Transcranial direct current stimulation of the right temporoparietal junction facilitates hippocampal spatial learning in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Spatial memory deficits are an early symptom in Alzheimer's disease (AD), reflecting the neurodegenerative processes in the neuronal navigation network such as in hippocampal and parietal cortical areas. As no effective treatment options are available, neuromodulatory interventions are increasingly evaluated. Against this backdrop, we investigated the neuromodulatory effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on hippocampal place learning in patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study with a cross-over design anodal tDCS of the right temporoparietal junction (2 mA for 20 min) was applied to 20 patients diagnosed with AD or MCI and in 22 healthy controls while they performed a virtual navigation paradigm testing hippocampal place learning. RESULTS: We show an improved recall performance of hippocampal place learning after anodal tDCS in the patient group compared to sham stimulation but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that tDCS can facilitate spatial memory consolidation via stimulating the parietal-hippocampal navigation network in AD and MCI patients. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings suggest that tDCS of the temporoparietal junction may restore spatial navigation and memory deficits in patients with AD and MCI.

Patient characteristics in Behçet's Syndrome and their associations with major organ involvement: a single-centre experience of 2118 cases.

Objectives: To evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS), and to define their associations with the presence of major organ involvement (MOI).Method: Medical records of 2118 patients (964 males, 1154 females) were analysed retrospectively. MOI was defined as the presence of at least one of vascular, eye, nervous, or gastrointestinal system involvement. Univariable and multivariable binary and ordinal logistic regression analyses were applied to assess the factors that were potentially associated with MOI.Results: The mean ± sd age at diagnosis was 30.5 ± 9.4 years. Genital ulcer and joint involvement were more common in females (both p < 0.001), while MOI was more frequent in males (p < 0.001). Genital ulcer (p < 0.001) and vascular involvement (p = 0.006) were more common in patients with a younger age at diagnosis, while joint involvement was more common in older patients. A total of 1097 patients (51.8%) had at least one MOI, 322 (15.2%) at least two MOIs, and 48 (2.3%) at least three MOIs. Male gender, smoking history, and absence of genital ulcer were significantly associated with MOI in multivariable binary logistic regression. Multivariable ordinal regression analyses confirmed the association between MOI and male gender and smoking, but not the protective effect of genital ulcers. In both regression analyses, we found no significant effects of age, human leucocyte antigen-B51, skin involvement, or joint involvement on MOI.Conclusion: Male gender and positive smoking history have a significant influence on the presence of MOI in patients with BS.

The Systematic Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Critical COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Double Controlled Trial.

The aim of this clinical trial was to control the cytokine storm by administering mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to critically-ill COVID-19 patients, to evaluate the healing effect, and to systematically investigate how the treatment works. Patients with moderate and critical COVID-19 clinical manifestations were separated as Group 1 (moderate cases, n = 10, treated conventionally), Group 2 (critical cases, n = 10, treated conventionally), and Group 3 (critical cases, n = 10, treated conventionally plus MSCs transplantation therapy of three consecutive doses on treatment days 0, 3, and 6, (as 3 × 106 cells/kg, intravenously). The treatment mechanism of action was investigated with evaluation markers of the cytokine storm, via biochemical parameters, levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, analyses of tissue regeneration via the levels of growth factors, apoptosis markers, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and granzyme-B, and by the assessment of the immunomodulatory effects via total oxidant/antioxidant status markers and the levels of lymphocyte subsets. In the assessment of the overall mortality rates of all the cases, six patients in Group-2 and three patients in Group-3 died, and there was no loss in Group-1. Proinflammatory cytokines IFNγ, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-2, IL-12, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, IL-13, IL-1ra, and growth factors TGF-ß, VEGF, KGF, and NGF levels were found to be significant in Group-3. When Group-2 and Group-3 were compared, serum ferritin, fibrinogen and CRP levels in Group-3 had significantly decreased. CD45 +, CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD19 +, HLA-DR +, and CD16 + / CD56 + levels were evaluated. In the statistical comparison of the groups, significance was only determined in respect of neutrophils. The results demonstrated the positive systematic and cellular effects of MSCs application on critically ill COVID-19 patients in a versatile way. This effect plays an important role in curing and reducing mortality in critically ill patients.

