3D printed kombucha biomaterial as a tissue scaffold and L929 cell cytotoxicity assay.

Tissue engineering includes the construction of tissue-organ scaffold. The advantage of three-dimensional scaffolds over two-dimensional scaffolds is that they provide homeostasis for a longer time. The microbial community in Symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) can be a source for kombucha (kombu tea) production. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the usage of SCOBY, which produces bacterial cellulose, as a biomaterial and 3D scaffold material. 3D printable biomaterial was obtained by partial hydrolysis of oolong tea and black tea kombucha biofilms. In order to investigate the usage of 3D kombucha biomaterial as a tissue scaffold, "L929 cell line 3D cell culture" was created and cell viability was tested in the biomaterial. At the end of the 21st day, black tea showed 51% and oolong tea 73% viability. The cytotoxicity of the materials prepared by lyophilizing oolong and black tea kombucha beverages in fibroblast cell culture was determined. Black tea IC50 value: 7.53 mg, oolong tea IC50 value is found as 6.05 mg. Fibroblast viability in 3D biomaterial + lyophilized oolong and black tea kombucha beverages, which were created using the amounts determined to these values, were investigated by cell culture Fibroblasts in lyophilized and 3D biomaterial showed viability of 58% in black tea and 78% in oolong tea at the end of the 7th day. In SEM analysis, it was concluded that fibroblast cells created adhesion to the biomaterial. 3D biomaterial from kombucha mushroom culture can be used as tissue scaffold and biomaterial.

Therapeutic Potential of Sol-Gel ZnO Nanocrystals: Anticancer, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Tri-Action.

Zinc oxide nanocrystals (ZnO NCs) hold great promise in nanomedicine with fascinating multifunctional properties. We investigated the therapeutic potential of sol-gel synthesized ZnO NCs with crystal sizes of 52.65 and 25.11 nm, focusing on their anticancer effects on HepG2 and HT29 cells, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial activity. Both samples displayed a hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure, wherein the crystal sizes diminished with lower calcination temperatures according to X-ray diffraction. The scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that lowering the calcination temperature resulted in a decrease in the grain size of the ZnO NCs, as expected. This reduction in grain size combined with a decrease in crystal size resulted in a significant 40% reduction in the reflectance of the ZnO NCs in UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy. It was also observed that the ZnO NCs calcined at higher temperatures exhibited larger particle sizes with a reduced surface area mean of 69.30 µm and a stable negative zeta potential of -11.2 mV. In contrast, the ZnO NCs calcined at lower temperatures exhibited a larger surface area mean of 34.56 µm and a positive zeta potential of +10 mV. In both cell lines, the cytotoxic potential was found to be higher in HepG2 cells. Specifically, when ZnO nanocrystals (NCs) with a crystal size of 52.65 nm were used, the lowest cell viability was observed at a concentration of 5.74 µg/mL. Based on oxidative stress index values, a lower crystal size of ZnO NCs displayed greater effectiveness in HT29 cells, while a higher crystal size of ZnO NCs had pronounced effects in HepG2 cells. Moreover, both ZnO NCs exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Candida parapsilopsis fungus. These findings emphasize sol-gel ZnO NCs' potential as versatile agents in nanomedicine, spurring research on targeted cancer therapies and antimicrobial innovations.

Efficient green photocatalyst of silver-based palladium nanoparticles for methyle orange photodegradation, investigation of lipid peroxidation inhibition, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity.

Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary study that has been developing worldwide in recent years and has a serious impact on human life. The fact that the nanoparticles of plant origin are clean, non-toxic, and biocompatible has enabled new fields of study. The Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) plant has been attracted by scientists because of its impact on health and many other areas. The lipid peroxidation inhibiting activity, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial properties of H. sabdariffa plant with Ag-Pd metal was ditermined. For the total phenolic component, gallic acid was used as the standard and quarcetin was used for the total flavonoid. The lipid peroxidation inhibition activity of Ag-Pd NPs in ethanol extract was found to be very well compared to the positive control (BHA). The lowest and highest concentrations of DPPH radical scavenging activity were 82.178-97.357%, whereas for BHA these values were found to be 84.142-94.142%. The highest concentration of Ag-Pd NPs at 200 µg/mL the DPPH radical quenching activity was higher than BHA. Ag-Pd NPs showed a good antimicrobial activity against certain pathogenic microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, which are the causative agents of various diseases in humans. The photodegradation activity of Ag-Pd NPs also investigated against Methyl orange dye (MO) under sunlight irradiation for 120 min and was found to be as 67.88.

Exenatide increases CTRP3 gene expression in adipose cells by inhibiting adipogenesis and induces apoptosis.

Considering the rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, the number of weight control drugs is very few. Incretin-based therapies are currently being developed to achieve weight control, and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RA) are used in incretin-based therapies. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of exenatide, a GLP-1A, on 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the effect of exenatide on the expression of adipogenesis-related genes, insulin and glucose levels, and apoptosis. Cytotoxic activity of exenatide on 3T3-L1 adipocytes was determined by MTT method. Gene expression levels were determined by qPCR. Apoptosis studies were performed on the Muse Cell Analyzer. C1q/TNF-related protein-3 (CTRP3) expression levels were found to be higher in exenatide treated adipocyte cells than in control cells (p < 0.001). Adipocyte cells treated with exenatide were found to have lower PPAR-γ gene expression levels when compared to control adipocyte cells (p < 0.001). Intracellular insulin (p < 0.001) and glucose levels were higher in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with exenatide compared to control adipocyte cells. Total apoptosis increased approximately 1.5 times as a result of exenatide administration. The increase in CTRP3 gene expression, which is thought to be a new biomarker for obesity, and the decrease in PPAR-γ gene expression indicate that exenatide is a promising new pharmacotherapeutic agent in the treatment of obesity by regulating the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and lipogenesis and inducing apoptosis.

Therapeutic Effects of Newly Synthesized Boron Compounds (BGM and BGD) on Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Boron has an important potential for facilitating biological activity and for use in pharmaceutical drug design. Boron glycine monoester (BGM) and boron glycine diester (BGD) compounds containing boron atoms were synthesized and investigated their cytotoxic, oxidative stress, and antimicrobial activities on the HepG2 cancer cell line. The cytotoxic activity of newly synthesized boron compounds on hepatocellular carcinoma was determined by the MTT method for 48 h. Antioxidant (CAT, GSH), lipid peroxidation (MDA), and enzyme activity (ACP, ALP) analyses were determined by spectrophotometric methods in HepG2 cells. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the disk diffusion method. After 48 h of BGM and BGD application to HepG2 cells, we found the IC50 values as 9.9 mM and 24 mM, respectively. While CAT and ACP enzyme activities decreased in all groups compared to the control, ALP enzyme activity did not change in the BGM group but increased in the BGD group. It was determined that the GSH level did not change in all groups, while the MDA level increased. It has been stated that these IC50 doses of BGM and BGD have antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Newly synthesized boron compounds, particularly BGM, with their cytotoxic, oxidative stress, and antimicrobial effects, could provide a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Synthesis of New Boron Derived Compounds; Anticancer, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Effect in Vitro Glioblastoma Tumor Model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to investigate the cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects of newly synthesized boron compounds in U87MG glioblastoma cell treatment. METHODS: We synthesized boron glycine monoester (BGM) and boron glycine diester (BGD) structures containing boron atoms and determined their cytotoxic activities on glioblastoma by the MTT method. The inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value was calculated with GraphPad Prism 5.0 program. The IC50 values were administered 48 hours on U87MG glioblastoma cell. Catalase (CAT), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (GSH), and total protein levels were detected using spectrophotometric methods. We determined the antimicrobial activities of BGM and BGD with the disc diffusion method. RESULTS: After 48 hours of BGM and BGD application to U87MG glioblastoma cells, we found the IC50 value as 6.6 mM and 26 mM, respectively. CAT and ACP enzyme activities were decreased in BGM and BGD groups. MDA which is a metabolite of lipid peroxidation was increased in both boron compounds groups. GSH level was reduced especially in BGD group. BGM and BGD have been found to be antimicrobial effects. CONCLUSION: Boron compounds, especially the BGM, can provide a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of glioblastoma with their anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects.

