Sialic Acid-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Sensitive and Selective Colorimetric Determination of Serotonin.

We present a novel colorimetric method inspired by nature's complex mechanisms, capable of selectively determining serotonin with high sensitivity. This method exploits the inherent binding affinity of serotonin with sialic acid (SA) molecules anchored to gold nanoparticles (SA-AuNPs). Upon serotonin binding, SA-AuNPs aggregate, and a characteristic red shift in the absorbance of SA-AuNPs accompanied by a dramatic color change (red to blue) occurs, readily observable even without instrumentation. The proposed method effectively eliminates interventions from potential interfering species such as dopamine, epinephrine, l-tyrosine, glucosamine, galactose, mannose, and oxalic acid. The absence of a color change with l-tryptophan, a structurally related precursor of serotonin, further confirms the high selectivity of this approach for serotonin detection. The colorimetric method has a wide linear dynamic range (0.05-1.0 µM), low limit of detection (0.02 µM), and fast response time (5 min). The limit of detection of the method is lower than other colorimetric serotonin sensors reported so far. The possible use of the proposed method in biological sample analysis was evaluated by employing a serotonin recovery assay in processed human plasma. The recoveries ranged from 90.5 to 104.2%, showing promising potential for clinical applications.

EF2-kinase targeted cobalt-ferrite siRNA-nanotherapy suppresses BRCA1-mutated breast cancer.

Aim: To investigate the role of EF2K in BRCA1-mutated breast cancer. Materials & methods: We developed silica coated cobalt-ferrite (CoFe) nanoparticles for in vivo delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into BRCA1-mutated breast cancer. Results: Expression of EF2K is highly upregulated in the majority (78.5%) of BRCA1-mutated patients and significantly associated with poor patient survival and metastasis. Silencing of EF2K reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion of the cancer cells. In vivo therapeutic targeting of EF2K by CoFe-siRNA-nanoparticles leads to sustained EF2K gene knockdown and suppressed tumor growth in orthotopic xenograft models of BRCA1-mutated breast cancer. Conclusion: EF2K is a potential novel molecular target in BRCA1-mutated tumors and CoFe-based siRNA nanotherapy may be used as a novel approach to target EF2K.

Cellular uptake, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles in human breast cells.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been increasingly used for many years as MRI agents and for gene delivery and hyperthermia therapy, although there have been conflicting results on their safety. In this study, cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (CoFe-MNPs) were prepared by the co-precipitation method and their surfaces were modified with silica by the sol-gel method. The particle and hydrodynamic sizes, morphology and crystal structure of the bare and silica-coated CoFe-MNPs were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The size of the bare CoFe-MNPs was in the range 8-20 nm and they were homogeneously coated with 3-4 nm silica shells. The bare and silica-coated CoFe-MNPs were agglomerated at physiological pH. However, the sizes of the agglomerates were below 200 nm both in water and complete medium. The cytotoxic and genotoxic potentials of the bare and silica-coated CoFe-MNPs were evaluated in a metastatic breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, as well as a noncancerous mammary epithelial cell line, MCF-10A, by using XTT cytotoxicity, single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet), and cytokinesis-blocked (CB) micronucleus (CBMN) assays. Characterization studies with TEM, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Prussian blue staining indicated that the CoFe-MNPs were internalized into the cells by energy-dependent endocytosis. The highest amount of uptake was observed in the cancer cells and the uptake of the silica-coated CoFe-MNPs was higher than that of the bare ones in both cell lines. The bare CoFe-MNPs showed higher levels of both cytotoxicity and genotoxicity than the silica-coated CoFe-MNPs. Moreover, the cancer cells seemed to be more susceptible to the CoFe-MNPs' toxicity compared to the noncancerous cells. There was a concentration and time-dependent increase in DNA damage and the micronucleus (MN) frequency, which was statistically significant starting with the lowest concentration of bare CoFe-MNPs (p < 0.05), while no significance was observed below the concentration of 250 µg mL-1 for the silica-coated MNPs. Also, the extent of both DNA damage and MN frequency was much higher in the cancer cells compared to the noncancerous cells. According to our results, the silica coating ameliorated both the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity as well the internalization of the CoFe-MNPs.

A Novel Acetylcholinesterase Biosensor: Core-Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles Incorporating a Conjugated Polymer for the Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides.

