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Aim: The substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), a vital part of the brain that produces dopamine, is being closely studied due to its potential role in the monoamine hypothesis, which aims to explain the causes of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain, is linked to the monoamine hypothesis, suggesting that imbalances in these chemicals may contribute to MDD. This study aimed to calculate volumetric changes in the substantia nigra (SN), using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in individuals diagnosed with MDD. Material and Method: Sixty-six participants, comprising 33 individuals diagnosed with MDD (mean age=44.30±13.98 years) and 33 healthy individuals (mean age=46.27±14.94 years), were recruited from the university hospital psychiatry outpatient clinic. In the MDD group, there were 15 male participants (45%) and 18 female participants (55%). The healthy control group consisted of 28 males (84.8%) and 5 females (16.2%). Potential confounding factors, such as underlying chronic diseases, were ruled out by the clinician through a thorough examination of the patient's medical history, ensuring the study outcomes were not influenced. Threedimensional brain MRI scans were conducted using a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. Volumes of the SN and midbrain were automatically computed using MRIStudio, an atlas-based image analysis program. Results: Statistically significant higher volumes were observed in the right SN in the MDD group compared to controls (0.146±0.045 cm³ vs. 0.122±0.035 cm³, p=0.02, p<0.05). The ratio of SN to midbrain volume was higher in MDD patients on both sides, with a 22.4% higher value on the right side and a 12.7% higher on the left side relative to controls (p=0.002 for the right, p=0.01 for the left; p<0.05). Moreover, a negative correlation between left and right SN volumes and age was identified in the MDD group (p=0.01 for the left, p=0.05 for the right side; p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study revealed an increase in SN volume in MDD patients. Identifying volumetric discrepancies in brain regions responsible for dopamine release could hold significant value in elucidating the underlying causes of the disease and guiding treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BODIPY is an important fluorophores due to its enhanced photophysical and chemical properties including outstanding thermal/photochemical stability, intense absorption/emission profiles, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and small Stokes' shifts. In addition to BODIPY, indole and its derivatives have recently gained attention because of their structural properties and particularly biological importance, therefore these molecules have been widely used in sensing and biosensing applications. Here, we focus on recent studies that reported the incorporation of indole‐based BODIPY molecules as reporter molecules in sensing systems. We highlight the rationale for developing such systems and evaluate detection limits of the developed sensing platforms. Furthermore, we also review the application of indole‐based BODIPY molecules in bioimaging studies. This article includes the evaluation of indole‐based BODIPYs from synthesis to characterization and a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of developed reporter systems, making it instructive for researchers in various disciplines for the design and development of similar systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular design, synthesis, and characterization of an acceptor‐donor‐acceptor (A‐D‐A) semiconductor BDY‐Ph‐2T‐Ph‐BDY comprising a central phenyl‐bithiophene‐phenyl π‐donor and BODIPY π‐acceptor end‐units is reported. The semiconductor shows an optical band gap of 2.32 eV with a highly stabilized HOMO/LUMO (−5.74 eV/−3.42 eV). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) reveals D–A dihedral angle of ca. 66° and strong intermolecular "C−H ⋅⋅⋅ π (3.31 Å)" interactions. Reduced π‐donor strength, increased D–A dihedral angle, and restricted intramolecular D–A rotations allows for both good fluorescence efficiency (ΦF=0.30) and n‐channel OFET transport (μe=0.005 cm2/V ⋅ s; Ion/Ioff=104–105). This indicates a much improved (6‐fold) fluorescence quantum yield compared to the meso‐thienyl BODIPY semiconductor BDY‐4T‐BDY. Photophysical studies reveal important transitions between locally excited (LE) and twisted intramolecular charge‐transfer (TICT) states in solution and the solid state, which could be controlled by solvent polarity and nano‐aggregation. This is the first report of such high emissive characteristics for a BODIPY‐based n‐channel semiconductor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neoclassical canons were used to define the proportions between various areas of the head and face. Therefore, this study was done to establish the neoclassical canons of facial proportions in Turkish adults. A total of 200 healthy adults 20 to 35 years of age were examined. Using anthropometric landmarks, 5 horizontal and 9 vertical