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Abstract Obesity is a health problem characterized by large expansion of adipose tissue. During this expansion, genotoxic stressors can be accumulated and negatively affect the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of adipose tissue. Due to the oxidative stress generated by these genotoxic stressors, senescence phenotype might be observed in adipose tissue MSCs. Senescent MSCs lose their proliferations and differentiation properties and secrete senescence-associated molecules to their niche thus triggering senescence for the rest of the tissue. Accumulation of senescent cells in adipose tissue results in decreased tissue regeneration and functional impairment not only in the close vicinity but also in the other tissues. Here we hypothesized that declined tissue regeneration might be associated with loss of stemness markers in MSCs population. We analyzed the expression of several stemness-associated genes of in vitro cultured MSCs originated from adipose tissue of high-fat diet and normal diet mice models. Since the heterogenous MSCs population covers a small percentage of the pluripotent stem cells, which have roles in proliferation and tissue regeneration, we measured the percentage of these cells via TRA-1-60 pluripotent state antigen. Additionally, by conducting a shotgun proteomic approach using LC-MS/MS, whole cell proteome of the adipose tissue MSCs of high-fat diet and normal diet mice were analyzed and identified proteins were evaluated via gene ontology and PPI network analysis. MSCs of obese mice showed senescent phenotype and altered cell cycle distribution due to a hostile environment with oxidative stress in adipose tissue where they reside. Additionally, the number of pluripotent markers expressing cells declined in the MSC population of the high-fat diet mice. Gene expression analysis evidenced the loss of stemness with a decrease in the expression of stemness-associated genes. Of the proteomic comparison of the normal and the high-fat diet group, MSCs revealed that stemness-associated molecules were decreased while inflammation and senescence-associated phenotypes emerged in obese mice MSCs. Our results showed us that the MSCs of adipose tissue may lose their stemness properties due to obesity-associated stress conditions.

Introduction In the new globalized world, noise pollution has started to become a public health problem. We searched for publications about noise pollution in our study. In our study, we examined the noise pollution articles in the Web of Science (WoS) database. Material and Methods A total of 2722 papers were identified which were published between 2001 and 2020, finally, 1815 articles were analyzed. VOSviewer (version 1.6.11) tool used for bibliometric web visualizations. Results When trend analysis was applied to the number of articles by years, a statistically significant increase was detected. The United States contributed the most publications. The countries with the most articles per million population were determined to be Scotland, Singapore, and Ireland, respectively. Most articles on noise pollution were published in the journal Applied Acoustics. The three most used keywords are “noise pollution”, “noise” and “traffic noise”. Conclusions This study showed that there has been a trend of an increasing number of articles on noise pollution in recent years. Also it can be considered that this bibliometric study will help identify gaps in the current research data.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the prognosis of sepsis in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively included all adult patients admitted to the ICU, who were diagnosed with sepsis according to the Sepsis 3 criteria between September 2013 and February 2021. Demographic, clinical data and laboratory results were recorded. Results: Of the 245 patients in the ICU, 100 (40.8%) died during the 30-day follow-up. In univariate logistic regression analysis, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, vasopressor need, immunosuppressive treatment, neutropenic fever, hematological malignancy, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, lactate, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and albumin levels were found to be independently associated with mortality. When evaluated in terms of prognostic significance in ROC curve, the optimal cutoff values for 30-day mortality were 7 for SOFA score (AUC=0.713, p7 [odds ratio (OR): 95% confidence interval (CI): 9.66 (1.16-80.82), p=0.036], history of immunosuppressive treatment [OR 95% CI: 12.41 (1.45-106.17), p=0.021], and ferritin levels >1518 µg/L [OR 95% CI: 9.46 (1.36-65.79), p=0.023] were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. Conclusion: In our single-center study, serum ferritin level was determined to be a valuable prognostic biomarker in patients with sepsis.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) typically leads to mild infectious disease in children, although both acute infection and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children can cause severe complications. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 is a neurotropic virus that can present with a wide spectrum of neurological symptoms. Acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood (ANE) is a rare acute encephalitis characterized by symmetrical lesions in the thalamus with variable involvement of the white matter, brainstem, and cerebellum. It usually develops after viral infection in genetically predisposed patients. Although the prognosis is poor, some patients respond to steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. In this case report, we present the case of an 11-year-old patient with no previously known disease who developed SARS-CoV-2-related ANE that did not respond to steroid and IVIG treatment. Our patient was incidentally diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis, and brain death occurred in the 32nd hour of admission.

Abstract In this study, the multifaceted toxicity induced by high doses of the essential trace element molybdenum in Allium cepa L. was investigated. Germination, root elongation, weight gain, mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN), chromosomal abnormalities (CAs), Comet assay, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and anatomical parameters were used as biomarkers of toxicity. In addition, detailed correlation and PCA analyzes were performed for all parameters discussed. On the other hand, this study focused on the development of a two hidden layer deep neural network (DNN) using Matlab. Four experimental groups were designed: control group bulbs were germinated in tap water and application group bulbs were germinated with 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/L doses of molybdenum for 72 h. After germination, root tips were collected and prepared for analysis. As a result, molybdenum exposure caused a dose-dependent decrease (p

Introduction: This study evaluated hand and forearm injuries caused by angle grinders and identify the risk factors. Methods: Between 2020 and 2022, 79 patients with hand and forearm injuries due to angle grinder were retrospectively evaluated. Data were obtained from the hospital database and telephone interviews with patients. Age, gender, education level, employment status and work experience, smoking, and alcohol use were recorded. The injury location and structures were evaluated. The time of injury and use of protective gloves were recorded. The Modified Hand Injury Severity Score (MHISS) was used to determine the severity of the injury. The return to work times of actively working patients were recorded. Results: Seventy-nine patients with angle grinder injuries were included in the study. All patients were male. Dominant side injury was in 17 (21.5%) patients. The most frequently injured area was the dorsal hand, and the most frequently injured structure was the extensor tendon. The mean MHISS was 49.15 (4-280) and 39 (49.4%) patients had minor injuries. The mean return to work was 7.13 (2-32) weeks. No correlation was found between age, work experience, and MHISS (p=0.167 p=0.389). There was a correlation between the use of protective gloves and MHISS (p=0.002). Conclusion: Injuries to the hand and forearm caused by angle grinder usage can result in serious work-related disabilities. These injuries can be reduced by increasing safety precautions and training.

Abstract Drug insensitivity is arguably one of the biggest challenges in cancer therapeutics. Although effective therapeutic solutions in cancer are limited due to the emergence of drug insensitivity, exploiting evolutionary understanding in this context can provide potential second-line therapeutics sensitizing the drug insensitive populations. Targeted therapeutic agent dabrafenib is used to treat CRC patients with BRAF V600E genotype and insensitivity to dabrafenib is often observed. Understanding underlying clonal architecture of dabrafenib-induced drug insensitivity and identification of potential second-line therapeutics that could sensitize dabrafenib insensitive populations remain to be elucidated. For this purpose, we utilized cellular barcoding technology to decipher dabrafenib-induced clonal evolution in BRAF V600E mutant HT-29 cells. This approach revealed the detection of both pre-existing and de novo barcodes with increased frequencies as a result of dabrafenib insensitivity. Furthermore, our longitudinal monitoring of drug insensitivity based on barcode detection from floating DNA within used medium enabled to identify temporal dynamics of pre-existing and de novo barcodes in relation to dabrafenib insensitivity in HT-29 cells. Moreover, whole-exome sequencing analysis exhibited possible somatic CNVs and SNVs contributing to dabrafenib insensitivity in HT-29 cells. Last, collateral drug sensitivity testing demonstrated oxaliplatin and capecitabine, alone or in combination, as successful second-like therapeutics in inducing collateral sensitivity in dabrafenib-insensitive HT-29 cells. Overall, our findings demonstrate clonal dynamics of dabrafenib-insensitivity in HT-29 cells. In addition, oxaliplatin and capecitabine, alone or in combination, were successful second-line therapeutics in inducing collateral sensitivity in dabrafenib-insensitive HT-29 cells.

