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The objective of this research is to construct a scale for assessing the extent of parents' 'sharenting' behavior and to assess its psychometric characteristics. The development of the Sharenting Scale commenced with a comprehensive review of relevant literature. Subsequently, a preliminary version of the scale was administered to 300 parents who utilize social media platforms. Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted on the collected data, revealing a two-factor structure comprising nine items. The analysis indicated that the two-factor structure accounted for 66.51% of the total variance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted using data collected from 191 parents who completed the aforementioned scale. The goodness-of-fit indices indicated satisfactory fit values: X[superscript 2]/df= 2.06, RMSEA= 0.075, CFI= 0.96, IFI= 0.96, TLI= 0.95, GFI= 0.94, NFI= 0.93. The convergent validity of the scale was assessed through the calculation of Average Variance Extracted and Composite Reliability values. Furthermore, the internal consistency reliability of the Sharenting Scale was evaluated using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, yielding a value of 0.82. Additionally, the stability of the scale was examined via a test-retest method, resulting in a correlation coefficient of 0.83. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the Sharenting Scale demonstrates both validity and reliability as a measurement tool for assessing parents' 'sharenting' behavior.

This study aims to determine the effect of digital stories on the creative writing skills of primary school 4th-grade students. For this purpose, a quasi-experimental research model with a pretest-posttest control group was utilized. The data were collected in the second semester of the 2018-2019 academic year in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Prior to application, students in both groups wrote 3 stories using 3 different story maps prepared by the researcher at the beginning. During the research process, eight digital stories created by the researcher were played to the students in experimental group. In contrast, these stories were read by the teacher and listened by the students in control group. At the end of the 8-week application process, students were expected to write 3 stories based on the same story maps. "Creative Writing Rubric" was used to determine the creative writing scores of the students in the experimental and control groups both before and after the application process. In the study, it was figured out that digital stories increase the creative writing success scores of the students in the experimental group. It was also identified that there is a significant difference between the creative writing pretest and post-test mean scores of the students in the experimental and control groups in favor of the post-tests. In addition, the effect of the digital stories applied to students in the experimental group on creative writing skills was greater than the students in control group instructed by paper-based technique.

Our aim was to examine the mediating role of cultural intelligence and cognitive flexibility in the relation between effective counsellor characteristics and multicultural counselling competencies of counsellors in Turkey. A total of 521 counsellors participated in the study. The "Effective Counsellor Characteristics Assessment Scale", "Multicultural Counselling Competencies Scale", "Cultural Intelligence Scale", and "Cognitive Flexibility Inventory" were used to collect the data. Cognitive flexibility and cultural intelligence were found to play a full mediating role between effective counsellor characteristics and multicultural counselling competencies.

Background: This study aims to determine the attitudes and disability awareness of university students who provide health services to persons with disabilities. Methods: This study included 291 volunteer students studying at the Vocational School of Health Services, Karadeniz Technical University (KTU), and conducting clinical practice at KTU Farabi Hospital. A sociodemographic form was used to determine the individual characteristics of the students included in this study, and the Attitudes toward Disabled Persons Scale (ATDP) was applied to determine their attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Results: The students’ average ATDP score was 61.75 ± 12.34. Statistically significant differences were found among situations wherein the students had chronic diseases, participated in disability-related education, and their ATDP scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that our students have few prejudices against persons with disabilities and can empathize with them at a sufficient level. In addition, our students have an awareness of people with disabilities, and this awareness can be increased. Disability-related regulations should be introduced into educational curricula, and additional awareness-raising activities should be provided to improve the attitudes of healthcare students toward persons with disabilities.

