Monovalent ion-graphene oxide interactions are controlled by carboxylic acid groups: Sum frequency generation spectroscopy studies.

Graphene oxide (GO) is a two-dimensional, mechanically strong, and chemically tunable material for separations. Elucidating GO-ion-water interactions at the molecular scale is highly important for predictive understanding of separation systems. However, direct observations of the nanometer region by GO surfaces under operando conditions are not trivial. Therefore, thin films of GO at the air/water interface can be used as model systems. With this approach, we study the effects of alkali metal ions on water organization near graphene oxide films at the air/water interface using vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy. We also use an arachidic acid Langmuir monolayer as a benchmark for a pure carboxylic acid surface. Theoretical modeling of the concentration-dependent sum frequency signal from graphene oxide and arachidic acid surfaces reveals that the adsorption of monovalent ions is mainly controlled by the carboxylic acid groups on graphene oxide. An in-depth analysis of sum frequency spectra reveals at least three distinct water populations with different hydrogen bonding strengths. The origin of each population can be identified from concentration dependent variations of their SFG signal. Interestingly, an interfacial water structure seemed mostly insensitive to the character of the alkali cation, in contrast to similar studies conducted at the silica/water interface. However, we observed an ion-specific effect with lithium, whose strong hydration prevented direct interactions with the graphene oxide film.

In Situ Synchrotron X-ray Scattering Investigation of Cathodic ZIF-8 Deposition on Graphite Using 3D-Printed Cells.

Electrochemical approaches provide unique means to fabricate thin films of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). However, the kinetics of electrochemical MOF deposition has not been quantitatively investigated so far. In this study, we report the first in situ measurements of electrochemical MOF growth using transmission synchrotron X-ray scattering. Electrochemical cells based on poly(lactic acid) with two windows were fabricated using fused-deposition modeling. The resulting three-dimensional (3D)-printed cells, the surface of which was coated with paraffin wax to prevent solvent percolation through the polymer material, were used to monitor the cathodic growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) on graphite in a methanol solution containing ZnCl2 and 2-methylimidazole (Hmim) at different cathodic potentials. The resulting time-resolved X-ray diffraction data showed a gradual increase in crystal size with negligible changes in crystal orientation during the cathodic ZIF-8 deposition. More importantly, the time-resolved data provided a means to quantitatively assess the kinetics of the cathodic ZIF-8 growth using the Gualtieri model, revealing that the cathodic potential and Hmim concentration affected crystal growth kinetics but not nucleation kinetics. These ZIF-8 samples exhibited changes in X-ray diffraction patterns after being washed with methanol and dried in air, indicating that in situ measurements are essential to investigate mechanisms behind MOF electrodeposition.

Aqueous Interfaces in Chemical Separations.

Chemical separations play a vital role in refinery and reprocessing of critical materials, such as platinum group metals, rare earths, and actinides. The choice of separation system─whether it is liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), sorbents, or membranes─depends on specific needs and applications. In almost all separation processes, the desired metal ions adsorb or transfer across an aqueous interface, such as the solid/liquid interface in sorbents or oil/water interfaces in LLE. Despite these separation technologies being extensively used for decades, our understanding of the molecular-scale mechanisms governing ion adsorption and transport at interfaces remains limited. This knowledge gap presents a significant challenge in meeting the increasing demands for these critical materials due to their growing use in advanced technologies. Fortunately, recent advancements in surface-specific experimental and computational techniques offer promising avenues to bridge this gap and facilitate the development of next-generation separation systems. Interestingly, unanswered questions regarding interfacial phenomena in chemical separations hold great relevance to various fields, including energy storage, geochemistry, and atmospheric chemistry. Therefore, the model interfacial systems developed for studying chemical separations, such as amphiphilic molecules assembled at a solid/water, air/water, or oil/water interface, may have far-reaching implications, extending beyond separations and opening doors to addressing a wide range of scientific inquiries. This perspective discusses recent interfacial studies elucidating amphiphile-ion interactions in chemical separations of metal ions. These studies provide direct, molecular-scale information about solute and solvent behavior at aqueous interfaces, including multivalent and complex ions in highly concentrated solutions, which play key roles in LLE of critical materials.

