BCM-7: Opioid-like Peptide with Potential Role in Disease Mechanisms.

Bovine milk is an essential supplement due to its rich energy- and nutrient-rich qualities. Caseins constitute the vast majority of the proteins in milk. Among these, ß-casein comprises around 37% of all caseins, and it is an important type of casein with several different variants. The A1 and A2 variants of ß-casein are the most researched genotypes due to the changes in their composition. It is accepted that the A2 variant is ancestral, while a point mutation in the 67th amino acid created the A1 variant. The digestion derived of both A1 and A2 milk is BCM-7. Digestion of A2 milk in the human intestine also forms BCM-9 peptide molecule. The opioid-like characteristics of BCM-7 are highlighted for their potential triggering effect on several diseases. Most research has been focused on gastrointestinal-related diseases; however other metabolic and nervous system-based diseases are also potentially triggered. By manipulating the mechanisms of these diseases, BCM-7 can induce certain situations, such as conformational changes, reduction in protein activity, and the creation of undesired activity in the biological system. Furthermore, the genotype of casein can also play a role in bone health, such as altering fracture rates, and calcium contents can change the characteristics of dietary products. The context between opioid molecules and BCM-7 points to a potential triggering mechanism for the central nervous system and other metabolic diseases discussed.

Cross-regulation of antibody responses against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and commensal microbiota via molecular mimicry.

The commensal microflora provides a repertoire of antigens that illicit mucosal antibodies. In some cases, these antibodies can cross-react with host proteins, inducing autoimmunity, or with other microbial antigens. We demonstrate that the oral microbiota can induce salivary anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG antibodies via molecular mimicry. Anti-Spike IgG antibodies in the saliva correlated with enhanced abundance of Streptococcus salivarius 1 month after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Several human commensal bacteria, including S. salivarius, were recognized by SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and induced cross-reactive anti-Spike antibodies in mice, facilitating SARS-CoV-2 clearance. A specific S. salivarius protein, RSSL-01370, contains regions with homology to the Spike receptor-binding domain, and immunization of mice with RSSL-01370 elicited anti-Spike IgG antibodies in the serum. Additionally, oral S. salivarius supplementation enhanced salivary anti-Spike antibodies in vaccinated individuals. Altogether, these data show that distinct species of the human microbiota can express molecular mimics of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, potentially enhancing protective immunity.

The Evaluation of Frailty in the Elderly and Affecting Biopsychosocial Factors: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of frailty and the affecting factors in people living in our society over 65 yr old. Methods: Our descriptive and cross-sectional study included 261 individuals aged 65 and over who applied to Ankara Training and Research Hospital family practice centers and district polyclinics from 1 Jan to 1 Feb 2020. The participants were asked to complete a sociodemographic data form, FRAIL Scale, Katz Daily Living Activities Scale, Lawton&Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form. Results: According to the FRAIL Scale results: 35 people were found to be frail (13.4%), 115 to be pre-frail (44.1%). No frailty was observed in 111 people (42.5%). While the mean score of the Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale was found to be 5.65±0.71, the mean score of the Lawton&Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale was found to be 6.65±1.69. In the geriatric depression evaluation, mild, medium or severe depression was detected in 87 participants (33.2%). As the level of frailty increased, the Geriatric Depression Scale score climbed significantly (P<0.001). In frail individuals, Lawton&Brody Scale scores were significantly lower (P<0.001). In our study: a correlation was found between frailty and female gender, being single, low income, low educational level, obesity, polypharmacy and decreased physical activity. Additionally, as the number of children increase frailty in women increases therewithal. Conclusion: Elderly people had high frailty. Polypharmacy, depression and reduced physical activity were the more frequent in frail elderly. In frail females, the number of children was significantly higher.

Decision-making under stress: Executive functions, analytical intelligence, somatic markers, and personality traits in young adults.

The main goal of the study was to scrutinize mediating and moderating mechanisms identified in line with the predictions of Somatic Marker Hypothesis (SMH) and Dual Process Theory of the effect of acute stress on decision making. The sample group of the research comprised of 61 (31 females, 30 males) healthy university students aged between 18 and 23 (x̄ = 21, SD = 1.28). Data measurement tools were Skin Conductance Response Measurement, Iowa Gambling Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Wechsler Memory Scale-III Spatial Span Subtest, Stroop Test TBAG Form, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Matrix Reasoning Subtest, Stress Rating Scale, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Big Five Personality Traits Scale, Ways of Coping Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory. The findings indicated that acute stress gives rise to decision-making failures by suppressing the SCR emphasized in SMH and mental processes defined in System 2. Furthermore, neuroticism had a moderating role in the relationship between stress and decision-making. Accordingly, the abovementioned theories cannot separately be sufficient to explain decision-making under stress; but, the predictions of these theories can complement each other to thoroughly make out the physiological and cognitive mechanisms of decision-making.