Objective: To reveal the profile and practice in patients with acute stroke who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) and/or neuro-interventional therapy in Türkiye. Materials and Methods: On World Stroke Awareness Day, May 10, 2018, 1,790 patients hospitalized in 87 neurology units spread over 30 health regions were evaluated retrospectively and prospectively. Results: Intravenous tPA was administered to 12% of 859 cases of acute ischemic stroke in 45 units participating in the study. In the same period, 8.3% of the cases received neurointerventional treatment. The rate of good prognosis [modified Rankin score (mRS) 0–2] at discharge was 46% in 83 patients who received only IV tPA [age: 67 +- 12 years; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS): 12 +- 6; hospital stay, 24 +- 29 days]; 35% in 51 patients who underwent thrombectomy (MT) alone (age: 64 +- 13 years; NIHSS: 14.1 +- 6.5; length of hospital stay, 33 +- 31 days), 19% in those who received combined treatment (age: 66 +- 14 years; NIHSS: 15.6 +- 5.4; length of hospital stay, 26 +- 35 days), and 56% of 695 patients who did not receive treatment for revascularization (age: 70 +- 13 years; NIHSS: 7.6 +- 7.2; length of hospital stay, 21 +- 28 days). The symptom-to-door time was 87 +- 53 minutes in the IV treatment group and 200 +- 26 minutes in the neurointerventional group. The average door-to-needle time was 66 +- 49 minutes in the IV tPA group. In the neurothrombectomy group, the door-to-groin time was 103 +- 90 minutes, and the TICI 2b-3 rate was 70.3%. In 103 patients who received IV tPA, the discharge mRS 0–2 was 41%, while the rate of mRS 0–1 was 28%. In 71 patients who underwent neurothrombectomy, the mRS 0–2 was 31% and mRS 0–1 was 18%. The door-to-groin time was approximately 30 minutes longer if IV tPA was received (125 +- 107 and 95 +- 83 minutes, respectively). Symptomatic bleeding rates were 4.8% in IV recipients, 17.6% among those who received only MT, and 15% in combined therapy. Globally, the hemorrhage rate was 6.8% in patients receiving IV tPA and 16.9% in MT. Conclusion: IV thrombolytic and neurointerventional treatment applications in acute ischemic stroke in Türkiye can provide the anticipated results. Heterogeneity has begun to be reduced in our country with the dissemination of the system indicated by the 'Directive on Health Services to be Provided to Patients with Acute Stroke.'

Synchysis scintillans, also known as cholesterolosis bulbi, is a degenerative eye pathology characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol crystals in the vitreous. It is typically observed bilaterally but can rarely be unilateral. It can be triggered by severe trauma, chronic inflammation, chronic retinal detachment, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, Coats’ disease, and retinoblastoma. In this report, we present a case with an uncommon association of anterior chamber synchysis scintillans and neovascular glaucoma.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common directly preventable cause of ischemic stroke. There is no dependable neurology-based data on the spectrum of stroke caused by AF in our country. Within the scope of NeuroTek-Turkey, hospital-based data on acute stroke patients with AF were collected to contribute to the creation of acute stroke algorithms. Materials and Methods: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common directly preventable cause of ischemic stroke. There is no dependable neurology-based data on the spectrum of stroke caused by AF in Türkiye. Within the scope of NöroTek-Türkiye (TR), hospital-based data on acute stroke patients with AF were collected to contribute to the creation of acute-stroke algorithms. Results: The rate of AF in patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke/TIA was 29.8%, of which 65% were known before stroke, 5% were paroxysmal, and 30% were diagnosed after hospital admission. The proportion of patients with AF who received 'effective' treatment [international normalization ratio ≥2.0 warfarin or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) at a guideline dose] was 25.3%, and, either no medication or only antiplatelet was used in 42.5% of the cases. The low dose rate was 50% in 42 patients who had a stroke while taking NOACs. Anticoagulant was prescribed to the patient at discharge at a rate of 94.6%; low molecular weight or unfractionated heparin was prescribed in 28.1%, warfarin in 32.5%, and NOACs in 31%. The dose was in the low category in 22% of the cases discharged with NOACs, and half of the cases, who received NOACs at admission, were discharged with the same drug. Conclusion: NöroTekTR revealed the high but expected frequency of AF in acute stroke in Türkiye, as well as the aspects that could be improved in the management of secondary prophylaxis. AF is found in approximately one-third of hospitalized acute stroke cases in Türkiye. Effective anticoagulant therapy was not used in three-quarters of acute stroke cases with known AF. In AF, heparin, warfarin, and NOACs are planned at a similar frequency (one-third) within the scope of stroke secondary prophylaxis, and the prescribed NOAC dose is subtherapeutic in a quarter of the cases. Non-medical and medical education appears necessary to prevent stroke caused by AF.

Abstract Periosteal or osteoperiosteal medial femoral condyle (MFC) flaps may be good options for atrophic nonunion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pedicled MFC flap in the treatment of recalcitrant femur nonunion without bone defect. Thirteen patients (11 male and 2 female), who suffered recalcitrant femur nonunion and were treated with pedicled osteoperiosteal MFC flap between January 2014 and April 2018, were included in this study. Patient files were reviewed retrospectively. Atrophic or recalcitrant 2/3 distal femoral nonunion were the indications for this clinical procedure. Demographics and operative data, flap size, visual analog scale (VAS) score, time to union, and complications were evaluated. A total of 13 patients underwent femur nonunion treatment with MFC flap after an average of 3.4 previous surgical procedures. The median age was 34 (Q1: 32.5, Q3:43) years old. The mean flap size was 4.3 × 6.4 cm, all nonunions healed in a median 5 months (Q1: 4.5, Q3: 6). There were an intraoperative knee medial collateral ligament injury in a patient, hematoma in a patient, and seroma in two patients. The median length of the follow-up was 40 months (Q1: 30, Q3: 47). There wasn’t any additional complication in long-term follow-up. Functional outcomes were satisfactory. The median preoperative VAS score was 7 (Q1: 6, Q3: 9.5), decreasing to 1 (Q1: 0, Q3: 1) at the 6-month follow-up, and further reducing to 0 (Q1: 0, Q3: 1) at the 24-month follow-up. The nonunion period ranged from 6 to 18 months. The pedicled MFC flap is a good option for recalcitrant femur nonunion where larger vascularized flaps are not warranted. It is easy to harvest, does not require microvascular anastomosis, is effective, and offers minimal donor site morbidity.

Summary: Background: SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies (nABs) showed great promise in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of resistant strains, however, quickly rendered the majority of clinically approved nABs ineffective. This underscored the imperative to develop nAB cocktails targeting non-overlapping epitopes. Methods: Undertaking a nAB discovery program, we employed a classical workflow, while integrating artificial intelligence (AI)-based prediction to select non-competing nABs very early in the pipeline. We identified and in vivo validated (in female Syrian hamsters) two highly potent nABs. Findings: Despite the promising results, in depth cryo-EM structural analysis demonstrated that the AI-based prediction employed with the intention to ensure non-overlapping epitopes was inaccurate. The two nABs in fact bound to the same receptor-binding epitope in a remarkably similar manner. Interpretation: Our findings indicate that, even in the Alphafold era, AI-based predictions of paratope-epitope interactions are rough and experimental validation of epitopes remains an essential cornerstone of a successful nAB lead selection. Funding: Full list of funders is provided at the end of the manuscript.