Halotolerant plant growth-promoting bacteria, Bacillus pumilus, modulates water status, chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics and antioxidant balance in salt and/or arsenic-exposed wheat.

Seed priming is an effective and novel technique and the use of eco-friendly biological agents improves the physiological functioning in the vegetative stage of plants. This procedure ensures productivity and acquired stress resilience in plants against adverse conditions without contaminating the environment. Though the mechanisms of bio-priming-triggered alterations have been widely explained under induvial stress conditions, the interaction of combined stress conditions on the defense system and the functionality of photosynthetic apparatus in the vegetative stage after the inoculation to seeds has not been fully elucidated. After Bacillus pumilus inoculation to wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum), three-week-old plants were hydroponically exposed to the alone and combination of salt (100 mM NaCl) and 200 µM sodium arsenate (Na2HAsO4·7H2O, As) for 72 h. Salinity and As pollutant resulted in a decline in growth, water content, gas exchange parameters, fluorescence kinetics and performance of photosystem II (PSII). On the other hand, the seed inoculation against stress provided the alleviation of relative growth rate (RGR), relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll fluorescence. Since there was no effective antioxidant capacity, As and/or salinity caused the induction of H2O2 accumulation and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances content (TBARS) in wheat . The inoculated seedlings had a high activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) under stress. B. pumilis decreased the NaCl-induced toxic H2O2 levels by increasing peroxidase (POX) and enzymes/non-enzymes related to ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle. In the presence of As exposure, the inoculated plants exhibited an induction in CAT activity. On the other hand, for H2O2 scavenging, the improvement in the AsA-GSH cycle was observed in bacterium priming plants plus the combined stress treatment. Since B. pumilus inoculation reduced H2O2 levels against all stress treatments, lipid peroxidation subsequently decreased in wheat leaves. The findings obtained from our study explained that the seed inoculation with B. pumilus provided an activation in the defense system and protection in growth, water status, and gas exchange regulation in wheat plants against the combination of salt and As.

The effect of hydrochlorothiazide on the recurrence of nonmelanoma skin cancer: a 7-year retrospective study comprising 300 patients.

BACKGROUND: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) possesses well-described photosensitizing properties, and a causal association with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was recently shown. However, previous studies have not shown whether HCTZ use is associated with the risk of recurrence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study aims to investigate the association between HCTZ use and recurrence in patients with NMSC. METHODS: We identified cases with NMSC from our hospital archives during the period between 2013 and 2019. Patients were divided into groups according to the pathological diagnosis, HCTZ use, and recurrence. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine factors associated with recurrence in BCC and SCC. RESULTS: Recurrences of BCC were significantly higher in HCTZ users with ORs of 4.839221 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-19.12).In HCTZ users, NMSC cases were associated with increased age (p < 0.001 for both BCC and SCC). BCC recurrences were statistically significant with age, longer follow-up, and positive margins after excision in HCTZ users (p = 0.048, 0.020, and, 0.003, respectively). SCC recurrences were not significantly associated with HCTZ use. DISCUSSION: HCTZ use is significantly associated with BCC recurrences. Especially in the elderly population, cases with a positive margin should be followed closely.

Spontaneous and Ion-Specific Formation of Inverted Bilayers at Air/Aqueous Interface.

Developing better separation technologies for rare earth metals, an important aspect of a sustainable materials economy, is challenging due to their chemical similarities. Identifying molecular-scale interactions that amplify the subtle differences between the rare earths can be useful in developing new separation technologies. Here, we describe the ion-dependent monolayer to inverted bilayer transformation of extractant molecules at the air/aqueous interface. The inverted bilayers form with Lu3+ ions but not with Nd3+. By introducing Lu3+ ions to preformed monolayers, we extract kinetic parameters corresponding to the monolayer to inverted bilayer conversion. Temperature-dependent studies show Arrhenius behavior with an energy barrier of 40 kcal/mol. The kinetics of monolayer to inverted bilayer conversion is also affected by the character of the background anion, although anions are expected to be repelled from the interface. Our results show the outsized importance of ion-specific effects on interfacial structure and kinetics, pointing to their role in chemical separation methods.

