The Syntheses of Chromium Aluminum Carbide (Cr2AlC) MAX Phase and Cr2CTx MXene and Investigation of Their Antimicrobial Properties.

Chromium aluminum carbide (Cr2AlC) MAX phase and Cr2CTx (MXene-Cr) were synthesized by the pressureless sintering method and hydrothermal method, respectively. In addition to this, the free radical scavenging activities (FRSA) of MAX-Cr phase and MXene-Cr compounds were tested and compared with ascorbic acid and trolox as standard compounds. The obtained FRSA results of MAX-Cr phase and MXene-Cr were 42.82 and 59.64%, respectively, at 100 mg/L concentration. MXene-Cr showed a 66.90% inhibitory effect on α-amylase at 200 mg/L. The DNA nuclease activity of compounds was determined to be extremely satisfactory at 50, 100, and 200 mg/L concentrations. Moreover, the prepared MAX-Cr phase and MXene-Cr were investigated for antimicrobial activity against six bacterial and two fungal strains by the broth microdilution method. Compounds provided more significant inhibition against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. MAX-Cr phase and MXene-Cr almost completely inhibited microbial cell viability at a 25 mg/L concentration. Additionally, MXene-Cr showed 89.86% and 87.01% antibiofilm activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively, while the antibiofilm activity of the MAX-Cr phase was over 90%.

Development of a Cr2AlC MAX phase/g-C3N4 composite-based electrochemical sensor for accurate cabotegravir determination in pharmaceutical and biological samples.

A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor is reported that employs a modified electrode for the precise measurement of cabotegravir, a potent anti-HIV drug. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were utilized for this purpose. Electrode modification involved the immobilization of Cr2AlC MAX phase/g-C3N4 onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to enhance its electrocatalytic activity and selectivity for cabotegravir detection. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the working potential (vs. Ag/AgCl) was to 0.93 V. The developed sensor exhibited a good linear relationship in the range 0.05 µM to 9.34 µM with a low limit of detection of 4.33 nM, signifying its exceptional sensitivity. Additionally, it demonstrated successful cabotegravir detection in pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples, achieving an RSD below 3.0%. The recoveries fell within the range 97.7 to 102%, confirming the sensor's potential for real-sample applications. This innovative electrochemical sensor represents a significant advancement, providing a simple, reliable, and sensitive tool for the accurate measurement of cabotegravir. Its potential applications include optimizing drug dosages, monitoring treatment responses, and supporting the development of cabotegravir-based pharmaceutical products, thereby contributing to advancements in HIV therapy and prevention strategies.

Synthesis of PES membranes modified with polyurethane-paraffin wax nanocapsules and performance of bovine serum albumin and humic acid rejection.

Membrane fouling is a serious handicap of membrane-based separation, as it reduces permeation flux and hence increases operational and maintenance expenses. Polyurethane-paraffin wax (PU/PW) nanocapsules were integrated into the polyethersulfone membrane to manufacture a composite membrane with higher antifouling and permeability performance against humic acid (HA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) foulants. All manufactured membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), and contact angle. The contact angle of the pristine polyethersulfone (PES) membrane was measured 73.40 ± 1.32. With the embedding of nanocapsules, the contact angle decreased to 64.55 ± 1.23 for PES/PU/PW 2.0 wt%, and the pure water flux of all composite membranes increased when compared to pristine PES. The pristine PES membrane also has shown the lowest steady-state fluxes at 45.84 and 46.59 L/m2h for BSA and HA, respectively. With the increase of PU/PW nanocapsule ratio from 0.5 to 1.0 wt%, steady-state fluxes increased from 51.96 to 71.61 and from 67.87 to 98.73 L/m2h, respectively, for BSA and HA. The results depicted that BSA and HA rejection efficiencies of PU/PW nanocapsules blended PES membranes increased when compared to pristine PES membranes.

Effects of noopept on cognitive functions and pubertal process in rats with diabetes.

