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Chronic cigarette smoking affects many tissues negatively. Nicotine in tobacco has negative effects on tissues, kidneys, and eyes especially, where microcirculation is vitally important for the survival and functioning. It is known that appropriate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and (matrix metalloproteinase 2) MMP2 levels are required for suitable vascularity and enough microcirculation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nicotine on VEGF and MMP2 levels in kidney and eyes, where microcirculation is very important for their function. The nicotine was given into drinking water, to male and female rats for 6 weeks. During the first 2 weeks, the nicotine concentration was 10 mg/L, then was given at a fixed dose of 20 mg/L until the end of the experiment. The VEGF and MMP2 levels were increased in kidney tissue of both genders as a result of given nicotine. MMP2 levels were also increased in the eye tissue for both genders similarly. However, VEGF levels increased in the eye tissue with nicotine in males, whereas it did not change in females. The use of nicotine made VEGF and MMP2 levels increase in kidney tissue in both genders of rats. This increase in VEGF was observed only in male eye tissue, not in females. According to our findings, it can be suggested that nicotine has negative effects on microvascular circulation by increasing VEGF and MMP2 levels. In addition, it should be pointed out that estrogen might have protective effects on female eye tissue. Further studies are necessary to understand the complex relationship between the role of nicotine and estrogen on eye and kidney tissues.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in a mice model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mice model was created by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and DHA was given by gavage. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), caspase-3 activities, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were determined in substantia nigra (SN) and retina. Cyclooxygenase-2 intensities were also determined immunohistochemically. The tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunolabelling was significantly decreased in MPTP group compared to control. Docosahexaenoic acid decreased dopaminergic neuron death in MPTP + DHA group when compared to MPTP group. Mice treated with MPTP showed motor deficits as compared to control. Significant improvement was observed in MPTP + DHA group when compared to MPTP group. Treatment with MPTP significantly increased the activity of COX-2 and total COX in SN when compared to the control group. Docosahexaenoic acid caused a significant decrease in total COX and COX-2 activity in SN of mice given MPTP. Cyclooxygenase-2 showed strong immunostaining in MPTP group when compared to other groups in SN. Levels of PGE2 increased in MPTP group when compared to control in SN. Docosahexaenoic acid treatment in MPTP group reduced PGE2 in SN. Nuclear factor kappa-B levels were found to be decreased in SN of MPTP group. The mean latencies of P1, N1, P2, N2, P3, N3, P4, N4, and P5 VEP components were significantly prolonged in MPTP group when compared to control. In MPTP + DHA group, the mean latencies of all components except P5 returned to control values. Current data shows that DHA treatment improves prolonged VEPs latencies and locomotor activity.

The aim of this study was to identify possible relationships between biochemical- superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and chemical (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) contaminants from relatively clean area (Middle Bay) and heavily polluted area (Inner Bay) of the Izmir Bay. Sampling of mussels was performed in the beginning of May 2004. Mussel digestive glands have been used for biochemical assays. Trace metal content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer using standard procedures. Metal contents in mussels collected at polluted site increased compared to the middle part of the bay. While there was a positive correlation between metals and SOD enzyme activity, there was a negative correlation between metals and GPx enzyme activity. An increase was observed in SOD enzyme activity and a decrease of GPx enzyme activity at the inner part of the bay.

The administration of methamphetamine to experimental animals results in damage to dopaminergic neurons. The hypothesis that methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity is mediated by reactive oxygen species was evaluated. It was found that acute administration of methamphetamine (5 and 15 mg kg(-1)) resulted in production of oxidative stress as demonstrated by decreased glutathione and increased oxidized glutathione levels in the rat striatum and prefrontal cortex. These changes in glutathione and oxidized glutathione levels were dose-dependent in striatum but not in prefrontal cortex. In conclusion, the results of present study provide further evidence in support of the notion that oxidative stress may play an important role in the methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity.