This study aimed to examine the antibacterial effects of constituents obtained from Callistemon viminalis leaves. This goal was achieved by using three organic solvents, namely Ethanol, Ethyl acetate, and Hexane to prevent the growth of the causative urinary tract infections isolates, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Proteus sp. in Iraq. The C. viminalis fresh leaves collected from different regions of Hillah City, during March 2020, were classified according to the taxonomic features of Iraqi Flora. Extractions were completed by a method of digestion and then the stock solution of 200 mg/mL was prepared in 10% of Dimethylsulfoxide. A Millipore filter (0.22 µm) was used for the sterilization of all the extracts used in this study. Agar well diffusion method was utilized to test the antibacterial effects of the constituents separated from the dried leaves of C. viminalis against the urinary tract infection bacteria at three concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL for each extracted constitute by the three different solvents. Dimethylsulfoxide 10% and the meropenem were utilized as the negative and positive controls. Constituents separated by ethanol solvent at 200 mg/mL exhibited significant supremacy (P=0.05) over the meropenem against Proteus sp. isolate, and exhibited the same significant difference (P=0.05), compared to the meropenem drug against E. coli. Constituents extracted by Ethyl acetate organic solvent at a concentration of 200 mg/mL exhibited a similarly significant effect (P=0.05), compared to the meropenem against Proteus sp. isolate. However, the hexane extract was the least effective among the other solvents utilized in this study. The results of the current study revealed that constituents in the leaves of C. viminalis could be considered a valuable herbal remedy for controlling urinary tract infections pathogenic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaç: Bu çalışma Bell paralizisi sekeli olan hastaların akupunktur tedavisi öncesinde ve sonrasındaki klinik ve morfometrik farklılıkları değerlendirmek ve fasiyal hareketlerdeki iyileşmeyi belirlemek için yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmaya Bell paralizisi sekeli olan 40 hasta (20 akupunktur grubu-20 kontrol grubu) dahil edildi. Akupunktur grubu Bell paralizisi sekeli olan ve akupunktur tedavisi (12 seans) alacak olan hastalardan oluşturuldu. Kontrol grubu ise Bell paralizisi sekeli olan ve bekletilecek olan hastalardan oluşturuldu. Tüm hastaların detaylı tıbbi öyküleri alındı. Morfometrik ölçümler dinlenme ve gülümseme pozisyonlarında yüzlerin hem etkilenmiş hem de etkilenmemiş taraflarındaki belirlenmiş anatomik noktalara göre uygulandı. Çalışmanın sonunda klinik değerlendirmeler ve morfometrik ölçümler tekrarlandı ve sonuçlar istatistiksel olarak analiz edildi.Bulgular: Akupunktur grubu hastalarının baş ağrısı semptomlarında klinik değerlendirmeler açısından anlamlı farklılık gözlendi. Akupunktur grubunda, dinlenme ve gülümseme pozisyonlarında etkilenmiş tarafın tedavi öncesi ve sonrası değerlerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık vardı. Ayrıca akupunktur grubundaki hastaların yüzün etkilenmiş taraflarındaki klinik semptomlarda ve fasiyal hareketlerde önemli değişiklikler vardı.Sonuç: Akupunktur tedavisinin Bell paralizisi sekelindeki fasiyal hareketlerin değişiminde özellikle de klinik ve morfometrik açıdan önemli terapötik etkiye sahip olduğu düşünülebilir.

Objective: This study was planned to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for the treatment Bell’s palsy sequelae. In this study, forty patients with Bell’s palsy sequelae were randomly allocated to either the acupuncture or the control group. The clinical outcomes before and after treatment were assessed using the following assays: the facial nerve compound motor action potential and HouseeBrackmann (HB) and Sunnybrook (SB) grading scales. Agreement analysis was performed between the SB and HB grading scales. There was significant difference between pretreatment and posttreatment compound motor action potential values of the patients within the acupuncture group (p = 0.036). In pretreatment and posttreatment SB and HB scores, significant differences within the two groups were observed. However, the significance level in the improvement rate in the acupuncture group was higher than that of the control group. General agreement between the SB and HB scores of groups was an acceptable value, and weighted agreement between the scales was a moderate agreement. In this study, we found that acupuncture treatment is effective in improving Bell’s palsy sequelae. Acupuncture can be used as a safe method in the treatment of Bell’s palsy sequelae. Keywords: acupuncture, Bell's palsy sequelae, electromyography, facial paralysis, grading scales

Amaç:Bu çalışma fasiyal sinirin dallanma şeklini dalları arasındaki bağlantılara göre tanımlamak, terminal dal sayısını incelemek, anatomik varyasyonlarını belirlemek ve parotid cerrahisi açısından önemini vurgulamak için yapılmıştır.Gereç ve Yöntem:8 kadın ve 8 erkek fetus kadavrasının (ayak uzunluklarına göre, yaşları 21.0 ile 35.5 gestasyonel hafta arasında) 32 parotid bölgesi diseke edildi. Fasiyal sinirin dallanma şekli, terminal dal sayısı ve dalları arasındaki bağlantılar incelendi, tanımlandı. Bu çalışmada, fasiyal sinir Davis ve ark.’nın sınıflandırmasına göre sınıflandırıldı. Fakat, fasiyal sinirin dalları arasında daha önce bahsedilmeyen bağlantılarla karşılaşıldı ve bu bağlantıların oluşturduğu dallanma şekilleri Tip x ve Tip y olarak adlandırıldı. Bulgular:Davis ve ark.’nın sınıflandırmasına göre, 32 vakanın 13 (%40.63)’ü Tip I, 7 (%21.88)’si Tip II, 3 (%9.38)’ü Tip III ve 5 (%15.63)’I Tip VI idi. Tip IV ve Tip V tanımlanmadı. Tip x, 2 (%6.25) vakada ve Tip y de 2 (%6.25) vakada tanımlandı. Fasiyal sinirin terminal dallarının ortalama sayısı 7.90 ± 1.49 (6-11) idi.Sonuç:Çalışmadan elde edilen araştırma sonuçları fasiyal sinirin dallanma şeklini ve anatomik varyasyonlarını tanımlayarak cerrahi müdahalelerde sinirin korunmasına yardımcı olabilir, cerrahi ile ilişkili sinir hasarını ve dolayısıyla da fasiyal paraliziyi önleyebilir.