Ortho-hydroxy bioactive schiff base compounds: Design, comprehensive characterization, photophysical properties and elucidation of antimicrobial and mutagenic potentials.

Preparation and comprehensive characterization of three Schiff base ligands; with trimethoxy substitution (1E,1'E)-N,N'-(naphthalene-1,5-diyl)bis(1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methanimine, 1, with ortho-hydroxy substitution 6,6'-((1E,1'E)-(naphthalene-1,5-diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(2-methoxyphenol), 2 and 3,4-bis(((E)-2-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzylidene)amino)benzoicacid, 3 and their Ni(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Fe(II), Mn(II) complexes have been reported. Their spectral properties were studied in solution and solid-state by a combination of different analytical techniques; FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermal analysis. Diamagnetic and paramagnetic natures of the complexes were also determined by magnetic susceptibility measurements in solid-state. Promising photophysical properties were observed as; Amax. were recorded at 226 nm for 2; at 795 nm for 2-Ni, at 782 nm for 2-Cu, at 784 nm for 2-Co, at 702 nm for 2-Zn, at 784 nm for 2-Fe, at 702 nm for 2-Mn and at 289 nm for 3, at 786 nm for 3-Ni, at 797 nm for 3-Cu, at 746 nm for 3-Co, at 794 nm for 3-Zn, at 699 nm for 3-Fe, at 781 nm for 3-Mn ; and Imax were also recorded at; 380, 490, 725 nm for 2 and 2-Metal; 375 nm, 510 nm, 725 nm for 3 and 3-Metal when excitated at 220 nm. Antibacterial activities against different microorganisms; Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 70603, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43,300 (MRSA), Salmonella enteritidis ATTC 13076, Sarcina lutea ATCC 9341, Bacillus cereus ATTC 11778, and antifungal activities against Candida albicans NRRL Y-417 of the compounds 1, 2, 3, 2-Cu, 2-Fe, 3-Zn, 3-Fe were determined. Mutagenic properties of the compounds were also studied and according to the results 2-Cu and 3 have been found non-mutagenic in Ames test but also they have strong antimicrobial potential against pathogen microorganisms. For 2-Cu MIC values were ranging between 0.39 and 0.024 mg/ml and the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (0.024 mg/ml) was determined against E. coli. The 3 numbered compound revealed strong antimicrobial activity at doses of ranging between 0.39 and 0.097 mg/ml and E. coli was the most sensitive bacterium against this chemical.

Childhood Maltreatment and Mid-Life Adult Sexuality: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study.

One important long-term outcome of childhood maltreatment is thought to be impairments in intimate relationships. However, the specific nature of these impairments is not well understood. To address this gap, we examined the long-term relation of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse/neglect to four key aspects of sexuality in women and men: importance of sex, intimacy in sex, pain during sex, and pleasure during sex. As part of the U.S. longitudinal National Survey of Midlife Development, 807 participants in their mid-life (410 women, 397 men) completed measures of recollected childhood maltreatment and current aspects of adult sexuality. These measures were obtained at baseline (at which time the mean age was 53.28 years (SD = 10.97) and again 10 years later. For women at baseline, emotional abuse was positively associated with pleasure, emotional neglect was negatively associated with intimacy and with pleasure, physical abuse was positively associated with pain, and physical neglect was associated with importance of sex. For men, no significant associations were found. Prospectively, for women, sexual abuse predicted increases in pleasure during sex, and physical abuse significantly predicted increases in pain during sex. For men, physical neglect significantly predicted increases in pain. We discuss these sex differences and the role these results may play in the detrimental long-term effects of childhood maltreatment.

New-onset cutaneous nodule arising from hypertrichotic brownish patch in a 6-year-old girl.

A 6-year-old girl presented with an enlarging asymptomatic nodule within a hyperpigmented hypertrichotic patch on her left thigh. Histopathological examination revealed tumour cells with round to fusiform nuclei in a fine fibrillary collagenous stroma, along with increased cellularity. Most of the tumour cells were positive for S-100 and negative for HMB-45 and Melan-A.

Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam. at the Forefront of Pharma to Confront Zika Virus and Microbial Infections-An In Vitro and In Silico Perspective.

The recent emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil and the increasing resistance developed by pathogenic bacteria to nearly all existing antibiotics should be taken as a wakeup call for the international authority as this represents a risk for global public health. The lack of antiviral drugs and effective antibiotics on the market triggers the need to search for safe therapeutics from medicinal plants to fight viral and microbial infections. In the present study, we investigated whether a mangrove plant, Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam. (B. gymnorhiza) collected in Mauritius, possesses antimicrobial and antibiotic potentiating abilities and exerts anti-ZIKV activity at non-cytotoxic doses. Microorganisms Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 70603, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 (MRSA), Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Sarcina lutea ATCC 9341, Proteus mirabilis ATCC 25933, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 and Candida albicans ATCC 26555 were used to evaluate the antimicrobial properties. Ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and streptomycin antibiotics were used for assessing antibiotic potentiating activity. ZIKVMC-MR766NIID (ZIKVGFP) was used for assessing anti-ZIKV activity. In silico docking (Autodock 4) and ADME (SwissADME) analyses were performed on collected data. Antimicrobial results revealed that Bruguiera twig ethyl acetate (BTE) was the most potent extract inhibiting the growth of all nine microbes tested, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.19-0.39 mg/mL. BTE showed partial synergy effects against MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa when applied in combination with streptomycin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. By using a recombinant ZIKV-expressing reporter GFP protein, we identified both Bruguiera root aqueous and Bruguiera fruit aqueous extracts as potent inhibitors of ZIKV infection in human epithelial A549 cells. The mechanisms by which such extracts prevented ZIKV infection are linked to the inability of the virus to bind to the host cell surface. In silico docking showed that ZIKV E protein, which is involved in cell receptor binding, could be a target for cryptochlorogenic acid, a chemical compound identified in B. gymnorhiza. From ADME results, cryptochlorogenic acid is predicted to be not orally bioavailable because it is too polar. Scientific data collected in this present work can open a new avenue for the development of potential inhibitors from B. gymnorhiza to fight ZIKV and microbial infections in the future.

The Effects of Adipose Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction and Platelet-Rich Plasma on Bone Healing of a Rat Model With Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impairs osteoblast/osteoclast balance and damages bone structure with diminished mineralization and results in bone restoration disorders. In this study, we investigate the effects of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on bone healing model in rats with CKD. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into 4 groups. All groups except group I (healthy control) had CKD surgery using 5/6 nephrectomy model. All groups had intramedullary pin fixation after receiving bone fracture using drilling tools. Group II rats were used as control group for CKD. Group III rats received PRP treatment on fracture site. Group IV rats received PRP and stromal vascular fraction treatment on fracture site.Weight loss and blood samples were followed at the time of kidney surgery, third, sixth, and 12th weeks. Bone healing and callus formations were compared, biomechanically, radiologically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically. Osteoblastic transformation of stem cells was assessed with DiI staining. RESULTS: Negative effects of CKD on bone healing were reduced by increasing mechanical, histological, radiological, and biochemical properties of the bone with stromal vascular fraction and PRP treatments. Although thickness of callus tissue delayed bone healing process, it also enhanced biomechanical features and bone tissue organization. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet-rich plasma and adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction treatments were effective for bone healing in animal model, which can be promising for clinical trials.

Longitudinal Associations Between Provision of Autonomy Support and Well-Being in Spouses of Individuals With Chronic Pain.

