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Radiolabeling, quality control, and in vitro cell culture studies of [99mTc]Tc-tamoxifen citrate for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer imaging
No full textBackground Early and accurate imaging of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer remains an unmet need in nuclear medicine. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, offers a molecular targeting strategy, yet previous radiolabeling approaches often required elevated temperatures or chelating agents. Purpose This study aimed to develop and evaluate a simple, chelator-free radiolabeling method for tamoxifen citrate (TC) with technetium-99m ([Tc-99m]Tc) under mild conditions, without requiring purification, and to assess its physicochemical stability and selective uptake in breast cancer cells. Methods [Tc-99m]Tc-TC was synthesized using stannous chloride as a reducing agent at room temperature. Radiochemical purity was assessed by radio thin-layer chromatography (RTLC) and radioelectrophoresis. Stability was examined in saline and cell culture media. Cellular uptake was evaluated in ER+ (MCF-7) and ER- (MCF-10A) cell lines. A theoretical coordination model of [Tc-99m]Tc-TC was also proposed. Results The most stable [Tc-99m]Tc-TC complex was formed using 0.01 mg of stannous chloride as the reducing agent, 37 MBq of activity at pH 7.4, and a 20 min incubation time. The radiolabeled complex showed >97 % radiochemical purity and remained stable for 6 h in saline and 2 h in cell medium. Cellular uptake in MCF-7 cells was approximately 72-77 %, more than double that in MCF-10A cells (around 30 %), demonstrating ER+ selectivity. Radioelectrophoresis confirmed a distinct migration profile from [Tc-99m]Tc-citrate, supporting the formation of a [Tc-99m]Tc-TC complex. Conclusions [Tc-99m]Tc-TC was successfully synthesized via a simple room-temperature labeling strategy, showing high stability and ER-specific cell uptake. Although in vivo validation is planned for future studies, this formulation holds promise as a receptor-targeted radiopharmaceutical for breast cancer imaging.T.R. Prime Ministry State Planning Organization Foundation [09DPT001]The T.R. Prime Ministry State Planning Organization Foundation funded the TLC-scanner (Grant Project Number: 09DPT001)
Microbiological, antioxidant, and sensory properties of probiotic yoghurt enriched with different strawberry varieties
No full textThe influence of different strawberry varieties on the microbiological, antioxidant and sensory properties of probiotic yoghurt, containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12, were monitored for 21 days. For this purpose, strawberry pulp (15 %) containing strawberry and sugar in a 1:1 ratio was used in the yoghurt formulation. Higher total phenolic content and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were detected in Albion and Camarosa varieties than Rubygem whereas Albion variety had the highest total anthocyanin content (p<0.05). Colour parameters (L*, a*, b*) of probiotic yoghurts differed significantly with the incorporation of strawberry pulp. The viable counts of yoghurt starter bacteria in the experimental yoghurts remained above 7.64 log cfu/g throughout the storage period. Addition of probiotic yoghurt with strawberry pulp enhanced the viability of S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus depending on the variety of strawberry. A similar effect on B. lactis viability was observed in fruit probiotic yoghurt samples except the 1 st day of storage. The counts of B. lactis were above 8.5 log cfu/g throughout the storage period. The highest total phenolic content, antioxidant activity (FRAP) and total anthocyanin content were found in Albion variety added probiotic yoghurt during the storage period. Sensory characteristics of probiotic yoghurt were not generally influenced by the addition of strawberry while sample enriched with Camarosa variety showed the lowest overall acceptability scores on 14th day.scientific research of Ege University [FGA-2019-20438]This research has been funded by the scientific research of Ege University (Project number: FGA-2019-20438)
Inadequate awareness and attention to non-HDL cholesterol: undertreatment of high-risk patients in cardiology practice in Turkey
No full textBackground The relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is well-established. Recently, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) has been validated as a superior predictor of ASCVD, especially in individuals with mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia. The EPHESUS study evaluated real-life hypercholesterolemia management and awareness of non-HDL-C in cardiology outpatient practices. Methods Data from 1868 patients with ASCVD or high-risk primary prevention were analyzed to assess cholesterol goal attainment, statin adherence, and physician perceptions. This analysis focused on awareness of non-HDL-C as an ASCVD predictor, adherence to lipid-lowering therapy, and clinicians' perceptions. Associations between patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and statin adherence were examined. Results Among patients, 20.2% achieved non-HDL-C and 16.5% achieved LDL-C goals. In primary prevention, 18.1% reached non-HDL-C and 10.6% reached LDL-C goals, while in secondary prevention, 20.8% and 18.0% met these goals. High-intensity statin therapy was observed in 21.2% of patients, with 30.3% and 24.3% achieving non-HDL-C and LDL-C targets, respectively. Statin use was lower in women than men (54.0% vs 66.9%, P < 0.001). Women less frequently achieved non-HDL-C and LDL-C goals in both prevention groups. Conclusions Non-HDL-C goal attainment remains suboptimal in both primary and secondary prevention of hypercholesterolemia, particularly in women who had lower statin use and goal achievement. These findings highlight the need for improved awareness, education, and treatment strategies to reduce residual cardiovascular risk and improve outcomes