Mesenchymal stem cells treatment in COVID-19 patient with multi-organ involvement.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a severe case of brain and multiple organ involvement in a patient with COVID-19. Here, a 51-year-old male patient with multi-organ involvement due to COVID-19 infection and developing cardiac arrest is presented. MSCs were transplanted to the patient four times systematically and once intrathecally. As a result, the application of MSCs has been found to have a healing effect on organs in this patient with severe COVID-19 infection. In addition, transplantation of MSCs both systematically and intrathecally is considered to be effective in the treatment of the central nervous system (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 24). Keywords: mesenchymal stem cell, COVID-19, organ involvement.

Lycopene has a protective effect on septic shock­induced cardiac injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to investigate the cardioprotective effect of lycopene, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, in a rat sepsis model induced by lypopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: The oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant parameters and cytokine levels with or without lycopene treatment in LPS­induced septic rats as well as in controls were measured in serum and tissue. Histologic examinations of the cardiac tissues were also performed. The Kruskal-Wallis and the Bonferroni-adjusted Mann-Whitney U Test was used for analysis. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The data of this study showed that lycopene pretreatment reduced the oxidative stres parametersand , proinflammatory cytokines as well as increased the antoxidant enzyme activities in both serum and cardiac tissues in LPS­induced septic rats.. Moreover, hyperaemia and haemorrhage in the epicardium, myocardium and endocardium were lower in the lycopene pretreated group as compared to the LPS alone group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lycopene could be beneficial for the prevention of cardiac injury caused by sepsis through reducing the cytokine levels and oxidative stress parameters (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 35).

Maternal and Paternal Well-Being During Nasoalveolar Molding and Primary Surgery Periods.

AIM: The aim was to evaluate the anxiety and depression of both the father and mother of an infant with cleft lip and palate (CLP) before, during and after nasoalveolar molding (NAM) therapy and before and after the lip surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Forty mothers (age range: 18-36; mean ± SD: 23.6 ±â€Š4.51) and 40 fathers (age range: 19-40; mean ± SD: 26.9 ±â€Š4.69) of infants with CLP were asked to answer the 21-item Beck Depression as well as Anxiety Inventory (BDI and BAI) at 1 week after birth and before any intervention (T1), after impression taking (T2), after 2 months of NAM (T3), immediate before primary surgery (T4) and approximately 1 month of recovery after surgery (T5). RESULTS: Maternal and paternal depression levels between T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 showed significant differences (P < 0.05). The BDI scores decrease from T2 to T3 and T4 to T5. The increases of scores from T3 to T4 were significant (P < 0.05). The maternal depression and anxiety levels were higher than the paternal ones in all time periods. The BDI and BAI levels were lesser in mothers and fathers of babies with unilateral than bilateral CLP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hence realizing of recovery, being in contact with the cleft team and other families, and having an active role in the therapy, the maternal and parental well-being increase with NAM therapy. However, depression and anxiety levels significantly increase before the lip surgery. It may be recommended that the cleft team deliver information and psychological support especially at birth and before the surgical approaches.

Three-dimensional evaluation of alveolar changes induced by nasoalveolar molding in infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate linear and volumetric alveolar changes induced by nasoalveolar molding (NAM) in infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and compare the maxillary dimensions after NAM with the normal dimensions in infants without clefts. METHODS: A total of 26 infants with UCLP treated by NAM (mean age before and after NAM: 14.20 ± 8.09 days and 118.16 ± 10.06 days, respectively) comprised the treatment group, while 26 infants without clefts (mean age: 115.81 ± 8.71 days) comprised the control group. Changes in the maxillary dimensions following NAM were measured on three-dimensional models using Mimics software, version 17.0. RESULTS: During NAM, there was a decrease in the cleft widths, maxillary arch depths, and rotation of the greater segment. While the anterior alveolar arch width exhibited a significant decrease, the posterior arch width was mostly maintained. There were no changes in the anterior vertical deviations of the alveolar segments. The alveolar crest lengths, arch circumference, and bilateral posterior volumetric measures exhibited an increase. After NAM, the anterior arch width was comparable between the treatment and control groups, whereas the posterior arch width and anterior vertical deviations were greater in the treatment group than in the control group. The maxillary arch depths, alveolar crest lengths, and maxillary volumes were smaller in the NAM group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: During NAM in infants with UCLP, the cleft width and anteroposterior and transverse alveolar dimensions exhibited a decrease while the vertical dimensions were maintained. Compared with infants without clefts, those with UCLP treated by NAM exhibited sagittal and vertical alveolar growth deficiencies and tissue insufficiency.

