Superior photo-induced antibacterial/antibiofilm activities of ZnPcs/TiO2 and computational simulation studies.

Bacteria can form biofilms on any surface, which causes biofilm-associated infections and bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Thus, it is important to design new-generation non-chemotherapeutic nanoagents for effective antibacterial and antibiofilm strategies. Herein, the effects of the anchoring groups, which are imidazole and carboxylic acid, of zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) sensitized TiO2 on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were investigated under light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation. The photocatalytic antibacterial activities of ZnPc-1/TiO2 and ZnPc-2/TiO2 on the bacterial strains were examined by monitoring the optical density value at 600 nm (OD600 nm). Glutathione (GSH) oxidation assay was used to measure the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation activity of the compounds. Bacterial damages were imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to our photocatalytic antibacterial mechanism, photogenerated electrons are transferred from Pcs to TiO2 and then react with O2, thus creating ROS, which causes damage to bacterial membrane, protein and biofilm destruction as well. Further, computational simulation analysis was used to show the interaction patterns of ZnPc-1 and ZnPc-2 with penicillin binding protein 2a (PBP2a) of S. aureus and FimH lectin protein (PDB:4XO8) of E. coli to elucidate the dark molecular antibacterial mechanism of the compounds. The obtained results from computational studies showed that ZnPc-2 binds firmly through bonds with the 1MWT protein from S. aureus. On the other hand, ZnPc-1 binds firmly through bonds with the 4XO8 protein from E. coli. From combining experimental and computational results, we can conclude that this strategy can be applied to different types of bacterial infections.

Effect of metabolic control on cognitive functions in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Neurocognitive functions of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) are reported to be poorer than those of healthy peers. The aim was to investigate the effects of age of onset of diabetes, metabolic control, and type of insulin regimen on neurocognitive functions in children and adolescents with T1D. METHODS: Forty-seven children aged 6-18 years, with T1D for at least five years, were included. Children with a known psychiatric disorder or chronic diseases other than T1D were excluded. Intelligence via the Wechsler children's intelligence scale (WISC-R), short-term memory via the audio-auditory digits form B (GISD-B) test, visual motor perception via the Bender Gestalt test, and attention via the Moxo continuous attention and performance test, timing, hyperactivity, and impulsivity (Moxo-dCPT) were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with the T1D group, healthy controls had higher scores in terms of verbal intelligence quotient (IQ), performance IQ, and total IQ mean scores on WISC-R (p=0.01, p=0.05 and p=0.01, respectively). On the MOXO-dCPT test, the T1D group had higher impulsivity compared to the control group (p=0.04). Verbal IQ was better in the moderate control group than in the poorer metabolic control (p=0.01). Patients with no history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) had higher performance, verbal and total intelligence scores than the group with history of DKA. CONCLUSIONS: Poor metabolic control and a history of DKA in children with T1D adversely affected neurocognitive functions. It would be beneficial to consider the assessment of neurocognitive functions in T1D and to take the necessary precautions in follow-up.

Hydroxyapatite-Bioceramic/Expanded Perlite Hybrid Composites Coating on Ti6Al4V by Hydrothermal Method and in vitro Behavior.

This study was aimed to coat a hybrid bioceramic composite onto Ti6Al4V by using hydrothermal method. The Hybrid bioceramic composite for coating was prepared by reinforcing different rations of expanded perlite (EP) and 5 wt.% chitosan into synthesized Hydroxyapatite (HA). Coating was performed at 1800°C for 12 hours. The coated specimens were gradually subjected to a sintering at 6000°C for 1 hour. For in vitro analysis, the specimens were kept in Ringer's solution for 1, 10, and 25 days. All specimens were examined by SEM, EDX, FTIR, and surface roughness analyses for characterizing. It was concluded that as the reinforcement ratio increased, there was an increase in coating thickness and surface roughness. The optimum reinforcement ratio for expanded perlite can be 10 wt.% (A3-B3). With increasing ratio of calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) (Ca/P), the surface becomes more active in body fluid and then observed the formation of the hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) layer. As the waiting time increased, there was an increase in the formation of an apatite structure.

Quality of Life and Psychological Well-being in Children and Adolescents with Disorders of Sex Development

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) and psychological well-being in child and adolescent with disorders of sex development (DSD). Methods: Sixty-two cases, aged 2-18 years, who were followed by a multidisciplinary DSD team were included. All participants and their parents were requested the complete the Pediatric Quality Of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The psychiatric diagnoses of the patients were evaluated according to Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children/Present and Lifetime Turkish Version. Results: There was no significant difference between the 46,XX DSD and 46,XY DSD groups for both child and parent in Total PedsQL score. In the subscale scores, the PedsQL Physical Functionality Score reported by children was significantly lower for the 46,XX DSD group than for the 46,XY DSD group (p=0.01). There was a psychiatric diagnosis in 25.8% of cases. The PedsQL School Functionality Score reported by children in the group with psychiatric diagnosis was significantly lower than the group without psychiatric diagnosis (p=0.018). In the group with psychiatric diagnosis, the PedsQL Total Score and the subscale scores (Emotional Functionality Score, Social Functionality Score, School Functionality) reported by parents were significantly lower than in parents of the group without psychiatric diagnosis. Conclusion: This study emphasized that psychiatric disorders in DSD patients negatively affect the QoL. Psychiatric support and counseling from a multidisciplinary team are very important for families affected by DSD.

Is aripiprazole a key to unlock anorexia nervosa?: A case series.

Aripiprazole contributes an increase in body mass index and attenuation in anorexia nervosa (AN) symptoms, leading clinical improvements with lower side-effect profile; but it is not enough to cure comorbid depressive symptoms in AN.

Psychiatric view for disorders of sex development: a 12-year experience of a multidisciplinary team in a university hospital.

Background Psychiatric consultation is important in the follow-up of disorders of sex development (DSD) patients. In this study, we aimed to present the 12-year psychiatric follow-up data of the patients who were referred by Ege University Medical Faculty DSD Multidisciplinary Team and followed up in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Methods Psychiatric data of 118 patients, who were followed by the DSD multidisciplinary team between 2007 and 2019, were reviewed retrospectively. The psychiatric diagnoses of the patients were evaluated according to semi-structured interview form Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children/Present and Lifetime Turkish Version. Results The mean age of the 118 cases was 13.21 years (±7.18). Endocrine diagnoses of the cases were 46 XX DSD in 35 (29.6%), 46 XY DSD in 81 (68.7%), and chromosome disorders in 2 (1.7%). There was at least psychiatric diagnosis in 36 (30.5%) cases. The most common psychiatric diagnosis was attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 18, 15.3%). ADHD was most common in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (n = 4, 22.4%) and androgen synthesis defects (ASD) (n = 4, 22.4%); depression was most common in complete gonadal dysgenesis and ASD (n = 3, 23.1%); and mental retardation was most common in ASD (n = 3, 37.5%). Conclusions In order to provide a healthy perspective for cases with DSD, it is important to make a psychiatric evaluation and to share observations and clinical findings in regular team meetings.