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INTRODUCTION: The instantaneous centre of rotation (ICR) is the centre of motion with zero velocity where a rigid body moves in a particular plane. ICR, as a dynamic measurement, gives more accurate results in terms of quality and quantity of the vertebral motions compared to range of motion (ROM). We aimed to determine the effect of thoracic instrumentation on cervical movement of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients who had undergone thoracic level instrumentation by measuring pre-operative and post-operative ICR change in a pilot study, MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 AIS patients were included in this study. C4-C5 and C6-C7 segmental ICR were determined by pre-operative and post-operative cervical flexion-extension radiographs. In addition, cervical sagittal parameters and global sagittal parameters were investigated. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in ICR location post-operatively in both x and y coordinates at C4- C5 segment (p: 0.326 and p: 0.946, respectively) and C6-C7 segment (p: 0.209, p: 0.086, respectively). There was a positive correlation between LCL and C4-C5 ICR y coordinate (r: 0.481), but not with C6-C7 ICR y coordinate (r: -0.2, p: 0.398). T5-T12 kyphosis decreased (p: 0.002) and T1 pelvic angle (0.003), SVA (0.02) and sacral slope (0.049) increased significantly post-operatively. T1S was correlated with LCL (r: 0.595, p: 0.002), T5-T12 kyphosis (r: 0.423, p: 0.035), SVA (r: 0.658, p

The management of a child with severe traumatic brain injury requires multidisciplinary approach. Maintanence of a secure airway, stabilization of breathing and circulation are essential. After the emergent interventions, the management should be focused on optimizing the brain perfusion, establishing the metabolic balance, and prevention of cerebral edema. Besides the neurological state, laboratory information and radiological findings should closely be followed-up. Unfortunately, literature data focusing on pediatric severe traumatic brain injury is stil limited. [Med-Science 2012; 1(2.000): 150-160]

Abstract Background We aimed to assess whether gross tumor volume (GTV) determined by fusion of contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) and 18F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-CT (FDG-PET-CT) based radiotherapy planning could predict outcomes, namely overall survival (OS), local-regional progression-free survival (LRPFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in cases with locally advanced pancreas cancer (LAPC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Methods A total of 30 patients with histological proof of LAPC underwent 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/28 fractions) of radiotherapy concurrent with continuously infused 5-FU followed by 4 to 6 courses of maintenance gemcitabine. Target volume delineations were performed on FDG-PET-CT-based RTP. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: GTV lesser (GTVL) versus greater (GTVG) than cut off value determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and compared in terms of OS, LRPFS and PFS. Results Median GTV delineated according to the FDG-PET-CT data was 100.0 cm3. Cut off GTV value determined from ROC curves was 91.1 cm3. At a median follow up of 11.2 months, median OS, LRPFS and PFS for the entire population were 10.3, 7.8 and 5.7 months, respectively. Median OS, LRPFS and PFS for GTVL and GTVG cohorts were 16.3 vs. 9.5 (p = 0.005), 11.0 vs. 6.0 (p = 0.013), and 9.0 vs. 4.8 months (p = 0.008), respectively. Conclusions The superior OS, LRPFS and PFS observed in GTVL patients over GTVG ones suggests a potential for FDG-PET-CT-defined GTV size in predicting outcomes of LAPC patients treated with definitive C-CRT, which needs to be validated by further studies with larger cohorts.

Abstract Background When combined with adequate tumoricidal doses, accurate target volume delineation remains to be the one of the most important predictive factors for radiotherapy (RT) success in locally advanced or medically inoperable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients. Recently, 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) has demonstrated significant improvements in diagnosis and accurate staging of MPM. However, role of additional PET data has not been studied in RT planning (RTP) of patients with inoperable MPM or in those who refuse surgery. Therefore, we planned to compare CT with co-registered PET-CT as the basis for delineating target volumes in these patients group. Methods Retrospectively, the CT and co-registered PET-CT data of 13 patients with histologically proven MPM were utilized to delineate target volumes separately. For each patient, target volumes (gross tumor volume [GTV], clinical target volume [CTV], and planning target volume [PTV]) were defined using the CT and PET-CT fusion data sets. The PTV was measured in two ways: PTV1 was CTV plus a 1-cm margin, and PTV2 was GTV plus a 1-cm margin. We analyzed differences in target volumes. Results In 12 of 13 patients, compared to CT-based delineation, PET-CT-based delineation resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the mean GTV, CTV, PTV1, and PTV2. In these 12 patients, mean GTV decreased by 47.1% ± 28.4%, mean CTV decreased by 38.7% ± 24.7%, mean PTV1 decreased by 31.1% ± 23.1%, and mean PTV2 decreased by 40.0% ± 24.0%. In 4 of 13 patients, hilar lymph nodes were identified by PET-CT that was not identified by CT alone, changing the nodal status of tumor staging in those patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated the usefulness of PET-CT-based target volume delineation in patients with MPM. Co-registration of PET and CT information reduces the likelihood of geographic misses, and additionally, significant reductions observed in target volumes may potentially allow escalation of RT dose beyond conventional limits potential clinical benefits in tumor control rates, which needs to be tested in future studies.

