The role of oligoclonal band count and IgG index in treatment response and disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating central nervous system (CNS) disease. Among the paraclinical tests, brain and spinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is primarily involved in the diagnosis process, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is fundamental in diagnosing MS and the differential diagnosis. A positive relationship was demonstrated between oligoclonal band (OCB) positivity, CSF band number and immunoglobulin G(IgG) index. The study aimed to evaluate whether the number of OCB can predict disease activity and determine a correlation with the IgG index. METHODS: Our study included 401 MS patients who had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), clinic isolated syndrome (CIS), radiologic isolated syndrome (RIS), Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) with OCB number groups of 2-4, 4-8, 8-12, and 12 and above. RESULTS: No significant correlation was observed between IgG index, pre-and post-treatment EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale Scores) and disease-modifying therapies (DMT). Drug response was better in the patient group with band number between 2 and 8 and post-treatment EDSS scores were lower (1.62±0.44). CONCLUSION: The study results suggested that band number may be as valuable as the IgG index and a predictive biomarker for disease activity.

Melatonin receptor gene polymorphisms as a risk factor in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

AIMS: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Melatonin is one of the most powerful endogenous antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated how the gene polymorphism of melatonin differs in patients with DPN compared to an healthy control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients who applied to the Neurology outpatient clinic between 2020 and 2021, and 53 healthy controls comparable with the patient group in terms of age and gender were included in the study. Electromyography was performed and the melatonin gene polymorphism was analysed using the pyrosequencing method. RESULTS: Melatonin gene variants rs2119882, rs13140012, and rs10830963 were analysed in patients and controls. The rs2119882 (G allele) has a protective role, and rs13140012 polymorphism has a related 5-fold higher risk of DPN in the recessive model. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin gene polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with DPN. This is the first and only study investigating the relationship between melatonin gene polymorphisms and DPN. Ethnicity is very important in genetic studies, and it will give us more information on the role of melatonin gene variants in larger study groups of diabetic patients of other ethnic origin.

Evaluation of Neuropatic Pain Features in COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Pain is a common complaint in COVID-19 disease. Neurotrophic features of the COVID virus are reported. Neuropathic pain is seen during many viral infections and observed during the COVID-19 pandemic part of the clinical presentations. Objective: The aim of this is to evaluate neuroptic pain as presenting symptom in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, adult patients (18 years and older) who applied to the COVID Outpatient Clinic completed the demographic data form and the neuropathic pain questionnaire. The patients were divided into positive and negative according to the PCR test results and the presence of neuropathic pain was compared. Results: In total, 440 participants included in the study. Among 301 who stated to had any complaints, 197 (65.4%) had pain. The intensity of their pain was 5.8 ± 2.4 (0 - no pain and 10 - the most severe pain of life). Neuropathic pain component was present in 29.2% of the patients. Among the first admissions, neuropathic pain component was observed significantly higher in those with positive PCR test (55.0%) than negative ones (23.8%), and the Odd's ratio was calculated as 3.911. Conclusions: COVID-19 virus is thought to have neuroinvasion and neurotropic effects. In this study, neuropathic pain specifically was evaluated in COVID-19 patients, and the frequency of neuropathic pain was significantly higher in PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients at the onset of the disease.

Effect of Vacuum Frying Conditions on Quality of French Fries and Frying Oil.

Vacuum frying conditions were investigated with respect to physical, chemical and sensorial properties of French fries and frying oil, besides determining the effect of frying conditions in terms of frying temperature and time. In order to determine the optimum frying conditions of the French fries optimization study was carried out according to Central Composite Rotatable Design. The results were evaluated to determine optimum vacuum frying conditions targeting minimum oil content, 30-45 N in range of hardness, minimum acrylamide content and maximum overall preference. The optimum vacuum frying condition was selected as 124.39 °C of frying temperature and 8.36 min of frying time for French fries. The French fries obtained at optimum conditions for vacuum frying preserved the desired color, textural properties and flavor and it has low oil content and reduced acrylamide formation. In addition, the frying oil quality was preserved with vacuum frying.

Presence of Peripheral Neuropathy Does Not Affect Urine 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin Levels in Type 2 Diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Melatonin is one of the most powerful antioxidant substances and its role in the pathogenesis of diabetes has been the focus of much research. However, no data exist on melatonin levels in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We investigated how levels of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, the main metabolite of melatonin, differed in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: A total of 127 participants were enrolled into 3 groups: diabetic neuropathy (n=43), diabetes but no neuropathy (n=44), and controls (n=40). Neuropathy was diagnosed using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument. Melatonin level was evaluated by measuring 24-hour urine 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels. RESULTS: We found significant differences in urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels between the 3 groups (p=0.023). The distribution of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin among all diabetic participants was significantly lower than in the control group (p=0.006). However, there was no difference in diabetics with and without neuropathy (p=0.792). 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels were negatively and weakly correlated with plasma glucose(r = -0.211, p=0.017) and positively and weakly correlated with microalbuminuria (r= 0.209, p=0.023). Regression analysis was found a significant relationship between age (B = 0.826, 95% Cl=0.227 to 1.426), insulin use (B = 14.584, 95% CI= 3.857 to 25.311), glomerular filtration rate (B = 0.248, 95% CI= 0.018 to 0.478) and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels. 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels in insulin users were significantly higher than they were in nonuser diabetics (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels were lower in diabetics but the presence of neuropathy did not affect 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels. Insulin may improve melatonin levels in diabetics.

