Fucoidan Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth Through Modulation of Different Cell Deaths.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel (DOC) is the main chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of advanced metastatic prostate cancer. Docetaxel shows anticancer effects by preventing the depolymerization of microtubules in the cell, therefore preventing cell division. However, the low survival effect of docetaxel has prompted researchers to search for novel therapeutic agents. Fucoidan (FUC) is a sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown algae. It has many bioactivities which makes fucoidan a promising anticancer agent. In this study, the potential anti-tumorigenic and preventive effects of fucoidan with or without docetaxel in prostate cancer were investigated by analyzing different cell death modalities. METHODS: The in-vivo six groups (n = 8) were conducted; preventive (Pt), docetaxel treated after preventive (Pt-D), control, fucoidan (FUC), docetaxel (DOC), and FUC and DOC (FUC+DOC) combination. Apoptotic, necroptotic, and autophagic cell death-related protein expressions were assessed in tumor tissues by using immunohistochemical staining. Oxidative stress-related lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione levels were also determined in tumor tissues. RESULTS: Although apoptotic, necroptotic, and autophagic cell deaths were significantly induced in agent-treated groups compared to the control. Apoptotic cell death was more significantly induced in FUC and FUC+DOC-treated groups. Necroptotic cell death was increased considerably by inducing MLKL protein expression in all treatment groups. In the FUC, Pt, and DOC groups, LC3A/B expressions were significantly increased. DOC, FUC+DOC, and Pt-D treatments caused a significant increase in Beclin-1 expression. Oxidative stress-related MDA, GPX, and GSH levels significantly decreased with FUC treatment. The anti-tumorigenic effects of FUC and DOC were also demonstrated through tumor size reduction. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, FUC inhibited tumor growth temporally and dimensionally, especially in preventive applications. FUC and FUC+DOC combinations in both treatment groups showed anti-tumorigenic effects. The results of this study suggest that fucoidan is a promising anticancer agent against prostate cancer. FUC can be considered as a preventive or treatment agent in prostate cancer therapy with DOC. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the mechanism of action of fucoidan in metastatic prostate cancer.

Is serum BDNF level reliable parameter in detecting of dental anxiety before impacted third molar surgery?

BACKGROUND: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a factor that implicate in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between dental anxiety and BDNF serum level through impacted third molar surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, cross-sectional study, the sample included patients who had been admitted for the impacted third molar extraction under local anesthesia between January to November 2020. The primary predictor variable was serum BDNF level and the second predictor variable was dental anxiety scores before and after operation in patients. The primary outcome variable was the correlation between anxiety scores (APAIS, MDAS, STAI, VAS) and serum BDNF level. The sample included 55 patients (22 Male, 33 Female) aged 18 to 42 (24,2+5,55). RESULTS: Comparison of pre-operative scores (APAIS, MDAS, STAI, VAS and BDNF) and post-operative scores were statistically significant (P < .05). Post-operatively, MDAS and VAS scores decreased, while BDNF levels and STAI scores increased compared to the preoperative scores. BDNF was not correlated with APAIS, MDAS, STAI, and VAS preoperatively and postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a relationship between serum BDNF level and dental anxiety scale, but, no correlation was found between them.

Skin and lung fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis (SSc), is a chronic autoimmune connective disease with an unknown etiology and poorly understood pathogenesis. The striking array of autoimmune, vascular, and fibrotic changes that develop in almost all patients makes SSc unique among connective tissue diseases. Although no animal model developed for SSc to date fully represents all features of human disease, some animal models that demonstrate features of SSc may help to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease and to develop new therapeutic options. In this review, we aimed to evaluate skin fibrosis and lung involvement in a bleomycin (BLM)-induced mouse model and to evaluate the differences between studies. METHODS: A systematic literature review (PRISMA guideline) on PubMed and EMBASE (until May 2023, without limits) was performed. A primary literature search was conducted using the PubMed and EMBASE databases for all articles published from 1990 to May 2023. Review articles, human studies, and non-dermatological studies were excluded. Of the 38 non-duplicated studies, 20 articles were included. RESULTS: Among inducible animal models, the BLM-induced SSc is still the most widely used. In recent years, the measurement of tissue thickness between the epidermal-dermal junction and the dermal-adipose tissue junction (dermal layer) has become more widely accepted. CONCLUSIONS: In animal studies, it is important to simultaneously evaluate lung tissues in addition to skin fibrosis induced in mice by subcutaneous BLM application, following the 3R (replacement, reduction, and refinement) principle to avoid cruelty to animals.