Reliability of Measurements on Plaster and Digital Models of Patients with a Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the more and less reliable measurements/methods and (2) the influence of knowledge and skill on the inter-examiner, intra-examiner, and inter-method reliability of nasolabial measurements on plaster casts and three dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetric images of casts in infants with an unrepaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UUCLP). METHODS: Preoperative extraoral plaster casts from 42 patients with UUCLP were measured with a digital caliper, and the image acquisition of casts was performed with the 3dMDface stereophotogrammetry system (3dMD, Atlanta, GA). Two examiners (one postgraduate student, one lecturer) evaluated 19 nasolabial measurements in two separate sessions. RESULTS: Intra-rater, inter-rater, and inter-method reliability was lower in measurements of nasal, philtral, and nasal floor width. Almost all of the interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for measurements performed by the lecturer were above 0.75, whereas the intra-examiner reliability of some measurements performed by the postgraduate student showed low ICC (<0.75). CONCLUSION: Measurements of curving slopes, such as nasal width, of small dimensions, such as nostril floor width, and deformity-affected anatomic parts, such as philtrum width, presented a low reliability. Measurements on 3D images showed a higher reliability compared to plaster model measurements performed by the postgraduate student. Therefore, it may be recommended to use 3D digital images of infants with CLP for nasolabial measurements especially if performed in postgraduate settings.

Evaluation of the Impact of Interdisciplinary Case-Based Courses in Dental Education on Smile Evaluation Skills of Undergraduate Students.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to compare the perception of smile aesthetic between 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-year dental students to identify if interdisciplinary courses have an impact on the attitudes of students. METHODS: A total of 118 dental students (3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-year; N=43, 43, and 32, respectively) assessed the aesthetic attractiveness of four smile photographs (normal, high, low, and asymmetric smile lines). To enhance the crown, length-to-width ratio and color Digital Smile Design (DSD) were applied to all photographs, and then scoring was performed by using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: The VAS scores were all <60 regardless of the year of the student. The lowest scores were given for asymmetric smile line. Comparison of the scores of the different years showed statistically insignificant scores between 3rd- and 4th-year dental students (p>0.05), whereas statistical differences between 4th- and 5th-year dental students were found (Cases 1, 2, and 3: p<0.05 and Case 4: p<0.01). CONCLUSION: All students were critical in the evaluation of smiles. Hence, the motivation for critical thinking based on multidisciplinary courses until 3rd year, the skepticism, and also the perception of the students were increased. The difference between 4th- and 5th-year student aesthetic perceptions showed the impact of interdisciplinary course on enhanced judgment competency of the students.

Impact of Discipline-Based vs. Interdisciplinary Orthodontic Courses on Dental Students' Performance.

The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess the effect on dental students' grades of participating in a third-year course taught in orthodontics alone versus an interdisciplinary course taught with orthodontics and pediatric dentistry combined. In the five-year dental curriculum at Yeditepe University in Istabul, Turkey, the third-year orthodontic course was taught as a single discipline until 2010, when the course was redesigned as an interdisciplinary course in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. This retrospective study analyzed all 540 students' grades in orthodontic courses in the third, fourth, and fifth years from 2003-04 to 2014-15 to determine the impact of the third-year course design on students' performance. Students were divided into two cohorts: group A (which experienced the single discipline course, 2003-04 to 2009-10; 181 female, 117 male) and group B (which experienced the combined course, 2010-11 to 2014-15; 152 female, 90 male). In both groups, significant differences were found for the third-, fourth-, and fifth-year orthodontic grades (p<0.05). The grades of the third-year and fifth-year students in 2014-15 were significantly higher than in 2010-11 (p<0.05) in group B. Intergroup comparison showed that the third- and fifth-year grades were significantly higher in group B than in group A (p<0.05). These results suggest that the interdisciplinary delivery of basic knowledge in the third year had facilitated the learning process and deep learning in the more advanced orthodontic courses in the fifth year.

