Case Report Bilateral Wallerian Degeneration of the Pontocerebellar Tracts

Wallerian degeneration is the process of progressive demyelination and disintegration of the distal axonal segment following the transection of the axon or damage to the neuron. We report a case of a patient with Wallerian degeneration of the pontocerebellar tracts. She had a history of a pontine infarction 3 months ago. Wallerian degeneration of pontocerebellar tracts is seen bilaterally and symmetrically and is more visible in the middle cerebellar peduncles. Along the middle cerebellar peduncles hyperintense signal was detected on T2 weighted images. Wallerian degeneration of pontocerebellar tracts is a rare entity. It can occur bilaterally after a large pontine infarction. Magnetic resonance imaging seems to be the most effective technique for detection of Wallerian degeneration. In this report we want to mention this rare entity and to prevent wrong diagnosis

Bilateral Wallerian Degeneration of the Pontocerebellar Tracts

Wallerian degeneration is the process of progressive demyelination and disintegration of the distal axonal segment following the transection of the axon or damage to the neuron. We report a case of a patient with Wallerian degeneration of the pontocerebellar tracts. She had a history of a pontine infarction 3 months ago. Wallerian degeneration of pontocerebellar tracts is seen bilaterally and symmetrically and is more visible in the middle cerebellar peduncles. Along the middle cerebellar peduncles hyperintense signal was detected on T2 weighted images. Wallerian degeneration of pontocerebellar tracts is a rare entity. It can occur bilaterally after a large pontine infarction. Magnetic resonance imaging seems to be the most effective technique for detection of Wallerian degeneration. In this report we want to mention this rare entity and to prevent wrong diagnosis

Therapeutic potential of inhibiting ABCE1 and eRF3 genes via siRNA strategy using chitosan nanoparticles in breast cancer cells

ASIK, MEHMET/0000-0001-9154-2697; asik, Mehmet/0000-0001-9154-2697; Bayram, Cem/0000-0001-8717-4668WOS: 000355129700005In recent years, targeted cancer therapy strategies have begun to take the place of the conventional treatments. Inhibition of the specific genes, involved in cancer progress, via small interfering RNA (siRNA) has become one of the promising therapeutic approaches for cancer therapy. However, due to rapid nuclease degradation and poor cellular uptake of siRNA, a suitable carrier for siRNA penetration inside the cells is required. We used chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) to efficiently deliver ATP-binding casette E1 (ABCE1) and eukaryotic release factor 3 (eRF3)-targeting siRNAs, individually and together, to reduce the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of breast cancer cells. The CS-NPs were generated by ionic gelation method using tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a crosslinker. Nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained with diameters ranging between 110 and 230 nm and the zeta potential of approximately 27 mV optimizing the solution pH to 4.5 and CS/TPP mass ratio to 3: 1. Loading efficiencies of 98.69 % +/- 0.051 and 98.83 % +/- 0.047 were achieved when ABCE1 siRNA and eRF3 siRNA were entrapped into the NPs, respectively. Cell proliferation assay demonstrated that siRNA-loaded CS-NPs were more effective on cancer cells when compared to siRNAs without CS-NPs. Parallel results were also obtained by apoptosis/necrosis, double-staining analysis. Within our study, the potency of ABCE1 and eRF3 siRNAs were shown for the first time with this kind of polymeric delivery system. The results also indicated that ABCE1 and eRF3, important molecules in protein synthesis, could serve as effective targets to inhibit the cancer cells.Hacettepe University, Scientific Research Projects Coordination UnitHacettepe University [011A601003]Our study was financially supported by Hacettepe University, Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Grant number 011A601003)

