ECL sensor for selective determination of citrate ions as a prostate cancer biomarker using polymer of intrinsic microporosity-1 nanoparticles/nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots.

Urine citrate analysis is relevant in the screening and monitoring of patients with prostate cancer and calcium nephrolithiasis. A sensitive, fast, easy, and low-maintenance electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method with conductivity detection for the analysis of citrate in urine is developed and validated by employing polymer of intrinsic microporosity-1 nanoparticles/nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (nano-PIM-1/N-CQDs). Using optimum conditions, the sensor was applied in ECL experiments in the presence of different concentrations of citrate ions. The ECL signals were quenched gradually by the increasing citrate concentration. The linear range of the relationship between the logarithm of the citrate concentration and ΔECL (ECL of blank - ECL of sample) was obtained between 1.0 × 10-7 M and 5.0 × 10-4 M. The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated to be 2.2 × 10-8 M (S/N = 3). The sensor was successfully applied in real samples such as human serum and patient urine.

Nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensors for detection of amino acids.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and muscle tissue. They also play a significant role in physiological processes related to energy, recovery, mood, muscle and brain function, fat burning and stimulating growth hormone or insulin secretion. Accurate determination of amino acids in biological fluids is necessary because any changes in their normal ranges in the body warn diseases like kidney disease, liver disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. To date, many methods such as liquid chromatography, fluorescence mass spectrometry, etc. have been used for the determination of amino acids. Compared with the above techniques, electrochemical systems using modified electrodes offer a rapid, accurate, cheap, real-time analytical path through simple operations with high selectivity and sensitivity. Nanomaterials have found many interests to create smart electrochemical sensors in different application fields e.g. biomedical, environmental, and food analysis because of their exceptional properties. This review summarizes recent advances in the development of nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensors in 2017-2022 for the detection of amino acids in various matrices such as serum, urine, blood and pharmaceuticals.

Achievements of Graphene and Its Derivatives Materials on Electrochemical Drug Assays and Drug-DNA Interactions.

Graphene, emerging as a true two-dimensional (2D) material, has attracted increasing attention due to its unique physical and electrochemical properties such as high surface area, excellent conductivity, high mechanical strength, and ease of functionalization and mass production. The entire scientific community recognizes the significance and potential impact of graphene. Electrochemical detection strategies have advantages such as being simple, fast, and low-cost. The use of graphene as an excellent interface for electrode modification provides a promising way to construct more sensitive and stable electrochemical (bio)sensors. The review presents sensors based on graphene and its derivatives for electrochemical drug assays from pharmaceutical dosage forms and biological samples. Future perspectives in this rapidly developing field are also discussed. In addition, the interaction of several important anticancer drug molecules with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that was immobilized onto graphene-modified electrodes has been detailed in terms of dosage regulation and utility purposes.

Nickel (II) incorporated AlPO-5 modified carbon paste electrode for determination of thioridazine in human serum.

In this approach, synthesis of nickel (II) incorporated aluminophosphate (NiAlPO-5) was performed by using hydrothermal method. The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques were applied in order to characterize synthesized compounds. The NiAlPO-5 was used as a modifier in carbon paste electrode for the selective determination of thioridazine which is an antidepressant drug. This research is the first example of an aluminophosphate being employed in electroanalysis. The effective catalytic role of the modified electrode toward thioridazine oxidation can be attributed to the electrocatalytic activity of nickel (II) in the aluminaphosphate matrix. In addition, NiAlPO-5 has unique properties such as the high specific surface area which increases the electron transfer of thioridazine. The effects of varying the percentage of modifier, pH and potential sweep rate on the electrode response were investigated. Differential pulse voltammetry was used for quantitative determination as a sensitive method. A dynamic linear range was obtained in the range of 1.0×10(-7)-1.0×10(-5)mol L(-1). The determination of thioridazine in real samples such as commercial tablets and human serum was demonstrated.

