Preferred strategy for euploid single embryo transfer in advanced maternal age: Fresh versus frozen.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare fresh and frozen-thawed euploid blastocyst transfer protocols following preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) in cases of advanced maternal age. METHODS: A total of 330 patients were examined retrospectively. PGS was performed on the embryos of 146 patients for whom fresh transfers were chosen. In contrast, frozen-thawed euploid single embryo transfer (ET) was selected after PGS for 184 patients, and their embryos were vitrified. The percentage of euploid embryos and rates of implantation, pregnancy, and pregnancy continuity, as well as clinical and biochemical abortion rates, were compared. RESULTS: The numbers of retrieved oocytes, metaphase II oocytes, and fertilized ova were greater in the frozen-thawed group. The percentages of euploid embryos were comparable between the fresh and frozen-thawed groups (32% vs. 34.8%, respectively). The rates of implantation (46.6%vs. 62.5%), pregnancy (50% vs. 66.8%), ongoing pregnancy (38.4% vs. 53.8%), and live birth percentage (37.0% vs. 53.8%) were significantly higher in the frozen-thawed group. However, no significant differences were found in the clinical and biochemical abortion rates. CONCLUSION: The use of frozen-thawed single euploid ET is associated with increased implantation and pregnancy rates compared to fresh single euploid ET with PGS.

Electrochemical DNA Sensor Designed Using the Pencil Graphite Electrode to Detect Listeria monocytogenes.

In the present work, a novel electrochemical DNA sensor was designed to detect L. monocytogenes. Two different gene fragments were selected for the sensor design. One is a 702 bp long fragment of the hlyA gene, encoding the synthesis of listeriolysin O toxin, which is unique only to pathogenic strains of L. monocytogenes and is essential for pathogenicity. The other is a 209 bp long fragment of the 16 S RNA gene found in all species of the Listeria genus. As the working electrode, the pencil graphite electrode was modified in various ways (activated or covered with polypyrrole), and six different combinations were constituted using three types of the modified working electrode and two different gene fragments. The developed system is based on differential pulse voltammetric transduction of guanine oxidation after hybridization between the selected gene fragment (38 µg/mL) and the selected fragment-specific inosine-modified probe (1.8 µmol/L) immobilized on a pencil graphite electrode surface. The comparison of all combinations demonstrates that the best results are obtained with the combination formed from a polypyrrole-coated pencil graphite electrode (prepared at 2 scans) and 702 bp fragment of the hlyA gene. The analysis time is less than 1 hour, and the necessary DNA concentrations for the analysis have been determined as 8.2 × 10-11 M DNA and 2.7 × 10-10 M DNA respectively, for the hlyA gene and 16 S RNA gene.

Synthesis, fabrication and characterization of 2-naphthyloxy group-substituted bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindoline and its derivatives as a positive electrode for vanadium redox flow battery applications.

In recent years, tridentate nitrogen donor ligands have played a vital role in inorganic chemistry. The ease of synthesis, readily modifiable structure and high stability of 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindole (BPIs) compounds make them suitable candidates for many potential applications. In this study, a 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindoline derivative bearing a naphthoxy unit and its palladium complex (PdBPI) were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and mass spectroscopic methods. The BPI- or PdBPI-modified pencil graphite electrodes were clarified via cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDX, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. The efficiency of these substances in a vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) system was investigated for the first time. The behaviors of the BPI-modified carbon felt electrode (BPI-CF) and PdBPI-modified carbon felt electrode (PdBPI-CF) were investigated in the redox flow battery (RFB) applications. These modified electrodes were obtained by the electrodeposition method. The respective charge potentials of BPI-CF and PdBPI-CF reached 1.63 V and 1.88 V, respectively. The discharge capacity maxima obtained were ∼301 mA h (1204 mA h L-1) and ∼303 mA h (1212 mA h L-1) for BPI-CF and PdBPI-CF at the VRB system under a charge current density of 4.0 mA cm-2 and discharge current density of 0.4 mA cm-2, respectively.

