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Necmiye Şengel,1 Ayşegül Küçük,2 Çağrı Özdemir,3 Şaban Cem Sezen,4 Gülay Kip,5 Fatma Er,6 Ali Doğan Dursun,7 Yücel Polat,8 Mustafa Kavutçu,6 Mustafa Arslan5,9,10 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, (As a Specialist in Anesthesiology and Reanimation), Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkey; 2Department of Physiology, Kutahya Health Sciences University Faculty of Medicine, Kutahya, Turkey; 3Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Mamak State Hospital, Ankara, Turkey; 4Department of Histology and Embryology, Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine, Kırıkkale, Turkey; 5Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey; 6Department of Medical Biochemistry, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey; 7Department of Physiology, Atılım University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey; 8Cardiovascular Surgery, Tekirdağ Dr. Ismail Fehmi Cumalıoğlu City Hospital, Tekirdağ, Turkey; 9Life Sciences Application and Research Center, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey; 10Laboratory Animal Breeding and Experimental Researches Center (GÜDAM), Gazi University, Ankara, TurkeyCorrespondence: Mustafa Arslan, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, 06510, Turkey, Tel +90 533 422 85 77, Email mustarslan@gmail.comObjective: This study aimed to demonstrate whether fullerenol C60, sevoflurane anesthesia, or a combination of both had protective effects on the liver and kidneys in lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in mice with streptozocin-induced diabetes.Methods: A total of 46 Swiss albino mice were divided into six groups as follows: control group (group C, n=7), diabetes group (group D, n=7), diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion (group DIR, n=8), diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion-fullerenol C60 (group DIR-FC60, n=8), diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion-sevoflurane (group DIR-S, n=8), and the diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion-fullerenol C60-sevoflurane (group DIR-S-FC60, n=8). Fullerenol C60 (100mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before the ischemia-reperfusion procedure to the fullerenol groups (DIR-FC60 and DIR-S-FC60). In the DIR groups, 2 hours (h) ischemia-2h reperfusion periods were performed. In the sevoflurane groups, sevoflurane was applied during the ischemia-reperfusion period with 100% O2. Liver and kidney tissues were removed at the end of the reperfusion procedure for biochemical and histopathological examinations.Results: In liver tissue, hydropic degeneration, sinusoidal dilatation, pycnotic nuclei, prenecrotic cells, and mononuclear cell infiltration in parenchyma were significantly more frequent in group DIR than in groups D and group C. In terms of the histopathologic criteria examined, more positive results were seen in group DIR-FC60, and when group DIR-FC60 was compared with group DIR, the difference was significant. The best results in AST, ALT, glucose, TBARS levels, and SOD enzyme activities in liver tissue were in group DIR-FC60 compared with group DIR, followed by groups DIR-S-FC60 and DIR-S, respectively. Regarding TBARS levels and SOD enzyme activities in kidney tissue, the best results were in groups DIR-FC60, DIR-S-FC60, and DIR-S, respectively.Conclusion: According to our findings, it is clear that fullerenol C60 administered intraperitoneally 30 min before ischemia, alone or together with sevoflurane, reduces oxidative stress in distant organ damage caused by lower extremity IRI, and reduces liver and kidney tissue damage in histopathologic examinations.Keywords: lower extremity, ischemia-reperfusion, diabetes, fullerenol C60, sevoflurane, kidney, liver, mice

Ayşegül Küçük,1,* Yücel Polat,2 Aydan Kılıçarslan,3 Nuran Süngü,3 Hakan Kartal,4 Ali Doğan Dursun,5,* Mustafa Arslan6 1Kutahya Health Sciences University, Medical Faculty, Department of Physiology, Kutahya, Turkey; 2Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey; 3Yildirim Beyazit University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pathology, Ankara, Turkey; 4Gulhane Medical Faculty, Gulhane Education and Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Turkey; 5Atilim University, Medical Faculty, Department of Physiology, Ankara, Turkey; 6Gazi University, Medical Faculty, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Ankara, Turkey*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Mustafa ArslanGazi University, Medical Faculty, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Ankara, 06510, TurkeyTel +90 312 202 67 39Email mustarslan@gmail.comAim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of irisin in a murine model of hind limb ischemia reperfusion (I/R).Methods: The mice were divided into four groups (n = 6 in each group): control, irisin, ischemia reperfusion (I/R), and irisin-ischemia reperfusion (I–I/R). Irisin (0.5 μg.g− 1, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) was administered 30 min before the I/R procedure. After 2 h of ischemia and 2.5 h of reperfusion, blood and tissue samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological analysis. The results were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U-tests.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels in all the groups. The TAS level in the I/R group was significantly lower than that in the control, irisin, and I–I/R groups, whereas the TOS level was significantly higher in the I/R group as compared with that in the other groups. Caspase-3 activity and caspase-8 activity, indicators of inflammation, were significantly higher in the I/R and I–I/R groups as compared with those in the control and irisin groups.Conclusion: Irisin may have protective effects in skeletal muscle ischemia reperfusion injury.Keywords: irisin, ischemia reperfusion, caspase-3, caspase-8, mice

