“
“Background: Olfaction has been demonstrated to have a great impact on patients’ lives. Transsphenoidal endoscopic pituitary surgery is associated with potentially significant damage to olfactory tissues, but to date this issue has been only poorly documented in the literature.\n\nStudy Design: Prospective cohort study comparing olfactory outcomes pre- and postpituitary surgery.\n\nMethod: Patients were administered the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) preoperatively and again at 6 months postoperatively. The endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery was carried out using a full middle

turbinate MEK inhibitor preservation protocol. A Hadad-Bassagasteguy (HB) vascularized septal flap was raised in each case. Secondary outcomes included Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores (LKES) and patient self-report of olfactory disturbance.

The results were analysed using a paired t-tests.\n\nResults: Seventeen patients met inclusion criteria for the study. Mean preoperative UPSIT value was 37.2 (normosmia), and mean postoperative UPSIT value was 30.8 (moderate hyposmia) (P < .001). All patients were fully healed with normal LKES scores by 6 months. All patients complained of their olfactory dysfunction.\n\nConclusions: learn more This study is the first to describe postoperative olfactory perturbations suffered by patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. We hypothesize that olfactory impairment results from use of the HB flap. We recommend that the possibility of permanent olfactory changes be added to routine patient counseling and consent for this procedure, and that HB flaps be raised judiciously during trannssphenoidal endoscopic procedures.”
“Background: Eosinophils are important effector cells in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma. Oxidative stress in the form of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the

pathogenesis of several allergic diseases. Recently, it has become evident that mitochondrial-derived ROS are important transducers of apoptosis and intracellular signaling. In this study, we investigated the LXH254 role of mitochondrial ROS in the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1 and 2-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and caspase-3 in human eosinophils stimulated with H(2)O(2).\n\nMethods: Human eosinophils were purified using immunomagnetic negative selection and then stimulated with H(2)O(2), H(2)O(2)-induced eosinophil apoptosis was measured by staining cells with annexin V. Activation of ERK1/2 MAPK and caspases was assessed by Western blotting. Eosinophils were pretreated with rotenone, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, before H(2)O(2) was added.\n\nResults: Treatment with 1 mM H(2)O(2) induced externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) and activation of caspases in eosinophils.

“
“Temporal flower closure is a non-morphological floral character of adaptive significance for growth of some species in extreme environments, and it has important implications for plant reproductive success. Flowers of Tulipa species responded

to changes in temperature and closed temporarily at low temperatures, but they reopened when temperatures increased. In this study, we determined the effects of temporal flower closure of Tulipa iliensis Regel. on mating pattern, flower microenvironmental temperature, and sexual organ functions during exposure to low temperatures, rainfall, and wind. First, flowers of T. iliensis were incompletely herkogamous with stamens longer than the pistil. Floral closure resulted in the contact of dehisced anthers with the stigma and auto-pollen deposition on the stigma, thus facilitating automatic self-pollination. Second, floral closure maintained the GSK923295 research buy temperature inside the flower, providing a stable microenvironment that promoted pollen germination and avoided a decline in stigma receptivity. Third, flower closure of T. iliensis

before rainstorms avoided flushing of pollen from anthers and helped maintain both pollen viability and stigma receptivity during exposure to rain. Finally, flower closure maintained pollen clumping in the anthers during exposure to wind, thereby enhancing pollination efficiency by pollinators and/or automatic selfing. Therefore, temporal flower closure of T. iliensis is an important floral strategy in facilitating selleck chemicals automatic selfing, extending the functional period of male and female organs, and it thus ensures reproductive success in the unpredictable early spring environment.”
“Background:\n\nSeveral Alisertib studies have been performed to evaluate the clinical outcome of implants inserted into maxillae grafted with autogenous bone but few reports have focused on maxillae grafted with fresh-frozen allogenous bone (FFAB).\n\nPurpose:\n\nThe purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcome of implants installed in resorbed maxillae augmented with FFAB.\n\nMaterials and Methods:\n\nA

total of 69 patients whom had been treated with FFAB grafts to their maxillae and implant placement 4 to 6 months later were retrospectively evaluated. Edentulism was total and partial in 22 and 47 cases, respectively. A total of 287 implants of various systems had been used. A life table analysis was performed. Marginal bone loss was calculated in radiographs.\n\nResults:\n\nFive of the 287 implants were lost, giving a survival rate (SVR) of 98.3% over a mean follow-up time of 26 months. The marginal bone resorption at the implants was 1.68 mm (SD = 0.44) after 1 year and 1.85 mm (SD = 0.98) after 4 years. The cumulative success rate based on defined criteria was 96% in the first year but decreased to 40% at 4 years because of marginal bone loss.