In order to study the effect of EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulfonate) on plant regeneration of Petunia (Petunia hybrida Vilm.), sterile seeds were cultured in MS medium. Leaf segments from in vitro grown plants were treated with 1% and 2% EMS for 15, 30 and 60 min and were then transferred to plant regeneration medium (MS and BAP, 05 mg/l). No growth was observed in leaf explants treated with 2% EMS for 30 and 60 min. Regenerated shoots from samples treated with 1 or 2% for 15 min were then transferred to MS medium and were sub cultured after rooting. Plants treated with 2% EMS for 15 min showed a significant reduction in the dry and fresh weight. RAPD-PCR analysis using OPAA6 and FPK101 primers showed few differences among treated and untreated plants with EMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sex estimation using unknown fragmented remains is one of the most important supplementaries in forensic identification. If sex cannot be determined by anatomical structures in forensic cases, it is a benefit to use anthropometric methods as a supplement to estimate sex of the individuals. Aim: To evaluate the ability of estimating sex from index and ring finger lengths and their ratios in Turkish adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 394 adult volunteers (197 males and 197 females) aged between 18-25 years, and were selected from the Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey by stratified randomisation method. The train group comprised of 314 individuals (157 males and 157 females). The reliability of the sex estimation derived models was evaluated in the test group (40 males and 40 females) of same age range. Sex estimation models were developed by using Binary Logistic Regression Analysis. Results: The results indicate that the Index Finger Length (IFL) and Ring Finger Length (RFL) were found to be significantly longer in males than females in both right and left hands (p0.05) for both sexes. Bilateral asymmetry was observed in RIFL and LIFL for both sexes (p0.05). Accuracy percentage for models ranged between 70.0% and 75.0% in the test group for both sexes. The most successfully classified sex variable was found to be RIFL (AUC=0.75). Conclusion: The study concluded that sex estimation from the IFL and RFL may be a useful parameter when there is no more reliable sex estimation approach for forensic investigations.

Introduction: Stature is one of the most important biological profiles for identification procedures. However, major difficulties are experienced in the identification of fragmented bodies in mass deaths. Anthropometric methods have been utilised as a reliable way to quickly establish the identification of victims using only a few parts of the body. Aim: To develop models for stature estimation in forensic situations in which anatomical components and remnants of the upper extremity require identification. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of aged 18-25 years (200 female, 200 male). Participants were selected from the Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey by stratified randomisation method according to sex. Measurements were taken from the upper extremities of all subjects on the basis of anthropometric points. The relationship between stature and upper extremity parameters was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Models were developed from using linear regression analysis. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the male and female groups (p

Introduction: Stature is a significant biological profile for evaluating growth and development of an individual. It also provides important evidence in the forensic investigation process to the establishment of personal identification. Stature shows considerable variation between individuals. In situations where stature cannot be measured, different substitute parameters can be used to determine the stature. Arm span measurement has been demonstrated to be the best predictor of stature. Aim: To evaluate stature in Turkish adults for both sexes as well as to evaluate its correlation with arm span, as an alternative to estimating stature. Materials and Methods: A total of 324 students were selected from the Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey by stratified randomisation method. The research group comprised of 274 individuals (137 males and 137 females) aged between 20- 27 years. The reliability of the equations was evaluated in the control group (25 males and 25 females) of same age range. The stature and arm span was measured by anthropometric technique. Stature estimation models were developed by using linear regression analysis and the interrelationship between stature and arm span was performed using pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Arm span positively correlated with stature in male and female groups (r=0.785, r=0.807 respectively). Males were found to be taller in stature and larger arm span measurements compared to the females and this result was statistically significant (p0.9, p

