Evaluation of the ICT Tuberculosis test for the routine diagnosis of tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is crucial to facilitate early treatment of infectious cases and thus to reduce its spread. To improve the diagnosis of TB, more rapid diagnostic techniques such as antibody detection methods including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based serological tests and immunochromatographic methods were developed. This study was designed to evaluate the validity of an immunochromatographic assay, ICT Tuberculosis test for the serologic diagnosis of TB in Antalya, Turkey. METHODS: Sera from 72 patients with active pulmonary (53 smear-positive and 19 smear-negative cases) and eight extrapulmonary (6 smear-positive and 2 smear-negative cases) TB, and 54 controls from different outpatient clinics with similar demographic characteristics as patients were tested by ICT Tuberculosis test. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of the ICT Tuberculosis test for pulmonary TB were 33.3%, 100%, and 52.9%, respectively. Smear-positive pulmonary TB patients showed a higher positivity rate for antibodies than smear-negative patients, but the difference was not statistically significant. Of the eight patients with extrapulmonary TB, antibody was detected in four patients. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ICT Tuberculosis test can be used to aid TB diagnosis in smear-positive patients until the culture results are available

AMFR dysfunction causes autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia in human that is amenable to statin treatment in a preclinical model

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are rare, inherited neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorders that mainly present with lower limb spasticity and muscle weakness due to motor neuron dysfunction. Whole genome sequencing identified bi-allelic truncating variants in AMFR, encoding a RING-H2 finger E3 ubiquitin ligase anchored at the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in two previously genetically unexplained HSP-affected siblings. Subsequently, international collaboration recognized additional HSP-affected individuals with similar bi-allelic truncating AMFR variants, resulting in a cohort of 20 individuals from 8 unrelated, consanguineous families. Variants segregated with a phenotype of mainly pure but also complex HSP consisting of global developmental delay, mild intellectual disability, motor dysfunction, and progressive spasticity. Patient-derived fibroblasts, neural stem cells (NSCs), and in vivo zebrafish modeling were used to investigate pathomechanisms, including initial preclinical therapy assessment. The absence of AMFR disturbs lipid homeostasis, causing lipid droplet accumulation in NSCs and patient-derived fibroblasts which is rescued upon AMFR re-expression. Electron microscopy indicates ER morphology alterations in the absence of AMFR. Similar findings are seen in amfra-/- zebrafish larvae, in addition to altered touch-evoked escape response and defects in motor neuron branching, phenocopying the HSP observed in patients. Interestingly, administration of FDA-approved statins improves touch-evoked escape response and motor neuron branching defects in amfra-/- zebrafish larvae, suggesting potential therapeutic implications. Our genetic and functional studies identify bi-allelic truncating variants in AMFR as a cause of a novel autosomal recessive HSP by altering lipid metabolism, which may potentially be therapeutically modulated using precision medicine with statins

Bmp7 Regulates the Survival, Proliferation, and Neurogenic Properties of Neural Progenitor Cells during Corticogenesis in the Mouse

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are considered important regulators of neural development. However, results mainly from a wide set of in vitro gain-of-function experiments are conflicting since these show that BMPs can act either as inhibitors or promoters of neurogenesis. Here, we report a specific and non-redundant role for BMP7 in cortical neurogenesis in vivo using knockout mice. Bmp7 is produced in regions adjacent to the developing cortex; the hem, meninges, and choroid plexus, and can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. Bmp7 deletion results in reduced cortical thickening, impaired neurogenesis, and loss of radial glia attachment to the meninges. Subsequent in vitro analyses of E14.5 cortical cells revealed that lack of Bmp7 affects neural progenitor cells, evidenced by their reduced proliferation, survival and self-renewal capacity. Addition of BMP7 was able to rescue these proliferation and survival defects. In addition, at the developmental stage E14.5 Bmp7 was also required to maintain Ngn2 expression in the subventricular zone. These data demonstrate a novel role for Bmp7 in the embryonic mouse cortex: Bmp7 nurtures radial glia cells and regulates fundamental properties of neural progenitor cells that subsequently affect Ngn2-dependent neurogenesis

