The Effect of 5-Fu and Ruxolitinib on Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Glioblastoma U87 Cell Line

DergiPark: 819208tmsjAims: The aim of this study is to carry out the effect of 5-Fluorouracil alone or combined with Ruxolitinib on both apoptosis and JAK/STAT pathway in U87 glioblastoma cells. Methods: We used U87 glioblastoma cell lines as the human brain cancer cells. We treated the cells with 5-Fluorouracil (3.125 ?M-400 ?M) alone and with a combination of Ruxolitinib (100 ?M or 400 ?M of Ruxolitinib with 3.125-25 ?M 5-Fluorouracil), and performed the MTT test for calculating IC50 value. Molecular fluorescence staining was performed with Hoechst and acridine orange/ethidium bromide probes. The alteration in mitochondrial apoptosis and JAK/STAT pathways to drug treatment was analyzed by the qRT-PCR assay. Results: Decrease in cell viability was more prominent in U87 cells treated with a combination of 5-Fluorouracil and Ruxolitinib compared to those treated with 5-Fluoro- uracil alone. In gene expression analysis, apoptosis signals were observed in cells treated with 5-Fluorouracil alone and 5-Fluo- rouracil+Ruxolitinib treatment. Conclusion: Treatment with 5-Fluorouracil alone and 5-Fluorouracil+Ruxolitinib combination increased apoptosis in U87 glioblastoma cells. However, it is difficult to mention an evident difference between treatments. Therefore, further studies are needed

3D Propolis-Sodium Alginate Scaffolds: Influence on Structural Parameters, Release Mechanisms, Cell Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activity

In this study, the main aim was to fabricate propolis (Ps)-containing wound dressing patches using 3D printing technology. Different combinations and structures of propolis (Ps)-incorporated sodium alginate (SA) scaffolds were developed. The morphological studies showed that the porosity of developed scaffolds was optimized when 20% (v/v) of Ps was added to the solution. The pore sizes decreased by increasing Ps concentration up to a certain level due to its adhesive properties. The mechanical, swelling-degradation (weight loss) behaviors, and Ps release kinetics were highlighted for the scaffold stability. An antimicrobial assay was employed to test and screen antimicrobial behavior of Ps against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. The results show that the Ps-added scaffolds have an excellent antibacterial activity because of Ps compounds. An in vitro cytotoxicity test was also applied on the scaffold by using the extract method on the human dermal fibroblasts (HFFF2) cell line. The 3D-printed SA-Ps scaffolds are very useful structures for wound dressing applications

Anayol yakınında yaşayan sığırlarda kan ağır metal, iz element seviyeleri ve antioksidan metabolizma arasındaki ilişkinin değerlendirilmesi

In this study, detection of a possible relationship of some trace element levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), toxic heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), and antioxidant functions in cattle, which are living near the trunk roads for at least 3 years, was aimed. Totally, 70 cattle, which were in diff erent herds, were used. Fifty-four cattle (3-13 years), which were living near the trunk roads at about 0-500 m were used for the experiment group. Also, 16 cattle (3-12 years), which were living far from trunk roads at about 2-3 km were used for the control groups. Blood samples were collected and Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe levels, lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidative defense system indicators, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and plasma ceruloplasmin (CP) level were measured. Cd and Pb levels of the experimental animals were determined to be higher than the control group (P&lt;0.01 and P&lt;0.001, respectively). However, Zn level of the experiment group was found lower than the control animals (P&lt;0.001). MDA increased about three times and CP increased about two times more than the control group (P&lt;0.001). Significantly correlations were observed among Pb, MDA and CP levels. Also, important correlations were found between Fe and CP, also Cu and MDA levels. Besides, MDA and CAT levels of the animals increased with CP and SOD together, respectively. At the end of the study, Cd and Pb accumulation was observed in cattle, which were living near the road with intensive traffic for at least three years when compared with the control group. In addition, the results showed significant interactions among toxic heavy metals, physiological trace elements, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and the lipid peroxidation.Bu çalışmada, en az 3 yıldır anayol kenarında yaşayan sığırlarda bakır (Cu), çinko (Zn) ve demir (Fe) gibi bazı iz elementler, zehirli ağır metallerden olan kadmiyum (Cd) ve kurşun (Pb) ve antioksidan fonksiyonlar arasındaki olası ilişkinin tespit edilmesi amaçlandı. Çalışmada farklı ahırlarda yaşayan toplam 70 besi sığırı kullanıldı. Ana yola 0-500 metre mesafede yaşayan 54 (3-13 yaşlarında) sığır araştırma grubu olarak kullanıldı. Ana yola 2-3 km mesafede yaşayan 16 (3-12 yaşlarında) sığır ise kontrol grubunu oluşturdu. Hayvanlardan kan örnekleri toplandı ve Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe seviyeleri, lipid peroksidasyon göstergesi olan malondialdehid (MDA) ve antioksidasyon defans sistem indikatörleri olan eritrosit süperoksit dismutaz (SOD) aktivitesi, katalaz (CAT) aktivitesi ve plazma serüloplazmin (CP) seviyesi ölçüldü. Deneme grubu hayvanların Cd ve Pb seviyelerinin kontrol grubu hayvanlardan yüksek olduğu belirlendi (sırasıyla P<0.01 ve P<0.001). Bununla birlikte deneme grubunun Zn seviyesi kontrol grubundan düşük bulundu (P<0.001). MDA seviyesi kontrol grubundan yaklaşık üç kat, CP seviyesi ise yaklaşık iki kat daha yüksek tespit edildi (P<0.001). Pb ile MDA ve CP seviyeleri arasında gözle görülür şekilde bir ilişki olduğu gözlendi. Ayrıca, Fe ile CP ve Cu ile MDA arasında da önemli ölçüde korelasyon bulundu. Bunun yanında MDA ile CAT ve CP ile SOD seviyelerinin birlikte yükseldiği görüldü. Çalışma sonunda, anayol yakınında en az üç yıl yaşamış olan hayvanlarda, kontrol grubuyla karşılaştırıldığında Cd ve Pb birikimi olduğu gözlendi. Ayrıca, elde edilen sonuçlar zehirli ağır metaller, fizyolojik iz elementler, enzimatik ve enzimatik olmayan antioksidanlar ve lipid peroksidasyon göstergesi olan MDA arasında önemli düzeyde ilişki olduğunu gösterdi

