Template synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes over iron impregnated mesoporous silica MCM-41 by chemical vapor deposition technique

BN nanotubes were successfully grown over iron impregnated MCM-41 at a relatively low temperature of 750oC for 1 hour by CVD technique. BN nanotubes were obtained after the purification procedure including HCl and HNO3 treatments to remove impurities. SEM image showed the formation of nano-fibrous network BN structures in the diameter range of 20 nm to 40 nm. Both XRD and FTIR characterization results supported the formation of h-BN and c-BN nanostructures. Oxidative TGA results indicated that the synthesized BN nanostructures were thermally stable at temperatures higher than 550oC. Hydrogen storage measurements via IGA showed that BNNTs could adsorb 0.85 wt% hydrogen which was two times larger than for commercial CNTs

Mirisetinin Peripubertal Dönemdeki Erkek Sıçanlarda Tiroid Gonadal Eksen Üzerine Etkilerinin Araştırılması

In the present study, we investigated the estrogenic effects of myricetin comparing with 17β estradiol via ʺPubertal development and thyroid function in intact peripubertal male ratsʺ assay. For this purpose, myricetin was administered at 25 mg kg day and 50 mg kg day dose levels by gavage for 30 days. During the experiment, the day of preputial seperation (PPS) and the body weights on the day of PPS were determined in rats. At the end of the experiment period blood samples were taken and whole blood count performed while T3,TSH and T4 hormone levels and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein, albumine, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose levels were determined in serum samples. Testis, epididymes, seminal vesicle, prostate and thyroid were dissected and potential histopathologic findings monitorized in different magnifications by light microscopy.Bu çalışmada, sebze ve meyvelerde yaygın bulunan bir flavonoid mirisetinin östrojenik etkisi, 17β östradiyol ile karşılaştırılarak jüvenil peripubertal erkek sıçanlarda pubertal gelişim ve tiroid fonksiyon analizi yapılarak incelenmiştir. Bu amaçla mirisetin 30 gün süreyle 25 mg kg gün ve 50 mg kg gün dozlarında, gavaj yoluyla uygulanmıştır. Deney süresince sıçanlarda prepüsyal ayrımın (PPS) gerçekleştiği yaş ve vücut ağırlığı tespit edilmiştir. Deney süresi sonunda sıçanlardan alınan kan örneklerinde tam kan sayımı, serum örneklerinde alanin aminotransferaz (ALT), aspartat transaminaz (AST), üre- nitrojen (BUN), total protein, glikoz, laktat dehidrogenaz (LDH), kreatin ve albumin ile T3,T4 ve TSH seviyeleri ölçülmüştür. Testis, epididimis, seminal vezikül, prostat ve tiroid dokularının ağırlıkları kaydedilmiş ve rölatif organ ağırlıkları hesaplanmıştır. Dokularda oluşabilecek histopatolojik etkiler ışık mikroskobunda incelenmiş ve değişik büyütmeler ile görüntülenmiştir

OKB hastalarında düşük dereceli inflamasyonla klinik ve sosyodemografik özelliklerin ilişkisi

Amaç: Son yıllarda inflamasyonun obsesif kompulsif bozuklukluğun (OKB) etyolojisindeki rolüne ilişkin kanıtlar artmaktadır. Bildiğimiz kadarıyla, OKB'li olgularda C-reaktif protein (CRP) ile klinik ve demografik özellikleri arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmış herhangi bir çalışma yoktur. Bu çalışmada OKB'li olgularda CRP düzeyleri ile psikopatolojik ve demografik değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiyi değerlendirmeyi amaçladık. Yöntem: OKB tanısı konmuş ardışık 98 ayaktan hasta ayrıntılı olarak değerlendirildi. Inflamasyon göstergesi olarak değerlendirme sırasında bakılan CRP sonuçları hastaların bilgisayar kayıtlarından araştırıldı. Rutin olarak bakılan tetkiklerinde CRP kesme değeri 3 mg/dl olarak kabul edilerek (3 olan hastalar yüksek CRP; 3 olan hastalar normal CRP grubu) iki grup karşılaştırıldı. Bulgular: Elli sekiz hasta (%59.2) normal CRP, 40 hasta (%40.8) yüksek CRP olarak sınıflandırıldı. Yüksek CRP düzeyi grubunun iç görü düzeyleri anlamlı olarak diğer gruba göre daha kötüydü. Yüksek CRP grubundaki hastaların normal olan gruba göre anlamlı olarak daha yüksek oranda intihar girişimi, OKB için pozitif aile öyküsü olduğu ve daha erken hastalık başlangıç yaşına sahip oldukları bulundu. Lojistik regresyon analizinde üç değişkenin hastaların yüksek CRP grubunda olma riskini anlamlı yordadığı saptandı: İç görü düzeyleri, hastalığın başlangıç yaşı, OKB aile öyküsü. Sonuç: Bulgularımız OKB'li olgularda düşük dereceli inflamasyonla iç görünün, hastalık başlangıç yaşının, intiharın ve OKB için pozitif aile öyküsünün ilişkisine işaret etmektedir. Gelecek çalışmalarda CRP düzeyinde uzunlamasına dönemdeki değişimlerin, OKB'de psikopatoloji ile ilişkisinin araştırılması hastalığınObjective: To our knowledge, no study has specifically examined the relationship between C-reactive protein CRP levels and clinical features in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), even though inflammation plays a role in the etiology of OCD. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between CRP levels and psychopathological and demographic variables in OCD. Methods: Ninety-eight consecutive outpatients with a diagnosis of OCD underwent a detailed clinical assessment for OCD. The study also utilized a cross-sectional patients' records design for obtaining CRP levels. Two groups of patients were compared by CRP levels at the cutoff of 3 mg/dl (high vs. normal). Results: Patients with high CRP levels exhibited worse insight, had earlier age of illness onset, higher rates of previous suicide attempts and positive family history for OCD compared to subjects with normal CRP levels. The logistic regression included three predictive variables for CRP status in patients with OCD (a) YBOCS-insight scores (b) age at onset and (c) family history of OCD. Conclusion: Our data indicates a significant association between inflammation and some clinical features in OCD. Future studies should prospectively examine longitudinal changes in CRP and its' association with clinical and demographic features