Factors influencing the number of mature oocytes and cryopreservable blastocysts in hyperresponder patients triggered with a GnRH analog.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate which patient and cycle characteristics may affect the number of mature oocytes and cryopreservable blastocysts in the GnRH analog trigger cases. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 2749 GnRHa trigger cycles in patients at risk of OHSS, including a group of PGT patients, between 2011 and 2020 at Istanbul Memorial Hospital, ART and Reproductive Genetics Center. Patient and cycle characteristics were evaluated using the Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM). The number of mature oocytes and the number of cryopreservable blastocysts were evaluated. RESULTS: A one-unit increase in female age, daily gonadotropin dose, E2 level on day 2, and LH level on trigger day significantly decreased the number of mature oocytes retrieved (p < 0.001) and the number of cryopreservable blastocysts as p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.003, respectively. The duration of GnRH antagonist use also decreased the number of mature oocytes retrieved (p < 0.001) but not the number of cryopreservable blastocysts. CONCLUSION: The GLMM used in our study showed that a one-unit increase in female age, daily gonadotropin dose, E2 level on day 2, and LH level on trigger day significantly decreased the number of mature oocytes retrieved and the number of cryopreservable blastocysts.

Development and characterisation of cysteine-based gold electrodes for the electrochemical biosensing of the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen.

This article describes three novel electrochemical biosensing platforms developed to determine the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike antigen protein: glutaraldehyde, SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody and bovine serum albumin; N,N-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide/4-(dimethylamino)pyridine functionalised SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody and bovine serum albumin; and 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]-carbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide functionalised SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody and bovine serum albumin modified cysteine-based gold-flower modified glassy carbon electrodes. Two of the produced biosensors having better signals were used to determine the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen in spiked-saliva and clinical samples containing gargle and mouthwash liquids and characterised using cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The study provides highly significant information in terms of how coupling reagents ought to be used with linkers consisting of both amine and carboxylic acid terminals (i.e. cysteine). The electrochemical cathodic signals based on antibody-antigen protein interactions at approximately -270 mV were evaluated as a response using square wave voltammetry, and they increased in proportion to the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen. The limit of detection values were 0.93 and 46.3 ag mL-1 in a linear range from 1 ag mL-1 to 100 pg mL-1 and from 100 ag mL-1 to 10 ng mL-1 and the recovery and relative standard deviation values for spiked-saliva samples were 99.50% and 99.40%, and 3.87% and 0.13% for BSA/S-AB/GluAl/Cys/Au/GCE and BSA/S-AB/f-Cys/Au/GCE, respectively. The results showed that both biosensing platforms could be selectively and accurately used to diagnose COVID-19 in RT-PCR-approved clinical samples.

What to advise to patients with only one good quality blastocyst, PGT-A or not? Outcomes of 2064 cycles.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is beneficial for patients who have only one blastocyst available for biopsy or transfer. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on 1126 single blastocyst PGT-A and 938 non-PGT-A cycles, a total of 2064 ART cycles which resulted in a single good quality blastocyst in women between 20 and 45 years old. The PGT-A group had 225 single euploid embryo transfer cycles and the non-PGT-A group had 938 single blastocyst embryo transfer cycles. RESULTS: In the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), female age and PGT-A variables were found to be significant variables on pregnancy outcomes. In the PGT-A cases, regardless of the effect of other variables, the probabilities of clinical pregnancy and live birth were found to be 3.907 and 3.448 fold higher respectively than in the non-PGT-A cases (p < 0.001). In non PGT-A cases, the probability of a total pregnancy loss was found to be 1.943 fold higher (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: PGT-A in the presence of a single blastocyst significantly increases clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and decreases total pregnancy losses regardless of age. In addition, aneuploid embryo transfer cancelations prevent ineffective and potentially risky transfers.

Manipulating cell behavior on a bacterial macro-polymer poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) via tuning the S-doped graphene ratio.

Graphene is a material with various application potentials Graphene is a unique material with superiorities and has been applied in various fields for different purposes. Although studies on the utility of graphene oxide in the biomedical field are available, no evaluation has yet been done regarding the utility of sulfur doped (S-doped) graphene. The study focuses on the effect of blending the poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) membrane with sulfur heteroatom doped graphene and the evaluation of biological responses to S-doped graphene/PHBHHx. PHBHHx membranes were blended with 1%, 0.5%, 0.1% (w/v) S-doped graphene. The morphological (SEM and Microscopy), chemical (FTIR and Raman spectroscopy), and surface area (BET) characterizations of S-doped graphene/PHBHHx membranes were performed. The presence of S groups on the surface was determined with the EDS results. Besides, the swelling profile and biodegradation tendency of the membranes were evaluated. The differentiation of protein adhesion, cell viability, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation by the increasing content of S-doped graphene was examined. The contact angle analysis revealed that modification of PHBHHx with S-doped Graphene reduced the free surface energy of PHBHHx membranes. Blending with S-doped Graphene has decreased the polarity of the PHBHHx membrane. The protein adsorption on the PHBHHx membrane was determined as 10.12 ± 0.247 mg/ml. Protein absorption on 1%, 0.5% and 0.1% S-doped graphene/PHBHHx membranes were determined as 11.34 ± 0.551 mg/ml, 9.91 ± 0.294 mg/ml and 9.48 ± 0.093 mg/ml, respectively. The cell attachment to the surface decreased with the increasing amount of S-doped graphene, however, PHBHHx membranes with graphene did not affect cytotoxicity. S-doped graphene blended PHBHHx membrane seems like a suitable patch for biomedical treatments as a hydrophobic membrane where less cell adhesion and proliferation are required like the prevention of peritoneal adhesion.

Incidence of multiple births in relation to current regulations in Turkey regarding embryo transfer.

BACKGROUND: Before 2010, there were no regulations in Turkey regarding the number of embryos to be transferred in one cycle. In March 2010, regulations restricting this number were implemented by the Turkish Ministry of Health. These specify the transfer of a maximum of one embryo in the first and second cycles and a maximum of two embryos in subsequent cycles in women aged < 35, and a maximum of two embryos in women aged ≥35 in any one cycle. Our study evaluates the effect of these regulations. METHODS: This large retrospective single center study first evaluates the incidence of multiple pregnancies before and after the implementation of the 2010 regulations. Secondly, it compares the clinical outcomes of double blastocyst transfer (DBT) and single blastocyst transfer (SBT) performed in compliance with these regulations from 2014 onwards. RESULTS: After the introduction of the 2010 regulations, the multiple pregnancy rate decreased significantly from 37.9 to 15.7%. The singleton live birth rate increased significantly, whereas multiiple live birth rates significantly decreased (p = < 0.001). When the clinical outcomes of SBT and DBT performed in compliance with regulations from 2014 onwards were evaluated, in patients < 35 years, the multiple pregnancy rate decreased from 47.2% in the DBT group to 1.7% in the SBT group (p = < 0.001). In patients ≥35 years, in the DBT group, the twin birth rate was again high at 28.4%, whereas in the SBT group, it was only 1.8% (p = < 0.001). Importantly, there was no statistically significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates between these two groups. CONCLUSION: Turkish regulations have led to an encouragement of double embryo transfer (DET) as a routine practice, with many patients understanding it as an absolute right to have two embryos transferred. The results of our study suggest that, especially in the light of the success of blastocyst transfer, the Turkish regulations should be amended to limit the use of DET and encourage the use of single embryo transfer except in exceptional cases and particularly in women under 35 years old.

Production of chlorine-containing functional group doped graphene powders using Yucel's method as anode materials for Li-ion batteries.

In this study, the one-step electrochemical preparation of chlorine doped and chlorine-oxygen containing functional group doped graphene-based powders was carried out by Yucel's method, with the resultant materials used as anode materials for lithium (Li)-ion batteries. Cl atoms and ClO x (x = 2, 3 or 4) groups, confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, were covalently doped into the graphene powder network to increase the defect density in the graphene framework and improve the electrochemical performance of Li-ion batteries. The microscopic properties of the Cl-doped graphene powder were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. TEM analysis showed that the one-layer thickness of the graphene was approximately 0.33 nm. Raman spectroscopy analysis was carried out to determine the defect density of the graphene structures. The G peak obtained in the Raman spectra is related to the formation of sp2 hybridized carbons in the graphene-based powders. The 2D peak seen in the spectra shows that the synthesized graphene-based powders have optically transparent structures. In addition, the number of sp2 hybridized carbon rings was calculated to be 22, 19, and 38 for the Cl-GP1, Cl-GP2, and Cl-GOP samples, respectively. As a result of the charge/discharge tests of the electrodes as anodes in Li-ion batteries, Cl-GP2 exhibits the best electrochemical performance of 493 mA h g-1 at a charge/discharge current density of 50 mA g-1.