Propolis-Based Nanofiber Patches to Repair Corneal Microbial Keratitis

In this research, polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA)/gelatin (GEL)/propolis (Ps) biocompatible nanofiber patches were fabricated via electrospinning technique. The controlled release of Propolis, surface wettability behaviors, antimicrobial activities against the S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, and biocompatibility properties with the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were investigated in detail. By adding 0.5, 1, and 3 wt.% GEL into the 13 wt.% PVA, the morphological and mechanical results suggested that 13 wt.% PVA/0.5 wt.% GEL patch can be an ideal matrix for 3 and 5 wt.% propolis addition. Morphological results revealed that the diameters of the electrospun nanofiber patches were increased with GEL (from 290 nm to 400 nm) and Ps addition and crosslinking process cause the formation of thicker nanofibers. The tensile strength and elongation at break enhancement were also determined for 13 wt.% PVA/0.5 wt.% GEL/3 wt.% Ps patch. Propolis was released quickly in the first hour and arrived at a plateau. Cell culture and contact angle results confirmed that the 3 wt.% addition of propolis reinforced mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and wettability properties of the patches. The antimicrobial activity demonstrated that propolis loaded patches had antibacterial activity against the S. aureus, but for P. aeruginosa, more studies should be performed

A novel approach to treat the Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy using 3D printed honeycomb-shaped polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/Vancomycin (VAN) scaffolds

Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy, or honeycomb corneal dystrophy, is an autosomal dominant corneal disorder. Tissue engineering can be a novel approach to regenerate this dystrophy. In this study, the honeycomb geometry of the dystrophy mimicked with a 3D printing technology, and 40% PMMA, 40% PMMA/(0.1, 0.5, 2, and 10)% VAN scaffolds were fabricated with honeycomb geometry. As a result of the biocompatibility test with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), it can be said that cells on the scaffolds showed high viability and proliferation for all incubation periods. According to the antibacterial activity results, the 40% PMMA/10% VAN showed antibacterial activity against S. aureous. Mechanical results reported that with the addition of VAN into the 40% PMMA, the tensile strength value increased up to 2% VAN amount. The swelling behaviours of the scaffolds were examined in vitro, and found that the swelling rate increased with a high VAN amount. The release of VAN from the scaffolds showed sustained release behaviour, and it took 13 days to be released entirely from the scaffolds. © 2021 Elsevier B.V

Patch-Based Technology for Corneal Microbial Keratitis

Corneal opacities, which happened mainly due to microbial keratitis, are the fourth cause of blindness worldwide. Antimicrobial therapy is an alternative solution for microbial keratitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. The aim of this study, to develop patches for the treatment of corneal keratitis which caused significant corneal blindness by using electrospinning method. Polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) patches with Gelatine (GEL) studied in various ratios. Different amounts of gelatine added to PVA to resemble the collagen fibril structure of the cornea. To enable the patches to the antimicrobial effect against the bacterias, the special plant extract was used. The produced corneal patches were examined separately for chemical, morphological, and antimicrobial properties. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were performed to observe the surface morphology and chemical structure of the patches, respectively. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

Methimazole-induced insulin autoimmune syndrome in graves' disease: Case report

Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome (IAS) is a rare cause of hypoglycemia. We present the case of a 54-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency department with blurred consciousness approximately 6 weeks after the initiation of the methimazole therapy due to the diagnosis of Graves' disease. The blood glucose level was 40 mg/dL and levels of fasting insulin, C-peptide, and anti-insulin antibodies were increased. The patient was considered to have IAS and the methimazole therapy was terminated. Following the termination of the treatment, the complaints disappeared and the insulin antibodies gradually decreased to normal levels in approximately 8 months