direct measurements were made on the faces with a sliding calliper. Results have been compared with 8 neoclassical facial canons. When comparing between sexes, a significant difference has been found in all measurements except the upper facial width, left eye-fissure width, forehead height I and II (p < 0.005). The nasofacial proportion has been found to include the most proportional subjects (33%) followed by the orbito-nasal (30%), the orbital proportion (25%) and the naso-oral proportion (17%) in the female. Considering the male, the orbital proportion has been found to include the most proportional subjects (23%) followed by the orbito-nasal proportion (21%), naso-facial proportion (19%) and the naso-oral proportion (17%). The neoclassical canons have been shown to rarely be applicable to Turkish adults and our results may contribute to determine the concepts of transcultural facial structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to provide normative data about pituitary diameters in a pediatric population. Pituitary imaging is important for the evaluation of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis defect. However, data about normal pituitary gland diameters and stalk are limited, especially in children. Structure and the measurements of pituitary gland and pituitary stalk may change due to infection, inflammation, or neoplasia. Methods: Among 14,854 cranial/pituitary gland magnetic resonance imaging scans performed from 2011 to 2013, 2755 images of Turkish children aged between 0 and 18 were acquired. After exclusions, 517 images were left. Four radiologists were educated by an experienced pediatric radiologist for the measurement and assessment of the pituitary gland and pituitary stalk. Twenty cases were measured by all radiologists for a pilot study and there was no interobserver variability. Results: There were 10-22 children in each age group. The maximum median height of the pituitary gland was 8.48±1.08 and 6.19±0.88 mm for girls and boys, respectively. Volumes were also correlated with gender similar to height. Minimum median height was 3.91±0.75 mm for girls and 3.81±0.68 mm for boys. The maximum and minimum pituitary stalk basilar artery ratios for girls were 0.73±0.12 and 0.59±0.10 mm. The ratios for boys were 0.70±0.12 and 0.56±0.11 mm. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the pituitary gland and stalk size data of children in various age groups from newborn to adolescent. It is thought that these data can be applied in clinical practice. Future prospective follow-up studies with larger samples, which correlate the structural findings with the clinical and laboratory results are awaited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover Feature: A Solution-Processable meso-Phenyl-BODIPY-Based n-Channel Semiconductor with Enhanced Fluorescence Emission (ChemPlusChem 9/2019) B The cover feature b shows the delicate balance between locally excited (LE) and twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) states, which could be controlled by solvent polarity and nano-aggregation, of a I meso i -phenyl-BODIPY-based fluorescent semiconductor. Acceptor-donor-acceptor compounds, BODIPY, fluorescence, organic field-effect transistors, organic semiconductors. [Extracted from the article]

OBJECTIVE: Right portal vein embolization (RPVE) is used in preoperative period to prevent liver insufficiency after right hepatectomy. Mostly, vascular plugs and embolizing materials are used for intervention. In this case report we aim to demonstrate the consequances of preoperative right portal vein embolization on liver reserve in a case with multifocal HCC. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A 51 year old male with three HCC foci in segment 8 and 5 , referred our department for RPVE prior to right hepatectomy. He had a cirrhotic pattern without any tumor in left lobe of liver. We used both vascular plug and micro-particle for embolization of the right portal vein with percutaneous intervention under fluoroscopy. After intervention the case had no major complication. RESULTS: Before and after RPVE we performed contrast - enhaced CT examination to identify liver rezerve. We evaluate a %28 increase in left lobe reserve after embolization. CONCLUSION: RPVE is a safe and effective interventional procedure to increase left lobe reserve prior to right hepatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BODIPY is an important fluorophores due to its enhanced photophysical and chemical properties including outstanding thermal/photochemical stability, intense absorption/emission profiles, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and small Stokes' shifts. In addition to BODIPY, indole and its derivatives have recently gained attention because of their structural properties and particularly biological importance, therefore these molecules have been widely used in sensing and biosensing applications. Here, we focus on recent studies that reported the incorporation of indole-based BODIPY molecules as reporter molecules in sensing systems. We highlight the rationale for developing such systems and evaluate