Search

This study investigated the Turkish undergraduate university students' problematic Internet use (PIU) levels on different dimensions based on demographics (e.g., gender, Internet use by time of day), and Internet activities (e.g., chat, entertainment, social networking, information searching, etc.). Moreover, the study explored some predictors of PIU on different dimensions among the Turkish undergraduate students (N=610). The results indicated that the female students (N=358) had significantly lower PIU levels on all dimensions (i.e., social comfort, loneliness/depression, diminished impulse control and distraction) than those of the males (N=252). Furthermore, the results revealed that the students who use the Internet for entertainment (e.g., game) chat and social networking purposes had significantly higher PIU levels on all dimensions than the students who do not use the Internet for such purposes. However, the students who use the Internet for educational purposes had a significantly lower PIU level on distraction dimension, and the students who use the Internet for information searching demonstrated a significantly lower PIU level on the dimension of diminished impulse control. Moreover, multiple regression analyses revealed that Internet activities such as chat, entertainment and social networking were significant predictors of the all dimensions of PIU. (Contains 11 tables and 2 figures.)

Cisplatin is a well-known cancer chemotherapeutic agent but how extensively long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression is modulated by cisplatin is unknown. It is imperative to employ a comprehensive approach to obtain a better account of cisplatin-mediated changes in the expression of lncRNAs. In this study, we used a transcriptomics approach to profile lncRNAs in cisplatin-treated HeLa cells, which resulted in identification of 10,214 differentially expressed lncRNAs, of which 2,500 were antisense lncRNAs. For functional analyses, we knocked down one of the cisplatin inducible lncRNAs, death receptor 5 antisense (DR5-AS) lncRNA, which resulted in a morphological change in HeLa cell shape without inducing any cell death. A second round of transcriptomics-based profiling revealed differential expression of genes associated with immune system, motility and cell cycle in DR5-AS knockdown HeLa cells. Cellular analyses showed that DR5-AS reduced cell proliferation and caused a cell cycle arrest at S and G2/M phases. Moreover, DR5-AS knockdown reduced the invasive capacity of HeLa cells in zebrafish xenograft model. These results suggest that cisplatin-mediated pleiotropic effects, such as reduction in cell proliferation, metastasis and cell cycle arrest, may be mediated by lncRNAs.

Trichofolliculoma is a rare hair follicle hamartoma, which is often regarded as a hair follicle tumor. Mostly, it presents as a papule or nodule, involving the skin of the face and scalp area. A central, dilated keratin plugged ostium with vellus hair(s) is often present. We report a 19-year-old woman with typical clinical and histopathological findings of trichofolliculoma.

Clinical observations suggest that responses to cancer immunotherapy are correlated with intra-tumoral T cell receptor (TCR) clonality, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and host HLA genotype, highlighting the importance of host T cell recognition of tumor antigens. However, the dynamic interplay between T cell activation state and changes in TCR repertoire in driving the identification of potential immunodominant antigen(s) remains largely unexplored. Here, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing on CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T cells (TILs) using the murine colorectal tumor model MC38 to identify unique TCR sequences and validate their tumor reactivity. We found that the majority of clonally expanded TILs are tumor-reactive and their TCR repertoire is unique amongst individual MC38 tumor-bearing mice. Our query identified that multiple expanded TCR clones recognized the retroviral epitope p15E as an immunodominant antigen. In addition, we found that the endogenous retroviral genome encoding for p15E is highly expressed in MC38 tumors, but not in normal tissues, due to epigenetic derepression. Further, we demonstrated that the p15E-specific TILs exhibit an activated phenotype and an increase in frequency upon treatment with anti-41BB and anti-PD-1 combination immunotherapy. Importantly, we showed that although p15E-specific TILs are not required to mount a primary anti-tumor response, they contributed to the development of strong immune memory. Overall our results revealed that endogenous retroviral antigens expressed by tumor cells may represent an important and underappreciated category of tumor antigens that could be readily targeted in the clinic.

Abstract Background Biologic treatment options for cartilage injuries require chondrocyte expansion using cell culture. Clinical application is accomplished in two surgical sessions and is expensive. If isolation of chondrocytes and stimulus for proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis can be achieved in vivo, the treatment can be performed in one session and the cost can be reduced. Methods A 2.5-cm diameter full-thickness chondral defect was created in the knees of five groups of sheep. In one group, some of the chondral tissues obtained from the creation of the defect were diced into small pieces and were placed into the defect and were covered with a collagen membrane (MIV group). In the other group, the collagen membrane was soaked in collagenase prior to usage. In the next group, the collagen membrane was soaked in both collagenase and growth factors. Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) was applied to another group in two sessions, and the last group was left untreated. After 15 weeks of follow-up, repair tissues were compared macroscopically, histomorphometrically, and biochemically for tissue concentrations of glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen. Results MACI and MIV groups demonstrated better healing than others and were similar. Addition of collagenase or growth factors did not improve the results. Addition of collagenase did not have detrimental effect on the surrounding cartilage. Conclusions With the described method, it is possible to obtain comparable results with MACI. Further studies are also needed to see if it works similarly in humans.

