Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Phenols incorporating 2- or 3-pyridyl-ethenylcarbonyl and tertiary amine moieties strongly inhibit Saccharomyces cerevisiae β-carbonic anhydrase

A series of phenols incorporating tertiary amine and trans-pyridylethenyl-carbonyl moieties were assayed as inhibitors of the beta-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ScCA. One of these compounds was a low nanomolar ScCA inhibitor, whereas the remaining ones inhibited the enzyme with K(I)s in the range of 23.5-95.4 nM. The off-target human (h) isoforms hCA I and hCA II were much less inhibited by these phenols, with K(I)s in the range of 0.78-23.5 mu M (hCA I) and 10.8-52.4 mu M (hCA II). The model organism S. cerevisiae and this particular enzyme may be useful for detecting antifungals with a novel mechanism of action compared to the classical azole drugs to which significant drug resistance emerged

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Ionic Liquid Based Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction for Preconcentration of Zearalenone and Its Determination in Beer and Cereal Samples by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection

A simple, fast, and efficient ionic liquid based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction has been developed for the determination of trace amounts of zearalenone for the first time. Preconcentrated zearalenone was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector. Two ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide and 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide were used as extraction solvents. Several analytical parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as sample pH, type, and volume of dispersive solvent, volume of ionic liquid, time of extraction, and centrifugation were optimized. The 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide showed the better extraction efficiency. Thus, the method validation and the application of the method to real samples were carried out with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curve for zearalenone determination was linear in the range of 1-750 mu gL(-1)(R-2=0.9960) and the limit of detection was 0.25 mu gL(-1) for zearalenone. The inter-day and intra-day precisions of the developed method were in the range of 1.36-3.02%. The method was successfully applied to beer and cereal (wheat and corn) samples. The recovery percentages of zearalenone for spiked samples were between were 80.0 and 100.0%

Donor age and long-term culture affect differentiation and proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (BM-hMSCs) represent a promising cell-based therapy for a number of degenerative conditions. Many applications require cell expansion and involve the treatment of diseases and conditions found in an aging population. Therefore, the effects of donor age and long-term passage must be clarified. In this study, the effects of donor age and long-term passage on the morphology, proliferation potential, characteristics, mesodermal differentiation ability, and transdifferentiation potential of hMSCs towards neurogenic lineage were evaluated. Cells from child donors (0-12 years, n = 6) maintained their fibroblast-like morphology up to higher passages and proliferated in a greater number than those from adult (25-50 years, n = 6) and old (over 60 years, n = 6) donors. Adipogenic, osteogenic, and neurogenic differentiation potential decreased with age, while chondrogenic potential did not change. Long-term passage affected the morphology and proliferation of hMSCs from all ages. With increasing passage number, proliferation rate decreased and cells lost their typical morphology. Expression levels of neural markers (beta III tubulin and NSE) and topo II isoforms in populations of nondifferentiated hMSCs were investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. While neural marker and topo II beta expression levels increased due to increasing passage number in adult hMSCs compared to child hMSCs, topo II alpha decreased in both. These results indicated that, even under highly standardized culture conditions, donor age and long-term passage have effects on hMSC characteristics, which should be taken into account prior to stem cell-based therapies

Polygala Turcica (Polygalaceae), a New Species from E Turkey, and a New Identification Key to Turkish Polygala

Polygala turcica Donmez & Ugurlu (Polygalaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Kars province in E Turkey. It is similar to P. peshmenii Eren & al., but is clearly isolated from the other species of Polygala sect. Polygala with respect to habit and morphological characters. Morphology, including that of pollen, is discussed with respect to taxonomic value. The conservation status of the new species is assessed. A new identification key is provided for all Polygala species known from Turkey

Diagnostic efficacy and importance of fine-needle aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules

Background: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules is an easy and cost-effective method. The increase in malignancy rates of the excised nodules due to the high sensitivity and specificity rates of the FNAC is remarkable. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of FNAC in the evaluation of thyroid nodules by comparing the results with histopathologic evaluation and comparing the consistency of the results with the literature. Materials and Methods: In this study, 1607 FNACs of 1333 patients which were classified according to the Bethesda system and 126 histopathological evaluations obtained from this group were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 51.24 (range: 17-89, 17% male and 83% female). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy rates were evaluated. Results: The sensitivity was 87.1% and specificity was 64.6%. The positive and negative predictive value and accuracy rates were 76.1%, 79.5%, and 77.3%, respectively. Conclusions: In our study, the evaluation of thyroid FNAC samples with Bethesda system highly correlated with the results of histopathological diagnosis. However, combination of additional and advanced diagnostic methods such as immunocytochemical studies and molecular pathology techniques enhance the prognostic value of FNAC in patients with atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance, lesions suspicious for malignancy, and suspected follicular neoplasm