Is there a critical LH level for hCG trigger after the detection of LH surge in modified natural frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles?

PURPOSE: There is no consensus yet in the literature on an optimal luteinizing hormone (LH) level for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) trigger timing in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with modified natural cycles (mNC). The objective of our study was to compare the clinical results of hCG trigger at different LH levels in mNC-FET cases. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in Istanbul Memorial Hospital ART and Genetics Center. A total of 1076 cases with 1163 mNC-FET cycles were evaluated. LH levels between the start of LH rise (15 IU/L) and LH peak level (> 40 IU/L) were evaluated. Cycles were analyzed in four groups: group A (n = 287) LH level on the day prior to the day of hCG; groups B, C and D, LH levels on the day of hCG: group B (n = 245) LH 15-24.9; group C (n = 253), LH 25-39.9; group D (n = 383) LH ≥ 40. Cycle outcomes in the four groups were compared. RESULTS: Subgroup analyses of mNC-FET groups showed that implantation, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates, and pregnancy losses were not significantly different in patients with different LH levels on the day of hCG trigger. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that hCG can be administered at any time between the start of LH rise (≥ 15 IU/L) and LH peak level (≥ 40 IU/L) without a detrimental effect on clinical outcome.

High rates of aneuploidy, mosaicism and abnormal morphokinetic development in cases with low sperm concentration.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of severe male infertility (SMF) on the chromosomal status of embryos and any possible correlation between chromosomal status and embryo morphokinetics in younger women using data obtained from comprehensive preimplantation genetic tests. METHODS: The trial was conducted in an ART and Reproductive Genetics Centre between 2011 and 2018. A total of 326 cycles in cases with SMF where the female partner's age was ≤ 35 years were evaluated. SMF is defined as sperm concentration below 5 mil/ml (million per milliliter) and divided into three subgroups according to sperm concentrations: 1-5 mil/ml, < 1mil/ml and testicular sperm. The control group of 190 cycles had normal sperm parameters. RESULTS: Significantly lower chromosomal euploidy rates were found in the testicular sperm group compared with the normal sperm controls when the female age was ≤ 35 years. In SMF, statistically significantly affected chromosomes were 2, 10, 11, 17, 21 and sex chromosomes. The mosaicism and abnormal morphokinetic development rates were higher in the SMF group than in control group, and this difference was significant when testicular sperm was used. CONCLUSION: Lower euploidy rates, higher mosaicism rates and a higher incidence of abnormal morphokinetic development were observed in cases with testicular sperm with female partners ≤ 35 years compared with normal sperm controls. These findings suggest that PGT-A may be advisable in severe male infertility cases. Furthermore, the correlation between morphokinetics and chromosomal status was greatly reduced or absent in these most severe forms of male infertility, thus the need for new morphokinetic models.

Transdermal versus oral estrogen: clinical outcomes in patients undergoing frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles without GnRHa suppression, a prospective randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To conduct a non-inferiority study to compare the clinical outcomes of transdermal estrogen patch and oral estrogen in patients undergoing frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer non-donor cycles without GnRHagonist (GnRHa) suppression. METHODS: A total of 317 women with irregular menses or anovulatory cycle undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) non-donor cycles without GnRHa suppression were involved in a prospective randomized clinical trial between May 2017 and October 2017. The trial was conducted in an ART and Reproductive Genetics Centre within a private hospital. The unit is designated as a teaching center by the Turkish Ministry of Health. Oral or transdermal estrogen was administered in patients undergoing frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer. The outcomes of the study were the following: endometrial thickness on the day of progesterone administration, implantation rate, and clinical and viable ongoing pregnancy rates. RESULTS: Endometrial thickness and clinical outcomes of oral and transdermal estrogen administration were equally successful (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: No significant difference was found in endometrial thickness on the day of progesterone administration nor in clinical outcomes between transdermal estrogen and oral estrogen in patients undergoing frozen-thawed single blastocyst stage transfer cycles without GnRHa suppression.

Biocompatibility of designed MicNo-ZnO particles: Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and phototoxicity in human skin keratinocyte cells.

