Synthesis of Ag and TiO2 modified polycaprolactone electrospun nanofibers (PCL/TiO2-Ag NFs) as a multifunctional material for SERS, photocatalysis and antibacterial applications

In this study, we reported the design and the fabrication of Ag and TiO₂ modified polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofiber (NF) mats. The as-prepared NF mats were fabricated by one-step electrospinning and it was exploited for three different purposes (i) reusable SERS substrate for quantitative analysis to trace organic pollutants, (ii) photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants and (iii) antibacterial agent for killing of bacteria. Three different nanofiber mats, PCL, PCL-TiO₂, PCL/TiO₂-Ag NFs. were fabricated and further investigated. The morphologies and structures of the as-prepared nanofiber mats were carried out using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. PCL/TiO₂-Ag NFs served as a highly effective SERS platform with a detection limit of 10 nM for the detection of methylene blue dye (MB). A remarkable feature of the presented platform is the ability to reuse the PCL/TiO₂-Ag NFs for SERS analysis of MB; availing from its capability for self-cleaning under UV light. By employing PCL/TiO₂-Ag NFs nanocatalyst, complete photocatalytic degradation of the probe analytes MB and ibuprofen (Ibu) under UV irradiation was accomplished not more than 180 min. Moreover, PCL/TiO₂-Ag NF mats showed a highly promising bactericidal feature against gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which immensely emerged due to the presence of Ag NPs. This new trending nanofiber is assumed to lead a bunch of changes in the field of photocatalytic, SERS and antibacterial studies.

Green synthesis of magnetic carbon nanodot/graphene oxide hybrid material (Fe3O4@C-nanodot@GO) for magnetic solid phase extraction of ibuprofen in human blood samples prior to HPLC-DAD determination

In this study, a green production method was used to obtain magnetic carbon nanodot/graphene oxide hybrid material (Fe₃O₄@C-nanodot@GO) for the magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) of ibuprofen (IBU) in human plasma prior to HPLC-DAD determination. For the first time in the literature, Fe₃O₄@C-nanodot@GO hybrid material was synthesized and used as an adsorbent. C-nanodots were produced from pasteurized cow milk by using a simple and cheap hydrothermal method. After production of the C-nanodots and GO, Fe₃O₄@C-nanodot@GO hybrid material was fabricated in green solvent medium by using an one-step hydrothermal method. The method was based on the simple separation, preconcentration and analysis of ibuprofen by using MSPE-HPLC-DAD combination. The concentration changes of ibuprofen in human bloods against time were successfully monitored by using this combined method. For this purpose, blood samples were taken from volunteers at certain intervals after the administration of a certain dose of ibuprofen, and the MSPE method was used to monitor the concentration changes of ibuprofen in the blood samples. Experimental variables affecting the extraction efficiency of IBU such as sample solution pH, amount of adsorbent, extraction time, eluent type and volume were studied and optimized in the details. The characterization studies for the Fe₃O₄@C-nanodot@GO were carried out by X-ray diffraction spectrometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), Raman spectrometry (Raman), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was 8.0 ng mL^-1 and the recoveries at three spiked levels in human plasma were ranged from 91.0% to 95.0% with the relative standard deviation (RSD %) less than 4.0 % (n = 6). The results show that together use of MSPE with HPLC-DAD provides a simple and rapid analysis of ibuprofen in human plasma samples.

A flower-like hybrid material composed of Fe3O4, graphene oxide and CdSe nanodots for magnetic solid phase extraction of ibuprofen prior to its quantification by HPLC detection

A flower-like Fe₃O₄/GO/CdSe nanodot magnetic hybrid material was produced and applied to magnetic solid-phase extraction of ibuprofen from pharmaceuticals, water, and urine samples. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy and SEM-EDX. The pH value, volume of sample solution, amount of sorbent, type and volume of elution solvent and extraction time were optimized. Following elution with acetone, ibuprofen was quantified by HPLC-DAD detection. The recoveries of ibuprofen from spiked real samples ranged between 87 and 109%, and the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations from 1.25 to 3.02%. The limit of detection, limit of quantification and preconcentration factor are 0.36 ng·mL^-1,1.20 ng·mL^-1 and 150, respectively. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the combination of flower-like Fe₃O₄/GO/CdSe nanodot-based magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure for the extraction and analysis of ibuprofen in pharmaceuticals, water, and urine samples.