This study was conducted to reveal the perceptions of cancer through metaphors among second-year nursing students. This study utilized descriptive phenomenology, which is a qualitative research design. In order to reveal the metaphors that each nursing student (n = 65) considered for the concept of "cancer," they were asked to complete the following sentence: "Cancer is like ……, because ……". In analyzing the data, a content analysis approach comprising coding, the identification of themes, and grouping of data according to codes and themes was used. It was found that the nursing students produced 44 different metaphors. With the groupings made from the students' perspectives on cancer, categories of "crime/punishment," "fear/anxiety/pain," "uncertainty," "uncontrollability," and "struggle/hope" were identified. In particular, the students' metaphors of "test," "fight," "unwanted friend," "love," "naughty child," "thief," and "trouble" for the concept of cancer came to the fore. It is recommended to improve clinical education to develop positive attitudes among nursing students toward cancer., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The aim of this study was to assess nursing students' perceptions of spiritual care, their attitudes toward death, and the impact of a palliative spiritual care course on these perceptions and attitudes. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test/post-test structure and two groups. Data were collected through the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale and Death Attitude Profile-Revised. The study group consisted of 106 students experimental (n = 53) and control group (n = 53), who took the public health nursing course in the 2021-2022 academic year. There was a significant difference between the mean scores on the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale, as well as the Death Attitude Profile-Revised, between the control group students and the experimental group students. The importance of spirituality and spiritual care should be emphasized in course content and internships by integrating relevant topics into the nursing curriculum and creating more training opportunities to help nurses develop skills for caring for dying patients and their families in palliative care units., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: No competing interest for this study., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Symptoms are decisive in the quality of life of patients. Progression of the underlying disease leads to many physical and psychological symptoms in patients. Increases in these symptoms often prevent patients from complying with treatment. Therefore, the symptoms must be recognized, evaluated, and controlled for the treatment to be effective. This study determined the unmet needs of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment and the effects of these needs on the patients' quality of life. Four hundred fifty patients were studied. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Nightingale Symptom Assessment Scale (N-HAQ), the Supportive Care Requirements Questionnaire (DBGÖ), and the FACT-G (v4) Quality of Life Scale. The areas in which patients needed the most support were pain, weakness/fatigue, bad feelings, sadness, mood swings, difficulty in doing home-related tasks, fear of the cancer spreading, inability to control the situation, worries about the future, fear of death, worries about upsetting relatives, and being in need of information regarding their sexual lives. The results showed that for patients who had higher support requirements, higher incidences of symptoms led to a reduced quality of life. Consequently, frequently evaluating these symptoms to meet the needs identified, frequently measuring the quality and efficiency of care and advising these patients on their needs is recommended.

The study aimed to uncover a unique aspect of obesity-related metabolic disorders in the testicles induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and explored the potential mitigating effects of exercise modalities on male fertility. Thirty mature male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control, HFD-sole, moderate-intensity exercise with HFD (HFD+MICT), high-intensity continuous exercise with HFD (HFD+HICT), and high-intensity interval exercise with HFD (HFD+HIIT) groups (n=6/group). Intracytoplasmic carbohydrate (ICC) storage, expression levels of GLUT-1, GLUT-3, MCT-4, Igf1, and Igf1R, and testicular lactate and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were assessed. ICC storage significantly decreased in HFD-sole rats, along with decreased mRNA and protein levels of GLUT-1, GLUT-3, MCT-4, Igf1, and Igf1R. The HFD-sole group exhibited a notable reduction in testicular lactate and LDH levels (p<0.05). Conversely, exercise, particularly HIIT, upregulated ICC storage, expression levels of GLUT-1, GLUT-3, MCT-4, Igf1, and Igf1R, and enhanced testicular lactate and LDH levels. These results confirm that exercise, especially HIIT, has the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of HFD-induced obesity on testicular metabolism and male fertility. The upregulation of metabolite transporters, LDH, lactate levels, Igf1, and Igf1R expression may contribute to maintaining metabolic interactions and improving the glucose/lactate conversion process. These findings underscore the potential benefits of exercise in preventing and managing obesity-related male fertility issues., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Society for Reproductive Investigation.)

