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Investigations are still ongoing about the pathophysiology of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children, which can progress with serious morbidity and mortality after COVID-19 infection. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fibroblast growth factor-2 and tumour necrosis factor alpha-stimulated gene-6 levels play a role in the diagnosis of the disease and on cardiac involvement. Twenty-three patients (11 girls, 12 boys) and 26 healthy controls (10 girls, 16 boys) were included in the study. The mean age of the patient and control group was 8.45 ± 2.43 and 10.73 ± 4.27 years, respectively. There was no difference between the fibroblast growth factor-2 and tumour necrosis factor alpha-stimulated gene-6 levels of the patient and control groups. When the patients with myocardial involvement in the patient group were compared with the patients without myocardial involvement in terms of fibroblast growth factor-2 and tumour necrosis factor alpha-stimulated gene-6 levels, no difference was found between these groups. The correlation of fibroblast growth factor-2 and tumour necrosis factor alpha-stimulated gene-6 levels with other laboratory parameters was investigated in the patient group. Fibroblast growth factor-2 was moderately inversely correlated with white blood cell count (r = -0.541, p = 0.008), absolute neutrophil count (r = −0.502, p = 0.015) and C-reactive protein (r = −0.528, p = 0.010). Fibroblast growth factor-2 was strongly inversely correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = −0.694, p =

Animal venoms are rich sources for the discovery and development of new bioactive compounds. In the past decade, there are many promising studies in the literature on the usage and the development of new therapeutic approaches of snake venoms and their derivatives against various cancer types including breast and prostate cancers. Tarantula cubensis venom (Theranekron (R)) contains chemically complex digestive enzyme mixtures, is commercially available, and is broadly used as a therapeutic approach in clinical veterinary. However, there are very limited studies examining its molecular impact in human tumors. In the present study, we evaluated the biochemical effects of Theranekron on prostate cancer cells and its mechanism of action on molecular signal pathways. It was determined that androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells, LNCaP, are more sensitive to Theranekron (R) than normal prostate cells (PNT1A) and epithelial metastatic prostatic cell (DU145). It also enhanced the autophagic activity and induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and ubiquitin-proteasome system. Also, it markedly increased apoptotic cell death-related protein levels in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, Theranekron (R) strongly reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition of LNCaP cells and decreased cancer progression. Additionally, colonial growth of prostate cancer cells was significantly constrained with Theranekron treatment.

Steroid hormone signaling is critical in the tumor progression and the regulation of physiological mechanisms such as endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) and unfolded protein response (UPR) in prostate cancer. 1,25(OH)

INTRODUCTION: Numerous efforts in natural product drug development are reported for the treatment of Coronavirus. Based on the literature, among these natural plants Artemisia annua L. shows some promise for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of our study was to determine artemisinin content by liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS), to investigate the in vitro biological activity of artemisinin from the A. annua plants grown in Turkey with various extracted methods, to elaborate in silico activity against SARS-CoV-2 using molecular modelling. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-one different extractions were applied. Direct and sequential extractions studies were compared with ultrasonic assisted maceration, Soxhlet, and ultra-rapid determined artemisinin active molecules by LC-ESI-MS/MS methods. The inhibition of spike protein and main protease (3CL) enzyme activity of SARS-CoV-2 virus was assessed by time resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay. RESULTS: Artemisinin content in the range 0.062-0.066%. Artemisinin showed significant inhibition of 3CL protease activity but not Spike/ACE-2 binding. The 50% effective concentration (EC50 ) of artemisinin against SARS-CoV-2 Spike pseudovirus was found greater than 50 µM (EC45 ) in HEK293T cell line whereas the cell viability was 94% of the control (P < 0.01). The immunosuppressive effects of artemisinin on TNF-α production on both pseudovirus and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced THP-1 cells were found significant in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Further studies of these extracts for COVID-19 treatment will shed light to seek alternative treatment options. Moreover, these natural extracts can be used as an additional treatment option with medicines, as well as prophylactic use can be very beneficial for patients.

