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Objective: To compare the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) Schroth exercises in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Design: A randomised-controlled study. Setting: An outpatient exercise-unit and in a home setting. Subjects: Fifty-one patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Interventions: Forty-five patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into three groups. Schroth’s 3D exercises were applied to the first group in the clinic and were given as a home program for the second group; the third group was the control. Main Measures: Scoliosis angle (Cobb method), angle of rotation (scoliometer), waist asymmetry (waist – elbow distance), maximum hump height of the patients and quality of life (QoL) (SRS-23) were assessed pre-treatment and, at the 6th, 12th and 24th weeks. Results: The Cobb (-2.53°; P=0.003) and rotation angles (-4.23°; P=0.000) significantly decreased, which indicated an improvement in the clinic exercise group compared to the other groups. The gibbosity (-68.66mm; P=0.000) and waist asymmetry improved only in the clinic exercise group, whereas the results of the other groups worsened. QoL did not change significantly in either group. Conclusion: According to the results of this study the Schroth exercise program applied in the clinic under physiotherapist supervision was superior to the home exercise and control groups; additionally, we observed that scoliosis progressed in the control group, which received no treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite efforts to find effective drugs for sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI), mortality rates in patients with SA-AKI have not decreased. Our study evaluated the protective effects of isoflavone osajin (OSJ) on SA-AKI in rats by targeting inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, which represent the cornerstones in the pathophysiological mechanism of SA-AKI. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced in rats via the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) technique. Markers of oxidative stress were evaluated in kidney tissues using biochemical methods. The expression of interleukin-33 (IL-33), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), caspase-3, and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) was evaluated as indicators of inflammation, DNA damage, apoptosis, and SA-AKI respectively in the kidney tissues using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent detection methods. The CLP technique significantly ( p  < 0.001) increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and significantly ( p  < 0.001) decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in kidney tissues. In the renal tissues, strong expression of IL-33, 8-OHdG, caspase-3, and KIM-1 was observed with severe degeneration and necrosis in the tubular epithelium and intense interstitial nephritis. In contrast, the administration of OSJ significantly ( p  < 0.001) reduced the level of LPO, markedly improved biomarkers of antioxidant status, decreased the levels of serum creatinine and urea, lowered the expression of IL-33, 8-OHdG, caspase-3, and KIM-1 and alleviated changes in renal histopathology. A promising binding score was found via a molecular docking investigation of the OSJ-binding mode with mouse IL-33 (PDB Code: 5VI4). Therefore, OSJ protects against SA-AKI by suppressing the IL-33/LPO/8-OHdG/caspase-3 pathway and improving the antioxidant system.

Growing concerns over the human health and environmental impacts of conventional fungicides, coupled with the escalating challenge of microbial resistance, have fueled the search for sustainable biocontrol strategies against plant pathogens. This study reports, for the first time, the green synthesis and characterization of a novel, eco-friendly nanomaterial, designated Pleurotus eryngii-Lecithin-Chitosan Nanomaterial (PEELCN), derived from P. eryngii extract (PEE), lecithin (L), and chitosan (C). The structural attributes of PEELCN were elucidated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and zeta potential measurements, confirming the successful formation of a stable and uniform nanostructure. The antifungal activity of PEELCN, and PEE, was assessed against five economically important phytopathogenic fungi: Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Alternaria alternata, Verticillium dahliae, Bipolaris sorokiniana, and Fusarium oxysporum. Both PEE and PEELCN exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of V. dahliae, B. sorokiniana, and N. dimidiatum, with varying degrees of efficacy. The differential antifungal activity suggests a species-specific mode of action. The findings highlight the promising potential of PEELCN as a sustainable, biocompatible, and cost-effective nanofungicide for the management of plant diseases, with the potential for development into a commercially viable biofungicide for sustainable agriculture., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to analyze the long-term clinical outcomes in children who were treated with biofeedback therapy (BF) for dysfunctional