Magnetic resonance imaging study of corpus callosum abnormalities in patients with different subtypes of schizophrenia

Background. Reductions in the size of the corpus callosum (CC) have been described for schizophrenia patients, but little is known about the possible regional differences in schizophrenia subtypes (paranoid, disorganised, undifferentiated, residual).  Methods. We recruited 58 chronically schizophrenic patients with different subtypes, and 31 age-and-gender matched healthy controls. The callosum was extracted from a midsagittal slice from T1 weighted magnetic resonance images, and areas of the total CC, its five subregions, CC length and total brain volume were compared between schizophrenia subtypes and controls. Five subregions were approximately matched to fibre pathways from cortical regions.  Results. Schizophrenia patients had reduced CC total area and length when compared with controls. Disorganised and undifferentiated schizophrenics had a smaller prefrontal area, while there was no significant difference for the paranoid and residual groups. The premotor/supplementary motor area was smaller in all schizophrenia subtypes. The motor area was smaller only in the disorganised group. A smaller sensory area was found in all subtypes except the residual group. Parietal, temporal and occipital areas were smaller in the paranoid and undifferentiated groups. Total brain volume was smaller in all schizophrenia subtypes compared with controls, but did not reach statistical significance.  Conclusion. These findings suggest that the heterogeneity of symptoms may lead to the different CC morphological characteristics in schizophrenia subtypes

Prognostic significance of survivin, β-catenin and p53 expression in urothelial carcinoma

Survivin, β-catenin, and p53 are well-known cell-cycle and apoptosis regulators of tumorigenesis. Urothelial carcinomas (UCs) are the most common of the human cancers. Compared to superficial tumors (Ta, CIS, or T1), invasive UCs are important with regard to recurrence, progression, and mortality. Therefore, we examined whether survivin, β-catenin, and p53 could be used as the biomarkers for the early prediction of the invasiveness of UCs and the overall survival of the patients. We investigated the prognostic expressions of those biomarkers in UC (n=147) and in non-muscle invasive UC (NMI-UC) (n=113), using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. Spearman's correlation analysis and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used for statistical interpretation. High expressions of β-catenin, survivin, and p53 were associated with a high T stage, recurrence, progression, mortality, low recurrence-free survival, low progression-free survival and low overall survival (p < 0.01). Similar findings were achieved for recurrence and progression in the NMI-UC group, except for mortality. Moreover, a positive correlation was shown between p53 and β-catenin and between p53 and survivin (r=0.221, p < 0.01; r=0.236, p < 0.01, respectively). Survivin, p53, and β-catenin overexpression, as prognostic markers, might suggest that the UCs are biologically aggressive with the poor prognosis. Thus, dysregulation of those these cell-cycle and apoptosis regulators in bladder carcinoma could be used as a molecular marker to determine the best treatment strategy and could contribute to the development of targeted therapies

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: As approval of one of many coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines' use for pregnancy is getting closer, vaccine hesitancy may take place in pregnant individuals for this new vaccine. Our study aimed to evaluate vaccine acceptance and factors affecting vaccine acceptance in case of an approved COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant individuals. Material and Methods: Our study was designed as one group, cross-sectional, prospective study. Sample consisted of pregnant individuals who didn't have any chronic illnesses and didn't contract COVID-19 in the last 6 months. In-person style survey was used to collect data about demographics, knowledge about COVID-19 disease and it's effects on pregnant individuals, vaccine acceptance and reasons for acceptance or refusal. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square test and Shapiro-Wilk test of normality using Number Cruncher Statistical System. Results: Among 250 participants, 183 (73.2%) reported they wouldn't accept COVID-19 vaccination if there was a safe and effective vaccine approved for use in pregnancy. Main reasons of refusal were the belief that vaccine hadn't been studied on humans enough or that it might have adverse effectes on baby and/or pregnant individual. Only factor associated with vaccine acceptance was found to be knowing someone who had severe COVID-19 disease (p=0.022). Conclusion: Our study shows that vaccine hesitancy rates may be high among pregnant individuals when a COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use in pregnancy. The main reason for vaccine hesitancy is safety concerns

Alternative test methods for assessing mechanical properties of disposable diapers

