Thermodynamic and structural investigation of the interaction of quaternized 2,3-octakis-[(2-mercaptopyridine)phthalocyaninato] copper (II) sulfate (CuPc) with parallel and hybrid type G-quadruplex.

G-quadruplexes are important drug targets and get attention due to their existence in telomere, ribosomal DNA, promoter regions of some oncogenes, and the untranslated regions of mRNA. Due to the biological roles of G-quadruplexes, investigating of the G-quadruplex-small molecule interaction is essential. The primary motivation for these studies is the possibility of inhibiting cell functions associated with G-quadruplex sequences by binding with small molecules. Targeting the small molecules to desired tissue with the G-quadruplex vehicles is the second important goal of the G-quadruplex-small molecule interaction studies. In the present study, the new peripherally 2-mercaptopyridine octasubstituted copper(II) phthalocyanine and its quaternized derivative (CuPc) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis FT-IR, UV-Vis, and mass spectra. The excellent solubility of CuPc in water is essential for its transport in the organism. Because of this feature, its affinity toward G-quadruplex forming aptamers, AS1411, Tel21, and Tel45, was investigated. The UV-Vis spectrophotometric titration data confirmed the prevention of aggregation upon interaction with G-quadruplex, which is very important for biomedical applications. The CD spectroscopic analyses and binding stoichiometry confirmed the "end stacking" model for interaction of AS1411 with CuPc. The interaction of CuPc caused the equilibrium shift from hybrid conformation to antiparallel conformation for Tel21 and Tel45. The isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC) was used for the determination of thermodynamic parameters. The thermodynamic data of the interaction was fitted well with the one-site model. The negative values of Gibbs free energy change confirmed the spontaneous nature of the reactions. Besides, the negative values of enthalpy change and entropy change proved that the nature of processes was "enthalpy driven." The interaction stoichiometry was 2 for AS1411 and Tel21 and 1.5 for Tel45. The binding constants were 1.3(±0.3) × 105 , 3.2(±0.4) × 105 , and 1.1(±0.3) × 105 M-1 , which were at the level of ethidium bromide intercalation binding constant given in the literature. The DNA polymerase stop assay further supported the interaction of CuPc with G-quadruplex DNA. The experimental results confirm that the CuPc has a potential photosensitizer behaviour for photodynamic therapy.

The Relationship Among Probable SARCopenia, Osteoporosis and SuprasPinatus Tendon Tears in Postmenopausal Women: The SARCOSP Study.

We aimed to investigate the relationship among probable sarcopenia, osteoporosis (OP) and supraspinatus tendon (SSP) tears in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women screened/followed for OP were recruited. Demographic data, comorbidities, exercise/smoking status, and handgrip strength values were recorded. Probable sarcopenia was diagnosed as handgrip strength values < 20 kg. Achilles and SSP thicknesses were measured using ultrasound. Among 1443 postmenopausal women, 268 (18.6%) subjects had SSP tears. Unilateral tears were on the dominant side in 146 (10.1%) and on the non-dominant side in 55 women (3.8%). In contrast to those without, women with SSP tears had older age, lower level of education, thinner SSP and lower grip strength (all p < 0.05). In addition, they had higher frequencies of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, DM, OP and probable sarcopenia, but lower exercise frequency (all p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression modeling revealed that age [odds ratio (OR): 1.046 (1.024-1.067 95% CI)], hypertension [OR: 1.560 (1.145-2.124 95% CI)], OP [OR: 1.371 (1.022-1.839 95% CI)] and probable sarcopenia [OR: 1.386 (1.031-1.861 95% CI)] were significant predictors for SSP tears (all p < 0.05). This study showed that age, presence of hypertension, probable sarcopenia and OP were related with SSP tears in postmenopausal women. To this end, although OP appeared to be related to SSP tears, SSP tear/thickness evaluation can be recommended for OP patients, especially those who have other risk factors such as older age, higher BMI, hypertension, and probable sarcopenia.

Utilizing Carbon Dots Derived from Waste Face Masks for Pentachlorophenol Detection.

Pentachlorophenol is a very toxic chemical that is used as a pesticide, fungicide, herbicide, wood preservative, etc., and it should be monitored in terms of human health and environmental production. Another environmental problem is the increase in the use of facemasks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides a value added chemicals to sustainability of recycling process. Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized from waste facemasks and investigated their fluorescence sensor performances. UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra of the synthesized carbon dots were recorded in different organic solvents. The sensor properties of these carbon dots against pesticides were investigated, and a 'turn-off' response was observed toward pentachlorophenol. The limit of detection was found 8.5 µM in the linear range from 43.3 µM to 375 µM. This study showed that waste plastics such as facemasks can be recycled to obtain carbon dots, which are used in different technological areas such as photocatalysis, bioimaging, etc., as well as in sensors.

Water-soluble phthalocyanine photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on a photochemical reaction that is started when a photosensitizing process is activated by the light and results in the death of tumor cells. Solubility is crucial in PDT applications to investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of phthalocyanines, but, unfortunately, most phthalocyanines show limited solubility especially in water. To increase the solubility of phthalocyanines in polar solvents and water, ionic groups such as -SO3-, -NR3+, -COO-, and nonionic groups such as polyoxy chains are frequently added to the peripheral or nonperipheral positions of the phthalocyanine framework. Since water-solubility and NIR-absorbing properties are essential for efficient PDT activation, studies have been focused on the synthesis of these types of phthalocyanine derivatives. This review focuses on the photophysical, photochemical, and some in vitro or in vivo studies of the recently published ionic and nonionic phthalocyanine-mediated photosensitizers carried out in the last five years. This review will have positive contributions to future studies on phthalocyanine chemistry and their PDT applications as well as photochemistry.

Efeitos antimicrobianos de cetamina em combinação com propofol: um estudo in vitro / The antimicrobial effects of ketamine combined with propofol: an in vitro study / Efectos antimicrobianos de la cetamina en combinación con el propofol: un estudio in vitro

EXPERIÊNCIA E OBJETIVOS: Cetamina e propofol são os anestésicos gerais que também exibem efeitos antimicrobianos e promotores do crescimento microbiano, respectivamente. Embora esses agentes sejam frequentemente aplicados em combinação durante o uso clínico, não há dados sobre seu efeito total no crescimento microbiano na administração combinada. Nesse estudo, investigamos o crescimento de alguns microrganismos em uma mistura de cetamina e propofol. MÉTODO: Nesse estudo, utilizamos cepas padronizadas: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Candida albicans. Realizamos uma análise de tempo-crescimento para avaliar as taxas de crescimento microbiano em propofol 1%. A atividade antimicrobiana de cetamina, isoladamente e em propofol, foi estudada pelo método de microdiluição. RESULTADOS: Em propofol, as cepas estudadas cresceram de concentrações de 10³-10(4) ufc/mL para > 10(5) ufc/mL, dentro de 8-16 horas, dependendo do tipo de microrganismo. Foram determinadas a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e a concentração bactericida mínima (CBM) (para Candida, concentração fungicida mínima) de cetamina, como se segue (CIM, CBM): E. coli 312,5, 312,5 µg/mL; S.aureus 19,5, 156 µg/mL; P. aeruginosa 312,5, 625 µg/mL; e C. albicans 156, 156 µg/mL. Na mistura cetamina + propofol, cetamina exibiu atividade antimicrobiana para E. coli, P. aeruginosa e C. albicans em CBMs a 1250, 625 e 625 µg/mL, respectivamente. O crescimento de S. aureus não foi inibido nessa mistura (concentração de cetamina = 1250 µg/mL). CONCLUSÃO: Cetamina preservou sua atividade antimicrobiana de maneira dose-dependente contra alguns microrganismos em propofol, que é robusta solução promotora de crescimento microbiano. O uso combinado de cetamina e propofol na aplicação clínica de rotina pode diminuir o risco de infecção causada por contaminação acidental. Entretanto, deve-se ter em mente que cetamina não pode reduzir todas as ameaças patogênicas na mistura com propofol.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ketamine and propofol are the general anesthetics that also have antimicrobial and microbial growth-promoting effects, respectively. Although these agents are frequently applied together during clinical use, there is no data about their total effect on microbial growth when combined. In this study, we investigated some organisms' growth in a ketamine and propofol mixture. METHOD: We used standard strains including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in this study. Time-growth analysis was performed to assess microbial growth rates in 1% propofol. Antimicrobial activity of ketamine, alone and in propofol was studied with microdilution method. RESULTS: In propofol, studied strains grew from 10³-10(4) cfu/mL to >10(5) cfu/mL concentrations within 8-16 hours depending on the type of organism. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) (for candida, minimal fungicidal concentration) of ketamine were determined as follows (MIC, MBC): E.coli 312.5, 312.5 µg/mL; S.aureus 19.5, 156 µg/mL; P.aeruginosa 312.5, 625 µg/mL; and C.albicans 156, 156 µg/ml. In ketamine+propofol mixture, ketamine exhibited antimicrobial activity to E.coli, P.aeruginosa and C.albicans as MBCs at 1250, 625 and 625 µg/mL, respectively. Growth of S. aureus was not inhibited in this mixture (ketamine concentration=1250 µg/mL). CONCLUSION: Ketamine has sustained its antimicrobial activity in a dose-dependent manner against some organisms in propofol, which is a strong microbial growth-promoting solution. Combined use of ketamine and propofol in routine clinical application may reduce the risk of infection caused by accidental contamination. However, one must keep in mind that ketamine cannot reduce all pathogenic threats in propofol mixture.