Carcase characteristics, meat quality, nutrient composition, serum biochemistry and oxidant/antioxidant status in white striping-affected broiler chickens fed diets based on maize-soybean meal.

1. Effects of the incidence of white striping (WS) in relation to carcase weights and yields, breast meat quality and composition, serum biochemistry and oxidant/antioxidant status of breast meat in broiler chickens were investigated.2. The study consisted of 180, one-d-old male broiler chickens fed maize-soybean meal-based starter, grower, finisher and withdrawal diets identical to commercial chicken diets. On d 49, all the birds were slaughtered and breast fillets were visually scored for the incidence of WS. Breast meat and blood samples were collected and categorised based on the presence or absence of WS.3. The study revealed greater slaughter weight, carcase and breast fillet weights and yields, lower pHu and higher cooking loss of breast meat with WS lesions (P < 0.05). WS-affected breast fillets had greater fat and lower crude protein contents in comparison with normal meat (P < 0.001). Serum creatine kinase levels were greater in broilers with WS (P = 0.011), whereas oxidant/antioxidant status of breast meat remained unaffected.4. Taken together, the presence of WS on breast muscle altered the quality and nutrient composition of breast fillets and serum creatine kinase levels in broiler chickens fed diets based on maize-soybean meal. Nevertheless, WS was more common in heavier broilers having higher breast weight and yield.

Hounsfield units: A promising non-invasive tool for diagnosing benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are directly proportional to prostate volume. We aimed to show whom and when to intervene in a noninvasive way, correlating the patient's subjective symptoms with objective diagnostic tools. MATERIAL AND METHOD: International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was evaluated in patients who consulted the urology outpatient clinic for the first time with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Subsequently, PSA, urea, creatinine, complete urinalysis, uroflowmetry, urinary tract ultrasound and non-contrast lower abdominal computed tomography (CT) examinations were requested. Prostate central (transitional zone) zone and peripheral zone HU scores, prostatic urethral length and bladder wall Hounsfield units (HU) scores were recorded by using computed tomography (CT). The ellipsoid formula was used for ultrasonographic and tomographic measurements of prostate size (anteroposterior diameter × transverse diameter × longitudinal diameter × 0.52). RESULTS: A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the prostate peripheral zone/central zone HU ratio and the maximum flow rate measured in the uroflowmetry test. CONCLUSION: This is the first study in the literature to evaluate the correlation between voiding parameters such as Qmax, Qave and IPSS scores, and prostate and bladder wall HU scores obtained by computed tomography examination in BPH patients. A significant relationship has been detected between the peripheral zone/central zone HU ratio and Q max. Additional studies with larger patient populations could better clarify the contribution of HU in the diagnosis of BPH and treatment decision making of these patients.

Clinical characteristics, quality of life and risk factors for severity in palmoplantar pustulosis: a cross-sectional, multicentre study of 263 patients.

BACKGROUND: Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a rare, chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by sterile pustules on palmar or plantar areas. Data on PPP are scarce. AIM: To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for disease severity in a large cohort of Turkish patients with PPP. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, multicentre study of patients with PPP recruited from 21 tertiary centres across Turkey. RESULTS: In total, 263 patients (165 women, 98 men) were evaluated. Most patients (75.6%) were former or current smokers. The mean Palmoplantar Pustulosis Area and Severity Index (PPPASI) was 8.70 ± 8.06 and the mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score was 6.87 ± 6.08, and these scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.52, P < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that current smoking was significantly associated with increased PPPASI (P = 0.03). Coexisting psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) was reported by 70 (26.6%) patients. Male sex prevalence, PPP onset incidence, disease duration, DLQI, and prevalence of nail involvement and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were significantly increased among patients with PPP with PsV. Of the 263 patients, 18 (6.8%) had paradoxical PPP induced by biologic therapy, and these patients had significantly increased mean DLQI and prevalence of PsA (r = 0.03, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that smoking is a risk factor for both PPP development and disease severity. Patients with PPP with PsV present distinct clinical features and patients with biologic therapy-induced paradoxical PPP have reduced quality of life and are more likely to have PsA.

