Effects of thymoquinone and the curcumin analog EF-24 on the activity of the enzyme paraoxonase-1 in human glioblastoma cells U87MG.

The spices and aromatic herbs were used not only in cooking to add flavour and smell to dishes but also for medicinal use. Nigella sativa, also called black cumin, is one of the species that contains an important bioactive component, thymoquinone (TQ), which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic effects. Curcuma longa, which also includes curcumin, has numerous anti-cancer properties. However, the bioavailability of curcumin is lower than that of its analogs. An analog of curcumin (EF-24), which has better bioavailability than curcumin, is capable of exerting a high anti-cancer effect. In our study, we determined the effects of PON1 enzyme activity on the proliferation and aggressiveness of glioblastoma cancer treated with TQ and EF-24 from lysates of the glioblastoma cell line U87MG. The results were determined as increased PON1 activity after treatment with TQ and EF-24 in the U87MG cell line (p < 0.0001).

Effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on visfatin and chemerin concentration in the gingival crevicular fluid.

Visfatin, as a novel adipokine, is considered to play a role in periodontal inflammation. Chemerin is another newly identified adipokine that is possible to have a role in periodontitis firstly reported in our previous study. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of visfatin and chemerin in periodontitis and and compare these adipokine levels with before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Twenty-nine patients with Stage III Grade B periodontitis and eighteen healthy subjects included in this cross-sectional cohort study. Clinical periodontal parameters and GCF were obtained from all subjects. Eight weeks after the following non-surgical periodontal treatment including scaling and root planning, samples and clinical periodontal parameters were collected again in the periodontitis group. The levels of adipokines were analyzed with standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of visfatin and chemerin were statistically significantly higher at periodontitis group as compared to healthy group (P < 0.001). Although, no changes were observed in visfatin levels after periodontal treatment (P > 0.05), chemerin levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Also, no differences were observed as compared to the healthy group (P > 0.05). Visfatin and chemerin may play a role in the periodontal disease process. In addition, it can be considered that the decreased chemerin levels after non-surgical periodontal treatment may play an important role for developing host modulation strategies.

The role of executive function in autobiographical memory retrieval: does the type of cue word matter?

Autobiographical memories are memories for personally experienced life events. Previous research has revealed individual differences in the ability to recall specific memories that happened at a particular time and place. Some studies suggest such differences can be attributed to the varying capacity of executive function. However, little is known regarding which specific executive function skills predict autobiographical memory specificity. Participants were asked to complete multiple measures of executive function as well as an autobiographical memory task in which they were asked to recall a specific personal memory connected to concrete and abstract cue words. We hypothesised that executive function will be positively related to autobiographical memory specificity and that this relation will be moderated by the cue word type. The results revealed that individuals with higher executive function skills, specifically, higher inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, recalled significantly more specific memories than those with lower executive function skills; however, no significant interaction between executive function ability and cue word type was found.

Starch/PCL composite nanofibers by co-axial electrospinning technique for biomedical applications.

BACKGROUND: In this study, starch and polycaprolactone (PCL), composite nanofibers were fabricated by co-axial needle electrospinning technique. Processing parameters such as polymer concentration, flow rate and voltage had a marked influence on the composite fiber diameter. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical and physical properties (such as density, viscosity and electrical conductivity) of the composite fibres were evaluated. Moreover, a cell culture test was performed in order to determine their cytotoxicity for wound dressing application. RESULTS: The effect of starch ratio in the solution on the properties and morphological structure of the fibers produced was presented. With lower starch concentration values, the fibers have greater ultimate tensile strength characteristic (mostly 4 and 5 wt%). According to SEM results, it can be figured out that the nanofibers fabricated have good spinnability and morphology. The mean diameter of the fibers is about 150 nm. According to results of cell culture study, the finding can be determined that the increase of starch in the fiber also increases the cell viability. CONCLUSIONS: Composite nanofibers of starch/PCL have been prepared using a co-axial needle electrospinning technique. PCL was successfully encapsulated within starch. Fiber formation was observed for different ratio of starch. With several test, analysis and measurement performed, some important parameters such as quality and effectuality of each fiber obtained for wound dressing applications were discussed in detail.

Temperature rises in the round window caused by various light sources during insertion of rigid endoscopes: an experimental animal study.

OBJECTIVES: The instruments used in endoscopic surgery include rigid endoscopes of different diameters and angles, sources of light and monitors. In this study, we explored temperature rises in the round window caused by insertion of rigid endoscopes of different diameters into the middle ear; the endoscopes were fitted with different light sources. DESIGN: An experimental animal study. SETTING: We subjected seven guinea pigs to simulate otological surgery at room temperature. We monitored body temperatures, along with temperature rises caused by the use of 0° rigid endoscopes of diameters 3 or 4 mm, fitted with light sources including a halogen light, a light-emitting diode (LED) and a xenon light. Data were collected every second from a sensor placed in the round window. PARTICIPANTS: An experimental study on 7 guinea pigs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rise of the temperature on round window. RESULTS: Rigid endoscopes caused the temperature of the tympanum to rise when xenon and halogen light sources were used, regardless of endoscope diameter. However, the temperature rise was less when a LED light source was employed. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic instruments used in middle ear surgery caused the temperature of the round window to rise. The rise varied with endoscope diameter and the type of light source used.

Comparison of short-term results of intraarticular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid treatments in early-stage gonarthrosis patients.

The present study aimed to compare short-term clinical outcomes between intraarticular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) treatments in early-stage gonarthrosis patients. Data of gonarthrosis patients, who were stage 1 or stage 2 according to Kellgren-Lawrence classification and underwent intraarticular PRP or HA treatment, were obtained retrospectively. The patients received treatment for three times at one-week intervals (intraarticular PRP or HA). They were evaluated using the Knee Society's Knee Scoring System (KSS) and the visual analog scale (VAS) scoring system before treatment and at the second and sixth months of treatment. The study included 132 patients (mean age, 55.06±8.41 years). Sixty-three patients (86 knees) were in the HA group and 69 patients (89 knees) were in the PRP group. Changes in KSS and VAS scores over time and the differences between the treatment groups in terms of changes in KSS and VAS scores over time were significant. In conclusion, PRP appears to be an appropriate option for intraarticular treatment in patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis.

C-Met expression pattern in uterine leiomyoma.

AIM: Growth factors take place in the formation and growth of uterine leiomyomas (LMs). Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) contribute to the pathophysiology of LMs when they bind with a specific membrane receptor and transmit a signal into the cell. Little is known about hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor system c-Met in formation and growth of uterine LMs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the c-Met receptor expression on human myometrium and uterine LMs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on human myometrium and uterine LMs. Expression of c-Met receptor was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Overexpression of c-Met was found in all LM cases and in none of normal myometrium samples c-Met overexpression was seen. CONCLUSION: HGF and c-Met receptor complex seem to have role in development of uterine LMs.

Evaluation of intraabdominal adhesion generating potentials of ankaferd and calcium alginate used as hemostatic agents.

AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate intra-abdominal adhesion generating potential of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), which was used as postoperative hemostatic agent in the rats that underwent surgery, in comparison with Ca-alginate. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Totally, 30 rats were randomized into 4 groups. In the control group, 1x1 cm peritoneum was removed from the right lower quadrant after cecal abrasion. In the other two study groups, the same procedure was performed after Ankaferd Blood Stopper and Ca-alginate application respectively. RESULTS were evaluated both histopathologically and by adhesion scoring methods. All results underwent statistical analysis. RESULTS: Comparing overall results, no statistically significant difference was found between the sham, control, ABS and Ca-alginate groups (p = 0.099). Paired group comparisons revealed no statistically significant difference between the sham group and the control, ABS, and Ca-alginate groups (p = 0.222, p = 0.222, and p = 0.833 respectively). It was observed that there was no statistically significant difference between the control and ABS groups (p = 0.505), but there was a statistically significant difference between the control and Ca-alginate groups with Bonferroni correction (p = 0.028). Histopathological examination revealed no statistical difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, intra-abdominal adhesion generating potentials of Ca-alginate and ABS were experimentally evaluated and macroscopic and microscopic comparisons revealed no significant difference between sham, control, Ca-alginate, and ABS groups (Fig. 8, Ref. 36). Text in PDF www.elis.sk. agent.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and in silico studies of novel thiadiazole-hydrazone derivatives for carbonic anhydrase inhibitory and anticancer activities.