Background: In multiple sclerosis (MS), both lesion accrual and brain atrophy predict clinical outcomes. However, it is unclear whether these prognostic features are equally relevant throughout the course of MS. Among 103 participants recruited following a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and followed up over 30 years, we explored (1) whether white matter lesions were prognostically more relevant earlier and brain atrophy later in the disease course towards development of secondary progressive (SP) disease; (2) if so, when the balance in prognostic contribution shifts and (3) whether optimised prognostic models predicting SP disease should include different features dependent on disease duration., Methods: Binary logistic regression models were built using age, gender, brain lesion counts and locations, and linear atrophy measures (third ventricular width and medullary width) at each time point up to 20 years, using either single time point data alone or adjusted for baseline measures., Results: By 30 years, 27 participants remained CIS while 60 had MS (26 SPMS and 16 MS-related death). Lesions counts were prognostically significant from baseline and at all later time points while linear atrophy measure models reached significance from 5 years. When adjusted for baseline, in combined MRI models including lesion count and linear atrophy measures, only lesion counts were significant predictors. In combined models including relapse measures, Expanded Disability Status Scale scores and MRI measures, only infratentorial lesions were significant predictors throughout., Conclusions: While SPMS progression is associated with brain atrophy, in predictive models only infratentorial lesions were consistently prognostically significant., Competing Interests: Competing interests: PA is a clinical research fellow funded by an MS Society grant (Ref: 141) and was previously in a post supported by Merck (supervised by DTC and SAT). He also works as a medical advisor for Mara Health. NS is a clinical research fellow funded by an MRC grant (Ref: MR/W019906/1) and previously in a post support by Merck (supervised by DTC and SAT). KC has received honoraria for participation and attendance of educational events from Novartis, Roche, Biogen and Merck. She has received honoraria for consultancy work from Novartis, Roche, Biogen, Merck and Viatris. LH has no disclosures. FP receives funding from National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Biomedical Research Centre initiative at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). FP received a Guarantors of Brain fellowship 2017–2020. SAT has received honoraria from Roche, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme and Biogen in the last 3 years and cosupervises a clinical fellowship supported by Merck. OC is a member of independent DSMB for Novartis, gave a teaching talk on McDonald criteria in a Merck local symposium and contributed to an Advisory Board for Biogen; she is Deputy Editor of Neurology, for which she receives an honorarium. FB is supported by the NIHR biomedical research centre at UCLH. Steering committee or Data Safety Monitoring Board member for Biogen, Merck, ATRI/ACTC and Prothena. Consultant for Roche, Celltrion, Rewind Therapeutics, Merck, IXICO, Jansen, Combinostics. Research agreements with Merck, Biogen, GE Healthcare, Roche. Co-founder and shareholder of Queen Square Analytics LTD. CT has received a Junior Leader La Caixa Fellowship (fellowship code is LCF/BQ/PI20/11760008), awarded by 'la Caixa' Foundation (ID 100010434), the 2021 Merck’s Award for the Investigation in MS, awarded by Fundación Merck Salud (Spain) and a grant awarded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España (PI21/01860). In 2015, she received an ECTRIMS Post-doctoral Research Fellowship and has received funding from the UK MS Society. She is a member of the Editorial Board of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Journal. She has also received honoraria from Roche, Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck and is a steering committee member of the O’HAND trial and of the Consensus group on Follow-on DMTs. DTC is a consultant for Hoffmann-La Roche. In the last 3 years, he has been a consultant for Biogen, has received research funding from Hoffmann-La Roche, the International Progressive MS Alliance, the MS Society, the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre, and a speaker’s honorarium from Novartis. He cosupervises a clinical fellowship at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, which is supported by Merck., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: Generation Z learners are entering emergency medicine (EM) residency training, bringing unique learning preferences that influence their engagement with residency education. To optimally teach and motivate this incoming generation of learners, EM educators must understand and adapt to the changing instructional landscape., Methodology: The Simulation Leaders Advancing the Next Generation in Emergency Medicine (SLANG-EM) Workgroup was created to identify effective educational strategies for Generation Z learners entering EM. Members were faculty in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Simulation Academy, well versed in learning theory supporting simulation-based education (SBE) and actively involved in EM residency education., Unique Treatment/analysis: Through primary and secondary literature searches, the SLANG-EM Workgroup identified four distinctive learning preferences of Generation Z learners: (1) individualized and self-paced learning, (2) engaging and visual learning environments, (3) immediate and actionable feedback, and (4) combined personal and academic support. Workgroup members evaluated these learning preferences using a novel conceptual framework informed by the theoretical principles underpinning SBE, recommending instructional strategies for Generation Z EM residency learners across multiple educational environments., Implications for Educators: Instructional strategies were described for the didactic, simulation, and clinical learning environments. In the didactic environment, identified instructional strategies included meaningful asynchronous education, interactive small-group learning, and improved multimedia design. In the simulation environment, educational innovations particularly suitable for Generation Z learners included learner-centered debriefing, rapid-cycle deliberate practice, and virtual simulation. In the clinical environment, described instructional strategies involved setting learner-centered goals and delivering facilitative feedback in the context of an educational alliance. Overall, these instructional strategies were clustered around themes of student-centered education and the educator as facilitator, which align well with Generation Z learning preferences. These findings were synthesized and presented as an advanced workshop, "Delivering Effective Education to the Next Generation," at the 2023 SAEM Annual Meeting., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.)

Objective: Approximately five years ago, the Royal College emergency medicine programs in Canada implemented a competency-based paradigm and introduced the use of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for assessment of units of professional activity to assess trainees. Many competency-based medical education (CBME) based curricula, involve assessing for entrustment through observations of EPAs. While EPAs are frequently assessed in clinical settings, simulation is also used. This study aimed to characterize the use of simulation for EPA assessment., Methods: A study interview guide was jointly developed by all study authors and followed best practices for survey development. A national interview was conducted with program directors or assistant program directors across all the Royal College emergency medicine programs across Canada. Interviews were conducted over Microsoft Teams, interviews were recorded and transcribed, using Microsoft Teams transcribing service. Sample transcripts were analyzed for theme development. Themes were then reviewed by co-authors to ensure they were representative of the participants' views., Results: A 64.7% response rate was achieved. Simulation has been widely adopted by EM training programs. All interviewees demonstrated support for the use of simulation for EPA assessment for many reasons, however, PDs acknowledged limitations and thematic analysis revealed certain themes and tensions for using simulation for EPA assessment. Thematic analysis revealed six major themes: widespread support for the use of simulation for EPA assessment, concerns regarding the potential for EPA assessment to become a "tick- box" exercise, logistical barriers limiting the use of simulation for EPA assessment, varied perceptions about the authenticity of using simulation for EPA assessment, the potential for simulation for EPA assessment to compromise learner psychological safety, and suggestions for the optimization of use of simulation for EPA assessment., Conclusions: Our findings offer insight for other programs and specialties on how simulation for EPA assessment can best be utilized. Programs should use these findings when considering using simulation for EPA assessment., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP)/ Association Canadienne de Médecine d'Urgence (ACMU).)