Abstract Background To compare intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) planning methods for cervical cancer, based on either orthogonal radiographs (conventional plan) or CT sections (CT plan); the comparison focused on target volume coverage and dose volume analysis of organs at risk (OARs), by representing point doses defined by the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurement (ICRU) and dose volume histograms (DVHs) from 3D planning. Methods We analyzed the dosimetric data for 62 conventional and CT-based ICBT plans. The gross tumor volume (GTV), clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk (OAR)s were contoured on the CT-plan. Point A and ICRU 38 rectal and bladder points were defined on reconstructed CT images. Results Patients were categorized on the basis of whether the >95% isodose line of the point-A prescription dose encompassed the CTV (group 1, n = 24) or not (group 2, n = 38). The mean GTV and CTV (8.1 cc and 20.6 cc) were smaller in group 1 than in group 2 (24.7 cc and 48.4 cc) (P <0.001). The mean percentage of GTV and CTV coverage with the 7 Gy isodose was 93.1% and 88.2% for all patients, and decreased with increasing tumor size and stage. The mean D2 and D5 rectum doses were 1.66 and 1.42 times higher than the corresponding ICRU point doses and the mean D2 and D5 bladder doses were 1.51 and 1.28 times higher. The differences between the ICRU dose and the D2 and D5 doses were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 for the bladder, but not for the rectum. Conclusion The CT-plan is superior to the conventional plan in target volume coverage and appropriate evaluation of OARs, as the conventional plan overestimates tumor doses and underestimates OAR doses.

Abstract Background To evaluate the impact of four different rectum contouring techniques and rectal toxicities in patients with treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Methods Clinical and dosimetric data were evaluated for 94 patients who received a total dose 3DCRT of 70 Gy, and rectal doses were compared in four different rectal contouring techniques: the prostate-containing CT sections (method 1); 1 cm above and below the planning target volume (PTV) (method 2); 110 mm starting from the anal verge (method 3); and from the anal verge to the sigmoid flexure (method 4). The percentage of rectal volume receiving RT doses (30–70 Gy) and minimum, mean rectal doses were assessed. Results Median age was 69 years. Percentage of rectal volume receiving high doses (≥ 70 Gy) were higher with the techniques that contoured smaller rectal volumes. In methods 2 and 3, the percentage of rectal volume receiving ≥ 70 Gy was significantly higher in patients with than without rectal bleeding (method 2: 30.8% vs. 22.5%, respectively (p = 0.03); method 3: 26.9% vs. 18.1%, respectively (p = 0.006)). Mean rectal dose was significant predictor of rectal bleeding only in method 3 (48.8 Gy in patients with bleeding vs. 44.4 Gy in patients without bleeding; p = 0.02). Conclusion Different techniques of rectal contouring significantly influence the calculation of radiation doses to the rectum and the prediction of rectal toxicity. Rectal volume receiving higher doses (≥ 70 Gy) and mean rectal doses may significantly predict rectal bleeding for techniques contouring larger rectal volumes, as was in method 3.