Educational Intervention for the Awareness Improvement and Control Programme Design on Echinococcosis in Izmir, Turkey.

In Turkey, cyst hydatid disease (CHD) or cystic echinococcosis (CE) is publicly known as "dog cyst", a fatal and serious disease not only affects livestock husbandry and human health but also brings about economic loss to our country. According to the data of the Ministry of Health; number of annual cases was 408 in 2008, and this number reached 1,867 by the end of 2019. Cystic echinococcosis is especially taken up during childhood and emerged at an older age. They become exposed to the eggs of the tapeworm after close contact with an infected dog or its contaminated environment. The infected dogs also pass in their feces E. granulosus eggs that adhere to the dogs' hairs, and pass on to the children who are in the course of playful and intimate contact with the infected dogs. This study was to create the awareness of risk factors of CE among 10 different districts of Izmir province. Awareness raising seminars are essential component of this study because local people living in CE endemic areas, are crucial to continue and sustain the long-time effort that is needed to tackle this disease. In each district, 3 awareness raising seminars were held to the target groups: (a) in schools for students, teachers, administrators, (b) for general public, (c) for healthcare professionals. 4090 students attended to the trainings, 242 administrators and teachers who attended to the presentations together with the students, 524 people were attended to the trainings and 327 health workers attended to the trainings from different institutions. This study helped improving this situation by organising educational events for the rural populations for preventing transmission of the disease. This is the first educational intervention study regarding creating awareness on CE in Izmir Province which includes 10 districts between January 2019 to January 2020.

Fmoc-PEG Coated Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Carriers by Non-covalent Functionalization: An Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Study.

Due to their structural characteristics at the nanoscale level, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), hold great promise for applications in biomedicine such as drug delivery systems. Herein, a novel single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)-based drug delivery system was developed by conjugation of various Fmoc-amino acid bearing polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains (Mw = 2,000, 5,000, and 12,000). In the first step, full-atom molecular dynamics simulations (MD) were performed to identify the most suitable Fmoc-amino acid for an effective surface coating of SWNT. Fmoc-glycine, Fmoc-tryptophan, and Fmoc-cysteine were selected to attach to the PEG polymer. Here, Fmoc-cysteine and -tryptophan had better average interaction energies with SWNT with a high number of aromatic groups, while Fmoc-glycine provided a non-aromatic control. In the experimental studies, non-covalent modification of SWNTs was achieved by Fmoc-amino acid-bearing PEG chains. The remarkably high amount of Fmoc-glycine-PEG, Fmoc-tryptophan-PEG, and Fmoc-cysteine-PEG complexes adsorbed onto the SWNT surface, as was assessed via thermogravimetric and UV-vis spectroscopy analyses. Furthermore, Fmoc-cysteine-PEG5000 and Fmoc-cysteine-PEG12000 complexes displayed longer suspension time in deionized water, up to 1 and 5 week, respectively, underlying the ability of these surfactants to effectively disperse SWNTs in an aqueous environment. In vitro cell viability assays on human dermal fibroblast cells also showed the low cytotoxicity of these two samples, even at high concentrations. In conclusion, synthesized nanocarriers have a great potential for drug delivery systems, with high loading capacity, and excellent complex stability in water critical for biocompatibility.