Abstract Background Bone cement is one of the most commonly used products in orthopedic surgery. Among common indications for its use are total joint replacement, bone and joint reconstructions, fracture fixation, treatment of bone infections, and treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Endurance is still questionable. The aim of our study is to find out the effect of structure strengtheners on compression pressure measurements of bone cement. Methods There were four groups in this study: group 1, 40 cm3 pure bone cement (PMMA); group 2, 40 cm3 bone cement with %25 titanium dust; group 3, 40 cm3 bone cement with %25 steel dust; and group 4, 40 cm3 bone cement with %25 silica fume mixtures were prepared. These mixtures were frozen in 6-mm-width, 12-mm-height molds in cylindrical shape. Axial compression was made to these molds. Results Compression pressure measurements of the pure cement group ranged between 79.2 and 81.1 MPa; average was 80.25 ± 0.42 MPa. Measurements of titanium-added group ranged from 79.5 to 81.2 MPa; average was 80.46 ± 0.68 MPa. Steel-added group ranged from 79 to 82.2 MPa; average was 80.73 ± 0.57 MPa. For silica fume, measurements ranged from 89.1 to 91.4 MPa and average was 90.41 ± 0.57 MPa. The highest compression pressure values were gathered from the silica fume (p = 0.001). Conclusion The construction reinforcer silica fume could be mixed with PMMA homogeneously and was superior to the other biocompatible materials that we had used in compression pressure tests. Beyond dispute, silica fume is a reinforcer which also increases the strength of the bone cement.

Copyright of Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy of Ankara University / Ankara Üniversitesi Eczacilik Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Ankara University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Deep palmar tumors of the hand are very rare, and reported cases are usually benign. The most important issue is frequent anatomical variations with challenging surgical exposure and excision of these lesions. Some case reports or a small series of patients have been reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to present our experience with the deep palmar tumors of the hand. Patients and Methods: In the study, retrospective analyses of 43 patients treated with deep palmar tumors of the hand between January 1998 and June 2015 were evaluated. Tumors and tumor-like pathologies of the deep palmar space of the hand were retrospectively evaluated according to age, gender, localization, preoperative symptoms, size, site, treatment methods, histopathology, and early and late complications. Statistics and data analyses were also performed. Results: All 43 pathologies were benign, and histopathologic diagnoses were 10 lipomas, 8 ganglions, 5 giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath, 4 schwannomas, 3 hemangiomas, 3 palmar fibromatosis, 2 epidermal cysts, 2 neurofibroma, 1 angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, 1 granuloma, 1 calcifying aponeurotic fibroma, 1 digital fibroma, 1 foreign body granuloma, and 1 lipofibromatous hamartoma. The most common complication was temporary numbness and paresthesias of the digits. Marginal excision was performed in 40 patients, excision with nerve grafting in 2 patients (with neurofibroma) and carpal tunnel release in one patient with lipofibromatous hamartoma. Conclusion: In the deep palmar space of the hand, pathologies are closely associated with tendons, muscles, and neurovascular structures. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging is helpful for the preoperative diagnosis, evaluating tumor extension, and successful surgical planning. Level of Evidence: IV Therapautic

Background & aimsThe early steps in the pathophysiology of celiac disease (CD) leading to loss of tolerance to gluten are poorly described. Our aim was to use RNA sequencing of duodenal biopsies in patients with active CD, CD in remission, and non-CD controls to gain insight into CD pathophysiology, identify additional genetic signatures linked to CD, and possibly uncover targets for future therapeutic agents.MethodsWe performed whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing of intestinal biopsies in subjects with active and remission CD and non-CD controls. We also performed functional pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes to identify statistically significant pathways that are up or down regulated in subjects with active CD compared to remission CD.ResultsWe identified the upregulation of novel genes including IL12R, ITGAM and IGSF4 involved in the immune response machinery and cell adhesion process in the mucosa of subjects with active CD compared to those in remission. We identified a unique signature of genes, related to innate immunity, perturbed exclusively in CD irrespective of disease status. Finally, we highlight novel pathways of interest that may contribute to the early steps of CD pathogenesis and its comorbidities such as the spliceosome, pathways related to the innate immune response, and pathways related to autoimmunity.ConclusionsOur study confirmed previous findings based on GWAS and immunological studies pertinent to CD pathogenesis and describes novel genes and pathways that with further validation may be found to contribute to the early steps in the pathogenesis of CD, ongoing inflammation, and comorbidities associated with CD.