Field-based high-throughput phenotyping enhances phenomic and genomic predictions for grain yield and plant height across years in maize.

Field-based phenomic prediction employs novel features, like vegetation indices (VIs) from drone images, to predict key agronomic traits in maize, despite challenges in matching biomarker measurement time points across years or environments. This study utilized functional principal component analysis (FPCA) to summarize the variation of temporal VIs, uniquely allowing the integration of this data into phenomic prediction models tested across multiple years (2018-2021) and environments. The models, which included 1 genomic, 2 phenomic, 2 multikernel, and 1 multitrait type, were evaluated in 4 prediction scenarios (CV2, CV1, CV0, and CV00), relevant for plant breeding programs, assessing both tested and untested genotypes in observed and unobserved environments. Two hybrid populations (415 and 220 hybrids) demonstrated the visible atmospherically resistant index's strong temporal correlation with grain yield (up to 0.59) and plant height. The first 2 FPCAs explained 59.3 ± 13.9% and 74.2 ± 9.0% of the temporal variation of temporal data of VIs, respectively, facilitating predictions where flight times varied. Phenomic data, particularly when combined with genomic data, often were comparable to or numerically exceeded the base genomic model in prediction accuracy, particularly for grain yield in untested hybrids, although no significant differences in these models' performance were consistently observed. Overall, this approach underscores the effectiveness of FPCA and combined models in enhancing the prediction of grain yield and plant height across environments and diverse agricultural settings.

Effects of Focal Cerebellar Injury on Fracture Healing and Oxidative Stress in Rat Model: An Experimental Animal Study.

AIM: To examine the effect of cerebellar damage on the process of fracture healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of forty-two male rats were selected at random and subsequently allocated into three distinct groups. The experimentals were divided into two subgroups within each group, with the intention of sacrificing them during the third and sixth weeks. Group 1 had isolated femoral fracture, Group 2 had femoral fracture after craniotomy, and Group 3 had femoral fracture accompanying cerebellar injury after craniotomy. Left femoral fractures in rats in all groups were treated using an intramedullary Kirschner wire. Radiological, histological, and biochemical evaluations were conducted at 3 and 6 weeks to assess the processes of fracture healing. To determine the effects of fracture healing and cerebellar injury on oxidant-antioxidant systems, catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured. RESULTS: Between the time frame of 3 to 6 weeks, Group 3 had higher radiography scores, alkaline phosphatase levels, callus/ diaphyse ratio, callus improvement, and bone mineral density in comparison to the other groups. The activity of SOD was found to be statistically negligible in all groups, suggesting that SOD does not have a substantial impact on fracture healing in cerebellar injury. However, notable increases in the activity of GPx and CAT enzymes were observed, showing their considerable involvement in the process of fracture healing. CONCLUSION: Cerebellar injury reduces the oxidative stress in the fracture area and contributes positively to fracture healing by means of radiologically, biochemically and histopathologically.

Evaluation of cerebellum volume and trunk oscillation velocity in cases with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a preliminary report.

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that the cause of the balance disorder seen in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) originates from the central nervous system. However, the extent of the balance problem and the dysfunction of which part of the central nervous system has not been investigated in detail. This study aimed to correlate the values obtained by balance analysis and cerebellum volume measurement in female individuals with AIS with healthy individuals. METHODS: Cerebellum volume was calculated via the cloud-based software " https://volbrain.upv.es " using brain magnetic resonance images of 27 healthy and 26 individuals with AIS. The duration of stay in the test positions, the movement strategy used during this time and the amount of postural sway were analyzed by using a computer-assisted force platform and compared statistically. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the AIS and control groups in cerebellum total volume, vermis cerebelli volume (cm3), and trunk oscillation velocity (mm/s) parameters (p < 0.05). Cerebellum and vermis cerebelli volumes were found to be lower and trunk oscillation velocity was found to be greater in patients with AIS. CONCLUSION: Balance problems in patients with AIS are correlated with decreased cerebellum volume and increased trunk oscillation velocity.

