New record for the mollusca fauna of the black sea coast (sinop peninsula) of turkey: white belted shell, Tornus subcarinatus (Montagu, 1803), (Gastropoda, Tornidae)

1503-1507The present study is concerned with one prosobranch gastropod species [Tornus subcarinatus (Montagu, 1803)], obtained during the benthic sampling by surveying at the upper-infralittoral zone (10-20 m.) of the Sinop Peninsula coasts between the years 2010 and 2011. A total of 155 species of marine Gastropoda (Mollusca) are known in the Black Sea coast of Turkey. However, the Prosobranch gastropod Tornus subcarinatus (Montagu, 1803) is recorded for the first time from the central Black Sea of Turkey. Previous records of the species were confined to the southern part of the Turkey, it is occurrence at Turkish coast of the Black Sea extends its distribution range to the Black Sea continued to Turkish coastal waters of Black Sea

Effect of mirabegron on overactive bladder symptoms in patients with myasthenia gravis disease

Aim: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic, bothersome disease that decreases the quality of life and can be treated with antimuscarinic or β(3)-adrenergic agonist drugs, such as mirabegron. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease, in which neurotransmission is blocked by antibodies. Mirabegron is recommended as the first-line medical treatment for OAB compared with antimuscarinic drugs, which have several severe side effects. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of mirabegron in patients with MG and OAB. Methods: A total of 57 MG patients with OAB were included in this study. The participants received 50 mg mirabegron once daily and were followed up for 4 weeks. Subsequently, patients were evaluated using the International Consultation on Incontinence-Short Form and the "Overactive Bladder Symptom Score" (OABSS) and tasked to complete a 3-day micturition diary. Results: According to the 4-week follow-up results, the decrease in the OABSS scores following mirabegron administration was statistically significant (p<0.001). In addition, the frequency of daily micturition, nocturia, and need for a daily pad decreased dramatically (p=0.001, p=0.002, and p<0.001, respectively). In contrast, the average voiding volume increased significantly (p=0.001). Conclusions: Although they induce several side effects, antimuscarinic drugs are commonly used for OAB treatment. However, only a few autoimmune response-inducing drugs, with minimal side effects, are favored in MG comorbidity treatments. Thus, mirabegron is a promising candidate drug for the treatment of this type of comorbidity

Thin Films Prepared from Nanometer Size TiO 2

Absorption of average 10 nm size TiO2 nanoparticles deposited on glass surfaces as a thin film using convective assembly technique and drop-casting is studied in the millimeter wave range from 26 GHz to 40 GHz. The millimeter wave responses of the fabricated samples were obtained using a vector network analyzer. Reflection properties of the prepared samples were also measured. Absorption and reflection of TiO2 nanoparticles were more pronounced between 35 GHz and 40 GHz compared to glass-only sample

3D printing of silver-doped polycaprolactone-poly(propylene succinate) composite scaffolds for skin tissue engineering

Scaffold-based tissue engineering approaches have been commonly used for skin regeneration or wound healings caused by diseases or trauma. For an ideal complete healing process, scaffold structures need to meet the criteria of biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial properties, as well as to provide geometrical necessities for the regeneration of damaged tissue. In this study, design, synthesis and characterization of a three dimensional (3D) printable copolymer based on polycaprolactone-block-poly(1,3-propylene succinate) (PCL-PPSu) including anti-microbial silver particles is presented. 3D printing of PCL-PPSu copolymers provided a lower processing temperature compared to neat PCL, hence, inclusion of temperature-sensitive bioactive reagents into the developed copolymer could be realized. In addition, 3D printed block copolymer showed an enhanced hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation behavior. Cell viability and cytotoxicity of the developed copolymer were evaluated by using human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. The addition of silver nitrate within the polymer matrix resulted in a significant decrease in the adhesion of different types of microorganisms on the scaffold without inducing any cytotoxicity on HDF cells in vitro. The results suggested that 3D printed PCL-PPSu scaffolds containing anti-microbial silver particles could be considered as a promising biomaterial for emerging skin regenerative therapies, in the light of its adaptability to 3D printing technology, low-processing temperature, enhanced degradation behavior and antimicrobial properties.</p

Lithium promotes long-term neurological recovery after spinal cord injury in mice by enhancing neuronal survival, gray and white matter remodeling, and long-distance axonal regeneration

Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces neurological deficits associated with long-term functional impairments. Since the current treatments remain ineffective, novel therapeutic options are needed. Besides its effect on bipolar mood disorder, lithium was reported to have neuroprotective activity in different neurodegenerative conditions, including SCI. In SCI, the effects of lithium on long-term neurological recovery and neuroplasticity have not been assessed. We herein investigated the effects of intraperitoneally administered lithium chloride (LiCl) on motor coordination recovery, electromyography (EMG) responses, histopathological injury and remodeling, and axonal plasticity in mice exposed to spinal cord transection. At a dose of 0.2, but not 2.0 mmol/kg, LiCl enhanced motor coordination and locomotor activity starting at 28 days post-injury (dpi), as assessed by a set of behavioral tests. Following electrical stimulation proximal to the hemitransection, LiCl at 0.2 mmol/kg decreased the latency and increased the amplitude of EMG responses in the denervated hindlimb at 56 dpi. Functional recovery was associated with reduced gray and white matter atrophy rostral and caudal to the hemitransection, increased neuronal survival and reduced astrogliosis in the dorsal and ventral horns caudal to the hemitransection, and increased regeneration of long-distance axons proximal and distal to the lesion site in mice receiving 0.2 mmol/kg, but not 2 mmol/kg LiCl, as assessed by histochemical and immunohistochemical studies combined with anterograde tract tracing. Our results indicate that LiCl induces long-term neurological recovery and neuroplasticity following SCI.TUBA ; Istanbul Medipol University ; Turkish Academy of Science

Evaluation of YouTube Videos Regarding Clean Intermittent Catheterization Application

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) training and education videos on YouTube

Anxiety Levels and Sexual Functions of Patients Performing Clean Intermittent Catheterization

Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is an effective and reliable catheterization method widely used to ensure bladder management. However, pain or discomfort that is commonly seen during catheterization in individuals performing CIC may lead to anxiety and changes in many activities of daily living, particularly in sexual function. The aim of this study was to determine the anxiety levels and sexual functions of patients performing CIC and the relationship between. This descriptive study included a total of 102 patients performing CIC who were followed at a urology outpatient clinic of a state hospital. Data were collected by using Structured Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Female Sexual Function Scale (FSFI) and International Erectile Function Index-5 (IIEF-5). Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistical methods, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient and Regression Analysis. Mood scores (VAS) of the patients were 6.56 +/- 1.52. The mean IIEF-5 score was 8.47 +/- 4.59 in male patients and the mean FSFI score was 17.62 +/- 6.2 in female patients. Erectile dysfunction was found in 73.47% of male patients and sexual dysfunction was present in 64.15% of female patients. The STAI-1 score was found to have a negative moderate correlation with IIEF-5 and FSFI scores (p <= 0.05). Furthermore, evaluation of the factors related to sexual dysfunction showed that smoking, female sex, anxiety level, duration of CIC, mood and wheelchair use increased the probability of developing sexual dysfunction. Determining the anxiety and sexual function levels of individuals performing CIC, prioritizing the factors that may affect sexual function, and using appropriate therapeutic approaches are thought to be able to increase the individual's adaptation and have a positive effect on their sexual lives

Distribution and ecology of prosobranch gastropods (mollusca) in the coastal waters of the north aegean sea (edremit bay-dardanelles)

877-883The highest number of species and individual is at Ayvalik station with a number of 29 species and 773 individuals, and the lowest number of species and specimens was recorded in Altinoluk with a number of 15 and 220, respectively. Yet, Bittium reticulatum is the most common species with 444 number of individuals and Alvania discors, Cerithiopsis pulvis, Clanculus corallinus, Galeodea echinophora, Scripta Mitrella are the least common type of species with a one individual for each one. Ecologies, distributions and seasonal comparisons of species; similarity analyses, physicochemical variables of stations and seasons; and index of diversity were also reported in the present study

Analysis of the YouTube videos on pelvic floor muscle exercise training in terms of their reliability and quality

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the content, reliability and quality of YouTube videos related to pelvic floor muscle exercise training. Method This study was carried out on the descriptive model in order to evaluate the content, reliability and quality of the videos on YouTube related to pelvic floor muscle exercise training. "Pelvic floor muscle exercise" was searched on YouTube in English in March 2020, and a total of 107 videos were watched. Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN) survey was used to analyze the videos in terms of their reliabilities, and Global Quality Score (GQS) was used to evaluate their qualities. Results When the contents of 59 videos included in the study were examined, it was determined that 52 of them contained useful information and 7 of them contained misleading information. Comprehensiveness mean scores, DISCERN mean scores and GQS means of the useful videos were found to be statistically higher than that of the moderate and misleading videos (p < 0.05).When videos were analyzed according to the publishing sources, 84.62% (44/52) of the useful videos and 85.71% (6/7) of misleading video were observed to be published by independent health information websites. No statistically significant difference was found between the overall comprehensiveness mean scores, DISCERN mean scores, GQS means and the features of the videos according to their publishing sources. Conclusion In this study, it was observed that the vast majority of YouTube videos on pelvic floor muscle exercise training were useful videos; the vast majority of these videos were published by independent health information websites and contained moderately safe, accurate and quality information