Showing papers by "Trakya University published in 2012"

Comparison of antioxidant activities of juice, peel, and seed of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and inter-relationships with total phenolic, Tannin, anthocyanin, and flavonoid contents

Abstract: In this study, the antioxidant activities of juice, peel, and seed parts of pomegranate were investigated by using DPPH scavenging activity, β-carotene bleaching method, reducing power, and metal chelating activity. Sample of pomegranates which are named Punica granatum L. cv. Hicaznar, genotype 19–121, genotype 17–67, and genotype 19–66 obtained from BATEM (West Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute) in Anlalya. The EC50 values of DPPH scavenging activities in peel extracts (PE) had 23.4-fold higher than the juice extracts (JE), and the seed extracts (SE) had 2.3-fold higher than JE. The reducing power in peel extracts was found to be 4.7-fold higher than SE and 10.5-fold higher than the JE. The highest metal chelating capacity (37.22%) was determined in peel, while the lowest (7.151%) in seed. Generally, in peel, the total polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin contents, and in juice, the total polyphenol, anthocyanin, tannin contents, and acidity significantly affected to antioxidant activities.

The prevalences of some rheumatic diseases in western Turkey: Havsa study

Abstract: To study the prevalence major rheumatic diseases in western Turkey. This survey was conducted in Havsa which have a total population of 18,771. Physicians and interns visited every household, interviewed face to face a questionnaire about the symptoms of rheumatic disorders. The individuals replied positively to any question were examined at the nearest health center. Those have no objective findings related to any rheumatic diseases were excluded. People could not be clinically diagnosed were asked to come to the hospital for further evaluation. A total 17,835 of 18,771 residents participated. We estimated the prevalence of Behcet's Disease (BD) as 0.019%; ankylosing spondylitis: 0.120%; rheumatoid arthritis: 0.321%; knee osteoarthritis (OA): 5.351%; hand OA: 1.110%; hand and knee OA: 1.958%; total OA: 8.420%; primary Raynaud's: 1.192%; psoriasis: 0.424 %; psoriatic arthritis: 0.050%; rheumatic fever: 0.318%; rheumatic heart disease: 0.200%; inflammatory bowel disease: 0.023%; lupus: 0.059%; gout: 0.018%; systemic sclerosis: 0.022%; juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: 0.032%; temporal arteritis: 0.020%, and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) as 0.006%. Figures were adjusted for age-sex of the general Turkish population. The prevalence's of BD and FMF are considerably lower in Havsa as compared to other regions in Turkey.

Preoperative assessment of the patient and risk factors for infectious complications and tentative classification of surgical field contamination of urological procedures.

Abstract: To assess the patient and identify the risk factors for infectious complications in conjunction with urological procedures and suggest a model for classification of the procedures. Review of literature, critical analysis of data and tentative model for reducing infectious complications. Risk factors are bound to the patient and to the procedure itself and are associated with the environment where the healthcare is provided. Assuming a clean environment and sterile operation field, a five-level assessment ladder related to the patient and type of surgery is useful, considering: (1) the ASA score, (2) the general risk factors, (3) the individual endogenous and exogenous risk factors, (4) the class of surgery and the potential bacterial contamination burden and (5) the level of severity and difficulty of the surgical intervention. A cumulative approach will identify the level of risk for each patient and define preventive measures, such as the type of antibiotic prophylaxis or therapeutic measures before surgery. There are data suggesting that the higher the ASA score, the higher is the risk of infectious complication. Age, dysfunction of the immune system, hypo-albuminaemia/malnutrition and overweight, uncontrolled blood glucose level and smoking are independent general risk factors, whilst bacteriuria, indwelling catheter treatment, urinary tract stone disease, urinary tract obstruction and a history of urogenital infection are specific urological risk factors. There is inconclusive evidence for most other reported risk factors. The level of contamination of the surgical field is of utmost importance as are the procedure-related factors, and the sum of these have to be reflected on for the subsequent perioperative management of the patient. It is essential to identify and control risk factors to minimize infectious complications in conjunction with urological procedures. Our knowledge is limited and clinical research and quality registries analysing risk factors must be undertaken. We propose a working basis for assessment of patients’ risk factors and classification of urological procedures.