Prior physical activity reduces the risk of future stress-related mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Rodents allowed to engage in voluntary wheel running are similarly protected from behavioral consequences of stress. The present review summarizes current knowledge on mechanisms underlying exercise-induced stress resistance. A conceptual framework involving the development (during exercise) and expression (during stress) of stress resistance from exercise is proposed. During the development of stress resistance, adaptations involving multiple exercise signals and molecular mediators occur within neural circuits orchestrating various components of the stress response, which then respond differently to stress during the expression of stress resistance. Recent data indicate that the development and expression of stress resistance from exercise involve multiple independent mechanisms that depend on sex, stressor severity, and behavioral outcome. Recent insight into the role of the prefrontal cortex in exercise-induced stress resistance illustrates these multiple mechanisms. This knowledge has important implications for the design of future experiments aimed at identifying the mechanisms underlying exercise-induced stress resistance., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Diabetes-related brain complications have been reported in clinical patients and experimental models. The objective of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In this study, three different groups, namely control group, STZ-induced (55 mg/kg streptozotocin intraperitoneally) diabetic rats (DM), and DM rats treated with Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 (1 × 10 9  CFU/rat/day), were utilized to study the protective effect of GMNL-263 in the hippocampus of STZ-induced diabetic rats. The results demonstrated that GMNL-263 attenuated diabetes-induced hippocampal damage by enhancing the cell survival pathways and repressing both inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. Histopathological analysis revealed that GMNL-263 prevented structural changes in the hippocampus in the DM group and decreased the level of inflammation and apoptosis in the hippocampus of DM rats. The IGF1R cell survival signaling pathway also improved after GMNL-263 treatment. These results indicate that probiotic GMNL-263 exerts beneficial effects in the brain of diabetic rats and has potential ability for clinical application., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is known to cause executive dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanism underlying METH induced executive dysfunction remains unclear. Go/NoGo experiment was performed in mice to evaluate METH-induced executive dysfunction. Immunoblot analysis of Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), phosphorylated Nrf2 (p-Nrf2), heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Glucose Regulated Protein 78(GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase3 was performed to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis in the dorsal striatum (Dstr). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was conducted to evaluate the level of oxidative stress. TUNEL staining was conducted to detect apoptotic neurons. The animal Go/NoGo testing confirmed that METH abuse impaired the inhibitory control ability of executive function. Meanwhile, METH down-regulated the expression of p-Nrf2, HO-1 and GSH-Px and activated ER stress and apoptosis in the Dstr. Microinjection of Tert-butylhydroxyquinone (TBHQ), an Nrf2 agonist, into the Dstr increased the expression of p-Nrf2, HO-1, and GSH-Px, ameliorated ER stress, apoptosis and executive dysfunction caused by METH. Our results indicated that the p-Nrf2/HO-1 pathway was potentially involved in mediating methamphetamine-induced executive dysfunction by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in the dorsal striatum., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

This study evaluated the Turkish version of the Nurse Spiritual Therapeutic Scale for assessing oncology patients' and caregivers' needs. It involved 200 participants from July 2022 to May 2023. The scale demonstrated high validity (content validity index = 0.97) and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.879). Factor analysis revealed a 20-item single-factor structure with satisfactory representation (factor loadings: 0.29-0.89). Item-total score correlations indicated moderate to strong relationships (0.236-0.761). The model showed a good fit (goodness-of-fit indices > 0.90). The Turkish version of the scale is valid and reliable for assessing oncology patients' and caregivers' spiritual care needs., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can cause infertility in females due to hyperandrogenism and neuroendocrine abnormalities. The aim of this study is to decipher the impact of endocrine variables, hyperandogenism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and dietary conditions in PCOS conditions, subsequently to depict the role of epigenetic factors relative to phenotypic manifestations in PCOS conditions. We have reviewed several metabolic milieus pertinent to PCOS conditions. Comparative efficacies of various PCOS therapies, and recent clinical recommendations for the effective management of PCOS and role of metabolic/endocrine variables in PCOS conditions were described. Comparative therapeutic effects were vividly delineated according to the variable pathophysiology and internal variables during PCOS syndrome on the female body through the formation of cascade of endocrine pathology, which affects working capacity and fosters redox stress-induced cardiovascular, neural, and liver abnormalities. GLP-1 agonists, insulin sensitizers (metformin), and diet and exercise regimens efficacy were explained in enhancing the fertility outcomes among the overweight or obese females with PCOS. Comprehensive appraisal of DNA methylation as epigenetic changes and the manifestations of methylated genes in PCOS conditions were discussed particularly to screen novel molecular targets for developing efficient diagnostic indicators for predicting PCOS risk or its progression. Due to the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications, it is possible to screen the "druggable" regions to target or to correct abnormalities in the gene expression subsequently to develop chromatin-modifying therapies against PCOS., (© 2022. Society for Reproductive Investigation.)