Thiadiazole and hydrazone derivatives (5a-5i) were synthesized and their chemical structures were verified and described by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS spectra. Three cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA, and HT-29) and one healthy cell line (L929) were used to test the cytotoxicity activity of synthesized compounds as well as their inhibitory activity against carbonic anhydrase I, II and IX isoenzymes. Compound 5d (29.74 µM) had a high inhibitory effect on hCA I and compound 5b (23.18 µM) had a high inhibitory effect on hCA II. Furthermore, compound 5i was found to be the most potent against CA IX. Compounds 5a-5i, 5b and 5i showed the highest anticancer effect against MCF-7 cell line with an IC50 value of 9.19 and 23.50 µM, and compound 5d showed the highest anticancer effect against MDA cell line with an IC50 value of 10.43 µM. The presence of fluoro substituent in the o-position of the phenyl ring increases the effect on hCA II, while the methoxy group in the o-position of the phenyl ring increases the activity on hCA I as well as increase the anticancer activity. Cell death induction was evaluated by Annexin V assay and it was determined that these compounds cause cell death by apoptosis. Molecular docking was performed for compounds 5b and 5d to understand their biological interactions. The physical and ADME properties of compounds 5b and 5d were evaluated using SwissADME.

An exploratory study of brain function and structure in mucopolysaccharidosis type I: long term observations following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).

AIM: Although hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) arrests the cognitive decline in mucopolysaccharidosis type IH (Hurler syndrome, MPS IH), these children continue to have neuropsychological deficits as they age. Both compromised attention and effects on white matter have been observed in cancer patients who have had chemotherapy. Therefore, we explored the effects of disease and treatment on brain function in children with MPS I who have had HCT with those with attenuated MPS I treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). SUBJECTS: 7 MPS IH participants at least 5 years post-HCT were compared with 7 attenuated participants who were treated with ERT. MEASURES: IQ, attention, spatial ability, and memory were assessed. Medical history and an unsedated MRI scan using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were acquired. RESULTS: Despite clinically equivalent IQ and memory, children with MPS IH had poorer attention span than those with attenuated MPS I as well as decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) of the corpus callosum. A relationship between attention scores and FA was found in the MPS IH group but not the attenuated group. FA was also related to the frequency of medical events. INTERPRETATION: In children with MPS IH, both the treatment and the disease affect attention functions associated with poor white matter integrity.

Electrophysiological evidence of altered memory processing in children experiencing early deprivation.

Associations between early deprivation and memory functioning were examined in 9- to 11-year-old children. Children who had experienced prolonged institutional care prior to adoption were compared to children who were adopted early from foster care and children reared in birth families. Measures included the Paired Associates Learning task from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test and Automated Battery (CANTAB) and a continuous recognition memory task during which ERPs were also recorded. Children who experienced prolonged institutionalization showed deficits in both behavioral memory measures as well as an attenuated P300 parietal memory effect. Results implicate memory function as one of the domains that may be negatively influenced by early deprivation in the form of institutional care.

It's all about location, location, location: children's memory for the "where" of personally experienced events.

Episodic memory is defined as the ability to recall specific past events located in a particular time and place. Over the preschool and into the school years, there are clear developmental changes in memory for when events took place. In contrast, little is known about developmental changes in memory for where events were experienced. In the current research, we tested 4-, 6-, and 8-year-old children's memories for specific laboratory events, each of which was experienced in a unique location. We also tested the children's memories for the conjunction of the events and their locations. Age-related differences were observed in all three types of memory (event, location, and conjunction of event and location), with the most pronounced differences being in memory for conjunctions of events and their locations. The results have implications for our understanding of the development of episodic memory, including suggestions of protracted development of the ability to contextualize events in their spatial locations.