It is essential to examine the mechanical properties of disposable diapers that contact the skin and affect the dermatitis of babies and infants. Until now, the KES-F system has been used to determine the mechanical properties of disposable diapers. In this study, alternative methods are used to measure the mechanical properties of disposable diapers. We examined, in both dry and wet conditions, the coefficient of friction (MIU), the mean deviation of coefficient of friction (MMD), and the surface roughness (SMD) obtained from the friction tests, the compressional energy (WC), the compressional resilience (RC), and the linearity of compression curve (LC) obtained from the compression tests, the coefficient of heat transfer (K), and the maximum value of heat flux (q) obtained from the heat transfer tests, and the thickness (T) and the weight (W) obtained from the construction tests. The KES-F system has also been used for compression and friction tests for comparative reason. The contents of leakage performance were tested with wetback, absorption area, absorption capacity and retention capacity tests. After wetting, it appeared that while the MIU, MMD, SMD, and LC values increase, the RC values decrease in both the KES-F system and alternative methods. The results obtained from the KES-F system and the alternative methods demonstrate different characteristics, due to the differences in measurement techniques

Assessment of Lymph Node Tuberculosis in Two Provinces in Turkey

SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to evaluate lymph node tuberculosis (LNT) cases in two provinces in Turkey with different demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. A total of 109 LNT cases were reviewed retrospectively. The cases were analyzed and compared for symptoms, findings, age, vaccination status, and diagnostic procedures. Socioeconomic conditions were also assessed for the two provinces. A palpable cervical node was considered a significant predictor for all LNT. Mediastinal lymph node involvement was found to be common in cases of pulmonary manifestation of LNT. Female patients were predominantly from the Van Province, while older patients were found to be from Izmir Province. LNT should be suspected in lymphadenitis patients of all age-groups especially in young adolescents with cervical lymph node enlargements. In the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, pulmonary tuberculosis should be investigated

Extraction and characterization of novel multifunctional peptides from Trachinus Draco (greater weever) myofibrillar proteins with ACE/DPP4 inhibitory, antioxidant, and metal chelating activities

KOCAZORBAZ, EBRU/0000-0001-5611-5235WOS: 000533989300013PubMed: 32153045Marine organisms represent a great source of natural bioactive molecules, from which bioactive peptides are of great importance in biomedicine application in many diseases such as diabetes and its related complications. in this study, greater weever (Trachinus Draco) myofibrillar proteins were sequentially hydrolyzed and the different RP-HPLC purified fractions were tested for potential inhibitory activities of ACE and DPP4, in addition to metal chelation and antioxidant activities. Four fractions were found to have high levels of activity (with two peptides being multifunctional) and were subsequently sequenced using the de novo sequencing method. the results indicate that the peptides are novel and highly effective for each related activity compared to reference molecules. the current findings suggest these multifunctional peptides as promising therapeutics against oxidative stress, hypertension, and diabetes. Practical applications We have described the finding of two multifunctional bioactive peptides from Trachinus Draco (greater weever) myofibrillar proteins having two or more activities. They have ACE inhibitory, DPP4 inhibitory, antioxidant, and metal chelation activities. These new peptides could be used for future biomedicine applications as a stand-alone treatment, in combination with other molecules, or as a supplement. Furthermore, after identification of their sequence in our work, it would have a great potential to be artificially synthesized. the field of food supplements could be explored further.Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu [Short Term R and D Funding Program (1002), 215Z486] Funding Source: Medlin

Potential role of melastatin-related transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M gene expression in the pathogenesis of urinary bladder cancer

Urinary bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the urinary tract. Ion channels and calcium homeostasis are involved in almost all basic cellular mechanisms. The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M (TRPM) takes its name from the melastatin protein, which is classified as potential tumor suppressor. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous studies in the literature investigating the role of these ion channels in bladder cancer. The present study aimed to determine whether bladder cancer is associated with mRNA expression levels of TRPM ion channel genes, and whether there is the potential to conduct further studies to establish novel treatment modalities. The present study included a total of 47 subjects, of whom 40 were bladder cancer patients and 7 were controls. Following the histopathological evaluation for bladder carcinoma, the mRNA and protein expression of TRPM were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry in tumor and normal tissues, in order to determine whether there is a difference in the expression of these channels in tumor and normal tissues. Immunoreactivity for TRPM2, TRPM4, TRPM7 and TRPM8 was observed in epithelial bladder cells in the two groups. RT-qPCR revealed a significant increase in TRPM7 expression in bladder cancer tissue compared to the controls (healthy bladder tissue), whereas no differences in TRPM2 or TRPM4 expression levels were observed. There were significant reductions in the expression levels of TRPM5 and TRPM8 in bladder cancer tissues. In the present study, the effects of TRP ion channels on the formation of bladder cancer was investigated. This study is instructive for TRPM2, TRPM4, TRPM5, TRPM7 and TRPM8 and their therapeutic role in bladder cancer. The results support the fact that these gens can be novel targets and can also be tested for during the treatment of bladder cancer