Chemical compositions, radical scavenging capacities and antimicrobial activities in seeds of Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata from Turkey / Composições químicas, capacidades radicais eliminadoras e atividades antimicrobianas em sementes de Satureja hortensis L. e Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata da Turquia

Abstract The present study determined some biological compounds, radical scavenging activity and antimicrobial capacity in seeds of Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata. Alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3 n3) has been found to be the major polyunsaturated fatty acid of Satureja hortensis L. (66.24 ± 1.24%) and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata (48.17 ± 1.01%). Linoleic acid (C18:2 n6) is identified as the second major polyunsaturated fatty acid in the present study and oleic acid (C18:1 n9) is determined as the major monounsaturated fatty acid. Current study showed that Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata have low levels of saturated fatty acids. It has been demonstrated that ergosterol (263.1 ± 2.14 µg/g), stigmasterol (39.07 ± 0.91 µg/g) and beta-sitosterol (14.64 ± 0.49 µg/g) have been found in Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata, while ergosterol (69.41 ± 1.75 µg/g) and beta-sitosterol (19.81 ± 1.14 µg/g) have been determined in Satureja hortensis L. Also, this study determined that Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata have low lipide-soluble vitamin content. Furthermore, it has been found that Satureja hortensis L. contains naringenin (612.57 ± 2.57 µg/g), morin (86.97 ± 1.12 µg/g), quercetin (22.87 ± 0.75 µg/g), and kaempferol (20.11 ± 0.94 µg/g) while naringenin (135.91 ± 1.91 µg/g), naringin (61.23 ± 2.15 µg/g) and quercetin (47.51 ± 1.17 µg/g) have been detected as major flavonoids in the seeds of Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata. The results of the present study suggest that methanol extracts of Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata have significant free radical scavenging activity. The present results revealed that Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata showed major activity against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, fungi and yeast.

Resumo O presente estudo determinou alguns compostos biológicos, atividade de eliminação de radicais e capacidade antimicrobiana em sementes de Satureja hortensis L. e Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata. O ácido alfa-linolênico (C18: 3 n3) foi o principal ácido graxo poliinsaturado de Satureja hortensis L. (66,24 ± 1,24%) e Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata (48,17 ± 1,01%). O ácido linoléico (C18: 2 n6) é identificado como o segundo principal ácido graxo poliinsaturado no presente estudo e o ácido oleico (C18: 1 n9) é determinado como o principal ácido graxo monoinsaturado. O estudo atual mostrou que Satureja hortensis L. e Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata tem baixos níveis de ácidos graxos saturados. Foi demonstrado que ergosterol (263,1 ± 2,14 µg/g), estigmasterol (39,07 ± 0,91 µg/g) e beta-sitosterol (14,64 ± 0,49 µg/g) foram encontrados em Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata, enquanto o ergosterol (69,41 ± 1,75 µg/g) e beta-sitosterol (19,81 ± 1,14 µg/g) também foram determinados em Satureja hortensis L., este estudo determinou que Satureja hortensis L. e Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata tem baixo teor de vitaminas lipossolúveis. Além disso, verificou-se que S. hortensis L. contém naringenina (612,57 ± 2,57 µg/g), morina (86,97 ± 1,12 µg/g), quercetina (22,87 ± 0,75 µg/g) e kaempferol (20,11 ± 0,94 µg/g) enquanto a naringenina (135,91 ± 1,91 µg/g), a naringina (61,23 ± 2,15 µg/g) e a quercetina (47,51 ± 1,17 µg/g) foram detectadas como flavonóides importantes nas sementes de Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que os extratos metanólicos de S. hortensis L. e Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata tem significativa atividade de eliminação de radicais livres. Os presentes resultados revelaram que Satureja hortensis L. e Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata mostrou atividade importante contra microrganismos gram-positivos e gram-negativos, fungos e leveduras.

Key Elements of Gingival Epithelial Homeostasis upon Bacterial Interaction.