(c) 2013 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: To obtain understanding of how patients with rheumatic diseases experienced participation in an emotion-focused group intervention in terms of influences on their emotional well-being and coping behavior and the processes whereby these influences arose.\n\nMethods: The intervention, Vitality

Training (VTP), was conducted in 10 group sessions over 4 months. Qualitative data were collected from 10 focus group interviews LDC000067 Cell Cycle inhibitor (n = 69) two weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed with a qualitative content analysis approach.\n\nResults: Five categories were identified from the analyses: (1) recognizing oneself as both ill and healthy, (2) recognizing own emotions, (3) awareness of own needs, (4) being part of a community and (5) being recognized as a credible patient.\n\nConclusion: The VTP addressed participants’ awareness of emotional and bodily reactions in a process-oriented and supportive group. The program had enhanced participants’ recognition of their disease-related emotions and helped them to more actively relate to their own needs. Practical implications: This study has highlighted how a process-oriented group intervention that combines topics related to life, rather than disease, and learning methods that enhance

Dinaciclib purchase emotional awareness and adaptive emotional expression can enhance emotional well-being and coping behavior in patients with rheumatic diseases. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“How is the bone tissue in skeletal supports of a neonatal elephant organized, and how does this histological structure selleck screening library differ among

the neonates of modern species, mammoths, and insular dwarfs? We used synchrotron X-ray microtomography (SR-mu CT) to obtain high-resolution image-’slices’ noninvasively, from the femoral and tibial diaphyses of neonatal African elephants, a young juvenile Asian elephant, Columbian mammoths, and California Channel Island pygmy mammoths. The results compared favorably in level of detail with histological sectioning, but without the shrinkage, distortion, or loss of tissue inevitable with histology. From the tomography images we were able to rank by ontogenetic stage specimens of taxa that are otherwise difficult to categorize because they vary greatly in size; from these images we observed that laminar fibro-lamellar bone predominated and were able to quantify vascular patterns. Bones of the Columbian mammoth typically had the thickest and largest number of laminae, whereas the insular dwarfs were notable in their variability. A distinct change in tissue microstructure marks the boundary between prenatal and postnatal periosteal bone deposition.

His BMI was 27.7. Since 11 years he had been treated for arterial hypertension and had received oral medication for type 2 diabetes for one year. The latest blood pressure value was 134/109 https://www.selleckchem.com/products/btsa1.html mm Hg during treatment with a combination of atenolol, chlortalidone und hydralazine-HCl; furthermore hr received simvastatin, metformin, glimepirid und ramipril. A standardized telemedical imaging of the retina (“talkingeyes (R)”) was undertaken, revealing focal and generalized arteriolar narrowing of the retinal vessels and a retinal microinfarction (cotton wool spot) in the right eye. The arterial/venous ratio was decreased to 0.74 in the right

and 0.77 in the left eye.\n\nInvestigations: Optical coherence tomographie (OCT) revealed an ischemic microinfarction of the retina with marked axonal swelling. The digital subtraction angiography of the cerebral vessels revealed a 40% stenosis of the right internal carotid artery and a proximal, highgrade stenosis of the basilary artery.\n\nTreatment and course: Angioplasty with stent insertion of the basilary artery was performed. Long-term

