Transferrin-Decorated Niosomes with Integrated InP/ZnS Quantum Dots and Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Dual Targeting and Imaging of Glioma

The development of multifunctional nanoscale systems that can mediate efficient tumor targeting, together with high cellular internalization, is crucial for the diagnosis of glioma. The combination of imaging agents into one platform provides dual imaging and allows further surface modification with targeting ligands for specific glioma detection. Herein, transferrin (Tf)-decorated niosomes with integrated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) and quantum dots (QDs) were formulated (PEGNIO/QDs/MIONs/Tf) for efficient imaging of glioma, supported by magnetic and active targeting. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the complete co-encapsulation of MIONs and QDs in the niosomes. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated enhanced cellular uptake of the niosomal formulation by glioma cells. In vitro imaging studies showed that PEGNIO/QDs/MIONs/Tf produces an obvious negative-contrast enhancement effect on glioma cells by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and also improved fluorescence intensity under fluorescence microscopy. This novel platform represents the first niosome-based system which combines magnetic nanoparticles and QDs, and has application potential in dual-targeted imaging of glioma

Utility investigation of automated techniques in hematopoietic progenitor cell count and viability assessment in the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) settingg

Aim: To compare our parameters as regards: i) cell count via two different automated cell count techniques, and ii) viability via automated trypan blue exclusion and 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) staining. Method: We used the trypan blue exclusion technique and an automated cell counter and for viability testing, and the trypan blue exclusion technique and the 7-AAD evaluation by flow cytometry. The trypan blue exclusion and the radio frequency techniques were used for automated cell counting. Flow cytometric analysis was performed by evaluating the yielded cellular products for 7-AAD uptake during the cell count of CD34+ cells. Results: The mean values for cell count were estimated as 3.44±1.22x106/ml (range, 2.48-5.71x106/ml) and 4.14±1.94x106/ml (range, 1.77-7.43x106/ml) for the trypan blue exclusion and radio frequency techniques, respectively. Additionally, the mean values for viability analyses via the automated trypan blue exclusion and 7-AAD were 93.38±6.09% (range, 79.00-98.00%) and 99.49±0.60% (range, 98.40-100.00%), respectively. Conclusions: Our study has responded to two fundamental questions: whether the results of both of the automated techniques for cell count correspond with each other, and whether the results of the automated viability assessment conform those of the 7-AAD technique during the manufacturing processes of cellular therapy products intended for clinical use. Even though we have the opportunity to use the hemocytometer in our laboratory setting, the automated trypan blue exclusion technique gives cell count results in concordance within the range of the expectations of our Quality Management System (QMS)

Evaluation of the necessity of contrast in the follow-up MRI of schwannomas

WOS: 000294197400005PubMed ID: 20981645PURPOSE The purpose of our study was to determine whether gadolinium is necessary in follow-up MRIs for evaluating vestibular schwannomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of 49 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of 20 vestibular schwannoma patients was performed. Patients received between 1 and 4 follow-up scans, and the mean follow-up period was 15.3 months. Two radiologists independently reviewed the initial and follow-up MRI examinations. Tumor measurements obtained using the constructive interference in steady state (CISS) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1W) sequences were compared. Both radiologists used both of the sequences to analyze any differences in the tumor sizes measured in consecutive MRI scans. RESULTS The linear anteroposterior and transverse tumor diameter measurements obtained by the two observers using both sequences were strongly correlated (r = 0.962-0.987, P < 0.001). The observers agreed to a very high degree when detecting changes in the tumor size using the CISS sequence (kappa = 0.902, P = 0.0001), whereas the agreement with the contrast-enhanced T1W sequence was good but not as good (kappa = 0.706, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION CISS, as a contrast-free sequence, may be an option in regular follow-up MRIs of vestibular schwannomas

in vitro Selection of Aptamer for Imidacloprid Recognition as Model Analyte and Construction of a Water Analysis Platform

Evran, Serap/0000-0001-6676-4888; Ceylan, Ayse Elcin/0000-0002-0591-6080;WOS: 000535246200001Pesticide use in agriculture is one of the threats to water safety. Therefore, detection of pesticide residues is crucial for human health. Compared to conventional chromatographic methods, aptasensors are promising tools for fast, cheap and sensitive detection of environmental contaminants. To the best of our knowledge, such an aptasensor has not been reported for imidacloprid (Imi) which is one of the most widely used pesticides. in order to meet this demand, we initially selected two novel aptamers designated as 'Apta-1' and 'Apta-2' by graphene oxide-SELEX (GO-SELEX) method. Then, these aptamers were used to fabricate the gold electrode-based aptasensor platforms and characterized by using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as well as X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the limit of detection value of Apta-1 based sensor for the Imi was found better than Apta-2 based system, although linear ranges were similar. Based on that finding, Apta-1 based system was further tested against possible interference molecules. the proposed platform was successfully used for detection of very low concentrations of Imi in the range of ng/mL. Thus, it eliminates the need for sample pre-treatment and enables a practical analysis in real wastewater samples.EUEuropean Union (EU); FCT under the ERA-NET Cofund WaterWorks 2015 Call [Water-Works2015-AGRINUPES]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [117Y195]; Republic of Turkey, Ministry of DevelopmentTurkiye Cumhuriyeti Kalkinma Bakanligi [2016K121190]The authors would like to thank the EU and FCT for funding, in the frame of the collaborative international consortium AGRINUPES financed under the ERA-NET Cofund WaterWorks 2015 Call (Project code: Water-Works2015-AGRINUPES, Project name: Integrated monitoring and control of water, nutrients and plant protection products towards a sustainable agricultural sector). This ERA-NET is an integral part of the 2016 Joint Activities developed by the Water Challenges for a Changing World Joint Programme Initiative (Water JPI). This research was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Project Grant No: 117Y195). This work was also partially supported by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development (Project Grant No: 2016K121190). Ege University Central Research Testing and Analysis Laboratory Research and Application Center (EGE-MATAL) chromatography laboratories were used in this study. Also, we thank to Turkish Water Institute (SUEN) due to their contributions as one of the partner Institute in Turkey