Epidemiology, treatment and prevention of healthcare-associated urinary tract infections

Abstract: Objectives Healthcare-associated urinary tract infections (HAUTIs) are the most frequent healthcare-associated infections in general hospitals. They are almost exclusively complicated UTIs, although complicating factors are very heterogenous. HAUTIs are mainly catheter associated. Most of them are asymptomatic and do not need antimicrobial therapy. However, cross-contamination and cross-infection may contribute to distribution of resistant uropathogens. The bacterial spectrum of HAUTI is broad, and antibiotic resistance is common.

Are introduced gibel carp Carassius gibelio in Turkey more invasive in artificial than in natural waters

Abstract: The underlying mechanisms responsible for ecological plasticity and consequent invasive character of non-native freshwater fish species, variations in growth and life history traits in gibel carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch) were compared in natural and artificial water bodies of Turkey. Females significantly outnumbered males in all natural and most artificial waters. Discriminate function analysis differentiated gibel populations into three separate groups (natural lakes, artificial water bodies and running waters), with significant differences among separated groups in growth index, standard length and age at maturity, relative fecundity and gonado-somatic index, but not in egg diameter and both generalised and relative condition. Growth features (e.g. growth index and relative condition) and reproductive features (e.g. relative and absolute fecundity) positively correlated with water body area. No correlations were found for any growth or life history trait with depth, latitude and altitude. With the exception of smaller size at maturity, all traits were higher in populations from artificial water bodies than those inhabiting running waters, suggesting gibel carp is required to exert more reproductive effort to invade natural ecosystems than artificial waters.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Aided Wireless Sensor Network Deployment System for Post-disaster Monitoring

Abstract: This paper presents design strategies of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deploy wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for post-disaster monitoring. Natural disasters are unforeseeable events which cannot be prevented. But some recovery procedures can be followed to minimize their effects. Post-disaster monitoring is important to estimate the effects of disasters, which in turn is used to determine recovery procedures to be followed. We propose an UAV-aided unattended WSN deployment system. The system is a post-disaster solution which can be used anywhere required. In this study, we mainly evaluate the efficiency of localization and navigation performance of the proposed system. Our simulation studies with an AirRobot quadrotor helicopter in Unified System for Automation and Robot Simulation (USARSim) simulation platform show that UAVs can be used to deploy WSNs after disasters to monitor environmental conditions. Future work includes implementing the system using a hexarotor helicopter.

Exploration of problematic Internet use and social interaction anxiety among Turkish pre-service teachers

Abstract: The current study investigated the relationship between problematic Internet use and social interaction anxiety among pre-service teachers. Participants were 1235 students attending teacher training programs at a Turkish state university. The ''Problematic Internet Use Scale'' and ''Social Interaction Anxiety Scale'' were used to collect the data. Independent-samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were conducted to examine the differences; and correlation and regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between variables. Findings revealed that male students' use of the Internet was more problematic compared to female students'. As the time spent on the Internet increased, so did the problematic Internet use levels. In addition, the problematic Internet use levels of students varied with regard to departments. A significant relationship was found between the level of problematic Internet use and social interaction anxiety, and social interaction anxiety was found to be among the predictors of problematic Internet use. Implications and suggestions for further research are provided.

Effect of the pruritus on the quality of life: a preliminary study.

Abstract: Background Pruritus affects the quality of life (QoL) in the patients. However, little is known of the impacts of itching on the QoL in the literature.

Circumstantial evidence of gibel carp, Carassius gibelio, reproductive competition exerted on native fish species in a mesotrophic reservoir.

Abstract: Gibel carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch), impacts on native fish species have been reported but little studied despite a long history of introductions in Europe. This species is able to reproduce gynogenetically, which involves the use of sperm from males of other species to activate egg development, so reproductive competition is a likely but virtually unstudied impact of gibel carp on native fishes. This study evaluates the impact of introduced C. gibelio on the population biology of native fishes over a 6-year period in a mesotrophic drinking water reservoir in north-western Turkey. A dramatic decrease in the relative density (i.e. catch per unit effort) of native species correlated significantly with an increase in C. gibelio relative density. Growth characteristics (back-calculated ages, growth index and relative condition) and length at maturity did not differ significantly among years in C. gibelio and native fishes. Relative density, duration of spawning, reproductive effort and gonado-somatic index of C. gibelio increased with some water quality variables (total phosphorus (TP); chlorophyll-a (Chl-a)) and coincided with decreasing trends for natives. However, TP and Chl-a were not correlated with growth features in C. gibelio or natives fishes. The results suggest that the decline in the reservoir's native cyprinid populations is likely due to a combination of degrading environmental conditions and a disparity in reproductive effort, with introduced C. gibelio invasion facilitated by gynogenetic reproduction and an observed interference with native fishes during spawning.

Effects of hot air and freeze drying methods on antioxidant activity, colour and some nutritional characteristics of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L) fruit:

Abstract: Antioxidant activity, colour and some nutritional properties of hot air and freeze-dried strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) fruits were investigated. Additionally, the effects of two pre-treatments, namely ethyl oleate and water blanching, were compared in terms of drying characteristics. For determination of antioxidant activities in ethanol extracts, two different analytical methods were used: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching activity. As a result, the ethyl oleate pre-treatment shortened the drying time by hot air method and gave a higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity (82.16 ± 0.34%), total phenolic content (7.62 ± 1.09 µg GAE/g extract), ascorbic acid content (236.93 ± 20.14 mg/100 g), besides hydromethylfurfural was not observed. Freeze-dried fruits exhibited higher ascorbic acid content (368.63 ± 17.16 mg/100 g) than those fresh fruits (231.33 ± 19.51 mg/100 g) and nearly 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl activity (93.52 ± 0.41 %) to fresh fr...

Airborne fungi and bacteria in indoor and outdoor environment of the Pediatric Unit of Edirne Government Hospital

Abstract: This study was performed between January 2004 and December 2004 in 13 stations in the Pediatric Unit of Edirne Government Hospital in order to determine the outdoor and indoor airborne microfungal and bacterial contents. The results of air samplings revealed that 1,376 microfungal and 2,429 bacterial colonies in total were isolated. The isolated microfungal specimens were identified and 65 species from 16 genera were determined. Among these, the most frequent genus was Cladosporium with 462 colonies (33.58%) followed by Alternaria with 310 (22.53%) and Penicillium with 280 (20.35%) colonies. The isolated bacterial samples were grouped based on their Gram-staining properties. The most frequent ones were Gram (+) cocci with 1,527 colonies (62.87%) followed by Gram (+) bacilli with 828 colonies (34.09%) and Gram (−) bacilli with 74 colonies (3.05%). Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, and Microccus appeared to be the common genera isolated for all months. Statistical analyses were performed in order to see if there existed a relationship between meteorological conditions and the microfungal and bacterial species and their concentrations.

Description of the registry of patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Turkey: TRASD-IP

Abstract: A web-based application patient follow-up program was developed to create a registry of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by the Turkiye Romatizma Arastirma Savas Dernegi (TRASD) AS Study Group. This study describes the methodological background and patient characteristics. The patient follow-up program is a web-based questionnaire, which contains sections on socio-demographic data, anamnesis, personal and family history, systemic and musculoskeletal examination, laboratory and imaging data and treatment. Between October 1, 2007 and February 28, 2009, 1,381 patients from 41 centers were included in the registry (1,038 males [75.2%]; mean age 39.5 ± 10.7 years). Mean disease duration was 12.1 ± 8.5 years, and mean time from initial symptom to diagnosis was 5 ± 6.8 years (median 2 years). HLA-B27 positivity was detected in 73.7% of 262 patients tested. Manifestations of extraarticular involvement were anterior uveitis (13.2%), psoriasis and other skin and mucous membrane lesions (6%) and inflammatory bowel disease (3.8%). The prevalence of peripheral arthritis was 11.2%. In 51.7% of patients, the Bath AS Disease Activity Index was ≥4. But since our patients consisted of the ones with more severe disease who referred to the tertiary centers and needed a regular follow-up, they may not represent the general AS population. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs were being used by 41.9% of patients, with 16.4% using anti-TNF agents. TRASD-IP (Izlem Programi: Follow-up program) is the first AS registry in Turkey. Such databases are very useful and provide a basis for data collection from large numbers of subjects. TRASD-IP gives information on the clinical and demographic profiles of patients, and the efficacy and safety of anti-TNF drugs, examines the impact on quality of life, and provides real-life data that may be used in cost-effectiveness analyses.

Evaluations of different Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms

Abstract: Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms with multiple autonomous robots have received considerable attention in recent years. In general, SLAM algorithms use odometry information and measurements from exteroceptive sensors of robots. The accuracy of these measurements and the performance of the corresponding SLAM algorithm directly affect the overall success of the system. This paper presents comparative performance evaluations of three Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms using Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), Compressed Extended Kalman Filter (CEKF) and Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF). Specifically, it focuses on their SLAM performances and processing time requirements. To show the effect of CPU power on the processing time of SLAM algorithms, two notebooks and a netbook with different specifications have been used. Comparative simulation results show that processing time requirements are consistent with the computational complexities of SLAM algorithms. The results we obtained are consistent with the CPU power tests of independent organizations and show that higher processing power decreases processing time accordingly. The results also show that CEKF is more suitable for outdoor SLAM applications where there are a lot of natural and artificial features.

The reliability and validity of Turkish version of Childhood Asthma Control Test

Abstract: Introduction The reliability and validity of Turkish version of Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT).

Forced transverse vibration of nanoplates using nonlocal elasticity

Abstract: In the present study, forced vibration of nano-plates is studied using the nonlocal elasticity theory. The Navier type solution method is used for simply supported nano-plates. Results are given for different nonlocality parameter, different length of plates and different loading conditions. The results show that the nonlocality effects should be considered for nano-scale plates. The nonlocality effects increase with increasing mode number. The present result can be used for single layer graphene sheets.

Immobilization of Aspergillus oryzae β-Galactosidase onto Duolite A568 Resin via Simple Adsorption Mechanism

Abstract: In this study, a rapid, simple and economic method of enzyme immobilization was developed to hydrolyze lactose. Duolite A568 resin was used for the immobilization of β-galactosidase via simple adsorption mechanism. The effects of immobilization parameters such as time, pH, and temperature were studied. Immobilization parameters for maximum enzyme activity were estimated at 35 °C temperature, pH 4.5, 5 mg/mL enzyme concentration, and approximately 60 min immobilization time. A significant amount of enzyme was immobilized with high catalytic activity. Enzyme immobilization procedure explained in this study slightly affected the enzyme kinetic. The value of Michaelis constant K m for immobilized enzyme was significantly larger, indicating decreased affinity by the enzyme for its substrate. It was observed that both free and immobilized enzyme showed maximum activity at 65 °C reaction temperature. Immobilized β-galactosidase was significantly more active at all temperatures as compared to its free form. However, optimal pH of immobilized enzyme was slightly affected by immobilization procedure. The optimum pH of immobilized enzyme was shifted up 0.5 unit to a more alkaline value of 6.0 compared to the free enzyme.

Involvement of descending serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways in CB1 receptor-mediated antinociception

Abstract: Cannabinoids produce antinociceptive and antihyperalgesic effects mainly through activation of the inhibitory CB1 receptors. The demonstration that antinociceptive effects of systemic cannabinoids are significantly diminished following surgical dorsolateral funiculus lesion provides evidence that supraspinal sites and descending pain modulatory pathways play crucial roles in systemic cannabinoid analgesia. In this review, we will firstly provide a background, brief overview of descending modulatory pathways followed by descending pathways implicated in cannabinoid analgesia. We will then describe the recent evidence of the involvement of descending serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways in CB1 receptor-mediated antinociception. This review will provide evidences that systemically administered cannabinoids reinforce the descending serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways to produce acute antinociceptive effects via spinal 5-HT7, 5-HT2A and alpha-2 adrenoceptors activation.