Introduction: While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is established in diagnosing and monitoring disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), its utility in predicting and monitoring disease progression is less clear., Areas Covered: The authors consider changing concepts in the phenotypic classification of MS, including progression independent of relapses; pathological processes underpinning progression; advances in MRI measures to assess them; how well MRI features explain and predict clinical outcomes, including models that assess disease effects on neural networks, and the potential role for machine learning., Expert Opinion: Relapsing-remitting and progressive MS have evolved from being viewed as mutually exclusive to having considerable overlap. Progression is likely the consequence of several pathological elements, each important in building more holistic prognostic models beyond conventional phenotypes. MRI is well placed to assess pathogenic processes underpinning progression, but we need to bridge the gap between MRI measures and clinical outcomes. Mapping pathological effects on specific neural networks may help and machine learning methods may be able to optimize predictive markers while identifying new, or previously overlooked, clinically relevant features. The ever-increasing ability to measure features on MRI raises the dilemma of what to measure and when, and the challenge of translating research methods into clinically useable tools.

Multiple sclerosis risk has a well-established polygenic component, yet the genetic contribution to disease course and severity remains unclear and difficult to examine. Accurately measuring disease progression requires long-term study of clinical and radiological outcomes with sufficient follow-up duration to confidently confirm disability accrual and multiple sclerosis phenotypes. In this retrospective study, we explore genetic influences on long-term disease course and severity; in a unique cohort of clinically isolated syndrome patients with homogenous 30-year disease duration, deep clinical phenotyping and advanced MRI metrics. Sixty-one clinically isolated syndrome patients [41 female (67%): 20 male (33%)] underwent clinical and MRI assessment at baseline, 1-, 5-, 10-, 14-, 20- and 30-year follow-up (mean age ± standard deviation: 60.9 ± 6.5 years). After 30 years, 29 patients developed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, 15 developed secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and 17 still had a clinically isolated syndrome. Twenty-seven genes were investigated for associations with clinical outcomes [including disease course and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)] and brain MRI (including white matter lesions, cortical lesions, and brain tissue volumes) at the 30-year follow-up. Genetic associations with changes in EDSS, relapses, white matter lesions and brain atrophy (third ventricular and medullary measurements) over 30 years were assessed using mixed-effects models. HLA-DRB1*1501 -positive ( n = 26) patients showed faster white matter lesion accrual [+1.96 lesions/year (0.64-3.29), P = 3.8 × 10 -3 ], greater 30-year white matter lesion volumes [+11.60 ml, (5.49-18.29), P = 1.27 × 10 -3 ] and higher annualized relapse rates [+0.06 relapses/year (0.005-0.11), P = 0.031] compared with HLA-DRB1*1501 -negative patients ( n = 35). PVRL2 -positive patients ( n = 41) had more cortical lesions (+0.83 [0.08-1.66], P = 0.042), faster EDSS worsening [+0.06 points/year (0.02-0.11), P = 0.010], greater 30-year EDSS [+1.72 (0.49-2.93), P = 0.013; multiple sclerosis cases: +2.60 (1.30-3.87), P = 2.02 × 10 -3 ], and greater risk of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis [odds ratio (OR) = 12.25 (1.15-23.10), P = 0.031] than PVRL2 -negative patients ( n = 18). In contrast, IRX1 -positive ( n = 30) patients had preserved 30-year grey matter fraction [+0.76% (0.28-1.29), P = 8.4 × 10 -3 ], lower risk of cortical lesions [OR = 0.22 (0.05-0.99), P = 0.049] and lower 30-year EDSS [-1.35 (-0.87,-3.44), P = 0.026; multiple sclerosis cases: -2.12 (-0.87, -3.44), P = 5.02 × 10 -3 ] than IRX1 -negative patients ( n = 30). In multiple sclerosis cases, IRX1 -positive patients also had slower EDSS worsening [-0.07 points/year (-0.01,-0.13), P = 0.015] and lower risk of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis [OR = 0.19 (0.04-0.92), P = 0.042]. These exploratory findings support diverse genetic influences on pathological mechanisms associated with multiple sclerosis disease course. HLA-DRB1*1501 influenced white matter inflammation and relapses, while IRX1 (protective) and PVRL2 (adverse) were associated with grey matter pathology (cortical lesions and atrophy), long-term disability worsening and the risk of developing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis., Competing Interests: N.S. has been a clinical research fellow in a post supported by Merck (supervised by S.A.T. and D.C.) and subsequently by MRC (MR/W019906/1). K.C has received honoraria for participation and attendance of educational events from Novartis, Roche, Biogen and Merck; she has received honoraria for consultancy work from Novartis, Roche, Biogen, Merck and Viatris. F.P.C. received a Guarantors of Brain fellowship 2017–2020. F.P.C. and B.K. are supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Biomedical Research Centre initiative at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). A.J.T. reports personal fees paid to his institution from Eisai Ltd; is an editorial board member for The Lancet Neurology receiving a free subscription; is Editor-in-Chief for MS Journal receiving an honorarium from SAGE Publications; receives support for travel as member, Clinical Trials Committee, International PPMS Alliance, and from the National MS Society (NMSS) (USA) as member, NMSS Research Programs Advisory Committee. S.A.T. receives support from the UCLH Biomedical Research Centre; has received honoraria from Roche, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme and Biogen in the last 3 years and co-supervises a clinical fellowship at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, which