Transscleral Delivery of Bevacizumab-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles

asik, Mehmet/0000-0001-9154-2697;WOS: 000460555500017PubMed: 30841975Purpose: The aim of this study was to synthesize bevacizumab-loaded nanoparticles and evaluate their effects on the treatment of posterior segment diseases via subtenon injections. Methods: Bevacizumab-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (BLCNs) were synthesized by the ionic gelation method, and their physicochemical characteristics and in vitro release profile were studied. The BLCNs were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM), FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. The BLCNs were delivered into rabbits' eyes via posterior subtenon injections. An immunohistochemical evaluation of the ocular tissues was performed, and the vitreous humor and serum bevacizumab levels were measured by ELISA. Results: Bevacizumab-loaded chitosan nanoparticles with a diameter of 80 to 380 nm were prepared and characterized. In vitro studies showed that after the first 5 days of the experiment, a significant increase in the drug release maintained the desired drug dosage for 3 weeks. Immunohistochemical in vivo studies revealed that there were BLCNs penetrating through the sclera. Furthermore, the intravitreal bevacizumab concentration reached a maximum concentration of 18 mu g/ml, and it decreased to 6 mu g/ml after only a week. Conclusion: The results revealed that subtenon injection of BLCNs is a promising alternative to intravitreal injections. In addition to the ELISA studies, immunohistochemical experiments confirmed that BLCNs enable transscleral bevacizumab penetration, and BLCN usage may provide the required bevacizumab levels for the treatment of posterior segment diseases.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [111 S 292 1002]This research was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) grants 111 S 292 1002 Short Term R&D Funding Program

Investigation of possible associations between tryptophan/kynurenine status and FOXP3 expression in colorectal cancer

Tryptophan metabolism in the tumor microenvironment exerts immunosuppressive effects by affecting the anti-tumor functions of immune cells. The immunosuppressive roles of tryptophan and tryptophan metabolites and their effects on the FOXP3 gene, highly expressed in regulatory T cells (Tregs), are remarkable. Our study aimed to investigate the relation between tryptophan metabolism and the transcription factor FOXP3 gene in colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients with CRC (n = 159) and controls (n = 112) were included in the study. The FOXP3 rs3761548 variant genotyping from the isolated genomic DNA was performed by PCR-RFLP. FOXP3 gene expression was determined by Q-PCR in RNAs isolated from resected tissues at the same time. Serum tryptophan, kynurenine, kynurenic acid levels of the cases were determined by HPLC. In serum samples with CRC, tryptophan level was 14.32 +/- 1.09 mu mol/L, kynurenine level was 1.33 +/- 0.02 mu mol/L, and the kynurenic acid level was 0.01 +/- 0.001 mu mol/L. The level of tryptophan was found to be low in CRC compared to control (p < .001). In cases with CRC, CC genotype (p = .048) and C allele (p = .012) frequency for FOXP3 rs3761548 were higher than the control group. It was found that the expression level of the FOXP3 gene was approximately 44 times higher in the advanced tumor stage (T3 + T4) than in the early tumor stage (T1 + T2) (p = .021). We suggest that there may be a possible relationship among serum TRP, TRP metabolites (KYN, KYNA) levels, FOXP3 gene expression, and FOXP3 gene variants in CRC pathogenesis

Impact of multimedia information on bronchoscopy procedure: is it really helpful?

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of written informed consent and comprehensive multimedia information on the anxiety level of patients, consumption of sedatives, difficulties during bronchoscopy, complications and duration of procedure. Methods: 150 patients undergoing bronchoscopy were included to this study. They were randomized into two groups Multimedia information group (MIG, n = 75) and written-informed consent group (WICG, n = 75)). Signed written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Patients in MIG group watched comprehensive multimedia presentation. State anxiety scores of all patients were evaluated with State and Trait anxiety inventory (STAI-S). Results: STAI-S score of patients in MIG (40.31 ± 8.08) was lower than patients in WICG (44.29 ± 9.62) (P = 0.007). Satisfaction level was higher in MIG (P = 0.001). Statistically higher difficulties during "passage through vocal cords" and "interventions during bronchoscopy" were present in WICG group (P = 0.013 and P = 0.043, respectively). Total midazolam dose during bronchoscopy, and duration of bronchoscopy were statistically lower in MIG patients (P < 0.001 and P = 0.045, respectively). Difficulties during "waiting period", "passage through nasal/oral route", "applications of local anesthesia" and "complication frequency" were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Besides reducing the state anxiety, multimedia information can reduce the dose of sedation, shorten the processing duration and reduce the difficulties during bronchoscopy