In this review article, we aimed to discuss intricate roles of SD in modulating depression in preclinical and clinical studies. Decades of research have shown the inconsistent effects of SD on depression, focusing on SD duration. However, inconsistent role of SD seems to be more complicated, and SD duration cannot be the only one factor. Regarding this issue, we chose some important factors involved in the effects of SD on cognitive functions and mood including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), serotonin, cortisol, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). It was concluded that SD has a wide-range of inconsistent effects on BDNF, VEGF, serotonin, and cortisol levels. It was noted that BDNF diurnal rhythm is significantly involved in the modulatory role of SD in depression. Furthermore, the important role of VEGF in blood-brain barrier permeability which is involved in modulating depression was discussed. It was also noted that there is a negative correlation between cortisol and BDNF that modulates depression. Eventually, it was concluded that TNF-α regulates sleep/wake cycle and is involved in the vulnerability to cognitive and behavioral impairments following SD. TNF-α also increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier which is accompanied by depressive behavior. In sum, it was suggested that future studies should focus on these mechanisms/factors to better investigate the reasons behind intricate roles of SD in modulating depression., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Military personnel are often exposed to hot environments either for combat operations or peacekeeping missions. Hot environment is a severe stressful situation leading to profound hyperthermia, fatigue and neurological impairments. To avoid stressful environment, some people frequently use methamphetamine (METH) or other psychostimulants to feel comfortable under adverse situations. Our studies show that heat stress alone induces breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and edema formation associated with reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF). On the other hand, METH alone induces hyperthermia and neurotoxicity. These effects of METH are exacerbated at high ambient temperatures as seen with greater breakdown of the BBB and brain pathology. Thus, a combination of METH use at hot environment may further enhance the brain damage-associated behavioral dysfunctions. METH is well known to induce severe oxidative stress leading to brain pathology. In this investigation, METH intoxication at hot environment was examined on brain pathology and to explore suitable strategies to induce neuroprotection. Accordingly, TiO 2 -nanowired delivery of H-290/51 (150 mg/kg, i.p.), a potent chain-breaking antioxidant in combination with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), is investigated in attenuating METH-induced brain damage at hot environment in model experiments. Our results show that nanodelivery of H-290/51 with MSCs significantly enhanced CBF and reduced BBB breakdown, edema formation and brain pathology following METH exposure at hot environment. These observations are the first to point out that METH exacerbated brain pathology at hot environment probably due to enhanced oxidative stress, and MSCs attenuate these adverse effects, not reported earlier., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

This chapter reviews the literature on the impact of stress and exercise on fear extinction. Given that key brain regions of the fear circuitry (e.g., hippocampus, amygdala and frontal cortex) can be modulated by stress hormones, it is important to investigate how stress influences this process. Laboratory-based studies performed in healthy adults have yielded mixed results, which are most likely attributable to various methodological factors. Among these factors, inter-individual differences modulating the stress response and timing of stressor administration with respect to the task may contribute to this heterogeneity. Given that fear is a core manifestation of various psychopathologies and that exposure-based therapy relies on fear extinction principles, several studies have attempted to assess the role of stress hormones on exposure-based therapy in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorders. These studies tend to suggest a beneficial impact of stress hormones (through either natural endogenous variations or synthetic administration) on exposure-based therapy as assessed mostly by subjective fear measures. Similar to stress, exercise can have an impact on many physiological and biological systems in humans. Of note, exercise modulates biomarkers such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and anandamide (EAE) that act on brain regions implicated in the fear circuitry, supporting the importance of studying the impact of exercise on fear extinction. Overall, the results converge and indicate that fear extinction (tested in the laboratory or via exposure-based therapy in clinical populations) can be enhanced with exercise. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which stress and exercise modulate fear learning and extinction processes, as well as to maximize the applicability to clinical contexts., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Curcumin, belongs to the curcuminoid family, is a natural phenolic compound, presenting low bioavailability and pleiotropic activity. Since ancient times, curcumin has been in use as food spices and folk remedy to treat cough, cold, cuts and wounds, and skin diseases. Preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that curcumin acts a promising therapeutic agent in the management of a wide array of health issues, viz., hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, anxiety, arthritis, cancer and inflammatory diseases. Owing to its enormous potential, recent research has been focused on the synthesis of curcumin and its analogues for the management of metabolic disorders. In the current scenario, hypertension is considered as a key risk factor due to its involvement in various pathogeneses. Mechanistically, curcumin and its analogues like hexahydrocurcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin, etc. have been reported to elicit anti-hypertensive effect through diverse signalling pathways, viz., pathway mediated by Nrf2-ARE, NF-kB, NO/cGMP/PDE5/MMPs, RAAS/ACE, HAT/HDAC, G0/G1/apoptosis, CYP3A4, UCP2/PARP, VEGF/STAT/AXL/tyrosine kinase and TGF-β/Smad-mediated pathways. Thus, the present review has been aimed to highlight different molecular pathways involved in the amelioration of hypertension and associated conditions., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Taurine as an essential amino acid in the brain could play an important role in protecting the fetal brain of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The hippocampus with IUGR showed neural metabolic disorder and structure changed that affected memory and learning ability. This study was aimed to identify the effect of taurine supplementation on the metabolism alterations and cellular composition changes of the hippocampus in IUGR immature rats. Metabolite concentrations were determined by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the hippocampus of juvenile rats with IUGR following taurine supplementation with antenatal or postnatal supply. The composition of neural cells in the hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and western blotting (WB). Antenatal taurine supplementation increased the ratios of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) /creatine (Cr) and glutamate (Glu) /Cr of the hippocampus in the IUGR immature rats, but reduced the ratios of choline (Cho) /Cr and myoinositol (mI) /Cr. At the same time, the protein expression of NeuN in the IUGR rats was increased through intrauterine taurine supplementation, and the GFAP expression was reduced. Especially the effect of antenatal taurine was better than postpartum. Furthermore, there existed a positive correlation between the NAA/Cr ratio and the NeuN protein expression (R = 0.496 p < 0.001 IHC; R = 0.568 p < 0.001 WB), the same results existed in the relationship between the mI/Cr ratio and the GFAP protein expression (R = 0.338 p = 0.019 IHC; R = 0.440 p = 0.002 WB). Prenatal taurine supplementation can better improve hippocampal neuronal metabolism by increasing NAA / Cr ratio related to the number of neurons and reducing Cho / Cr ratio related to the number of glial cells., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

This investigation aimed to study breast cancer awareness based on health information literacy and influential factors of breast cancer awareness among female nursing students in Changchun city in China. A four-part self-report questionnaire including the participants' general demographic characteristics, the participants' specialized characteristics concerning breast cancer screening, the Chinese version of the Breast Cancer Awareness Measurement (C-BCAM), and the Chinese version of the Health Information Literacy Self-rating Scale (HILSS) was designed to investigate breast cancer awareness and health information literacy and influential factors of breast cancer awareness among 205 female nursing students in Year 1-Year 3 using convenience sampling. The data were analyzed with SPSS 26.0 using descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests, and multiple regression analysis. The nursing students had an average level of HIL (median = 101.00, (93.00, 107.00)) and a good level of breast cancer awareness (median = 82.00, (76.00, 88.00)). A significant positive correlation was found between the HILSS and total C-BCAM score (r = 0.439, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that grades (P < 0.001), training in BSE (P = 0.025), and intention of undergoing breast cancer screening (P = 0.028) were three predictive factors for breast cancer awareness among female nursing students. The female nursing students' HIL was at an average level, and breast cancer awareness was at a good level. Health information literacy and breast cancer awareness among female nursing students in Changchun were significantly positively correlation, as demonstrated by this survey. Therefore, nursing education has the responsibility to improve female nursing students' awareness of breast cancer at different grades and to cultivate health information literacy. More training in BSE is needed. Greater efforts may be needed to develop targeted nursing education to strengthen female nursing students' awareness of breast cancer and HIL., (© 2020. American Association for Cancer Education.)

