Bioengineering / Biyomühendislik
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11147/4529
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Article Citation - WoS: 13Citation - Scopus: 17Machine Learning-Assisted Prediction of the Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles: a Meta-Analysis(Springer, 2023) Bilgi, Eyüp; Öksel Karakuş, CeydaSilver nanoparticles are likely to be more dangerous than other forms of silver due to the intracellular release of silver ions upon dissolution and the formation of mixed ion-containing complexes. Such concerns have resulted in an ever-growing pile of scientific evaluations addressing the safety aspects of nanosilver with widely varying methodological approaches. The substantial differences in the conduct/design of nanotoxicity screening have led to the generation of conflicting findings that may be accurate in their narrative but fail to provide a complete picture. One strategy to maximize the use of individual risk assessments with potentially biased estimates of toxicological effects is to homogenize results across several studies and to increase the generalizability and human relevance of their findings. Here, we collected a large pool of data (n=162 independent studies) on the cytotoxicity of nanosilver and unrevealed potential triggers of toxicity. Two different machine learning approaches, decision tree (DT) and artificial neural network (ANN), were primarily employed to develop models that can predict the cytotoxic potential of nanosilver based on material- and assay-related parameters. Other machine learning algorithms (logistic regression, Gaussian Naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbor, and random forest classifiers) were also applied. Among several attributes compared, exposure concentration, duration, zeta potential, particle size, and coating were found to have the most substantial impact on nanotoxicity, with biomolecule- and microorganism-assisted surface modifications having the most beneficial and detrimental effects on cell survival, respectively. Such machine learning-assisted efforts are critical to developing commercially viable and safe nanosilver-containing products in the ever-expanding nanobiomaterial market.Review Citation - WoS: 23Citation - Scopus: 24Microfluidic-Based Technologies for Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Covid-19: Recent Advances and Future Directions(Springer, 2023) Tarım, Ergün Alperay; Anıl İnevi, Müge; Özkan, İlayda; Keçili, Seren; Bilgi, Eyüp; Başlar, Muhammet Semih; Özçivici, Engin; Öksel Karakuş, Ceyda; Tekin, Hüseyin CumhurThe COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to existing healthcare systems around the world. The urgent need for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 has boomed the demand for new technologies that can improve current healthcare approaches, moving towards more advanced, digitalized, personalized, and patient-oriented systems. Microfluidic-based technologies involve the miniaturization of large-scale devices and laboratory-based procedures, enabling complex chemical and biological operations that are conventionally performed at the macro-scale to be carried out on the microscale or less. The advantages microfluidic systems offer such as rapid, low-cost, accurate, and on-site solutions make these tools extremely useful and effective in the fight against COVID-19. In particular, microfluidic-assisted systems are of great interest in different COVID-19-related domains, varying from direct and indirect detection of COVID-19 infections to drug and vaccine discovery and their targeted delivery. Here, we review recent advances in the use of microfluidic platforms to diagnose, treat or prevent COVID-19. We start by summarizing recent microfluidic-based diagnostic solutions applicable to COVID-19. We then highlight the key roles microfluidics play in developing COVID-19 vaccines and testing how vaccine candidates perform, with a focus on RNA-delivery technologies and nano-carriers. Next, microfluidic-based efforts devoted to assessing the efficacy of potential COVID-19 drugs, either repurposed or new, and their targeted delivery to infected sites are summarized. We conclude by providing future perspectives and research directions that are critical to effectively prevent or respond to future pandemics.Article Citation - WoS: 6Citation - Scopus: 6Diagnosis of Ruminant Viral Diseases With Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification(Springer, 2023) Ayaz Kök, Sanem; Üstün, Selcen; Taşkent, HümeyraInfectious diseases in livestock industry are major problems for animal health, food safety, and the economy. Zoonotic diseases from farm animals are significant threat to human population as well. These are notifiable diseases listed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Rapid diagnostic methods can help keep infectious diseases under control in herds. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a simple and rapid nucleic acid amplification method that is studied widely for detection of many infectious diseases in the field. LAMP allows biosensing of target DNA or RNA under isothermal conditions with high specificity in a short period of time. An untrained user can analyze results based on color change or turbidity. Here we review LAMP assays to diagnose OIE notifiable ruminant viral diseases in literature highlighting properties of LAMP method considering what is expected from an efficient, field usable diagnostic test.Article Citation - WoS: 7Citation - Scopus: 7Connexin 32 Overexpression Increases Proliferation, Reduces Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication, Motility and Epithelial-To Transition in Hs578t Breast Cancer Cells(Springer, 2022) Uğur, Deniz; Güngül, Taha Buğra; Yücel, Simge; Özçivici, Engin; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Meşe Özçivici, GülistanConnexins (Cx) are primary components of gap junctions that selectively allow molecules to be exchanged between adjacent cells, regulating multiple cellular functions. Along with their channel forming functions, connexins play a variety of roles in different stages of tumorigenesis and their roles in tumor initiation and progression is isoform- and tissue-specific. While Cx26 and Cx43 were downregulated during breast tumorigenesis, Cx32 was accumulated in the cytoplasm of the cells in lymph node metastasis of breast cancers and Cx32 was further upregulated in metastasis. Cx32's effect on cell proliferation, gap junctional communication, hemichannel activity, cellular motility and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were investigated by overexpressing Cx32 in Hs578T and MCF7 breast cancer cells. Additionally, the expression and localization of Cx26 and Cx43 upon Cx32 overexpression were examined by Western blot and immunostaining experiments, respectively. We observed that MCF7 cells had endogenous Cx32 while Hs578T cells did not and when Cx32 was overexpressed in these cells, it caused a significant increase in the percentages of Hs578T cells at the S phase in addition to increasing their proliferation. Further, while Cx32 overexpression did not induce hemichannel activity in either cell, it decreased gap junctional communication between Hs578T cells. Additionally, Cx32 was mainly observed in the cytoplasm in both cells, where it did not form gap junction plaques but Cx32 overexpression reduced Cx43 levels without affecting Cx26. Moreover, migration and invasion potentials of Hs578T and migration in MCF7 were reduced upon Cx32 overexpression. Finally, the protein level of mesenchymal marker N-cadherin decreased while epithelial marker ZO-1 and E-cadherin increased in Hs578T cells. We observed that Cx32 overexpression altered cell proliferation, communication, migration and EMT in Hs578T, suggesting a tumor suppressor role in these cells while it had minor effects on MCF7 cells.Article Citation - WoS: 4Citation - Scopus: 3Is Telomerase a Hidden Player? Therapeutic Potential of Natural Telomerase Activators Against Age-Related Diseases(Springer, 2022) Kuru, Gülten; Üner, Göklem; Bedir, ErdalThere is a huge demand for novel treatment and/or prevention approaches for age-related diseases, which reduce life quality and one of the main reasons for death worldwide. Many age-related diseases were found to be associated with dysfunctional telomeres, which accelerate aging process due to the decrease in repair potential of tissues. An enzyme called telomerase is mainly responsible for keeping telomeres healthful. In the last two decades, the progress in the field, including in vitro studies, preclinical data, and human trials, demonstrated that telomerase and related genes might be powerful targets for the treatment of those diseases. Considering telomerase reactivation as a treatment strategy in age-related degenerative diseases, telomerase activators obtained from natural products stand out as promising agents. Although various research showed that those activators have protective/therapeutic activity against age-related diseases, the role of telomerase activation is often neglected in studies. In this context, we focused on the natural products as telomerase activator and their activities on age-related