Is C1q nephropathy associated with a WDR19 gene mutation? A case report.

BACKGROUND: Even though complement 1q nephropathy (C1qN) was first introduced in 1985, this entity is still unknown and recognized by clinicians due to its rare prevalence (0.2 - 2.5 %) and insufficient emphasis. DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE: A 50-year-old woman was incidentally found to have non-nephrotic proteinuria with a normal glomerular filtration rate. Renal biopsy revealed C1qN with severe fibrosis. The presence of consanguinity and kidney diseases in family members of the patient led to genetic research, and homogenous mutation of c.991G>T (p.G331C) in the WD-repeat domain 19 (WDR19) gene was found. The same homozygous and heterozygous mutations in the WDR gene were found in the relatives of our patient with kidney diseases. One year of follow-up with methylprednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil treatment resulted in partial remission of the kidney disease. CONCLUSION: Renal biopsy for patients with non-nephrotic proteinuria without delay is suggested as it might be a surrogate marker of severe injury. Genetic mutations in the WDR19 gene should be searched for C1qN pathogenesis. This is the first adult case report on C1qN from Turkey.HIPPOKRATIA 2021, 25 (2):87-90.

[Automatic registration of patients with A-mode ultrasound for computer-assisted surgery. Laboratory proof of concept]. / Automatische Registration des Patienten mit A-Mode-Ultraschall für computerunterstützte Chirurgie. Funktionsnachweis im Labor.

BACKGROUND: The main source of error in 3D navigation is the patient-to-image registration process. Anatomical landmarks or adhesive markers perform sub-optimally. Bone-anchored invasive markers significantly change the clinical workflow of navigated ENT surgery, are invasive and cause patient discomfort. In order to minimize registration errors and to further streamline the clinical use of intraoperative 3D navigation we demonstrate that A-mode ultrasound allows an accurate 3D surface profile of the os occipitale to be created which can be reliably registered on preoperative patient CT data. METHODS: The transducer is mechanically positioned with sub-millimeter accuracy on the patient's occiput. From the sound echos a 3D surface is generated and registered to the preoperative CT images with the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. The evaluation of our setup was performed on three anatomic specimens and one bony skull. RESULTS: The ultrasound echoes from the occiput allowed the creation of an adequate 3D surface which could be registered to a segmentation of the CT image with an accuracy greater than 1.5 mm. The experiments were evaluated by an intuitive representation of the spatial deviation between CT and ultrasound data as a color-coded map. CONCLUSION: The approach to scan the posterior skull with A-mode ultrasound enables automatic intraoperative registration and can be integrated into the intraoperative setup.

Is valproate promising in cardiac fatal arrhythmias? Comparison of P- and Q-wave dispersion in bipolar affective patients on valproate or lithium-valproate maintenance therapy with healthy controls.

Autonomic nerve system is considered to be involved in bipolar affective disorder (BAD) or to be influenced by valproate monotherapy or valproate plus lithium combination. We planned to assess the effects of medication on atrial and ventricular conduction. The electrocardiography records were performed with eligible 15 patients with valproate, 20 patients with lithium-valproate combination use in euthymic phases of BAD and 20 healthy participants. The blood valproate and lithium concentrations in groups were in normal range. The difference in P maximum, P minimum, maximum QTc were statistically insignificant. Minimum QTc (F = 6.36; df = 2; P = 0.003) and QT dispersion (QTD) (F = 5.57; df = 2; P = 0.006) were statistically significant among the groups. There were no significant differences between patient groups among ECG parameters. Minimum QTc was significantly longer in combination group than healthy controls, whereas the QTD values in both patient groups were significantly lower than controls'. Valproate might have some preventive effects on ventricular electrical conduction because of lower QTD in both patient groups. Thus, valproate seems to have cardiac conduction stabilizing effect beside its mood stabilizing aspect. However, this finding needs replication and further corroboration in well-designed studies.