Epithelia are structurally integral elements in the fabric of oral mucosa with significant functional roles. Similarly, the gingival epithelium performs uniquely critical tasks in responding to a variety of external stimuli and dangers through the regulation of specific built-in molecular mechanisms in a context-dependent fashion at cellular levels. Gingival epithelial cells form an anatomic architecture that confers defense, robustness, and adaptation toward external aggressions, most critically to colonizing microorganisms, among other functions. Accordingly, recent studies unraveled previously uncharacterized response mechanisms in gingival epithelial cells that are constructed to rapidly exert biocidal effects against invader pathobiotic bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, through small danger molecule signaling. The host-adapted bacteria, however, have developed adroit strategies to 1) exploit the epithelia as privileged growth niches and 2) chronically target cellular bactericidal and homeostatic metabolic pathways for successful bacterial persistence. As the overgrowth of colonizing microorganisms in the gingival mucosa can shift from homeostasis to dysbiosis or a diseased state, it is crucial to understand how the innate modulatory molecules are intricately involved in antibacterial pathways and how they shape susceptibility versus resistance in the epithelium toward pathogens. Thus, in this review, we highlight recent discoveries in gingival epithelial cell research in the context of bacterial colonizers. The current knowledge outlined here demonstrates the ability of epithelial cells to possess highly organized defense machineries, which can jointly regulate host-derived danger molecule signaling and integrate specific global responses against opportunistic bacteria to combat microbial incursion and maintain host homeostatic balance. These novel examples collectively suggest that the oral epithelia are equipped with a dynamically robust and interconnected defense system encompassing sensors and various effector molecules that arrange and achieve a fine-tuned and advanced response to diverse bacteria.

Relevance between clinical status and exhaled molecules related to neutrophilic inflammation in pediatric cystic fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized with chronic inflammation with neutrophil and related cytokines in airway secretions. We aimed to measure the levels of neutrophil related inflammatory markers as nitric oxide, IL-8, IL-17, leukotriene B4 and neutrophil elastase as well as e-cadherin in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), and to determine their relation with clinical findings. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled cystic fibrosis patients into our clinics between the age of six and eighteen years who could cooperate for exhaled breath condensate to this case-control study (n = 30). The age and sex matched control group (n = 26) was enrolled. Spirometry was performed during the stable period and EBC samples were obtained for measurement of the markers. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects enrolled was 12.1(4.2) years and 40% were positive for P.Aeruginosa in sputum. Subjects who had P.Aeruginosa in sputum cultures had significantly lower FEV1, FVC and FEF 25/75 values compared to the ones without P.Aeruginosa (p = 0.002, p = 0.002 and p = 0.005 respectively). EBC neutrophil elastase levels were significantly higher in the CF patients compared to non-CF controls (3.11 ± 4.71 versus 0.90 ± 2.68, p = 0.04). Nitric oxide, IL-17, IL-8, e-cadherin, neutrophil elastase or leukotriene B4 levels in EBC of CF patients were not related to P.Aeruginosa s infection, FEV1 levels or hospital admission in the last year. CONCLUSION: In our study, neutrophil elastase levels in EBC are higher in CF patients compared to non-CF controls. This is independent of acute infection and is evidence to the persistence of neutrophilic lung injury. However, EBC NO, IL-8, IL-17, e-cadherin, neutrophil elastase and leukotriene B4 levels as inflammatory markers, are not correlated with disease progression or clinical findings.

ON THE ISSUE OF NECESSITY TO PERFORM THE DR-70 IMMUNOASSAY PRIOR TO PROSTATE BIOPSY IN PATIENTS WITH HIGH PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVEL AND ITS EFFICACY IN PREDICTING THE BIOPSY RESULTS.