AIM: Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is a common chronic disease in childhood. Increasing insulin resistance in puberty gives rise to higher doses of insulin usage in treatment. Of this reason new approaches in treatment are needed. Noopept researches suggest it to have anti-diabetic properties. We tried to determine the effects of noopept on pubertal diabetes. MAIN METHOD: The research was made with 60 prepubertal, 28 day-old, male, Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were divided into randomised 6 groups (n = 10/group). i) Control, ii) Diabetes Control, iii) Noopept Control, iv) Diabetes + Noopept, v) Diabetes + Insulin, vi) Diabetes + Insulin + Noopept. T1DM model was induced by streptozotocin on postnatal 28th day. 0.5 mg/kg noopept and 1 IU insulin were administered intraperitoneally for 14 days. Blood glucose and body weight measurements, puberty follow-up and MWM tests were performed. Hippocampus, hypothalamus and testis were evaluated histologically. Hypothalamic GnRH and kisspeptin were studied immunohistochemically. Serum LH, FSH and insulin, hippocampal homogenate NGF and BDNF levels were determined by ELISA. KEY FINDINGS: Delayed puberty was normalized by noopept (p < 0.05). Blood glucose levels were lower in noopept-administered diabetic groups (p < 0.05). Noopept decreased HOMA-IR in insulin administered diabetic group (p < 0.05). Number of degenerated cells in hippocampus and testis were higher in diabetes control group when compared with other groups (p < 0.05). GnRH immunoreactivity in Diabetes + Noopept group was increased when compared to insulin + noopept group (p = 0.018). There was no difference in kisspeptin, serum LH, FSH, hippocampal NGF-BDNF levels and spatial learning assessment among groups (p > 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: Noopept may have positive effect in treatment of pubertal diabetes.

ACA, an inhibitor phospholipases A2 and transient receptor potential melastatin-2 channels, attenuates okadaic acid induced neurodegeneration in rats.

AIM: In recent studies, it has been shown that the Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin-2 Channels (TRPM2) and Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) inhibitors may have a protective effect on neurons. This study was aimed to investigate the protective effect of TRPM2 and PLA2 inhibitor N-(p-amylcinnamoyl) Anthranilic Acid (ACA) in a neurodegenerative model induced by Okadaic Acid (OKA). MAIN METHODS: OKA (200ng/10µl) was administered bilateral intracerebroventricularly as a single injection. KEY FINDINGS: OKA-treated rats showed significant impairments of spatial memory in Morris Water Maze Test. OKA-induced memory-impaired rats showed increased numbers of degenerated neurons and Caspase-3, tau phosphorylated ser396, ß-amyloid positive cells in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Furthermore, OKA-treated rats exhibited significantly increased MDA, TNF-α levels, and decreased SOD, GSH-PX enzyme activates and GSH levels of the tissues. ACA administration ameliorated OKA-induced memory impairment in rats. The ACA treatment also increased SOD and GSH-PX enzyme activation and GSH levels, and conversely decreased the levels of MDA, TNF-α. It was found that the numbers of the degenerated neurons and Caspase-3 positive cells of cortex and hippocampus regions were significantly reduced. SIGNIFICANCE: ACA administration attenuates the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation of OKA-induced neurodegeneration; and ameliorates the cognitive decline and neurodegeneration.

Association of Rho-kinase Gene Polymorphisms with Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Our objective was to determine the association between Rho-kinase (ROCK1 and ROCK2) gene polymorphisms and RDS in preterm neonates. METHODS: A total of 193 preterm infants with RDS and 186 preterm infants without respiratory problems were included in this study. Polymorphisms were analyzed in genomic DNA using a BioMark 96.96 dynamic array system. RESULTS: We observed that ROCK1 gene rs2271255 (Lys222Glu) and rs35996865 polymorphisms, and ROCK2 gene rs726843, rs2290156, rs10178332, and rs35768389 (Asp601Val) polymorphisms were associated with RDS. However, no associations were found with rs73963110, rs1515219, rs965665, rs2230774 (Thr431Asn), rs6755196, and rs10929732 polymorphisms. Additionally, 12 haplotypes (6 in ROCK1 and 6 in ROCK2) were found to be markedly associated with RDS. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to examine the involvement of ROCK gene variation in the risk of incident RDS. The results strongly suggest that ROCK gene polymorphisms may modify individual susceptibility to RDS in the Turkish population.

