Protective role of BDNF in Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology and its correlation with new biomarkers: Can the role of BDNF be re-discussed?

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not fully understood and that new biomarkers for the condition should be presented. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to determine the blood levels of some biochemical molecules and peptide proteins in AD, which is accepted as the most common cause of dementia in the world, and to elucidate the relationship between them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of 2 groups: 40 newly diagnosed AD patients and 40 healthy individuals. Plasma levels between the 2 groups and the correlation between them were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The median brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in the AD group was found to be higher and statistically significant compared to the control group (p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: According to our literature review, this is the first article in which these molecules have been studied together in AD patients. In this study, we revealed the importance of these parameters and especially the instrumental role of BDNF in the form and function of the brain in AD patients. Interestingly, in the patient group, all parameters in our study showed a positive and significant positive relationship with one another (p < 0.001).

Should Emergency Physicians and Nurses Direct Their Patients to YouTube for Heparin Self-Injection Training? A Systematic Review of Social Media Videos.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the content, reliability, popularity, and quality of YouTube videos for patients learning how to self-administer subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin injections. METHODS: A systematic review of YouTube videos was conducted on August 20, 2021, using the keywords of "Low-molecular-weight heparin injection," "Enoxaparin injection," "Heparin injection," "Dalteparin injection," and "Tinzaparin injection." Two independent emergency physicians evaluated included videos separately with 5 different score systems (1- Journal of American Medical Association Score, 2-The Video Power Index, 3- Global Quality Scale, 4- Modified 5 Point DISCERN, 5- Total Comprehensiveness Score). RESULTS: Of 458 videos, a total of 161 unique videos were included. Of these, 94 (58.4%) were classified as useful and 67 (41.6%) as containing misleading information. The total number of views was 6,245,284 in useful information videos. DISCERN score (median 4, P < .001), Global Quality Score (median 4, P < .001), Journal of American Medical Association Score (median 4, P < .001), and Total Comprehensiveness Score (median 6, P < .001) were higher in the Useful Information Group. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse and physician prescreening and prescoring the accuracy and quality of specific low molecular weight heparin injection self-administration videos before recommending YouTube to patients is warranted. Policies to limit the spread of health misinformation through credibility scoring and evaluation are needed on social media sites such as YouTube.

Variability in the reported surgical techniques and methods for intercalary reconstruction following tumor resection.

INTRODUCTION: There is currently no consensus regarding the best techniques or surgical strategies with which to maximize intercalary allograft reconstruction outcomes. The purpose of the current study was to assess which techniques and methods are being utilized by North American orthopaedic oncologists. METHODS: Members of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) were invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. The survey presented participants with two clinical scenarios and interrogated them on their preferred type of allograft, method of compression and fixation, and additional techniques used. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six physicians completed the questionnaire. The majority studied in the United States (82%) and worked at an academic medical center (71%). Over half (54%) reported seeing over 10 primary bone tumors every year. Respondents were split between preferring a structural allograft alone or using a combined allograft-vascularized fibular graft. A majority indicated a preference for plate(s) and screw fixation but were divided between the use of two compression plates with a spanning plate, a single compression plate with a spanning plate, and two compression plates with an intramedullary nail. Screw fixation preferences were split between the use of unicortical locking only, bicortical locking only, and a combination of unicortical and bicortical locking. Almost equal percentages of respondents reported they would have used two, three, or four screws in both scenarios. Respondents were split between placing screws equidistantly and placing them peripherally within the allograft, adjacent to the allograft-host junction. DISCUSSION: There is no clear surgical preference for intercalary reconstruction following tumor extirpation within this sample of orthopaedic oncologists. The current survey demonstrates variability across nearly every aspect of allograft reconstruction, which may, in part, explain the wide spectrum of outcomes reported within the literature. Prospective studies are warranted to better evaluate technique-specific outcomes in an effort to maximize reconstructive longevity and minimize allograft related complications.

Prognostic and Therapeutic Utility of Variably Expressed Cell Surface Receptors in Osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Six cell surface receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her-2), platelet-derived growth factor receptor-ß (PDGFR-ß), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), insulin receptor (IR), c-Met, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), previously demonstrated variable expression across varying patient-derived and standard osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines. The current study sought to validate previous expression patterns and evaluate whether these receptors offer prognostic and/or therapeutic value. METHODS: Patient-derived OS cell lines (n = 52) were labeled with antibodies to Her-2, PDGFR-ß, IGF-1R, IR, c-Met, and VEGFR-3. Expression was characterized using flow cytometry. The difference in geometric mean fluorescent intensity (geoMFIdiff = geoMFIpositive - geoMFInegative) was calculated for each receptor across all cell lines. Receptor expression was categorized as low (Q1), intermediate (Q2, Q3), or high (Q4). The event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival for the six cell surface receptors were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in hazard for EFS event and overall survival event for patients in each of the three expression levels in each of the six cell surface receptors were assessed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: All 6 receptors were variably expressed in the majority of cell lines. IR and PDGFR-ß expressions were found to be significant predictors for EFS amongst patients with nonmetastatic disease (p=0.02 and 0.01, respectively). The hazard ratio for EFS was significantly higher between high IR and intermediate IR expression (HR = 2.66, p=0.02), as well as between high PDGFR-ß and intermediate PDGFR-ß expression (HR = 5.68, p=0.002). Her-2, c-Met, IGF-1R, and VEGFR-3 were not found to be significant predictors for either EFS or overall survival. CONCLUSION: The six cell surface receptors demonstrated variable expression across the majority of patient-derived OS cell lines tested. Limited prognostic value was offered by IR and PDGFR-ß expression within nonmetastatic patients. The remaining receptors do not provide clear prognostic utility. Nevertheless, their consistent, albeit variable, surface expression across a large panel of patient-derived OS cell lines maintains their potential use as future therapeutic targets.

Fatty acid transport receptor soluble CD36 and dietary fatty acid pattern in type 2 diabetic patients: a comparative study.

Recently, it has been remarked that dietary fatty acids and fatty acid receptors might be involved in the aetiology of diabetes. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between dietary fatty acid pattern, fatty food preferences and soluble CD36 (sCD36) and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The study was carried out with thirty-eight newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients and thirty-seven healthy volunteers, aged 30-65 years. In the study, socio-demographic characteristics, dietary fat type and fatty acid pattern of individuals were recorded. After anthropometric measurements were taken, blood CD36, glucose, TAG and insulin levels were analysed. The results showed that although the type of fatty acid intake did not differ between the groups (P>0·05), the consumption of olive oil in the type 2 DM group was lower than the control group (P0·05). Crucially, elevated sCD36 levels increased the type 2 DM risk (OR 1·21, P<0·05). In conclusion, sCD36 level may be a possible biomarker, independent from the dietary fatty acid pattern, for type 2 DM owing to its higher levels in these patients. Therefore, the new insights make CD36 attractive as a therapeutic target for diabetes.