The connections among suicidal behavior, lipid profile and low-grade inflammation in patients with major depressive disorder: a specific relationship with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio

PubMed ID: 28800269Objectives: The role of inflammation and lipid metabolism in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior has received particular attention in recent years. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been suggested as a new and more reliable indicator of low-grade inflammation. NLR has been found to be altered in major depressive disorder (MDD) and has been related to various factors, including chronic stress and impulsivity that were previously reported to be related to suicidal behavior. We aimed to explore the roles of NLR, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum lipid levels on suicidal behavior in patients with MDD. Methods: The study group consisted of 139 inpatients diagnosed with MDD [37 suicide attempters (SA); 102 suicide non-attempters (NSA)], 50 healthy controls and matched according to age, gender and education. NLR, PLR, CRP and lipid values were obtained from digital inpatient records. Results: CRP levels and NLR were substantially higher in patients with SA than in subjects with NSA and healthy comparison subjects after adjusting the confounding factors. The logistic regression included two predictive variables for suicide status in patients with depressive disorder (A) previous suicidal history; (B) NLR. Conclusions: This is the first study suggesting that NLR may be a trait marker for suicidal vulnerability via a relationship between NLR and a recent suicide attempt in depressed inpatients. Future prospective studies are needed to determine the exact roles of NLR, and other inflammatory markers on suicidality in MDD. © 2017 The Nordic Psychiatric Association

Novel hybrid process for the conversion of microcrystalline cellulose to value-added chemicals: part 1: process optimization

In this paper, a novel hybrid process for the treatment of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) under hot-compressed water was investigated by applying constant direct current on the reaction medium. Constant current range from 1A to 2A was applied through a cylindrical anode made of titanium to the reactor wall. Reactions were conducted using a specially designed batch reactor (450 mL) made of SUS 316 stainless steel for 30–120 min of reaction time at temperature range of 170–230 °C. As a proton donor H2SO4 was used at concentrations of 1–50 mM. Main hydrolysis products of MCC degradation in HCW were detected as glucose, fructose, levulinic acid, 5-HMF, and furfural. For the quantification of these products, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectroscopy (GC–MS) were used. A ½ fractional factorial design with 2-level of four factors; reaction time, temperature, H2SO4 concentration and applied current with 3 center points were built and responses were statistically analyzed. Response surface methodology was used for process optimization and it was found that introduction of 1A current at 200 °C to the reaction medium increased Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and cellulose conversions to 62 and 81 %, respectively. Moreover, application of current diminished the necessary reaction temperature and time to obtain high TOC and cellulose conversion values and hence decreased the energy required for cellulose hydrolysis to value added chemicals. Applied current had diverse effect on levulinic acid concentration (29.9 %) in the liquid product (230 °C, 120 min., 2 A, 50 mM H2SO4). © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.Marie Curie Career Integration Grants (FP7-PEOPLE-CIG) PCIG11-GA-2012-32174

Brexpiprazole: A partial dopamine agonist for the treatment of schizophrenia

PubMed ID: 28828976Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating mental disorder that affects the patient’s and their family’s life. The disease remains a complicated disorder that is challenging to treat, despite there being a large antipsychotic armamentarium. Brexpiprazole acts both as a partial agonist at the serotonin 5-HT1A and dopamine D2 receptors and as an antagonist at the serotonin 5- HT2A and noradrenaline alpha1B and alpha2C receptors, all with similar potency. This balanced receptor profile may produce promising antipsychotic effects on positive, negative and cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia with minimal adverse effects. Methods: This review summarizes the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic profile of brexpiprazole and the clinical trial information pertaining to its effectiveness and safety and tolerability, discusses its best clinical use, and compares its clinical profile to those of other widely used antipsychotic agents. Results: Brexpiprazole demonstrated significant clinical efficacy and had good safety and tolerability in well-designed trials with patients with schizophrenia. This agent may be a useful treatment alternative. Conclusion: However, it will be valuable to consider a long-term observational study that includes an active comparator, especially other second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of brexpiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenia. © 2018 Bentham Science Publishers