This study is designed to identify the meaning and effects perceived by a person concerning religion and spirituality as that person grows old. A total of nineteen adults aged 65-88, five of whom were male and fourteen of whom were female, participated in semistructured interviews. As per the results of the thematic analysis, four main themes emerged: the meaning of spirituality, spiritual practices, the effect of spirituality and the meaning of growing old for the person. The results indicate that the participants view the entrance into old-age adulthood as a process that enhances interactions with others and intensifies help and compassion. The results also indicate that spirituality may play a crucial role in guiding older adults' lives and can help them clarify the meaning of their lives and cope with negative circumstances. Supporting older adults spiritually could also assist them to have positive emotions and help them to cope with stress. The organization of regular education programs to raise health professionals' awareness of spiritual needs is recommended.

The circadian clock regulates the “push-pull” of the molecular signaling mechanisms that arrange the rhythmic organization of the physiology to maintain cellular homeostasis. In mammals, molecular clock genes tightly arrange cellular rhythmicity. It has been shown that this circadian clock optimizes various biological processes, including the cell cycle and autophagy. Hence, we explored the dynamic crosstalks between the circadian rhythm and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-quality control (ERQC) mechanisms. ER-associated degradation (ERAD) is one of the most important parts of the ERQC system and is an elaborate surveillance system that eliminates misfolded proteins. It regulates the steady-state levels of several physiologically crucial proteins, such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) and the metastasis suppressor KAI1/CD82. However, the circadian oscillation of ERQC members and their roles in cellular rhythmicity requires further investigation. In the present study, we provided a thorough investigation of the circadian rhythmicity of the fifteen crucial ERQC members, including gp78, Hrd1, p97/VCP, SVIP, Derlin1, Ufd1, Npl4, EDEM1, OS9, XTP3B, Sel1L, Ufd2, YOD1, VCIP135 and FAM8A1 in HEK293 cells. We found that mRNA and protein accumulation of the ubiquitin conjugation, binding and processing factors, retrotranslocation-dislocation, substrate recognition and targeting components of ERQC exhibit oscillation under the control of the circadian clock. Moreover, we found that Hrd1 and gp78 have a possible regulatory function on Bmal1 turnover. The findings of the current study indicated that the expression level of ERQC components is fine-tuned by the circadian clock and major ERAD E3 ligases, Hrd1 and gp78, may influence the regulation of circadian oscillation by modulation of Bmal1 stability.

In this study, sodium alginate (SA) based probioticLactobacillus plantarumcarrier edible films were fabricated and characterized for survival of probiotics, physicochemical, mechanical, barrier, molecular and thermal properties. Probiotic bacteria adapted well to the polymer matrix, which was indicated by the high survival rate during film drying and the storage for 60 days. Probiotic population remained at higher levels in the case of cold storage. Free or encapsulated bacteria incorporation significantly (P < 0.05) increased tensile strength values while no significant (P > 0.05) difference between elongation at break levels was observed. Water vapor permeability values significantly increased by the addition of encapsulated probiotics, probably due to the hydrophilic character of the wall material (maltodextrin). DSC thermograms showed that water evaporation peaks were at 121-130 degrees C while no glassy transition or melting behavior was observed at the SA based films. In conclusion, the results indicated that SA was confirmed as a potent carrier ofLactobacillus plantarumand SA based probiotic films could be conveniently used as edible coating of foods. Yildiz Technical UniversityYildiz Technical University; Scientific Research Project Unit of Yildiz Technical University of Turkey [FBA-2019-3515] We would like to thank Yildiz Technical University for providing funds for this project with project number FBA-2019-3515 of the Scientific Research Project Unit of Yildiz Technical University of Turkey.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the fast growing diet-related chronic diseases throughout the world. Tea contains several bioactive compounds, some of which render health benefits. Black tea polysaccharides (BTPS), extracted from low grade quality tea leaves, after processing, were examined for their in-vitro antidiabetic activities (α-glucosidase inhibitory and glucose uptake activities), chemical compositions (yield, monosaccharides, amino acids, and minerals), and antioxidant activities as well as toxicity (cytotoxicity and genotoxicity). In addition, 50% lethal dose (LD50) for BTPS was determined using an acute toxicity test to assess the safe use of it as a dietary ingredient. BTPS had strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 3.4 µg/mL. This was much lower than that of the positive control, pharmaceutical glucosidase inhibitor acarbose with IC50 of 1.06 mM. BTPS also increased glucose uptake into the adipocyte differentiated 3T3-L1 MBX cells. Neither cytotoxic nor mutagenic effects were found for BTPS. The LD50 of BTPS for acute toxicity demonstrated that it was safe to use. The present work suggests that BTPS can be used as an antidiabetic dietary ingredient without posing any potential health risk.

