Antioxidative,Cytotoxic, and Antibacterial Properties of Self-assembled Glycine-histidine-based Dipeptides with or Without Silver Nanoparticles in Bio-inspired Film

Recent years have seen much attention being given to self-assembly of dipeptide-based structures, especially to self-regulation of dipeptide structures with different amino acid sequences. In this study we investigated the effects of varying solvent environments on the self-assembly of glycine-histidine (Gly-His) dipeptide structures. First we determined the morphological properties of Gly-His films formed in different solvent environments with scanning electron microscopy and then structural properties with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In addition, we studied the effects of Gly-His films on silver nanoparticle (AgNP) formation and the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of AgNPs obtained in this way. We also, assessed antibacterial activities of Gly-His films against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Silver nanoparticle-decorated Gly-His films were not significantly cytotoxic at concentrations below 2 mg/mL but had antibacterial activity. We therefore believe that AgNP-decorated Gly-His films at concentrations below 2 mg/mL can be used safely against bacteria.Key words: Ag, antibacterial surface, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, toxicity     

Early and late diagnoses of 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-3 deficiency in two unrelated patients

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 deficiency is a rare cause of 46 XY disorders of sexual development. Mutations in the HSD17B3 gene result in reduced activity of the 17β-HSD3 enzyme, decreasing the conversion of androstenedione to testosterone. In this report, two cases, admitted with different clinical findings in the neonatal and adolescent periods and were decided to be raised in different genders are presented. The first case who had complete female external genitalia presented on the third postnatal day with the complaint of swelling in the groin. He was decided to be raised as a male and was treated successfully with parenteral testosterone in order to increase phallus size before surgical correction of the external genitalia. The second case was an adolescent girl who presented due to pubertal virilisation and primary amenorrhoea and chose female gender. Molecular genetic analyses of the HSD17B3 gene revealed two different previously reported homozygous variants. We emphasise that patients with 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 deficiency can present with heterogeneous clinical findings in different age groups. Early diagnosis is important to prevent future gender confusion and related problems.     

Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Patients with Inguinal Hernia

Aim

The aim of this prospective study is to investigate if there is a relationship between inguinal hernia, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs).

Materials and methods

This case control study was performed on patients admitted to the general surgery department of Erzincan University Hospital. Four groups were created: control, indirect hernia, direct hernia, and bilateral hernia. All groups were comprised of 11 patients. Serum and tissue levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, and hydroxyproline were evaluated.

Results

MMPs values were significantly high at hernia groups, especially at bilateral hernia group (p < 0.05), whereas TIMPs values were significantly low at bilateral hernia group (p < 0.05). MMPs values were increasing at hernia groups in an order as control, indirect, direct, and bilateral. TIMPs values were decreasing at hernia groups in an order as control, indirect, direct, and bilateral.

Conclusion

Increased levels of MMP-1-2-9-13 and decreased levels of TIMP-1-2-3 may have played role in the formation of inguinal hernia. Hernia is not only a local defect, but a reflection of systemic disease. This is even more significant for bilateral hernias.

     

Two Cases of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome with Situs Inversus Totalis: Coincidence or Co-Existence?

Congenital absence of uterus and vagina, the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKHS), results from defective müllerian duct development during female embryogenesis; it is the second most common cause of primary amenorrhea. Atypical forms of MRKHS (type B) represent a heterogeneous group of disorders with associated anomalies of other organ systems which frequently includes the renal and skeletal systems and several individually occurring malformations.We report two cases with MRKHS in which we diagnosed situs inversus totalis incidentally during radiologic examinations. Abdominal situs inversus describes the mirror-image arrangement of the intra-abdominal organs in the abdominal cavity and it is characterized by the presence of multiple congenital anomalies.In this report we attempt to question whether the association between MRKHS and situs inversus is a rare feature of the müllerian dysgenetic spectrum or whether it is the result of random association.     

Effect of photobiomodulation therapies on the root resorption associated with orthodontic forces: a pilot study using micro computed tomography

Clinical Oral Investigations - The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of photobiomodulation therapies on root resorption compared with the placebo group. Thirty patients who were...     

The evaluation of MTA and Biodentine as a pulpotomy materials for carious exposures in primary teeth

Clinical Oral Investigations - This study examined the effects of MTA and Biodentine on the clinical and radiographic success rates of pulpotomies performed on primary teeth with carious pulp...