Untargeted multi-omic analysis of colorectal cancer-specific exosomes reveals joint pathways of colorectal cancer in both clinical samples and cell culture

Exosomes are naturally secreted nano-vesicles consisting of biochemical molecules including RNAs, metabolites, lipids, and proteins, that emerge as diagnostic tools and disease-specific reporters. Here we offer a systematic and integrative approach for the simultaneous analysis of altered molecules namely metabolites, lipids, and proteins. These components tend to augment the discovery of low abundance signature components, and assist in explanation of molecular basis of colorectal cancer (CRC). In order to investigate CRC-derived exosomes, we selected mi-R19a, miR-21, miR-92a, and miR-1246 positive exosomes for downstream experiments. The overall multi-omic changes were investigated comparatively in cell culture and serum samples. Following a systematic multi-omic study, 37 (cell culture) and 31 (serum) metabolites; 130 (cell culture) and 56 (serum) lipids; 9 (cell culture) and 13 (serum) proteins were seen to be differentially expressed (p < 0.05), enabling discrimination between CRC and control. By using these enriched components, we demonstrated that the joint pathways mainly involving fatty acid and amino acid metabolism related pathways changed in CRC significantly. We conclude that this study increases our understanding of molecular basis of CRC, and provides potential exosomal biomarkers for the non-invasive detection, and discrimination of CRC.

Role of O-GlcNAcylation and endoplasmic reticulum stress on obesity and insulin resistance

Background

Obesity is a global public health problem. Obesity closely associated with various metabolic diseases such as; insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a critical factor for insulin resistance. O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc); is the post-translational modification which is has a vital role in biological processes; including cell signaling, in response to nutrients, stress and other extracellular stimuli.

Materials and methods

In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of O-GlcNAc modification in the context of obesity and obesity-associated insulin resistance in adipose tissue. For this purpose, first, the visceral and epididymal adipose tissues of obese and insulin resistant C57BL/6 Lepob/Lepob and wild-type mice were used to determine the O-GlcNAc modification pattern by western blot. Secondly, the external stimulation of O-GlcNAc modification in wild-type mice achieved by intraperitoneal 5 mg/kg/day glucosamine injection every 24 h for 5 days. The effect of increased O-GlcNAc modification on insulin resistance and ER stress investigated in adipose tissues of glucosamine challenged wild-type mice through regulation of the insulin signaling pathway and unfolded protein response (UPR) elements by western blot. In addition to that, the O-GlcNAc status of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) investigated in epididymal and visceral adipose tissues of ob/ob, wild-type and glucosamine challenged mice by immunoprecipitation.

Results

We found that reduced O-GlcNAc levels in visceral and epididymal adipose tissues of obese and insulin-resistant ob/ob mice, although interestingly we observed that increased O-GlcNAc modification in glucosamine challenged wild-type mice resulted in insulin resistance and ER stress. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the IRS1 was modified with O-GlcNAc in visceral and epididymal adipose tissues in both ob/ob mice and glucosamine-injected mice, and was compatible with the serine phosphorylation of this modification.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that O-GlcNAcylation of proteins is a crucial factor for intracellular trafficking regulates insulin receptor signaling and UPR depending on the cellular state of insulin resistance.

Class III β-tubulin Expression in Colorectal Neoplasms Is a Potential Predictive Biomarker for Paclitaxel Response

BACKGROUND/AIM

The challenges of cololorectal cancer (CRC) management include prediction of outcome and drug response or chemoresistance. This study aimed at examining whether βIII-tubulin (TUBB3), present in various types of normal tissues and cancer, is a biomarker for the response of colorectal neoplasms to paclitaxel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six tissue microarrays (TMAs) including 14 colon mucosa, 78 polyps and 202 CRCs were constructed. Assessment of TUBB3 expression was performed by immunohistochemistry, and it was scored as negative, focal and positive. In the HCT116 cell line, TUBB3 expression was silenced with siRNA. Paclitaxel toxicity was evaluated in TUBB3-silenced and control HCT116 cell lines.

RESULTS

The non-neoplastic colon mucosa was negative for TUBB3, while some of colon adenomas and CRCs expressed TUBB3 in various levels from focal to diffuse. TUBB3-expressing CRCs tended to have poor prognosis and silencing of TUBB3 sensitized the cells to paclitaxel.

CONCLUSION

TUBB3 was expressed in a subgroup of colorectal neoplasms. Suppression of TUBB3 potentialy sensitizes neoplastic cells to taxanes.

Comparing the effects of conventional and microwave roasting methods for bioactive composition and the sensory quality of cold-pressed orange seed oil

This study aims to report the composition of bioactives and volatile aromatic compounds, and determine the descriptive sensory properties of cold-pressed orange seed oil. The effects of oven pre-roasting and microwave pre-roasting of the seeds before cold pressing were compared. Thirteen sensory parameters were used to define the oil samples. The major bioactive components of the orange seed oils were naringin, hesperidin, and trans-ferulic acid. Flavonoids constituted the main phenolic class with 78.5% and 74.4%, followed by phenolic acids with 21.4% and 25.5% in the oven and microwave pre-roasted oil samples. The mean concentration of hesperidin and naringin varied from 903.4 to 909.6 mg/kg and from 234.3 to 299.8 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed for the first time in the literature that orange seed oil contains some volatile aromatic compounds and glycosylated flavanones that could have functional properties. Hence, cold-pressed orange seed oil could be suggested as the new potential health-promoting oil.

