Osmaniye Korkut Ata University

Baricitinib (Bar), used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, is a selective inhibitor of JAK1/JAK2. Studies have shown that it inhibits the intracellular signaling of many proinflammatory cytokines by suppressing STAT3 activation. Increased expression and activity of JAK1/JAK2 and STAT3 are associated with kidney damage. Here, we examined the effects of the JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor baricitinib (Bar) on kidney damage in a sepsis model created with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats.

Rats were divided into four groups: control, CLP, CLP + Bar 3 mg kg^-1, and CLP + Bar 10 mg kg^-1. The cecum of animals to which CLP was applied was first ligated distally, then punctured with a needle to allow the fecal content to spread into the abdominal cavity. Two different doses of Bar (3 mg kg^-1, 10 mg kg^-1) were applied to the treatment groups. Biochemical examinations were performed on the sera of animals sacrificed 24 h after CLP, while histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed on kidney tissue.

Bar administration reduced the increased levels of BUN, Cr, TNF-α, IL-1β, KIM-1, NGAL and IL-18 in CLP-induced animal serum, and the levels of kidney tissue TLR-4, p-NF-κB, p-IκBα, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, caspase-8, and caspase-3. At the same time, Bar application was observed to improve the damage in kidney tissue in histopathological examinations. These effects were more pronounced in the group administered 10 mg kg^-1 Bar.

In this study, we found that Bar administration in the experimental sepsis model induced by CLP showed protective properties on the kidney by reducing inflammation and apoptosis dose-dependently.

The present study investigates the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and glutaraldehyde (GA) on the synthesis and enzymatic activity of lipase hybrid nanoflowers. The effect of lipase concentration on hybrid nanoflower formation was first assessed, revealing that the optimum lipase concentration was 0.2 mg/mL. At this concentration, the encapsulation of lipase within the hybrid nanoflowers reached its maximum efficiency. Further, the effects of PEG and GA concentrations, as well as pH, on the enzymatic activity of the nanoflowers were evaluated. The results demonstrated that 2% (v/v) PEG and 3% (v/v) GA were the most effective concentrations, with the highest activity observed at pH 8. Comparative studies showed that GA-treated lipase hybrid nanoflowers exhibited a remarkable 160% increase in enzymatic activity over the free lipase, outperforming PEG in terms of catalytic performance. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses confirmed that both PEG and GA treatments altered the morphology and structural characteristics of the hybrid nanoflowers, with GA inducing more pronounced changes. Despite these morphological alterations, the enzymatic activity was significantly enhanced, particularly in the GA-treated hybrid nanoflowers. In conclusion, this study highlights the superior performance of glutaraldehyde as an enhancer for the production of highly active lipase hybrid nanoflowers, offering promising applications in biocatalysis and enzyme immobilization.

This study assesses heavy metal contamination, trace elements, and mineral composition in Nile Delta sediments, a region critical for agriculture and ecology. Sediment samples (n = 23) were collected from key urban, agricultural, and industrial zones using a Van Veen grab sampler to capture spatial variability. Analytical techniques included X-ray fluorescence for elemental composition, particle size analysis for grain size distribution, and X-ray diffraction coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for mineral identification. All analyses followed strict QA/QC protocols, including certified reference materials and triplicate measurements. Statistical analyses (Descriptive Statistics, correlation, PCA) were applied to interpret spatial patterns. The elements analyzed included trace metals and oxides of major elements. Pollution indices-Pollution Loading Index (PLI), Geoaccumulation Index (I_geo), Enrichment Factor, Contamination Factor, and Sediment Quality Guidelines-were used to assess contamination levels and ecological risks. Results showed transition metal concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 569.3 mg kg^-1, with actual cadmium (Cd) concentrations of 1.0-4.3 mg kg^-1. The contamination degree ranged from 9.47 to 23.10, indicating localized pollution. Sediments exhibited moderate nickel (Ni) contamination but were within safe limits for copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). PLI values (0.18-1.09) indicated minimal contamination overall, except at sites E2 and G3. Grain size analysis revealed sand (3.56-95.49%) and clay (0.27-12.50%) variability, while mineralogical analysis identified quartz, calcite, aragonite, albite, microcline, and illite as dominant minerals. The study concludes that Nile Delta sediments are generally uncontaminated by heavy metals (supported by Igeo values), though localized contamination hotspots exist. This research provides novel insights into sediment contamination patterns, offering a critical baseline for environmental management.