Unidentified patients present a medical information dilemma for all medical departments but can be a major problem in Emergency Departments (EDs). This study aimed to determine the clinical and socio-demographic profile of 'unidentified' patients admitted to the ED with altered consciousness and to define the outcomes of these patients. All ED presentations were analyzed retrospectively for the unidentified patients brought to the hospital by ambulance with altered consciousness. We assessed demographic data, clinical presentation, discharge information, and major clinical outcomes. In this study, 1324 unidentified patients were admitted with altered consciousness to the ED. Of these, 1048 (80.1%) were foreign nationals. In this patient group, the most common diagnoses were; traffic accidents, assault or sharp object injuries, drug addicts, or syncope-epilepsy. In addition, the number of patients who left the hospital without permission or escaped and therefore could not be diagnosed was higher in the foreign nationalities group and constituted approximately one-fifth of the patients (18.9% vs. 5.4%, p:0.001). Of the unidentified patients, 903 (68.2%) were discharged after treatment. 351 (26.5%) patients left the ED unattended. 32 (2.4%) patients were hospitalized. 38 (2.9%) patients died in ED. The majority of the unidentified patients admitted to the ED with altered consciousness were immigrant males. Unidentified patients are a high-need population, most commonly presenting with substance misuse or trauma. Although most of the patients were seeking urgent treatment, more than one-fourth of the patients left the hospital without appropriate treatment and most of these patients were also immigrants. We believe that economic, linguistic, and social disadvantages played an important role in this outcome.

Hereditary, or vertically-transmitted, symbioses affect a large number of animal species and some plants. The precise mechanisms underlying transmission of functions of these associations are often difficult to describe, due to the difficulty in separating the symbiotic partners. This is especially the case for plant-bacteria hereditary symbioses, which lack experimentally tractable model systems. Here, we demonstrate the potential of the leaf symbiosis between the wild yam Dioscorea sansibarensis and the bacterium Orrella dioscoreae (O. dioscoreae) as a model system for hereditary symbiosis. O. dioscoreae is easy to grow and genetically manipulate, which is unusual for hereditary symbionts. These properties allowed us to design an effective antimicrobial treatment to rid plants of bacteria and generate whole aposymbiotic plants, which can later be re-inoculated with bacterial cultures. Aposymbiotic plants did not differ morphologically from symbiotic plants and the leaf forerunner tip containing the symbiotic glands formed normally even in the absence of bacteria, but microscopic differences between symbiotic and aposymbiotic glands highlight the influence of bacteria on the development of trichomes and secretion of mucilage. This is to our knowledge the first leaf symbiosis where both host and symbiont can be grown separately and where the symbiont can be genetically altered and reintroduced to the host.

Cholesterol is an essential component of cellular membranes, crucial for maintaining their structural and functional integrity. It is especially important for nervous tissues, including the retina, which rely on high amounts of plasma membranes for the transmission of the nervous signal. While cholesterol is by far the most abundant sterol, the retina also contains cholesterol precursors and metabolites, especially oxysterols, which are bioactive molecules. Cholesterol lack or excess is deleterious and some oxysterols are known for their effect on neuron survival. Cholesterol homeostasis must therefore be maintained. Retinal glial cells, especially Müller cells, the principal glial cells of the vertebrate retina, provide mechanical, nutritional, and metabolic support for the neighboring neurons. Several pieces of evidence indicate that Müller cells are major actors of cholesterol homeostasis in the retina, as it is known for other glial cells in the brain. This process is based on a close cooperation with neurons, and sterols can be signaling molecules participating in glia-neuron interactions. While some implication of cholesterol in age-related macular degeneration is now recognized, based on epidemiological and laboratory data, evidence for its role in glaucoma is still scarce. The association between cholesterolemia and glaucoma is controversial, but experimental data suggest that sterols could take part in the pathological processes. It has been demonstrated that Müller glial cells are implicated in the development of glaucoma through an ambivalent reactive retinal gliosis process. The early steps contribute to maintaining retinal homeostasis and favor the survival of ganglion cells, which are targeted during glaucoma. If gliosis persists, dysregulation of the neuroprotective functions, cytotoxic effects of gliotic Müller cells and disruption of glia-neuron interactions lead to an acceleration of ganglion cell death. Sterols could play a role in the glial cell response to glaucomatous injury. This represents an understudied but attractive topic to better understand glaucoma and conceive novel preventive or curative strategies. The present review describes the current knowledge on i) sterol metabolism in retinal glial cells, ii) the potential role of cholesterol in glaucoma, and iii) the possible relationships between cholesterol and oxysterols, glial cells and glaucoma. Focus is put on glia-neuron interactions.

Abstract Previous research has suggested that classical psychedelics can foster significant and enduring changes in personality traits and subjective wellbeing. Despite the lack of evidence for adverse effects on mental health stemming from psychedelic use, concerns persist regarding the capacity of these substances to modulate information processing and attitudes towards factual data. The aim of the present study was to investigate the propensity for accepting alternative facts and the general treatment of knowledge within a sample of 392 participants, 233 of whom reported at least a single incidence of psychedelic use in their lifetime. To do this, we leveraged step-wise methods of linear modelling investigating effects of demographics, psychiatric conditions and concomitant drug use. Our findings revealed a moderate positive association between psychedelic use and beliefs in alternative facts, as well as the specific belief that facts are politically influenced. However, no links were found for favouring intuition over evidence when confirming facts. Among other investigated drugs, only alcohol was negatively associated with beliefs in alternative facts. Taken together, our results support the link between psychedelic use and non-conformist thinking styles, which can be attributed to the psychological effects of the drugs themselves, but may also mirror a common trait related to unconventional beliefs and illicit substance use.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of postpartum progesterone on obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) healing in female rats using an experimental OASI model. Twenty-eight female rats were divided into four groups after birth: sham-30, sham-90, progesterone (P4)-30, and P4-90. Moreover, OASI model was established in all groups. Subsequently, except for the sham groups, medroxyprogesterone acetate (0.15 mg) was intramuscularly injected into the P4 groups. After 30 and 90 days, the rats were euthanized under general anesthesia after recording the data. The anal sphincter region was collected for histopathological examination. Progesterone and thiol/disulfide homeostasis studies were performed on blood samples. No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the external anal sphincter (EAS), internal anal sphincter (IAS), or connective tissue thickness (p = 0.714, p = 0.135, and p = 0.314, respectively). No statistically significant differences in the total thiol, native thiol, disulfide, and progesterone levels were found between the groups (p = 0.917, p = 0.503, p = 0.361, and p = 0.294, respectively). The endometrial thickness was lower in the P4 groups than in the sham groups (p = 0.031). Postpartum progesterone administration did not affect IAS and EAS or connective tissue thickness or disrupt the thiol–disulfide balance. However, this administration led to endometrial thinning.

Introduction Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is an increasing clinical condition that causes serious maternal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate if inflammation markers measured by hemogram can aid in the diagnosis of CSP.