Abstract Background Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has been demonstrated to reduce or delay the incidence of brain metastases (BM) in locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (LA-NSCLC) patients with various prognostic groups. With this current cohort we planned to evaluate the potential usefulness of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) specifically in recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) Group 1, which is the most favorable group of LA-NSCLC patients. Methods Between March 2007 and February 2008, 62 patients in RPA group 1 were treated with sequential chemoradiotherapy and PCI for stage IIIB NSCLC. The induction chemotherapy consisted of 3 courses of cisplatin (80 mg/m2) and docetaxel (80 mg/m2); each course was given every 21 days. Thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) was given at a dose of 60 Gy using 3-D conformal planning. All patients received a total dose of 30 Gy PCI (2 Gy/fr, 5 days a week), beginning on the first day of the TRT. Then, all patients received 3 further courses of the same chemotherapy protocol. Results Six (9.7%) patients developed brain metastases during their clinical course. Only one (2%) patient developed brain metastasis as the site of first treatment failure. Median brain metastasis-free survival, overall survival, and progression free survival were 16.6, 16.7, and 13.0 months, respectively. By univariate analysis, rates of BM were significantly higher in patients younger than 60 years of age (p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in BM-free survival according to gender, age, histology, and initial T- and N-stage. Conclusion The current finding of almost equal bone metastasis free survival and overall survival in patients with LA-NSCLC in RPA group 1 suggests a longer survival for patients who receive PCI, and thereby have a reduced risk of BM.

Abstract Background To compare computed tomography (CT) with co-registered positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) as the basis for delineating gross tumor volume (GTV) in unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC). Methods Fourteen patients with unresectable LAPC had both CT and PET images acquired. For each patient, two three-dimensional conformal plans were made using the CT and PET-CT fusion data sets. We analyzed differences in treatment plans and doses of radiation to primary tumors and critical organs. Results Changes in GTV delineation were necessary in 5 patients based on PET-CT information. In these patients, the average increase in GTV was 29.7%, due to the incorporation of additional lymph node metastases and extension of the primary tumor beyond that defined by CT. For all patients, the GTVCT versus GTVPET-CT was 92.5 ± 32.3 cm3 versus 104.5 ± 32.6 cm3 (p = 0.009). Toxicity analysis revealed no clinically significant differences between two plans with regard to doses to critical organs. Conclusion Co-registration of PET and CT information in unresectable LAPC may improve the delineation of GTV and theoretically reduce the likelihood of geographic misses.

The primary objective of this in vitro study was to prevent the risk of toxicity associated with bupivacaine, widely used in clinical practice, by using magnesium (Mg), a readily available and cost-effective element, as an adjuvant. We hypothesized that Mg might exhibit a protective effect against cytotoxicity in a colon cell culture model under conditions of bupivacaine-induced LAST. Our secondary aim was to investigate its effect on genotoxicity, apoptosis, and iROS. CCD-18Co cells were used in our study. Control group (group C), Bupivacaine group (group B), Magnesium group (group M), and Bupivacaine+Mg group (group BM) were created. The viability of CCD-18Co cells incubated for 24 h in group C was determined to be 100%. These cells were evenly divided, and bupivacaine was administered to group B at concentrations of 5 to 300 μM. In group M, doses of Mg at 0.625 to 320 mEq were added. It was determined that the maximum viability was observed at a Mg dose of 40 mEq ( p < 0.05). In group BM, bupivacaine was administered at the same concentrations in combination with Mg (40 mEq), and cell viability was measured. DNA damage, apoptosis, and iROS were assessed at concentrations of bupivacaine by administering 40 mEq Mg. In group B, viability decreased dose-dependently in CCD-18Co ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001). In group BM, the viability decreased in cells at increasing concentrations compared to group C ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001), but the viability was affected positively compared to group B ( p < 0.05). In group B, DNA damage increased ( p < 0.05, p < 0.001). In group BM, DNA damage increased ( p < 0.05, p < 0.001). However, in group BM, DNA damage levels were reduced compared to group B ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01). In group B, apoptosis increased ( p < 0.05, p < 0.001); in group BM, apoptosis increased ( p < 0.001) compared to group C. However, in group BM, apoptosis decreased compared to group B ( p < 0.05). iROS increased in group B ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.01) and group BM ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) compared to the group C. However, in group BM, iROS decreased in comparison to group B ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, Mg exhibits a protective effect against bupivacaine-induced toxicity.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between toxoplasmosis and this pathway, which may be effective in the formation of epilepsy by acting through the HMGB1/RAGE/TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway in patients with idiopathic epilepsy. In the study, four different experimental groups were formed by selecting Toxoplasma gondii IgG positive and negative patients with idiopathic epilepsy and healthy controls. Experimental groups were as follows: Group 1: Epilepsy+/Toxo- (E+, T-) (n = 10), Group 2: Epilepsy-/Toxo- (E-, T-) (n = 10), Group 3: Epilepsy-/Toxo+ (E-, T+) (n = 10), Group 4: Epilepsy+/Toxo+ (E+, T+) (n = 10). HMGB1, RAGE, TLR4, TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, IRAK1, IRAK2, IKBKB, IKBKG, BCL3, IL1β, IL10, 1 L8 and TNFα mRNA expression levels in the HMGB/RAGE/TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway were determined by quantitative simultaneous PCR (qRT-PCR) after collecting blood samples from all patients in the groups. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA followed by LSD post-hoc tests, and p < 0.05 was considered to denote statistical significance. The gene expression levels of HMGB1, TLR4, IL10, IL1B, IL8, and TLR2 were significantly higher in the G1 group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In the G3 group, RAGE and BCL3 gene expression levels were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In the G4 group, however, IRAK2, IKBKB, and IKBKG gene expression levels were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). HMGB1, TLR4, IRAK2, IKBKB, IL10, IL1B, IL1B, and IL8 in this signalling pathway are highly expressed in epilepsy patients in G1 and seizures occur with the stimulation of excitatory mechanisms by acting through this pathway. The signalling pathway in epilepsy may be activated by HMGB1, TLR4, and TLR2, which are considered to increase the level of proinflammatory cytokines. In T. gondii, this pathway is activated by RAGE and BCL3., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

GABA B receptor (GBR) activation inhibits neurotransmitter release in axon terminals in the brain, except in medial habenula (MHb) terminals, which show robust potentiation. However, mechanisms underlying this enigmatic potentiation remain elusive. Here, we report that GBR activation on MHb terminals induces an activity-dependent transition from a facilitating, tonic to a depressing, phasic neurotransmitter release mode. This transition is accompanied by a 4.1-fold increase in readily releasable vesicle pool (RRP) size and a 3.5-fold increase of docked synaptic vesicles (SVs) at the presynaptic active zone (AZ). Strikingly, the depressing phasic release exhibits looser coupling distance than the tonic release. Furthermore, the tonic and phasic release are selectively affected by deletion of synaptoporin (SPO) and Ca 2+ -dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CAPS2), respectively. SPO modulates augmentation, the short-term plasticity associated with tonic release, and CAPS2 retains the increased RRP for initial responses in phasic response trains. The cytosolic protein CAPS2 showed a SV-associated distribution similar to the vesicular transmembrane protein SPO, and they were colocalized in the same terminals. We developed the "Flash and Freeze-fracture" method, and revealed the release of SPO-associated vesicles in both tonic and phasic modes and activity-dependent recruitment of CAPS2 to the AZ during phasic release, which lasted several minutes. Overall, these results indicate that GBR activation translocates CAPS2 to the AZ along with the fusion of CAPS2-associated SVs, contributing to persistency of the RRP increase. Thus, we identified structural and molecular mechanisms underlying tonic and phasic neurotransmitter release and their transition by GBR activation in MHb terminals., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.

Background: Factors affecting carotid artery stenosis have been generally investigated. However, considering the protective effect of altitude, studies on elderly individuals at high altitudes are few. Our aim is to investigate the systematic adaptive changes caused by high-altitude exposure through the causes of carotid artery stenosis., Materials and Methods: Carotid Doppler ultrasound was performed on 250 patients over the age of 50 years. The patients' age, gender, height, weight, smoking history, place of residence, and presence of comorbidities were questioned. Those with diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and coronary disease were excluded from the study. Those who did not reside at high altitudes were excluded from the study. One hundred and thirty-five patients were included in the study. Carotid artery Doppler findings and biochemical parameters were recorded. Factors affecting stenosis in the carotid arteries were compared., Results: In our study, the factors affecting carotid stenosis were determined to be age, gender, presence of plaque, plaque type, and mean carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). The mean CIMT of the patients was calculated as 0.71±0.14 mm. The mean CIMT measurement level was significantly higher in patients with plaque in the carotid artery (p<0.05). According to receiver operating characteristic curves, CIMT values higher than 0.72 mm increase plaque and stenosis formation in the common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) in elderly people living at high altitudes (p<0.05, area under the curve [AUC]: 0.71-0.83)., Conclusions: The most important factors affecting carotid stenosis in individuals living at high altitudes are age, gender, CIMT, plaque, and plaque type. When soft plaques were detected, the risk of stenosis was found to be higher than in calcific plaques. Additionally, the number of factors affecting stenosis was greater on the left (ICA). This suggests that the left carotid system is more vulnerable. It can be said that in elderly individuals living at high altitudes, a CIMT higher than 0.72 mm is a cutoff value in the presence of plaque and stenosis in the carotid arteries., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Sukun et al.)