Royal jelly protection on flunixin meglumine-induced spermiotoxicity and testicular degeneration in mice.

Current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of royal jelly on Flunixin me- glumine (FM)-induced spermiotoxicity related to sperm concentration, abnormal spermatozoa count and histopathological changes in mice testis. The subjects were divided into five groups according to FM and/or royal jelly intake: Control group; group 1, FM alone (25 mg/kg, im); group 2, combination of FM (25 mg/kg, im) and royal jelly (200 mg/kg, oral); group 3, FM alone (50 mg/kg, im); and group 4, combination of FM (50 mg/kg, im) and royal jelly (200 mg/kg, oral). The animals were fed once daily for 15 days and they were sacrificed last day. Epididymal sperm concentration and abnormal spermatozoa count were noted. Testicular histological findings were evaluated. On purpose, organization of each animal was graded according to Johnsen's scoring to assess the spermatogenesis relying on seminiferous tubule cross-section scores. Comparing to controls, FM administration caused a decrease in sperm concentration (p⟨0.05), an increase in total abnormal spermatozoa rates (p⟨0.05) and more degenerative changes in testes in mice. Royal jelly supplementation ameliorated both sperm concentration and abnormal spermato- zoa (p⟨0.05) comparing to the control group. In conclusion, we suggested that royal jelly might have protective effects in the FM-induced reductions in epididymal sperm concentration and in- crease in abnormal spermatozoa rate.

Assessment of paediatric Hashimoto's thyroiditis using superb microvascular imaging.

AIM: To evaluate the role of superb microvascular imaging along with greyscale and Doppler imaging for thyroid gland evaluation in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) versus control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 33 healthy volunteers with normal ultrasound and laboratory findings and 70 patients with HT based on laboratory and sonographic findings who were undergoing follow-up and receiving medical treatment. HT patients were classified based on the modification of the scheme proposed by Sostre and Reyes that incorporates the extent of hypoechoic foci or patchy infiltration as grade A (foci involving <50% of the gland) and B (foci involving >50% of the gland). Thyroid volume, mean resistive indices, peak-systolic and end-diastolic velocities based on Doppler imaging, and vascularity index via superb microvascular imaging were obtained using a Canon Aplio 500 ultrasound device using a linear 10-14 MHz transducer. RESULTS: Patients with HT had significantly higher median thyroid volume and peak-systolic velocities (7.32 ml and 19 cm/s, respectively) compared to control subjects (4.62 ml and 16 cm/s, respectively). HT patients had significantly higher median vascularity index (VI; 13.5%) compared to control subjects (7.95%). A significant fair positive correlation with VI and anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels (r=0.356, p<0.05) and significant moderate positive correlation with VI and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels (r=0.503, p<0.05) were found. In HT diagnosis, the optimal VI cut-off value was 10.58% with a sensitivity and specificity of 67.1% and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Superb microvascular imaging appears to allow assessment of subtle vascularity changes in early HT stages that cannot be detected by Doppler parameters. This technique demonstrates excellent visualization of the microvascular structures and quantitative assessment based on a novel parameter such as VI.