is supported by Merck. W.B. has received speaker honoraria for educational activities and/or acted as a consultant for Biogen, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme and Viatris. O.C. is a member of independent data and safety monitoring board for Novartis, gave a teaching talk on McDonald criteria in a Merck local symposium, and contributed to an Advisory Board for Biogen; she is Deputy Editor of Neurology, for which she receives an honorarium. C.T. is currently being funded by a Junior Leader La Caixa Fellowship (The project that gave rise to these results received the support of a fellowship from ‘la Caixa’ Foundation (ID 100010434); fellowship code is LCF/BQ/PI20/117600080; She has also received the 2021 Merck’s Award for the Investigation in MS (Spain) and a grant from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain (grant ID: PI21/01860); In 2015, she received an ECTRIMS Post-doctoral Research Fellowship and has received funding from the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society (grant number 77); She has also received speaker honoraria from Roche and Novartis; She serves on the Editorial Board of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Journal. F.B. is supported by the UCLH biomedical research centre; He is a steering committee or iDMC member for Biogen, Merck, Roche, EISAI and Prothena; He is a consultant for Roche, Biogen, Merck, IXICO, Jansen, Combinostics; He has research agreements with Merck, Biogen, GE Healthcare, Roche; He is co-founder and shareholder of Queen Square Analytics LTD. D.C. is a consultant for Hoffmann-La Roche; In the last three years he has been a consultant for Biogen, received research funding from Hoffmann-La Roche, the International Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Alliance, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre, and speaker’s honorarium from Novartis; He co-supervises a clinical fellowship at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, which is supported by Merck. The remaining authors, L.H., R.S., C.A.M.G.W.K. and H.H.: nothing to disclose., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain.)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: The author(s) declared the following potential competing interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: NS is a clinical fellow at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, in a post which is supported by Merck. OC receives research funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), UK and National MS Societies, Rosetrees trust and NIHR University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre; she has received speaker honoraria from Biogen and Merck during the past 12 months; and is the Deputy Editor of Neurology. DTC is a consultant for Biogen and Hoffmann-La Roche. In the last three years he has received research funding from Hoffmann-La Roche, the International Progressive MS Alliance, the MS Society, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre, and speaker’s honorarium from Novartis. He co-supervises a clinical fellowship at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, which is supported by Merck. SAT receives support from the UCLH Biomedical Research Centre and has received honoraria from Roche, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme and Biogen in the last 3 years. He cosupervises a clinical fellowship at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, which is supported by Merck.

This study aimed to examine the antibacterial effects of constituents obtained from Callistemon viminalis leaves. This goal was achieved by using three organic solvents, namely Ethanol, Ethyl acetate, and Hexane to prevent the growth of the causative urinary tract infections isolates, such as Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumonia , and Proteus sp. in Iraq. The C. viminalis fresh leaves collected from different regions of Hillah City, during March 2020, were classified according to the taxonomic features of Iraqi Flora. Extractions were completed by a method of digestion and then the stock solution of 200 mg/mL was prepared in 10% of Dimethylsulfoxide. A Millipore filter (0.22 µm) was used for the sterilization of all the extracts used in this study. Agar well diffusion method was utilized to test the antibacterial effects of the constituents separated from the dried leaves of C. viminalis against the urinary tract infection bacteria at three concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL for each extracted constitute by the three different solvents. Dimethylsulfoxide 10% and the meropenem were utilized as the negative and positive controls. Constituents separated by ethanol solvent at 200 mg/mL exhibited significant supremacy ( P ≤0.05) over the meropenem against Proteus sp. isolate, and exhibited the same significant difference ( P ≤0.05), compared to the meropenem drug against E. coli . Constituents extracted by Ethyl acetate organic solvent at a concentration of 200 mg/mL exhibited a similarly significant effect ( P ≤0.05), compared to the meropenem against Proteus sp. isolate. However, the hexane extract was the least effective among the other solvents utilized in this study. The results of the current study revealed that constituents in the leaves of C. viminalis could be considered a valuable herbal remedy for controlling urinary tract infections pathogenic bacteria., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Argininosuccinic aciduria is an autosomal, recessive amino acid disorder that is caused by a deficiency of the argininosuccinate lyase enzyme. Citrulline is the most significant marker to detect this disorder. We used the High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection with 450 nm emission and 330 nm excitation wavelengths, 15 mmol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 5 mmol/L dipotassium hydrogen phosphate as Mobile Phase A, and 50 mL water, 250 mL acetonitrile, and 200 mL methanol as Mobile Phase B in gradient mode with flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. The citrulline concentration was 22 µmol/L in healthy infants and 220 µmol/L in infants suffering from the disorder.