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is often a mild disease, usually manifesting with respiratory complaints, and is sometimes mortal due to multiple organ failure. Hyperinflammation is a known COVID-19 component and is associated with organ dysfunction, disease severity and mortality. Controlling hyperinflammatory response is crucial in determining treatment direction. An important agent in providing this control is corticosteroids. This study aimed to determine whether dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, doses, administration time and duration in COVID-19 treatment are associated with improved treatment outcomes., Methods: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted with participation of 6 healthcare centers which collected data by retrospectively examining files of 1,340 patients admitted to intensive care unit due to COVID-19 between March 2020 and September 2021, diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction (+) and/or clinically and radiologically., Results: Mortality in the pulse methylprednisolone group was statistically significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups. Mortality was higher in older patients with comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, coronary artery disease, and dementia. Pulse and mini-pulse steroid doses were less effective than standard methylprednisolone and dexamethasone doses, pulse steroid doses being associated with high mortality. Standard-dose methylprednisolone and dexamethasone led to similar effects, but standard dose methylprednisolone was more effective in severe patients who required mechanical ventilation (MV). Infection development was related to steroid treatment duration, not cumulative steroid dose., Conclusion: Corticosteroids are shown to be beneficial in critical COVID-19, but the role of early corticosteroids in mild COVID-19 patients remains unclear. The anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids may have a positive effect by reducing mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. Although dexamethasone was first used for this purpose, methylprednisolone was found to be as effective at standard doses. Methylprednisolone administered at standard doses was associated with greater PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratios than dexamethasone, especially in the severe group requiring MV. High dose pulse steroid doses are closely associated with mortality and standard methylprednisolone dose is recommended., Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (© 2023 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.)

Background: The diagnostic value for chest CT has been widely established in patients with COVID-19. However, there is a lack of satisfactory data about the prognostic value of chest CTs. This study investigated the prognostic value of chest CTs in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 521 symptomatic patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were included retrospectively. Clinical, laboratory, and chest CT characteristics were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Concerning chest CT, for each subject, a semi-quantitative CT severity scoring system was applied. Results: Most patients showed typical CT features based on the likelihood of COVID-19. The global CT score was significantly higher in non-survivors (median (IQR), 1 (0−6) vs. 10 (5−13), p < 0.001). A cut-off value of 5.5 for the global CT score predicted in-hospital mortality with 74% sensitivity and 73% specificity. Global CT score, age, C-reactive protein, and diabetes were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. The global CT score was significantly correlated with the C-reactive protein, D-dimer, pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and procalcitonin levels. Conclusion: The global CT score could provide valuable prognostic data in symptomatic patients with COVID-19., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: Renal parenchymal fibrosis is the most important determinant of kidney disease progression and it is determined via biopsy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the renal stiffness noninvasively by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and to compare it with clinicopathologic parameters in glomerulonephritis and AA amyloidosis patients., Methods: Thirty-four patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over 20 ml/min/1.73m 2 had non-contrast MRE prospectively. Kidney stiffness values were obtained from whole kidney, cortex, and medulla. Values were correlated with GFR, albuminuria, proteinuria, and degree of fibrosis that are assessed via renal biopsy. Patients were grouped clinicopathologically to assess the relation between stiffness and chronicity., Results: Mean whole kidney, cortex, and medulla stiffnesses were 3.78 (± 1.26), 3.63 (± 1.25), and 4.77 (± 2.03) kPa, respectively. Mean global glomerulosclerosis was 22% (± 18%) and median segmental glomerulosclerosis was 4% (min-max: 0%-100%). Extent of tubulointerstitial fibrosis was less than 25% in 26 of the patients (76.5%), 25%-50% in 6 of the patients (17.6%), and higher than 50% in 2 of the patients (5.9%). Fourteen patients were defined to have chronic renal parenchymal injury. MRE-derived stiffness values correlated negatively with parameters of fibrosis. Lower stiffness values were observed in patients with chronic renal injury compared to those without (P < 0.05 for whole kidney and medulla MRE-derived stiffness)., Conclusion: MRE-derived stiffness values were lower in patients with chronic injury. Stiffness decreases as glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis progresses in patients with primary glomerulonephritis and AA amyloidosis. With future studies, there may be a role for MRE to assess renal function in concert with conventional markers., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