The effect of physical activity and depressive mood on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

AIMS: The symptoms of menopause in postmenopausal women adversely affect the quality of life. Menopausal symptoms are more severe with comorbid disorders such as depression; it may be lighter in physically active people. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between menopausal symptoms and physical activity and depressive mood. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred and ninety women under 65 years of age who were at least 1 year passed since their last menstrual period participated in the study. Sociodemographic data form, Menopause Symptom Rating Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and Beck's Depression Inventory were applied to the participants. RESULTS: It was seen that 51.6% (98 subjects) of the women who participated in the study had severe menopausal symptoms. 52.6% (100 subjects) of the participants were physically inactive, and their menopausal symptoms increased as the physical activity scale score decreased (P = .001). Menopausal symptoms increased as the Beck's Depression Inventory score increased (P < .001). It was observed that depression inventory scores decreased as the level of physical activity increased (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Adoption of regular physical activity habits by postmenopausal women and providing treatment to those with depression will contribute to alleviating the severity of menopausal symptoms.

Polymer Coated Iron Nanoparticles: Radiolabeling & In vitro Studies.

BACKGROUND: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been extensively used for targeted drug delivery systems due to their unique magnetic properties. OBJECTIVE: In this study, it has been aimed to develop a novel targeted 99mTc radiolabeled polymeric drug delivery system for Gemcitabine (GEM). METHODS: Gemcitabine, an anticancer agent, was encapsulated into polymer nanoparticles (PLGA) together with iron oxide nanoparticles via double emulsion technique and then labeled with 99mTc. SPIONs were synthesized by reduction-coprecipitation method and encapsulated with oleic acid for surface modification. Size distribution and the morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The radiolabeling yield of SPION-PLGAGEM nanoparticles was determined via Thin Layer Radio Chromatography (TLRC). Cytotoxicity of GEM loaded SPION-PLGA was investigated on MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 breast cancer cells in vitro. RESULTS: SEM images displayed that the average size of the drug-free nanoparticles was 40 nm and the size of the drug-loaded nanoparticles was 50 nm. The diameter of nanoparticles was determined as 366.6 nm by DLS, while zeta potential was found as 29 mV. SPION was successfully coated with PLGA, which was confirmed by FTIR. GEM encapsulation efficiency of SPION-PLGA was calculated as 4±0.16% by means of HPLC. Radiolabeling yield of SPION-PLGA-GEM nanoparticles was determined as 97.8±1.75% via TLRC. Cytotoxicity of GEM loaded SPION-PLGA was investigated on MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 breast cancer cells. SPION-PLGA-GEM showed high uptake on MCF-7, while the incorporation rate was increased for both cell lines with external magnetic field application. CONCLUSION: 99mTc labeled SPION-PLGA nanoparticles loaded with GEM may overcome some of the obstacles in anti-cancer drug delivery because of their appropriate size, non-toxic, and superparamagnetic characteristics.

Investigating the relationship between decision-making processes and cognitive processes, personality traits, and affect via the structural equation model in young adults.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between decision making and set-shifting, working memory, planning, selective attention, personality and affect, and to investigate these relations with the help of the structural equation model (SEM). A total of 100 participants, 59 female and 41 male, participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 20.42 years (SD = 1.37). Decision making, set-shifting, selective attention, planning, working memory, personality, and affect were measured via the Iowa Gambling Test (IGT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test TBAG Version, Tower of London Test, Wechsler Memory Scale-III Letter-Number Sequencing Subtest, Basic Personality Traits Inventory (BPTI), and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), respectively, all of which were administered individually. Results of the correlation analyses revealed that various IGT scores were correlated with the four neuropsychological tests as well as the PANAS negative-affect subscale and the BPTI openness to experience factor. Furthermore, the first SEM analysis indicated that the independent latent variables of working memory, set-shifting and planning were significant in predicting the decision making. Finally, the second model of the Block Net Scores revealed the independent latent variables of set-shifting and planning as being significant in decision-making prediction.