Electroporation Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Novel Cu(II) and Fe(II) Complexes in Chemotherapy-Resistant Glioblastoma Cancer Cells.

Schiff base ligand (L) was obtained by condensation reaction between 4-aminopyrimidin-2(1H)-one (cytosine) with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. The synthesized Schiff base was used for complexation with Cu(II) and Fe(II) ions used by a molar (2 : 1 mmol ration) in methanol solvent. The structural features of ligand, Cu(II), and Fe(II) metal complexes were determined by standard spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, elemental analysis, proton and carbon NMR spectra, UV/VIS, and mass spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, thermal analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction). The synthesized compounds (Schiff base and its metal complexes) were screened in terms of their anti-proliferative activities in U118 and T98G human glioblastoma cell lines alone or in combination with electroporation (EP). Moreover, the human HDF (human dermal fibroblast) cell lines was used to check the bio-compatibility of the compounds. Anti-proliferative activities of all compounds were ascertained using an MTT assay. The complexes exhibited a good anti-proliferative effect on U118 and T98G glioblastoma cell lines. In addition, these compounds had a negligible cytotoxic effect on the fibroblast HDF cell lines. The use of compounds in combination with EP significantly decreased the IC50 values compared to the use of compounds alone (p<0.05). These results show that newly synthesized Cu(II) and Fe(II) complexes can be developed for use in the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant U118 and T98G glioblastoma cells and that treatment with lower doses can be provided when used in combination with EP.

Diversity, biogeography, evolutionary relationships, and conservation of Eastern Mediterranean freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae).

Located at the junction between Europe, Africa, and Asia, with distinct evolutionary origins and varied ecological and geographical settings, together with a marked history of changes in orogeny and configuration of the main river basins, turned the Eastern Mediterranean into a region of high diversity and endemism of freshwater taxa. Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionidae) from the Western Palearctic have been widely studied in their European range, but little attention has been dedicated to these taxa in the Eastern Mediterranean region and their diversity and phylogeography are still poorly understood. The present study aims to resolve the diversity, biogeography, and evolutionary relationships of the Eastern Mediterranean freshwater mussels. To that end, we performed multiple field surveys, phylogenetic analyses, and a thorough taxonomic revaluation. We reassessed the systematics of all Unionidae species in the region, including newly collected specimens across Turkey, Israel, and Iran, combining COI + 16S + 28S and COI phylogenies with molecular species delineation methods. Phylogeographical patterns were characterized based on published molecular data, newly sequenced specimens, and species distribution data, as well as ancestral range estimations. We reveal that Unionidae species richness in the Eastern Mediterranean is over 70% higher than previously assumed, counting 19 species within two subfamilies, the Unioninae (14) and Gonideinae (5). We propose two new species, Anodonta seddonisp. nov. and Leguminaia anatolicasp. nov. Six additional taxa, Unio delicatusstat. rev., Unio eucirrusstat. rev., Unio huetistat. rev., Unio sesirmensisstat. rev., Unio terminalisstat. rev. removed from the synonymy of Unio tigridis, as well as Unio damascensisstat. rev. removed from the synonymy of Unio crassus, are re-described. The nominal taxa Unio rothi var. komarowi O. Boettger, 1880 and Unio armeniacus Kobelt, 1911 are proposed as new synonyms of Unio bruguierianus, and Anodonta cyrea Drouët, 1881 and Anodonta cilicica Kobelt & Rolle, 1895 as new synonyms of Anodonta anatina. Also, the presence of Unio tumidus in the Maritza River is confirmed. The phylogeographic patterns described here are interpreted concerning major past geological events. Conservation needs and implications are presented, together with populations and species conservation priorities.

The effect of copolymerization and carbon nanoelements on the performance of poly(2,5-di(thienyl)pyrrole) biosensors.

The development of biosensing interfaces based on copolymerization of benzenamine-2,5-di(thienyl)pyrrole (SNS-An) with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) is reported. Both homopolymer P(SNS-An) and copolymer P(SNS-An-co-EDOT) films were prepared and evaluated, in terms of biosensing efficiency, upon incorporation of carbon nanoelements (carbon nanotubes and fullerene) and cross-linking of glucose oxidase. The copolymer revealed superior performance as a biosensing interface as compared to the homopolymer structure or previously reported P(SNS) biosensors. The analytical characteristics and stability studies were performed both at cathodic potential, monitoring O2 consumption, as a result of catalytic reaction of glucose oxidase towards glucose and at anodic potential, following the oxidation of the H2O2 produced during the catalytic reaction. Whilst the measurements on the positive side offered an extended linear range (0.01-5.0 mM), the negative side provided sensitivity up to 104.96 µA/mMcm-1 within a shorter range. Detection limits were as low as 1.9 µM with Km value of 0.49 mM. Lastly, the most performant biosensing platforms, including copolymeric structure and CNTs were employed for analysis in real samples.

Morphometric analysis of oppiid mites (Acari, Oribatida) collected from Turkey.

In order to assess the relationship between the oppiid mite species (Acari, Oribatida) collected from Turkey, traditional and geometric morphometric methods were used. We have taken photographs of 128 specimens belonging to 11 species from six subfamilies of Oppiidae. These photographs were digitized and 17 interval measurements were taken for traditional morphometric analysis, and 20 landmarks were recognized on the ventral surface of each specimen for geometric morphometric analysis. The effectiveness to separate taxa was compared between the two morphometric analyses. In both dendrograms Oppia nitens formed a single cluster, Oxyoppia ilicaensis was singled out from the remaining nine species, which were clustered together. Two species, Lauroppia fallax and Rhinoppia obsoleta, clustered together implying a very close relationship.