Viscoelastic properties of superficial back muscles in adolescents with Lenke Type 1A and 1B idiopathic scoliosis

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of the superficial back muscles of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Lenke Type 1A and 1B curves compared to their healthy peers. Methods: 20 participants with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and 20 healthy peers were evaluated. Cobb angle was recorded for scoliosis participants. The upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles, and latissimus dorsi muscles were evaluated bilaterally with Myoton-3 as stiffness, elasticity and tone parameters for all participants. Findings: Cobb angle was 20.30 +/- 8.52 degrees for participants with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Muscular stiffness in participants with scoliosis was greater than that of the healthy group for all muscles and both sides. Muscle elasticity was only different for the latissimus dorsi and middle trapezius muscles for the left side and they showed significantly decrease in participants with scoliosis. There was no statistical difference in muscle tone between the groups (p > 0.05). Interpretation: Our findings suggest that adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis exhibit increased muscular stiffness bilaterally in superficial back muscles, decreased muscle elasticity on the concave side of the curve compared to healthy peers suggests potential implications for the biomechanics and rehabilitation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

The ameliorative potential of metformin against aluminum-induced neurotoxicity: Insights from in vitro studies

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as a metabolic disorder, often referred to as type 3 diabetes, due to its strong association with insulin resistance. Chronic exposure to aluminum, a known neurotoxin, has been identified as a significant risk factor in the development and progression of AD. This study explores the potential of metformin, a common anti-diabetic drug, to mitigate aluminum-induced neurotoxicity in an in vitro model of AD. Our findings reveal that metformin significantly reduces oxidative stress markers such as malonaldehyde, carbonyl groups, and reactive oxygen species while enhancing antioxidant defenses. Metformin modulates critical signaling pathways, including glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3-beta)/RAC-alpha serine/threonine protein kinase (RAC-alpha serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt1)/protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and Wnt/beta-catenin, decreasing Tau protein levels and promoting neurogenesis. These results suggest that metformin may offer a novel therapeutic approach for AD, particularly in cases where aluminum exposure is a contributing factor

Relationship between play skills and sensory processing in children with autism

Play skills in children with autism are limited due to autism symptoms. It is important to determine the effect of sensory processing skill, which is one of these symptoms, on play skills. Therefore, we aimed to investigate of the relationship between play skills and sensory processing of children with autism. A total of 58 children with autism (n = 29) and typically developing children (n = 29) participated. We used the Sensory Profile and the Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used. Children with autism demonstrated a significantly lower developmental play age and were rated lower on all dimensions of the RKPPS than typically developing children. Moreover, the results of this study showed that there are complex correlations between play skills and sensory processing in children with autism. Sensory processing and play skills have complex relationships in children with autism

Hearing screening results of refugee preschool and school children

Background The prevalence of refugees in Turkey has increased since the onset of the Syrian conflict. Refugees, as a demographic group, confront a spectrum of health challenges attributable to variables including malnutrition, restricted access to medical services, and unmanaged chronic health conditions. This study aims to investigate the hearing screening results among Syrian children in Ankara to assess the need for additional measures to raise awareness and to identify factors that may affect the hearing health of this population. Methods A total of 438 Syrian children (n = 876 ears), with a mean age of 7.41 +/- 2.71 years, who attended the International Association for Asylum and Solidarity With Refugees centers, were enrolled in the study. Each child underwent otoscopic examination, tympanometry, and pure-tone audiometry screening. Results Of the tested ears, 225 (25.6%) exhibited abnormal otoscopic findings, 181 (20.7%) had tympanometry types other than type A, and 30 (3.4%) did not pass the pure tone audiometry screening. Of the 276 completed case history forms, 133 individuals reported relevant medical histories. Among them, 78 (58.6%) were consanguineous offspring, 10 (7.5%) had a family history of hearing impairment, 51 (38.3%) were currently experiencing flu, 42 (31.6%) had a history of recurrent flu, and 22 (16.5%) experienced otalgia. Notably, blast exposure was reported in 5 individuals (3.7%), and 6 individuals (4.5%) had mothers with a history of pregnancy complications. Conclusion Refugees represent a demographic cohort susceptible to various risk factors associated with hearing impairment. However, the findings of this study indicate that refugee children residing in Ankara exhibit normal hearing screening results. This outcome may be ascribed to factors such as having access to healthcare services and heightened awareness within the community

Janus Micromotors Based on Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄-OH for miRNA-21 Biosensing

