The Protective Effect of N-Acetylcysteine Amide Against Paraquat-Induced Neurotoxicity

N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) is a new antioxidant molecule with powerful radical scavenging properties. The aim of this study was to investigate neuroprotective effects of NACA against paraquat (PQ) toxicity in the midbrains of rats by using motor coordination tests and biochemical and histological analysis. Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Group 1: control (n = 10), Group 2: PQ (10 mg/kg) (n = 10), and Group 3: PQ (10 mg/kg) + NACA (100 mg/kg) (n = 10). NACA was administrated intraperitoneally 30 min before PQ injection. Performance was measured for a period of 28 days. The rotarod and accelerod tests were performed prior to and after the experimental period. After the experimental period, rats were sacrificed and midbrain tissues were removed. According to biochemical data, malondialdehyde levels exhibited a significant increase (P \u3c 0.05) when the PQ group was compared to the control group, whereas the NACA-treated group showed a significant decline (P \u3c 0.05). The total glutathione levels (P \u3c 0.01) and the glutathione peroxidase and butyrylcholinesterase activities (P \u3c 0.05) in the NACA treatment group were significantly raised compared with the PQ group. The main finding in the rotarod and accelerod tests was that the PQ+NACA group had improved motor coordination functions, whereas the PQ group had lost motor coordination (P \u3c 0.05). Our histological data were also outstanding and were consistent with biochemical and motor coordination results in terms of the protective role of NACA against PQ-induced neurotoxicity

A Confirmatory Test for Sperm in Sexual Assault Samples Using a Microfluidic Integrated Cell Phone Imaging System

Rapid and efficient processing of sexual assault evidence to accelerate forensic investigation and decrease casework backlogs is urgently needed. Therefore, the standardized protocols currently used in forensic laboratories can benefit from continued innovation to handle the increasing number and complexity of samples being submitted to forensic labs. To our knowledge, there is currently no available rapid and portable forensic screening technology based on a confirmatory test for sperm identification in a sexual assault kit. Here, we present a novel forensic sample screening tool, i.e., a microchip integrated with a portable cell phone imaging platform that records and processes images for further investigation and storage. The platform (i) precisely and rapidly screens swab samples (\u3c15 min after sample preparation on-chip); (ii) selectively captures sperm from mock sexual assault samples using a novel and previously published SLeX-based surface chemistry treatment (iii) separates non-sperm contents (epithelial cells and debris in this case) out of the channel by flow prior to imaging; (iv) captures cell phone images on a portable cellphone-integrated imaging platform, (v) quantitatively differentiates sperm cells from epithelial cells, using a morphology detection code that leverages Laplacian of Gaussian and Hough gradient transform methods; (vi) is sensitive within a forensic cut-off (\u3e95% accuracy) compared to the manual counts; (vii) provides a cost-effective and timely solution to a problem which in the past has taken a great deal of time; and (viii) handles small volumes of sample (20 μL). This integration of the cellphone imaging platform and cell recognition algorithms with disposable microchips can be a new direction toward a direct visual test to screen and differentiate sperm from epithelial cell types in forensic samples for a crime laboratory scenario. With further development, this integrated platform could assist a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) in a hospital or sexual assault treatment center facility to flag sperm-containing samples prior to further downstream testing

BIO-INSPIRED MAGNETIC BEADS FOR ISOLATION OF SPERM FROM HETEROGENOUS SAMPLES IN FORENSIC APPLICATIONS

Rapid and efficient processing of sexual assault evidence will accelerate forensic investigation and decrease casework backlogs. The standardized protocols currently used in forensic laboratories require the continued innovation to handle the increasing number and complexity of samples being submitted to forensic labs. Here, we present a new technique leveraging the integration of a bio-inspired oligosaccharide ( i.e., Sialyl‐Lewis X ) with magnetic beads that provides a rapid, inexpensive, and easy-to-use strategy that can potentially be adapted with current differential extraction practice in forensics labs. This platform (i) selectively captures sperm; (ii) is sensitive within the forensic cut-off; (iii) provides a cost effective solution that can be automated with existing laboratory platforms; and (iv) handles small volumes of sample (∼200 μL). This strategy can rapidly isolate sperm within 25 minutes of total processing that will prepare the extracted sample for downstream forensic analysis and ultimately help accelerate forensic investigation and reduce casework backlogs

Determination of Antioxidant Capacity using Different Acidified Solvents and Element Contents of Allium Tuncelianum: A Regional and Varietal Study on Endemic Edible Garlic

Allium tuncelianum (Tunceli garlic), an endemic and threatened plant species in the Tunceli province of Eastern Turkey, is an important native source for local people. The antioxidant activities of the acidified extracts of water, acetonitrile, methanol, and ethanol of Allium tuncelianum were investigated using five antioxidant capacity tests. The results indicated that methanol extract efficiencies of garlic samples using the ABTS, CUPRAC, and reducing power capacities were higher than the other extracts. Water extract and acetonitrile extract values were highest for total phenolic content and metal chelating activities, respectively. Moreover, the element contents such as calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), and zinc (Zn) of Allium tuncelianum samples digested by microwave and ashing ovens were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the results were compared statistically. The Ca, Cu, K, Mg, and Zn concentrations using the microwave method were found to be higher than the ashing procedure. However, the Fe, Mn, and Na concentrations using the ashing method were found to be higher than those using the the microwave protocol

Design of Xylose-Based Semisynthetic Polyurethane Tissue Adhesives with Enhanced Bioactivity Properties

Developing biocompatible tissue adhesives with high adhesion properties is a highly desired goal of the tissue engineering due to adverse effects of the sutures. Therefore, our work involves synthesis, characterization, adhesion properties, protein adsorption, <i>in vitro</i> biodegradation, <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> biocompatibility properties of xylose-based semisynthetic polyurethane (NPU-PEG-X) bioadhesives. Xylose-based semisynthetic polyurethanes were developed by the reaction among 4,4′-methylenebis­(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (MCI), xylose and polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG). Synthesized polyurethanes (PUs) showed good thermal stability and high adhesion strength. The highest values in adhesion strength were measured as 415.0 ± 48.8 and 94.0 ± 2.8 kPa for aluminum substrate and muscle tissue in 15% xylose containing PUs (NPU-PEG-X-15%), respectively. The biodegradation of NPU-PEG-X-15% was also determined as 19.96 ± 1.04% after 8 weeks of incubation. Relative cell viability of xylose containing PU was above 86%. Moreover, 10% xylose containing NPU-PEG-X (NPU-PEG-X-10%) sample has favorable tissue response, and inflammatory reaction between 1 and 6 weeks implantation period. With high adhesiveness and biocompatibility properties, NPU-PEG-X can be used in the medical field as supporting materials for preventing the fluid leakage after abdominal surgery or wound closure