voiding (DV) and to determine the need for maintenance of BF due to clinical relapse., Methods: Files of children with DV who underwent BF between 2013 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with neurological or anatomical problems were excluded. A total of 64 patients (52 girls, 12 boys) with a mean age of 8.89 ± 2.48 years who completed the initial BF sessions were included in the study. The demographic and clinical data, dysfunctional voiding symptom scores (DVSS), and uroflowmetry parameters were recorded before and after the initial BF sessions. Clinical success was regarded as the cessation of electromyography activity as well as concurrent resolution of lower urinary tract symptoms and improvement in uroflowmetry parameters. After the initial BF sessions, children who had initial success showed DV relapse at any time during follow-up received the maintenance BF sessions. Therefore, the patients with successful initial BF were divided into two groups: the group that needed maintenance BF, and the group which required no maintenance BF., Results: Clinical success was achieved in 48 (75.0%) of 64 children following a median of 6 sessions (range 2-8). At the follow-up, 10 (20.8%) out of 48 patients showed symptom relapse at a median of 8 months (range 2-24 months). After a median of 3.5 maintenance BF sessions (range 1-6), clinical success was observed in all patients. Both groups showed a significant DVSS decrease after initial BF, however, those who needed maintenance had significantly higher DVSS (6.80 ± 2.53 vs. 3.61 ± 1.12, p < 0.001). At admission, DVSS <17.5 (odds ratio [OR]: 4.31, p = 0.025) and post-voiding residual volume as a percentage of estimated bladder capacity for age <28.9 (OR: 5.00, p = 0.009) were found as the predictive factors for initial BF success. The need for maintenance BF was 2.56-fold higher with a DVSS above 5.5 after initial BF sessions., Conclusions: Our results show that despite a clinical success rate of 75% after the initial BF, relapse can be seen within 2 years in approximately 20% of the patients. Nevertheless, maintenance of BF may provide clinical success in all patients. Relatively higher DVSS after initial BF can be used as a predictor of the need for maintenance BF., (© 2022 The Japanese Urological Association.)

[Purpose] Physical activity and regular exercise play an important role in glycemic control, which is considered an important part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated physical activity level and its relationship with quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. [Subjects and Methods] We evaluated 129 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus through a face-to-face interview using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Diabetes-39. Demographic data, diabetes symptoms, time of initial diagnosis, and treatment procedure/approaches were recorded. [Results] Of the study subjects, 51 (39.5%) had low, 67 had moderate (51.9%), and 11 (8.5%) had high activity levels. The mean weekly sitting duration was 302 minutes. The mean weekly walking time was 231.7 minutes. Except for the "diabetes control" domain, scores for all the subgroups and the total score in the quality-of-life assessment had a statistically significant negative correlation with physical activity level. [Discussion] Physical inactivity negatively affects the quality of life of diabetic patients. A planned exercise education program and incorporation of exercise into the lifestyle can improve the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Purpose] The present study aimed to find out the scoliosis prevalence 11-15 years old children and to create awareness about scoliosis. [Subjects and Methods] All of the children were assessed using the Adams Forward Bendings Test and a scoliometer. Sagittal plane changes such as kyphosis, lordosis, hypokyphosis, hypolordosis and anterior head tilt were screened. Children with trunk rotation angles (ATR) of 4 degrees or more were suspected of having scoliosis, and were evaluated for a second time for gibbosity height, arm-trunk distance, and ATR. [Results] A total of 2,207 children were screened and the evaluation revealed there were 11 girls (0.49%) with a Cobb angle of 10 degrees and more. The maximum Cobb angle was 43° (right thoracic-left lumbar) and the maximum ATR was 12°. Two children had kyphosis and lordosis, and one had hypokyphosis and was diagnosed as having idiopathic scoliosis. [Conclusion] Families should regularly check their children, even if they are not diagnosed as having scoliosis in school screenings. It is our opinion that our study increased the awareness of the families about scoliosis by screening, brochures and posters. In the future, if school screenings were performed as a routine procedure and scoliotic students were followed over the long term, the actual effectiveness of screening would be able to be detected.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of Kinesio® taping and electrical stimulation in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome., Methods: Thirty patients (26 females, 4 females; mean age: 32.9 ± 12.2 years) with patellofemoral pain syndrome were equally divided into two groups; the KT group receiving Kinesio® taping and an exercise program, and the ES group receiving electrical stimulation and the same exercise program. All patients received stretching and strengthening exercises for the lower extremity under the supervision of a physiotherapist in the outpatient unit 3 times a week for 6 weeks (18 sessions). Patients were evaluated for pain (visual analog scale), range of motion (using a goniometer), muscle strength (manual muscle test), functional condition (step test, triple-jump test, knee flexion test and Kujala patellofemoral score), and quality of life (SF-36) before and after treatment., Results: Visual analog scale scores were reduced by 3.33 and 3.93 and Kujala patellofemoral scores increased by 8.93 and 9.66 for the KT and ES groups, respectively. Both these improvements were statistically significant (p<0.05). While improvements were observed in functional tests, range of motion, and muscle strength values in both groups; there were no significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). There were statistically significant improvements in the SF-36 scores in both groups (p<0.05) and these improvements were of a similar rate (p>0.05)., Conclusion: Kinesio® taping and electrical stimulation have similar effects on decreasing pain, improving functional condition, increasing muscle strength and improving quality of life and neither are superior in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Background: Understanding the dynamic mechanism behind the transcriptional organization of genes in response to varying environmental conditions requires time-dependent data. The dynamic transcriptional response obtained by real-time RT-qPCR experiments could only be correctly interpreted if suitable reference genes are used in the analysis. The lack of available studies on the identification of candidate reference genes in dynamic gene expression studies necessitates the identification and the verification of a suitable gene set for the analysis of transient gene expression response., Principal Findings: In this study, a candidate reference gene set for RT-qPCR analysis of dynamic transcriptional changes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined using 31 different publicly available time series transcriptome datasets. Ten of the twelve candidates (TPI1, FBA1, CCW12, CDC19, ADH1, PGK1, GCN4, PDC1, RPS26A and ARF1) we identified were not previously reported as potential reference genes. Our method also identified the commonly used reference genes ACT1 and TDH3. The most stable reference genes from this pool were determined as TPI1, FBA1, CDC19 and ACT1 in response to a perturbation in the amount of available glucose and as FBA1, TDH3, CCW12 and ACT1 in response to a perturbation in the amount of available ammonium. The use of these newly proposed gene sets outperformed the use of common reference genes in the determination of dynamic transcriptional response of the target genes, HAP4 and MEP2, in response to relaxation from glucose and ammonium limitations, respectively., Conclusions: A candidate reference gene set to be used in dynamic real-time RT-qPCR expression profiling in yeast was proposed for the first time in the present study. Suitable pools of stable reference genes to be used under different experimental conditions could be selected from this candidate set in order to successfully determine the expression profiles for the genes of interest.

Objective: We aimed to compare whether carriers for the MEFV mutations display an increase or decrease in certain features. We compared the frequency of a number of inflammatory symptoms and diseases in carriers and a control population., Methods: A questionnaire was designed to be applied to parents of children with FMF and a control group of parents. Clinical features and some diseases including the frequency of febrile episodes, abdominal pain, arthralgia, prophylaxis with penicillin, acute rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, spondyloarthropathy, urinary tract infection, asthma, allergy, irritable bowel disease, appendectomy and tonsillectomy were inquired. 676 parents of 440 children with FMF were surveyed in this study. Controls (n: 774) were selected as parents of healthy children., Results: The presence of febrile episodes more than four per year, arthralgia, past diagnosis for acute rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis and prophylaxis of penicillin, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatoid arthritis were significantly higher in asymptomatic parents for the MEFV mutations compared to controls. The frequency of allergy was found to be significantly lower in the asymptomatic parents as compared to controls. There was no significant difference at the frequency of urinary tract infection and tonsillectomy between the parents of the patents and controls., Conclusions: We suggest that one MEFV mutation may indeed be conferring a heightened inflammation as suggested by the increased frequency in inflammatory symptoms. The carrier status for MEFV mutations seem to be unique, in that they cause an alteration in the state of "health".