Natural plant revegetation on reclaimed coal mine landscapes in Agacli-Istanbul

In this study, natural vegetation development was compared on one abandoned open coal mine spoil and three reclaimed coal mine areas with umbrella pine-Pinus pinea L., maritime pine-Pinus pinaster Ait. and leguminous black locust-Robinia pseudoacacia L. in Agacli-Istanbul. Soil data of these sample areas were determined in previous studies. These properties demonstrate physically and nutritionally poor conditions and some rehabilitative effects after tree species were introduced. The plant species composition and total coverage for each species (vertical projection onto the ground) was estimated visually and recorded on each sample plot. Naturally revegetated plant species, species composition, Shannon-Wiener diversity index values, species richness, evenness, total abundance and their coverabundance scales were evaluated by comparing each other. Generally, the best-represented species belong to Rosaceae in all investigated plots. Shannon diversity index and its components give the different results among sample plots. However, higher values were found on reclaimed sites. Highest Shannon diversity index (H') was found on the sample area reclaimed with maritime pine. Plant species richness (S) was highest under umbrella pine and plant species evenness (J') was highest on black locust sample plot. Despite the sample area reclaimed, black locust has the more fertile soil conditions, it has only the highest plant species evenness (J') value among areas.Key words: Coal mine, plant composition, reclamation, revegetation, species richness, species diversit

Bi-allelic variants in SPATA5L1 lead to intellectual disability, spastic-dystonic cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and hearing loss

Spermatogenesis-associated 5 like 1 (SPATA5L1) represents an orphan gene encoding a protein of unknown function. We report 28 bi-allelic variants in SPATA5L1 associated with sensorineural hearing loss in 47 individuals from 28 (26 unrelated) families. In addition, 25/47 affected individuals (53%) presented with microcephaly, developmental delay/intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and/or epilepsy. Modeling indicated damaging effect of variants on the protein, largely via destabilizing effects on protein domains. Brain imaging revealed diminished cerebral volume, thin corpus callosum, and periventricular leukomalacia, and quantitative volumetry demonstrated significantly diminished white matter volumes in several individuals. Immunofluorescent imaging in rat hippocampal neurons revealed localization of Spata5l1 in neuronal and glial cell nuclei and more prominent expression in neurons. In the rodent inner ear, Spata5l1 is expressed in the neurosensory hair cells and inner ear supporting cells. Transcriptomic analysis performed with fibroblasts from affected individuals was able to distinguish affected from controls by principal components. Analysis of differentially expressed genes and networks suggested a role for SPATA5L1 in cell surface adhesion receptor function, intracellular focal adhesions, and DNA replication and mitosis. Collectively, our results indicate that bi-allelic SPATA5L1 variants lead to a human disease characterized by sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) with or without a nonprogressive mixed neurodevelopmental phenotype

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Serum Chitotriosidase Activity in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Aim: Inflammation is a critical participant in mediating all stages of cardiovascular disease. Studies related with chitotriosidase that was recently found to be relevant to arterial inflammation. In this study we evaluated activity of serum chitotriosidase in acute coronary syndrome patients and its relationship with cardiovascular events, cardiac enzymes and inflammatory indicators.Methods: We prospectively analyzed consecutive 30 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 30 patients with non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 30 patients with unstable angina pectroris who were admitted to our intensive care unit and 30 healthy people (average age 56.86 +/- 10.44 years, 81 male) between Jaunary and June 2010. Details of baseline clinical characteristics, biochemical values, receiving treatment and basal ECG findings were recorded. Data of patients with coronary angiography were evaluated.Results: Cut off value of chitotriosidase was calculated 82.00 mmol.ml-1.h-1, with 83 percent sensitivity and 72 percent spesificity. The activity of chitotriosidase in acute coronary syndrome group was 88.85 +/- 23.08 mmol.ml-1.h-1, where as the control group was 68.47 +/- 28.44 mmol.ml-1.h-1, respectively p=0.001). The highest activity of chitotriosidase (96.11 +/- 19.77 mmol.ml-1.h-1) was found in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction group and the minimal activity of chitotriosidase was in the control group (68.47 +/- 28.44 mmol.ml-1.h-1) (p=0.001). The activity of chitotriosidase in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction groups were significantly higher than control group (p=0.001 and p=0.045). When acute coronary syndrome groups compared to control; a positive correlation was found between chitotriosidase activity and hs-CRP (r =0.21, p=0.046), troponin T (r=0.25, p=0.016), creatine kinase-MB (r=0.20, p=0.059).Conclusion: The activity of chitotriosidase is increased in acute coronary syndrome patients. Chitotriosidase is higher in ST-segment elevation myocardial infaction group than non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris group