The objective of this study was to develop an engineered rat hyaline cartilage by culturing articular chondrocytes on three-dimensional (3D) macroporous poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) sponges under chondrogenic induction and microgravity bioreactor conditions. Experimental groups consisted of 3D static and dynamic cultures, while a single cell monolayer (2D) served as the control. The effect of seeding conditions (static vs. dynamic) on cellularization of the scaffolds was investigated. MTT assay was used to evaluate the number of viable cells in each group at different time points. Formation of a hyaline-like cartilage was evaluated for up to 4 weeks in vitro. While 2D culture resulted in cell sheets with very poor matrix production, 3D culture was in the favor of tissue formation. A higher yield of cell attachment and spatially uniform cell distribution was achieved when dynamic seeding technique was used. Dynamic culture promoted cell growth and infiltration throughout the sponge structure and showed the formation of cartilage tissue, while chondrogenesis appeared attenuated more towards the outer region of the constructs in the static culture group. Medium supplemented with TGF-beta 1 (5 ng/ml) had a positive impact on proteoglycan production as confirmed by histochemical analyses with Alcian blue and Safranin-O stainings. Formation of hyaline-like tissue was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry performed with antibodies against type II collagen and aggrecan. SEM confirmed higher level of cellularization and cartilage tissue formation in bioreactor cultures induced by TGF-beta 1. The data suggest that PLGA sponge inside rotating bioreactor with chondrogenic medium provides an environment that mediates isolated rat chondrocytes to redifferentiate and form hyaline-like rat cartilage, in vitro.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells with the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondroblasts, myocytes, and adipocytes. They have potential for bone tissue engineering by the utilization of in vitro expanded cells with osteogenic capacity and their delivery to the appropriate sites via biomaterial scaffolds. The objective was to evaluate the potential of rat bone marrow MSCs to form 3D bone-like tissue by the use of mineralized poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) foam and osteoinductive medium under rotating culture conditions. PLGA foams were prepared by solvent casting and particulate leaching, then mineralized by incubating in simulated body fluid. MSCs isolated from the bone marrow of young Wistar rats were expanded and seeded on the mineralized scaffolds. The cell-polymer constructs were then cultured in a slow turning lateral vessel-type rotating bioreactor for 4 weeks under the effect of osteogenic inducers, β-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid and dexamethasone. Mineralization was evaluated using FT-IR and increases in dry mass; morphology changes of the mineralized foams and cell adhesion was characterized by SEM; cell viability was monitored by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). Osteogenic differentiation was determined by using immunohistochemistry (anti-osteopontin). Results indicate the feasibility of bone tissue engineering with MSCs and mineralized PLGA scaffolds supporting cell adhesion, viability and osteogenic differentiation properties of cells in hybrid structures under appropriate bioreactor conditions.

In the studies carried out by us, IC50 value of water was determined by using mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial cell lines in in vitro cultures and positive and negative effect doses on the cells were determined. Depending on the results obtained, the effects on the whole organism, if necessary, can be examined in vivo on subjects. For this purpose, young wistar rats are divided into experimental groups (experimental and control) and their water needs are met with water samples obtained from the study area for 3 to 6 months. Blood and urine samples were taken from the subjects in each group at certain time points and the changes were recorded by analyzing the routine biochemistry and hemogram. In addition, the subjects in the sampling are sacrificed at monthly intervals and general examination of endogenous tissues are performed and liver, kidney and heart tissue samples are taken for histological and chemical analyzes. Some of the tissue samples are homogenized using a microwave and changes in elemental content are determined by ICP_OES. The other part is fixed in 10% formaldehyde and then 5 µm thin sections are examined histopathologically according to freeze sectioning method. These studies showed that although the known methods used in water analysis are very valuable, the water quality study carried out by cytotoxic analysis method provides reliability in terms of observing the direct effects of water quality on living tissue. In the present study, in vitro cytotoxicity studies for water samples taken from İncesu Basin are given as examples because of their striking results. Based on the obtained results, it is suggested that in vitro cytotoxicity tests should be added to routine water quality analyzes.

No abstract

Hemorrhoids are swollen vascular vein pads in the upper part of the anal canal. The deformations in these tissues cause serious disturbances, and most important one is hemorrhoid, which is a symptomatic degenerative disease. Due to various etiologic factors, weakening and disintegration of connective tissue cause this disease. Many methods have been developed in the treatment of hemorrhoids from the past to the present day, and drug therapy is used as primary care. However, surgical treatment methods are applied in advanced stages in which the disease can not be treated with medication and when there is a life-threatening risk. As alternative medicine applications, herbal remedies have been used in hemorrhoid treatment for centuries. Prepared herbal mixtures or extracts are still frequently preferred by the patients today. In this context, in the research we have carried out in Beyköy village of Havza district; Teucrium orientale L. are used by regional people in the treatment of hemorrhoids and it was detected that the awareness of this herbal treatment is limited. In this study, the efficacy of T. orientale L. plant in hemorrhoid treatment was evaluated by conducting a questionnaire survey on the patients using plant extract. Of the approximately 500 patients using plant extracts, 89 agreed to fill out the questionnaire. Due to the results of the survey, it was found that all of the patients using the extract of T. orientale L. plant are healed partly or completely, and the benefit from the extract changed according to the patient's age and the stage of the disease. There has been no study on the use of this plant in the treatment of hemorrhoids in literature, and it is the first study to be done in this respect.