Sensor Platform with a Custom-Tailored Aptamer for Diagnosis of Synthetic Cannabinoids

Ceylan, Ayse Elcin/0000-0002-0591-6080; Evran, Serap/0000-0001-6676-4888; BALABAN, Simge/0000-0002-4540-1882WOS: 000505868000001Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are the large group of abused drugs and detection of them is still a challenge. Hence, new methods for analysis of SCs are being investigated. We aimed to develop a novel system for selective analysis of SCs. First, various custom-tailored aptamers against the target SCs were selected through GO-SELEX process. Toggling between different SC analytes during successive rounds of selection was performed to generate cross-reactive aptamers. Then, the amino-capped aptamers were synthesized and easily attached to the cysteamine-covered gold electrodes. Analytical parameters and selectivity of the aptasensors were compared by using electrochemical techniques. After comparison of the analytical features and selectivity towards target analytes, one of the aptamers designated as Apta-1 was chosen for further measurements. the aptasensor was tested by using differential pulse voltammetry technique against JWH-018 (5-pentanoic acid), selected as a model for SCs. the linearity and limit of detection were determined as 0.01-1.0 ng/mL and 0.036 ng/mL. Finally, sample application in synthetic urine samples was successfully performed with standard addition method, as confirmed by LC-QTOF/MS. JWH-018 (4-hydroxypentyl), JWH-073 (3-hydroxybutyl), JWH-250 (5-hidroxypentyl) and HU-210 were used to test the selectivity of the aptasensor and the system was shown to recognize all these SCs. Also other illegal drugs did not significantly interfere with the signal responses.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [117Z152]; Republic of Turkey, Ministry of DevelopmentTurkiye Cumhuriyeti Kalkinma Bakanligi [2016K121190]; Ege University Central Research Testing and Analysis Laboratory Research and Application Center (EGE-MATAL)This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Project Grant No: 117Z152). This work was also supported by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development (Project Grant No: 2016K121190) and Ege University Central Research Testing and Analysis Laboratory Research and Application Center (EGE-MATAL) chromatography laboratories were used in this study

Clustering current climate regions of Turkey by using a multivariate statistical method

In this study, the hierarchical clustering technique, called Ward method, was applied for grouping common features of air temperature series, precipitation total and relative humidity series of 244 stations in Turkey. Results of clustering exhibited the impact of physical geographical features of Turkey, such as topography, orography, land-sea distribution and the high Anatolian peninsula on the geographical variability. Based on the monthly series of nine climatological observations recorded for the period of 1970-2010, 12 and 14 clusters of climate zones are determined. However, from the comparative analyses, it is decided that 14 clusters represent the climate of Turkey more realistically. These clusters are named as (1) Dry Summer Subtropical Semihumid Coastal Aegean Region; (2) Dry-Subhumid Mid-Western Anatolia Region; (3 and 4) Dry Summer Subtropical Humid Coastal Mediterranean region [(3) West coast Mediterranean and (4) Eastern Mediterranean sub-regions]; (5) Semihumid Eastern Marmara Transition Sub-region; (6) Dry Summer Subtropical Semihumid/Semiarid Continental Mediterranean region; (7) Semihumid Cold Continental Eastern Anatolia region; (8) Dry-subhumid/Semiarid Continental Central Anatolia Region; (9 and 10) Mid-latitude Humid Temperate Coastal Black Sea Region [(9) West Coast Black Sea and (10) East Coast Black Sea sub-regions]; (11) Semihumid Western Marmara Transition Sub-region; (12) Semihumid Continental Central to Eastern Anatolia Sub-region; (13) Rainy Summer Semihumid Cold Continental Northeastern Anatolia Sub-region; and (14) Semihumid Continental Mediterranean to Eastern Anatolia Transition Sub-region. We believe that this study can be considered as a reference for the other climate-related researches of Turkey, and can be useful for the detection of Turkish climate regions, which are obtained by a long-term time course dataset having many meteorological variables

Has the climate been changing in Turkey? Regional climate change signals based on a comparative statistical analysis of two consecutive time periods, 1950-1980 and 1981-2010