Pollen Morphology In The Tribe Nigelleae (Ranunculaceae): A Worldwide Palynological Investigation Into The Species

The pollen morphology of many collections of taxa of the tribe Nigelleae from the family Ranunculaceae which occur worldwide is presented in this study. A total of 88 specimens from 21 taxa, some of which were recently proposed, belonging to the genera Komarojjia, Garidella, and Nigella of Nigelleae were examined using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the tribe, the pollen type is mostly trizonocolpate, but in many taxa and specimens, both trizonocolpate and non-trizonocolpate types occur together. The pollen grains are small to medium (25-53.75 mu m x 20-55 mu m) in size and oblate to prolate in shape. The exine pattern at the mesocolpium in all the taxa investigated is similar: micro-echinate in LM and micro-echinate-punctate in SEM. The colpus membrane in Komaroffia and Ntgella is micro-echinate in both LM and SEM. In Garidella, it is micro-echinate in LM but echinate (spinulose) in SEM. In this study, multivariate analyses, principal component analysis (PCA). and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). were used to evaluate relationships between the genera and species within the tribe with respect to pollen morphology. PCA results show three main groups in the tribe: Gartdella. Komaroffia, and Mgella. Moreover, the UPGMA tree also chiefly supports generic segregation into the smaller genera. An overall synthesis of the pollen characteristics of the three genera is provided and discussed.Wo

Misdiagnosed Intracranial Tuberculoma

Although tuberculosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is rarely seen, it may cause neurological sequelae and mortality if treatment is delayed. A nine-year-old girl was admitted to our clinic with the complaint of convulsion. Since her convulsions were persistent, steroid treatment had been administered for acute disseminated encephalomyelitis based on the cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the examination of the patient, who was brought to our clinic due to recurrent convulsions, no pathological finding was detected except for bilateral papilledema. The tuberculin skin test revealed an induration of 19 mm. The positive tuberculin skin test, history of contact with an individual with tuberculosis, and findings indicating tuberculosis in the thorax and cranial imaging were assessed together with the symptoms and examination findings of the patient, and intracranial tuberculoma diagnosis was made. Antituberculosis treatment and dexamethasone treatment were initiated. No complications were observed in the two-year follow-up of the patient. Intracranial tuberculoma is a rare form of CNS tuberculosis with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Because clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings are nonspecific, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of CNS disorders. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a better prognosis

Impact of Superoxide Dismutase-Gliadin on Radiation-induced Fibrosis: An Experimental Study

Aim: Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) has since long been considered as irreversible. Further understanding of its mechanisms has led to trials investigating RIF treatment and prevention. The effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-gliadin, an oral form of SOD that resists gastrointestinal inactivation, on RIF treatment was evaluated in this experimental study. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 Wistar albino mice were randomly distributed into four groups. According to group, 25 Gy radiation or sham-radiation were performed on day 0. Acute and late reactions were recorded. After 6 months, mice were treated with SOD-gliadin, 10,000 units per kg per day, or placebo. SOD-gliadin and placebo treatments were administered daily for 8 days by oral gavage. Later the mice were sacrificed, dissected and histopathologically analyzed. Accumulated hyaline and collagen at the dermis is an indicator of fibrosis. Therefore measurements of the dermal thickness were used to quantify the degree of RIF. Additionally, the morphological changes were analyzed, and the differences reported. Results: The mean and standard deviation for dermal thickness were 0.45 +/- 0.09 mm in the sham-irradiated placebo-treated group, 0.51 mm +/- 0.16 mm in the sham-irradiated SOD-gliadin-treated group, 0.92 mm +/- 0.23 mm in the irradiated placebo-treated group and 0.71 mm +/- 0.17 mm in the irradiated SOD-gliadin-treated group. The difference in mean dermal thickness between irradiated placebo-treated and irradiated SOD-gliadin-treated mice was statistically significant (p=0.002). Conclusion: Quality of life while prolonging survival has an increasing importance in patients with cancer. RIF can be a crucial problem after all radiotherapy modalities. SOD-gliadin has advantageous effects on conditions that call for an increased expression of antioxidant enzymes. The results of our study suggest that oral SOD-gliadin may prevent or ameliorate RIF and patients can benefit from the positive effects of SOD