Systematic Review of Potential Health Risks Posed by Pharmaceutical, Occupational and Consumer Exposures to Metallic and Nanoscale Aluminum, Aluminum Oxides, Aluminum Hydroxide and Its Soluble Salts

Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous substance encountered both naturally (as the third most abundant element) and intentionally (used in water, foods, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines); it is also present in ambient and occupational airborne particulates. Existing data underscore the importance of Al physical and chemical forms in relation to its uptake, accumulation, and systemic bioavailability. The present review represents a systematic examination of the peer-reviewed literature on the adverse health effects of Al materials published since a previous critical evaluation compiled by Krewski et al. (2007). Challenges encountered in carrying out the present review reflected the experimental use of different physical and chemical Al forms, different routes of administration, and different target organs in relation to the magnitude, frequency, and duration of exposure. Wide variations in diet can result in Al intakes that are often higher than the World Health Organization provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), which is based on studies with Al citrate. Comparing daily dietary Al exposures on the basis of “total Al”assumes that gastrointestinal bioavailability for all dietary Al forms is equivalent to that for Al citrate, an approach that requires validation. Current occupational exposure limits (OELs) for identical Al substances vary as much as 15-fold. The toxicity of different Al forms depends in large measure on their physical behavior and relative solubility in water. The toxicity of soluble Al forms depends upon the delivered dose of Al+ 3 to target tissues. Trivalent Al reacts with water to produce bidentate superoxide coordination spheres [Al(O2)(H2O4)+ 2 and Al(H2O)6 + 3] that after complexation with O2•−, generate Al superoxides [Al(O2•)](H2O5)]+ 2. Semireduced AlO2• radicals deplete mitochondrial Fe and promote generation of H2O2, O2 • − and OH•. Thus, it is the Al+ 3-induced formation of oxygen radicals that accounts for the oxidative damage that leads to intrinsic apoptosis. In contrast, the toxicity of the insoluble Al oxides depends primarily on their behavior as particulates. Aluminum has been held responsible for human morbidity and mortality, but there is no consistent and convincing evidence to associate the Al found in food and drinking water at the doses and chemical forms presently consumed by people living in North America and Western Europe with increased risk for Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD). Neither is there clear evidence to show use of Al-containing underarm antiperspirants or cosmetics increases the risk of AD or breast cancer. Metallic Al, its oxides, and common Al salts have not been shown to be either genotoxic or carcinogenic. Aluminum exposures during neonatal and pediatric parenteral nutrition (PN) can impair bone mineralization and delay neurological development. Adverse effects to vaccines with Al adjuvants have occurred; however, recent controlled trials found that the immunologic response to certain vaccines with Al adjuvants was no greater, and in some cases less than, that after identical vaccination without Al adjuvants. The scientific literature on the adverse health effects of Al is extensive. Health risk assessments for Al must take into account individual co-factors (e.g., age, renal function, diet, gastric pH). Conclusions from the current review point to the need for refinement of the PTWI, reduction of Al contamination in PN solutions, justification for routine addition of Al to vaccines, and harmonization of OELs for Al substances

The thermal and detailed kinetic analysis of dipicolinate complexes

The [Cu(pydc)(eim)(3)]center dot H2O(1), [Cu(pydc)(4hp)(H2O)] (2) and [Ni(pydc)(3hp)(H2O)(2)][Cu(pydc)(3hp)(H2O)(2)]center dot 3H(2)O (3) complexes (H(2)pydc = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid or dipicolinic acid, eim = 2-ethylimidazole, 4hp = 4-hydroxypyridine, 3hp = 3-hydroxypyridine) were studied by thermo-gravimetric analysis at an ambient temperature up to 1000 K under nitrogen atmosphere. The complexes are stable about 350 K, and the decomposition reactions were carried out in seven, three and four stages for the complexes 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Following detailed thermogravimetrical analysis of the complexes, the decomposition mechanism was suggested for all complexes. The kinetic analysis of all decomposition stages of each compound was performed except for the final stages. The values of the activation energy, Ea, were obtained using model-free Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose and Flyn-Wall-Ozawa methods for all decomposition stages