Survival of thermophilic fungi in various preservation methods: A comparative study.

Thermophilic fungi have several biotechnological and industrial applications such as thermostable enzyme production, biodegradation, and tobacco processing, etc. Thermophilic fungi cannot survive at temperatures below 20 °C. Owing to their inability to grow at low temperatures, they are not stable, so stocking is very difficult. Although a large number of different storage methods are available and described, no method can be universally applied to all fungi. Thermophilic fungi present "heat-loving" characteristics, and therefore a new challenge for its preservation and there is no universal protocol for the preservation of thermophilic fungi. The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability, contamination and stability of thermophilic fungi stored under different preservation methods. In this work, 25 thermophilic fungal isolates of species Thermomyces thermophilus, Rhizomucor pusillus, Trichocladium griseum, Melanocarpus albomyces, Malbranchea cinnamomea, Thermothelomyces thermophilus, Thermothelomyces hinnuleus,Thermothielavioidesterrestris, Mycothermus thermophilus, Humicola insolens maintained constant sub-culturing at room temperature, +4 °C and +20 °C, lyophilization at +4 °C, freezing at -20 °C, freezing block at -20 °C and a new technique liquid preservation at room temperature for the periods ranging 5 years. We evaluated the effect of preservation methods by sub-culturing onto either sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) or yeast extract soluble starch agar (YpSs) on growth, production and viability of spores and macro- and micromorphology. In this study, preservation methods for thermophilic fungi were investigated extensively for the first time and it is clearly shown that freezing block at -20 °C method and lyophilization were better methods for long-term preservation up to 5 years.

Comparison of serum human Klotho levels and thiol/disulfide homeostasis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and in healthy women.

OBJECTIVES: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have an increased cardiometabolic risk. Similarly, it was previously shown that atherosclerotic and cardiovascular risk is increased in the general population with lower serum Klotho levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the lotho and thiol/disulfide levels in women with non-obese PCOS compared to healthy controls and also to investigate the relationship of serum Klotho and thiol/disulfide homeostasis with cardiometabolic risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective case control study, human serum alpha Klotho levels and thiol/disulfide homeostasis of women with PCOS aged between 19-33 were compared to their age and BMI matched non - PCOS healthy controls. In addition, the correlation of these molecules with other metabolic markers/measurements were also investigated. RESULTS: Metabolic parameters such as mean waist circumference, lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and triglyceride values were higher in the PCOS group (p = 0.038, p = 0.008, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, respectively) compared to controls. However, mean serum Klotho and native thiol levels (respectively p < 0.0001 and p = 0.038) were lower compared to controls. Correlation analysis revealed that serum Klotho levels were negatively correlated with BMI, waist circumference, disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol, HOMA-IR and LAP-index. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of decreased serum Klotho and native thiol values of the PCOS group compared to controls and the negative correlation of serum Klotho levels with metabolic markers supports the idea that decreased Klotho may be another mechanism by which cardiovascular risk is increased in women with PCOS.

Indoor airborne fungal pollution in newborn units in Turkey.

Pathogenic and/or opportunistic fungal species are major causes of nosocomial infections, especially in controlled environments where immunocompromised patients are hospitalized. Indoor fungal contamination in hospital air is associated with a wide range of adverse health effects. Regular determination of fungal spore counts in controlled hospital environments may help reduce the risk of fungal infections. Because infants have inchoate immune systems, they are given immunocompromised patient status. The aim of the present study was to evaluate culturable airborne fungi in the air of hospital newborn units in the Thrace, Marmara, Aegean, and Central Anatolia regions of Turkey. A total of 108 air samples were collected seasonally from newborn units in July 2012, October 2012, January 2013, and April 2013 by using an air sampler and dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18) as isolation media. We obtained 2593 fungal colonies comprising 370 fungal isolates representing 109 species of 28 genera, which were identified through multi-loci gene sequencing. Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Talaromyces, and Alternaria were the most abundant genera identified (35.14, 25.40, 17.57, 2.70, and 6.22% of the total, respectively).