Volar percutaneous screw fixation for scaphoid nonunion

Background

Percutaneous screw fixation is widely used in acute fractures of the scaphoid. In this study, we aimed to present our results with volar percutaneous screw fixation in patients with scaphoid nonunions.

Methodology

A total of 12 patients with scaphoid nonunion (≥13 weeks) that underwent volar percutaneous screw fixation were evaluated retrospectively. Two of the patients were female, and 10 were male. Mean age was 27 years (range = 19-41). The mean time that elapsed between the fracture and surgical procedure was 7.5 months (range = 4-12). According to the anatomic location, 33.3% were proximal pole, and 67.7% were waist fractures. All of the patients underwent percutaneous fixation with a headless cannulated screw from volar part under fluoroscopic guidance. Clinical evaluation was performed according to the modified mayo wrist scoring system (MMWS). The absence of a radiolucent fracture line on the radiographs was considered "union" on radiological evaluation.

Results

The mean follow-up time was 18 weeks (range = 8-36). Union was achieved in all patients (91.6%), except one. The mean time to union was 15.5 weeks (range = 8-30). Based on MMWS system, 8 patients were interpreted as excellent, 3 patients as good.

Conclusion

Percutaneous fixation in appropriate patients provides satisfactory results with high union and minimal complication rates in scaphoid nonunions.

A novel and simple deep eutectic solvent based liquid phase microextraction method for rhodamine B in cosmetic products and water samples prior to its spectrophotometric determination

A novel and green deep eutectic solvent based liquid phase microextraction (DES-LPME) methodology has been proposed for the assessment of rhodamine B from cosmetic products and water samples. A deep eutectic solvent (DES) consist of tetrabutyl ammonium chloride-decanoic acid (1:2) as extraction solvent and tetrahydrofuran as emulsification agent were used for the microextraction of rhodamine B. The quantitative recoveries were achieved at pH 3 by using 0.3 mL of DES and 0.3 mL of THF. The rhodamine B concentration in last volume was analyzed by mirco-cuvette UV-VIS spectrophotometer at 550 nm. The limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), preconcentration factor (PF) and relative standard deviation (RSD %) were found as 2.2 μg L^-1, 7.3 μg L^-1, 25 and 2.3%, respectively. Accuracy and validity of the developed method was verified by addition-recovery studies for water and cosmetic samples.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms (Apa1 and Taq1) in temporomandibular joint internal derangement/osteoarthritis in a group of Turkish patients

Genetic variations might play a role in susceptibility to temporomandibular joint internal derangement (TMJ-ID) and osteoarthritis of the joint (TMJOA). Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with disc degeneration-linked pathologies, particularly osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether VDR polymorphisms present susceptibility to TMJ-ID/TMJOA. The study included 49 unrelated TMJ-ID patients with OA (31.7 ± 7.9) that were grouped and evaluated as having anterior disk displacement with reduction (ADDwR, n = 24) (31.58 ± 8.25) and without reduction (ADDwoR, n = 25) (31.8 ± 7.53) and 70 healthy controls (28.22 ± 5.9). DNA was extracted from blood samples using the standard proteinase K/phenol-chloroform method. Apa1 and Taq1 polymorphisms were investigated using a polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. When TMJ-ID patients, ADDwR cases and ADDwoR cases versus healthy controls were compared, Apa1 Aa genotype compared to AA genotype had odds ratios of 1.65, 1.79 and 1.64 respectively (p > 0.05). In TMJ-ID women versus healthy women Aa genotype had 2.06 fold (p = 0.15) odds compared to AA genotype. Taq1 results showed that in TMJ-ID patients and ADDwoR cases the Tt genotype had odds ratios of 0.63 and 0.44 fold (p > 0.05) respectively. In TMJ-ID women the Tt and tt genotypes had odds ratios of 0.53 and 0.73 (p > 0.05). Combined VDR genotypes revealed that AATT had a 3.3 fold (p = 1.21) odds ratio while AATt had a 2.0 fold odds ratio (p = 0.29) (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.23-1.49, p = 0.26) compared to AaTt. Although our results do not confirm susceptibility of VDR polymorphisms to TMJ-ID/TMJOA ,this relation needs to be further evaluated in a large cohort study.