BACKGROUND Lactic acid fermentation is a natural way to increase the bioactive and functional properties of fruit and vegetable juices. In this study, the in vitro gastrointestional digestion of phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity of mixed vegetable juice was investigated as affected by fermentation with probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum and non-thermal treatments (ultraviolet (UV) and/or ultrasonic (US) treatment). For this purpose heat, US, UV or US/UV treated vegetable juice samples were fermented by probiotic L. plantarum and percentage recovery of bioactive (total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and total anthocyanin contents (TAC) and antioxidant (DPPH [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl] and CUPRAC [CUPric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity]) properties was evaluated during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. RESULTS Total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) and total yeast-mold (TYM) counts were significantly decreased by thermal and non-thermal processes and coliforms were fully eliminated. The bioaccessibility of total phenolics, anthocyanins, and flavonoids decreased after in vitro digestion. In general, recovery (5.78-34.71%) and serum availability of the bioactives was positively influenced by the fermentation and non-thermal treatments. Phenolics and anthocyanins exhibited the highest and the lowest recovery, respectively, while post-digestion recovery of antioxidant was between that of the phenolics and anthocyanins. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed that US and UV treatment could be advantageous alternatives to heat treatment for ensuring the microbial safety of vegetable juices with increased in vitro bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds while probiotic fermentation with L. plantarum contributed to the improvement of the bioactive profile. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Objectives: The goal of the present study is to describe how the transition to remote emergency delivery was addressed in three universities during the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine the satisfaction levels of their students and faculty with this new teaching-learning experience, and to gather their opinions about the future of higher education. Method: The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including faculty and student surveys and focus groups Results: The study shows high satisfaction with the emergency remote delivery and clearly reflects the relevance of enhancing the digital components of future learning experiences in higher education and a unanimous preference for hybrid education. Participants provide recommendations to institutions regarding what students and faculty would like to keep for a more effective learning experience when the new normal comes. Conclusions: COVID-19 has had terrible consequences; however, the pandemic has brought along some positive effects and improvement opportunities in higher education, and, if the results of the present study are any indication, the future of face-to-face higher education should be hybrid. Implication for Theory and/or Practice: The study results can provide recommendations and inform decision-making by institutional leaders and policy makers regarding the necessary enhancement of the digital component of the teaching and learning process in higher education.

There is an error in Table 2 in the published article, Journal of Food Bioactives, 2021;13:93–101, doi: 10.31665/JFB.2021.13263. The correct value in column “mg/100 g” under “D-glucose” is “59.50 ± 7.80”, not “9.50 ± 7.80”. The authors have included a corrected version of the table below.