observation showed no restenosis and a reduction in the size of the the retinal microinfarct.\n\nConclusion: Retinal microinfarctions denote localized retinal areas of hypoxia and underperfusion. They may act as markers Sotrastaurin inhibitor of a generalized micro- and macroangiopathy. Patients with severe retinal microangiopathic changes should be examined thoroughly to detect early macroangiopathic changes. These can be treated by interventional procedures thus avoiding irreversible end-organ damages.”
“Maternal protein restriction (MPR) during pregnancy impaired the reproduction SHP099 in vitro of male offspring. We investigated, during the first wave of spermatogenesis, whether MPR exerts deleterious effects on germ cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as androgen receptor (AR) protein expression, which was used as a marker

for Sertoli cell (SC) maturation. At the beginning of pregnancy (day 0), dams were fed a control diet (C: 20% casein) or a restricted isocaloric diet (R: 10% casein). After birth, four groups were established: CC, RR, CR and RC (first letter diet during pregnancy and second during lactation). Male offspring were studied at postnatal days 14, 21 and 36. At birth, pup body weight was unchanged. Body weight and testis weight were reduced in RR and CR groups at all ages evaluated. MPR delayed the germinal epithelium development at all ages evaluated. On performing Western blot and immunohistochemistry, AR expression was found to be lower in the three restricted groups. The results suggest that MPR during pregnancy and/or lactation delays SC maturation and germ cell differentiation, and affects intratubular organization. These changes might be responsible for the lower fertility rate at older ages.

7 %, specificity 86.4 %). PCA-C2 scores were plotted voxel-wise as a probability-map, discerning distinct areas of presumed edema or tumor infiltration. Correction of spatial dependency appears essential when differentiating glioma from edema. A tumor-infiltration probability-map is presented, based on supplementary information of multiple DTI parameters and spatial normalization.”
“Background: In a previous study in pregnant American women, we reported that arginine flux and nitric oxide synthesis increased in trimester 2. More recently, we reported that Indian women do not increase Cell Cycle inhibitor arginine flux during pregnancy as their American or Jamaican counterparts

do. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether Indian women of childbearing age are producing less arginine and/or catabolizing more arginine and therefore have less available for anabolic pathways than do Jamaican and American women. Methods: Thirty healthy women aged 28.3 +/- 0.8 y from the United States, India, and Jamaica (n = 10/group) were given 6 h primed, constant intravenous infusions of guanidino-N-15(2)-arginine, 5,5-H-2(2)-citrulline, N-15(2)-ornithine, and ring-H-2(5)-phenylalanine, in addition to primed, oral doses of U-C-13(6)-arginine in both the fasting and postprandial states. An oral dose of deuterium oxide was also given to determine fat-free mass (FFM). Results: Compared with American

women, Indian and Jamaican women had greater ornithine fluxes (mu mol . kg fat FFM-1 . h(-1)) NSC 718781 in the fasting and postprandial states (27.3 +/- 2.5 vs. 39.6 +/- 3.7 and 37.2 +/- 2.0, respectively, NU7441 ic50 P = 0.01), indicating greater arginine catabolism. However, Jamaican women had a higher endogenous arginine flux than did Indian and American women in the fasting (66.1 +/- 3.1 vs. 54.2 +/- 3.1 and 56.1 +/- 2.1, respectively, P= 0.01) and postprandial (53.8

+/- 2.2 vs. 43.7 +/- 4.9 and 42.8 +/- 3.1, respectively, P = 0.06) states. As a consequence, Indian women had lower arginine bioavailability (mu mol . kg FFM-1 h(-1)) in the fasting state (42.0 +/- 2.6) than did American (49.9 +/- 1.3, P = 0.045) and Jamaican (55.5 +/- 3.5, P = 0.004) women, as well as in the postprandial state (40.7 +/- 3.5 vs. 51.8 +/- 1.2 and 57.5 +/- 3.2, respectively, P = 0.001)., Conclusion: Compared with American and Jamaican women, Indian women of childbearing age have a decreased arginine supply because of increased arginine catabolism without an increase in arginine flux.”
“Multiconfigurational, intermediate valent ground states are established in several methyl-substituted bipyridine complexes of bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)ytterbium, Cp-2*Yb (Me-x-bipy). In contrast to Cp-2*Yb(bipy) and other substituted-bipy complexes, the nature of both the ground state and the first excited state are altered by changing the position of the methyl or dimethyl substitutions on the bipyridine rings.