BACKGROUND: Caregiving spouses of individuals with chronic pain often experience poor well-being. PURPOSE: The current study aimed to examine the association between chronic pain-related provision of autonomy support and well-being in support providers (spouses) of individuals with chronic pain. METHODS: Spouses of individuals with a diagnosed musculoskeletal chronic pain condition (N = 172) were recruited for a five-time point longitudinal study. Participants completed the questionnaires once every 6 months across 2 years. In a follow-up diary study, participants (N = 41) completed daily records of provision of autonomy support and well-being. RESULTS: Multilevel analyses showed that provision of autonomy support was associated with greater well-being in support providers at both within-person and between-person levels. Longitudinal cross-lagged analyses also provided some evidence that it is provision of autonomy support that predicts well-being, and not the opposite. These effects held true in the follow-up diary study; however, some findings also suggested that the short-term associations between provision of autonomy support and well-being could be reciprocal. CONCLUSIONS: Current findings extend the existing literature by suggesting provision of autonomy support as a beneficial type of support for the provider within the chronic pain context and lay the groundwork for caregiver-focused interventions.

Spousal autonomy support, need satisfaction, and well-being in individuals with chronic pain: A longitudinal study.

The present research examined the effect of spousal autonomy support on the need satisfaction and well-being of individuals with chronic pain. Married individuals with a diagnosed musculoskeletal chronic pain condition (N = 109) completed a baseline questionnaire and a follow-up questionnaire after a 6-month time period. Cross-lagged analyses indicated that spousal autonomy support predicted increases in basic need satisfaction, and need satisfaction predicted increases in well-being. Moreover, the analyses in the opposite direction were not significant. Similarly, cross-lagged analyses were more supportive of the direction from pain intensity to lower well-being, rather than well-being to pain intensity. Finally, we tested a longitudinal structural model using pain intensity and spousal autonomy support as the predictors, basic needs as the mediator, and well-being as the outcome. The model provided a good fit to the data. Results showed that spousal autonomy support had a positive effect on the need satisfaction and well-being of individuals with chronic pain, independent of pain intensity. These findings extend self-determination theory to the chronic pain context and lay the groundwork for future chronic pain studies using the self-determination theory framework.

Multicomponent pattern and biological activities of seven Asphodeline taxa: potential sources of natural-functional ingredients for bioactive formulations.

The current study was carried out to evaluate multicomponent pattern, biological and enzymatic activities of seven Asphodeline taxa root extracts as useful ingredients, due to the fact that these plants are commonly used as traditional food supplements in Turkish regions. The extracts were characterized for free anthraquinones and phenolics to obtain a specific chemical fingerprint useful for quality control. These analyzes were coupled to biological and enzymatic activities in order to obtain comprehensive information of the natural product. Free anthraquinones and phenolics were determined using validated HPLC-PDA methods. Antioxidant properties were determined by different procedures including free radical scavenging, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating assays. Ames assay was performed to evaluate mutagenic/antimutagenic properties. Enzyme inhibitory activities were tested against cholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. From the herein reported results, Asphodeline could be valuable for the production of bioactive products or food supplements for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

In vitro screening for antiviral activity of Turkish plants revealing methanolic extract of Rindera lanata var. lanata active against human rotavirus.

BACKGROUND: Human rotavirus (HRoV) is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and children under the age of five years. No specific antiviral drug is available for HRoV infections and the treatment of viral diarrhea is mainly based on rehydration and zinc treatment. In this study, we explored medicinal plants endemic to Turkey flora as a source of anti-HRoV compunds. METHODS: We performed an antiviral screening on Ballota macrodonta, Salvia cryptantha and Rindera lanata extracts by focus reduction assay. The extract with the highest selectivity index (SI) was selected; its antiviral activity was further confirmed against other HRoV strains and by virus yield reduction assay. The step of viral replicative cycle putatively inhibited was investigated by in vitro assays. RESULTS: The methanolic extract of R. lanata (Boraginaceae) showed the most favourable selectivity index. This extract exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory activity against three different HRoV strains (EC50 values ranging from 5.8 µg/ml to 25.5 µg/ml), but was inactive or barely active against other RNA viruses, namely human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. The R. lanata extract targets the early steps of HRoV infection, likely by hampering virus penetration into the cells. CONCLUSION: These results make the R. lanata methanolic extract a promising starting material for a bioguided-fractionation aimed at identifying anti-HRoV compounds. Further work is required to isolate the active principle and assess its clinical potential.

