The Conservation of VIT1-Dependent Iron Distribution in Seeds

One third of people suffer from anemia, with iron (Fe) deficiency being the most common reason. The human diet includes seeds of staple crops, which contain Fe that is poorly bioavailable. One reason for low bioavailability is that these seeds store Fe in cellular compartments that also contain antinutrients, such as phytate. Thus, several studies have focused on decreasing phytate concentrations. In theory, as an alternative approach, Fe reserves might be directed to cellular compartments that are free of phytate, such as plastids. However, it is not known if seed plastid can represent a major Fe storage compartment in nature. To discover distinct types of Fe storage in nature, we investigated metal localizations in the seeds of more than twenty species using histochemical or X-ray based techniques. Results showed that in Rosids, the largest clade of eudicots, Fe reserves were primarily confined to the embryo of the seeds. Furthermore, inside the embryos, Fe accumulated specifically in the endodermal cell layer, a well-known feature that is mediated by VACUOLAR IRON TRANSPORTER1 (VIT1) in model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In rice, Fe enrichment is lost around the provasculature in the mutants of VIT1 orthologs. Finally, in Carica papaya, Fe accumulated in numerous organelles resembling plastids; however, these organelles accumulated reserve proteins but not ferritin, failing to prove to be plastids. By investigating Fe distribution in distinct plant lineages, this study failed to discover distinct Fe storage patterns that can be useful for biofortification. However, it revealed Fe enrichment is widely conserved in the endodermal cell layer in a VIT1-dependent manner in the plant kingdom

A Comparison of the Effects of Extraction and Nonextraction Orthodontic Treatments on Cephalometric Parameters and Arch Widths

Objectives: To compare the effects of two different treatment approaches on cephalometric measurements and arch widths. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study evaluated pre- and post-treatment cephalometric radiograms and dental models of 45 patients with Class I malocclusions and moderate-severe dental tooth size arch length discrepancies that underwent extraction or nonextraction treatment between 2015 and 2020. Group I (n=22 [9 female, 13 male]; mean age, 18.0 ± 1.68 years) was treated with the Damon Q bracket system and Group II (n=23 [11 female, 12 male]; mean age, 17.9 ± 1.34 years) was treated with the conventional MBT bracket system. Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalometric radiograms were obtained and arch widths were measured for each subject. Paired samples t-test was used to evaluate the treatment changes within each group. To compare the changes between groups, independent samples t-test was performed. Results: No significant change was detected in the sagittal and vertical skeletal parameters in both groups (p>0.05). The upper and lower incisors proclined significantly in Group I (p<0.01) and the mandibular incisors retroclined significantly in Group II (p<0.05). The lips protruded significantly and the upper lip thickness decreased significantly in Group I (p<0.01), whereas no significant difference was observed in Group II (p>0.05). All the transversal dimensions increased significantly in Group I (p<0.01), while only the intermolar distance decreased significantly in Group II (p<0.01). Conclusions: Both treatment methods provided significantly different outcomes with regard to soft tissue parameters and arch widths

The relationship between second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratios and problematic and pathological Internet use among Turkish university students

The ratio of the second and fourth fingers (2D:4D ratio) is a sexually dimorphic trait, with men tending to have lower values than women. This ratio has been related to prenatal testosterone concentrations and addictive behaviors including problematic video-gaming. We aimed to investigate the possible association between 2D:4D ratios and Internet addiction and whether such a relationship would be independent of impulsivity. Methods A total of 652 university students (369 women, 283 men), aged 17–27 years, were enrolled in the study. Problematic and pathological Internet use (PPIU) was assessed using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). The participants also completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (version 11; BIS-11) and had their 2D:4D ratios measured. Results 2D:4D ratios were not significantly different in women with PPIU and in those with adaptive Internet use (AIU). Men with PPIU exhibited lower 2D:4D ratios on both hands when compared with those with AIU. Correlation analysis revealed that 2D:4D ratios on both hands were negatively correlated with IAT scores among men, but not among women. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age, duration of weekly Internet use, impulsiveness, and 2D:4D ratios on the right hand were independently associated with IAT scores among men, and impulsivity did not mediate the relationship between 2D:4D ratios and PPIU. Conclusions For men, 2D:4D ratios on the right hand were inversely correlated with Internet addiction severity even after controlling for individual differences in impulsivity. These findings suggest that high prenatal testosterone levels may contribute to the occurrence of PPIU among men