Abstract Uremic cardiomyopathy is characterized by diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and fibrosis. Dysregulation of the kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R)-mediated pathways are associated with the development of fibrosis in cancerous diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of the KISS1R antagonist peptide-234 (P234) on the development of uremic cardiomyopathy. Male Wistar rats (300–350 g) were randomized into four groups: (i) Sham, (ii) chronic kidney disease (CKD) induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, (iii) CKD treated with a lower dose of P234 (ip. 13 µg/day), (iv) CKD treated with a higher dose of P234 (ip. 26 µg/day). Treatments were administered daily from week 3 for 10 days. At week 13, the P234 administration did not influence the creatinine clearance and urinary protein excretion. However, the higher dose of P234 led to reduced anterior and posterior wall thicknesses, more severe interstitial fibrosis, and overexpression of genes associated with left ventricular remodeling (Ctgf, Tgfb, Col3a1, Mmp9), stretch (Nppa), and apoptosis (Bax, Bcl2, Casp7) compared to the CKD group. In contrast, no significant differences were found in the expressions of apoptosis-associated proteins between the groups. Our results suggest that the higher dose of P234 hastens the development and pathophysiology of uremic cardiomyopathy by activating the fibrotic TGF-β-mediated pathways.

Objectives:To present the clinical and demographic characteristics, imaging findings, diagnosis and treatment approach in cases of cat scratch disease (CSD) with ocular involvement.Materials and Methods:The records of 19 patients followed-up and treated between 2010 and 2020, including detailed ophthalmological examinations, imaging findings, and treatment approach, were evaluated retrospectively.Results:Twenty-three eyes of 19 patients, 7 female (37%) and 12 male (63%), were included in the study. The mean age was 34.1±13.3 (range: 11-56) years, and the mean follow-up duration was 12.6±18.0 (range: 1-81) months. Unilateral involvement was observed in 15 cases (79%). Cat contact was reported in 14 cases (74%). In 6 cases (32%), flu-like symptoms were present before the ocular complaints. The mean visual acuity (VA) at presentation was 0.42±0.36 (range: 0.001-1.0). Anterior uveitis was observed in 3 eyes (13%). Posterior segment findings included neuroretinitis in 14 (61%), superficial retinal infiltrate(s) in 8 (35%), papillitis in 3 (13%), branch retinal artery occlusion in 2 (8%), and cilioretinal artery occlusion in 1 (4%) of the eyes. All cases were positive for Bartonella henselae immunglobulin (Ig)M and/or IgG. Systemic antibiotic therapy was administered to all patients. Intravenous pulse or oral corticosteroids were given, especially in cases with optic disc involvement. The mean final VA was 0.80±0.25 (range: 0.01-1.0).Conclusion:CSD may present with different ocular involvement patterns. Apart from the classical neuroretinitis and macular star appearance, patients may present with isolated optic disc edema, branch retinal artery occlusion, and retinal infiltrations. In such patients, cat contact history and Bartonella serology should be evaluated to differentiate CSD.

INTRODUCTION: We aim to determine the fetal nasal bone length (NBL) percentile values that can be used in the prediction of the fetal anomaly at 11-14 weeks of gestation in a low-risk population. METHODS: Our prospective and cross-sectional study included four hundred and eighty-six singleton pregnancies who applied for the first-trimester aneuploidy screening test at 11-14 weeks of gestation. We excluded pregnant women with fetal structural or chromosomal anomaly, nuchal translucency >3mm, an absent nasal bone, and in utero fetal death. Reference and percentile values of the NBL were calculated separately for 11,12,13,and 14. gestational weeks. RESULTS: Standard NBL measurements were performed in 486 pregnancies according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Median NBL values were computed for each gestational age (GA), for 11,12,13 and 14. weeks of gestation was found 1.6mm (range=1.1-2.5), 1.8mm (range=1.1-3.0), 2.0mm (range=1.4-3.1), and 2.2mm (range=1.7-2.8), respectively. A positive significant correlation was found between NBL and the crown-rump length (CRL) (NBL (mm) = [0.02xCRL(mm)] + 0.73, r=.483; p

Introduction: The current study aims to evaluate the OX40, TIM-3, LAG-3, and PD-L1 targeted pathways in the regulation of T-cell activity in sarcoma patients to determine their relationship with overall survival (OS). Method: This study included one hundred and eleven patients with bone and soft tissue sarcoma diagnosed in two centers between 2010 and 2020. OX40, LAG-3, TIM-3 and PD-L1 expression levels were evaluated immunohistochemically from pathology preparations. Results: PD-L1 staining was detected in tumor cells, OX40, LAG-3, TIM-3 staining was detected in inflammatory cells in tumor tissue. In univariate analysis, no significant relationship was found between OX40, TIM-3, LAG-3, and PD-L1 staining and overall survival (respectively: p = 0.12, p = 0.49, p = 0.31, p = 0.95). When grade and stage at diagnosis, which were found to be significant in univariate analysis, along with OX-40, TIM-3, LAG-3, and PD-L1, were evaluated in multivariate analysis, a positive effect of OX-40 staining on overall survival was determined (p = 0.009). Considering the correlation between PDL-1 and OX40, TIM-3, and LAG-3 staining, a significant positive correlation was found between PDL-1 and TIM-3 and LAG-3 staining (respectively; p = 0.002, p = 0.001). Conclusions: There was no significant relationship between the PDL-1 staining percentage of tumor cells and OX40, TIM-3, and LAG-3 staining in inflammatory cells with the OS of sarcoma patients. However, detecting a significant positive correlation between PDL-1 staining and TIM-3 and LAG-3 staining also holds promise for finding effective targetable combination therapies that can prolong survival in sarcoma patients in the future.

Objective:Obesity can cause many diseases and reduces the quality of life. Health literacy (HL) can play a decisive role in terms of the health status of the obese person. In this study; it was aimed to evaluate the relationship between HL and obesity-related well-being in obese adults and examine the affecting factors.Method:This cross-sectional study consisted of individuals aged 18-65 years who were admitted to the family medicine outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital, between April and July, 2022, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 and above for the last year, and who met the inclusion criteria. The patient information form, the obesity-related well-being questionnaire (ORWELL 97-TR), and the health literacy scale-short form (HLS-SF) was used to obtain data.Results:Among 201 participants in the study, 70.6% (n=142) were mildly obese. The mean value of the HLS-SF index score was 32.71±9.93, and the ORWELL 97-TR total score was 41.22±14.86. A significant correlation was determined between HLS-SF and ORWELL 97-TR relevance-“social relations” sub-dimension score (r=0.292; p

Abstract In this study, the toxicity of vanadium (VCI3) in Allium cepa L. was studied. Germination-related parameters, mitotic index (MI), catalase (CAT) activity, chromosomal abnormalities (CAs), malondialdehyde (MDA) level, micronucleus (MN) frequency and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were investigated. The effects of VCI3 exposure on the DNA of meristem cells were investigated with the help of comet assay, and the relationships between physiological, cytogenetic and biochemical parameters were revealed by correlation and PCA analyses. A. cepa bulbs were germinated with different concentrations of VCI3 for 72 h. As a result, the maximum germination (100%), root elongation (10.4 cm) and weight gain (6.85 g) were determined in the control. VCI3 treatment caused significant decreases in all tested germination-related parameters compared to the control. The highest percentage of MI (8.62%) was also observed in the control. No CAs were found in the control, except for a few sticky chromosomes and unequal distribution of chromatin (p > 0.05). VCI3 treatment caused significant decreases in MI and increases in the frequencies of CAs and MN, depending on the dose. Similarly, the comet assay showed that DNA damage scores increased with increasing VCI3 doses. The lowest root MDA (6.50 µM/g) level and SOD (36.7 U/mg) and CAT (0.82 OD240nmmin/g) activities were also measured in the control. VCI3 treatment caused significant increases in root MDA levels and antioxidant enzyme activities. Besides, VCI3 treatment induced anatomical damages such as flattened cell nucleus, epidermis cell damage, binuclear cell, thickening in the cortex cell wall, giant cell nucleus, damages in cortex cell and unclear vascular tissue. All examined parameters showed significant negative or positive correlations with each other. PCA analysis confirmed the relations of investigated parameters and VCI3 exposure.