Uptake of 5, 5′, 6, 6′-tetrachloro-1, 1′, 3, 3′-tetraethyl-benzimidazolocarbocyanine iodide by mitochondria was significantly increased. An increased ATP level accompanied the CK increase in the neonatal hearts. Furthermore, in vitro these effects were mediated though the GC receptor of cardiomyocytes. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma as the upstream transcription factor of CK was significantly increased in fetal hearts.\n\nConclusions: These results suggest that antenatal GC administration accelerates ATP synthesis through increased CK and may contribute to maturation of the premature heart so that it is ready for preterm delivery. (Circ J

2010; LY411575 concentration 74: 171-180)”
“Using the MP1-p14 scaffolding complex from the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway as model system, we explored a structure-based computational protocol to probe and characterize binding affinity hot spots at protein-protein interfaces. Hot spots are located by virtual alanine-scanning consensus predictions over three

different energy functions and two different single-structure representations of the complex. Refined binding affinity predictions for select hot-spot mutations are carried out by applying first-principle methods such as the molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) and solvated interaction energy (SIE) to the molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories for mutated and wild-type complexes. Here, predicted hot-spot residues were actually mutated to alanine, and crystal structures of the mutated S63845 price www.selleckchem.com/products/bgj398-nvp-bgj398.html complexes were determined. Two mutated MP1-p14

complexes were investigated, the p14(Y56A)-mutated complex and the MP1(L63A,L65A)-mutated complex. Alternative ways to generate MD ensembles for mutant complexes, not relying on crystal structures for mutated complexes, were also investigated. The SIE function, fitted on protein-ligand binding affinities, gave absolute binding affinity predictions in excellent agreement with experiment and outperformed standard MM-GBSA predictions when tested on the MD ensembles of Ras-Raf and Ras-RalGDS protein-protein complexes. For wild-type and mutant MP1-p14 complexes, SIE predictions of relative binding affinities were supported by a yeast two-hybrid assay that provided semiquantitative relative interaction strengths. Results on the MP,I-mutated complex suggested that SIE predictions deteriorate if mutant MD ensembles are approximated by just mutating the wild-type MD trajectory. The SIE data on the p14-mutated complex indicated feasibility for generating mutant MD ensembles from mutated wild-type crystal structure, despite local structural differences observed upon mutation. For energetic considerations, this would circumvent costly needs to produce and crystallize mutated complexes.

3 kDa). Apo-CopK

associates in solution to form a dimer (K-D approximate to 10(-5) M) whose structure was defined by NMR and X-ray crystallography. The this website individual molecules feature two antiparallel beta-sheets arranged in a sandwich-like structure and interact through C-terminal P-strands. It binds Cull with low affinity (K-D(Cu-II) > 10(-6) M) but Cu-I with high affinity (K-D(Cu-I) = 2 x 10(-11) M). Cu-I-CopK was also a dimer in the solid state and featured a distorted tetrahedral site Cu-I(S-Met)(3)(NCS). The isothiocyanato ligand originated from the crystallization solution. Binding of Cu-I or Ag-I, but not of Cu-II, favored the monomeric form in solution. While Ag-I-CopK was stable as isolated, Cu-I-CopK was moderately air-sensitive due to a strong binding cooperativity, between Cu-I and Cu-II. This was documented by determination of the Cu-I and Cu-II binding affinities in the presence of the other ion: K-D(Cu-I) = 2 x 10(-13) M and K-D(Cu-II) = 3 x 10(-12) M, that is, binding of Cu-II increased the affinity buy GW3965 for Cu-I by a factor of similar to 10(2) and binding of Cu-I increased the affinity for Cu-II by a factor of at least 10(6). Stable forms of both (CuCuII)-Cu-I-CopK and (AgCuII)-Cu-I-CopK were isolated readily. Consistent with this unprecedented copper binding chemistry, NMR spectroscopy detected three distinct

forms: apo-CopK, Cu-I-CopK and (CuCuII)-Cu-I-CopK that do not exchange on the NMR time scale. This information provides a valuable