Clinical outcome of transobturator tape concomitant with vaginal hysterectomy plus anterior posterior colporrhaphy.

OBJECTIVE: Transobturator tape (TOT) is a newly described procedure for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. The success of TOT operation along with prolapsed surgery has not been well described. The aim of this study is to determine the complication and success rates of TOT concomitant with pelvic prolapse surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Totally, 72 women who had TOT operation along with vaginal hysterectomy, anterior posterior colporrhaphy were re-evaluated with UDI6 and IIQ7 forms 1 year of surgery. Preoperatively, all patients had clinically pure stress incontinence. RESULTS: At 1 year, 80.6% of patients were cured with only 16.7% presenting de novo urge incontinence, while 2.8% of women retaining stress urinary incontinence. The patients with lower gravida and number of vaginal delivery had significantly higher operation success rates. The IIQ7 score significantly increased by increase in urinary catheter stay day. The women with the history of cesarean delivery and lower hospital stay had significantly higher satisfaction scores. Of the factors only, the number of gravida could be used to predict treatment failure in the entire group. CONCLUSION: Transobturator tape procedure could be accompanied safely with prolapse surgery.

In the presence of hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia; remember Gitelman syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia caused due to renal losses with chloride-resistant metabolic alkalosis in normotensive patients should remind clinicians of the rare inherited tubulopathy, Gitelman syndrome. Its diagnosis is further strengthened by the presence of consanguinity and the absence of kaliuretic medications. A definitive diagnosis should be based on genetic testing. CASE REPORT: We present the cases of three asymptomatic adult patients who were genetically (mutation in the SCL12A3 gene) diagnosed with Gitelman syndrome of different severity and response to therapy in terms of hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and metabolic alkalosis. CONCLUSION: This lifelong disease could cause life-threatening conditions due to the cardiac complications of hypokalemia in some of the affected patients. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for patients admitted to the clinic with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, and hyperreninemia. HIPPOKRATIA 2019, 23(4): 175-178.

Maternal provision of structure in a deliberate memory task in relation to their preschool children's recall.

Strategic remembering emerges gradually during the preschool years. Socialization practices, specifically mother-child social interactions, might provide the foundation for the development of skills necessary for effective organization of information in memory. In the current study, 48 mothers and their 40-month-olds were engaged in the process of remembering (i.e., study and recall) categorically related picture stimuli in a laboratory context. Children's recall was reliably predicted by the way in which mothers structured both the study and recall periods of the deliberate memory task. Specifically, maternal verbal and physical behaviors that focused on organization of items, such as sorting items into distinct groups and providing the name of a category, were most beneficial in supporting children's memory. Moreover, some mothers employed a number of different mnemonic techniques that emphasized categorical connections among items, suggesting systematic approaches in the manner in which mothers help children to learn effective ways of remembering.

Differential in vitro inhibitory effects of anticancer drugs on tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase isozymes CA IX and CA XII.

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) and, to a lesser extent, carbonic anhydrase XII (CA XII) are highly overexpressed in hypoxic tumors. In this study, the inhibitory effects of 11 different anticancer drugs including paclitaxel, amethopterin, etoposide, irinotecan, gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, epirubicin, cisplatin and carboplatin on the tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase isozymes CA IX and CA XII and cytosolic carbonic anhydrases I and II have been investigated. SX.18MV-R Applied Photophysics stopped-flow instrument was used for measuring the initial velocities for the CO2 hydration reaction catalyzed by different CA isozymes, by following the change in the absorbance of a pH indicator. CA IX and CA XII were the most affected by carboplatin and cisplatin amongst the panel of anticancer drugs. Moreover, the cytosolic carbonic anhydrases I and II can also be affected. Consequently, CA IX and CA XII are interesting targets for anticancer drug development, although more selective and powerful CA inhibitors could prove useful for elucidating the role of the protein in hypoxic cancers, for controlling the pH imbalance in tumor cells and for developing diagnostic or therapeutic applications for the management of hypoxic tumors, generally unresponsive to classical chemo- and radiotherapy.