Abstract The present study aimed at exploring to explore the penoxsulam toxicity and protective effects of blueberry extract in roots of Allium cepa L. The effective concentration (EC50) of penoxsulam was determined at 20 µg/L by the root growth inhibition test as the concentration reducing the root length by 50%. The bulbs of A. cepa L. were treated with tap water, blueberry extracts (25 and 50 mg/L), penoxsulam (20 µg/L) and combination of blueberry extracts (25 and 50 mg/L) with penoxsulam (20 µg/L) for 96 h. The results revealed that penoxsulam exposure inhibited cell division, rooting percentage, growth rate, root length and weight gain in the roots of A. cepa L. In addition, it induced chromosomal anomalies such as sticky chromosome, fragment, unequal distribution of chromatin, bridge, vagrant chromosome and c-mitosis and DNA strand breaks. Further, penoxsulam treatment enhanced malondialdehyde content and SOD, CAT and GR antioxidant enzyme activities. Molecular docking results supported the up-regulation of antioxidant enzyme SOD, CAT and GR. Against all these toxicity, blueberry extracts reduced penoxsulam toxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest amount of recovery for cytological, morphological and oxidative stress parameters was observed when using blueberry extract at a concentration of 50 mg/L. In addition, blueberry extracts application showed a positive correlation with weight gain, root length, mitotic index and rooting percentage whereas a negative correlation with micronucleus formation, DNA damage, chromosomal aberrations, antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation indicating its protecting effects. As a result, it has been seen that the blueberry extract can tolerate all these toxic effects of penoxsulam depending on the concentration, and it has been understood that it is a good protective natural product against such chemical exposures.

ABSTRACT Objective: Congenital hypopituitarism (CH) is a rare disease characterized by one or more hormone deficiencies of the pituitary gland. To date, many genes have been associated with CH. In this study, we identified the allelic variant spectrum of 11 causative genes in Turkish patients with CH. Materials and methods: This study included 47 patients [21 girls (44.6%) and 26 boys (55.4%)] from 45 families. To identify the genetic etiology, we screened 11 candidate genes associated with CH using next-generation sequencing. To confirm and detect the status of the specific familial variant in relatives, Sanger sequencing was also performed. Results: We identified 12 possible pathogenic variants in GHRHR, GH1, GLI2, PROP-1, POU1F1, and LHX4 in 11 patients (23.4%), of which six were novel variants: two in GHRHR, two in POU1F1, one in GLI2, and one in LHX4. In all patients, these variants were most frequently found in GLI2, followed by PROP-1 and GHRHR. Conclusion: Genetic causes were determined in only 23.4% of all patients with CH and 63% of molecularly diagnosed patients (7/11) from consanguineous families. Despite advances in genetics, we were unable to identify the genetic etiology of most patients with CH, suggesting the effect of unknown genes or environmental factors. More genetic studies are necessary to understand the etiology of CH.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), characterized by hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, leads to nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). NPDR is associated with blood-retina barrier disruption, plasma exudates, microvascular degeneration, elevated inflammatory cytokine levels, and monocyte (Mo) infiltration. Whether and how the diabetes-associated changes in plasma lipid and carbohydrate levels modify Mo differentiation remains unknown. Here, we show that mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) in areas of vascular leakage in DR donor retinas expressed perilipin 2 (PLIN2), a marker of intracellular lipid load. Strong upregulation of PLIN2 was also observed when healthy donor Mos were treated with plasma from patients with T2DM or with palmitate concentrations typical of those found in T2DM plasma, but not under high-glucose conditions. PLIN2 expression correlated with the expression of other key genes involved in lipid metabolism (ACADVL, PDK4) and the DR biomarkers ANGPTL4 and CXCL8. Mechanistically, we show that lipid-exposed MPs induced capillary degeneration in ex vivo explants that was inhibited by pharmaceutical inhibition of PPARγ signaling. Our study reveals a mechanism linking dyslipidemia-induced MP polarization to the increased inflammatory cytokine levels and microvascular degeneration that characterize NPDR. This study provides comprehensive insights into the glycemia-independent activation of Mos in T2DM and identifies MP PPARγ as a target for inhibition of lipid-activated MPs in DR.

Abstract Influenza virosomes serve as antigen delivery vehicles and pre-existing immunity toward influenza improves the immune responses toward antigens. Here, vaccine efficacy was evaluated in non-human primates with a COVID-19 virosome-based vaccine containing a low dose of RBD protein (15 µg) and the adjuvant 3M-052 (1 µg), displayed together on virosomes. Vaccinated animals (n = 6) received two intramuscular administrations at week 0 and 4 and challenged with SARS-CoV-2 at week 8, together with unvaccinated control animals (n = 4). The vaccine was safe and well tolerated and serum RBD IgG antibodies were induced in all animals and in the nasal washes and bronchoalveolar lavages in the three youngest animals. All control animals became strongly sgRNA positive in BAL, while all vaccinated animals were protected, although the oldest vaccinated animal (V1) was transiently weakly positive. The three youngest animals had also no detectable sgRNA in nasal wash and throat. Cross-strain serum neutralizing antibodies toward Wuhan-like, Alpha, Beta, and Delta viruses were observed in animals with the highest serum titers. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, CXCL-10 and IL-6 were increased in BALs of infected control animals but not in vaccinated animals. Virosomes-RBD/3M-052 prevented severe SARS-CoV-2, as shown by a lower total lung inflammatory pathology score than control animals.

Abstract The excessive use of metaldehyde in agriculture to combat mollusks endangers both the environment and non-target organisms. The aim of this study is to investigate the toxicity caused by metaldehyde in Allium cepa with the help of physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical parameters. Also, DNA fragmentation caused by metaldehyde in root tip cells was measured by the "Comet Assay" method. The control group was germinated with tap water and the application groups were germinated with 20 mg/L metaldehyde, 40 mg/L metaldehyde, 100 mg/L metaldehyde and 200 mg/L metaldehyde for 72 h. The results of the physiological parameters showed that metaldehyde had a growth-limiting effect in A. cepa, depending on the application dose. According to root elongation levels, the EC50 (effective concentration) value for metaldehyde was 60.6 mg/L in A. cepa. As the treatment dose increased, the incidence of micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations gradually increased while mitotic index decreased. Metaldehyde exposure induced damages such as sticky chromosome, fragment, unequal distribution of chromatin, reverse polarization, bridge, and multipolar anaphase. In addition, metaldehyde caused cell damage in epidermis and cortex, thickening of the cortex cell wall and flattened cell nucleus in root meristem. Increasing doses of metaldehyde application also increased malondialdehyde levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. As a result, it has been determined that the toxicity of metaldehyde in plants is versatile and the A. cepa test material is a suitable biological indicator to determine this toxicity.

