A golden ratio for foramen magnum: an anatomical pilot study

Background: The foramen magnum (FM) is an important landmark because of its close relationship to key structures such as the brainstem and spinal cord, an extension of the medulla oblongata. Because of the similarity in their shape, the existence of a relationship between cranial length and anteroposterior diameter of the FM, and between cranial width and transverse diameter of the FM may reveal the magnificent harmony of the skull and FM. Based on this idea, we investigated the existence of this harmony in skulls that we used in our study. Materials and methods: In this study, 60 adult dry skulls belonging to the Turkish population were examined. The anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the foramen magnum and the length and width of the skull were measured. Measurements were made directly on the skull using a digital sliding caliper. New indices and ratios were applied with those measurements. Results: Our study suggests that FM width and FM length could be estimated by using the cranial length and cranial width measurements in the skull by accepting the mean of these coefficients (4.62) as the golden ratio. The average of the coefficients of cranial width to FM width ratio [4.62 ± 0.35 (95% CI: 4.52-4.70)] and the average of the coefficients of cranial length to the FM length ratio [4.62 ± 0.50 (95% CI): 4.49-4.76)] were found to be equal to each other. In order to check the accuracy of this hypothesis, FM width and FM lengths were estimated with the help of new equations. Conclusions: In the present study, the ratio between the anteroposterior and transverse diameters of both FM and the cranium was estimated at 4.62, indicating a magnificent harmony between cranial and subcranial structures. With this ratio, it is easy to estimate FM's size based on simple cranial measurements

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Protein profiles in different strains of aeromonas hydrophila isolated from retail foods [Perakende gi{dotless}dalardan i·zole edilen farkli{dotless} aeromonas hydrophila suşlari{dotless}ni{dotless}n protein profilleri]

In this study, whole cell protein profiles of 20 local strains of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from different foods in Turkey and one reference strain (ATCC 7966) were analyzed by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). It was observed that there was variability among the strains. Molecular weight of proteins were found to be between 21-116 kDa. The protein polypeptide bands from 37.8 to 101.4 kDa were common in both local strains and reference strain of A. hydrophila. The results of this study indicated that there is a genetic similarity between strains of A. hydrophila and reference strain (ATCC 7966). These protein patterns are likely to be beneficial to differentiate between the strains in epidemiological studies

An atypical cause of shoulder pain [Omuz ağrısının atipik bir nedeni]

Shoulder pain is a very frequently encountered clinical situation, and it constitutes 16% of all musculoskeletal system complaints. Various underlying causes that may or may not be associated with the structures of the shoulder joint may lead to serious shoulder pain. Here, in this article, we are presenting an atypical case of shoulder pain. A 52-year-old patient whose sole complaint was shoulder pain and who was subsequently diagnosed with a left subclavian artery aneurysm is presented. The computed tomographic (CT) and CT-angiographic (CTA) examinations are presented in this article. © 2014 by Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The effect of resveratrol on the histologic characteristics of the cochlea in diabetic rats

PubMedID: 30284252Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the cochlea and the potential dose-dependent effects of resveratrol (RSV) against diabetes mellitus (DM) ototoxicity. Study Design: Animal model. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Baseline distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were evaluated. Group I was the control group, group II was made diabetic with single-dose streptozotocin, and groups III and IV were rendered diabetic as group II and administered 10 and 20 mg RSV, respectively, intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. All animals were sacrificed after repeated DPOAE measurement. Apoptosis was investigated using caspase-3, Bax (Bcl-associated X protein), and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) staining. Results: The DPOAE values in the diabetic group were found to be significantly lower compared with the other groups at 5,714 Hz and 8,000 Hz (P .05). The histopathologic investigation using caspase-3, Bax, and TUNEL staining showed that the mean rank of the diabetic group was significantly higher compared with the RSV10, RSV20, and control groups (DM > RSV10 > RSV20 > control) (P <.05). Conclusions: These results imply that RSV administration offered statistically significant protection for the cochleas of rats against diabetes. This protective effect improved histologically with higher doses. Level of Evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 129:E1–E6, 2019. © 2018 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS IN TURKEY

Nowadays, approximation of fossil-based fuel to exhaustion reveals that countries will have difficulty in meeting energy needs in the near future. Renewable energy sources are prognosed as a solution to this problem. Among the renewable energy sources, wind energy, since having many advantages, has a key role in meeting the energy demand. Wind energy recycling systems have very little negative effects to the environment. Therefore, as an alternative to conventional energy cycling systems, wind energy has intensive attention. In this study, effects of wind turbines to the environment such as carbon dioxide emission, noise effect, electromagnetic effect, field usage effect and other effects will be examined in details.WOS:0003028435000392-s2.0-8486013336

Effect of drug desensitization on drug hypersensitivity-related quality of life

PubMed: 331867682-s2.0-85097141217[No abstract available

The effect of very low dose pulsed magnetic waves on cochlea [Efeito de ondas magnéticas pulsadas de dosagem extremamente baixa na cóclea]

PubMedID: 30583943Introduction: In daily life biological systems are usually exposed to magnetic field forces at different intensities and frequencies, either directly or indirectly. Despite negative results, the therapeutic use of the low dose magnetic field has been found in recent studies. The effect of magnetic field forces on cochlear cells is not clear in the literature. Objective: In our study, we first applied in vivo pulsed magnetic fields to laboratory rats to investigate the effects on cochlea with distortion product otoacoustic emission test followed by histopathological examinations. Methods: Twelve rats were included in this study, separated into two groups as study group and control group. The rats in the study group were exposed to 40 Hz pulsed magnetic field for 1 h/day for 30 days; the hearing of the rats was controlled by otoacoustic emission test. Also, their cochleas were removed and histochemical examination was performed by Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and TUNEL methods. Results: A statistically significant difference was determined (p < 0.05) when the hearing thresholds of the groups obtained by using 5714 Hz and 8000 Hz stimuli were compared by Kruskal–Wallis test. A significant reaction was observed in the study group, especially in the outer ciliated cells during immunohistochemical examinations by using Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 methods. A significantly positive difference was determined in the study group, especially at the outer ciliated cells and the support cells of the corti organ, when compared to the control group (p < 0.05) by the TUNEL method. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, the very low dose magnetic field, which is considered to be used for therapeutic purposes recently, can cause both auditory function defects and histopathologic damage in cochlear cells. © 2018 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facia

The effect of resveratrol on the histologic characteristics of the cochlea in diabetic rats

Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the cochlea and the potential dose-dependent effects of resveratrol (RSV) against diabetes mellitus (DM) ototoxicity. Study Design: Animal model. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Baseline distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were evaluated. Group I was the control group, group II was made diabetic with single-dose streptozotocin, and groups III and IV were rendered diabetic as group II and administered 10 and 20 mg RSV, respectively, intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. All animals were sacrificed after repeated DPOAE measurement. Apoptosis was investigated using caspase-3, Bax (Bcl-associated X protein), and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) staining. Results: The DPOAE values in the diabetic group were found to be significantly lower compared with the other groups at 5,714 Hz and 8,000 Hz (P .05). The histopathologic investigation using caspase-3, Bax, and TUNEL staining showed that the mean rank of the diabetic group was significantly higher compared with the RSV10, RSV20, and control groups (DM > RSV10 > RSV20 > control) (P <.05). Conclusions: These results imply that RSV administration offered statistically significant protection for the cochleas of rats against diabetes. This protective effect improved histologically with higher doses. Level of Evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 129:E1–E6, 2019. © 2018 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc