Exogenous ascorbic acid improves defence responses of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) exposed to multiple stresses

Ascorbic acid is an important antioxidant that plays role both on growth and development and also stress response of the plant. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ascorbate on physiological and biochemical changes of sunflower that was exposed to multiple stresses. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents decreased and glutathione, ascorbate and malondialdehyde contents as well as antioxidant enzyme activities increased for sunflower plant that was exposed to 50 mM NaCl and pendimethalin at different concentrations. These changes were found to be more significant in groups simultaneously exposed to both stress factors. While malondialdehyde content decreased, chlorophyll, carotenoid, ascorbate, glutathione contents and antioxidant enzyme activities increased in plants treated exogenously with ascorbate, compared to the untreated samples. According to the findings of our study; compared to individual stress, the effect of stress is more pronounced in sunflower exposed to multiple stresses, and treatment with exogenous ascorbate reduces the negative effects of stress

Effects of cochlear implantation on auditory temporal processing in single-sided deafness: a report of two cases

Abstract Background Individuals with single-sided deafness have difficulty understanding speech in noise and determining sound direction in their daily lives. Cochlear implantation, a globally accepted rehabilitation method, has recently become used in Turkey in patients with single-sided deafness. In this study, the effects of cochlear implants on auditory temporal processing skills, speech-in-noise perception performance, tinnitus, and subjective benefit were reported in two patients with single-sided deafness. Case presentation The cochlear implant was applied to two children with single-sided deafness with and without inner ear malformation. Speech in noise score, gaps in noise test, duration, and frequency pattern test were used. Also, cochlear implant benefits and the presence of tinnitus were questioned by questionnaires. Speech-in-noise perception performance and auditory temporal processing skills improved in the postoperative period compared to the preoperative period. It was also observed that although the cochlear implant improved the quality of life, motivation for device use decreased in the first 6 months of the postoperative period. Conclusions Cochlear implantation in individuals with single-sided deafness with and without inner ear malformation is useful in increasing auditory temporal processing skills and understanding speech in noise ability. In addition, cochlear implantation is a useful method to improve quality of life, especially regarding spatial perception, and it did not cause tinnitus in our patients. Selecting an implant model that enables data logging provides an advantage in determining the motivation to use the implants

An investigation of the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism in patients admitted to the emergency department because of synthetic cannabinoid use

Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) enzyme has a role in the inactivation of catecholamine neurotransmitters. Functional polymorphism in the COMT gene has been reported to play an important role in schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, aggressive and antisocial behavior, suicide attempts and the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the Vall58Met polymorphism of the COMT gene on substance use, and treatment history in patients with synthetic cannabinoid (SC) intoxication. The COMT enzyme Val158Met polymorphisms from DNA of 49 patients who were evaluated in the Emergency Department after SC use and 50 healthy control groups aged 18-45 years, were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses as reported in the literature. Information regarding recurrent intake or hospitalization due to substance use was obtained from hospital records. Wild-type (WT) genotypes in 14 (28.6%) patients, heterozygous genotypes in 25 (51.0%) and homozygous genotypes in 10 (20.4%) patients were detected. Wild-type genotypes The homozygous genotype was found to be significantly higher in patients hospitalized due to drug addiction and substance use (p 0.008). The Vall58 Met polymorphism of the COMT gene was not found to be significant in the first use after substance intake, while a significant relationship was found in terms of this polymorphism in patients with substance addiction diagnosis and treatment history

Investigation of the Presence of Biofilms in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media, Nonsuppurative Otitis Media, and Chronic Otitis Media with Cholesteatoma by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Objective. Biofilms have been shown to play a major role in the pathogenesis of otolaryngologic infections. However, very limited studies have been undertaken to demonstrate the presence of biofilms in tissues from patients with chronic otitis media (COM) with or without cholesteatoma. Our objective is to study the presence of biofilms in humans with chronic suppurative and nonsuppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma. Study Design. In all, 102 tissue specimens (middle ear, mastoid tissue, and ossicle samples) were collected during surgery from 34 patients. Methods. The samples were processed for the investigation of biofilms by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results. Our research supports the hypothesis in which biofilms are involved in chronic suppurative otitis media, cholesteatoma, and, to a lesser degree, chronic nonsuppurative otitis media. There were higher rates in hypertrophic and granulated tissue samples than in normal mucosa. In addition, the presence of biofilms was significantly higher in the middle ear mucosa compared with the mastoid and ossicle samples. Conclusion. In the clinic, the careful use of topical or systemic antimicrobials is essential, and, during surgery, hypertrophic tissue must be carefully removed from normal tissue