Analysis of changes in brain morphological structure of taekwondo athletes by diffusion tensor imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Taekwondo, which is the most preferred sport among the martial arts, is known to improve individuals physically, spiritually and mentally. The aim of this study is to reveal the effect of teakwondo sport on the brain and brain structures. DESIGN;: 30 taekwondo athletes and 15 control groups were included in this study. Diffusion tensor MR images of each participant were taken. The information was obtained by the self-declaration of the athletes, whether they were sports years, amateur or elite. METHOD: Total brain volume and volumes of white matter, gray matter, frontal lobe, precentral gyrus, corticospinal tract, basal nuclei, postcentral gyrus, hippocampus and amigdala and the ratio of these volumes to total brain volume were evaluated statistically between the groups using MriCloud software and ROIEditor program. RESULTS: An increase in total brain volume, gray matter, frontal lobe and precentral gyrus volume in athletes was associated with taekwondo training. When the ratio of brain parts to total brain volume was examined, it was determined that there was a difference in the ratio of gray matter, white matter volumes in amateur athletes, right frontal lobe, left corticospinal tract, right postcentral gyrus volumes in elite athletes, and left postcentral gyrus volumes of both athletes compared to sedentary individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the volume of gray matter, frontal lobe, postcentral gyrus and corticospinal tract together with the brain volume shows that taekwondo exercise contributes to physical, spiritual and mental development.

Is the Integration Problem in the Sensoriomotor System the Cause of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?

PURPOSE: The reason behind the balance control disorder seen in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been suggested as a central nervous system dysfunction, yet it has not been investigated in detail whether this problem originates from sensory, motor, or from both systems. This study aimed to reveal the differences in the pathways that provide proprioceptive sense, motor control, and coordination between these 2 systems in female individuals with AIS. METHODS: Brain Diffusion Tensor Imaging was applied to 30 healthy individuals and 30 Lenke type 1 AIS patients. All of the individuals included in the study were predominantly right-handed and aged between 10 and 18. Diffusion tensor imaging of both groups were performed bilateral tractography on the corticospinal tract (CS tr), medial lemniscus (ML), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) tracts using DSI Studio software. RESULTS: Significant differences in the parameters of CS tr, ML, SLF, ILF pathways were found between the AIS and the control groups. In the AIS group, significant differences were found in the fiber count and fiber ratio of the ML that carries the proprioceptive sense and CS tr, which is responsible for the somatomotor system. There were also significant differences between the left and right CS tr, ML, SLF, and ILF pathways of the AIS group ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the CS tr, ML, SLF, and ILF pathways may trigger muscular asymmetry and cause postural instability and thus spinal deformity in AIS.

The role of pineal gland volume in the development of scoliosis.

PURPOSE: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is believed to be caused by genetic, neurological, osseous growth anomalies, histological variables including muscle fiber percentage and core structure changes, metabolic and hormonal dysfunction, vestibular dysfunction, and platelet microarchitecture. The objective of this study was to contribute to the determination of the cause of AIS by analyzing the changes in pineal gland volume in AIS cases. METHODS: Study (AIS) and control group were each comprised of 26 patients who met the inclusion requirements. Scoliosis radiograph and MRI of the pineal glands were used for radiological examinations. The distribution of age, gender, Risser grading for skeletal radiological development, and sexual maturation according to Tanner categorization were uniform and statistically insignificant between groups. RESULTS: When the pineal gland volumes of the cases were evaluated according to age, the AIS group was found to have significantly reduced pineal gland volumes in all age groups. The pineal gland volume was found to be 38.1% lower in the AIS group compared to the control group (p˂0.001). In the AIS group, patients aged 13 years had the lowest pineal gland volume (77.2 ± 13.86 mm3), while patients aged 15 years had the highest volume (97.9 ± 16.47 mm3). CONCLUSION: Changes in pineal gland volume support the role of the pineal gland in the etiopathogenesis of AIS.