Influence of pomegranate seed extract on the formation of biogenic amines in a cereal based fermented food: Tarhana.

In this research, biogenic amine content, acidity, pH values, total free amino acid content (TFAA), ash content, colour values (CIE L*, a*, b*), total phenolic compound content (TPCC) and antioxidant activity values of tarhana, which were fortified with pomegranate seed extract (PSE) in different ratios (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%) were evaluated during six months of storage. It has been evaluated that pomegranate seed extract causes increase on TPCC, ash content and antioxidant activity values. Putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine, histamine, tyramine were studied as biogenic amines. Standard addition and internal standard techniques were performed for quantification of biogenic amines. Recovery rates were found between 87.0% and 94.6%. Total biogenic amine contents of tarhana samples decreased during the first two months of storage, remained constant and increased slightly for the next four months. It was found that, pomegranate seed extract causes decrease on biogenic amine content of tarhana samples. While the average total biogenic amine content in control group was 894.70 mg/kg, tarhana samples which were fortified with pomegranate seed extracts in ratios of 0.5%, 1%, 2% contained 569.67 mg/kg, 514.52 mg/kg, 424.60 mg/kg total biogenic amine, respectively.

Central Pontine Myelinolysis Due to Chronic Alcohol Use: Case Report.

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a neurological disorder characterized by demyelination on the bottom of pons. CPM is known to be the most common clinical presentation of osmotic demyelination syndrome. Osmotic stress formed by rapid correction of hyponatremia in glia cells is thought to be important in pathogenesis. Oligodendroglias are more sensitive to dehydration and volume changes as they are tightly aligned in the pontine. Chronic alcohol use is a rare cause of osmotic demyelination. In chronic alcoholics, central pontine myelinolysis may be asymptomatic or mild symptoms may develop. We presented the case to emphasize that chronic alcoholism is a rare cause of central pontine myelinosis. Keywords: myelinolysis, central pontine, alcoholism.

Association mapping of magnesium and manganese concentrations in the seeds of C. arietinum and C. reticulatum.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the oldest and most important pulse crops grown and consumed all over the world, especially in developing countries. Magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) are essential plant nutrients in terms of human health and many health problems arise in their deficiencies. The objectives of this study were to characterize genetic variability in the seed Mg and Mn concentrations and identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with these traits in 107 Cicer reticulatum and 73C. arietinum genotypes, using a genome wide association study. The genotypes were grown in four environments, characterized for Mg and Mn concentrations, and genotyped with 121,841 SNP markers. The population showed three-fold and two-fold variation for the Mg and Mn concentrations, respectively. The population structure was identified using STRUCTURE software, which divided 180 genotypes into two (K = 2) groups. Principal component analysis and neighbor joining tree analysis confirmed the results of STRUCTURE. A total of 4 and 16 consistent SNPs were detected for the Mg and Mn concentrations, respectively. The identified markers can be utilized in breeding of chickpea to increase Mg and Mn levels in order to improve human and livestock nutrition.

Relationship between genetic polymorphisms MTHFR (C677T, A1298C), MTR (A2756G) and MTRR (A66G) genes and multiple sclerosis: a case-control study.

Recent studies have reported elevated plasma homocysteine and reduced folate and vitamin B levels in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between MS and the following four DNA polymorphisms: MTR A[2756]G, MTHFR C[677]T, MTHFR A[1298]C and MTRR A[66]G. The DNA polymorphisms were genotyped in 80 patients with confirmed MS and 80 healthy control age- and gender-matched subjects using PCR-RFLP approach. Our results show that the frequency of the T/T genotype homozygotes for the MTHFR C[677]T polymorphism was significantly higher in patients than in controls (p = 0.04, OR: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.23-8.17). In turn, the A/A genotype of the MTHFR A[1298]C polymorphism was more frequent in controls than in patients (41.3% vs. 32.5%, p = 0.04). There were no differences in distribution of genotypes for the MTR A[66]G and MTR A[2756]C polymorphisms between patients with MS and controls (p > 0.05). Our findings suggested that the MTHFR C[677]T and MTHFR A[1298]C gene polymorphisms might be associated with MS as genetic factors influencing the risk of the disease.

Developing a vacuum cooking equipment prototype to produce strawberry jam and optimization of vacuum cooking conditions.

Purpose of this study was to develop prototype cooking equipment that can work at reduced pressure and to evaluate its performance for production of strawberry jam. The effect of vacuum cooking conditions on color soluble solid content, reducing sugars total sugars HMF and sensory properties were investigated. Also, the optimum vacuum cooking conditions for strawberry jam were optimized for Composite Rotatable Design. The optimum cooking temperature and time were determined targeting maximum soluble solid content and sensory attributes (consistency) and minimum Hue value and HMF content. The optimum vacuum cooking conditions determined were 74.4 °C temperature and 19.8 time. The soluble solid content strawberry jam made by vacuum process were similar to those prepared by traditional method. HMF contents of jams produced with vacuum cooking method were well within limit of standards.