Objective: To determine the value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio for predicting high-grade dysplasia among patients with neoplastic colorectal polyp. Method: We evaluated 30 patients with non-neoplastic polyp, 61 patients with neoplastic polyp (32 with high-grade dysplasia/29 without high-grade dysplasia), and 30 patients with normal colonoscopy as control group. Mean platelet volume, red cell distribution width, neutrophil and lymphocyte levels were recorded and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was calculated. Results: Mean neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio of patients with neoplastic polyp were higher than patients with non-neoplastic polyp and control group (2.56 ± 1.47, 1.77 ± 0.44, 1.76 ± 0.62, retrospectively) (p = 0.001). Mean platelet volume of patients with neoplastic polyp (8.76 ± 1.06) was lower than patients with non-neoplastic polyp (9.50 ± 1.27) and control group (10.96 ± 0.83) (p < 0.001). Mean neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio of patients with high-grade dysplasia (3.03 ± 1.88) was significantly higher than patients without high-grade dysplasia (2.14 ± 0.77) (p = 0.022). The cut-off value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio to predict the presence of highgrade dysplasia was 2.044 (sensitivity: 69%, specificity: 68%). Conclusion: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, which is a simple non-invasive index can predict high-grade dysplasia and neoplastic polyp. Although mean platelet volume and red cell distribution width are not useful for identifying high-grade dysplasia in patients with colorectal polyp, mean platelet volume may be associated with neoplastic polyp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: In this study, the effects of a six-week training program and various diets on subfatin, asprosin, irisin, leptin, ghrelin and the lipid profile were investigated in overweight women. Materials and Methods: A total of 78 women voluntarily participated in the study. Groups: The study was divided into eight groups: Healthy Control, Obese Control, Obese + Vegetarian, Obese + Ketogenic, Obese + Intermittent Fasting, Obese + Exercise + Vegetarian, Obese + Exercise + Ketogenic and Obese + Exercise + Intermittent Fasting. While there was no intervention in the healthy and obese control groups, the other groups followed predetermined exercise and diet programs for 6 weeks. Blood samples were taken from the participants in the research group twice (before and after the interventions). An autoanalyzer was used to determine the lipid profile in the blood samples taken, and the ELISA method was used to analyze other parameters. Results: Overall, a significant difference was found in the values of weight, BMI, subfatin, ghrelin, leptin, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL as a result of the exercise and diet interventions (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in asprosin and irisin values (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, regular exercise and dietary interventions in obese women can regulate lipid profile, ghrelin, leptin and asprosin levels, and increasing irisin with exercise can activate lipid metabolism and support positive changes in lean mass.

Today, with the faster development of science and technology, people have started to pay more attention to healthy living and consuming foods that are beneficial for human health. In this context, the value given to fruit species has become increasingly important and the importance of plants whose seeds are consumed has increased, as well as colourful fruits and vegetables. Pomegranate is a fruit grown in many countries in the world, especially in the Mediterranean climate, and its economic value has been increasing in recent years. This fruit has gained great nutritional importance not only because of its flavour but also because it contains many antioxidant substances and phenolic compounds that are beneficial to human health. There are nearly fifty pomegranate varieties registered in our country. These pomegranate varieties range from sweet to sour, from small-in size to large in size, and from hard-seeded to soft-seeded in terms of skin colour and fruit colour. In recent years, the use of pomegranate parts such as peel, seeds, and flowers in cosmetics and food industry has become widespread and studies on the antioxidant properties of different parts of pomegranate have attracted interest. The aim of this review is to investigate the health effects of pomegranate fruit, different parts of pomegranate, and products made from pomegranate.

