: The present study genotyped B. henselae samples isolated from stray cats in Turkey for the first time and ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35, and ST36 as well as a new sequence type named ST38 were identified among these B. henselae isolates. © 2023, BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.Öğe Importance of screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-?1, IL-6 and anti-S1 IgG levels(Academic Press, 2023) Kenanoğlu, O.B.; Gül, A.; Can, H.; Karakavuk, M.; Erkunt, Alak, S.; Korukluoğlu, G.; Altaş, A.B.Cytokine storm is an important cause of death in COVID-19 patients. A recent clinical study showed that administration of recombinant interferon lambda 1 (IFN-?1 or IL-29) may prevent severe COVID-19. On the other hand, IL-6 has been associated as a prognostic marker of worsening for COVID-19 patients. The objective of this study is to screen IFN-?1, IL-6 and antibody levels in consecutive serum sample sets of COVID-19 patients. A total of 365 serum samples collected from 208 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were analyzed for IFN-?1 and IL-6 levels as well as SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and anti-S1 IgG antibodies. Analyses of serum samples for cytokine levels showed that IFN-?1 (>8 pg/mL) and IL-6 (>2 pg/mL) were detected in approximately 64% and 21% patients, respectively. A decrement in IFN-?1 levels and IL-6 levels above 35 pg/mL can be sign of clinical severity and upcoming dead. An increment in IL-6 levels wasn't detected in every COVID-19 patient but a decrement in IL-6 levels was related to clinical improvement. Importantly, the detection of IFN-?1 level together with an increase in anti-S1 IgG antibody response were observed in clinically improved patients. Screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-?1, IL-6, and anti-S1 IgG antibody levels during their hospital stay especially in intensive care units may be beneficial to monitor the clinical status and management of treatment strategies. Importantly, detection of IFN-?1 together with protective IgG antibody response can be an indication of clinical improvement in severe COVID-19 patients and these patients may be discharged from the hospital soon. © 2023 Elsevier LtdÖğe An In house ELISA using recombinant GRA1 and BAG1 proteins as antigen successfully detected Toxoplasma gondii infection in a flock of sheep suffering from abortions(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Kandemir, Ç.; Can, H.; Karakavuk, M.; Döşkaya, M.; Erkunt, Alak, S.; Gürüz, A.Y.; Ün, C.Toxoplasma gondii is one of the main pathogens causing abortion in sheep. In this study, an in house ELISA using recombinant GRA1 and BAG1 proteins as antigen was used to detect T. gondii infection in a flock of sheep suffering from abortions. Serum samples collected from sheep (n = 23) the day after abortion were initially analyzed with a commercial ELISA using recombinant P30 (SAG1) protein as antigen and then by the in house ELISA using recombinant GRA1 and BAG1 proteins as antigen. Commercial ELISA detected anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in 20 samples whereas in house ELISA detected anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in 19 samples. The results of the remaining three serum samples that were seronegative by commercial ELISA were also seronegative by in house ELISA. According to the results of commercial ELISA and in house ELISA, the seroprevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis was 86.9% and 82.6%, respectively. When we accept the validated commercial ELISA as a reference method, the sensitivity and specificity of in house ELISA can be considered as 95% and 100%. These preliminary results show that in house ELISA using recombinant GRA1 and BAG1 proteins as antigen can detect ovine toxoplasmosis successfully. © 2023Öğe Mitotyping of random bred cats and pure breed cats (Turkish Angora and Turkish Van) using non-repetitive mitochondrial DNA control region(Elsevier B.V., 2024) Bilgen, N.; Güvendi, M.; Sezgin, E.; Can, H.; Köseoğlu, A.E.; Erkunt, Alak, S.; Döşkaya, M.The Fertile Crescent appears to be the most plausible region where the domestication of cats commenced through a mutually beneficial relationship between wild cats and early agrarian societies. These domesticated cats then journeyed across the globe mirroring the paths of human migration. An examination of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region-based mitotyping suggested that a significant majority, exceeding 80%, of globally sampled random-bred and pure-bred cats could be categorized into 12 predominant mitotypes. However, the extent of mitotype diversity within random-bred cats from regions proximate to the Fertile Crescent remains inadequately explored. In light of this we aimed to investigate the mitotype diversity in random bred cats sampled from various regions across Turkey. Additionally, we sought to establish a comparison with the mitotype profiles of locally recognized pure breeds, namely the Turkish Angora and Turkish Van. To unravel their evolutionary narratives, we engaged in comprehensive population genetics analyses at both the individual and mitotype-based levels. Our study encompassed a sample size of 240 specimens, forming the basis for both mitotyping and population genetics scrutiny. Our analysis yielded the identification of nine ‘universal’ mitotypes (A—J), alongside an ‘outlier’ mitotype group I. Notably mitotypes A and D emerged as particularly prevalent in contrast to the lesser occurrence mitotypes C, G, and H. With the realm of random bred cats the structure of haplotypes exhibited remarkable diversity presenting distinctions from Turkish Angora and Van breeds. Nucleotide diversity was higher compared to previous reports from Turkey and was one of the highest among reported world cat population estimates. Intriguingly, our investigations did not unveil any pronounced instances of strong selection, population expansions or contractions within any specific population or mitotype. To conclude, our study represents a pioneering effort in uncovering the mitotype profiles and haplotype structures inherent to both random-bred and pure breed cats in Turkey. This endeavor not only broadens our understanding of the feline genetic landscape within the region but also lays the foundation for future inquiries into the evolutionary trajectories and genetic legacies of these feline populations. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.