Coeliac trunk and common hepatic artery variations in children: an analysis with computed tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the coeliac trunk (CeT) and hepatic artery anatomy is important not only in preventing iatrogenic injuries but also in planning surgical procedures in children. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse the prevalence of CeT and common hepatic artery (CHA) variations in the paediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-four children who underwent abdominal multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography, either because of trauma or liver transplantation, were analysed retrospectively. The patterns of CeT, CHA and their variant branches were revealed and compared with previous studies involving adults. RESULTS: A total of 157 (90.2%) of the 174 patients had normal CeT anatomy, whereas 17 (9.8%) had variations. Five types of CeT variations were identified according to Song's classification in which 'hepatosplenic trunk + left gastric artery + superior mesenteric artery' was the most prevalent. One hundred-twelve (64.4%) of the 174 patients had normal CHA anatomy; however, 62 (35.6%) had variations. Six types of CHA variations were identified according to Michel's and Hiatt's classification. The most common was 'replaced left hepatic artery originating from left gastric artery'. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalences of CeT and hepatic artery variations are high in children, as they are in older patients. Awareness of these variations is important in terms of avoiding iatrogenic injury and in promoting surgical procedure planning for liver transplantation or abdominal tumour surgery.

Expression of ADAMTS-7 in myocardial dystrophy associated with white muscle disease in lambs.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of ADAMTS-7 gene in the pathogenesis of myocardial dystrophy associated with white muscle disease (WMD) in lambs. A total of 217 cardiac tissue samples from lambs with WMD were used in the study. Histopathological sections of the samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and examined using Western-blot, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry for ADAMTS-7 gene expression, and the findings were statistically evaluated. Histopathological examinations revealed fibrosis associated with hyalinization, necrosis and granular calcifications in cardiomyocytes. Western blot and RT-PCR showed a statistically significant upregulation of ADAMTS-7 (p<0.05) (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical analyses showed that immunopositive cell numbers significantly high for ADAMTS-7 (p<0.05). The study has revealed that ADAMTS-7 gene is significantly expressed in myocardial dystrophy associated with WMD in addition to its role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Progression of prodromal motor and non-motor symptoms in the premotor phase study - 2-year follow-up data.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The neuropathological process starts years before the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Assessment of prodromal features in healthy individuals may help to define those with high risk for future PD. Our aim was to evaluate the presence and progression of prodromal markers in individuals with low risk [healthy controls (HC), n = 14] and high risk for PD (HR-PD, n = 34) and early PD (n = 14) patients. METHODS: Several risk or prodromal markers were combined to define HR-PD. Other prodromal markers were followed in 6-month intervals for 2 years. As recommended by the Movement Disorder Society Task Force, likelihood ratios (LRs) of markers, motor scores and PD probability scores were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The baseline LR for non-motor prodromal markers was significantly higher in PD and HR-PD compared to HC. Within 2 years, changes in these LRs did not significantly differ between the groups. Motor worsening was significant only in the PD group (50% of the patients) against HR-PD (15%) and HC (7%). Change in the non-motor prodromal LR did not significantly correlate with motor worsening, but higher baseline non-motor LRs were associated with Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III values at 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the frequency of non-motor prodromal markers is higher in the HR-PD group but does not increase within 2 years. The progression of motor and non-motor markers seems to be independent, but higher baseline non-motor burden is associated with the motor status after 2 years. Moreover, our data argue for a high impact of motor markers in the risk estimation for future PD.

Urinary Type III Procollagen Is Associated With Chronic Allograft Dysfunction and Predicts Graft Survival.

BACKGROUND: Chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) is the most important clinical problem in solid organ transplantation. Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy contribute to long-term renal allograft failure. Urinary type III procollagen N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP), has been shown to associate fibrotic processes. METHODS: One hundred sixty patients with CAD who underwent allograft biopsies were evaluated, and 52 patients with chronic or sclerosing allograft nephropathy were enrolled in the study. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to the level of urinary PIIINP to creatinine (u-PIIINP-to-Cr): high procollagen group and low procollagen group. The association between u-PIIINP-to-Cr level at the time of biopsy and renal endpoints during 36 months of follow-up was assessed by multivariate Cox analysis. RESULTS: Interstitial fibrosis and proteinuria were higher in the high procollagen group compared with the low urinary procollagen group. Correlation analysis showed that levels of u-PIIINP-to-Cr were positively associated with fibrosis scores. During the follow-up, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased in both study groups; however, GFR declined more in the high procollagen group than in low procollagen group. Cox regression model showed that the u-PIIINP-to-Cr levels, GFR, and proteinuria were independent risk factors associated with graft survival. CONCLUSION: u-PIIINP-to-Cr level is a potentially useful noninvasive marker for graft survival in patients with CAD.