Anatolia is the gene center of many fruit species grown in the world and is also very rich in terms of fruit species and varieties. Diospyrus kaki L., known as persimmon, is one of these fruit species. Considering Türkiye’s ecological conditions, persimmon has a great potential for production. In recent studies, the potential health effects of persimmon have been cited as an important factor, increasing the popularity and consumption of persimmon. In addition, persimmon has become the center of attention in recent years due to the attractive orange color of the fruit, its distinctive taste and structure, rich in antioxidants and phenolic compounds. In this review study, it was aimed to increase awareness of the production potential of persimmon grown in Turkiye by revealing its production potential, and to shed light on decision-makers in future production planning by providing information in terms of economic importance and health.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/Alb), neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte (PLR) ratios and the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and 28-day mortality among 400 patients admitted to internal medicine and anesthesia reanimation intensive care unit (ICU).

In the present work, Dy2O3 and Sm2O3 double-doped Bi2O3-based materials are synthesized by exploiting the solid-state synthesis method. The structural and temperature dependent electrical properties of these ternary ceramic samples, which are candidate materials for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) electrolyte, are determined by means of a powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the four point-probe method (FPPM), and the thermal-gravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). As a result of the XRD measurements, the fluorite-type fcc δ-phase with a stable structure is obtained for higher values of the dopant oxide material, which are the samples with the maximum content of fixed 20% Dy2O3 and 15% and 20% Sm2O3. The samples with the stable δ-phase structure have higher conductivities. The highest electrical conductivity is found for the (Bi2O3)0.6(Dy2O3)0.2(Sm2O3)0.2 sample, which was 2.5×10-2 (Ohm cm)-1 at 750 °C. The activation energies are also calculated from the Arrhenius charts, which were determined from the FPPM measurements. The lowest activation energy is found as 0.85 eV for the sample with the highest electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: To evaluate the sonoelastic response of the median nerve in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome following conservative rehabilitation with splint plus exercise regimens. Materials and methods: A total of thirty-five patients diagnosed with mild carpal tunnel syndrome and treated with splint plus exercise therapy; hand resting splint all day for 3 weeks and then only at nights along with nerve gliding exercises in 10 repetitions 3 times a day. The median nerve was evaluated clinically prior to the treatment and at week 6 of therapy using physical examination, electrodiagnostic neurophysiology tests and radiological imaging; Boston Scores, electromyogram, ultrasonography and sonoelastography. Results: Following the 6-week treatment protocol on 35 subjects with mild carpal tunnel syndrome, sonoelastography showed significantly softer median nerve, while the traditional parameters based on Boston Scores and cross-sectional area based on ultrasonography remained nearly unresponsive. Such early indication of biomechanical changes in the nerve may be of clinical importance if it can offer a prognostic value of the applied treatment, while tissue softening suggests the alleviation of nerve compression. Conclusions: Sonoelasticity of the median nerve can serve as a reliable marker for assessing therapeutic changes in median nerve stiffness and potentially the outcome early on in mild carpal tunnel syndrome.

