Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and formation of migrasome increases in the glioma cells induced by the adipokinetic hormone.

OBJECTIVE: It has been previously shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor is linked with various types of cancer. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is found to be highly expressed in multiple human cancers and associated with tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Adipokinetic hormones are functionally related to the vertebrate glucagon, as they have similar functionalities that manage the nutrient-dependent secretion of these two hormones. Migrasomes are new organelles that contain numerous small vesicles, which aid in transmitting signals between the migrating cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Anax imperator adipokinetic hormone on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and ultrastructure of cells in the C6 glioma cell line. METHODS: The rat C6 glioma cells were treated with concentrations of 5 and 10 Anax imperator adipokinetic hormone for 24 h. The effects of the Anax imperator adipokinetic hormone on the migrasome formation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression were analyzed using immunocytochemistry and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The rat C6 glioma cells of the 5 and 10 µM Anax imperator adipokinetic hormone groups showed significantly high expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and migrasomes numbers, compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: A positive correlation was found between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression level and the formation of migrasome, which indicates that the increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the number of migrasomes may be involved to metastasis of the rat C6 glioma cell line induced by the Anax imperator adipokinetic hormone. Therefore, the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and migrasome formation may be promising targets for preventing tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in glioma.

Effect of cold application and compression on pain and bruising in subcutaneous heparin injection.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Subcutaneous administration may result in complications such as bruising and pain at the injection site. This study was performed as in order to determine the effect of cold application and compression on pain and bruising in subcutaneous heparin injection. METHODS: The study was a randomized controlled trial. 72 patients were included in the study. Each patient in the sample was both experimental (cold and compression) and control groups and 3 different parts of abdomen were used for injection of each patient. The data of the research were collected by using Patient Identification Form, Subcutaneous Heparin Observation Form and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: In the study, it was observed that after heparin injection, ecchymosis developed in 16.4%, 28.8%, and 54.8% of the patients, respectively, and pain was experienced during injection in 12.3%, 43.5%, and 44.2% of the patients, respectively, on the pressure, cold application, and control site groups, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In the study, it was found that bruising size of the compression group was smaller in contrast with the other groups. When the VAS mean was examined for the groups, it was found that the patients in the compression group had lower pain than the other groups. In order to prevent complications that may arise in nurses' subcutaneous heparin injections and to increase the quality of patient care, it may be recommended to transfer the 60-second compression application after subcutaneous heparin applications to clinical applications and to conduct studies comparing compression and cold application with other applications for future studies.

Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence.

Vitamins and minerals are essential to humans as they play essential roles in a variety of basic metabolic pathways that support fundamental cellular functions. In particular, their involvement in energy-yielding metabolism, DNA synthesis, oxygen transport, and neuronal functions makes them critical for brain and muscular function. These, in turn, translate into effects on cognitive and psychological processes, including mental and physical fatigue. This review is focused on B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9 and B12), vitamin C, iron, magnesium and zinc, which have recognized roles in these outcomes. It summarizes the biochemical bases and actions of these micronutrients at both the molecular and cellular levels and connects them with cognitive and psychological symptoms, as well as manifestations of fatigue that may occur when status or supplies of these micronutrients are not adequate.

I Have, Therefore I Love: Status Quo Preference in Mate Choice.

Decades of research indicate that individuals adhere to existing states ("status quo bias") and value them more ("endowment effect"). The present work is the first to investigate status quo preference within the context of trade-offs in mate choice. Across seven studies (total N = 1,567), participants indicated whether they would prefer remaining with a current partner possessing a particular set of traits (e.g., high trustworthiness, low attractiveness) or switching to an alternative partner possessing opposite traits. Preference for a given trait was highest when the individual representing the status quo (one's romantic partner or an interaction partner) possessed that trait. Concerns about hurting the partner, ambiguity avoidance, and biased construal of the partner and the alternative predicted status quo preference and disapproval of the current partner by network members eliminated this effect. These findings indicate that when it comes to matters of the heart, we tend to love what we currently have.

Low serum IGF-1 and increased cytokine levels in tracheal aspirate samples are associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Yilmaz C, Köksal N, Özkan H, Dorum BA, Bagci O. Low serum IGF-1 and increased cytokine levels in tracheal aspirate samples are associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 122-129. Despite developments in the perinatal and neonatal care, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is still the most frequently seen long-term complication in preterm infants. The aim of this prospective study is to investigate the association between the development of BPD and serial measurements of IGF-1 levels and their relationship with levels of IGF-1 and cytokine in tracheal aspirate fluids. A total of 40 premature infants, born at a gestational age of ≤ 32 weeks, were enrolled in the study. On postnatal day-1, 3, 7, 21 and 28 serum IGF-1 levels and IGF-1 levels, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels in tracheal aspirate fluid samples of intubated cases were examined. Mean gestational age of 40 patients included in the study was 29.41 ± 2.23 weeks, and their mean birth weight was 1,256.85 ± 311.48 g. BPD was detected in 35% of cases. Mean gestational week and birth weight of the cases that developed BPD were 30 ± 3 weeks and 1,150 ± 295 g, respectively. Serum IGF-1 levels on postnatal day-1, 3, 7, 21 and 28 in cases who developed BPD were significantly lower when compared with those without BPD (p < 0.01). Levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in tracheal aspirate samples were significantly higher in cases with BPD compared to those without BPD (p < 0.05). IGF-1 levels in tracheal aspirate fluid samples did not differ significantly based on the presence of BPD (p > 0.05). Severity of BPD was associated with decreased serum IGF-1 levels and increased cytokine levels in tracheal aspirate samples.

Aortic valve replacement for papillary fibroelastoma.

Surgery is indicated for symptomatic patients with papillary fibroelastomas (PFE) on the aortic valve. The valve is commonly spared during tumor excision. Rarely, aortic valve replacement (AVR) is needed. We present a case requiring AVR for an aortic valve PFE and review the literature to determine the risk factors for failure of aortic valve-sparing techniques in patients with PFE.

The role of serial measurements of serum insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in the development of retinopathy of prematurity.

AIM: To determine the role of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in the development of retinopathy of prematurity, which is a major cause of childhood blindness worldwide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively studied newborn infants born at a postmenstrual age of <32 weeks and birth weights <1 500 gr, between January 1st, 2015, and December 31st, 2015. A total of 40 infants were enrolled in the study. The retinal examination time was determined in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for retinopathy of prematurity screening and follow-up. Retinopathy of prematurity was classified according to the international classification of retinopathy of prematurity. Serum Insulin like growth factor 1 levels were measured serially in blood samples on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 21st, and 28th day. RESULTS: Among the 40 infants, 11 (27.5%) constituted the retinopathy of prematurity group and 29 comprised the non-retinopathy of prematurity group. In the retinopathy of prematurity group, the mean gestational age and birth weight was significantly lower. The demographic features of the study cohort were similar. The duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly greater in the retinopathy of prematurity group compared with the non-retinopathy of prematurity group (p=0.036). In terms of neonatal morbidities such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, and necrotizing enterocolitis, no differences were detected between the groups. The mean serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in retinopathy of prematurity group were significantly lower than those in the non-retinopathy of prematurity group at each time point (1st, 3rd, 7th, 21st, and 28th day of postnatal life) (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the low serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels was associated with retinopathy of prematurity development.