The European School of Oncology (ESO) organizes educational activities within Europe, the Mediterranean region, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. In this paper, we report on the participation of oncologists from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia in various ESO activities including the masterclass, courses, refresher courses, conventions, conferences, consensus conferences, clinical training centers fellowship program, and the medical students' courses in oncology. Over the last 15 years, 428 oncologists and medical students have successfully attended one or more of the above activities organized in various European countries. This article details the implementation and coordination of the ESO educational events in the Central Asian and the Caucasian regions., (© 2021. American Association for Cancer Education.)

Major depressive disorder is a debilitating mental illness and a leading cause of global disease burden. While many etiological factors have been identified, social stress is a highly prevalent causative factor for the onset of depression. Unfortunately, rates of depression continue to increase around the world, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this mental health crisis. Though several therapeutic strategies are available, nearly 50% of patients who receive treatment never reach remission. The exact mechanisms by which social stress exposure promotes the development of depression are unclear, making it challenging to develop novel and more effective therapeutics. However, accumulating evidence points to a role for stress-induced neuroinflammation, particularly in treatment-resistant patients. Moreover, recent evidence has expanded the concept of the pathogenesis of depression to mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that the combined effects of social stress on mitochondria and inflammation may synergize to facilitate stress-related depression. In this chapter, we review evidence for neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of social stress-induced depression and discuss these in the context of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of depression., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

This study aimed to examine the relationship between nursing students' perception of spiritual care and their attitudes towards death. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey between March and April 2021 with 601 nursing students using the Google Forms questionnaire. The "Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS)" and "Attitude towards Death Scale (ATDS)" were utilised to assist with data collection and analysis. While there was no relationship between the students' total SSCRS and total ATDS scores, there was a positive relationship between the total SSCRS and the Neutral Acceptance-Approach Acceptance Subscale (r = 0.129, p = 0.002), and a negative relationship between SSCRS and the Fear of Death and Avoidance of Death Subscale (r =  - 0.097, p = 0.017). Providing support in terms of spiritual care and viewing spiritual care as related to nursing were related to the total SSCRS score. Alcohol use, viewing spiritual care as related to nursing, self-perceptions of spirituality, and fear of death were associated with the total ATDS score (p < 0.05). It is recommended that spiritual care and death perceptions be addressed more comprehensively in the educational curriculum of nursing students., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: Statins pleiotropically provide additional benefits in reducing atherosclerosis, but their effects on intraplaque angiogenesis (IPA) and hemorrhage (IPH) remain unclear. Therefore, we discriminated statin's lipid-lowering dependent and independent effects on IPA and IPH., Approach and Results: ApoE3*Leiden mice are statin-responsive due to ApoE and LDLR presence, but also allow to titrate plasma cholesterol levels by diet. Therefore, ApoE3*Leiden mice were fed a high-cholesterol-inducing-diet (HCD) with or without atorvastatin (A) or a moderate-cholesterol-inducing-diet (MCD). Mice underwent vein graft surgery to induce lesions with IPA and IPH. Cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in MCD (56%) and HCD + A (39%) compared to HCD with no significant differences between MCD and HCD + A. Both MCD and HCD + A have a similar reduction in vessel remodeling and inflammation comparing to HCD. IPA was significantly decreased by 30% in HCD + A compared to HCD or MCD. Atorvastatin treatment reduced the presence of immature vessels by 34% vs. HCD and by 25% vs. MCD, resulting in a significant reduction of IPH. Atorvastatin's anti-angiogenic capacity was further illustrated by a dose-dependent reduction of ECs proliferation and migration. Cultured mouse aortic-segments lost sprouting capacity