Recent Advances in Health Biotechnology During Pandemic

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in 2019, cut the epoch that will make profound fluctuates in the history of the world in social, economic, and scientific fields. Urgent needs in public health have brought with them innovative approaches, including diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. To exceed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various scientific authorities in the world have procreated advances in real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based diagnostic tests, rapid diagnostic kits, the development of vaccines for immunization, and the purposing pharmaceuticals for treatment. Diagnosis, treatment, and immunization approaches put for- ward by scientific communities are cross-fed from the accrued knowledge of multidisciplinary sciences in health biotechnology. So much so that the pandemic, urgently prioritized in the world, is not only viral infections but also has been the pulsion in the development of novel approaches in many fields such as diagnosis, treatment, translational medicine, virology, mi- crobiology, immunology, functional nano- and bio-materials, bioinformatics, molecular biol- ogy, genetics, tissue engineering, biomedical devices, and artificial intelligence technologies. In this review, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of various scientific areas of health biotechnology are discussed

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) metodu aracılığı ile kültür (Cicer arietinum L.) ile yabani nohut (C. reticulatum) populasyonlarında danede Fe, Zn, Ca, Mn, Mg ve besin değeri bileşenleri ile ilişkili DNA markörlerinin saptanması

Nohut, insan gıda maddesi olarak kullanılan, ekonomik değeri yüksek önemli baklagillerden biridir. Zengin içeriği sayesinde yüzyıllardır insan beslenmesinde önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. Demir (Fe), çinko (Zn), kalsiyum (Ca), magnezyum (Mg), mangan (Mn) besin elementleri ile protein, lutein, C vitamini, glukoz, fruktoz, sakkaroz gibi besin değeri bileşenleri insan sağlığı açısından son derece önemlidir ve eksikliklerinde birçok sağlık sorunları ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, kültür (Cicer arietinum L.) ve yabani (Cicer reticulatum) nohut populasyonlarında danede besin elementleri ve besin değeri bileşenleriyle ilişkili DNA markörlerinin tespit edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada 73'ü kültür 107'si yabani olmak üzere 180 genotip ve Genotyping by Sequencing Metodu'ndan elde edilen 121,840 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markörü kullanılmıştır. STRUCTURE programında populasyon yapısı belirlenmiş ve 180 genotip kendi aralarında 2 (K=2) ana gruba ayrılmıştır. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) ve Neighbour Joining (NJ) agaç analizleri ile STRUCTURE analizi sonuçları doğrulanmıştır. TASSEL (Trait Analysis by Association, Evolution and Linkage) programında Karışık Lineer Model (Mixed Lineer Model, MLM) metodu kullanılmış, 11 fenotipik özellik ile ilişkili toplam 154 SNP önemki derecede ilişkili SNP markörü saptanmıştır. Çalışmadan elde edilen bu markörler bu besin elementi ve değerlerince zengin nohutların geliştirilmesinde kullanılabilecektir.Chickpea, is the one of the most economically important legumes used for as food for human beings. Due to its rich content, it has taken an important place in human nutrition for centuries. Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) elements and protein, lutein, vitamin C, glucose, fructose, saccharose nutritional value components are vital in terms of human health and many health problems arise in their deficiencies. In this study, the main goal was to detect DNA markers which are associated with seed nutritional elements and nutritional value components in cultivated (Cicer arietinum L.) and wild (Cicer reticulatum) chickpea populations. In this study, 180 genotypes consisting of 73 cultivated and 107 wild type were used and genotyped using 121,840 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers. Population structure was identified in STRUCTURE software and 180 genotypes divided into 2 (K=2) groups. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Neighbour Joining (NJ) tree analysis confirmed STRUCTURE results. A total 154 significantly associated SNPs related to 11 phenotypic traits were identified in TASSEL (Trait Analysis by Association, Evolution and Linkage) software by Mixed Lineer Model (MLM) method. The markers detected in this study can be used for improvement of nutrient rich chickpea genotypes

Ankilozan Spondilitli Hastalarda Anti-Tnf Tedavisi Ile Eş Zamanlı Başlatılan Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı'nın Hastalığın Semptomları Üzerine Etkilerinin Araştırılması