In this study, a new, fast and sensitive HPLC method with fluorometric detection was developed for the determination of mesalazine in human plasma and applied to a pharmacokinetic study. Mesalazine was precolumn derivatized with NBD-Cl and the fluorescent derivative was separated on a C18 (150 × 4.6 mm × 2.6 μm) analytical column at 30 ºC using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-0.1% o-phosphoric acid in water (70:30, v/v) by isocratic elution with flow rate of 1.0 mL min -1 . The method was based on the measurement of the derivative using fluorescence detection (λ ex  = 280 nm, λ em  = 325 nm). The retention time of mesalazine is 3.08 ± 0.06 min. Nortriptiline was used as internal standard. This currently developed method was validated according to ICH criteria by evaluating the specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness. The method was determined to be linear in a concentration range of 0.25-1.5 μg mL -1 with the correlation coefficient of 0.9997. LOD and LOQ were found to be 0.075 and 0.25 μg mL -1 , respectively. Intraday and interday RSD values were less than 5.92%. The plasma concentration-time profile and pharmacokinetic parameters such as AUC 0-t , AUC 0-∞ , C max , t max , t 1/2 , were calculated according to the assays. The presented method can certainly be used for bioequivalence and bioavailability investigations and routine analysis of the drug in plasma., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The synaptic connection from medial habenula (MHb) to interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) is critical for emotion-related behaviors and uniquely expresses R-type Ca 2+ channels (Cav2.3) and auxiliary GABA B receptor (GBR) subunits, the K + -channel tetramerization domain-containing proteins (KCTDs). Activation of GBRs facilitates or inhibits transmitter release from MHb terminals depending on the IPN subnucleus, but the role of KCTDs is unknown. We therefore examined the localization and function of Cav2.3, GBRs, and KCTDs in this pathway in mice. We show in heterologous cells that KCTD8 and KCTD12b directly bind to Cav2.3 and that KCTD8 potentiates Cav2.3 currents in the absence of GBRs. In the rostral IPN, KCTD8, KCTD12b, and Cav2.3 co-localize at the presynaptic active zone. Genetic deletion indicated a bidirectional modulation of Cav2.3-mediated release by these KCTDs with a compensatory increase of KCTD8 in the active zone in KCTD12b-deficient mice. The interaction of Cav2.3 with KCTDs therefore scales synaptic strength independent of GBR activation., Competing Interests: PB, DV, DF, TF, DK, CÖ, JM, MG, PJ, AK, BB, RS, PK No competing interests declared, (© 2021, Bhandari et al.)

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug for the treatment of psychiatric patients. In this study, a selective, straightforward, and rapid online heart-cutting liquid chromatography method was developed for the therapeutic drug monitoring of levetiracetam. This method allows for the determination of levetiracetam in human plasma without complex sample preparation. The mobile phases consisted of 30 mM aq. orthophosphoric acid solution/methanol (70:30) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min for the first system and 10 mM aq. orthophosphoric acid solution/methanol (55:45) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min for the second system. The first separation was carried out on a GL Sciences Intersil ODS-3 column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 3 µm) and the second separation was carried out on a Restek Ultra PFPP column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 µm). The detection was carried out at 205 nm for both systems. The method was validated for selectivity and linearity, which were in the 6-60 µg/mL range. Intra- and interassay accuracies were <112.6%, and the intra- and interassay precisions were <6.4% for all quality control samples. The lower limit of quantitation was 6 µg/mL. The developed method was successfully applied for therapeutic drug monitoring of plasma samples from patients., (© 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Microbial bile salt hydrolases (BSHs), a member of cholylglycine hydrolase (CGH) family, catalyze the hydrolysis of glycine and taurine-linked bile salts in the small intestine of human. BSH is evolutionarily related to penicillin V acylase (PVA) which hydrolyses a penicillin V and is also a member of CGH family. Although, five of the six amino acids, C2, R16, D19, N170, N79 and R223, supposed to be responsible for catalytic activity of BSH enzyme, are strictly conserved in all CGH family members, N79 is partially conserved in this family. In this study, in order to analyze the correlation between N79 and catalytic activity or substrate specificity of BSH, the polar and acidic N79 was substituted for the aliphatic and hydrophobic V79 by PCR-based site directed mutagenesis and mutant recombinant BSH was expressed in E. coli BLR(DE3). While the effects of the mutation on catalytic activity and substrate specificity of BSH were detected by ninhydrin assay. The effect of this mutation on the stability of the BSH was observed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Although V79 mutation resulted in stable BSH, it reduced the catalytic activity and altered substrate specificity of BSH. The results suggested that N79 might be important for substrate binding and catalytic turnover of BSH.