guide to the role of CopK in copper resistance.”
“Fatty liver, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is closely associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). Thus, the presence of fatty liver without MS in some conditions may be clinically important. Many studies have shown that compared with no or occasional alcohol intake, moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower prevalence rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes, and lower levels of circulating C-reactive protein, a valuable marker for MS and insulin resistance. Considering these findings, light to moderate alcohol consumption has theoretical benefits on fatty liver and MS. Fatty liver, including non-alcoholic fatty Z-IETD-FMK solubility dmso liver disease, may be more clinically important than MS, particularly in non-obese individuals, because fatty liver can develop before MS in several conditions, such as regular alcohol consumers. Furthermore, most of the currently used MS criteria are unable to detect “true MS” because of variations in multiple factors such as age, height, medications, and complications. (C) 2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved.”
“In an effort to develop non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of Ostertagia ostertagi and Fasciola hepatica infection in beef cattle, this study was undertaken to evaluate antibody-detection ELISAs in meat juice samples and to investigate the associations between test results and carcass parameters.

This sub-bandgap absorptance is reduced with subsequent thermal annealing indicative of a diffusion mediated chemical change. However, the precise atomistic origin of absorptance and its deactivation is unclear. Herein, we apply Se K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy

to probe the chemical states of selenium dopants in selenium-hyperdoped silicon annealed to varying degrees. We observe a smooth and continuous selenium chemical state change with increased annealing temperature, highly correlated to the decrease in sub-bandgap optical absorptance. In samples exhibiting strong sub-bandgap absorptance, EXAFS analysis CDK inhibition reveals that the atoms nearest to the Se

atom are Si at distances consistent with length scales in energetically favorable Se substitutional-type point defect complexes as calculated by density functional theory. As the sub-bandgap absorptance increases, EXAFS data indicate an increase in the Se-Si bond distance. In specimens annealed at 1225 K exhibiting minimal sub-bandgap absorptance, fitting of the EXAFS spectra indicates that Se is predominantly in a silicon diselenide (SiSe2) precipitate state. The EXAFS study supports a model of highly optically absorbing point defects that precipitate during annealing into structures with no sub-bandgap absorptance. (C) 2013 www.selleckchem.com/products/ABT-737.html AIP Publishing LLC.”
“Background Acoustic radiation force impulse-imaging (ARFI) uses sound waves to interrogate the mechanical stiffness of a tissue.\n\nObjective To determine the usefulness of ARFI for estimating liver fibrosis in children.\n\nMaterials and methods A prospective masked study of children with chronic liver disease (CLD) and/or before liver transplant (LT) comparing ARFI with histopathological

analysis. Children Histone Methyltransf inhibitor with no history of liver disease served as a control group. ARFI was performed with Virtual Touch software using ACUSON S2000. Share wave velocities (SWV) of several regions within the liver were measured.\n\nResults Fifty-two children were studied (mean age 8 years; range 1-16 years). The abnormal group included 10 children (31%) with CLD and 22 (69%) planned for LT. There were 20 normal controls. Mean SWV was 1.70 m/s in the abnormal group and 1.19 m/s in the controls. For diagnosis of fibrosis stage >= F1, >= F2 and F4, the areas under the receiver-operator characteristics curves were 0.834, 0.818 and 0.983, respectively.\n\nConclusion SWV is related to the degree of liver fibrosis in children, and may be a non-invasive alternative to biopsy.

Little is known about the antigens expressed in nascent tumour cells, whether they are sufficient to induce protective antitumour immune responses or whether their expression is modulated by the immune system. Here, using GDC 0032 supplier massively parallel sequencing, we characterize expressed mutations in highly immunogenic methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas derived from immunodeficient Rag2(-/-) mice that phenotypically resemble nascent primary tumour cells(1,3,5). Using class I prediction algorithms, we identify mutant spectrin-beta 2 as a potential rejection antigen of the d42m1 sarcoma and validate this