upon atorvastatin treatment and became 30% richer in VE-Cadherin expression and pericyte coverage. Moreover, Atorvastatin inhibited ANGPT2 release and decreased VE-Cadherin(Y685)-phosphorylation in ECs., Conclusions: Atorvastatin has beneficial effects on vessel remodeling due to its lipid-lowering capacity. Atorvastatin has strong pleiotropic effects on IPA by decreasing the number of neovessels and on IPH by increasing vessel maturation. Atorvastatin improves vessel maturation by inhibiting ANGPT2 release and phospho(Y658)-mediated VE-Cadherin internalization., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Airborne fungi are among common contaminants in indoor and outdoor environments, leading to poor indoor air quality (IAQ), and to some extent, implicate health risks to humans worldwide. In Malaysia, fungal contamination in institutional buildings is rarely documented although these places are frequently visited by many. This study was conducted to assess the density and diversity of airborne fungi in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) main campus, Penang. A total of 11 sampling sites were assessed. Fungi were collected by using Andersen Single Stage Impact Air Sampler N-6 and MEA plates. Two separate trials, namely Trial 1 and Trial 2, were conducted in 2008 and 2019, respectively. The recovered fungi were identified up to the genus level-based morphological features. A survey involving 400 respondents among USM staff and students in relation to fungal contamination in indoor air environment was also conducted to evaluate the knowledge on indoor fungi among USM community. The densities of indoor air fungi in Trial 1 were higher; ranging from 81 to 1743 CFU/m 3 , exceeding the recommended level set by the Malaysia Industry Code of Practice (MCPIAQ) in some sampling sites, compared to that of in Trial 2 where the densities ranged from 229 to 699 CFU/m 3 . A total of 154 isolates and 230 isolates of airborne fungi were recovered in Trial 1 and Trial 2, respectively. In total, 11 fungal genera were identified in both trials, and three genera were predominant: Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium. The survey also revealed that knowledge of IAQ among staff and students was limited and that they were unaware of fungal contamination and IAQ. A continuous and wide-spread awareness should be implemented at USM main campus for safer and healthier indoor air environments, particularly university students where productivity and efficiency are of the utmost importance., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

This study aims to determine breast cancer fatalism in women and investigate the relationship between women's cervical cancer and pap smear test health beliefs with religious orientation and fatalism. The study, which was conducted as a descriptive and relational screening one, was conducted in the eastern part of Turkey between July and August 2019. The study was conducted with 357 women who were not diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, and who were not pregnant. A positive, significant relationship was found between the Religious Orientation Scale total mean score and Health Motivation and Pap smear Benefit Perception sub-scale mean score. A positive, significant relationship was found between the Fatalism Tendency Scale total mean score and Sensitivity, Importance Perception, Pap smear Benefit Perception and Pap smear Barrier Perception sub-scale mean scores (p < .05). The participating women were found to have a low level of breast cancer fatalism. Religious Orientation and Fatalism Tendency were found to have affected the Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test Health Beliefs. Similar studies are recommended to be conducted in larger groups and different regions.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is described as the loss of dopaminergic neurons located in the substantia nigra (SN) region of the brain and a progressive motor failure. Increased frequency of PD in women, especially after menopause, suggests the effect of estrogen. This view has been supported with empirical studies. Therefore, the effect of estrogen in an experimental model of Parkinson's disease induced by rotenone was investigated. A total of 32 female Wistar Albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups (control group, ovariectomy group, Parkinson's group, Parkinson's + estrogen group). The Parkinson's group received rotenone subcutanously at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg bw, on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd 4th, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th, and 21st days animals in the Parkinson's + estrogen group received retonon as in the Parkinson's group and was additionally subcutaneously given estrogen (implant