In this study, modified kappa-carrageenan/pectin hydrogel patches were fabricated for treatment of buccal fungal infections. For this purpose, kappa-carrageenan-gacrylic acid was modified with different thiolated agents (L-cysteine and 3-mercaptopropionic acid), and the thiol content of the resulting modified kappacarrageenan was confirmed by elemental analyzer. Then, the hydrogel patches were fabricated, and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, ex vivo mucoadhesion test, and swelling behavior.Triamcinolone acetonide was added either directly or by encapsulating within the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles. The release amount of the drug from the directly loaded patch was 7.81 mg/g polymer, while it was 3.28 mg/g polymer for the encapsulated patch with the same content at 7 hr. The hydrogel patches had no cytotoxicity by cell culture studies. Finally, the drug loaded hydrogel patches were demonstrated antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus.These results provide that the novel modified kappa-carrageenan and pectin based buccal delivery system has promising antifungal property, and could have advantages compared to conventional buccal delivery systems.antifungal activity, buccal drug delivery, thiolated kappa-carrageenan, triamcinolone acetonide | INTRODUCTIONUlcerative diseases in the mucous membrane of the buccal cavity are observed as a result of a wide etiological reasons such like infections, traumas, immunological disorders, or side effects of some drugs. 1,2 Amongst these, mucocutaneous diseases are observed frequently such as lichen planus, 3 aphthous stomatitis, 4 erythema multiforme, and Behçet's disease. 5 Conventional drug applied to the oral mucosa are generally in the form of in situ gels, 6 pastes, 7 or mouthwashes. 8 These forms have some drawbacks due to causing high-level drug concentration and in the oral cavity for a short period of time. 9 Therefore, the desired therapeutic drug concentration for mucosal and transmucosal absorption could not be adequately provided for healing. To overcome the limitations of the conventional delivery systems, use of oral mucoadhesive systems in the topical treatment of oral ulcerative diseases is a more rational approach. The oral mucoadhesive systems could be prepared in various forms such as buccal adhesive patches, films, and tablets. 10,11

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Cancer is a disease arising from DNA alterations that dysregulate gene structure and function. These deregulated genes can also play a role in tumor invasion and metastasis or resistance to treatment. In this study, we determined the gene expression during transcription of PTGS2 (Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2), MAGE-A3 (Melanoma-associated antigen 3), CALR (Calreticulin), KRT19 (Cytokeratin 19), and TMPRSS4 (Transmembrane protease, serine 4) in HCT116 colon cancer cell line and PC3 prostate cancer cell line. After RNA isolation and cDNA conversion, DNA amplification was performed with Real-Time PCR. We determined the altered transcriptional expression level of those genes. In HCT116 colon cancer cell line, expression of the TMPRSS4 gene, MAGEA3 gene and KRT19 gene was found as increased and expression of the CALR gene and the PTGS2 gene was found as decreased. Especially a 93.70-fold increase in expression of the KRT19 gene was found in HCT116 colon cancer cell line. In PC3 prostate cancer cell lines, TMPRS4 gene expression and MAGEA3 gene expression were found as increased. But there was 50 fold decrease in PTGS2 gene expression.

Therapeutic management of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients can become a challenge because of the emergence of anti-CMV drug resistance. This case report presents a patient with clinical ganciclovir resistance due to a new mutation: histidine-to-asparagine change at residue 393 of UL97. This mutation, which is located in the nonfunctional region of the UL97 gene, is very unusual. Having more information about the mutations leading to drug resistance in CMV is important for both improved clinical management and development of new diagnostic tests and drugs.

Free oxygen radicals are effective in the development and progression of viral infections. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress status in patients with COVID-19, a viral disease of our time. The study was carried out between March 2021-June 2021. Blood samples of 50 patients who applied to Medipol University Faculty of Medicine with suspected COVID-19 infection, corrected clinical and molecular diagnoses and were taken for routine evaluations were included in our study. In the healthy group, 50 serum samples taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic were used. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were measured and the data obtained were compared statistically. TAS level in the COVID-19 group (1.470±0.269) was lower than the healthy group TAS level (1.491±0.286), but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). TOS level in COVID-19 group was 13.962 (3.02±36.35) while it was as 7.925 (1.19±15.03) in the healthy group. The high TOS value in the COVID-19 group was found to be statistically significant compared to the healthy group (p