In this study, the climate zones of Turkey were re-examined using different objective statistical tests based on the differences in the behaviour of meteorological variables, and a comparative analysis of 2 consecutive periods was performed statistically. The data consisted of total precipitation, and minimum, maximum and mean air temperature series recorded from 1950-2010 at 244 climatological/meteorological stations operated by the Turkish Meteorological Service. K-means and hierarchical clustering methods were applied separately to each variable to obtain surface air temperature and precipitation patterns in Turkey for the periods of 1950-1980 and 1981-2010. Paired-samples Student's t-test (paired t-test) and Pitman-Morgan (P-M) t-test were used to detect possible changes in the mean and variance of the series in the transition from one period to the other. The results of the analysis reveal that the climate characteristics of Turkey are generally similar for the temperature series under study. However, there are some changes in the existing geographical patterns of the climate regions. Statistical tests show that all 3 air temperature series increased after 1980. The major changes appeared in the precipitation regions of Turkey: there were significant changes in the continental central, central-west and central-east Anatolia regions, and in the continental north and eastern Anatolia region. It was also apparent that precipitation amounts increased in the northern and eastern regions of Turkey after 1980, but amounts decreased in the west, central and southern regions, most of which are generally characterized as having a dry summer subtropical Mediterranean climate

Transferrin-Decorated Niosomes with Integrated InP/ZnS Quantum Dots and Magnetic Iron Oxide NanopArticles: Dual Targeting and Imaging of Glioma

The development of multifunctional nanoscale systems that can mediate efficient tumor targeting, together with high cellular internalization, is crucial for the diagnosis of glioma. The combination of imaging agents into one platform provides dual imaging and allows further surface modification with targeting ligands for specific glioma detection. Herein, transferrin (Tf)-decorated niosomes with integrated magnetic iron oxide nanopArticles (MIONs) and quantum dots (QDs) were formulated (PEGNIO/QDs/MIONs/Tf) for efficient imaging of glioma, supported by magnetic and active targeting. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the complete co-encapsulation of MIONs and QDs in the niosomes. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated enhanced cellular uptake of the niosomal formulation by glioma cells. In vitro imaging studies showed that PEGNIO/QDs/MIONs/Tf produces an obvious negative-contrast enhancement effect on glioma cells by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and also improved fluorescence intensity under fluorescence microscopy. This novel platform represents the first niosome-based system which combines magnetic nanopArticles and QDs, and has application potential in dual-targeted imaging of glioma.This research was partially funded by Niedersachsisches Ministerium fur Wissenschaft und Kultur through the Quantum- and Nano-Metrology (QUANOMET) initiative (ZN3245) within the project NP-1. Moreover, we acknowledge support from the German Research Foundation and the Open Access Publication Funds of Technische Universitat Braunschweig.Niedersachsisches Ministerium fur Wissenschaft und Kultur through the Quantum- and Nano-Metrology (QUANOMET) initiative [ZN3245, NP-1]; German Research Foundation; Open Access Publication Funds of Technische Universitat Braunschwei

Electrochemical sensors targeting salivary biomarkers: A comprehensive review

salama, khaled Nabil/0000-0001-7742-1282; Ceylan, Ayse Elcin/0000-0002-0591-6080; Wolfbeis, Otto S./0000-0002-6124-2842; Mani, PhD, MRSC, Veerappan/0000-0002-0756-7398WOS:000620153500008The analysis of salivary markers has grown into a promising non-invasive route for easy, safe, and pain-free monitoring and has the potential to alter the existing way of clinical diagnosis and management. Advancements in sensing technology, the arrival of novel materials, the innovative fabrication technologies, and sampling accuracy have made significant progress and establishing saliva as a fluid for routine analysis. Salivary biomarkers are useful to diagnose not only cardiovascular diseases, bacterial or viral infections but also cancer, diabetes, or Alzheimer's disease. in addition, saliva is analyzed in toxicology, forensic medicine and drug abuse. Electrochemical assays and sensors are well accepted tools because they allow for fast and cost-effective analysis. Nanomaterials, microfluidics, smartphones, paper-based, flexible and wearable devices have made significant advancements in saliva analysis. This review discusses the recent progress made in electrochemical methodologies for detecting salivary biomarkers. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi ArabiaKing Abdullah University of Science & TechnologyThis work was supported financially by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia

Experimental, spectroscopic and theoretical investigation of (+)-(R)-5-[1-(Benzenesulfonamido)-2-phenylethyl]-4-phenethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione

In this study, an enantiomerically pure triazole derivative, namely, (+)-(R)-5-[1-(benzenesulfonamido)-2-phenylethyl]-4-phenethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione was successfully synthesized in high yield and characterized by spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR and UV-Vis) and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis revealed the nature of intermolecular contacts, the fingerprint plots, and molecular surface contours. All theoretical computations were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP method with the help of 6-311G(d,p) basis set. Chemical activity descriptors were studied for global (HOMO, LUMO, hardness, and softness parameters) and local (MEP, Fukui function, net charges). The stability of the molecule arising from hyper conjugative interactions, charge delocalization was analyzed by using natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) and in the continuation of the study, nonlinear optical properties were examined. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved