Generation of two lymphoblastoid-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from patients with phenylketonuria.

We employed a Sendai virus-based reprogramming method to transform human lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) derived from two individuals diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU) into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). This reprogramming process involved the expression of the four Yamanaka factors: KLF4, OCT4, SOX2, and C-MYC. The resulting patient-specific iPSCs exhibited a normal karyotype and expressed endogenous pluripotent markers NANOG and OCT-4. Notably, these iPSCs demonstrated strong differentiation capabilities, giving rise to cell populations representing the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm germ layers.

Generation of fibroblast-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from two paediatric patients with phenylketonuria.

Phenylketonuria is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder mainly due to a significant reduction in the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, resulting in elevation of phenylalanine in the blood. Here, we have established two fibroblast-derived induced pluripotent stem cell lines using Sendai virus-based reprogramming. The established induced pluripotent stem cell lines exhibited a normal karyotype and expressed markers of pluripotency assessed through quantitative PCR, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. These cell lines also demonstrated the ability to differentiate into the three primary germ layers of the human body, including ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm.

Factors Associated with Empathy Among Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. / Dikkat Eksikligi Hiperaktivite Bozuklugu Olan Ergenlerde Empati ve Iliskili Etmenler.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of psychiatric comorbidities on the level of empathy in adolescents diagnosed with ADHD; to evaluate the relationship between adolescent behavioral problems and empathy; to acquire information on the role of having parents with psychiatric symptoms and the perceptions of the adolescents of parental acceptance and rejection in empathy development. METHOD: The study sample consisted of 101 adolescents of 12-16 years of ages diagnosed with ADHD and 50 adolescents as the control group. K-SADS-PL is used for the DSM-IV diagnoses and WISC-R is applied to the participants with ADHD. Both the ADHD and the control groups were evaluated with the Basic Empathy Scale, Parental Acceptance-Rejection/Control Questionnaire and the Young Self Report. The parents completed the Sociodemographic information form, Child Behavior Checklist and the Symptom Checklist-90- Revised; and the teachers completed the Teacher Report Form. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between ADHD and control group about basic empathy scale scores. The and emotional empathy scores were significantly lower in ADHD group with comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) than ADHD group with no comorbidity. CONCLUSION: In our study having only ADHD had no effect on empathy levels, ODD comorbidity was related to lower basic and emotional empathy levels. In order to determine causal/temporal relations, prospective studies, studies with larger sample sizes and with more homogenous groups are needed.

The Perceived Barriers of Access to Health Care Among a Group of Non-camp Syrian Refugees in Jordan.

The aims of this study were to identify the most needed health care services, accessibility of various health care services, and barriers to access as perceived by a group of Syrian refugees living in non-camp settings in Jordan and to compare accessibility among different groups. The study was conducted in the Amman, Irbid, Karak, and Maan governorates of Jordan. This is a cross-sectional, analytical, observational study using convenience and snowball sampling for data collection. A structured questionnaire was included in an ongoing needs assessment of a Jordanian nongovernment organization in April 2014, with a total of 196 surveys conducted. In addition to the prevalent acute and communicable diseases, chronic diseases and dental problems were common. Preventive and primary health care were more accessible than advanced services. Structural and financial barriers hindered access. The specific survey location and governorate were associated with a difference in reported access. Registration status, health provider, duration, and out-of-pocket payment did not affect accessibility. The capacities of health facilities at different levels should be increased. Enhanced information sharing among health providers can improve identification of needs and gaps.