Evaluation of hearing with pure-tone audiometry in alopecia areata patients

WOS: 000463183800004Background and Design: We aimed to evaluate whether alopecia areata (AA) patients had hearing loss with pure-tone audiometry. Materials and Methods: In the study, 48 patients with AA and 39 healthy volunteers were induded. All the patients were examined by the otorhinolaryngologist and audiometric examinations were performed using a pure-tone audiometer. Pure-tone thresholds for both ears were evaluated at frequencies of 250-8000 Hz for air conduction. Results: Sensorineural hypoacusis was found in 18.8% of AA patients and 10.3% of control subjects. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.422). The pure-tone average for the right ear and the left ear in AA patients was 10.89 +/- 5.45 and 10.50 +/- 5.98, respectively. In control subjects, it was 10.25 +/- 3.43 for the right ear and 10.23 +/- 5.46 for the left ear. Pure-tone averages for both ears in AA patients were higher than controls; but the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.829 and p=0.526, respectively). When we compared hearing thresholds for both ear for frequencies, there were not any significant differences between AA patients and controls (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was no difference in terms of hearing loss between AA patients and healthy controls

"Snodgraft" Technique for the Treatment of Primary Distal Hypospadias: Pushing the Envelope

Purpose: "Snodgraft" modification has been proposed to reduce the risk of meatal/neourethral stenosis in distal hypospadias. We applied the Snodgraft technique by using inner preputial graft in primary distal hypospadias repair

Investigation of possible neuroprotective effects of some plant extracts on brain in bile duct ligated rats

This study aimed to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of bitter melon (BM), chard, and parsley extracts on oxidative damage that may occur in the brain of rats with bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced biliary cirrhosis. It was observed that lipid peroxidation (LPO), sialic acid (SA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels increased; glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT) activity, and tissue factor (TF) activity decreased significantly in the BDL group. However, in groups with BDL given BM, chard, and parsley extracts LPO, SA, NO levels decreased; GSH levels and CAT activities increased significantly. No significant differences were observed between groups in total protein, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and boron. Histological findings were supported by the biochemical results. BM, chard, and parsley extracts were effective in the regression of oxidant damage caused by cirrhosis in the brain tissues. Practical applications Bitter melon (BM), chard, and parsley have antioxidant properties due to their bioactive compounds which are involved in scavenging free radicals, suppressing their production, and stimulating the production of endogenous antioxidant compounds. Since BM, chard, and parsley extracts were found to be effective in the regression of oxidant damage caused by cirrhosis in the brain tissues, these plant extracts may be an alternative in the development of different treatment approaches against brain damage in cirrhosis. At the same time, these species have been used as food by the people for many years. Therefore, they can be used safely as neuroprotective agents in treatment

The Helios (Hacettepe University Electronic Research Forms) Registry: Use Of Biologic Drugs In Autoinflammatory Diseases

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SNPs of miR-23b, miR-107 and HMGA2 and their Relations with the Response to Medical Treatment in Acromegaly Patients

Introduction Acromegaly is a chronic disease of increased growth hormone (GH) secretion and elevated insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels induced by a pituitary adenoma. HMGA2 (high mobility group A2) and AIP (aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein) expression levels are related to GH-secreting adenomas, and also a response to Somatostatin Analogs (SSAs). We studied SNPs in miR-107 and miR-23b that related with AIP and HMGA2 genes respectively and control their expression, and also SNP in the 3'UTR of HMGA2 gene. Our aim was to investigate genotype distributions of the studied SNPs, as well as the possible relationship between disease and/or response to SSAs treatment in patients with acromegaly