Comparison of Four Different Pain Relief Methods during Hysterosalpingography: A Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is the most commonly used method for evaluating the anatomy and patency of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes, and is an important tool in the evaluation of infertility. The most frequent side effect is the pain associated with the procedure

Is there any possibility that selenium and homocysteine play a role in metastatic ability of colorectal tumors?

Introduction: The data suggesting that metabolites and genes of homocysteine may play a role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer are available in the literature. Similarly, selenium (Se) levels and SELENBP1, a member of the selenoprotein family characterized by selenium, have been evaluated for the etiopathology of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we aimed to determine the levels of homocysteine (Hcy), Se, and SELENBP1 gene expression in tumor tissue according to histopathological stages in patients with CRC. Materials and methods: Hcy levels were determined by ELISA, and Se levels were determined by atomic absorption from serum samples isolated from peripheral blood of 56 colorectal cancer cases and 87 healthy controls. The expression of SELENBP1 gene in tumor samples was determined by RT-PCR method. The histopathological evaluations of the patients were evaluated according to the AJCC-8th staging system. Results: Se levels were 67.56 +/- 3.11 ng/mL in colorectal cancer patients and 61.92 +/- 21.26 ng/mL in control group patients (p = 0.078). Serum Hcy levels were 11.34 +/- 1.75 ng/mL in the patient group and 20.87 +/- 4.38 in the control group (p = 0.340). The SELENBP1 fold change was found to be 3.78 +/- 1.95-fold higher in tumor tissues compared to internal control (p = 0.755). Se levels were found to be 1.23 times lower in patients with distant metastasis than in patients without distant metastasis (p = 0.029). Similarly, Hcy level was found to be 1.79 times lower in patients with metastasis than in non-metastatic patients (p = 0.035). Conclusion: Our data suggest that low Se and Hcy levels may play an important role in the histopathological aspects of metastatic ability and CRC

PFP-HOG: Pyramid and Fixed-Size Patch-Based HOG Technique for Automated Brain Abnormality Classification with MRI

Detecting neurological abnormalities such as brain tumors and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images is an important research topic in the literature. Numerous machine learning models have been used to detect brain abnormalities accurately. This study addresses the problem of detecting neurological abnormalities in MRI. The motivation behind this problem lies in the need for accurate and efficient methods to assist neurologists in the diagnosis of these disorders. In addition, many deep learning techniques have been applied to MRI to develop accurate brain abnormality detection models, but these networks have high time complexity. Hence, a novel hand-modeled feature-based learning network is presented to reduce the time complexity and obtain high classification performance. The model proposed in this work uses a new feature generation architecture named pyramid and fixed-size patch (PFP). The main aim of the proposed PFP structure is to attain high classification performance using essential feature extractors with both multilevel and local features. Furthermore, the PFP feature extractor generates low- and high-level features using a handcrafted extractor. To obtain the high discriminative feature extraction ability of the PFP, we have used histogram-oriented gradients (HOG); hence, it is named PFP-HOG. Furthermore, the iterative Chi2 (IChi2) is utilized to choose the clinically significant features. Finally, the k-nearest neighbors (kNN) with tenfold cross-validation is used for automated classification. Four MRI neurological databases (AD dataset, brain tumor dataset 1, brain tumor dataset 2, and merged dataset) have been utilized to develop our model. PFP-HOG and IChi2-based models attained 100%, 94.98%, 98.19%, and 97.80% using the AD dataset, brain tumor dataset1, brain tumor dataset 2, and merged brain MRI dataset, respectively. These findings not only provide an accurate and robust classification of various neurological disorders using MRI but also hold the potential to assist neurologists in validating manual MRI brain abnormality screening