Type-2 diabetes (T2D) is the most common type of chronic disease in adults and accounts for around 90% of all cases of diabetes. Therefore, developing dietary supplements from natural sources, such as teas, is of great interest. Seven diet groups together with a parallel control group were used for three periods of 16 weeks in total [stabilization period (W-2-W0), model period (W0-W8), and treatment period (W8-W14)]. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo antidiabetic activities of green and black tea polysaccharides (GTPS and BTPS, respectively) using streptozotocin induced diabetic mice fed with either a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal diet (ND). Streptozotocin and HFD induced T2D in vivo model was developed during the model period (W0-W8) in C57BL/6J male mice. Both GTPS and BTPS groups were administrated for 6 weeks (daily 400 mg/kg body weight) by oral gavage throughout the treatment period (W8-W14). The results showed that BTPS group significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the fasting blood glucose level in diabetic mice even fed with a HFD and improved the insulin resistance. Similar effect was not obtained when GTPS group fed with a HFD. In addition, BTPS group fed with a HFD effectively suppressed the body weight gain despite high energy intake and was more successful than its GTPS counterpart group in healing pathologies of liver and affected plasma blood lipid levels due to streptozotocin and HFD-induced diabetes. The present work suggests that BTPS can be used as an antidiabetic dietary supplement without posing any potential health risk.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of 3 different forms of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the healing process, wound healing rate, and histopathological changes that occur during recovery of open dermal wounds.A 2 cm x 1 cm full-thickness skin defect was made on the backs of 40 Wistar female rats that were divided into 4 groups of 10. In group 1 (control group), the wounds were cleaned with saline; in group 2, the wounds were covered with PRP gel obtained by single centrifugation; in group 3, the wounds were covered with liquid PRP obtained by double centrifugation; and in group 4, PRP gel obtained by double centrifugation with added thrombin was applied on the dermal wounds. All treatments were applied on postoperative days 1, 4, 7, and 10.In all PRP groups, the wound closure was almost complete on day 14 while the wound contraction progressed more slowly in the control group. The mean histopathological scores of epithelialization, inflammation, and fibrosis were significantly better in all PRP groups than the scores in the control group.In conclusion, although all PRP preparations had positive effects on dermal wound healing, double centrifuged PRP topical treatments (with or without thrombin activation) are more effective than single centrifuged PRP, and double centrifugation methods should be preferred for the preparation of PRP.

A novel cationic photoinitiator namely, 2-benzyl-2-(N,N-dimethyl-2-oxo-2-phenylethyl) ammonium hexafluoroantimonate-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)-butane-1-one (BDMPP+ SbF 6 - ), carrying two photochromophoric groups was synthesized and characterized. Theoretical absorption characteristics of the salt were studied and compared with those obtained experimentally. Photoinitiation activity of this salt was demonstrated by polymerization of various monomers at λ = 350 nm. Upon irradiation by UV light, cationic species formed from homolytic dissociation followed by electron transfer or directly by heterolytic scission initiate cationic polymerization.

Fluorinated main chain benzoxazine polyethers were prepared by Ullmann coupling of fluorinated benzoxazines in the presence of a nano-copperoxide catalyst. Various parameters such as the monomer structure, temperature, and the effect of catalyst on the polymerization were studied. The benzoxazine groups present in the polyether structure were shown to readily undergo thermally activated ring-opening polymerization in the absence of an added catalyst forming cross-linked networks. The thermal stability of the cured polymers was investigated and compared to that of classical polybenzoxazines. The lower surface energy of the fluorinated polymers made ultrathin films (similar to 20 nm thick) stable against dewetting at curing temperatures and resulted in thermally cured smooth coatings on solid substrates., NA

Polybenzoxazines are addition-cure thermosetting polymers exhibiting versatility in a wide range of applications due to their good mechanical properties, dimensional stability, chemical resistivity, flame resistance property phenolic or epoxy resins have myriad applications in diverse fields starting from commodity materials to high technology aerospace industries. In this paper, we present synthetic strategies to incorporate thermally curable benzoxazine functionality into polymers as main-chain fashion in order to further improve various properties. The strategies successfully employed including monomer synthesis and polycondensation routes like Mannich reaction, click chemistry, hydrosilylations, and coupling reactions. The structure-property relationships of the cured materials have also been presented and discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Propargyl containing thermally curable benzoxazine precursors in the main chain have been synthesized from iodo functional bisbenzoxazine and diacetylenes by Sonogashira coupling reaction. For this purpose, 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (Bisphenol A) was reacted with formaldehyde and iodoaniline to form diiodobisbenzoxazine (DIBB). Sonogashira coupling reaction between DIBB and diacetylene bisether (DABE) or diacetylene bisbenzoxazine (DABB) catalyzed by palladium tetrakistriphenylphosphine yields the corresponding main-chain polybenzoxazine precursors with the molecular weights around 2300-3500 Da. The structures of the monomers and the resulting polymers are confirmed by FT-IR and H-1 NMR spectral analysis. Curing behaviors of both the monomer and polymers were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal properties of the cured polymers were also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