Öğe Molecular and bioinformatics evaluation of PRNP as a candidate gene for successful suicidal behavior(Elsevier Masson s.r.l., 2023) Cun, E.; Can, H.; Köseoğlu, A.E.; Erkunt, Alak, S.; Koyuncu, G.; Ün, C.Contemplating suicide, suicide attempts, and successful suicides represent the suicidal behavior accompanied by depression and hopelessness. Suicide is among the major causes of death worldwide. According to obtained data, it has been reported that approximately 800,000 suicide deaths occur worldwide every year and the frequency of suicide varies from country to country. Many suicide attempts or the contemplation of suicide are associated with psychological disorders such as depression and schizophrenia as well as alcoholism and drug abuse. It has been demonstrated that depression, which affects nearly 350 million people worldwide is strongly linked to suicidal behavior, as it is the most common disorder in people who die from suicide. There are several major hypotheses in the pathogenesis of depression. One of them is the monoamine hypothesis and the insufficiency of monoamine neuromediators such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the central nervous system is considered to be a triggering factor for the development of depression. Another hypothesis is the stress hypothesis, and chronic stress and stressful life events are accepted as a predictor in the onset of depression. The third one is the disturbance of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity caused by especially brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) in nervous tissue. Another depression development related theory is the cytokine theory explained by the activation of the inflammatory response system inducing the various behavioral, neuroendocrine, and neurochemical alterations. Finally, the circadian rhythm theory that is responsible for regulating many physiological and behavioral processes and sleep disorders are reported to occur in most of the individuals suffering from depression. The findings about physiological roles or normal functions of the prion protein are very limited but there are several studies showing the possible role of prion protein in circadian rhythm, sleep deprivation and development of depression using mice devoid of prion protein. Relying on these findings, we sequenced the prion protein coding genes in a cohort of individuals who had successfully committed suicide (n = 75) and compared allele and genotype frequencies with a control group (n = 44). We also applied bioinformatics analysis to detect the interaction between the prion protein Met/Val allele and DRD2, PER2, PER3, and COMT proteins, which are very present in the brain and related to depression, stress, and circadian rhythm. Among the individuals who died by suicide, although the frequency of the homozygous Met/Met genotype (45/75; 60%) was higher compared to the control group (20/44; 45.45%), no statistically significant difference was found (X2 = 2.530; P = 0.282). Parallel to this, the frequency (76.6%) of Met allele detected in the individuals who died by suicide was also higher than that of (67%) the control group, but no statistically significant difference was found (X2 = 4.338; P = 0.114). Docking analysis also showed that the prion protein with Val allele had a higher binding affinity with proteins analyzed according to the Met allele. In conclusion, the Met/Met genotype and Met allele frequencies were detected to be higher in the completed suicidal group. Also, the interaction between the prion protein with the M allele and proteins analyzed was lower. Based on these findings, it was thought that carriers of the prion Met allele may be more prone to suicide. © 2023 Elsevier Masson SASÖğe Molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of Hepatozoon spp. in stray cats of İzmir, Türkiye(Elsevier Ltd, 2023) Koçkaya, E.S.; Güvendi, M.; Köseoglu, A.E.; Karakavuk, M.; Değirmenci, Döşkaya, A.; Erkunt, Alak, S.; Döskaya, M.Hepatozoon spp. are an apicomplexan protozoan parasites that infect vertebrates including mammals, marsupials, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Among Hepatozoon species, H. canis and H. felis are causative agents of hepatozoonosis in dogs and cats, respectively and have veterinary importance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. in stray cats living in İzmir and investigate genetic diversity among positive samples. To achieve this aim, the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. 18S rRNA gene was screened by PCR in DNA samples extracted from blood samples of stray cats (n = 1012). Then, Hepatozoon-positive samples were sequenced and the generated data were used for species identification, phylogenetic and haplotype analyses. According to the results, among the samples screened, 2.37 % (24/1012) of them were found to be Hepatozoon-positive, and of these positive samples, 18 (18/24; 75 %) were successfully sequenced. BLAST and phylogenetic analyses revealed that all of these samples were H. felis. Also, phylogenetic analysis showed that H. felis samples were genotype I. Within H. felis samples isolated from cats living in different countries/regions, 9 haplotypes were detected and among these haplotypes, H-1 was found to be prevalent (n = 20 H. felis isolates). In conclusion, this study showed that the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. was low in stray cats analyzed. Also, H. felis genotype I was predominant in comparison to other Hepatozoon species. © 2023 Elsevier LtdÖğe Molecular prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in stray cats of İzmir, Türkiye(Elsevier Ltd, 2023) Erkunt, Alak, S.; Can, H.; Değirmenci, Döşkaya, A.; Sürgeç, E.; Güvendi, M.; Ün, C.; Döskaya, M.The phylum Microsporidia contains obligate single celled parasites that can infect many vertebrate hosts including humans. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is considered as the most diagnosed species in humans. E. bieneusi has also been detected in many animals such as cats, dogs and cattle. Among these animals, cats are carriers of type D and IV which are the most common human pathogenic genotypes of E. bieneusi. In Türkiye, the prevalence of E. bieneusi in stray cats is not well known. Therefore, in this study, the molecular prevalence of E. bieneusi in stray cats (n = 339) was determined by Real-Time PCR targeting ribosomal DNA ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region of E. bieneusi. Initially, the analytical sensitivity of Real-Time PCR was determined by a plasmid control and then E. bieneusi DNA was investigated in fecal samples of stray cats. The results showed that the analytical sensitivity of Real-Time PCR targeting ITS region of E. bieneusi was ?1 copy plasmid/reaction. Analysis of fecal samples revealed that the molecular prevalence of E. bieneusi was 50.15% (170/339). Overall, these results showed that the Real-Time PCR successfully detected E. bieneusi in cat's fecal samples and stray cats can be an important source for transmission of E. bieneusi to humans and other animals. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