In the present work, Dy2O3 and Sm2O3 double-doped Bi2O3-based materials are synthesized by exploiting the solid-state synthesis method. The structural and temperature dependent electrical properties of these ternary ceramic samples, which are candidate materials for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) electrolyte, are determined by means of a powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the four point-probe method (FPPM), and the thermal-gravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). As a result of the XRD measurements, the fluorite-type fcc δ-phase with a stable structure is obtained for higher values of the dopant oxide material, which are the samples with the maximum content of fixed 20% Dy2O3 and 15% and 20% Sm2O3. The samples with the stable δ-phase structure have higher conductivities. The highest electrical conductivity is found for the (Bi2O3)0.6(Dy2O3)0.2(Sm2O3)0.2 sample, which was 2.5×10-2 (Ohm cm)-1 at 750 °C. The activation energies are also calculated from the Arrhenius charts, which were determined from the FPPM measurements. The lowest activation energy is found as 0.85 eV for the sample with the highest electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: YouTube is an increasingly used platform for medical information. However, the reliability and validity of health-related information on celiac disease (CD) on YouTube has not been determined., Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the reliability and validity of CD-related YouTube videos., Methods: On 15 November 2023, a search was performed on YouTube using the keyword "celiac disease". This search resulted in a selection of videos which were then reviewed by two separate evaluators for content, origin and specific features. The evaluators assessed the reliability and quality of these videos using a modified DISCERN score (mDISCERN), the Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria score (JAMA), the usefulness score, video power ındex (VPİ) and the global quality scale score (GQS)., Results: In the analysis of 120 initially screened CD videos, 85 met the criteria for inclusion in the study after certain videos were excluded based on pre-defined criteria. While the duration of the videos uploaded by healthcare professionals was significantly longer than the other group (P=0.009), it was concluded that the median scores for mDISCERN (4 vs. 2, P<.001), GQS (4 vs. 3, P<.001), JAMA (4 vs. 2, P<.001) and usefulness (8 vs. 6, P<.001) of the videos from this group were significantly higher than those from non-healthcare professionals. Video interaction parameters including the median number of views, views per day, likes, dislikes, comments and VPI demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups., Conclusions: This study showed that YouTube videos about celiac disease vary significantly in reliability and quality depending on their source. Increasing the production of reliable videos by healthcare professionals may help to improve patient education and make YouTube a more reliable resource.

Background and Objectives : Lower-extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury can induce distant organ ischemia, and patients with diabetes are particularly susceptible to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Sevoflurane, a widely used halogenated inhalation anesthetic, and fullerenol C60, a potent antioxidant, were investigated for their effects on heart and lung tissues in lower-extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Materials and Methods : A total of 41 mice were divided into six groups: control ( n = 6), diabetes-control ( n = 7), diabetes-ischemia ( n = 7), diabetes-ischemia-fullerenol C60 ( n = 7), diabetes-ischemia-sevoflurane ( n = 7), and diabetes-ischemia-fullerenol C60-sevoflurane ( n = 7). Diabetes was induced in mice using a single intraperitoneal dose of 55 mg/kg STZ in all groups except for the control group. Mice in the control and diabetes-control groups underwent midline laparotomy and were sacrificed after 120 min. The DIR group underwent 120 min of lower-extremity ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. In the DIR-F group, mice received 100 μg/kg fullerenol C60 intraperitoneally 30 min before IR. In the DIR-S group, sevoflurane and oxygen were administered during the IR procedure. In the DIR-FS group, fullerenol C60 and sevoflurane were administered. Biochemical and histological evaluations were performed on collected heart and lung tissues. Results : Histological examination of heart tissues showed significantly higher necrosis, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, edema, and total damage scores in the DIR group compared to controls. These effects were attenuated in fullerenol-treated groups. Lung tissue examination revealed more alveolar wall edema, hemorrhage, vascular congestion, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, and higher total damage scores in the DIR group compared to controls, with reduced injury parameters in the fullerenol-treated groups. Biochemical analyses indicated significantly higher total oxidative stress, oxidative stress index, and paraoxonase-1 levels in the DIR group compared to the control and diabetic groups. These levels were lower in the fullerenol-treated groups. Conclusions : Distant organ damage in the lung and heart tissues due to lower-extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury can be significantly reduced by fullerenol C60.

microRNAs (miRNAs) play a significant role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of thymoquinone on the expression profiles of miRNA and cognitive functions in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced Parkinson's model. Male adult Wistar albino rats (200-230 g, n  = 36) were randomly assigned to six groups: Sham, thymoquinone (10 mg/kg, p.o.), 6-OHDA, 6-OHDA + thymoquinone (10 mg/kg), 6-OHDA + thymoquinone (20 mg/kg), and 6-OHDA + thymoquinone (50 mg/kg). Behavioral changes were detected using the open field and the elevated plus maze tests. The mature 728 miRNA expressions were evaluated by miRNA microarray (GeneChip miRNA 4.0). Ten miRNAs were selected (rno-miR-212-5p, rno-miR-146b-5p, rno-miR-150-5p, rno-miR-29b-2-5p, rno-miR-126a-3p, rno-miR-187-3p, rno-miR-34a-5p, rno-miR-181d-5p, rno-miR-204-3p, and rno-miR-30c-2-3p) and confirmed by real-time PCR. Striatum samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to determine the effect of dopaminergic lesions. One-way ANOVA test and independent sample t -test were used for statistical analyses. rno-miR-204-3p was upregulated at 6-OHDA and downregulated at the 50 mg/kg dose of thymoquinone. In conclusion, thymoquinone at a dose of 50 mg/kg ameliorates symptoms of Parkinson's disease in a 6-OHDA rat model by downregulation of miR-204-3p. Also, the results showed that thymoquinone can improve locomotor activity and willing exploration and decreased anxiety. Therefore, thymoquinone can be used as a therapeutic agent., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) poses a significant challenge for physicians, necessitating the management of cell damage and the preservation of organ functions. Various surgical procedures, such as vascular surgery on extremities, temporary cross-clamping of the abdominal aorta in aortic surgery, and the use of a tourniquet in extremity surgeries, may induce lower limb IRI. The susceptibility to IRI is heightened in individuals with diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fullerenol C60 and sevoflurane on mouse muscle tissue in a lower limb IRI model and to assess their potential in preventing complications arising from ischemia-reperfusion in mice with streptozocin-induced diabetes., Methods: A total of 36 adult Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into six groups, each consisting of six mice: control group (group C), diabetes group (group D), diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion group (group DIR), diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion-fullerenol C60 group (group DIR-FC60), diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion-sevoflurane group (group DIR-S), and diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion-sevoflurane-fullerenol C60 group (DIR-S-FC60). Streptozocin (55 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered to induce diabetes in the relevant groups, with mice displaying blood glucose levels of 250 mg/dL or higher at 72 h were considered diabetic. After 4 weeks, all groups underwent laparotomy under anesthesia. In DIR-FC60 and DIR-S-FC60 groups, fullerenol C60 (100 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administrated 30 min before the ischemia period. Sevoflurane, delivered in 100% oxygen at a rate of 2.3% and 4 L/min, was administered during the ischemia period in DIR-S and DIR-S-FC60 groups. In the IR groups, a microvascular clamp was placed on the infrarenal abdominal aorta for 120 min during the ischemia period, followed by the removal of the clamp and a 120-min reperfusion period. At the end of the reperfusion, gastrocnemius muscle tissues were removed for histopathological and biochemical parameter examinations., Results: Histopathological examination revealed a significant reduction in the disorganization and degeneration of muscle cells in the DIR-S-FC60 group compared to the DIR group (p = 0.041). Inflammatory cell infiltration was notably lower in the DIR-S, DIR-FC60, and DIR-S-FC60 groups than in the DIR group (p = 0.031, p = 0.011, and p = 0.013, respectively). The total damage scores in the DIR-FC60 and DIR-S-FC60 groups were significantly lower than in the DIR group (p = 0.018 and p = 0.008, respectively). Furthermore, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the DIR-S, DIR-FC60, and DIR-S-FC60 groups were significantly lower than in the DIR group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Catalase (CAT) enzyme activity in the DIR-S, DIR-FC60, and DIR-S-FC60 groups was higher than in the DIR group (p = 0.001, p = 0.014, and p < 0.001, respectively). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity in the DIR-FC60 and DIR-S-FC60 groups was also higher than in the DIR group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively)., Conclusion: Our findings indicate that administering fullerenol C60 30 min prior to ischemia in diabetic mice, in combination with sevoflurane, led to a reduction in oxidative stress and the correction of IR-related damage in muscle tissue histopathology. We believe that the administration of fullerenol C60 before IR, coupled with sevoflurane administration during IR, exerts a protective effect in mice., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate different methods for dental age estimation in children and to examine the feasibility of using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data for age estimation. A total of 200 radiographic records (both digital panoramic radiographs and CBCTs) were acquired from 100 children aged 9 to 16 years, all taken on the same dates. Radiographic data was acquired from archived records and included both panoramic radiography and CBCT data belonging to the same individual. CBCT was used when panoramic radiographic data was insufficient. The pulp volume and pulp/tooth volume ratio of the left first molar teeth in the mandible were calculated from the CBCT data using MIMICS software. In addition, age was estimated by the Demirjian and Willems methods from data obtained from panoramic radiography images. Statistical analyses and linear regression analysis were performed as necessary. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean difference between the Demirjian method and chronological age, and between the Willems method and chronological age ( p < 0.001). Statistically significance was achieved in a linear regression model created from pulp volume ( R 2 = 0.098) and pulp/tooth volume ratio ( R 2 = 0.395) data for the estimated dental age analysis ( p < 0.001) and a negative correlation was observed with chronological age. When compared estimated dental age from CBCT data with chronological age, the pulp/tooth volume ratio method yielded results closer to chronological age than using only pulp volume data. When considering both panoramic radiographic age estimation methods and age estimation methods using CBCT data, we found that the results obtained with the Willems method, a panoramic radiographic age estimation technique, provided the closest results to the chronological age. More contributions should be made to the literature regarding the feasibility of age estimation using pulp and tooth volume as an alternative method., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (©2024 The Author(s). Published by MRE Press.)

Objective: Herein, the results of the cases, who underwent surgical repair with or without ventral abdomino-rectosigmoidopexy through tube sigmoidostomy combined with Ekehorn's rectopexy due to recurrent rectal prolapse, were discussed., Methods: The demographic characteristics, surgical technique, and results of children who were operated in the department of Pediatric Surgery for rectal prolapse between 2004 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed., Results: In 18 years, six pediatric cases (2 females [33%] and 4 males [67%]) were operated for persistent rectal prolapse. The mean operative age of the patients was 7.5 years (2.1-17), and all had severe rectal prolapse. Some of these patients were followed up in other centers and their rectal prolapse continued despite diet changes, toilet behavior training, and the treatment of sclerosing agents. Rectal trimming was applied to one of the first two patients who were operated for anal atresia and recurrence did not occur. In the second case who underwent laparoscopic colon pull-through, Ekehorn rectopexy was performed alone and no recurrence was observed also in this case. Considering that rectosigmoid colon adhesions formed on the anterior abdominal wall due to colostomy opening-closing may provide ventral sigmoidopexy, it was decided to offer the option of applying both methods together. Three of the next four cases were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. All four underwent ventral abdomino-rectosigmoidopexy through tube sigmoidostomy combined with Ekehorn's rectopexy. Ekehorn's butterfly sutures were removed on 15 th day and Foley catheters on 21 st day. Three cases with cystic fibrosis were uneventful. However, a 14-year-old girl with a history of sexual abuse relapsed 6 months later., Conclusion: Ventral abdomino-rectosigmoidopexy through tube sigmoidostomy combined with Ekehorn's rectopexy is a successful and unique method in terms of providing intestinal fixation. It may be the primary option for definitive surgical treatment of persistent rectal prolapse., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors., (© Copyright 2024 by Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Health.)

Background: Reported as being expressed by mono- and binucleate placental cells, pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are released into the blood circulation from the ruminant placenta. Circulating gestational PAGs levels may differ between sheep breeds., Objective: This study was aimed at the close monitoring of the serum PAGs profiles of Karya and Konya Merino sheep during early pregnancy., Methods: Fifteen Karya and 15 Konya Merino ewes were synchronized by a 12-day treatment with progesterone-impregnated intravaginal sponges. After the sponges were withdrawn, the ewes were administered 400 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin. The ewes were allowed to mate naturally, and all animals were sampled for blood as of the day of mating (day 0) at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Pregnancy diagnoses were made by transabdominal ultrasonography at week 5. At weeks 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11, blood samples were collected only from the pregnant ewes. The blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 × g, and extracted sera were stored at -20°C until being used for laboratory analyses. Serum PAGs levels were determined with the aid of a commercial PAG-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test originally developed for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle. Differences in the between the PAGs levels throughout pregnancy and the group effect (Karya and Konya Merino) were determined with a two-way mixed analysis of variance. Pairwise comparisons were made using a Bonferroni adjustment., Results: PAGs levels showed a linear increase with the advance of pregnancy in both Karya and Konya Merino sheep. No difference was detected between the breeds for serum PAGs levels. The serum PAGs levels of the pregnant and non-pregnant ewes differed as of the fourth week., Conclusion: The serum PAGs levels of the Karya and Konya Merino ewes were similar during the first 11 weeks of gestation, and pregnancy diagnosis could be made based on serum PAGs levels as of the 4th week in both breeds., (© 2024 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The production of high-quality and safe milk is closely associated with the udder health of dairy cows. While there are many mastitis diagnostic tests/methods available, choosing the most appropriate diagnostic test for a sustainable udder health control program could be a challenge. This study was aimed at selecting tests for the screening of subclinical mastitis on small- and large-scale dairy farms in Türkiye, using multi-criteria decision-making methods. An integrated approach employing the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) together was used to select subclinical mastitis screening tests for on-farm use. While the AHP determines the weights of the evaluation criteria, the TOPSIS provides a final ranking. Nine different subclinical mastitis screening (SCM) methods (DeLaval somatic cell counter, PortaSCC test, California mastitis test (CMT), rapid culture, portable/hand-held electrical conductivity meter, infrared thermography, leukocyte esterase strip test, milk pH, UdderCheck test) were analyzed on the basis of five selection criteria (the market availability of the test, the diagnostic accuracy of the test, the cost of the test, the cow-side use of the test, and the practicality of the test). The selection criteria were determined based on literature review and stakeholder input. The weighting of the criteria with the AHP was based on the pairwise comparison of the criteria by stakeholders. The criteria were weighted from 1 to 9 according to their relative importance as follows: "1: equally important," "3: moderately important," "5: strongly important," "7: very strongly important," "9: extremely important," and "2, 4, 6, 8: intermediate values." Final ranking of SCM tests with the TOPSIS was based on the stakeholder evaluations of fulfillment of the criteria by the alternatives. The most appropriate screening test for both large- and small-scale dairy farms was determined to be the CMT. The CMT is a very useful, easy to perform, and low-cost tool for detecting subclinical mastitis. Being a major element of udder health control programs, the CMT, if regularly used on dairy farms in Türkiye, would enable the culling of chronically infected animals and the reduction of mastitis-associated economic losses. Furthermore, regular CMTs would contribute to reducing milk SCC and improving milk quality. In conclusion, multi-criteria decision-making methods not only provide a systematic approach that may assist both veterinarians and farmers in deciding on the best choice among the different tests available for the screening of subclinical mastitis but also offer potential benefits to policymakers, researchers, and other industry stakeholders., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Hawthorn is an important medicinal plant that spreads around the world and is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its flowers and leaves contain flavonoids, vitamins, organic acids and essential oils. Its fruit is consumed as fresh and dried and is an important plant for human health. In this study, iPBS (Inter Primer Binding Site) and SCoT (Start Codon Target Polymorphism) markers were used to analyze genetic variation among 101 hawthorn genotypes collected from Çoruh Valley, Türkiye and ITS markers were used for DNA barcoding.  Ten iPBS primers were used and a total of 400 alleles were identified from ten iPBS primers with an average of 40 alleles. PIC values ranged from 0.239 (iPBS 2387) to 0.272 (iPBS 2244). Twenty SCoT primers were used and have an average of 50.05 alleles. The PIC values of the primers ranged from 0.251 (SCoT 2) to 0.297 (SCoT 34). For the DNA barcoding study, it was confirmed that the correct region was amplified and sequenced. The genotypes we used in the study matched 14 different accession numbers by searching a BLASTN in the NCBI. NCBI similarity rates of hawthorn genotypes are between 90.83% and 100%. The study emphasizes the genetic diversity of hawthorn grown from seed and the importance of preserving plant genetic resources.