Omega (Ω) Advancement Flap: A Circular Flap Design for the Aesthetic Closure of Circular Skin Defect.

BACKGROUND: Most skin defects that require reconstruction with a local skin flap have a circular- or oval-shaped pattern. The majority of the skin flaps are planned in an angled shape. Therefore, it may be necessary to modify the shape of the defect or the distal flap border to minimize tissue distortion. We have designed a circular-shaped advancement flap to be compatible with the circular defect. METHODS: Eighteen cases of reconstruction of skin defects in the face, chest wall, hand and buttock area were performed using the omega advancement flap between 2010 and 2014. In this technique, a circular-shaped flap that has an equal diameter with the defect is planned adjacent to the defect. To facilitate the advancement of the flap and to avoid standing cones, deepithelialized equilateral triangular flaps are designed on both sides of the main circular flap. The circular flap is easily moved to the defect by pulling of the triangular flaps with minimal tension. RESULTS: All flaps survived without complication such as infection, hematoma or flap necrosis. No secondary surgery was required to correct contour deformities such as standing cones and trap-door deformities. The results were satisfactory aesthetically and functionally. CONCLUSIONS: The omega advancement flap is an easy and reliable procedure for reconstruction of circular skin defects located on various anatomical regions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Molecular Scale Description of Anion Competition on Amine-Functionalized Surfaces.

Many industrial and biological processes involve the competitive adsorption of ions with different valencies and sizes at charged surfaces; heavy and precious metal ions are separated on the basis of their propensity to adsorb onto interfaces, often as anionic ion clusters (e.g., [MClx]n-). However, very little is known, both theoretically and experimentally, about the competition of factors that drive preferential adsorption, such as charge density or valence, at interfaces in technologically relevant systems. There are even contradictory pictures described by interfacial studies and real life applications, such as chlorometalate extractions, in which charge diffuse chlorometalate ions are extracted efficiently even though charge dense chloride ions present in the background are expected to occupy the interface. We studied the competition between divalent chlorometalate anions (PtCl62- and PdCl42-) and monovalent chloride anions on positively charged amine-functionalized surfaces using in situ specular X-ray reflectivity. Chloride anions were present in vast excess to simulate the conditions used in the commercial separation of heavy and precious metal ions. Our results suggest that divalent chlorometalate adsorption is a two-step process and that the divalent anions preferentially adsorb at the interface despite having a charge/volume ratio lower than that of chloride. These results provide fundamental insight into the structural mechanisms that underpin transport in phases that are relevant to heavy and precious metal ion separations, explaining the high efficiency of low charge density ion transport processes in the presence of charge dense anions.

Assessment of antimutagenic action of Celtis glabrata Steven ex Planch. (Cannabaceae) extracts against base pair exchange and frame shift mutations on Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains by Ames test.