DNA Vaccines, an Innovative Vaccine Platform against COVID-19
No full textPurpose of ReviewThis review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of DNA vaccine platforms developed against SARS-CoV-2 after providing information on the COVID-19 agent SARS-CoV-2. The review focuses on the mechanisms of action of DNA vaccines, their immunological benefits and their advantages over other vaccine technologies. The potential role of these platforms in current and future pandemic preparedness is also addressed.Recent FindingsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, DNA vaccines emerged as an alternative to conventional and other modern vaccine technologies. Unlike mRNA vaccines, DNA vaccines show better thermal stability and allow for distribution without the need for a cold chain. Accumulating evidence has shown that DNA vaccines can elicit strong humoral and cellular immune responses, which are essential for protection against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, their rapid design, scalability and favorable safety profile have supported their evaluation for wider application in public health.SummarySARS-CoV-2 is a virus that emerged in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and quickly caused a global pandemic. The virus leads to COVID-19, a disease with symptoms ranging from mild to severe and even fatal outcomes. Since the pandemic's onset, many vaccine platforms have been used to develop an effective and safe vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, to prevent severe clinical manifestations and economic losses. DNA vaccines offer a versatile, safe, and scalable approach to combating infectious diseases including COVID-19. Their stability, ease of production, and ability to generate cellular and humoral immune responses make them highly attractive for both pandemic control and long-term global immunization strategies. Moreover, ongoing research and clinical evaluation of DNA vaccine platforms are essential to fully utilize their potential in current and future pandemics
Which chemical poses greater ecotoxicological risk: Bisphenol Z or Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether? A comparative study on Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Mytilus galloprovincialis in aquatic environments
No full textThis study investigated the ecotoxicological effects of Bisphenol Z (BPZ) and Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) on the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. The algal growth inhibition test, conducted according to OECD guidelines, demonstrated that BPZ and BADGE both significantly inhibited the growth of P. tricornutum, with IC50 values of 5.16 and 11.71 mg L-1, respectively. Acute toxicity tests on M. galloprovincialis indicated LC50 values of 11.24 mg L-1 for BPZ and 15.40 mg L-1 for BADGE over a 96-hour exposure. Physiological assessments over a 14-day exposure period revealed that both BPZ and BADGE significantly reduced the Condition Index (CI) and Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) of M. galloprovincialis. Specifically, BPZ led to a 42% decrease in GSI at the highest concentration (32 mg L-1), while BADGE resulted in a 40% decrease under similar conditions. Additionally, fertilization success tests showed that BPZ had a more pronounced negative impact on fertilization rates compared to BADGE, particularly at higher concentrations. These findings suggest that BPZ exhibits a higher ecotoxicological risk compared to BADGE, affecting both the growth of marine diatoms and the physiological and reproductive parameters of mussels.TUBITAK [119Y246]; Ege University Faculty of Fisheries, Hydrobiology Department [22892]The present study was supported in the context of Scientific Research Project of TUBITAK (Project No: 119Y246) and Ege University Faculty of Fisheries, Hydrobiology Department (Project No: 22892)
Blockchain for Public Transportation: Digital Identity and Transaction Verification Architecture
No full textTopical Area: Software, System and Service Engineering, S3E 2024, Held as Part of FedCSIS 2024, and 25th Conference on Practical Aspects of and Solutions for Software Engineering, KKIO 2024, held as part of SEAA 2024-- -- Belgrade -- 329449Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising solution to address key challenges in public transport, such as interoperability, privacy and transaction transparency. Despite these advances, the lack of a unified platform for integrating different transport modes and the diversity of ticketing solutions across operators remain significant barriers to seamless collaboration and interoperability. This paper proposes a blockchain-based architecture for transaction verification and digital identity management in multimodal public transport systems. The approach ensures secure co-payment, reliable data validation and trust among diverse operators by leveraging private blockchain networks, where operators act as verification nodes through consensus-based transaction approval without a central authority. The system incorporates standardized data formats, advanced algorithms for operator data integration, and a comprehensive model for managing operators, assets, and transactions. To protect user privacy, Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) techniques enable secure authentication without revealing sensitive information. This study shows how blockchain technology can improve interoperability, ensure fair revenue sharing, and provide a secure, decentralized infrastructure for efficient and privacy-preserving collaboration in public transport networks. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Evaluation of the effect of cervical cord lesion on upper extremity function in newly diagnosed persons with multiple sclerosis running head: upper extremity function in multiple sclerosis
