Ebru Aldemir

Executive and verbal working memory dysfunction in first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorder

The authors aimed to investigate cognitive performance of first-degree relatives of probands with bipolar disorder (BD). They hypothesized that the relatives of BD patients would have impaired performance on cognitive tests of frontal-executive functions. A neuropsychological battery was administered to 34 first-degree relatives of BD probands and 25 control subjects. Relatives showed significant impairment in verbal working memory and executive function. Verbal memory and psychomotor performances of relatives were not different from control subjects. One particular component of executive function, cognitive flexibility, was associated with family history of mood episodes with psychotic features. Verbal working memory and executive function deficits may be useful endophenotypic markers of genetic vulnerability to BD.

Polypeptide Functional Surface for the Aptamer Immobilization: Electrochemical Cocaine Biosensing

Electroanalytical technologies as a beneficial subject of modern analytical chemistry can play an important role for abused drug analysis which is crucial for both legal and social respects. This article reports a novel aptamer-based biosensing procedure for cocaine analysis by combining the advantages of aptamers as selective recognition elements with the well-known advantages of biosensor systems such as the possibility of miniaturization and automation, easy fabrication and modification, low cost, and sensitivity. In order to construct the aptasensor platform, first, polythiophene bearing polyalanine homopeptide side chains (PT-Pala) was electrochemically coated onto the surface of an electrode and then cocaine aptamer was attached to the polymer via covalent conjugation chemistry. The stepwise modification of the surface was confirmed by electrochemical characterization. The designed biosensing system was applied for the detection of cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine (BE), which exhibited a linear correlation in the range from 2.5 up to 10 nM and 0.5 up to 50 μM for cocaine and BE, respectively. In order to expand its practical application, the proposed method was successfully tested for the analysis of synthetic biological fluids.

An aptamer folding-based sensory platform decorated with nanoparticles for simple cocaine testing

The consumption of illicit drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines is still a major health and social problem, creating an abuse in adults especially. Novel techniques which estimate the drug of abuse are needed for the detection of newly revealed psychoactive drugs. Herein, we have constructed a combinatorial platform by using quantum dots (QDs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as well as a functional aptamer which selectively recognizes cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine (BE). We have called it an aptamer folding-based sensory device (AFSD). For the fabrication of AFSD, QDs were initially immobilized onto the poly-L-lysine coated μ-well surfaces. Then, the AuNP-aptamer conjugates were bound to the QDs. The addition of cocaine or BE caused a change in the aptamer structure which induced the close interaction of AuNPs with the QDs. Hence, quenching of the fluorescence of QDs was observed depending on the analyte amount. The linearity of cocaine and BE was 1.0-10 nM and 1.0-25 μM, respectively. Moreover, the limits of detection for cocaine and BE were calculated as 0.138 nM and 1.66 μM. The selectivity was tested by using different interfering substances (methamphetamine, bovine serum albumin, codeine, and 3-acetamidophenol). To investigate the use of AFSD in artificial urine matrix, cocaine/BE spiked samples were applied. Also, confirmatory analyses by using high performance liquid chromatography were performed. It is shown that AFSD has a good potential for testing the cocaine abuse and can be easily adapted for detection of various addictive drugs by changing the aptamer according to desired analytes. Copyright

Double fluorescence assay via a β-cyclodextrin containing conjugated polymer as a biomimetic material for cocaine sensing

A double fluorescence μ-well assay that exploits a novel conjugated polymer containing cyclodextrin (CD) as the key component is reported. For the construction of the cocaine bioassay, poly(p-phenylene) with CD units in the main-chain and poly(ethylene glycol) side chains (PPP-CD-g-PEG) was first prepared by Suzuki coupling polymerization and coated on each well as a biomimetic material. Although the polyphenylene backbone is responsible for the fluorescence properties without an additional fluorophore, PEG and CD provide water solubility and selective complexation with cocaine, respectively. A cocaine antibody was used as a secondary recognition compound after labelling with quantum dots (QDs). Most notably, we show that the two-color fluorescence nature of the assay facilitates double measurement from the same sample and the described strategy can be adapted to various sensing systems.

Polypeptide with electroactive endgroups as sensing platform for the abused drug 'methamphetamine' by bioelectrochemical method.

Affinity-type sensors have emerged as outstanding platforms in the detection of diagnostic protein markers, nucleic acids and drugs. Thus, these novel platforms containing antibodies could be integrated into the monitoring systems for abused drugs. Herein, we established a novel detection platform for the analysis of a common illicit drug; methamphetamine (METH). Initially, a fluorescent-labeled polypeptide (EDOT-BTDA-Pala), derived from L-alanine N-carboxyanhydride (L-Ala-NCA) via ring-opening polymerization using 4,7-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole-5,6-diamine (EDOT-NH2-BTDA) as initiator, was employed as a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) covering host, in order to immobilize the METH-selective antibody. Prior to the examination of analytical features, GCE/EDOT-BTDA-Pala/Antibody surface was successfully characterized in the way of electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and microscopic techniques (scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy). As for the analytical characterization, linearity and limit of detection (LOD) were found as 10-100µg/mL with an equation of y=0.0429x-0.2347, (R2=0.996) and 13.07µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, sample application using artificial urine, saliva and serum samples spiked with METH (10, 25, 50µg/mL) were performed and LC-MS/MS system was used for further confirmation. The described platform can be adapted to monitor the other types of abused drugs by using suitably selected biorecognition elements.

Synthesis and application of a novel poly-L-phenylalanine electroactive macromonomer as matrix for the biosensing of ‘Abused Drug’ model

Polypeptide-functionalized macromonomers are very fascinating candidates for the modification of various surfaces of different sizes as well as geometry, and have attracted considerable attention for biomolecule stabilization, biomedical device fabrication and bioanalytical applications. In the present work, synthesis and characterization of a novel poly-L-phenylalanine-bearing electroactive macromonomer (EDOT–BTDA–PPhe) were carried out. In the following steps, a glassy carbon electrode was covered with this material, and then cocaine aptamer was immobilized to obtain a biofunctional surface for the biosensing of ‘Abused Drug’ model. Aptamers attached to polypeptide side chains on the macromonomer with good orientation are induced for conformational change into three-way junction form as a result of selective binding of cocaine or its metabolite. This aptamer folding-based conformational response provides detectable signals due to formation of a compact interface which restricts electron transfer of redox probe. The stepwise modification of the surface was confirmed by electrochemical techniques. At the final step, the aptasensor was applied for the electrochemical detection of cocaine and its major metabolite, benzoylecgonine (BE), which exhibited a linear correlation between 1.0 and 10 nM and between 0.5 and 10 μM respectively. The proposed methods were successfully employed for the analysis of synthetic biological fluids.

Treatment of Opioid Dependence With Buprenorphine/Naloxone After Liver Transplantation: Report of Two Cases

Opioid dependence is an increasing public health problem. One of the complications of intravenous opioid use is hepatitis C virus infection, which, in turn, is one of the most common indications for liver transplantations throughout the world. Therefore, the treatment of opioid dependence in a liver transplant recipient requires special attention in terms of graft function, drug interactions, and patient compliance. Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid-derived agent with analgesic effects. To prevent buprenorphine abuse, it is combined with the opioid antagonist naloxone. This buprenorphine/naloxone combination is the only drug approved for the treatment of opioid dependence in Turkey. Although the literature includes data about the safe usage of buprenorphine in liver transplantation in animals, there is no such evidence in either case reports or clinical trials for the same in humans. In this article, we present a report of our treatment of 2 opioid-dependent patients with buprenorphine/naloxone after liver transplantation due to hepatitis C virus-induced liver cirrhosis.

“Biomimetic-electrochemical-sensory-platform” for biomolecule free cocaine testing

A biomimetic cocaine sensor was fabricated by using poly(p-phenylene) (PPP) with cyclodextrin (CD) units in the backbone and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains (PPP-CD-g-PEG). The sensory platform was constructed by one step surface modification of glassy carbon electrode with PPP-CD-g-PEG by drop coating. The electrochemical measurements are based on the formation of CD-cocaine inclusion complex on the surface resulting in a significant decrease in electron transfer capacity of the selected redox probe. The changes in the surface features due to cocaine binding were explored via electrochemical techniques such as differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectrometry. The sensor exhibited linearity in the range of 25-200 nM cocaine, LOD was calculated as 28.62 nM (n = 5) according to 3Sb/m formula. Finally, the sensory platform was successfully applied for the cocaine analysis in synthetic urine samples and correlated with the chromatographic method.

LPG Dependence after a Suicide Attempt

Inhalant abuse is a problem that is getting more common all around the world. The increase in prevalence of inhalant abuse escalates morbidity and mortality rates. About 22% of people using inhalant have died at their first attempt. Particularly propane, butane, or propane-butane mixture has highest mortality rates. Sudden sniffing death syndrome, cardiomyopathy, central nervous system toxicity, hematological abnormalities, kidney toxicity, and hepatocellular toxicities are the major complications of inhalant abuse. Herein we present a patient with inhalant use disorder. At the age of 19, after a stressful life event he had unsuccessfully tried to suicide by inhaling LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, a mixture of butane and propane gases). After he realized that he had hallucinations and felt better during the inhalation, he started to abuse it. He was addicted to LPG for 10 years at the time of admission. Besides being dangerous for the society security, this intense level of LPG inhalation (12 liters a day) not giving any physical harm makes this case interesting.

Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire: Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to determine the validity and reliability of Turkish version of Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) developed by Tim Stockwell and colleagues in 1983 for the purpose of evaluating the severity of dependence in people with alcohol use disorder. METHOD The present study was conducted with an adult sample of 200 participants with alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) who applied to Ege University Institute on Drug Abuse, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science. Regarding validity analysis, item-total score correlation coefficients and principal component analysis were calculated. The scale was compared with Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Reliability analysis was performed with internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability. RESULTS Considering the internal consistency reliability of scale, Cronbachs Alpha Reliability Coefficient was found to be α=0.914. Item and Total Score Correlation Coefficients of the scale items were found between 0.309 and 0.730 (p<0.01). The mean test-retest scores of the scale and its sub-dimensions were calculated with t-test for dependent groups and the difference was not statistically significant. Testretest correlation coefficient of the scale was found 0.855 (p<0.01). Exploratory factor analysis explained 70.5% of the total variance and four sub-dimensions were identified. Factor loadings of these sub-dimensions were estimated between 0.49-0.91. The correlation between SADQ and MAST was statistically significant (r=0.557, p<0.01). CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that the Turkish version of the SADQ with four sub-dimensions is a reliable and valid instrument in determining severity of alcohol dependence.