Methanol Fuel Cells

A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts a source fuel into an electrical current. It generates electricity inside a cell through reactions between a fuel and an oxidant, triggered in the presence of an electrolyte. Fuel cells have been attracting more and more attention in recent decades due to high-energy demands, fossil fuel depletions, and environmental pollution throughoutworld. Afacile and cost-effective catalysts have been developed on polyoxometalate (NaPWO) functionalized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with several mono-metallic and bi-metallic nanoparticles such as platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) and platinum-palladium nanoparticles (Pt-PdNPs). The successful synthesis of nanomaterials and the prepared glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surfaces were confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. According to TEM images, the average particle sizes of PtNPs and PdNPs were found to be approximately 20-30 nm. The Pt-PdNPs/NaPWO/GQDs also exhibited a higher peak current for methanol oxidation than those of comparable PdNPs/NaPWO/GQDs and PtNPs/NaPWO/GQDs, thus providing evidence for its higher electro-catalytic activity. (C) 2016 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved

polyoxometalate for Li-ion battery

In the present study, we report the green and one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on as-prepared novel polyoxometalate {[Ni-2,Ni-5(Hpen)(4)(PW9O34)] center dot 5H(2)O} (POM) without any reducing agent and its application as improved anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The structure of the AgNPs involved POM (AgNPs/POM) nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The synthesized POM was also characterized by elemental analysis and thermal analysis. The electrochemical performances of the POM, AgNPs, and AgNPs/POM composites were measured for charge/discharge specific capacities at different current rates in CR2032 coin-type cells. The prepared AgNPs/POM composite showed a high specific gravimetric capacity of about 1760 mAh g(-1) and long-term cycle stability

Syntheses of crystal structures and in vitro cytotoxic activities of new copper(II) complexes of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate

TAS, MURAT/0000-0002-2879-6501; Koyundereli CILGI, Gulbanu/0000-0002-0016-019XWOS: 000362682600005[Cu(pydc)(im)](n) (1), [Cu(pydc)(mim)(3)].2H(2)O (2), [Cu(pydc)(ampy)(H2O)].H2O (3), and [Cu(pydc)(phen)][Cu(Hpydc)(2)] (4) (H(2)pydc=2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid or dipicolinic acid, im=imidazole, mim=2-methylimidazole, ampy=2-amino-4-methylpyridine, and phen=1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic measurements (UV-vis and IR spectra) and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1, 2 and 3 were studied by thermogravimetric analysis from ambient temperature to 1100K under nitrogen and thermal stabilities were investigated. The effects of complexes on proliferation of fibrosarcoma cells were investigated using the Quick Cell Proliferation Assay. The cell viability changes depend on the concentrations and type of complexes. According to cell proliferation/viability data, 4 was determined to be the most cytotoxic.Dumlupinar UniversityDumlupinar University [20012/22]This work was supported by Dumlupinar University [project number 20012/22]

Minutes, April 19, 1972

[Cu(pydc)(eim)(3)].H2O (1), [Cu(pydc)(4hp)(H2O)] (2), and [Ni(pydc)(3hp)(H2O)(2)][Cu(pydc)(3hp)(H2O)(2)].3H(2)O (3) (H(2)pydc=2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid or dipicolinic acid, eim=2-ethylimidazole, 4hp=4-hydroxypyridine, 3hp=3-hydroxypyridine) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic measurements (UV-vis and IR spectra), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal analysis revealed that the complexes extended to 3-D supramolecular networks through intermolecular H-bonding and molecular interactions between the ligand moieties and water molecules. The thermal stabilities of complexes are investigated by thermogravimetry, differential thermogravimetry, and differential thermal analysis techniques. The effects of complexes on the proliferation of HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells were investigated using the quick cell proliferation assay. The cell viability changes were found to depend on the concentrations and type of complex