Abstract Aflatoxin M2 (AFM2) is a type of mycotoxin detected in milk or dairy products from animals consuming contaminated feed. In this study, the toxicity mechanism of AFM2 and the protective effects of quercetin were investigated in albino mice. For this purpose, the mice were divided into 6 groups and the groups were fed with quercetin and AFM2. The toxic effects of AFM2 and the protective properties of quercetin were investigated using physiological, biochemical and cytogenetic parameters. The genotoxic mechanism of AFM2 and the protective role of quercetin were investigated by molecular docking, which is an in silico model. As a result, 16 mg/kg b.w AFM2 administration caused serious changes in body weight, organ index, kidney and liver weight, and deterioration of antioxidant/oxidant balance in liver and kidney organs. The decrease in glutathione levels along with an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver and kidney after AFM2 administration indicates that oxidative stress is induced. The increases in alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartat transaminase (AST) levels, which are indicators of liver damage, and the increases in serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, which are indicators of kidney damage, confirm the damage in both organs. AFM2 also caused genotoxicity by inducing micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) in bone marrow tissue. It has been determined that AFM2, which exhibits genotoxicity as a result of its clastogenic and aneugenic effects, causes CAs by interacting with DNA. Quercetin provided significant protection by improving liver and kidney tissues, partial normalization in serum parameter levels, and severe reductions in MN and CAs. The highest protection was determined as 74.1% against dicentric chromosome formations in 50 mg/kg b.w quercetin application. The interaction of quercetin with xanthine oxidase and nitric oxide synthase enzymes was determined in silico with an inhibition constant in the range of 283.71–476.17 nM. These interactions cause changes in the activity of enzymes, reducing the oxidative load in the cell, and in this way, quercetin provides protection. All toxic effects induced by AFM2 were decreased with quercetin administration dose-dependently, and this protective effect was associated with quercetin's reduction of oxidative load by inhibiting the free radical-producing enzyme. All toxic effects caused by AFM2 were decreased with quercetin administration in a dose-dependent manner, and this protective effect was associated with quercetin's reduction of oxidative load by inhibiting the enzyme that produces free radicals.

Objective: Nutritional status assessment, dysphagia evaluation and enteral feeding decision are important determinants of prognosis in acute neurovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: NöroTek is a point prevalence study conducted with the participation of 87 hospitals spread across all health sub regions of Turkey conducted on 10-May-2018 (World Stroke Awareness Day). A total of 972 hospitalized neurovascular patients [female: 53%, age: 69+-14; acute ischemic stroke in 845; intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in 119 and post-resuscitation encephalopathy (PRE) in 8] with complete data were included in this sub-study. Results: Gastrostomy was inserted in 10.7% of the patients with ischemic stroke, 10.1% of the patients with ICH and in 50% of the patients with PRE. Independent predictors of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) administration were The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission [exp (β): 1.09 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.14, per point] in ischemic stroke; and mechanical ventilation in ischemic [exp (β): 6.18 (95% CI: 3.16-12.09)] and hemorrhagic strokes [exp (β): 26.48 (95% CI: 1.36-515.8)]. PEG was found to be a significant negative indicator of favorable (modified Rankin's scale score 0-2) functional outcome [exp (β): 0.032 (95% CI: 0.004-0.251)] but not of in-hospital mortality [exp (β): 1.731 (95% CI: 0.785-3.829)]. Nutritional and swallowing assessments were performed in approximately two-thirds of patients. Of the nutritional assessments 69% and 76% of dysphagia assessments were completed within the first 2 days. Tube feeding was performed in 39% of the patients. In 83.5% of them, tube was inserted in the first 2 days; 28% of the patients with feeding tube had PEG later. Conclusion: The NöroTek study provided the first reliable and large-scale data on key quality metrics of nutrition practice in acute stroke in Turkey. In terms of being economical and accurate it makes sense to use the point prevalence method.

Objective. This study aimed to determine serum adropin levels and to examine the relationship of serum adropin levels with nutritional status and lipid profile in patients with kidney failure with replacement therapy (KFRT). Methods. The study consisted of 88 subjects, including 30 patients treated with hemodialysis (HD), 29 patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD), and 29 patients who had undergone kidney transplantation (TX). The study included assessing anthropometric measurements, handgrip strength, bioelectrical impedance analysis, malnutrition-inflammation score, dietary intake, resting energy expenditure, and biochemical parameters. The patients’ food consumption was recorded for three days. The malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) was calculated to assess the patients’ nutritional status. Blood samples were collected for serum adropin and other biochemical parameters. Results. Adropin levels were significantly higher in the TX group when compared to the HD group. Patients with low adropin levels had higher MIS, serum ferritin, and lower low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (total-C) levels. Serum adropin levels were negatively correlated with the MIS and positively correlated with total-C, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the MIS (β=-0.25 p=0.038) and LDL-C level (β=0.29, p=0.007) were associated with serum adropin. Conclusions. Adropin may be considered as a new marker of nutritional status and possibly plays a role in the pathophysiological mechanisms and complications of patients with KFRT.

The myrtle (Myrtus communis) plant naturally grows in the temperate Mediterranean and subtropical regions and is used for various purposes; thus, it is among the promising species of horticultural crops. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the performance of different propagation systems, including rooting, solid media propagation, rooting, and with the Plantform bioreactor system, in achieving healthy and rapid growth of four myrtle genotypes with diverse genetic origins and well-regional adaptation. The selection of myrtle genotypes with distinct genetic backgrounds and proven adaptability to specific regions allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the propagation systems under investigation. Present findings proved that the Plantform system, the new-generation tissue culture system, was quite successful in micropropagation and rooting myrtle genotypes. We succeeded in vitro micropropagation and rooting of diverse wild myrtle genotypes, enabling year-round propagation without reliance on specific seasons or environmental conditions. The process involved initiating cultures from explants and multiplying them through shoot proliferation in a controlled environment. This contributes to sustainable plant propagation, preserving and utilizing genetic resources for conservation and agriculture.

Objective: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovasculary treatments (EVT) are recomended currently in eligible patients admitted within the therapeutic window. In this study, the data of AIS patients who were treated with intravenous and EVT methods in Istanbul Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital between 2017-2020 were evaluated retrospectively Materials and Methods: Five hundred and ninety patients who received IVT and/or EVT were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, radiological characteristics, risk factors and post-treatment clinical characteristics of these patients were analyzed. Results: Of the 590 patients, 324 (54.9%) underwent IVT, 164 (27.8%) EVT and 102 (17.3%) combined IVT+EVT. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were 9 (1-21) in the iv tPA group, 13 (3-27) in the EVT group, 12 (4-23) in the combined treatment group at admission In the IVT group, 220 patients had no artery occlusion (67.9%), M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was found to be the most frequently occluded artery with 32 patients (9.9%). In the EVT and combined IVT+EVT groups, the M1 segment of the MCA had the highest occlusion rate [76 (44.2%), 49 (45%), respectively]. Asymptomatic hemorrhage rate was higher in the EVT group than the other groups. Symptomatic hemorrhage rate was lower in the IVT group compared to the other groups. A total of 182 (56.2%), 67 (39%) and 53 (48.6%) patients in the IVT, EVT and combined IVT+EVT groups had good outcome, respectively. Conclusion: Acute stroke treatment has been proven to significantly reduce the serious burden of stroke on patients, caregivers and society. For this reason, the societal awareness of the importance of urgent admission to emergency departmentsand the number and capacity of centers that provide AIS treatments should be increased.

The 45,X/47,XYY mosaicism is an extremely rare genetic disorder with highly phenotypic manifestations such as ovotesticular disorders of sexual development, mixed gonadal dysgenesis and Turner syndrome. Herein, we report two cases with very distinctive phenotypes despite having the same sex chromosome mosaicism of 45,X/47,XYY. It should be kept in mind that the rare type of sex chromosome mosaicism of 45,X/47,XYY may present with genital phenotypes ranging from normal female to male characteristics.

Introduction:The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was the leading cause of high mortality and morbidity in the previous two years. Rapid determination of the severity of the disease is important in terms of reducing the intensity and initiating effective treatment. Although the pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB-65 classifications are widely employed to predict mortality and morbidity in patients diagnosed with pneumonia, biomarkers predicting the mortality and severity of COVID-19 in the emergency department (ED) are also needed. This study investigated the relationship between the blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/albumin ratio (BAR) and mortality and disease severity.Methods:Five hundred eighty-one patients presenting to the ED between March 2020 and January 2022 and diagnosed with COVID pneumonia were included in this observational study. Patients’ BUN and albumin levels, and PSI and CURB-65 scores were calculated, and in-hospital mortality was recorded. The power of BAR in predicting mortality was compared with that of PSI and CURB-65 by using statistical analysis.Results:A significant association was determined between increased BAR and mortality. The area under the curve (AUC) value of BAR was 0.684, with 76.6% selectivity and 53.4% sensitivity at a cut-off point of 6.85. The CURB-65 score AUC value was 0.571, with 56% selectivity and 55.9% sensitivity at a cut-off point of 1.5. The AUC value for the PSI score was 0.609, with 63.3% selectivity and 50.3% sensitivity at a cut-off point of 107.5.Conclusion:BAR is a simple but independent marker of mortality and severity in COVID-19 viral pneumonia.

Abstract In this study, heavy metal pollution in the Pazarsuyu stream of Giresun province and the protective role of lycopene against the toxicity caused by this pollution were investigated using the Allium test. Germination percentage, root length and weight gain as physiological markers of toxicity; mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) as genetic markers of toxicity; malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as biochemical markers of toxicity, and meristematic cell damages were used as anatomical markers. For this aim Allium cepa L. bulbs were divided into six groups and germinated for 72 h with 215 mg/L and 430 mg/L doses of lycopene, tap water and stream water. Heavy metals pollution was analyzed with ICP-MS and Fe > Sr > Ba > Be > Mo > Li were determined according to the rate of presence in the water samples of Pazarsuyu. As a result, germination-related parameters and meristematic cell proliferation of bulbs germinated with Pazarsuyu water samples decreased significantly. Germination percentage, root length and weight gain of the group treated with Pazarsuyu water samples were decreased 50%, 73% and 68%, respectively compared to control. In addition, MN and CAs frequencies, indicating the genotoxic effects, were increased and significant abnormalities were detected in MDA, SOD and CAT levels, which indicate the deterioration of antioxidant/oxidant balance. CA observed with high frequency was also confirmed by DNA fragmentation determined by the Comet test. Stream water application promoted anatomical damages such as epidermis and cortex cell damage, accumulation of some substances in cortex cells, flattened cell nucleus and non-apparent appearance of conduction tissue in root tip meristem cells. All these abnormalities observed in A. cepa root tip cells were associated with the presence of heavy metals in the water samples. Simultaneous application of lycopene with stream water reduced the effects of heavy metals and resulted in a dose-dependent improvement in all parameters studied. Lycopene application showed a protective role by providing an increase in germination parameters and MI, decrease in MN and CAs frequencies, and improvements in MDA, SOD and CAT activities. As a result, heavy metals detected in the water samples of Pazarsuyu stream caused multiple toxicities in the bio-indicator plant, and lycopene reduced this toxicity and recorded a protective role.

Aims:This study aimed to evaluate the overall survival (OS) after the ifosfamide carboplatin plus etoposide (ICE) protocol for patients with relapsed refractory germ cell tumors (GCT). Differences in the contribution of the ICE protocol to patient survival according to the number of the treatment lines (four or more lines vs. three or fewer lines) were also evaluated.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients with relapsed refractory GCT who had previously received multiple-line chemotherapy. Gender, age, clinical stage at diagnosis, tumor marker levels, visceral metastasis status, previous treatment protocols, response rates to ICE, follow-up time, and hematologic side effects were recorded. The primary endpoint was OS after the ICE. The secondary endpoint was the difference in OS between patients who received the ICE on the fourth and subsequent lines vs. those who received the third and previous lines.Results:The final sample included 15 patients (median age 26; males: 93.3%). At diagnosis, 80% of the patients had stage IIIC disease. The median OS in the whole group was 14.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 15.4] months. The median (IQR) OS after the ICE protocol in patients with three or fewer lines was significantly higher than in those who received four or more lines [21.6 (34.5) vs 10.8 (11.6), p=0.034]. Grade 3 neutropenia (46.6%), anemia (40%), and thrombocytopenia (40%) were frequently observed.Conclusions:For heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory GCT, the ICE may show the potential to provide a significant survival. However, more severe hematological side effects may be encountered.

Aim: Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, there are also studies showing that increased body mass index is unexpectedly protective in myocardial infarction. More studies are needed to elucidate this situation, known as the obesity paradox. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between waist circumference and mortality and morbidity in acute ST elevated myocardial infarct (STEMI). Material and Method: This is a prospective and observational study. Patients diagnosed with STEMI on electrocardiography (ECG) were included in the study. Immediately after the exhalation, waist circumference (WC) was measured on a horizontal plane at a point equidistant from the lowest floating rib and the upper border of the iliac crest. The role of waist circumference in the development of mortality and major cardiac events within 1 month was evaluated. Results: A total of 106 patients admitted to the emergency department with STEMI were included in the study. While increased waist circumference was associated with mortality, it was insignificant in terms of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) development. Low BMI is significant in terms of decreased mortality and MACE. Conclusions: The use of WC as an indicator of body fat ratio rather than weight in STEMI may be more valuable in the evaluation of mortality and MACE.

Aim:The aim of the current study was to identify vaginal bacterial microbiota of 38 Turkish women using the high-throughput next-generation sequencing and metagenomic approach at different taxonomic levels from the kingdom to the species level.Materials and Methods:Vaginal swab samples (n=38) were collected in the DNA/RNA shield collection tubes at Yeditepe University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in June 2021 and DNA extraction was performed by ZymoBIOMICS DNA miniprep kit. The information related to age, marital status, preliminary diagnosis and anamnesis status of patients were collected. To determine the vaginal microbiota, a metagenomic approach was applied using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.Results:The dominant phylum Firmicutes was followed by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, Fusobacteria, and Synergistetes in the vaginal samples. Lactobacillus was the most abundant genus followed by Prevotella, Enterobacter, Gardnerella, and Dialister. Lactobacillus iners was dominant at the species level in vaginal swab samples, followed by Gardnerella vaginalis, Enterobacter tabaci, Prevotella timonensis, Prevotella bivia, and Lactobacillus jensenii. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria were mainly related to married/single variable with the highest percentages, whereas Actinobacteria and Tenericutes were related to age variable at the phylum level. Campylobacter, Atopobium, Enterobacter, and Lactococcus were mainly found in married/single variable with the highest percentages, whereas Anaerococcus, Streptococcus, Sutterella, and Veillonella were related to age. Moreover, CCA showed that Campylobacter ureolyticus, Lb. jensenii, and Atopobium vaginae were associated with married/single variable, whereas Lactobacillus johnsonii and G. vaginalis were found in age variable with the highest percentages at the species level.Conclusion:Vaginal diseases are still a major public health concern. The vaginal microbiota, which has been studied in more depth in recent years, has been discovered to be more complicated than previously imagined thanks to technological developments. More patient investigations are needed to confirm and develop these findings.

INTRODUCTION: It is believed that the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a significant health concern, can be restrained through effective vaccination. In this regard, however, people's hesitancy toward vaccines stands out as an important obstacle to achieving community immunization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors that affect individuals' decisions to get a COVID-19 vaccine and to identify their literacy status for COVID-19 vaccines. METHODS: This study consisted of 388 people aged 18 and over who presented to the COVID-19 adult vaccination outpatient clinic at the University of Health Sciences Antalya Training and Research Hospital between July 1st and September 1st, 2021. The participants were asked a number of questions contained in the COVID-19 vaccine literacy scale, and answers were recorded. RESULTS: The participants' mean vaccination literacy score was considered moderate within the range of 2.95 +- 0.54. The results revealed that the higher the education level of the participants, the higher the COVID-19 vaccine literacy, and that the COVID-19 vaccine literacy was higher among individuals who voluntarily got vaccinated. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: By recognizing that individuals may have hesitancy about vaccination, relevant strategies should be developed for the vaccination with the aim of giving information to and instilling confidence in society rather than causing fear.