This study was planned to investigate the efficacy of the Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach (Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı-BETY), which was started simultaneously with anti-TNF therapy, on the symptoms of the disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Patients were divided into two groups; patients with only receiving anti-TNF treatment and patients with receiving BETY training along with anti-TNF therapy. Cervical rotation, lateral lumbar flexion and tragus-wall distance measurements was used to evaluate spinal mobility. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index was used to evaluate the functional status, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index was used to identify disease activity of the patients. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to determine each level of pain during rest, pain during movement and fatigue. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale was used to assess sleep quality, and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression levels of the patients. The cognitive levels of the patients were assessed by the BETY Scale and the daily living activities were evaluated by the Health Assessment Questionnaire. The quality of life of the patients was assessed by the Short Form-36. Group 1 (n=12) was followed by anti-TNF therapy and BETY training while group 2 (n=36) was followed by anti-TNF therapy only. Patients in group 1 participated in BETY training for one hour, 3 days a week for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, all measurements were repeated for both groups. Significant improvement was observed in all parameters in both groups (p<0.05). BETY, which was started simultaneously with anti-TNF therapy, showed additional improvements in spinal mobility, disease activity, functionality, pain, cognitive function, sleep and quality of life compared to anti-TNF therapy alone (p<0.05). As a result of the study, BETY training was presented to the literature as a safe exercise model due to its synergistic effects when applied with anti-TNF therapy in active AS patients. Increasing the number of patients and investigating long-term follow-up results will increase the value of the study.Bu çalışmada Ankilozan Spondilit (AS) tanısı alan hastalarda anti-TNF tedavi ile eş zamanlı başlatılan Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı'nın (BETY) hastalığın semptomları üzerine etkinliğinin araştırılması amaçlandı. Hastalar yalnız anti-TNF tedavi alanlar ve anti-TNF tedavi ile beraber BETY eğitimi alanlar olmak üzere iki gruba ayrıldı. Spinal mobilite; servikal rotasyon, lateral lumbal fleksiyon ve tragus-duvar mesafesi ölçümleri ile kaydedildi. Hastalık aktivitesi için Bath Ankilozan Spondilit Hastalık Aktivitesi İndeksi, fonksiyonel seviyenin belirlenmesi için Bath Ankilozan Spondilit Fonksiyonel İndeksi, istirahat ağrısı, hareket ağrısı ve yorgunluk için Vizüel Analog Skalası, uyku kalitesi için Pittsburgh Uyku Kalitesi Ölçeği, anksiyete ve depresyon seviyeleri için Hastane Anksiyete Depresyon Skalası, yaşam kalitesi için Kısa Form-36 kullanıldı. Hastaların bilişsel seviyeleri Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı ölçeğiyle ve günlük yaşam aktiviteleri Sağlık Değerlendirme Anketi ile değerlendirildi. Grup 1 (n=12) anti-TNF tedavi ile eş zamanlı olarak BETY eğitimi alırken, grup 2 (n=36) yalnız anti-TNF tedavisi ile takip edildi. Grup 1'deki hastalar 12 hafta boyunca, haftada 3 gün, birer saat BETY eğitimine katıldı. 12 hafta sonunda tüm ölçümler her iki grup için tekrarlandı. Grup içi etkinliğe bakıldığında, her iki grupta da tüm parametrelerde anlamlı iyileşme görüldü (p<0,05). Anti-TNF tedavi ile eş zamanlı başlatılan Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı'nın yalnızca anti-TNF tedavisine göre spinal mobilite, hastalık aktivitesi, fonksiyonellik, ağrı, bilişsel fonksiyon, uyku ve yaşam kalitesinde ek iyileşmeler yarattığı gözlendi (p<0,05). Çalışmanın sonucunda BETY eğitimi, aktif AS'li hastalarda anti-TNF tedavi ile beraber uygulandığında, ilaç etkilerine sinerjistik etkileri nedeniyle güvenli bir egzersiz modeli olarak literatüre sunuldu. Mevcut hasta sayısının artırılması ve uzun dönem takip sonuçlarının araştırılması çalışmanın değerini artıracaktır

Growing concern; the relationship between screen time and behavior problems in digital era

Although the physical and psychological effects of digital screens have been shown in studies, its relationship with the behavior of children is still unclear. When, how, and at what ages screen time is associated with behavioral problems continues to be investigated. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between screen time and behavioral problems. 378 children (preschooler:64, schooler:206, adolescent:108) were included in our study. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, screen and sociodemographic data were filled in by the mothers. An increase in the SDQ score (except for the social score) indicates an increase in behavioral problems. In each group, 75p as high screen time. The median screen time of the preschool, school and adolescent groups was calculated as 3.00hrs.(25p-75p:1.125-5.00), 3.00hrs.(25p-75p:2.00-6.00), 5.00hrs.(25p-75p:3.00-8.00), respectively. The hyperactivity/inattention score of preschoolers who watched screen &le;1hr was significantly lower compared to those with &gt;1hr screen time (p=0.02); In the schooler group, the social score was statistically higher and the scores of the other subscales were lower in those who watch screen &le;2hrs. While high screen time was found to be associated with behavioral problems in school and adolescents, it was found to be associated with less hyperactivity problems in preschool period in regression analysis. It was determined that low-screen time was associated with less hyperactivity in preschool period and more behavioral problems in adolescents. While moderate screen time had a positive effect on behaviors in adolescents in paired analyzes, no effect was observed in multiple regressions. Parental screen time was associated with emotional/behavioral problems of preschool and school age children. Child&apos;s screen time and parental screen time should be evaluated for intervention of behavioral problems. Large-scale studies are needed to compare the effect of low and medium-screen time on children&apos;s well-being. [Med-Science 2023; 12(1.000): 204-10