detection limits of the developed sensing platforms. Furthermore, we also review the application of indole-based BODIPY molecules in bioimaging studies. This article includes the evaluation of indole-based BODIPYs from synthesis to characterization and a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of developed reporter systems, making it instructive for researchers in various disciplines for the design and development of similar systems., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: Emergence of Kaposi's Sarcoma in the cases other than HIV, following the use of immunosuppressant drugs, demonstrates that it is related to weak immunity. The fact that this malignancy does not occur in every HIV-positive patient suggests that genetic predisposition may also be effective. Replacement of one of the base pairs of adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine that constitute the DNA sequence in the human genome with another base pair can affect susceptibility to disease, response to treatment, and immunity., Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism that could predispose to Kaposi's sarcoma of an HIV-infected patient and to identify which nucleotides such SNPs correspond to, using the microarray technology., Materials and Methods: The blood samples of individuals, one of whom was diagnosed with Kaposi's Sarcoma HIV (+) visiting the outpatient clinic of infectious diseases polyclinic of Harran University Research and Practice Hospital and of a healthy individual with no Kaposi's Sarcoma, were used in the study. Following the DNA isolation of the blood samples taken from the respective individuals, a SNP analysis was conducted on the microarray device. 204,000 SNPs obtained were scanned later on in the databases in an attempt to identify the SNPs related to Kaposi's Sarcoma., Results: In the 204,000 SNP screenings, we scrutinized the SNPs that differ in the case of Kaposi's Sarcoma [KS (+) and HIV (+)] on the basis of Control [KS(-) and HIV(-)] and HIV+ [KS(-)], and two SNPs of the ENDRA gene, three SNPs of the ADRA1A gene, six SNPs of the STIM1 gene, four SNPs of the EFNB2 gene, and one SNP of the CD209 gene were found to be different. However, when it comes to all SNPs (all the 204.000 SNPs) screened in terms of allele, it was observed that the AA and BB alleles were lower in the patient with Kaposi's Sarcoma [KS (+) and HIV (+)] compared to other groups and AB alleles were found to be higher than others in the patient with Kaposi's sarcoma [KS] (+) and HIV (+)]., Conclusion: In the microarray study we have conducted, 204,000 SNPs were screened for Control (HIV-) HIV (+) and HIV (+) patient with Kaposi's Sarcoma. It was found that 32,362 of those SNPs had different alleles in the Kaposi's Sarcoma [KS + HIV (+)] patient, while they had the same ones in the control [KS (-) and HIV (-)] and HIV + [KS (-)] group. 16 of the 32,362 SNPs took place among the genes related to Kaposi's Sarcoma. In the cases of Kaposi's Sarcoma with suspected diagnosis, it can be used as a beneficial laboratory test., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Malformation of cortical development (MCD) is a term representing an inhomogeneous group of central nervous system abnormalities, referring particularly to embriyological aspect as a consequence of any of the three developmental stages, i.e., cell proliferation, cell migration and cortical organization. These include cotical dysgenesis, microcephaly, polymicrogyria, schizencephaly, lissencephaly, hemimegalencephaly, heterotopia and focal cortical dysplasia. Since magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice that best identifies the structural anomalies of the brain cortex, we aimed to provide a mini review of MCD by using 3T magnetic resonance scanner images.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to prospectively identify diuretic-induced renal length changes and to determine whether the percentages of the renal length changes allow estimation of the differential renal function., Methods: Twenty-three children (14 boys and 9 girls; mean age, 7.83 years) who were undergoing technetium Tc 99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid or technetium Tc 99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine diuretic renography were included in this study. Renal lengths were measured by sonography just before and 15 to 20 minutes after diuretic injection. The Spearman test was used to assess the correlation between renal length increases due to diuretic injection and the differential renal function., Results: The mean renal lengths ± SD measured before and after diuretic administration were 91.52 ± 20.87 and 95.38 ± 21.46 mm, respectively. The increase in renal length after diuretic administration was statistically significant (P < .001). There was a positive correlation between the renal length change and functional status (P = .006)., Conclusions: Renal length may change after diuretic injection according to the functional status, and the sonographic measurements of these changes may be used as an alternative to other imaging methods in estimation of renal function.