This study describes the preparation, characterization, and biosensing applications of Radio Frequency (RF) plasma-modified magnetic micro/M/Janus micromotors. In the first part of the study, two different Janus micromotors were fabricated. Firstly, Fe3O4 magnetic micro/particles were functionalized with -OH groups under plasma treatment, and then Fe(3)O(4 )and Fe3O4-OH NPs/Platinum (Pt) (Fe3O4/Pt and Fe3O4-OH/Pt) micromotors were prepared by Pt coating of one side of Fe(3)O(4)and Fe3O4-OH nanoparticles using by RF magnetron sputtering method. The work is the first example of RF rotating plasma preparation of modified magnetic nano/particle-based motors. Thus, it is of great interest to nano/micromachinery field. The synthesized micromotors were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The dependence of the mobility of the motors on fuel concentration was evaluated. High speeds of 255 mu m s(-1) and 128 mu m s(-1) at 5% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were observed for Fe3O4/Pt and Fe3O4-OH/Pt micromotors, respectively. Besides these remarkable values, long lifetimes of 15 min with Fe3O4/Pt micromotors and 20 min with Fe3O4-OH/Pt micromotors were achieved. In the second part of the study, these Janus micromotors were used in miRNA-21 biosensing. The changes in the fluorescence intensity and in the speed of micromotors were examined after hybridization. Performances of these two novel micromotors were compared to present their potential use in early cancer diagnosis. Promising results with the functionalized Fe3O4-OH/Pt micromotors were obtained

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of propionic acidemia in a Turkish cohort

Objectives Propionic acidemia (PA) is an autosomal recessive multisystem disorder caused by the deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase, encoded by PCCA and PCCB genes. This retrospective study presents the clinical and laboratory characteristics of PA patients followed up in our center.Methods Included in the study were 50 patients diagnosed in a single center with propionic acidemia between 1984 and 2020, whose electronic and written hospital records regarding demographic, clinical, and laboratory features, along with diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, were reviewed retrospectively.Results This cohort had a median age at diagnosis of 18 days and 91.1 % (n=41) were born at term. Consanguinity was notably prevalent (91.1 %), and a family history of PA was reported in 14 % of cases. No significant relationships were observed between clinical and laboratory parameters and mortality. Laboratory findings at the time of diagnosis revealed significant metabolic abnormalities, including low levels of free carnitine, elevated C3 propionyl carnitine, and varied amino acid imbalances. Twenty-three patients exhibited developmental delay and/or intellectual disability. Brain magnetic resonance imaging unveiled white matter involvement and ventricular dilatation in 9/25 patients. Furthermore, dilated cardiomyopathy (26 %) was noted in patients who had cardiac assessments. Among the study cohort, 27 patients survived, 23 patients died during follow-up. No significant relationships were observed between clinical and laboratory parameters and mortality.Conclusions Despite improvements in the understanding of the pathophysiology and advances in diagnostic and treatment approaches, propionic acidemia and its long-term complications can still lead to severe consequences. This comprehensive evaluation offers valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of PA

Immune dynamics throughout life in relation to sex hormones and perspectives gained from gender-affirming hormone therapy

Biological sex is closely associated with the properties and extent of the immune response, with males and females showing different susceptibilities to diseases and variations in immunity. Androgens, predominantly in males, generally suppress immune responses, while estrogens, more abundant in females, tend to enhance immunity. It is also established that sex hormones at least partially explain sex biases in different diseases, particularly autoimmune diseases in females. These differences are influenced by hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors, and vary throughout life stages. The advent of gender-affirming hormone therapy offers a novel opportunity to study the immunological effects of sex hormones. Despite the limited studies on this topic, available research has revealed that testosterone therapy in transgender men may suppress certain immune functions, such as type I interferon responses, while increasing inflammation markers like TNF-alpha. Transgender women on estrogen therapy also experience alterations in coagulation-related and inflammatory characteristics. Furthermore, other possible alterations in immune regulation can be inferred from the assessment of inflammatory and autoimmune markers in transgender individuals receiving hormone therapy. Understanding the complex interactions between sex hormones and the immune system, particularly through the unique perspective offered by gender-affirming hormone therapies, may facilitate the development of targeted therapies for infections and autoimmune diseases while also improving healthcare outcomes for transgender individuals. Here we review immune dynamics throughout life in both sexes and provide a summary of novel findings drawn from studies exploring gender-affirming hormone therapy