diseases, specifically neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and osteodegenerative disorders, in which telomere dysfunction plays a causal role. Thus, this review aims to draw attention to the possibility of telomerase activation in therapy, in which some well-known natural products such as telomerase activators might play a role.Article Citation - WoS: 3Citation - Scopus: 4Frequency-Specific Sensitivity of 3t3-L1 Preadipocytes To Low-Intensity Vibratory Stimulus During Adipogenesis(Springer, 2022) Baskan, Öznur; Sarıgil, Öykü; Meşe Özçivici, Gülistan; Özçivici, EnginAdipocyte accumulation in the bone marrow is a severe complication leading to bone defects and reduced regenerative capacity. Application of external mechanical signals to bone marrow cellular niche is a non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical methodology to improve osteogenesis and suppress adipogenesis. However, in the literature, the specific parameters related to the nature of low-intensity vibratory (LIV) signals appear to be arbitrarily selected for amplitude, bouts, and applied frequency. In this study, we performed a LIV frequency sweep ranging from 30 to 120 Hz with increments of 15 Hz applied onto preadipocytes during adipogenesis for 10 d. We addressed the effect of LIV with different frequencies on single-cell density, adipogenic gene expression, lipid morphology, and triglycerides content. Results showed that LIV signals with 75-Hz frequency had the most significant suppressive effect during adipogenesis. Our results support the premise that mechanical-based interventions for suppressing adipogenesis may benefit from optimizing input parameters.Article Citation - WoS: 19Citation - Scopus: 21Bacterial Cellulose Based Facial Mask With Antioxidant Property and High Moisturizing Capacity(Springer, 2021) Bilgi, Eyüp; Homan Gökçe, Evren; Bayır, Ece; Şendemir, Aylin; Özgen Özer, Kevser; Hames Tuna, Elif EsinBacterial cellulose (BC) produced by certain bacteria has the potential to be used in many different areas. Despite its advantageous properties compared to plant cellulose, such as high purity, mechanical strength, nanofiber mesh structure, and high-water holding capacity, its production through a biotechnological process prevents it from competing with plant counterparts in terms of cost-effectiveness. Therefore, studies have focused on the development of culture media with cost-effective BC production methods and the production of high value-added products from BC. In this study, it was aimed to develop a taurine-loaded moisturizing facial mask with antioxidant properties based on BC's high-water retention and chemical retention capacity. BC facial mask samples were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Liquid Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (LC-MS), microbial and mechanical stability tests, as well as cytotoxicity tests. According to our results, produced facial mask samples did not show any cytotoxic effect on human keratinocyte (HS2) or mouse fibroblast (L-929) cell lines; it has high thermal stability, which makes it suitable for different sterilization techniques including sterilization by heat treatment. Taurine release (over 2 mu g/mL in 5 min) and microbial stability tests (no bacterial growth observed) of packaged products kept at 40 and 25 degrees C for 6 months have shown that the product preserves its characteristics for a long time. In conclusion bacterial cellulose-based facial masks are suitable for use as a facial mask, and they can be used for moisturizing and antioxidant properties by means of taurine.Article Citation - WoS: 8Citation - Scopus: 11Cost-Effective and Rapid Prototyping of Pmma Microfluidic Device Via Polymer-Assisted Bonding(Springer, 2021) Sözmen, Alper Baran; Arslan Yıldız, AhuMicrofluidic systems are relatively new technology field with a constant need of novel and practical manufacturing materials and methods. One of the main shortcomings of current methods is the inability to provide rapid bonding, with high bonding strength, and sound microchannel integrity. Herein we propose a novel method of assembly that overcomes the mentioned limitations. Polymer-assisted bonding is a novel, rapid, simple, and inexpensive method where a polymer is solubilized in a solvent and the constituted solution is used as a bonding agent. In this study, we combined this method with utilization of several phase-changing materials (PCMs) as channel-protective agents. Glauber's salt appeared to be more suitable as a channel-protective agent compared to rest of the salts that have been used in this study. Based on