Objectives: To evaluate testicular vascularity in neonates by using the novel Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) ultrasound (US) technique and to compare this technique to conventional Doppler US techniques., Methods: A total of 140 healthy neonates between 2 and 60 days old who were admitted for routine screening were included in the study. However, in 9 cases, the Doppler study could not be completed. In the remaining 131 cases, color Doppler imaging (CDI), power Doppler imaging (PDI), Advanced Dynamic Flow (ADF; Toshiba Medical Systems), and monochrome SMI (mSMI) techniques were performed on a single representative testicle. Real-time cine images were captured for 5 to 10 seconds for each technique by using a high-frequency (7.2-14-MHz) linear transducer. The images were evaluated by 3 observers using a grading system to quantify the degree of vascularity and artifact interference., Results: A total of 131 testicles (74 right and 57 left) were evaluated, and vascularity was shown in 110 (84%) testicles with CDI, 109 (83%) with PDI, 94 (72%) with ADF, and 128 (98%) with mSMI by the consensus of all observers. The Doppler techniques were ranked from highest to lowest in the following order based on the degree of vascularity detected: mSMI > PDI > CDI > ADF (P < .001). Based on the presence of artifacts, the Doppler techniques were ranked as follows from high to low: ADF > CDI > PDI > mSMI (P < .001)., Conclusions: Superb Microvascular Imaging is a promising US technique that appears to detect testis vascularity better than conventional Doppler US techniques; however, further research is needed to support the results of this study., (© 2018 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Background: To compare the efficacies of standard dose-(SDRT) and escalated dose radiotherapy (EDRT) in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ)., Materials and Methods: Outcomes of 126 newly diagnosed GBM patients who received SDRT (60 Gy, 30 fractions) or EDRT (70 Gy, 30 fractions) with concurrent plus adjuvant TMZ were retrospectively analyzed. Both groups received concurrent TMZ (75 mg/m 2 ) during the course of RT and at least one course of adjuvant TMZ (150-200 mg/m 2 ), thereafter. Overall survival (OS) and local progression free survival (LPFS) constituted the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively., Results: At median 14.2 months follow-up, 26 (20.6%) patients were alive. Median LPFS and OS were 9.2 [95% confidence interval (CI); 8.4-10.0] and 15.4 months (95% CI; 12.1-18.8), respectively, for the entire cohort. Although the median OS was numerically superior in the EDRT this difference could not reach statistical significance (22.0 vs. 14.9 months; P = 0.45), Likewise, LPFS was also (9.9 vs. 8.9 months; P = 0.89) not different between the two treatment groups. In multivariate analysis, better recursive partitioning analysis class (3-4 vs. 5; P = 0.044) and extensive surgery (gross total resection vs. subtotal resection/biopsy only; P= 0.021) were identified to associate significantly with superior OS times, irrespective of the RT protocol., Conclusions: Although the current median OS of 22 months of the EDRT group is promising, no statistically significant survival advantage for EDRT was observed even in the presence of TMZ. Randomized studies with larger population sizes and available genetic markers are warranted to conclude more reliably on the fate of EDRT plus TMZ., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Biogenic amines (BAs) are biologically active molecules which have aliphatic (putrescine, cadaverine, spermine, spermidine), aromatic (tyramine, phenylethylamine) or heterocyclic (histamine, tryptamine) structures. They can be detected in raw and processed foods which are formed and degraded through several pathways during the metabolic processes of animals, plants and microorganisms. The identification and quantitation procedures of BAs in food samples are very important, because BAs are considered as the indicators of food quality and freshness. The determination of BAs are commonly achieved by separation techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). In this article, analysis of BAs in foods were reviewed from 2007 to present., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)