Recently, designed platelet shaped micron particles that are composed of nano primary particles, called MicNo (=Micron+naNo) particles, have been developed to exploit the benefits of nano size, while removing the adverse effects of nanoparticles. It has been shown that MicNo-ZnO particles exhibit both micron and nanosized particle characteristics. Although physical and chemical properties of MicNo-ZnO particles have been studied, their biocompatibility has not yet been evaluated. Accordingly, the research objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and phototoxicity behaviors of designed MicNo-ZnO particles over human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. MicNo-ZnO particles exhibit much less cytotoxicity with IC50 concentrations between 40 and 50µg/ml, genotoxicity above 40µg/ml and lower photo genotoxicity under UVA on HaCaT than the ZnO nanoparticles. Although their chemistries are the same, the source of this difference in toxicity values may be attributed to size differences between the particles that are probably due to their ability to penetrate into the cells. In the present study, the expansive and detailed in vitro toxicity tests show that the biocompatibility of MicNo-ZnO particles is much better than that of the ZnO nanoparticles. Consequently, MicNo-ZnO particles can be considered an important active ingredient alternative for sunscreen applications due to their safer characteristics with respect to ZnO nanoparticles.

Preparation of electrochemically treated nanoporous pencil-graphite electrodes for the simultaneous determination of Pb and Cd in water samples.

A simple and rapid analytical method of determining Pb2+ and Cd2+ in water samples using an electrochemically pretreated pencil-graphite electrode (EP-PGE) is proposed for the first time in the literature. An electrochemically pretreated pencil-graphite electrode was prepared by performing potential cycling between -0.3 V and 2.0 V in 0.1 mol L-1 H3PO4 solution to improve its ability to electrochemically sense Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions. Square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) was used as the electroanalytical method. The electroanalytical parameters that influence the stripping determination of Pb2+ and Cd2+ were optimized based on experimental results. The magnitude of the peak oxidation current was adjusted in order to optimize the value of each parameter. Applying the resulting disposable electrode under the optimized conditions led to good selectivity and sensitivity in the determination of Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions. Interference from coexisting ions was also investigated. The resulting sensor was successfully tested by applying it to a standard reference water sample. Under the optimized conditions, the limits of detection were 0.46 µg L-1 for Pb2+ and 1.11 µg L-1 for Cd2+ using the electrode. Relative standard deviations (%RSD) were 2.76 for Pb2+ and 2.85 for Cd2+. The linear working ranges of the electrode for Pb2+ and Cd2+ ion detection were 5-45 µg L-1 and 10-40 µg L-1, respectively. Graphical abstract Preparation of nanoporous pencil-graphite electrode by cyclic voltammetry and stripping voltammetric screening of Pb and Cd.

Complete removal of the insecticide azinphos-methyl from water by the electro-Fenton method--a kinetic and mechanistic study.

The removal of organophosphorous insecticide azinphos-methyl (AZPM) from water has been investigated by the electro-Fenton method which produces hydroxyl radicals electro-catalytically. The reaction between these radicals and AZPM has led to the oxidation of AZPM up to carbon dioxide and inorganic ions indicating its complete removal from water. The oxidation kinetics was fitted to pseudo-first order reaction and absolute rate constant of the second order reaction kinetic was determined as (6.82 ± 0.18) × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) by using competitive kinetics method. The oxidation of AZPM by hydroxyl radicals leads to the formation of different intermediates species; such as aromatic derivatives, short-chain carboxylic acids and inorganic ions as end products. The identification and quantification of these intermediates were deeply investigated by HPLC, GC-MS and ion chromatography analyses. Based on the identified intermediates, a general oxidation mechanism was proposed. Mineralization ability of the process was also tested by using aqueous AZPM solutions and its commercial formulation, Gusathion M WP 25 (GMWP25). Mineralization efficiency was followed by the chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis of treated solutions. The overall mineralization of synthetic AZPM solution and that of commercial formulation at the end of treatment highlights the outstanding mineralization power of the electro-Fenton process.

A novel approach for the selective determination of tryptophan in blood serum in the presence of tyrosine based on the electrochemical reduction of oxidation product of tryptophan formed in situ on graphite electrode.

