Recently available techniques applicable to genetic problems in the Middle East

In this paper, we address the preventive health aspects of genetic problems in the Middle East and provide guidelines to prioritize preventive strategies. Applications of various novel genetic techniques such as comprehensive neonatal screening, high throughput heterozygote detection, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Affymetrix systems, the NanoChip system and a new way of sensitive karyotyping for single-cell chromosome abnormalities are discussed. In conclusion, from the various genetic techniques available, each country should adopt strategies most suitable to its genetic needs and should prioritize the programs to be used in prevention.     

Low‐level Laser (Light) Therapy Increases Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and ATP Synthesis in C2C12 Myotubes with a Peak Response at 3–6 h

Low‐level laser (light) therapy has been used before exercise to increase muscle performance in both experimental animals and in humans. However, uncertainty exists concerning the optimum time to apply the light before exercise. The mechanism of action is thought to be stimulation of mitochondrial respiration in muscles, and to increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) needed to perform exercise. The goal of this study was to investigate the time course of the increases in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP in myotubes formed from C2C12 mouse muscle cells and exposed to light‐emitting diode therapy (LEDT). LEDT employed a cluster of LEDs with 20 red (630 ± 10 nm, 25 mW) and 20 near‐infrared (850 ± 10 nm, 50 mW) delivering 28 mW cm² for 90 s (2.5 J cm²) with analysis at 5 min, 3 h, 6 h and 24 h post‐LEDT. LEDT‐6 h had the highest MMP, followed by LEDT‐3 h, LEDT‐24 h, LEDT‐5 min and Control with significant differences. The same order (6 h > 3 h > 24 h > 5 min > Control) was found for ATP with significant differences. A good correlation was found (r = 0.89) between MMP and ATP. These data suggest an optimum time window of 3–6 h for LEDT stimulate muscle cells.     

Model fluorous polyurethane surface modifiers having co-polyoxetane soft blocks with trifluoroethoxymethyl and bromomethyl side chains

Polyurethanes containing poly(2-trifluoroethoxymethyl-2-methyl)-co-(2-bromomethyl-2-methyl)-1,3-propylene oxide (co-polyoxetane) soft blocks, P[3FOx:BrOx-m:n], were prepared and used (0.5-2 wt %) to modify the surface properties of a conventional polyurethane. The substrate polyurethane was composed of an isophorone diisocyanate/butanediol hard block and a polytetramethylene oxide soft block [IPDI/BD(50%)-PTMO(2000)]. A combination of tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and dynamic contact angle (DCA) studies showed that the fluorous polyurethane surface modifiers confer surface properties similar to those of the parent at 0.5-1.0 wt %. The retention of initial wetting behavior in water was enhanced with higher ratios of 3FOx:BrOx that corresponds to increasing fluorous character. A semifluorinated chaperone is necessary to surface concentrate -CH2Br groups. Negligible Br was detected by XPS when the P[BrOx]-soft block polyurethane was used as a surface modifier (0.5%) and the wetting behavior was similar to that of the bulk polyurethane. Despite being hydrophobic (theta adv = 102 degrees) the P[BrOx]-soft block polyurethane is not a polymer surface modifier under the conditions described herein. The calculated solubility parameters for PTMO and P[BrOx], which are similar, support the notion of BrOx miscibility with the base polyurethane. The combination of miscibility of BrOx repeat units and lack of an end-group-like architecture minimizes BrOx surface concentration in the chosen bulk polyurethane.     

New Fully Automated Preparation of High Apparent Molar Activity 68Ga-FAPI-46 on a Trasis AiO Platform

A large number of applications for fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI)-based PET agents have been evaluated in conditions ranging from cancer to non-malignant diseases such as myocardial infarction. In particular, ⁶⁸Ga-FAPI-46 was reported to have a high specificity and affinity for FAP-expressing cells, a fast and high accumulation in tumor lesions/injuries together with a fast body clearance when investigated in vivo. Due to the increasing interest in the use of the agent both preclinically and clinically, we developed an automated synthesis for the production of ⁶⁸Ga-FAPI-46 on a Trasis AiO platform. The new synthetic procedure, which included the processing of the generator eluate using a strong cation exchange resin and a final purification step through an HLB followed by a QMA cartridge, yielded ⁶⁸Ga-FAPI-46 with high radiochemical purity (>98%) and apparent molar activity (271.1 ± 105.6 MBq/nmol). Additionally, the in vitro and in vivo properties of the product were assessed on glioblastoma cells and mouse model. Although developed for the preparation of ⁶⁸Ga-FAPI-46 for preclinical use, our method can be adapted for clinical production as a reliable alternative to the manual (i.e., cold kit) or modular systems preparations already described in the literature.     

Substituted manganese phthalocyanines as bleach catalysts: synthesis,characterization and the investigation of de-aggregation behavior with LiCl in solutions

Research on Chemical Intermediates - This study reported the oxidative degradation of morin dye with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by manganese phthalocyanines as low temperature bleaching catalysts...     

PLATINUM(II) COMPLEX CONTAINING N-(BIS (-2,4-DIMETHOXY-BENZYL)CARBAMOTHIOYL)- 4-METHYLBENZAMIDE LIGAND: SYNTHESIS,CRYSTAL STRUCTURE,HIRSHFELD SURFACE ANALYSIS,AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

Journal of Structural Chemistry - A new complex of Pt(II) bearing N-(bis(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)carbamothioyl)-4-methylbenzamide ligand is prepared and characterized by 1H, 13C, HMQC, COSY NMR and...     

Elastic properties of a protein-polymer-grafted surface

Surfaces grafted with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and streptavidin were synthesized through click chemistry to investigate the role of surface stiffness on protein adsorption as the hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface coverage of the substituents vary. Surface topographies coupled with the nanoindentation results indicated that, with the appropriate selections of polymer coverage and chain length, the extent of non-specific protein adhesion could be controlled by the hydrophobic interactions between PMMA, biotin, and streptavidin. It was shown that, when the molecular weight and stiffness of PMMA was close to that of streptavidin, patchy PMMA morphologies were obtained, which help inhibit the non-specific adsorption of streptavidin.