To construct a sensing interface, in the present work, a conjugated polymer and core-shell magnetic nanoparticle containing biosensor was constructed for the pesticide analysis. The monomer 4,7-di(furan-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (FBThF) and core-shell magnetic nanoparticles were designed and synthesized for fabrication of the biosensing device. The magnetic nanoparticles were first treated with silica and then modified using carboxyl groups, which enabled binding of the biomolecules covalently. For the construction of the proposed sensor a two-step procedure was performed. First, the poly(FBThF) was electrochemically generated on the electrode surface. Then, carboxyl group modified magnetic nanoparticles (f-MNPs) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the model enzyme, were co-immobilized on the polymer-coated surface. Thereby, a robust and novel surface, conjugated polymer bearing magnetic nanoparticles with pendant carboxyl groups, was constructed, which was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle measurements. This novel architecture was then applied as an immobilization platform to detect pesticides. To the best of our knowledge, a sensor design that combines both conjugated polymer and magnetic nanoparticles was attempted for the first time, and this approach resulted in improved biosensor characteristics. Hence, this approach opens a new perspective in the field of enzyme immobilization and sensing applications. Paraoxon and trichlorfon were selected as the model toxicants. To obtain best biosensor performance, optimization studies were performed. Under optimized conditions, the biosensor in concern revealed a rapid response (5 s), a low detection limit (6.66 × 10(-3) mM), and high sensitivity (45.01 µA mM(-1) cm(-2)). The KM(app) value of poly(FBThF)/f-MNPs/AChE were determined as 0.73 mM. Furthermore, there was no considerable activity loss for 10 d for poly(FBThF)/f-MNPs/AChE biofilm.

Knowledge and attitudes of nurses regarding patient rights: a Corum/Turkey sample.

OBJECTIVE: patient rights are defined as the rules of conduct between the people who benefit from health services and the health institutions and personnel who provide them. As the protection and provision of these rights are closely related to the nursing trade, these professionals must have thorough knowledge about this issue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acquaintance and attitudes of working nurses in Corum/Turkey regarding patient rights and to create the basis for a planned educational program. METHODS: sample selection was not performed in this study, but all nurses (n=939) who were working in the course of this study constituted the sample. Survey forms were used as data collection tools. RESULTS: the study revealed that 92.3% had received education about patient rights, 2.2% had never heard anything about this term and 86.6% became aware of it through sources from outside of school. It was established that the attitudes of nurses regarding patient rights differ for every patient and that this rate ranges from 35.8 to 98.1%. CONCLUSION: there is a requirement for more studies on the subject of patient rights, as they play an important role in the development of health services. In that regard, patient rights centers should be established and carried out according to the foreseen model set by national and international health systems. Studies aiming to teach health personnel, patients and their relatives about patient rights must be carried out.

The effects of pre-op trainning on the anxiety levels of children in Corum/Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: all individuals regardless of their age or level of development require physical, emotional and cognitive preparation before an operation. It is known that the attitudes of pediatric nurses towards pediatric patients are influential on the anxiety levels of children awaiting an operation. This study aims to determine the effect of pre-op trainning on the anxiety levels of pediatric patients hospitalized for hernioplasty surgery. METHODS: this cross sectional and quasi-experimental study included a total of 100 patients aged 7-12 years admitted for inguinal hernia surgery, 50 of which were the control group and 50 the experiment group. The data was gathered using the patients' identification forms and a child steady state anxiety scale. Research data was evaluated with appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: the groups showed similar socio-demographic features and no statistically significant difference was observed (p>0.05). During the pre-op period neither of the groups showed any statistically significant difference in terms of both state and trait anxiety levels (p>0.05), however the experiment group showed a statistically significant drop in their anxiety levels during the post-op period (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: the state anxiety levels of children receiving a planned pre-op trainning are lower compared to children who did not receive such trainning. Reducing the anxiety levels of sick children is possible through giving visual and tangible information appropriate with the age and developmental level of the sick child during the pre-op period.

Knowledge, attitude about breast cancer and practice of breast cancer screening among female health care professionals: a study from Turkey.

The awareness of health professionals about breast cancer prevention is of vital importance, since their beliefs and behaviors may have a major impact on other women. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, and attitudes regarding risk factors for breast cancer as well as screening such as breast self-examination, clinical breast examination and mammography among different groups of female health professionals. In this cross- sectional study, 444 female health professionals in various health centers located in Corum Province, Turkey, were interviewed using a self-administered questionnaire. The mean age was 33.1 ± 6.1 and most were married (81.3%). The rate of feeling under risk regarding breast cancer among female health personnel was 31.3%. The majority (98.4 %) perceived breast self-examination as a beneficial method for the early detection of breast cancer. Although 81.3 % of the participants stated that they did breast self examination, only 27.3 % reported doing so on a regular basis (performed monthly or once per menstrual cycle). The most common reason for not doing breast self-examination was the belief that it was not necessary (45.8 %). Of the entire group, the rate of having a mammography was 10.1% and the rate of clinical breast examination was 24.8%. Health professionals are a direct source of medical information to the public. The use of breast self-examination and mammography was found lower than expected when considering the fact that participants were health care professionals.

Knowledge and attitudes of nurses regarding patient rights: a Corum/Turkey sample / Conhecimentos e atitudes das enfermeiras em relação aos direitos dos pacientes: exemplo de Corum, Turquia

Summary Objective: patient rights are defined as the rules of conduct between the people who benefit from health services and the health institutions and personnel who provide them. As the protection and provision of these rights are closely related to the nursing trade, these professionals must have thorough knowledge about this issue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acquaintance and attitudes of working nurses in Corum/Turkey regarding patient rights and to create the basis for a planned educational program. Methods: sample selection was not performed in this study, but all nurses (n=939) who were working in the course of this study constituted the sample. Survey forms were used as data collection tools. Results: the study revealed that 92.3% had received education about patient rights, 2.2% had never heard anything about this term and 86.6% became aware of it through sources from outside of school. It was established that the attitudes of nurses regarding patient rights differ for every patient and that this rate ranges from 35.8 to 98.1%. Conclusion: there is a requirement for more studies on the subject of patient rights, as they play an important role in the development of health services. In that regard, patient rights centers should be established and carried out according to the foreseen model set by national and international health systems. Studies aiming to teach health personnel, patients and their relatives about patient rights must be carried out.