No full textAmaç: Çok erken evre multipl skleroz (MS) hastalarında servikal kord lezyonlarının üst ekstremite fonksiyonları üzerindeki etkisini değerlendirmek ve bu popülasyonda üst ekstremite fonksiyonlarını etkileyen faktörleri tanımlamak. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 245 ilk semptomlardan 24 ay geçmiş ve 378 tanıdan sonraki altı ay içinde hastalık modifiye edici tedaviye (DMT) başlamış MS’li bireyler dahil edilmiştir. Üst ekstremite fonksiyonlarını değerlendirmek için Dokuz Çivi Peg Testi (N-HPT) uygulanmıştır. Servikal kord lezyonunun varlığına göre katılımcılar iki gruba ayrıldı. Bulgular: Gruplar arasında yaş, cinsiyet, hastalık süresi ve atak sayısı açısından anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır. Ancak, toplam Genişletilmiş Engellilik Durumu Ölçeği (EDSS) skoru, piramidal ve duyusal fonksiyonel sistem skorları, servikal kord lezyonları olan MS’li bireylerde olmayanlara göre daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Tanıdan sonraki altı ay içinde DMT başlatılan katılımcılarda, dominant ve ortalama N-HPT performans süreleri, servikal kord lezyonu olan MS’li bireylerde olmayanlara göre anlamlı derecede daha uzun bulunmuştur. Ancak, ilk semptomlardan 24 ay sonra tanı konulan katılımcılar arasında gruplar arasında anlamlı bir fark gözlenmemiştir. Yaş, hastalık süresi ve tanıdan tedaviye kadar geçen süre, N-HPT performansını etkileyen önemli faktörler olarak belirlenmiştir. Daha genç, daha kısa hastalık süresine sahip ve tanı sonrası daha erken tedavi alan MS’li bireyler, diğerlerine göre daha iyi performans göstermiştir. Sonuç: Çalışmamız, MS’in erken evrelerinde bile servikal kord lezyonlarının üst ekstremite fonksiyonları üzerindeki etkisini vurgulamakta ve erken tanı ile DMT’lerin hızlı bir şekilde başlatılmasının önemini ortaya koymaktadır.Aim: To evaluate the effect of cervical cord lesions on upper extremity functions in persons with very early-stage multiple sclerosis (MS) and describe the factors that affect the upper extremity functions in that population. Materials and Methods: Two hundred forty-five persons with MS (pwMS) were diagnosed 24 months after the first symptoms and three hundred seventy-eight pwMS initiated disease-modified treatment (DMT) within six months after diagnosis were included to study. Nine-Hole Peg Test (N-HPT) were performed to evaluate upper extremity functions. Participants divided two groups according to presence of cervical cord lesion. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in terms of age, gender, disease duration, and the number of relapses. However, the total Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) score, pyramidal and sensory functional system scores were higher in pwMS with cervical cord lesions than without cervical cord lesions. Average and dominant hand N-HPT performance times were found significantly longer in pwMS with cervical cord lesion than without cervical cord lesion in participants-initiated DMT within six months after diagnosis. However, there were no significant differences between groups in participants diagnosed 24 months after first symptoms Age, disease duration, and time from diagnosis to treatment were identified as significant factors influencing N-HPT performance. PwMS who were younger, had a shorter disease duration, and received treatment sooner after diagnosis showed better performance than others. Conclusion: Our study highlights the influence of cervical cord lesions on upper extremity function, even in the early stages of MS, and underscores the importance of early diagnosis and prompt initiation of DMTs
Optimization of extraction for antioxidant and photoprotective bioactive compounds from Ulva rigida
No full textThis study presents the development and optimization of a green extraction bioprocess for Ulva rigida, aiming to efficiently recover bioactive compounds with antioxidant and photoprotective properties using response surface methodology (RSM). A Box-Behnken design evaluated the combined effects of ethanol concentration (0–100 %), solid-to-liquid ratio (20–40 mL g?1), and extraction time (8–24 h) on extraction yield, antioxidant capacity, and sun protection factor (SPF). All variables significantly impacted extract quality, with ethanol concentration being the most influential. Optimal conditions (100 % ethanol, 1:20 ratio, 16 h) yielded an extract with SPF 11.61 and antioxidant activity of 16.91 mg Trolox/g. Preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of the optimized extract produced three bioactive fractions exhibiting up to 2.3-fold higher SPF and 5-fold greater antioxidant activity. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis confirmed selective enrichment of carotenoids and polyphenols. These findings demonstrate the value of statistically optimized, bioactivity-guided extraction in enhancing Ulva-derived ingredients for cosmeceutical use. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Novel anchor-type proximal femoral nail for the improvement of bone-fixation integrity in treating intertrochanteric fractures: an experimental and computational characterization study
No full textThis study introduces a novel anchor-type proximal femoral nail (AT-PFN) to improve the bone-fixation integrity over the standard screw-type nail (SST-PFN). Quasi-static incremental cyclic load test was performed to investigate load-displacement, cumulative deformation energy, time-strain, and backbone curves. The finite element analysis (FEA) was implemented to identify the stress and strain distributions. Additionally, non-destructive dynamic tests were conducted, and the measurements were processed using statistical pattern recognition, based on vector autoregression and principal component analysis to investigate the nonlinearity due to bone-fixation interface. The results demonstrate that the AT-PFN significantly improves the bone-fixation integrity compared to SST-PFN.Ege University Planning and Monitoring Coordination of Organizational Development and Directorate of Library and DocumentationWe are grateful to Ege University Planning and Monitoring Coordination of Organizational Development and Directorate of Library and Documentation for their support in editing and proofreading service of this study