The search for autoantibodies in patients with acute and chronic neuropathies has become widespread in neurological practice. These tests are more routinely available and therefore are more commonly requested in larger hospitals with neuroscience centres, although they are now also regularly requested from district general hospital settings, including by non-neurologists. However, the clinical value of these frequently expensive tests is often unclear and their impact on management not always obviously beneficial. This article reviews the main immunological tests used to search for specific autoantibodies in the setting of neuropathy and discusses their potential diagnostic importance, together with the eventual therapeutic implications of results obtained.

Background: Age estimation is an important factor in the identification of an individual in forensic science. The hard tissues of the human dentition are able to resist decay and degradation, long after other tissues are lost. This resistance has made teeth useful indicators for age calculation. Recent research has indicated that Tooth Cementum Annulations (TCA) may be used more reliably than any other morphological or histological traits of the adult skeleton, for age estimation., Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between age and the number of incremental lines in human cementum and to correlate age with thickness of secondary dentin., Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 100 teeth. Teeth which were extracted because of periodontal disease and orthodontic, and prosthetic reasons were used in the study. The exclusion criterion was teeth with carious lesions. The age of the individuals at the time of tooth extraction ranged from 25-60 years. Longitudinal ground sections of each tooth were prepared and examined., Statistical Analysis: Correlation between estimated age, which was calculated by using cemental lines and thicknes s of secondary dentin and actual age, was found by using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Correlation of increase in thickness of secondary dentin in different age groups was analyzed by ANOVA test., Results: A strong positive correlation was found between the estimated age, which was calculated by using cemental lines and thickness of secondary dentin and actual age. Correlation of increase in thickness of secondary dentin in different age groups was found to be non significant., Conclusion: Countable cemental annulations are present in human teeth. Quantification of cementum annuli is a moderately reliable means which is used for age estimation in humans. As the age advances, the thickness of the secondary dentin also increases; hence, the amount of secondary dentin can also be an indicator of age of an individual.

Objective: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a minimally invasive alternative to open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RP), and is reported to offer equivalent oncologic outcomes while reducing perioperative morbidity. However, the technique of extirpation can differ based on the usage of thermal energy and coagulation during RARP, which may alter the risk of finding a positive surgical margin (PSM) as cautery may destroy residual cancer cells. We sought to evaluate whether the method of surgery (RP vs RARP) affects the rate of biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with PSMs., Materials & Methods: The Columbia University Urologic Oncology Database was reviewed to identify patients who underwent RP and RARP from 2000 to 2010 and had a PSM on final pathology. BCR was defined as a postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥0.2 ng/mL. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was utilized to calculate BCR rates based on the method of surgery. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine if the method of surgery was associated with BCR., Results: We identified 3267 patients who underwent prostatectomy, of which 910 (28%) had a PSM. Of those with a PSM, 337 patients had available follow-up data, including 229 who underwent RP (68%) and 108 who underwent RARP (32%). At a mean follow-up time of 37 months for the RP group, 103 (46%) patients demonstrated BCR; at a mean follow-up time of 44 months for the RARP group, 62 (57%) patients had a BCR (p=0.140). Two-year BCR-free rates for RP vs RARP were 65% and 49%, respectively (log-rank p<0.001). However, after controlling for age, PSA, grade, and year of surgery, the surgical method was not significantly associated with increased risk of BCR (HR 1.25; p=0.29)., Conclusion: Our results confirm the noninferiority of RARP to RP with regard to patients with PSMs. As such, all patients with a PSM at RP are at high risk for BCR and should be followed in the same manner regardless of the surgical approach.

Proteins and amino acids are important biomolecules which regulate key metabolic pathways and serve as precursors for synthesis of biologically important substances; moreover, amino acids are building blocks of proteins. Fish is an important dietary source of quality animal proteins and amino acids and play important role in human nutrition. In the present investigation, crude protein content and amino acid compositions of important food fishes from different habitats have been studied. Crude protein content was determined by Kjeldahl method and amino acid composition was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and information on 27 food fishes was generated. The analysis showed that the cold water species are rich in lysine and aspartic acid, marine fishes in leucine, small indigenous fishes in histidine, and the carps and catfishes in glutamic acid and glycine. The enriched nutrition knowledge base would enhance the utility of fish as a source of quality animal proteins and amino acids and aid in their inclusion in dietary counseling and patient guidance for specific nutritional needs.