Is scoliosis related to mastication muscle asymmetry and temporomandibular disorders? A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) may face motor control problems and health disability barriers during mandibular movements and chewing. However, studies investigating the extent of these disadvantages, and possible associated factors are quite limited in patients with AIS. This study was conducted to gain a deeper perspective on the effect of AIS on temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to contribute to the small amount of data on this subject. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with AIS and 29 age- and sex-matched asymptomatic controls participated in this cross-sectional study. Cobb's method was used to measure scoliosis curves. In both groups, the volume of the masseter muscle was determined on magnetic resonance imaging, and Helkimo and Fonseca anamnestic indexes were used to evaluate temporomandibular joint (TMJ). RESULTS: It was observed that the TMD symptoms were higher in the AIS group (22.6- Helkimo and 1.2 - Fonseca) than the asymptomatic group (13.6 - Helkimo and 0.7 - Fonseca). There was no significant asymmetry in masseter volume in patients with AIS, however the volume of the masseter muscles was smaller in the AIS group (R = 14.6/L = 13.6) compared to the control group (R = 16.1/L = 16.2). CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate that spinal curvatures affect the anatomical, biomechanical, and kinesiological features of the masticatory system, and individuals with AIS may experience more chewing problems than asymptomatic individuals. Examining musculoskeletal properties of masticatory system can provide information about the limitation of the TMJ in patients with AIS.

Is the One Ray Normal or Are the Rest Shorter?: Brachymetapody-A Case Report.

In this case report, we present the case of a 20-year-old male patient who suffered from pain in walking clinically, and in whom an extremely rare type of brachymetatarsia was diagnosed. Although distorted body image is the main reason for consulting a specialist, the patient presented because he was unable to find a proper shoe. The patient had no familial history of brachydactyly, trauma, or a genetic disorder. In this extremely rare case, the decision was made to perform shortening of the normal foot ray with a double osteotomy to the metatarsal and proximal phalanx. At the end of the follow-up period, the patient was walking pain-free and had no limitation in shoe choice.

The effects of focal brain damage on fracture healing: An experimental rat study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate whether the motor cortex (MC) or the somatosensory cortex (SC) is more active during the course of bone healing after traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three male Wistar albino rats (age, 8 to 10 months; weighing, 250 to 300 g) were randomized into three groups as the control group, MC damage group and SC damage group. Two rats from each brain damage group were sacrificed to verify the locations of the cortical injuries. Callus formation, callus/diaphysis ratios, and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were measured at one, three and six weeks. RESULTS: The increases in callus masses in the control, MC, and SC groups were statistically significantly different between one and three weeks (p<0.05). Although this increase in the MC and SC groups was significant compared to the control group at the end of one week, no statistically significant difference was found between the MC and SC groups (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in callus/diaphysis ratio between control, MC and SC groups in favor of MC group only at one week (p<0.05). The increase in serum ALP levels at three weeks was statistically significantly different in the MC and SC groups compared to the control group and significantly higher in the MC group compared to the SC group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a possible relationship between enhanced fracture healing after TBI and damage in the MC. Motor cortex plays a more active role on fracture healing in TBI.

Photophysical and photodynamic properties of Pyronin Y in micellar media at different temperatures.

In this study, photophysics and photodynamical properties of Pyronin Y (PyY) in different liquid media were investigated. Interactions of PyY, which is a positively charged pigment compound pertaining to the xanthene derivatives with surfactants possessing distinct charges, were determined by using the molecular absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. It was observed that band intensities of absorption and fluorescence spectra belonging to PyY increase in proportion to the water when compared to three micelle systems, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Triton X-100 (TX-100). This suggests that interactions in micelle systems are different from those in deionized water, and solvation and surface interactions modify. It is determined that the strongest interaction occurs between PyY dye and SDS, anionic surfactant, and this interaction arises from the electrostatic forces. Calculated photophysical parameters indicated that the microenvironment of PyY in SDS micelle is different to that of other systems. In temperature studies, it was reported that increasing the temperature of the samples increased non-radiative transitions. Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy values were calculated by using fluorescence intensities of PyY compound in pre-micellar, micellar and post-micellar systems. Once the PyY fluorescence probe is added to the surfactant containing solutions below the critical micelle concentrations, the measured anisotropy values were found to be low because the probe remains in the deionized water phase. When the surfactant concentration of the medium becomes closer to the critical micelle concentrations, the steady-state anisotropy value prominently increases. This is because of the restrictions on the rotational diffusion of the probe in micellar solution. It is observed that positively charged PyY shows a higher affinity to the negatively charged SDS compared with the positively charged CTAB and neutral TX-100 surfactants. This can be explained by Coulombic interactions.

Photophysics and photodynamics of Pyronin Y in n-alcohols.