CONTEXT: Celtis glabrata is used in Turkey for the treatment of various health disorders. OBJECTIVE: The acetone, chloroform, ethanol, and methanol extracts of C. glabrata leaf, fruit, and seed were investigated to evaluate their antimutagenic activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The antimutagenicity of these extracts was determined by Ames test against mutagens (4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine, 2-aminofluorene (2-AF), and sodium azide (SA)). The extracts were used at concentrations between 5 and 0.005 mg/plate. RESULTS: The ethanol extracts of leaves exhibited strong antimutagenicity (70%) against 2-AF with S9 at 5 mg/plate on TA98. But methanol (61%, 53%) and acetone (53%, 52%) also revealed strong inhibition rates at concentrations of ≥ 0.5 mg/plate. Among the extracts, the highest activity (96%) was obtained from acetone extract against SA without S9, followed by chloroform extract (91%) at a dose of 5 mg/plate on TA100 with S9. Ethanol (without S9) and chloroform (with S9) extracts showed strong antimutagenicity at all doses. Exception of chloroform and acetone (without S9), all fruit extracts (with/without S9) manifested strong antimutagenicity at doses of ≥ 0.5 mg/plate on TA98 strain. Ethanol extracts revealed 68% inhibition against 2-AF on TA98. Acetone and ethanol extracts manifested 84% and 82% inhibition against SA on TA100, respectively. All the extracts of seeds revealed strong inhibition against 2-AF at ≥ 0.5 mg/plate doses on TA98, but acetone extract showed excellent antimutagenicity (94%). Moreover, the chloroform (74, 73, 63, 54%), acetone (74, 72, 70, 65%) and methanol (74, 67, 63, 61%) extracts of seeds revealed strong antimutagenic activity on TA100 against SA with S9. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This plant may be natural source of antimutagenic agents.

The effect of hesperetin on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat ovary.

PURPOSE: Hesperidin (HES), a citrus fruit extract, has beneficial effects on various ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) models. We aimed to evaluate the possible positive effects of hesperetin (HPT), an active metabolite of HES, on a rat ovarian I/R model. METHODS: We divided 24 Wistar Albino rats into four groups. Group I (n = 6) was sham operated, Group II (n = 6) was the I/R group, Group III (n = 6) was the I/R + solvent group and Group IV (n = 6) was the I/R + HPT group. Three hours of ischemia and 3 h of reperfusion were performed on each rat in Groups II, III, and IV. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was given intraperitoneally to the rats in the III. Group, and 50 mg/kg of HPT dissolved in DMSO was given intraperitoneally to the rats in the IV. Group 30 min before reperfusion. After 3 h of reperfusion, the ipsilateral ovaries of the rats were examined immunohistochemically to detect apoptosis. RESULTS: Hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining demonstrated less edema and hemorrhage in the group where HPT was applied. Caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining showed significantly lower apoptosis in the group where HPT was used when compared to either the I/R or solvent group. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that shows the beneficial effects of HPT in an ovarian I/R injury. HPT improved tissue damage and apoptosis caused by I/R injury. To identify the possible positive effects of HPT in ovarian torsion of humans and use in clinical practice, more studies must be performed.

Bilateral propeller flap closure of large meningomyelocele defects.

BACKGROUND: Meningomyelocele is a defect of the spinal cord, vertebral spine, and overlying skin and is the most common form of spinal dysraphism. Multiple methods of soft tissue closure for larger myelomeningocele defects have been described, including skin grafting, random fasciocutaneous flaps, skin undermining with relaxing incisions, and musculocutaneous flaps. Most current methods for closure of defects of 8 cm and greater and kyphotic spines usually remains inadequate. In this study, we present our clinical experience with a new surgical procedure, bilateral propeller (BP) flaps based on dorsal intercostal and lumbar artery perforator, for the closure of large thoracolumbar meningomyelocele defects. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between January 2011 and April 2012, 7 newborns (5 males and 2 females) with thoracolumbar large meningomyelocele were included in the study. Six patients had lumbar kyphosis. Myelomeningocele defects with a mean size of 89.3 cm (range, 58.9-136.8) were closed with BP flaps. RESULTS: All flaps survived; hematoma, seroma, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, or infection was not observed. No patients required any surgical revisions. The patients had a follow-up of 4 to 16 months with a mean of 10 months, and no long-term complications, including necrosis of flap edges, wound breakdown, or instability, have been apparent in our series. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the BP flaps represent a useful tool in the management of soft tissue defects associated with especially kyphotic large thoracolumbar and lumbosacral myelomeningoceles.