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Corina Garbo,1 Janis Locs,2 Matteo D’Este,3 Gerard Demazeau4,†, Aurora Mocanu,1 Cecilia Roman,5 Ossi Horovitz,1 Maria Tomoaia-Cotisel1,6 1Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry Centre, Chemical Engineering Department, Cluj-Napoca 400028, Romania; 2Rudolfs Cimdins Riga Biomaterials Innovations and Development Centre of RTU, Institute of General Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, Riga LV-1007, Latvia; 3AO Research Institute Davos, Davos Platz 7270, Switzerland; 4HPBioTECH, Leognan 33850, France; 5INCDO INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, Cluj-Napoca 400293, Romania; 6Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest 050094, Romania †Dr. Gerard Demazeau passed away on November 3, 2017Correspondence: Maria Tomoaia-CotiselBabes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry Centre, Chemical Engineering Department, 11 Arany Janos Street, Cluj-Napoca 400028, RomaniaTel +40 264 593833Email mtcotisel.ubbcluj@yahoo.roPurpose: Compositional tailoring is gaining more attention in the development of advanced biomimetic nanomaterials. In this study, we aimed to prepare advanced multi-substituted hydroxyapatites (ms-HAPs), which show similarity with the inorganic phase of bones and might have therapeutic potential for bone regeneration.Materials: Novel nano hydroxyapatites substituted simultaneously with divalent cations: Mg2+ (1.5%), Zn2+ (0.2%), Sr2+ (5% and 10%), and Si (0.2%) as orthosilicate (SiO44-) were designed and successfully synthesized for the first time.Methods: The ms-HAPs were obtained via a wet-chemistry precipitation route without the use of surfactants, which is a safe and ecologically friendly method. The composition of synthesized materials was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy, BET measurements and by imaging techniques using high-resolution TEM (HR-TEM), FE-SEM coupled with EDX, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The ion release was measured in water and in simulated body fluid (SBF).Results: Characterization methods confirmed the presence of the unique phase of pure stoichiometric HAP structure and high compositional purity of all synthesized nanomaterials. The doping elements influenced the crystallite size, the crystallinity, lattice parameters, morphology, particle size and shape, specific surface area, and porosity. Results showed a decrease in both nanoparticle size and crystallinity degree, coupled with an increase in specific surface area of these advanced ms-HAP materials, in comparison with pure stoichiometric HAP. The release of biologically important ions was confirmed in different liquid media, both in static and simulated dynamic conditions.Conclusion: The incorporation of the four substituting elements into the HAP structure is demonstrated. Synthesized nanostructured ms-HAP materials might inherit the in vivo effects of substituting functional elements and properties of hydroxyapatite for bone healing and regeneration. Results revealed a rational tailoring approach for the design of a next generation of bioactive ms-HAPs as promising candidates for bone regeneration.Keywords: nanomaterials, hydroxyapatite, multi-substituted hydroxyapatites, bioceramics, synthesis, characterization, ions release

Abstract Cartilage-hair hypoplasia syndrome (CHH) is an autosomal recessive disorder frequently linked to n.72A>G (previously known as n.70A>G and n.71A>G), the most common RMRP variant worldwide. More than 130 pathogenic variants in this gene have already been described associated with CHH, and founder alterations were reported in the Finnish and Japanese populations. Our previous study in Brazilian CHH patients showed a high prevalence of n.197C>T variant (former n.195C>T and n.196C>T) when compared to other populations. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible founder effect of the n.197C>T variant in the RMRP gene in a series of CHH Brazilian patients. We have selected four TAG SNPs within chromosome 9 and genotyped the probands and their parents (23 patients previously described and nine novel). A common haplotype to the n.197C>T variant carriers was identified. Patients were also characterized for 46 autosomal Ancestry Informative Markers (AIMs). European ancestry was the most prevalent (58%), followed by African (24%) and Native American (18%). Our results strengthen the hypothesis of a founder effect for the n.197C>T variant in Brazil and indicate that this variant in the RMRP gene originated from a single event on chromosome 9 with a possible European origin.

Aurora Mocanu,1 Roxana Diana Pasca,1 Gheorghe Tomoaia,2 Corina Garbo,1 Petre T Frangopol,1 Ossi Horovitz,1 Maria Tomoaia-Cotisel11Chemical Engineering Department, Babes-Bolyai University, 2Orthopedic Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaAbstract: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared in aqueous colloid dispersions by the reduction of Ag+ with glucose in alkaline medium. Tetraethyl orthosilicate and l-asparagine were added as stabilizers of NPs. The AgNPs were characterized, and their interaction with three local anesthetics (procaine, dibucaine, or tetracaine) was investigated. Optical spectra show the characteristic absorption band of AgNPs, due to surface plasmon resonance. Modifications in the position and shape of this band reflect the self-assembly of metal NPs mediated by anesthetic molecules and the progress in time of the aggregation process. Zeta-potential measuring was applied in order to characterize the electrostatic stability of the NPs. The size and shape of the AgNPs, as well as the features of the assemblies formed by their association in the presence of anesthetics, were evidenced by transmission electron microscopy images. Atomic force microscopy images showed the characteristics of the films of AgNPs deposited on glass support. The effect of the anesthetics could be described in terms of electrostatic forces between the negatively charged AgNPs and the anesthetic molecules, existing also in their cationic form at the working pH. But also hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions between the coated nanoparticles and anesthetics molecular species should be considered.Keywords: self-assembled nanostructures, UV-vis spectra, TEM, AFM, zeta potential