Optimization of solid-state fermentation for phytase production by Thermomyces lanuginosus using response surface methodology.

A strain of Thermomyces lanuginosus, isolated from hot spring water in Turkey, was studied for optimization of phytase production using solid-state fermentation. Effects on fermentation of different production parameters such as substrate type, moisture, culture time, and inoculum size were investigated using a one-factor-at-a-time approach. Central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology was applied for the optimization of four factors (culture temperature, initial pH, aeration area, age of seeding culture) that were affecting phytase production by Thermomyces lanuginosus in rice bran. Maximum phytase activity was achieved by using rice bran. The optimum levels of variables that supported maximum enzyme activity were moisture 70%, culture time 7 days, inoculum size 40%, culture temperature 55°C, initial pH 7.5, aeration area 30%, age of seeding culture 5 days, sucrose 1%, and ZnSO4 2.5 mM. An overall 10.83-fold enhancement in phytase activity (0.30 to 3.248 U) was attained due to the optimization.

The amsterdam declaration on fungal nomenclature.

The Amsterdam Declaration on Fungal Nomenclature was agreed at an international symposium convened in Amsterdam on 19-20 April 2011 under the auspices of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF). The purpose of the symposium was to address the issue of whether or how the current system of naming pleomorphic fungi should be maintained or changed now that molecular data are routinely available. The issue is urgent as mycologists currently follow different practices, and no consensus was achieved by a Special Committee appointed in 2005 by the International Botanical Congress to advise on the problem. The Declaration recognizes the need for an orderly transitition to a single-name nomenclatural system for all fungi, and to provide mechanisms to protect names that otherwise then become endangered. That is, meaning that priority should be given to the first described name, except where that is a younger name in general use when the first author to select a name of a pleomorphic monophyletic genus is to be followed, and suggests controversial cases are referred to a body, such as the ICTF, which will report to the Committee for Fungi. If appropriate, the ICTF could be mandated to promote the implementation of the Declaration. In addition, but not forming part of the Declaration, are reports of discussions held during the symposium on the governance of the nomenclature of fungi, and the naming of fungi known only from an environmental nucleic acid sequence in particular. Possible amendments to the Draft BioCode (2011) to allow for the needs of mycologists are suggested for further consideration, and a possible example of how a fungus only known from the environment might be described is presented.

Time and temperature dependent microbiological and mycotoxin (ochratoxin-A) levels in boza.

This study describes the examination of microbiological tests and the determination of OTA in boza temperature and time dependently. Prior to the analysis, physicochemical properties of the boza samples such as moisture, total acidity as lactic acid, pH, protein amount and viscosity were investigated. The incidence of total aerobic bacteria (TAB), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), coliforms, E.coli, Salmonella, S. aureus, B. cereus, yeast and moulds were examined. E.coli, Salmonella, S. aureus and B. cereus were not found in all boza samples. Initially, Aspergillus fumigatus; Acremonium sp.; Geotrichum candidum and Geotrichum capitatum were identified in the samples. Certain extraction techniques such as direct injection, liquid-liquid and solid phase (SP) were tried for the OTA analysis. The most available way was found to be direct injection among them and the recovery was 70.56%+/-9.80 (13.89 RSD). OTA amounts were determined in all boza samples utilizing an isocratic HPLC analysis with an ODS column. OTA was detected in only one sample as 3.58 microg/kg and this amount is above the limits of European Commission Regulations. Time and temperature-dependent changes were investigated and insignificant variation was observed.