containing 0.5 mg 17 β-estradiol lasting for 21 days). The rats were subjected to rotarod, pole, and swimming tests at the end of the experiment for comparison of their motor activities, and then, histopathological and biochemical analyses were performed on the tissues that were extracted. The rotarod results revealed that Parkinson's group had the shortest time (32.33 ± 3.98 sn) than the groups of control (92.50 ± 12.60 s) ovariectomy (71.42 ± 10.58 s), and Parkinson's + estrogen (71.37 ± 9.26 s). The results of pole disclosed that return and landing time prolonged for Parkinson's group when compared with other groups (return time for control 2.98 ± 0.38 s, ovariectomy 3.02 ± 0.75 s, Parkinson 5.91 ± 0.33 s, Parkinson's + estrogen 3.48 ± 0.42 s and landing time for control 5.30 ± 0.59 s, ovariectomy 5.45 ± 0.73 s, Parkinson 9.80 ± 0.90 s, Parkinson's + estrogen 5.37 ± 1.02 s). Parkinson's group had longest (90.71 ± 12.56 s) swimming time to reach the target when compared with control (33.16 ± 8.68 s), ovariectomy (47.37 ± 12.19 s), and Parkinson's + estrogen (49.82 ± 5.78 s). Histopathological examination indicated a significant difference in tyrosine hydroxylase-stained cells (dopaminergic neurons and dopamine) between the Parkinson's + estrogen group and the Parkinson's group. The biochemical analyses of Caspas-3 activation in SN and striatum (STR) was significantly different between the Parkinson's + estrogen group and the Parkinson's group, but this difference was not observed in STR while evaluating Bcl-2. The results of this study suggested that estrogen may have a recuperative effect on PD.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is characterized by resistance of insulin receptors and/or inadequate insulin secretion resulting in metabolic and structural complications including vascular diseases, arterial hypertension and different behavioral alterations. We aimed to study the effects of the antihypertensive angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist losartan on the T2DM-induced changes of exploratory behavior, anxiety, nociception and short term memory in normotensive Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The experimental model of T2DM induced by a combination of high fat diet and streptozotocin, decreased exploratory activity and increased the level of carbonylated proteins in selected brain structures in both strains; as well it increased corticosterone level, pain threshold, anxiety-like behavior, and decline short term memory only in SHRs. Losartan treatment alleviated some of the T2DM- induced metabolic complications, abolished the T2DM-induced hypo activity, and normalized the corticosterone level, carbonylated proteins in brain, nociception and memory. Losartan did not exert effect on the anxiety behavior in both strains. We showed that T2DM exerted more pronounced negative effects on the rats with comorbid hypertension as compared to normotensive rats. Overall effects on the studied behavioral parameters are related to decreased exploration of the new environment, increased anxiety-like behavior, and decline in short-term memory. The systemic sub-chronic treatment with an angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist losartan ameliorated most of these complications.

Several studies have recently revealed that cognitive function can be affected by paracetamol (APAP) treatment. However, the exact impact of this drug treatment on learning and memory has not been clarified. This study aimed to investigate the effect of APAP treatment on the alteration of synapses and oxidative stress in the rat frontal cortex and hippocampus. APAP at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw was fed to adult male Wistar rats through either acute (n = 10), 15-day (n = 10), or 30-day (n = 10) treatment regimens. The synaptic ultrastructure and proteins, synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95), were monitored. The amount of protein carbonyl oxidation (PCO) and glutathione (GSH) levels were examined. Our results demonstrated that acute treatment with APAP had no effect on synapses and oxidative stress. However, the synapses obtained from rats with 15-day APAP treatment showed a marked shortening of active zones and widening of the synaptic cleft. Decrement of SYP and PSD-95 proteins were demonstrated in these rats as well. With 30-day APAP treatment, the alteration of the synaptic ultrastructure and proteins was more evident. Moreover, the depletion of GSH and the elevation of PCO levels were demonstrated in the rats treated with APAP for 30 days. These results suggest that long-term APAP treatment can induce synaptic degeneration in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. The increase in oxidative stress in these brain areas may be due to the deleterious effect of this drug.