Topical application of mitomycin C in the treatment of granulation tissue after canal wall down mastoidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Otorrhea and granulation tissue in Canal Wall Down mastoidectomy (CWD) is the common problem in cholesteatoma removal and leads to many discomfort for both the patient and the physician. The main objective in CWD is creating the dry cavity, so the topical antibiotic and acetic acid in variable saturations are used for this purpose. In this study we evaluate the effectiveness of topical MMC and chemical cautery by acetic acid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study population consists of 50 patients with cholesteatoma whom underwent CWD. All patient allocated randomly in two study groups, MMC and acetic acid. After 3 weeks, the first visit is planned, extension of granulation tissue and dryness of cavity are evaluated and topical drugs are used in blind fashion. MMC in 4% and acetic acid in 12.5% saturation are applied. Other visits are completed at next month and 3 months later. RESULTS: Both methods are effective in treatment of granulation tissue. In each group both treatment were effective too but MMC was more effective than acid acetic in the treatment of granulation tissue after 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, it is clear that topical MMC is very effective in the treatment of granulation tissue and in CWD. It results in dry cavity much better than acetic acid without any complication.

SMRT compounds abrogate cellular phenotypes of ataxia telangiectasia in neural derivatives of patient-specific hiPSCs.

Ataxia telangiectasia is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused primarily by loss of function mutations in ATM, a hierarchical DNA repair gene and tumour suppressor. So far, murine models of ataxia telangiectasia have failed to accurately recapitulate many aspects of the disease, most notably, the progressive cerebellar ataxia. Here we present a model of human ataxia telangiectasia using induced pluripotent stem cells, and show that small molecule read-through compounds, designed to induce read-through of mRNA around premature termination codons, restore ATM activity and improve the response to DNA damage. This platform allows for efficient screening of novel compounds, identification of target and off-target effects, and preclinical testing on relevant cell types for the pathogenic dissection and treatment of ataxia telangiectasia.

Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease may improve surgical outcomes for chronic otitis media.

BACKGROUND: This study has been designed to investigate the clinical association between gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic otitis media (COM) in adults and also the role of GERD treatment on the outcome of COM surgery. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial, 58 patients with COM who were candidates for surgery were evaluated for GERD and divided in two groups; GERD positive (case) and GERD negative (control) patients. The GERD positive patients were randomized to either receiving medical treatment for GERD or not prior to surgery. The surgical outcomes were assessed at 3 and 6 months after COM surgery in the three groups. RESULTS: Fifty-eight (26 males) patients were enrolled. Forty-two (72.4%) of these had GERD according to a validated questionnaire. Three months after surgery auditory recovery in GERD negative patients was significantly higher [16(100%)] than those suffering from GERD [28 out of 42 (66.7%)], p=0.008. The figures remained similar at six months follow up as well (100 % vs. 72.5% in GERD negative and positive patients respectively, p=0.002).In the GERD-positive group, 8 of 18 (44.4%) patients who did not receive GERD treatment before tympanomastoidectomy recovered after three months whereas, while 20 of 24 (83.3%) patients who received GERD treatment recovered during this time (p<0.001). At six months 44.4% of non-treated GERD patients had auditory recovery as compared to 95.5 % of those treated for GERD (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data show that the effect of GERD on the outcome of COM surgery may be considerable. On the other hand, treating COM patients for GERD medically for two months before tympanoplasty improves the surgical outcomes. Therefore, we suggest that COM patients be evaluated for GERD before undergoing tympanoplasty and if GERD is present, they be treated medically for a couple of months before undergoing surgery.

Huge myxoid liposarcoma of the esophagus: a case report.

Although esophageal liposarcoma is an extremely rare tumor, liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults. Liposarcoma is currently classified into the types of well-differentiated, myxoid, round cell, pleomorphic and dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Up to now only a few cases of esophagus liposarcoma have been described in the world literature. We describe a myxoid type liposarcoma of the esophagus in a 68 year old man presented with hoarseness and intermittent dysphagea to solid food. He had a huge mass in his mouth which was mobile with gag reflex. A barium swallow, esophageal manometery and CT scan of the esophagus have not clearly revealed the mass. After endoscopic surgical resection of the tumor the histological examination revealed a myxoid liposarcoma. Both the presenting signs and symptoms and the histology type are rare for such tumor. This case demonstrate a rare differential diagnosis of intermittent dysphagia as early diagnosis is so important in those tumors and should kept in mind them, although they are quite rare.