Molecular Characterization of Human and Animal Isolates of Echinococcus granulosus in the Thrace Region, Turkey

Abstract: Objective: Echinococcus granulosus is the causative agent of cystic echinococcosis in humans and many domestic animals, and remains an important global health problem. The aim of this study was to genotype E. granulosus isolates obtained from humans and animals in the Thrace Region of Turkey. Material and Methods: A total of 58 isolates were obtained from patients who underwent surgery at several hospitals and from animals at a slaughterhouse in the province of Edirne. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 fragments, and polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) of the partial mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) gene, was used to characterize human and animal E. granulosus isolates. To investigate the genetic characteristics of isolates, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and ND1 genes was performed. Results: Fifty-eight E. granulosus isolates, including 42 from human, 13 from cattle and 3 from sheep were, analyzed. The results indicated two distinct genotypes: the G1 (sheep strain) and G7 (pig strain) genotypes. The sheep strain was shown to be the most common genotype of E. granulosus affecting humans, sheep and cattle. Among the concatenated partial CO1 and ND1 sequence data, eight haplotypes of Echinococcus species were identified in the present study. Conclusion: This is the first report indicating that the E. granulosus pig strain is present in humans in this region. We suggest that new strategies be designed for E. granulosus control programs in Turkey. Turkish Anahtar Kelimeler: Echinococcus granulosus, genotip, PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP, CO1, ND1, Edirne, Trakya bolgesi, Turkiye Amac: Echinococcus granulosus insanlarda ve bircok evcil hayvanda kistik ekinokokkozisin etkenidir ve dunya capinda onemli bir halk sagligi sorunudur. Bu calismanin amaci Turkiye'nin Trakya bolgesinde insanlardan ve hayvanlardan elde edilen E. granulosus izolatlarinin genotipini belirlemektir. Gerec ve Yontemler: Edirne ilinde cesitli hastanelerde opere edilen insanlardan ve kesimhanedeki hayvanlardan toplam 58 izolat elde edildi. E. granulosus'un insan ve hayvan izolatlarini karakterize etmek icin; ribozomal birinci internal transcribed spacer fragmaninin analizi icin PCR-RFLP (polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu - restriksiyon fragman uzunlugu polimorfizmi) yontemi ve parsiyel mitokondriyal NADH dehidrogenaz subunit 1 geninin analizi icin PCR-SSCP (polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu - tek sarmal konformasyon polimorfizmi) yontemi kullanildi. Izolatlarin genetik ozelliklerinin ileri incelemeleri icin mitokondriyal sitokrom oksidaz c subunit 1 (CO1) ve NADH dehidrogenaz subunit 1 (ND1) gen bolgelerinin DNA (deoksiribonukleik asit) dizi analizi yapildi. Bulgular: Kirk iki insan, 13 sigir ve 3 koyun kokenli olan 58 E. granulosus izolati analiz edildi. Sonuclar G1 (evcil koyun susu) ve G7 (domuz susu) olmak uzere iki farkli genotip bulundugunu gosterdi. Insan, koyun ve sigirlari etkileyen E. granulosus'un en yaygin genotipinin koyun susu oldugu gosterildi. Parsiyel mitokondriyal CO1 ve ND1 verileri birlikte degerlendirildiginde mevcut calismadaki E. granulosus izolatlarinda 8 haplotip tanimlandi. Sonuc: Bu calisma; Trakya bolgesindeki insanlarda E. granulosus'un domuz susunun varligini gosteren ilk rapordur. Turkiye'de E. granulosus'un kontrol programlari icin yeni stratejiler olusturulmasini onermekteyiz.

Developing Children's Views of the Nature of Science Through Role Play

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of using role play (portraying a scientist's life story) on the children's views of the nature of science (NOS). The study was carried out at the Children's University of Trakya in Turkey during the summer of 2010. The participants consisted of 18 children, aged 10–11. They met for 10 days for approximately 3 h per day. All children completed the pre- and post-tests including 16 open-ended questions in order to reveal changes in their views of the NOS prior to and at the completion of the role-play activities. The results revealed that the children had more informed views of the target NOS aspects in comparison with their views prior to the role-play activities. A large majority of the children (around 80–85%) started out with naive conceptions of the target NOS aspects. Following the role-play activities portraying scientists’ lives, there was a 40–45% positive change in children's views of the tentative, empirical and creative/imaginative aspect of ...