EXPERIENCIA Y OBJETIVOS: La Cetamina y el propofol son los anestésicos generales que también tienen efectos antimicrobianos y son los promotores del crecimiento microbiano, respectivamente. Aunque esos agentes sean frecuentemente aplicados en combinación durante el uso clínico, no hay datos sobre su efecto total en el crecimiento microbiano en la administración combinada. En ese estudio, investigamos el crecimiento de algunos microrganismos en una mezcla de cetamina y propofol. MÉTODO: En este estudio, utilizamos cepas estandarizadas: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Candida albicans. Realizamos un análisis de tiempo-crecimiento para evaluar las tasas de crecimiento microbiano en el propofol al 1%. La actividad antimicrobiana de cetamina, aisladamente y en propofol, fue estudiada por el método de microdilución. RESULTADOS: En el propofol, las cepas estudiadas crecieron de concentraciones de 10³-10(4) ufc/mL para #> 10(5) ufc/mL, dentro de 8-16 horas, dependiendo del tipo de microrganismo. Fueron determinadas la concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) y la concentración bactericida mínima (CBM) (para Candida, concentración fungicida mínima) de cetamina, como vemos (CIM, CBM): E. coli 312,5, 312,5 µg/mL; S.aureus 19,5, 156 µg/mL; P. aeruginosa 312,5, 625 µg/mL; y C. albicans 156, 156 µg/ml. En la mezcla cetamina + propofol, la cetamina mostró una actividad antimicrobiana para E. coli, P. aeruginosa y C. albicans en CBMs a 1250, 625 y 625 µg/mL, respectivamente. El crecimiento de S. aureus no se inhibió en esa mezcla (concentración de cetamina = 1250 µg/mL). CONCLUSIONES: La cetamina preservó su actividad antimicrobiana de manera dosis-dependiente contra algunos microrganismos en propofol, que es una robusta solución que promueve el crecimiento microbiano. El uso combinado de cetamina y propofol en la aplicación clínica de rutina puede disminuir el riesgo de infección causada por la contaminación accidental. Sin embargo, debemos tener presente que la cetamina no puede reducir todas las amenazas patógenas en la mezcla con el propofol.