Inducible proteolytic inactivation of OPA1 mediated by the OMA1 protease in mammalian cells.

The mammalian mitochondrial inner membrane fusion protein OPA1 is controlled by complex patterns of alternative splicing and proteolysis. A subset of OPA1 isoforms is constitutively cleaved by YME1L. Other isoforms are not cleaved by YME1L, but they are cleaved when mitochondria lose membrane potential or adenosine triphosphate. In this study, we show that this inducible cleavage is mediated by a zinc metalloprotease called OMA1. We find that OMA1 small interfering RNA inhibits inducible cleavage, helps retain fusion competence, and slows the onset of apoptosis, showing that OMA1 controls OPA1 cleavage and function. We also find that OMA1 is normally cleaved from 60 to 40 kD by another as of yet unidentified protease. Loss of membrane potential causes 60-kD protein to accumulate, suggesting that OMA1 is attenuated by proteolytic degradation. We conclude that a proteolytic cascade controls OPA1. Inducible cleavage provides a mechanism for quality control because proteolytic inactivation of OPA1 promotes selective removal of defective mitochondrial fragments by preventing their fusion with the mitochondrial network.

The role of columellar struts to gain and maintain tip projection and rotation: a randomized blinded trial.

BACKGROUND: Rhinoplasty is one of the most challenging esthetic surgeries. The ability to achieve precise and predictable changes in the shape and position of the nasal tip is still among one of the demanding areas of rhinoplasty. Columellar strut is one of many techniques to ensure an adequate nasal tip projection and rotation; however, there is little evidence to support long-term efficacy of this technique. METHODS: In a clinical trial, 93 patients who were rhinoplasty candidates were studied prospectively. They were randomly divided into two groups according to the use of columellar strut. The outcome measures were gaining and maintaining tip projection and rotation in the long term. Standardized photographs before and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery were the measurements to compare the results between two groups. RESULTS: The mean age was 23.3 +/- 4.8 years. In 47 cases, surgery was performed using columellar strut and in 45 cases this method was not used. Preoperatively, nasolabial angle and tip projection were not significantly different between the two groups. In addition, postoperatively, the mean of nasolabial angel and tip projection were not significantly different in the two groups 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The decreasing of these parameters was not significantly different during follow-up in the two groups. CONCLUSION: It seems that columellar strut is not an essential technique to enhance and maintain tip projection and/or rotation in rhinoplasty. Using good techniques in qualified hands give the best results in the long term even without columellar strut.

The comparison of histopathological characteristics of polyps in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the different clinical aspects of polyps in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients, we aimed to explore their histopathological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five asthmatic patients and 25 nonasthmatic patients with polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis (29 male, 21 female; mean age 41.3 +/- 13.27; range 15-78 years) were enrolled in the study to be compared on the basis of histopathological characteristics. They were compared according to the following seven light microscopic findings: basement membrane thickness, goblet cell hyperplasia, subepithelial edema, submucous gland formation, eosinophilic infiltration, lymphocytic infiltration, and polymorphonuclear infiltration. RESULTS: Basement membrane thickening, goblet cell hyperplasia, and eosinophilic and lymphocytic infiltration were more prominent in the asthmatic compared with the nonasthmatic group (P < 0.05), whereas polymorphonuclear infiltration was more prominent in nonasthmatics (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to submucosal gland hyperplasia or subepithelial edema. CONCLUSION: Asthmatic patients present histopathological characteristics of a marked chronic inflammatory reaction, which might explain the negative effect on chronic rhinosinusitis outcome and the severity of the disease in this group.