Aggregation and Thermodynamic Properties of Some Cationic Gemini Surfactants

Abstract: In this study, the gemini surfactants of the alkanediyl-α-ω-bis(alkyl dimethyl ammonium) dibromide type, on the one hand, with different alkyl groups containing m carbon atoms and an ethanediyl spacer, referred to as “m-2-m” (m = 10, 12 and 16) and, on the other hand, with n-C16 alkyl groups and different spacers containing s carbon atoms, referred to as “16-s-16” (s = 2, 6, 10 and Ar (8)) have been synthesized, purified and characterized. The critical micelle concentration (CMC), micelle ionization degree (α) and Gibbs free energy of micellization (∆G mic) of these surfactants and the monomeric cationic surfactants DTAB and CTAB have been determined by means of electric conductivity measurements. In addition, the temperature dependence of the CMC was determined for the 10-2-10 gemini surfactant. The CMCs of the gemini surfactants are found to be much lower than those of the corresponding monomeric surfactants and the effect of the hydrophobic alkyl chain length is more important than that of the spacer. The CMC of 16-s-16 passes through a maximum of (or around) s = 6 and then decreases for s = 10. The presence of a maximum CMC is explained by the contribution of a change of conformation of the surfactant with increasing spacer chain length. The changes of α with s and m are found qualitatively similar to those found for CMC values. The values of ∆G mic are more negative for the dimers than for the monomers and also change with an increasing spacer carbon number, as CMC values do. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization indicate that the micellization of 10-2-10 is enthalpy driven.

Antiapoptotic and proliferative activity of curcumin on ovarian follicles in mice exposed to whole body ionizing radiation.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiapoptotic and proliferative activity of curcumin (Cur) on the ovarian follicles in mice exposed to whole body ionizing radiation (Rd). The mice were exposed to 8.3 gray whole body Rd, and Cur groups were given as a daily dose of 100 mg/kg of Cur for 10 days (10 days before Rd). The ovaries were collected 3 and 12 h after irradiation. To date, no such studies have been performed on antiapoptotic and proliferative activity of Cur on the ovarian follicles in mice exposed to whole body Rd. Analysis of mice ovary after exposure to Rd by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling showed that there were apoptotic cells both in the follicular wall and the antrum, and that the number of follicles showing early atresic features was high 3 h after Rd. On the other hand, analysis of mice ovary 12 h after exposure to Rd showed that the number of follicles containing apoptotic cells with advanced atresic features was significantly higher when comp...

5-HT7 receptor activation attenuates thermal hyperalgesia in streptozocin-induced diabetic mice.

Abstract: The role of 5-HT7 receptors in the nociceptive processing received most attention during the last few years. The involvement of 5-HT₇ receptors in nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain states have been reported only recently; however, there are no reports on its contribution in diabetic neuropathic pain. We therefore planned to investigate the effect of 5-HT₇ receptor activation on the changes of nociceptive threshold in diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (150 mg/kg, i.p.). The nociceptive responses in normal and diabetic animals were tested in the hot-plate and tail-flick assays. Both hot-plate and tail-flick latencies significantly shortened at 1-3/4 weeks (thermal hyperalgesia) and prolonged at 6-7 weeks (thermal hypoalgesia) after streptozocin administration. At the dose of 10 mg/kg, systemic injections of AS-19, a selective 5-HT₇ receptor agonist, reduced thermal hyperalgesia at early stage of diabetes, but did not influence thermal hypoalgesia at late stage. Co-administration of SB-258719, a selective 5-HT₇ receptor antagonist, at a dose that had no effect on its own (10 mg/kg), reversed the anti-hyperalgesic effect of AS-19. Our results indicate that systemic administration of 5-HT₇ receptor agonists may have clinical utility in treating diabetic neuropathic pain.