Abstract Background Israeli‐Arab adolescents are reported to consume higher amounts of fast food, sweets, and candies. This study examined possible associations among energy drink consumption, anxiety, and well‐being in Israeli‐Arab adolescents. We also investigated these associations concerning fast food consumption, physical activity, and hours of sleep per night. Methods A cross‐sectional exploratory study assessed adolescents’ energy drink consumption, nutritional and lifestyle habits, well‐being, and anxiety using self‐reported questionnaires. Adolescents aged 12–18 from several cities and villages in northern Israel were considered for the study. Anthropometric measurements—weight, height, and waist circumference—were also assessed. Results One hundred and fourteen adolescents (59 females) participated in the study. Gender and energy drink consumption were associated with psychological status. Energy drink consumers reported a lower well‐being index and a higher anxiety index than nonconsumers (73.02 ± 2.64 and 23 ± 1.56 vs. 79.37 ± 1.67 and 18.86 ± 1.41, respectively). Energy drink consumers ate significantly more fast food per week than nonconsumers (1.25 ± 0.07 vs. 1.03 ± 0.09). Additionally, hours of sleep per night were correlated with anxiety levels among energy drink consumers [rs = 0.352, p = 0.018]. These results differed between genders. Conclusions Our study shows complex associations between energy drink consumption and mental health indices. These associations can serve as a basis for further research into this topic.

Abstract Post-infectious myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (PI-ME/CFS) is a disabling disorder, yet the clinical phenotype is poorly defined, the pathophysiology is unknown, and no disease-modifying treatments are available. We used rigorous criteria to recruit PI-ME/CFS participants with matched controls to conduct deep phenotyping. Among the many physical and cognitive complaints, one defining feature of PI-ME/CFS was an alteration of effort preference, rather than physical or central fatigue, due to dysfunction of integrative brain regions potentially associated with central catechol pathway dysregulation, with consequences on autonomic functioning and physical conditioning. Immune profiling suggested chronic antigenic stimulation with increase in naïve and decrease in switched memory B-cells. Alterations in gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and metabolic pathways were consistent with cellular phenotypic studies and demonstrated differences according to sex. Together these clinical abnormalities and biomarker differences provide unique insight into the underlying pathophysiology of PI-ME/CFS, which may guide future intervention.

BackgroundVolatile anesthetic exposure during development leads to long-term cognitive deficits in rats which are dependent on age and sex. Female rats are protected relative to male rats for the same exposure on postnatal day 7. Here we test our hypothesis that androgens can modulate chloride cotransporter expression to alter the susceptibility to neurotoxicity from GABAergic drugs using female rats with exogenous testosterone exposure.MethodsFemale rats were injected with testosterone (100 μg/animal) or vehicle on postnatal days 1 to 6. On postnatal day 7, the animals were randomized to either isoflurane exposure or sham. Spatial memory was assessed with the Barnes maze starting on postnatal day 41. Western blots were run from testosterone treated postnatal day 7 animals to measure levels of chloride cotransporters sodium-potassium-chloride symporter (NKCC1) and chloride-potassium symporter 5 (KCC2).ResultsExogenous testosterone modulated isoflurane anesthetic neurotoxicity in female rats based on poor performance in the probe trial of the Barnes Maze. By contrast, females with vehicle and isoflurane exposure were able to differentiate the goal position. These behavioral differences corresponded to differences in the protein levels of NKCC1 and KCC2 after exogenous testosterone exposure, with NKCC1 increasing ( P

This preliminary study aimed to examine improvement in eye contact among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) following an innovative technological intervention integrated with meta-cognitive guidance. Eighteen ASD participants, ages 5-9 years, were divided into two equal intervention groups--one received metacognitive guidance, and one did not. An eye-contact assessment was conducted pre-intervention and post-intervention by tracing the children's head and eye movements using a built-in laptop camera. The intervention included six 30-min sessions in which the participants played a computer game (C-Me) that required them to make eye contact with cartoon characters who needed assistance in solving a problem or completing a task. The results indicate that the technological intervention effectively promoted eye contact among all participants, especially those in the metacognitive intervention group.