The photophysical properties and photodynamics of Pyronin Y (PyY) dye compound in seven polar protic solvents (n-alcohols) were examined as a function of temperature by using UV-visible, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. To understand dye-solvent interactions, photophysical parameters including Stokes' shifts, fluorescence quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes were determined. To examine the effect of solvent polarity, the difference between the ground state dipole moment and the excited state dipole moment was determined. For this purpose, the multiple regression analysis and the Kamlet-Taft technique were used. Moreover, photodynamic parameters, rotational relaxation times and steady-state anisotropy were calculated. The result showed that the specific interactions of PyY with the solvent molecules take place through hydrogen bonding. As the hydrocarbon chain of the alcohols gets longer, photophysical parameters diminish, probably because of weaker hydrogen bonding. Furthermore, it was found out that the dipole moment of excited states (µe ) is higher than that of the ground state (µg ). In addition, Brownian motions increased with the increasing temperature that weakened the fluorescence character of PyY. It was also revealed that the rotation of PyY increased with a prolonged hydrocarbon chain of alcohol series, due to the lesser extent of hydrogen bonding.

Synthesis of an F-BODIPY [2]catenane using the chemistry of bis(dipyrrinato)metal complexes.

ML2 type complexes of an olefin terminated 5H-dipyrrin ligand can be subjected to twofold ring closing metathesis to give bis(dipyrrinato)copper(ii) and bis(dipyrrinato)zinc(ii) [2]catenates. Demetalation of the copper(ii) [2]catenate with KCN/N2H4·H2O gave the corresponding bis(dipyrrin) [2]catenand. The boron difluoride complex of this bis(dipyrrin) was obtained as the first fluorescent F-BODIPY [2]catenane.

The investigation of the interaction between orientin and bovine serum albumin by spectroscopic analysis.

In this paper, the interaction between orientin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was examined using fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy. The analysis of the quenching mechanism was done using Stern-Volmer plots which exhibit upward (positive) deviation. A linear response to orientin was shown in the concentration range between 3 and 50 µM. The experimental results showed the presence of a static quenching process between orientin and BSA. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔS and ΔG were also calculated and suggested that the hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions played an important role in the interaction between orientin and BSA. Furthermore, the distances between BSA and orientin were determined according to Förster non-radiation energy transfer theory. In addition, the results of the synchronous fluorescence obtained indicated that the binding of orientin with BSA could affect conformation in BSA.

Cytotoxicity of 1-aryl-3-buthylamino-1-propanone hydrochlorides against Jurkat and L6 cells.

1-Aryl-3-buthylamino-1-propanone hydrochloride type mono Mannich bases were synthesized and their cytotoxicity was tested against transformed human T-lymphocytes (Jurkat cells) and rat skeletal muscle derived myoblasts (L6 cells). Aryl part was changed as phenyl in 1, 4-methylphenyl in 2, 4-chlorophenyl in 3, 4-fluorophenyl in 4, 4-bromophenyl in 5, 4-hydroxyphenyl in 6, 2-acethylthiophene in 7. Of the compounds synthesized, 2, 5, 6, and 7 are reported for the first time. Compounds 1-7 had 3.16, 3.13, 3.35, 2.87, 4.17, 2.60, and 3.04 times higher cytotoxic potency than the reference compound 5-fluorouracil (CAS 51-21-8) against Jurkat cells, respectively. Compounds 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 had 1.22, 1.46, 1.59, 2.18, 1.24, and 1.45 times higher cytotoxic potency than the reference compound 5-fluorouracil against L6 cells, respectively. Among the compounds tested, only compound 5 had almost equal cytotoxic potency with the reference compound melphalan (CAS 148-82-3) against Jurkat and L6 cells. All compounds synthesized showed higher cytotoxic activity against Jurkat cells compared with L6 cells. Specifically, compounds 1-7 had 2.05, 2.68, 1.82, 1.43, 1.51, 1.66, and 1.66 times higher cytotoxicity against Jurkat cells compared with L6 cells. In Jurkat cells, there was a significant negative correlation between Log P and IC50 values (correlation coefficient: -0.955, p = 0.03), which actually means a positive correlation between the Log P and the cytotoxic activity of the compounds. These results suggest that the most potent compound 5 (a 4-bromo derivative) against both cell lines may serve as a model compound to develop new cytotoxic agents for further studies.