Objective: Pathology in any segment of the spine-pelvis-lower extremity may impair the global postural balance, leading to compensatory alterations in other parts. The aim of this study was to compare the pelvic movements of patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis with patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty and healthy controls., Methods: This study was performed at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic of a Cankiri State Hospital between April 2021 and February 2022. This study included 84 participants. Of them, 31 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty between 2018 and 2020 years were selected as the total knee arthroplasty group, while 28 patients with knee osteoarthritis were selected as the knee osteoarthritis group. In the control group, there were 25 healthy individuals. Exclusion criteria from the study included any kind of neurological disease, an inability to walk a distance of 100 m unassisted, or a history of surgery to the lower limb. Pelvic movements (i.e., tilt, rotation, and obliquity) and gait parameters (i.e., "gait velocity," "cadence," and "stride length") were assessed using a wireless tri-axial accelerometer., Results: Total knee arthroplasty and control groups had decreased minimum anterior tilt of the pelvis, decreased maximum anterior tilt, and decreased oblique range of the pelvis compared with the knee osteoarthritis group. In comparison with the control group, gait velocity and length of stride during gait were remarkably lower in both knee osteoarthritis and total knee arthroplasty groups., Conclusion: In this study, total knee arthroplasty was found to affect pelvic movements. It was thought that total knee arthroplasty changed these variables, probably owing to the frontal and sagittal plane alignment correction through surgery.

Our study aimed to evaluate the hip joints of healthy children aged 2-13 years morphometrically through radiographic images. Demographic characteristics of 300 healthy children in our study include an average age of 6.4 years old based on the 2-to-13-year-old bracket and sex classified to 133 girls and 167 boys. A total of 600 normal hips from these children were digitally measured based on Acetabular Index, ACM angle, MZ distance, Sharp angle, CE angle, Femoral Head Coverage Ratio, Cranial, and medial joint space (MJS). *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01 indicated a statistically significant difference. It was found that Acetabular Index, ACM angle, MZ distance, Sharp angle, Cranial, and MJSs decreased with age; Acetabular Depth value and CE angle increased with age; the CE angle differed between the sides (right-left) in the young teens period and in boys; and the cranial joint space (CJS) differed between the sides in girls. In addition, girls had higher values than boys in terms of Acetabular Index, ACM angle, Sharp angle, MZ distance, and Femoral Head Coverage Ratio; CE angle and MJS were higher in girls; and Acetabular Depth Value and CJS did not differ significantly between sexes. Obtaining the normal values will guide in the diagnosis and treatment of many clinical conditions including DDH and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. It can also be used to compare the hips between healthy children and those diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy., (© 2023 American Association of Clinical Anatomists and British Association of Clinical Anatomists.)

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological factors affecting mucins (MUC 1, MUC 2, and MUC 5AC) staining in patients who underwent resection for colorectal cancer., Study Design: An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of General Surgery and Department of Pathology, Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine, Kars, Turkey, between January 2020 and January 2021., Methodology: Patients operated on for colorectal adenocarcinoma were included in the study. Patients who underwent colorectal surgery for benign diseases or had a pathological diagnosis other than adenocarcinoma were excluded from the study. Clinicopathological factors affecting MUC1, MUC2, and MUC5AC staining were evaluated with appropriate statistical tests, assuming a significant p-value of less than 0.05., Results: Of the 30 patients who met all study criteria, 18 (60%) were males. The mean age of all patients was 62.83±16.79 (21-88). MUC1 strongly positive staining was observed in 18 (60%) cases, and high expression was detected in pT4 and pT3 cases (p=0.005). In addition, increased expression was also noted in cases with lymph node involvement (p=0.045). MUC2 expression was more than 60% (strongly positive) in 20 (66.7%). The MUC2 expression was increased in moderately differentiated cases (p=0.032). There was no staining (negativity) in 22 (73.3%) cases with MUC5AC, and more than 60% staining (strongly positive) was observed in 3 (10%) cases. In addition, strong expression was noted in rectosigmoid tumours (p=0.001), female patients (p=0.046), and patients with pT3 and pT4 tumours (p=0.05)., Conclusion: High MUC1 and high MUC5AC staining were observed in advanced colorectal cancer, whereas high MUC2 staining was observed in patients with moderate tumour differentiation., Key Words: Colorectal cancers, Gene expressions, Mucin.