A new class of polybenzoxazine/montmorillonite (PBz/MMT) nanocomposites has been prepared by the in situ polymerization of the typical fluid benzoxazine monomer, 3-pentyl-5-ol-3,4-dihydro-1,3-benzoxazine, with intercalated benzoxazine MMT clay. A pyridine-substituted benzoxazine was first synthesized and quaternized by 11-bromo-1-undecanol and then used for ion exchange reaction with sodium ions in MMT to obtain intercalated benzoxazine clay. Finally, this organomodified clay was dispersed in the fluid benzoxazine monomers at different loading degrees to conduct the in situ thermal ring-opening polymerization. Polymerization through the interlayer galleries of the clay led to the PBz/MMT nanocomposite formation. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were investigated by both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic techniques, which suggested the partially exfoliated/intercalated structures in the PBz matrix. Results of thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the thermal stability and char yield of PBz nanocomposites increased with the increase of clay content. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011

A new class of polybenzoxazine/montmorillonite (PBz/MMT) nanocomposites has been prepared by the in situ polymerization of the typical fluid benzoxazine monomer, 3-pentyl-5-ol-3,4-dihydro-1,3-benzoxazine, with intercalated benzoxazine MMT clay. A pyridine-substituted benzoxazine was first synthesized and quaternized by 11-bromo-1-undecanol and then used for ion exchange reaction with sodium ions in MMT to obtain intercalated benzoxazine clay. Finally, this organomodified clay was dispersed in the fluid benzoxazine monomers at different loading degrees to conduct the in situ thermal ring-opening polymerization. Polymerization through the interlayer galleries of the clay led to the PBz/MMT nano-composite formation. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were investigated by both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic techniques, which suggested the partially exfoliated/intercalated structures in the PBz matrix. Results of thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the thermal stability and char yield of PBz nanocomposites increased with the increase of clay content. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 49: 4213-4220, 2011

Procuring valuable bioactive compounds from low quality green tea is of great interest. Green tea polysaccharides (GTPS), obtained from low quality tea leaves, were examined for their yield, monosaccharide composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant potential, and structures as well as molecular weight distribution and in vitro anti-diabetic activities. GTPS were also evaluated for their toxicity by performing cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Additionally, 50% lethal dose (LD50) for GTPS was determined using an acute toxicity test to assess the safe use of it as a dietary supplement. Monosaccharides of GTPS were mainly composed of xylose, glucose, ribose, galactose, arabinose, and glucuronic acid. GTPS exhibited 91.86% α-glucosidase inhibition at 0.5 mg/mL concentration. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of GTPS was higher than that of pharmacological glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, which exhibited only 47.86% inhibition at 2.5 mg/mL concentration. Neither cytotoxic nor no mutagenic effects were found for GTPS. The acute toxicity also showed that LD50 of GTPS was greater than 5,000 mg/kg. The present work suggests that GTPS can be considered as an anti-diabetic dietary supplement without posing any potential health risk.

Tea polysaccharides have attracted scientific interest due to their antidiabetic effects, and lower quality tea leaves have more polysaccharide in their content compared to higher grade tea leaves. The aim of this study was to optimise the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UE) conditions of polysaccharides from low-grade green tea (GTPS) by Box-Behnken response surface design on the desired response (yield). The optimal extraction parameters were determined as follows: extraction temperature (80 degrees C), extraction time (60 min), ultrasound power (400 W), and liquid to solid ratio (22 ml:g). The experimental yield of GTPS (4.65 +/- 0.29%) obtained under these conditions were well agreed with the value predicted by the model. Without applying ultrasound, while the other extraction conditions were the same (CE), the extraction yield was lower (1.83 +/- 0.04%). Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used for the identification of functional groups present in GTPS and gel permeation chromatography was used to determine the molecular weight distribution of samples. The molecular weight of GTPS obtained by UE was lower, probably some polysaccharide degradations occurred due to ultrasound application. The IR spectrum of GTPS obtained by UE and CE had very similar absorption bands typical for the polysaccharides. Although ultrasound application significantly increased the yield compared to classical hot water extraction, it reduced antioxidant and a-glucosidase inhibitory activity of GTPS.