Normative and subjective need for orthodontic treatment within different age groups in a population in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the normative and subjective need for orthodontic treatment within different age groups in Turkey. METHODS: One thousand and sixteen patients from seven different demographic regions of Turkey (Marmara, Black Sea, East Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia, Mediterranean, Aegean, and Central Anatolia Region) (mean age ± SD: 12.80 ± 3.57 years) were randomly selected and divided into six age groups (7-8,9-10,11-12,13-14,15-16, and 17-18 year-olds) and categorized according to the dental health component (DHC) of the index for orthodontic treatment need (IOTN). Additionally, the patients were asked to indicate the photograph that was most similar to their own dentition from the 10-point scale of the aesthetic component of IOTN. RESULTS: The DHC of IOTN was not significantly different between the six age groups (P > 0.05). However, no/slight need (aesthetic component 1-4) for orthodontic treatment according to AC of IOTN was significantly higher in 13-14,15-16, and 17-18 age groups than 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 age groups (P < 0.05). No sex differences were found in both DHC and aesthetic component of IOTN between age groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The normative need distribution was homogeneous within all the age groups according to DHC. However, the subjective need for orthodontic treatment was higher in the younger age groups.

Effects of long-term heat stress and dietary restriction on the expression of genes of steroidogenic pathway and small heat-shock proteins in rat testicular tissue.

The aim was to investigate the effects of long-term heat stress and dietary restriction on the expression of certain genes involving in steroidogenic pathway and small heat-shock proteins (sHSPs) in rat testis. Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) were equally divided into four groups. Group I and II were kept at an ambient temperature of 22°C, while Groups III and IV were reared at 38°C for 9 weeks. Feed was freely available for Group I and Group III, while Group II and Group IV were fed 60% of the diet consumed by their ad libitum counterparts. At the end of 9 weeks, testicles were collected under euthanasia. Total RNA was isolated from testis tissue samples. Expression profiles of the genes encoding androgen-binding protein, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, androgen receptor, luteinising hormone receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cyclooxygenase-2 and sHSP genes were assessed at mRNA levels using qPCR. Long-term heat stress decreased the expression of StAR and HspB10 genes while dietary restriction upregulated StAR gene expression. The results suggested that long-term heat stress negatively affected the expression of StAR and HspB10 genes and the dietary restriction was able to reverse negative effect of heat stress on the expression of StAR gene in rat testis.

Comparison of Oxygen Saturation During Impression Taking Before and After Presurgical Orthopedic Therapy in Babies With Cleft Lip and Palate.

AIM: The objective of this study was to (1) evaluate the oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels during intraoral and extraoral impression taking and (2) compare the SpO2 levels during impression taking before and after presurgical orthopedic therapy (POT) of infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our study, 31 babies with CLP before (mean age 7.6 ± 3.2 days) and after (mean age 108.3 ± 24.2 days) POT were monitored, and SpO2 levels were measured under operating conditions before any intervention (T1), after oxygenation (T2), during taking intraoral (T3), and extraoral (T4) impressions with oxygen support and immediately before the discharge from the operating room (T5). RESULTS: In both groups, statistically significant differences in SpO2 measurements at T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 stages were found (P < .01). For the pre-POT measurements, increases in SpO2 levels from T1 to T2 and T4 to T5 (P < .05) and decreases from T2 to T3 and T3 to T4 (P < .01) were noted. Similarly, SpO2 levels decreased significantly from the intraoral (T3) to extraoral (T4) post-POT impression periods (P < .01). Comparisons of pre- and post-POT measurements revealed that the SpO2 level of each time period was higher at the post-POT impression taking except for stages T2 and T5 (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The SpO2 values were low at the onset of POT in infants with CLP before any intervention. Oxygen saturation levels may decrease particularly during extraoral impression taking in infants with CLP despite the supplemental oxygen. SpO2 measurements were higher during post-POT intraoral and extraoral impression taking when compared with pre-POT measurements.