The aim is to discuss the contribution of the DR-70 for the patients with high PSA level and which cutofflevel of DR-70 must be consideredthe biopsy decision. 93 patients with high prostate specific antigen level were enrolled into the study. Before the prostate biopsy, total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA), free/total PSA rate (f/tPSA), PSA density (PSAD) and DR-70 levels were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups according to the pathological outcome of benign (G1) or malignant (G2). G1 and G2 were compared with Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's rho and ROC curve for analysis. The significance level is taken as .05 for all tests. The median age of patients in G1 and G2 was 62.52 and 68.22 years, respectively. The mean PV in G1 and G2 were 52.16 and 39.6 mL, respectively. The mean tPSA, PSAD and DR-70 levels in G1 and G2 were found as 7.19 and 18.74 ng/mL, 0.14 and 0.48 ng/mL/cc and 0.44 and 0.5 µg/mL, respectively. The mean age of the patients in G2 was statistically significantly higher than G1 (p=.001).The mean PV of the patients in G2 was statistically significantly lower than G1 (p=.001).The mean PSAD of the patients in G2 was statistically significantly higher than G1 (p=.001). There was no statistically significant difference on DR-70 levelsbetween G1 and G2 (p=.38). In Spearman's rhocorrelationanalysis, there was nostatistically significant relationships between DR-70 levels and pathology results in G2 (p=.24). ROC curve of tPSA, fPSA, f/tPSA, PSAD and DR-70 levelswere evaluated. ROC curve of PSAD shows a fair discriminant power with AUC = 0.71 (95% CI: 0.607-0.828) for differentiation between PCa and benign tissue in prostate biopsy with moderate specificity and high sensitivity (62.5% and 75.7%, resp., cut-off level: 0.1377 ng/mL). Contrary to literature and guidelines, cutoff level of PSAD as 0.13ng/mL/cc should be kept in mind and accordingly, a biopsy decision should be made. We think that DR-70 is no needed for additional evaluation before prostate biopsy.

Successful outcomes in laparoscopic pyeloplasty using knotless self-anchoring barbed suture in children.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children has gained increasing importance over the last decade. Intracorporeal knot tying still remains a technical challenge for the surgeon. Self-anchoring suture incorporates a new concept for tissue approximation and reduces intracorporeal knot tying problems. There are very few reports on self-anchoring knotless suture and its application for laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children. We present our results of a series of consecutive children undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty with knotless barbed sutures. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We prospectively evaluate 15 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty with knotless barbed sutures (V-LocTM, Covidien) for ureteropelvic anastomosis. The decision of the operation was given by pediatric nephrology-urology-radiologic imaging diagnostic team, and all patients were operated by a single surgeon. Pyeloplasty was performed without pelvic reduction, and the anastomosis was made by barbed sutures using running fashion. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients were 5.39 (3 months-17 years). Two cases had undergone a right-sided pyeloplasty, and thirteen had undergone a left-sided pyeloplasty. The duration of the operative procedure was 60-110 min. Neither intraoperative nor postoperative complication was encountered in any of the cases. Patients were followed by ultrasonographic evaluation. The anteroposterior diameter (AP) diameter of renal pelvis and hydronephrosis grade Society for Fetal Urology (SFU) are significantly different when compared with pre-operative and postoperative period (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Owing to the renal parenchymal thickness change by age pre-operative and postoperative thickness comparison is adjusted by age, because age is considered as a covariate (confounder variable). We observed statistically significant (p = 0.003) difference in parenchymal thickness in all cases. Follow-up periods of the 15 consecutive pediatric pyeloplasty cases were 6-54 months. CONCLUSION: In the present study, successful outcome of the laparoscopic pyeloplasty using barbed suture was shown for the first time in children in literature. We believe that successful outcome of laparoscopic pyeloplasty could be achieved by eliminating knots and less manipulation on the wound edge also minimizes tissue injury during the procedure.

Comparing SARC-F with SARC-CalF to Screen Sarcopenia in Community Living Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic value of the SARC-F combined with calf circumference (SARC-CalF) with the standard SARC-F to screen sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, diagnostic accuracy study. SETTING: Geriatric outpatient clinic of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Older adults >= 65 years. MEASUREMENTS: Muscle mass (bioimpedance analysis device), muscle strength (hand grip strength-Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer), and physical performance (usual gait speed). Four currently used diagnostic criteria [European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS), and Society on Sarcopenia Cachexia and Wasting Disorders (SCWD) criteria] were applied. SARC-CalF was performed by using two different calf circumference threshold: standard cut-off 31 cm (SARC-CalF-31) and national cut-off 33 cm (SARC-CalF-33). The sensitivity/specificity analyses of the SARC-CalF and SARC-F tools were run. We used the receiver operating characteristics curves and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC) to compare the diagnostic accuracy to identify sarcopenia. RESULTS: We included 207 subjects; 67 male and 140 female with a mean age of 74.6±6.7 years. The prevalence of sarcopenia ranged from 1.9% to 9.2%. The sensitivity of SARC-F was between 25% (EWGSOP) and 50% (IWGS); specificity was about 82%. For SARC-CalF-31 and SARC-CalF-33 sensitivity was in general similar -between 25-50%- which pointed out that SARC-CalF was not superior to SARC-F for sensitivity in this sample. Corresponding specificities for SARC-CalF-31 and SARC-CalF-33 were higher than SARC-F and were between 90-98%. Additionally, the AUC values, which indicates the diagnostic accuracy of a screening test, were in general higher for SARC-CalF-33 than the SARC-F and SARC-CalF-31. CONCLUSIONS: We reported that addition of calf circumference item to SARC-F tool improved the specificity and diagnostic accuracy of SARC-F but it did not improve the sensitivity in a community-dwelling Turkish older adult population sample that had low prevalence of sarcopenia. The performance of SARC-CalF tool to screen sarcopenia is to be studied in different populations and living settings.

Performance of SARC-F in Regard to Sarcopenia Definitions, Muscle Mass and Functional Measures.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability and validity of Turkish version of SARC-F in regard to screening with current definitions of sarcopenia, muscle mass and functional measures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling older adults aged >=65 years admitting to a geriatric outpatient clinic. MEASUREMENTS: Muscle mass (bioimpedance analysis), handgrip strength, usual gait speed, chair sit-to-stand test, functional reach test, short physical performance battery, SARC-F questionnaire, FRAIL questionnaire Sarcopenia was evaluated with 4 current different definitions: European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People's (EWGSOP); Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS) and Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders (SCWD). RESULTS: After cross-cultural adaptation, 207 subjects were analysed in the clinical validation study. Mean age was 74.6±6.7 years, 67.6% were women. Against EWGSOP, FNIH, IWGS and SCWD definitions of sarcopenia, sensitivity of SARC-F were %25, 31.6%, 50% and 40%; specificity were 81.4%, 82.4%, 81.8% and 81.7%, respectively. Positive predictive values were between 5.1-15.4% and negative predictive values were 92.3-98.2%. Against parameters of low muscle mass, sensitivity were about 20% and specificity were about 81%. Against parameters of function; for low hand grip strength, sensitivity of SARC-F were 33.7% (for Turkish cut-off); 50% (for FNIH cut-off); specificity were 93.7% (for Turkish cut-off) and 85.8% (for FNIH cut-off). Against low UGS, poor performance in chair sit to stand test, functional reach test, SPPB and presence of positive frailty screening sensitivity were 58.3%, 39.2%, 59.1%, 55.2% and 52.1% while specificity were 97.3%, 97.8%, 88.1%, 99.3% and 91.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The psychometric performance of Turkish SARC-F was similar to the original SARC-F. It revealed low sensitivity but high specificity with all sarcopenia definitions. Sensitivity and specificity were higher for muscle function tests reflecting its inquiry and input on functional measures. Our findings suggest that SARC-F is an excellent test to exclude muscle function impairment and sarcopenia. SARC-F is relatively a good screening test for functional measures.

Protective and therapeutic effects of dexpanthenol on isoproterenol-induced cardiac damage in rats.

The purpose of the study was to explore the protective and therapeutic effects of dexpanthenol (DEX) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac damage. Forty rats were distributed into four groups: group I (Control); group II (ISO); ISO (150 mg/kg/day) was given to rats once a day for 2 consecutive days with an interval of 24 h; group III (DEX+ISO): DEX (250 mg/kg) was applied 30 min before the first ISO administration and continued in the next two days after second ISO administration; group IV (ISO+DEX): After the ISO treatment at 1st and 2nd days, DEX was given at 3rd and 4th days. Rats were monitored for mean arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate, oxygen saturation (%SO2 ), and electrocardiography (ECG). Heart tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), reduced glutathione (GSH), total oxidant status (TOS); total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), and caspase-3 were determined. BP and SO2 values indicated a significant decrease in the ISO group. Also, T wave negativity was observed in 6 of 10 rats, SOD, CAT, and GPX levels were significantly lower in ISO group than control group. ISO administration increased TOS and OSI levels, whereas DEX treatment significantly reduced these parameters. Also, ISO-induced morphological alterations such as disorganization of cardiomyocytes, loss of myofibrils and cytoplasmic vacuolization whereas these histological damages were significantly decreased in ISO+DEX and DEX+ISO groups when compared to the ISO group. This study implies the cardioprotective effects of DEX on ISO-induced cardiotoxicity.