the bonding strength, quality analyses, leakage tests, and SEM imaging, the superior assisting bonding solvent was determined to be dichloromethane with a PMMA concentration of 2.5% (W/V). It showed a bonding strength of 23.794 MPa and a nearly non-visible bonding layer formation of 2.83 mu m in width which is proved by SEM imaging. The said combination of PCM, solvent, and polymer concentration also showed success in leakage tests and an application of micro-droplet generator fabrication. The application was carried out to test the applicability of developed prototyping methodology, which resulted in conclusive outcomes as the droplet generator simulation run in COMSOL Multiphysics version 5.1 software. In conclusion, the developed fabrication method promises simple, rapid, and strong bonding with sharp and clear micro-channel engraving.Article Citation - WoS: 5Citation - Scopus: 5Low Magnitude High Frequency Vibrations Expedite the Osteogenesis of Bone Marrow Stem Cells on Paper Based 3d Scaffolds(Springer, 2020) Karadaş, Özge; Meşe, Gülistan; Özçivici, EnginAnabolic effects of low magnitude high frequency (LMHF) vibrations on bone tissue were consistently shown in the literature in vivo, however in vitro efforts to elucidate underlying mechanisms are generally limited to 2D cell culture studies. Three dimensional cell culture platforms better mimic the natural microenvironment and biological processes usually differ in 3D compared to 2D culture. In this study, we used laboratory grade filter paper as a scaffold material for studying the effects of LHMF vibrations on osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a 3D system. LMHF vibrations were applied 15 min/day at 0.1 g acceleration and 90 Hz frequency for 21 days to residing cells under quiescent and osteogenic conditions. mRNA expression analysis was performed for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) genes, Alizarin red S staining was performed for mineral nodule formation and infrared spectroscopy was performed for determination of extracellular matrix composition. The highest osteocalcin expression, mineral nodule formation and the phosphate bands arising from the inorganic phase was observed for the cells incubated in osteogenic induction medium with vibration. Our results showed that filter paper can be used as a model scaffold system for studying the effects of mechanical loads on cells, and LMHF vibrations induced the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells.Article Citation - WoS: 9Citation - Scopus: 9Development of an Improved Amplex Red Peroxidation Activity Assay for Screening Cytochrome P450 Variants and Identification of a Novel Mutant of the Thermophilic Cyp119(Springer, 2020) Başlar, M. Semih; Sakallı, Tuğçe; Güralp, Gülce; Kestevur Doğru, Ekin; Haklı, Emre; Sürmeli, Nur BaşakBiocatalysts are increasingly utilized in the synthesis of drugs and agrochemicals as an alternative to chemical catalysis. They are preferred in the synthesis of enantiopure products due to their high regioselectivity and enantioselectivity. Cytochrome P450 (P450) oxygenases are valuable biocatalysts, since they catalyze the oxidation of carbon-hydrogen bonds with high efficiency and selectivity. However, practical use of P450s is limited due to their need for expensive cofactors and electron transport partners. P450s can employ hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an oxygen and electron donor, but the reaction with H(2)O(2)is inefficient. The development of P450s that can use H(2)O(2)will expand their applications. Here, an assay that utilizes Amplex Red peroxidation, to rapidly screen H2O2-dependent activity of P450 mutants in cell lysate was developed. This assay was employed to identify mutants of CYP119, a thermophilic P450 fromSulfolobus acidocaldarius, with increased peroxidation activity. A mutant library of CYP119 containing substitutions in the heme active site was constructed via combinatorial active-site saturation test and screened for improved activity. Screening of 158 colonies led to five mutants with higher activity. Among improved variants, T213R/T214I was characterized. T213R/T214I exhibited fivefold higherk(cat)for Amplex Red peroxidation and twofold higherk(cat)for styrene epoxidation. T213R/T214I showed higher stability towards heme degradation by H2O2. While theK(m)for H(2)O(2)and styrene were not altered by the mutation, a fourfold decrease in the affinity for another substrate, lauric acid, was observed. In conclusion, Amplex Red peroxidation screening of CYP119 mutants yielded enzymes with increased peroxide-dependent activity. [GRAPHICS] .