prediction by conventional antigen expression cloning and detection. We also demonstrate that cancer immunoediting of d42m1 occurs via a T-cell-dependent immunoselection process that promotes outgrowth of pre-existing tumour cell clones lacking highly antigenic mutant spectrin-beta 2 and other potential strong antigens. These results demonstrate that the strong immunogenicity of an 4-Hydroxytamoxifen in vitro unedited tumour can be ascribed to expression of highly antigenic mutant proteins and show that outgrowth of tumour cells that lack these strong antigens via a T-cell-dependent immunoselection process represents one mechanism of cancer immunoediting.”
“A strategy for the production

of virus-like particles (VLPs) from simian rotavirus in larvae of the lepidopteran Spodoptera frugiperda is described. VP2 and VP6 coding sequences were co-expressed in larvae co-infected with recombinant baculovirus and these structural proteins self-assembled into VLPs that were secreted and accumulated in the haemolymph. Under electron microscopy, VLPs produced in larvae were indistinguishable from those produced in Sf9 insect cell cultures. The results showed that it is possible to obtain rotavirus VLPs in larvae reducing significantly the costs of production, making this approach an alternative for the manufacture of live rotavirus vaccines. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The hepatoprotective potential

of saponarin, isolated from Gypsophila trichotoma, was evaluated in vitro/in vivo using a hepatotoxicity model of paracetamol-induced liver injury. In freshly Nutlin-3 chemical structure isolated rat hepatocytes, paracetamol (100 mu mol) led to a significant decrease in cell viability, increased LDH leakage, decreased levels of cellular GSH, and elevated MDA quantity. Saponarin (60-0.006 mu g/mL) preincubation, however, significantly ameliorated paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. The beneficial effect of saponarin was also observed in vivo. Rats were challenged with paracetamol alone (600 mg/kg, i.p.) and after 7-day pretreatment with saponarin (80 mg/kg, oral gavage). Paracetamol toxicity was evidenced by increase in MDA quantity and decrease in cell GSH levels and antioxidant defence system. No changes in phase I enzyme activities of AH and EMND and cytochrome P 450 quantity were detected.

Ten rare ground beetles species were only captured from waste dumps. No clearly, unambiguous pattern was observed concerning distinctions in assemblages in relation to selected environmental variables, however, trees and shrub vegetation as well as soil moisture apparently affected community distinctions between studied habitats. We concluded, that reclaimed waste dumps as well as illegal waste dumps under different stages of succession could support surface dwelling soil macrofauna 4EGI-1 mouse functional and the ground beetle species diversity in the agricultural landscape. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose of

review\n\nChediak-Higashi syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disorder, was described over 50 years ago. Patients show hypopigmentation, recurrent infections, mild coagulation defects and varying neurologic problems. Treatment is bone marrow transplant, which is effective in treating the hematologic and immune defects, however the neurologic problems persist. The CHS1/LYST gene was identified over 10 years ago and homologous CHS1/LYST genes are present in all eukaryotes. This review will discuss the advances made in understanding the clinical aspects of the syndrome

and the function of CHS1/LYST/Beige.\n\nRecent findings\n\nClinical reports of Chediak-Higashi syndrome have identified mutations throughout the CHS1/LYST gene. The nature of the mutation can be a predictor of the severity of the disease. Over the past decade the PI3K inhibitor CHS1/LYST family of proteins has been analyzed using model organisms, two-hybrid analysis, overexpression phenotypes and dominant negatives. These studies suggest that the CHS1/LYST protein is involved in either vesicle fusion or fission.\n\nSummary\n\nAlthough AZD9291 CHS is a rare disease, the Chediak-like family of proteins is providing insight

into the regulation of vesicle trafficking. Understanding the basic mechanisms that govern vesicle trafficking will provide essential information regarding how loss of CHS1/LYST affects hematologic, immunologic and neurologic processes.”
“Concentrations of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Fe in the top-soils (0-10 cm) from urbanized and un-urbanized areas of Havana city were measured by X-ray fluorescence analysis. The mean Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb contents in the urban topsoil samples (13.9 +/- 4.1, 66 +/- 26, 101 +/- 51, 240 +/- 132 and 101 +/- 161 mg kg(-1), respectively) were compared with mean concentrations for other cities around the world. The results revealed the highest concentrations of metals in topsoil samples from industrial sites. Lowest metal contents were determined in the un-urbanized areas.