Abstract The increasing widespread use of lithium, which is preferred as an energy source in batteries produced for electric vehicles and in many electronic vehicles such as computers and mobile phones, has made it an important environmental pollutant. In this study, the toxicity profile of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) was investigated with the Allium test, which is a bio-indicator test. Dose-related toxic effects were investigated using Li2CO3 at doses of 25 mg/L, 50 mg/L, and 100 mg/L. The toxicity profile was determined by examining physiological, cytotoxic, genotoxic, biochemical and anatomical effects. Physiological effects of Li2CO3 were determined by root length, injury rate, germination percentage and weight gain while cytotoxic effects were determined by mitotic index (MI) ratio and genotoxic effects were determined by micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs). The effect of Li2CO3 on antioxidant and oxidant dynamics was determined by examining glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and anatomical changes were investigated in the sections of root meristematic tissues. As a result, Li2CO3 exhibited a dose-dependent regression in germination-related parameters. This regression is directly related to the MI and 100 mg/L Li2CO3 reduced MI by 38% compared to the control group. MN and CAs were observed at high rates in the groups treated with Li2CO3. Fragments were found with the highest rate among CAs. Other damages were bridge, unequal distribution of chromatin, sticky chromosome, vagrant chromosome, irregular mitosis, reverse polarization and multipolar anaphase. The genotoxic effects were associated with Li2CO3-DNA interactions determined by molecular docking. The toxic effects of Li2CO3 are directly related to the deterioration of the antioxidant/oxidant balance in the cells. While MDA, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, increased by 59.1% in the group administered 100 mg/L Li2CO3, GSH, which has an important role in cell defense, decreased by 60.8%. Significant changes were also detected in the activities of SOD and CAT, two important enzymes in antioxidant defense, compared to the control. These toxic effects, which developed in the cells belonging to the lithium-treated groups, were also reflected in the tissue anatomy, and anatomical changes such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage, flattened cell nucleus, thickening of the cortex cell wall and unclear vascular tissue were observed in the anatomical sections. The frequency of these changes also increased depending on the Li2CO3 dose. As a result, Li2CO3, which is one of the lithium compounds, and has become an important contaminant in the environment with increasing technological developments, caused a combined and versatile toxicity in Allium cepa L. meristematic cells, especially by causing deterioration in antioxidant/oxidant dynamics.

Abstract Besides typical respiratory symptoms, COVID-19 patients also have gastrointestinal symptoms. Studies focusing on the gastrointestinal tumors derived from gastrointestinal tissues have raised a question whether these tumors might express higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 associated genes and therefore patients diagnosed with GI cancers may be more susceptible to the infection. In this study, we have analyzed the expression of SARS-CoV-2 associated genes and their co-expressions in gastrointestinal solid tumors, cancer cell lines and patient-derived organoids relative to their normal counterparts. Moreover, we have found increased co-expression of TMPRSS2-TMPRSS4 in gastrointestinal cancers suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 viral infection known to be mediated by this protease pair might facilitate the effects of viral infection in GI cancer patients. Further, our findings also demonstrate that TRIM31 expression is upregulated in gastrointestinal tumors, while the inhibition of TRIM31 significantly altered viral replication and viral processes associated with cellular pathways in gastrointestinal cancer samples. Taken together, these findings indicate that in addition to the co-expression of TMPRSS2-TMPRSS4 protease pair in GI cancers, TRIM31 expression is positively correlated with this pair and TRIM31 may play a role in providing an increased susceptibility in GI cancer patients to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Abstract In this study, AFM1 toxicity and the protective role of trans-resveratrol (t-rsv) against this toxicity were investigated with the help of multiple parameters in albino mice. As a result, AFM1 (16 mg/kg b.w) administration caused a decrease in body, kidney and liver weights. This reduction was associated with a decrease in feed consumption. AFM1 induced an increase in AST and ALT enzyme parameters and BUN, creatinine and MDA levels and a decrease in GSH levels. These increases have been associated with liver and kidney cell damage. AFM1 decreased MI and encouraged increases in MN and CAs numbers. The decrease in MI was correlated with AFM1-tubulin and the increase in CAs was associated with the AFM1-DNA interaction, which was demonstrated by molecular docking and spectral shifting. Besides, the decrease in DNA damage and amount was demonstrated by the comet assay technique. Administration of t-rsv (10 and 20 mg/kg b.w) reduced the toxic effects of AFM1 and caused a dose-dependent improvement in all physiological, biochemical and cytogenetic parameter values studied. For this reason, foods containing t-rsv or food supplements should be consumed in the daily diet to reduce the effect of toxic agents.

Introduction:The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the clinical and radiological results of the patients who underwent internal fixation due to femoral neck.Methods:Sixty-nine patients are included in this study. Follow-up periods were determined as a minimum of six months. Fractures were classified with Garden and Pauwel’s classifications. 12 hours was the cut-off limit between early and delayed fixation. The standard treatment was cannulated screw fixation. Trauma mechanism, reduction quality and patient dependent factors such as smoking and diabetes were evaluated. Non-union and avascular necrosis (AVN) was diagnosed with X-ray or computerized tomography if needed. Harris Hip score (HHS) was used as a functional scoring modality.Results:Twenty-five (36.2%) patients were female and 44 (63.8%) were male. Twenty-six patients (37.7%) were under 40 years old and 43 (62.3%) were older. Forty-two (60.9%) of these fractures were classified as Garden 1-2 (non-displaced) and 27 (39.1%) were classified as Garden 3-4 (displaced). While 39 patients (56.5%) were operated on before the 12-hour cut-off point; 30 patients (43.5%) were operated on later. Fourteen patients (20.3%) were diagnosed with non-union and 12 (17.4%) with AVN. Mean HHS was 88.7±14.2 (47-100). Displaced group (Garden 3-4) showed a higher incidence of non-union (40.7% vs.7.1%) and AVN (25.9% vs. 11.9%) compared to the non-displaced group (Garden 1-2). The timing of surgery did not have a statistically significant impact on outcome in terms of non-union and AVN. The complication rates were higher in patients with poor reduction.Conclusion:Our complication rates were similar to the literature. Age, gender, fracture side, smoking, and time to fixation were found as irrelevant with non-union and AVN rates. Non-union was significantly higher in the displaced group and no significant difference was found in AVN rates. The reduction quality was significantly associated with complications.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine drought tolerant novel mutant of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) genotypes by screening EMS mutagenized 340675 M3 seeds at germination stages in the presence of osmotic stress of 35% PEG6000. Root growth assay provided several drought tolerant candidate mutants. Of those, 4 mutants were further evaluated at water deficit conditions applied for 24 days after the first cutting at flowering bud stage. The results revealed that mutants determined as drought tolerant at germination stage were also tolerant to water deficit conditions. Protein content and superoxide dismutase values were found to be higher in all mutants than controls. Ascorbate peroxides, glutton reductase and lipid peroxidase values varied based on the mutant genotype and duration of drought stress. Drought stress significantly changed transcriptional levels of MtP5CS, MtDehyd, MseIF-2, MtRD2 and MsNAC genes. These results indicated that in vitro screening of alfalfa mutant seeds for osmatic tolerance at germination and early seedling growth stages was successfully able to determine the drought tolerant alfalfa mutants which were also tolerant to water deficit conditions after the first cutting at flowering bud stage.