Heparin binding (HB) proteins mediate a wide range of important cellular processes, which makes this class of proteins biopharmaceutically important. Engineering HB proteins may bring many advantages, but it necessitates cost effective and efficient purification methodologies compared to currently available methods. One of the most important classes of HB proteins are fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs). In this study, we report an efficient off-column purification of FGF-1 from soluble fractions and purification of the D2 domain of FGFR from insoluble inclusion bodies, using a weak Amberlite cation (IRC) exchanger. FGF-1 and the D2 domain have been expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity using IRC resin. This approach is an alternative to conventional affinity column chromatography, which exhibits several disadvantages, including time-consuming experimental procedures for purification and regeneration and results in the expensive production of recombinant proteins. Results of the heparin binding chromatography and steady state fluorescence experiments show that the FGF-1 and the D2 are in a native conformation. The findings of this study will not only aid an in-depth investigation of this class of proteins but will also provide avenues for inexpensive and efficient purification of other important biological macromolecules., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Oxidation susceptibility of serum lipid and the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from tunica media to the sub endothelial region are the key steps in the progression of atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Chungtaejeon (CTJ) on oxidation and cytokine induced proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). The antioxidative effects of CTJ were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay. Similarly, the proliferation, migration and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in HASMC were assessed by MTT assay, transwell Boyden chamber assay and gelatin zymography, respectively. Western blotting was done to determine the protein expression of MMP-9, phospho extracellular regulated kinase (pERK1/2) and phospho c-Jun N-terminal kinase (pJNK). In results, the IC(50) values for DPPH and NO scavenging activities were 8.91 μg/ml and 14.32 μg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, CTJ inhibited TBARS formation dose dependently. The pretreatment of CTJ dose dependently inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced proliferation and MMP-9 expression and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) induced migration of HASMC. Thus, CTJ can be suggested to have beneficial effect in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

The effects of exogenous phosphatidic acid (PA) on Ca2+ transients and contractile activity were studied in cardiomyocytes isolated from chronic streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In control cells, 25 microM PA induced a significant increase in active cell shortening and Ca2+ transients. PA increased IP3 generation in the control cardiomyocytes and its inotropic effects were blocked by a phospholipase C inhibitor. In cardiomyocytes from diabetic rats, PA induced a 25% decrease in active cell shortening and no significant effect on Ca2+ transients. Basal and PA-induced IP3 generation in diabetic rat cardiomyocytes was 3-fold lower as compared to control cells. Sarcolemmal membrane PLC activity was impaired. Insulin treatment of the diabetic animals resulted in a partial recovery of PA responses. Our results, therefore, identify an important defect in the PA-PLC signaling pathway in diabetic rat cardiomyocytes, which may have significant implications for heart dysfunction during diabetes.

Objective: Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns 4,5-P(2)) is not only a precursor to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins 1,4, 5-P(3)) and sn-1,2 diacylglycerol, but also essential for the function of several membrane proteins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the level of this phospholipid in the cell plasma membrane (sarcolemma, SL) of cardiomyopathic hamster (CMPH) heart., Methods: We examined the cardiac SL PtdIns 4,5-P(2) mass and the activities of the enzymes responsible for its synthesis and hydrolysis in 250-day-old UM-X7.1 CMPH at a severe stage of congestive heart failure (CHF) and in age-matched controls (Syrian Golden hamsters)., Results: The SL PtdIns 4,5-P(2) mass in CMPH was reduced by 72% of the control value. The activities of PtdIns 4 kinase and PtdIns 4-P 5 kinase were depressed by 69 and 50% of control values, respectively. Although, the total phospholipase C (PLC) activity was moderately, although significantly, decreased (by 18% of control), PLCdelta(1) isoenzyme activity in the SL membrane was elevated, with a concomitant increase in its protein content, whereas PLCbeta(1) and gamma(1) isoenzyme activities were depressed despite the increase in their protein levels. A 2-fold increase in the Ins 1,4,5-P(3) concentration in the cytosol of the failing heart of CMPH was also observed., Conclusions: Reduced SL level of PtdIns 4, 5-P(2) may severely jeopardize cardiac cell function in this hamster model of CHF. In addition, the profound changes in the profile of heart SL PLC isoenzyme could alter the complex second messenger responses of these isoenzymes, and elevated Ins 1,4,5-P(3) levels may contribute to intracellular Ca(2+) overload in the failing cardiomyocyte.

Serum lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins (A-1 and B) were determined in 225 patients with angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease (having abnormal coronary angiogram and positive exercise stress test), and 112 patients without any clinical and/or angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease. The variable with the strongest association with coronary artery disease was the ratio of apo B/A-1. Thus, the determination of apolipoproteins yielded complementary information in this case control study and warrants further study in a prospective setting.