In this study, a novel method was proposed for the selective determination of tryptophan (TRP) in blood serum in the presence of tyrosine. This method is based on the electrochemical reduction of 2-amino-3-(5-oxo-3,5-dihydro-2H-indol-3-yl)-propionic acid (5-O-3,5DH-TRP) formed by the oxidation of TRP on the electrochemically treated pencil graphite (ETPG) electrode surface at a suitable potential value. The parameters affecting the TRP determination were deeply investigated. The optimal pH value was determined as 3. The highest reduction current intensity was obtained at the accumulation potential and time values of +0.95 V and 120 s, respectively. The reduction peak current values of 5-O-3,5DH-TRP versus TRP concentration at the ETPG electrode showed linearity in the range from 0.5 µM to 50.0 µM (R(2)=0.9962) with a detection limit of 0.05 µM (S/N=3). The reduction peak intensity of 5-O-3,5DH-TRP on the ETPG electrode showed no significant change in the presence of different interfering substances. The analytical application of the proposed novel method was successfully tested by using human blood serum samples.

Postoperative statin therapy attenuates the intensity of systemic inflammation and increases fibrinolysis after coronary artery bypass grafting.

A total of 25 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were included in the study. Patients received statin (20 mg daily) postoperatively for 2 weeks. All analyses were performed at 2 different time points: preoperatively (group 1) and 2 weeks after operation (group 2). Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) levels, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) were evaluated. Statin treatment caused a significant reduction in the plasma level of PAI-1 (preop: 15.04 ± 0.13 ng/mL vs postop: 13.89 ± 2.14 ng/mL; P < .05) and increased t-PA levels (preop: 109.74 ± 0.13 vs postop: 231.40 ± 1.22 ng/mL; P < .001). Plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels did not change with treatment. Statin treatment caused a significant reduction in plasma IL-8 level (279.70 ± 3.42 ng/mL vs postop: 207.18 ± 3.63 ng/mL, P < .05), and TFPI (4.87 ± 2.05 ng/mL vs postop: 6.27 ± 1.25 ng/mL; P < .05). The results demonstrate that atorvastatin attenuates systemic inflammatory reaction after cardiac surgery.

A novel approach for the determination of paracetamol based on the reduction of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine formed on the electrochemically treated pencil graphite electrode.

A novel approach was proposed for the simple and rapid electrochemical determination of paracetamol (PC) in the presence of uric acid in body fluids. The voltammetric determination of PC is based on the electrochemical reduction of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine formed simultaneously on the electrochemically treated pencil graphite (ETPG) electrode during the measurement. ETPG electrodes were prepared by the potential cycling between -0.3V and +2.0V in 0.1M H(3)PO(4) solution. The electrochemical performance of the ETPG electrode was evaluated by adsorptive transfer stripping differential pulse voltammetry (ATSDPV). The resulting sensor showed good performance for the determination of PC in human blood serum samples with a linear range of 0.05-2.5 µM and a highly reproducible response (RSD of 3.1%). The calculated detection limit was 2.5 nM (S/N=3). The proposed method does not require any sample pretreatment, prevents the interference of uric acid and allows the determination of PC directly in blood serum samples.

Preparation of selective and sensitive electrochemically treated pencil graphite electrodes for the determination of uric acid in urine and blood serum.

In this study, the preparation of electrochemically treated pencil graphite (ETPG) electrodes in the mixture of lithium perchlorate and sodium carbonate solutions was investigated for the first time in the literature. The prepared ETPG electrodes showed high selectivity and sensitivity for uric acid (UA) oxidation over ascorbic acid and dopamine. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used as electrochemical method. The parameters affecting the UA oxidation were investigated. The optimal pH for UA oxidation was determined as 2. The adsorption of UA on ETPG surface reached saturation in 180s. The oxidation peak current values versus UA concentration at the ETPG electrode showed linearity in the range from 0.05 microM to 10.0 microM (R(2)=0.9962) with a detection limit of 1.5 nM (S/N=3). The oxidation peak of UA on the ETPG electrode did not show any significant change in the presence of certain interferents except bovine serum albumin. The prepared electrodes showed good fabrication reproducibility. The analytical applications of the prepared electrodes were tested by using human urine and blood serum samples. The recovery results of different amounts of UA in urine were varied between 98.6% and 106.4% implying no matrix effect. It was observed that the standard addition method was more satisfactory in the case of blood serum samples.