Cernunnos/XLF Deficiency: A Syndromic Primary Immunodeficiency.

Artemis, DNA ligase IV, DNA protein kinase catalytic subunit, and Cernunnos/XLF genes in nonhomologous end joining pathways of DNA repair mechanisms have been identified as responsible for radiosensitive SCID. Here, we present a 3-year-old girl patient with severe growth retardation, bird-like face, recurrent perianal abscess, pancytopenia, and polydactyly. Firstly, she was thought as Fanconi anemia and spontaneous DNA breaks were seen on chromosomal analysis. After that DEB test was found to be normal and Fanconi anemia was excluded. Because of that she had low IgG and IgA levels, normal IgM level, and absence of B cells in peripheral blood; she was considered as primary immunodeficiency, Nijmegen breakage syndrome. A mutation in NBS1 gene was not found; then Cernunnos/XLF deficiency was investigated due to clinical similarities with previously reported cases. Homozygous mutation in Cernunnos/XLF gene (NHEJ1) was identified. She is now on regular IVIG prophylaxis and has no new infection. Fully matched donor screening is in progress for bone marrow transplantation which is curative treatment of the disease. In conclusion, the patients with microcephaly, bird-like face, and severe growth retardation should be evaluated for hypogammaglobulinemia and primary immunodeficiency diseases.

Retinal fiber layer thickness in children with thalessemia major and iron deficiency anemia.

PURPOSE: We aimed to measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in children with thalassemia major (tha-major), children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and children in a healthy control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 47 children with tha-major and 22 children with IDA were selected from two pediatric hematology outpatient clinics as our experimental groups, while 35 healthy children were randomly selected from a primary school to act as a control group. After a complete eye examination was conducted and intraocular pressure measurements were obtained, RNFL measurements were performed using optical coherence tomography, and the information was recorded for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 9.65 ± 4.13 years in the tha-major group, 9.14 ± 2.53 years in the IDA group, and 9.13 ± 3.29 years in the control group, respectively, with no statistically significant difference among the three groups (p > 0.05). Mean peripapillary RNFL thickness was 119.38 ± 35.49 microns in the tha-major group, 184.00 ± 31.14 microns in the IDA group, and 187.73 ± 27.36 microns in the control group. It was significantly thinner in all quadrants in the tha-major group vs. the other two groups (p < 0.01), and in only the inferior quadrant in the IDA group (p < 0.05). Average RNLF thickness correlated positively with mean hemoglobin value (r = 0.488; p < 0.001) and negatively with mean ferritin level (r = -0.544; p < 0.001), but no correlations with mean number of transfusions and mean visual acuity were observed (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that peripapillary RNFL is thinner in tha-major in all quadrants and in only the inferior quadrant in IDA. Thinning of the RNLF correlated with hemoglobin value and ferritin level, but not with number of transfusions and visual acuity.

A technique for atraumatic extraction of teeth before immediate implant placement using implant drills.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to present a minimally invasive technique using the implant drills to help extract teeth before the insertion of immediate implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients (7 women and 2 men) aged 24 to 60 years having root fractures and dental caries were included in this study. Inclusion criteria for the study were presence of at least 4 mm of bone beyond the root apex, the absence of acute signs of infection or inflammation in the treatment area, and the absence of systemic pathologies that would contraindicate bone healing around implants. Heavy smokers were not included in the study. Extraction was done after thinning the root walls by the help of the implant drills. After extraction, implant sites were prepared and implants were inserted. In 2 of the cases, the peri-implant bone defect was filled with autogenous bone graft. RESULTS: Healing progressed uneventfully in all 9 cases. The use of implant drills to thin the root walls provided atraumatic tooth extraction protecting the thin buccal bone. At second stage surgery, all implants were asymptomatic, immobile, and osseointegrated. The soft tissue anatomy was clinically acceptable in all patients. Radiographic examination of all 9 implants showed no peri-implant radiolucency at the end of a year. CONCLUSION: Successful osseointegration and complete bone healing were observed for all patients. The new extraction technique was found to be effective in immediate implant cases in order not to damage the thin plate of buccal bone.