The effect of parental age on NF1 patients in Turkey.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the most common neurogenetic disorder worldwide, and its clinical presentations are highly variable. NF1 is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene, and 50% of NF1 cases are sporadic, which occur in the absence of a family history of the disease and usually result from a new mutation in the germline of a parent. Advanced paternal age may increase the risk for germinal NF1 mutations; however, some dominant conditions, including neurofibromatosis, have shown a lesser association with paternal age, although there are conflicting reports in the literature. We investigated the effects of paternal and maternal age in 241 NF1 patients (121 sporadic and 120 familial cases) who were seen in Hacettepe hospital, a reference center for genetic diseases in Turkey. For statistical analysis, Spearman's and Chi-square tests were used. In this study, we evaluated paternal and maternal age at birth in sporadic and familial cases of NF1. We also compared the effect of parental age on the appearance and coexistence of various NF1 symptoms. There were no significant statistical differences between paternal age and coexistence of the NF1 symptoms. However, a slightly negative correlation was observed between paternal age and the coexistence of NF1 symptoms in familial cases (p < 0.05). We did not find strong evidence for the effect of parental age on the clinical severity of NF1.

Protection with thymoquinone against formaldehyde-induced neurotoxicity in the rats.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the neurotoxic damage of formaldehyde (FA), which is commonly used in medicine and industrial fields, for the hippocampus of rats and the protective role of thymoquinone (TQ) against this neurotoxicity. METHODS: There were five groups with eight rats in each. Two control groups were formed, in one of them physiological saline was applied and in the other one corn oil was applied. FA was injected in Group 3. Group 4 was exposed to FA and TQ simultaneously. Group 5 received TQ only. At the end of the experiment animals were sacrificed and brain tissues were removed for biochemical and histopathological investigation. RESULTS: catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), all known as enzymes with antioxidant activities, were increased in FA and TQ simultaneously administered group. FA caused prominent subarachnoidal hemorrhage and vacuolization. Vacuolization was not observed but occasional subarachnoidal hemorrhage was detected in the FA+TQ group. CONCLUSION: Neurotoxic damage in hippocampus induced by FA was reverted by administration of TQ (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 26).

Effects of Occupational Silica Exposure on OXIDATIVE Stress and Immune System Parameters in Ceramic Workers in TURKEY.

Silica is the second most common element after oxygen, and therefore, exposures to crystalline silica dust occur in a large variety of occupations such as metal foundries, constructions, and ceramic, quarry, and pottery industries. Since crystalline silica exposure has been linked with silicosis, lung cancer, and other pulmonary diseases, adverse effect attributed to this element has be a cause for concern worldwide. Silica dust exposure in workers is still considered to be important health problem especially in developing countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of occupational silica exposure on oxidative stress parameters including the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and levels of total glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) as well as immune system parameters such as interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in Turkish ceramic workers. In this study, nearly 50% of Turkish ceramic workers were diagnosed with silicosis. Eighty-four percent of these silicotic workers were found to present with profusion category 1 silicosis, whereas controls (n = 81) all displayed normal chest radiographs. Data demonstrated a significant decrease in levels of GSH and activities of CAT, SOD, and GPx, but a significant increase in MDA levels and activity of GR in all workers. Further, workers possessed significantly higher levels of IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. These observations suggest that ceramic workers may have impaired antioxidant/oxidant status and activated immune system indicative of inflammatory responses.