Characterization of TGFß1-induced tendon-like structure in the scaffold-free three-dimensional tendon cell culture system.

The biological mechanisms regulating tenocyte differentiation and morphological maturation have not been well-established, partly due to the lack of reliable in vitro systems that produce highly aligned collagenous tissues. In this study, we developed a scaffold-free, three-dimensional (3D) tendon culture system using mouse tendon cells in a differentially adherent growth channel. Transforming Growth Factor-ß (TGFß) signaling is involved in various biological processes in the tendon, regulating tendon cell fate, recruitment and maintenance of tenocytes, and matrix organization. This known function of TGFß signaling in tendon prompted us to utilize TGFß1 to induce tendon-like structures in 3D tendon constructs. TGFß1 treatment promoted a tendon-like structure in the peripheral layer of the constructs characterized by increased thickness with a gradual decrease in cell density and highly aligned collagen matrix. TGFß1 also enhanced cell proliferation, matrix production, and morphological maturation of cells in the peripheral layer compared to vehicle treatment. TGFß1 treatment also induced early tenogenic differentiation and resulted in sufficient mechanical integrity, allowing biomechanical testing. The current study suggests that this scaffold-free 3D tendon cell culture system could be an in vitro platform to investigate underlying biological mechanisms that regulate tenogenic cell differentiation and matrix organization.

The HIF-1α/PLOD2 axis integrates extracellular matrix organization and cell metabolism leading to aberrant musculoskeletal repair.

While hypoxic signaling has been shown to play a role in many cellular processes, its role in metabolism-linked extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and downstream processes of cell fate after musculoskeletal injury remains to be determined. Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a debilitating condition where abnormal bone formation occurs within extra-skeletal tissues. Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) activation have been shown to promote HO. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which the HIF-1α pathway in mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) contributes to pathologic bone formation remain to be elucidated. Here, we used a proven mouse injury-induced HO model to investigate the role of HIF-1α on aberrant cell fate. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics analyses of the HO site, we found that collagen ECM organization is the most highly up-regulated biological process in MPCs. Zeugopod mesenchymal cell-specific deletion of Hif1α (Hoxa11-CreERT2; Hif1afl/fl) significantly mitigated HO in vivo. ScRNA-seq analysis of these Hoxa11-CreERT2; Hif1afl/fl mice identified the PLOD2/LOX pathway for collagen cross-linking as downstream of the HIF-1α regulation of HO. Importantly, our scRNA-seq data and mechanistic studies further uncovered that glucose metabolism in MPCs is most highly impacted by HIF-1α deletion. From a translational aspect, a pan-LOX inhibitor significantly decreased HO. A newly screened compound revealed that the inhibition of PLOD2 activity in MPCs significantly decreased osteogenic differentiation and glycolytic metabolism. This suggests that the HIF-1α/PLOD2/LOX axis linked to metabolism regulates HO-forming MPC fate. These results suggest that the HIF-1α/PLOD2/LOX pathway represents a promising strategy to mitigate HO formation.

The Relationship Between Spiritual Well-Being, Life Satisfaction and Hope in Elderly Individuals in Turkey.

Life satisfaction and hope are important features in elderly individuals. Spiritual well-being is thought to affect life satisfaction and hope in the elderly. This study was conducted to determine the association between spiritual well-being and life satisfaction and hope in elderly persons. This study followed a cross-sectional design. The sample size of the study was 1383 individuals aged 65 or older. The Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp), Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Hope Scale were administered to participants. Results indicated that spiritual well-being was significantly associated with life satisfaction and hope (p < 0.05). A limitation of this finding is the possible contamination of the measure of spiritual well-being with indicators of meaning and peace that could explain the relationship between spiritual well-being and hope. The spiritual well-being scale used in this research included indicators of meaning and peace that could explain the relationship between spiritual well-being and hope.

The relationship between weight self-stigma, depression and loneliness in people with obesity.

The research was conducted to determine the level of weight self-stigma, depression loneliness and whether is there a relationship between them. This was a descriptive correlational study. The study was conducted in a diet outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Participants had moderate weight self-stigma, depression and loneliness. Weight self-stigma sub-dimensions self-devaluation (ß=0.28; p<0.001) and fear of enacted stigma (ß=0.28; p<0.001) equally predicted depression. Fear of enacted stigma predicted social loneliness negatively (ß=-.44; p<0.001). Fear of enacted stigma (ß =.16, p<.005) and depression (ß =.44, p<.001) predicted emotional loneliness positively. Weight self-stigma was positively correlated with depression and loneliness (p<0.001).

Relationship between Compassion and Spiritual Care among Nurses in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the compassion level of nurses on the frequency of their provision of spiritual care therapeutics to patients. The research was conducted as a correlational descriptive study and included 253 nurses working in a university hospital in Turkey between October and December 2020. The data were collected via an online survey using psychometrically valid scales to assess the nurses' compassion and provision of spiritual care therapeutics. The nurses had a high compassion level and a medium level of spiritual care therapeutics. Compassion level explained 31% of the frequency of spiritual care therapeutics. As nurses' compassion levels increased, the frequency of their provision of spiritual care therapeutics to patients also increased.

The relationship between the care burden and burnout levels of primary caregivers of patients undergoing liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the care burden and burnout level of primary caregivers of patients undergoing liver transplantation. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample size of this descriptive and correlational was determined to be 202 primary caregivers via the power analysis. FINDINGS: It can be asserted that the primary caregivers had high burnout and had moderate care burden. It was found that there was a statistically positive moderate correlation between the caregivers' care burden and burnout (p ˂ 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In the study, it was determined that primary caregivers of patients undergoing liver transplantation had higher burnout and moderate care burden. Also, care burden affected burnout.

Effect of Perceived Social Support on Self-care Agency and Loneliness Among Elderly Muslim People.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of perceived social support on self-care agency and loneliness among elderly Muslim people. This study used a cross-sectional design and included 965 elderly individuals who met the inclusion criteria. There was a positive correlation between perceived social support and self-care agency and a negative correlation between perceived social support and loneliness in elderly muslim individuals (p < 0.05). It is recommended that psychiatric nurses should activate the social support mechanisms of elderly individuals, and necessary follow-ups to increase self-care agencies must be conducted.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training on Hope, Psychological Well-Being, and Functional Recovery in Patients with Schizophrenia.

This study tested the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on multiple outcomes in patients with schizophrenia. We compared MBSR, psychoeducation, and control groups in a randomized controlled research design. Outcome measures assessed hope, psychological wellbeing, and functional recovery over three time points in 137 participants. The results of this study indicate that MBSR training was more effective in terms of increasing the level of hope, psychological well-being, and functional recovery of schizophrenia patients when compared with psychoeducation and control patients.

Biochemical and immuno-histochemical localization of type IIA procollagen in annulus fibrosus of mature bovine intervertebral disc.

For next generation tissue-engineered constructs and regenerative medicine to succeed clinically, the basic biology and extracellular matrix composition of tissues that these repair techniques seek to restore have to be fully determined. Using the latest reagents coupled with tried and tested methodologies, we continue to uncover previously undetected structural proteins in mature intervertebral disc. In this study we show that the "embryonic" type IIA procollagen isoform (containing a cysteine-rich amino propeptide) was biochemically detectable in the annulus fibrosus of both calf and mature steer caudal intervertebral discs, but not in the nucleus pulposus where the type IIB isoform was predominantly localized. Specifically, the triple-helical type IIA procollagen isoform immunolocalized in the outer margins of the inner annulus fibrosus. Triple helical processed type II collagen exclusively localized within the inter-lamellae regions and with type IIA procollagen in the intra-lamellae regions. Mass spectrometry of the α1(II) collagen chains from the region where type IIA procollagen localized showed high 3-hydroxylation of Proline-944, a post-translational modification that is correlated with thin collagen fibrils as in the nucleus pulposus. The findings implicate small diameter fibrils of type IIA procollagen in select regions of the annulus fibrosus where it likely contributes to the organization of collagen bundles and structural properties within the type I-type II collagen transition zone.

The Association Between Religious Belief and Treatment Adherence Among Those with Mental Illnesses.

This study was conducted to determine the association between religious belief and treatment adherence among those with mental illness. The sample size of this cross-sectional study was determined to be 255 patients diagnosed with mental illness via power analysis. A descriptive characteristics form prepared by the researcher, the Systems of Belief Inventory, and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale were used to collect data. Patients were listed and chosen by using a simple random sampling method. This study found no significant correlation between religious belief and treatment adherence (p > .05). It was determined that treatment adherence was moderate in patients with high religious beliefs and that treatment adherence was low in patients with low religious beliefs. Religious belief was not a factor influencing treatment adherence among those with mental illness.

A comparison of two endoscopic posterior cordotomy techniques: Laser cordotomy vs diathermy-assisted cordotomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare respiratory function, swallowing and voice quality of bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis (BAVFP) patients undergoing laser and diathermy-assisted posterior cordotomy. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients were included in the study (groups 1 and 2, 15 patients each). Mean age was 53 ± 14.27 years with a range of 31-78 years (12 [40%] males, 18 [60%] females). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sufficient airway, complications, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), voice quality VAS, fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, NHR, amplitude perturbation quotient (APQ) and pitch perturbation quotient (PPQ) scores. RESULTS: A sufficient laryngeal airway was achieved in all patients. Six patients (20%) developed postoperative granulation tissue (2 in group 1 and 4 in group 2). There was a statistically significant improvement in FEV1, FEV1/FVC and PEF measurements at the postoperative sixth month compared to preoperative measurements in both of the groups (P < .05). Preoperative median voice quality VAS scores in groups 1 and 2 were 8 (IQR = 1) and 8 (IQR = 3), respectively. Postoperative sixth-month voice quality VAS scores in groups 1 and 2 were 6 (IQR = 1) and 6 (IQR = 0), respectively. Postoperative VAS scores were significantly lower in both groups (P < .05). The postoperative changes in fundamental frequency, NHR, jitter, shimmer, APQ and PPQ were not statistically significant in both of the groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Laser and diathermy-assisted posterior cordotomy are both minimally invasive, effective techniques with a long-term sufficient laryngeal airway. Despite lower quality of voice VAS scores, objective acoustic outcomes were not significantly lower in both of the groups.