Resumo Objetivo: como a proteção dos direitos do paciente e o fornecimento de direitos relativos aos cuidados de saúde estão estreitamente relacionados à profissão de enfermagem, as enfermeiras devem ter um conhecimento impecável sobre o assunto. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os conhecimentos e as atitudes das enfermeiras que trabalham na Turquia em relação aos direitos do paciente e criar uma base para um programa educacional a ser planificado. Métodos: não foi feita uma seleção da amostra para este estudo; todas as enfermeiras (n=939) que trabalharam durante o período em que o estudo foi efetuado constituíram a amostra. Formulários do questionário foram utilizados como instrumentos de recolhimento de dados. Resultados: neste estudo, foi constatado que 92.3% receberam formação sobre direitos dos pacientes, 2.2% nunca ouviram nada sobre o termo e 86.6% tomaram conhecimento do termo por meio de fontes externas à escola. Determinou- -se que as atitudes das enfermeiras em relação aos direitos do paciente são diferentes para cada paciente e que essa taxa varia entre 35.8 e 98.1%. Conclusão: há uma demanda de estudos dedicados aos direitos dos pacientes, pois desempenham um papel importante no desenvolvimento dos serviços de saúde. Nesse sentido, centros de direito do paciente devem ser estabelecidos e geridos de acordo com o modelo previsto no sistema de saúde nacional e internacional. Estudos com objetivo de informar profissionais de saúde e familiares de pacientes sobre os direitos dos pacientes devem ser efetuados.

The effects of pre-op trainning on the anxiety levels of children in Corum/Turkey / Os efeitos do preparo pré-operatório nos níveis de ansiedade de crianças em Corum/Turquia

Summary Objective: all individuals regardless of their age or level of development require physical, emotional and cognitive preparation before an operation. It is known that the attitudes of pediatric nurses towards pediatric patients are influential on the anxiety levels of children awaiting an operation. This study aims to determine the effect of pre-op trainning on the anxiety levels of pediatric patients hospitalized for hernioplasty surgery. Methods: this cross sectional and quasi-experimental study included a total of 100 patients aged 7-12 years admitted for inguinal hernia surgery, 50 of which were the control group and 50 the experiment group. The data was gathered using the patients’ identification forms and a child steady state anxiety scale. Research data was evaluated with appropriate statistical methods. Results: the groups showed similar socio-demographic features and no statistically significant difference was observed (p>0.05). During the pre-op period neither of the groups showed any statistically significant difference in terms of both state and trait anxiety levels (p>0.05), however the experiment group showed a statistically significant drop in their anxiety levels during the post-op period (p<0.05). Conclusion: the state anxiety levels of children receiving a planned pre-op trainning are lower compared to children who did not receive such trainning. Reducing the anxiety levels of sick children is possible through giving visual and tangible information appropriate with the age and developmental level of the sick child during the pre-op period. .

Resumo Objetivo: todo indivíduo, independentemente da idade ou fase de desenvolvimento, requer preparo físico, emocional e cognitivo antes de qualquer operação. Sabe-se que a atitude dos enfermeiros frente ao paciente pediátrico tem influência sobre o nível de ansiedade das crianças que esperam para serem operadas. Este estudo tem como objetivo determinar o efeito do preparo pré-operatório sobre os níveis de ansiedade de pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados para procedimento de hernioplastia. Métodos: este estudo transversal e quase-experimental incluiu um total de 100 pacientes com idade de 7 a 12 anos internados para cirurgia de hérnia inguinal; 50 deles formaram o grupo de controle e os demais 50, o grupo de experimento. Os dados foram colhidos a partir de formulários de identificação dos pacientes e uma escala de estado-traço de ansiedade para crianças. Os dados da pesquisa foram avaliados com os devidos métodos estatísticos. Resultados: os grupos mostraram características sociodemográficas semelhantes e nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significativa foi observada (p>0,05). Durante o período pré- -operatório, nenhum dos grupos apresentou qualquer diferença estatisticamente significativa em termos de níveis de estado de ansiedade ou traços (p>0,05); no entanto, o grupo de experimento mostrou queda estatisticamente significativa dos níveis de ansiedade no período pós-operatório (p<0,05). Conclusão: os níveis de estado de ansiedade das crianças que receberam preparo pré-operatório planejado são mais baixos em comparação com as crianças que não receberam esse treinamento. Reduzir os níveis de ansiedade de crianças doentes é possível quando se oferece informações visuais e palpáveis adequadas à idade e à fase de desenvolvimento da criança no período pré-operatório. .