In-vitro evaluation of dexpanthenol-loaded nanofiber mats for wound healing

Purpose: To prepare a novel dexpanthenol (DEX)-loaded nanofiber mats for wound healing.Methods: A novel bioactive wound dressing formulation with  dexpanthenol was developed by electrospinning method. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), poly (ethylene oxide) and poly (caprolactone) were used as polymers. Morphological features, swelling properties, in-vitro release behavior, and cell viability properties of the formulations were evaluated.Results: Morphological examination of mats confirmed successful formation of the fibers. Swelling of nanofiber mats results was 34.44 ± 1.05, 18.59 ± 2.11, 86.06 ± 3.25 and 44.62 ± 1.75 % for polycaprolactone (PCL), PCL + DEX, poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and PLGA + DEX, respectively, and occurred in a controlled manner. PLGA + DEX formulation has advantage over PCL + DEX and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) + DEX due to controlled in-vitro release of DEX. The highest cell viability was afforded by PLGA+DEX formulation.Conclusion: DEX-loaded PLGA nanofiber formulation may be useful as an alternative wound dressing due its suitable mechanical and biological properties.Keywords: Dexpanthenol, Electrospinning, Wound dressing,  Polycaprolactone, Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid, Poly (ethylene oxide

Stratonikeia Tiyatrosu’na Ait Antik Dönem Harçlarının Yapılan Analizler Işığında Değerlendirilmesi

Antik dönemde İç Karia Bölgesi’nin önemli kentlerinden biri olan Stratonikeia, günümüzde Muğla İli, Yatağan İlçesi, Eskihisar Mahallesi sınırları içinde bulunmaktadır. MÖ 5. yy’ın başlarında bölgenin isminin Idrias olarak geçtiği anlaşılmaktadır. Stratonikeia territoriumu MÖ 268 yılından sonra I. Antiokhos’un son dönemlerinde Seleukosların kontrolüne girmiş ve bölge MÖ 260’lı yıllarda Stratonikeia ismini almıştır. Çalışmamız Hellenistik kentin en önemli yapılarından birisi olan tiyatroda gerçekleştirilmiştir. Tiyatronun cavea kısmı kuzeye bakar şekilde Yunan tiyatrolarında olduğu gibi tamamen doğal yamaca yerleştirilmiştir. Hellenistik Dönemde (MÖ 2. yüzyıl) tek katlı inşa edilmiş olan tiyatronun sahne binası Augustus Döneminde iki kat eklenerek üç katlı yapılmıştır. Stratonikeia Antik Kenti’nde Tiyatro yapısının üç ayrı bölümünden alınan özgün harç numunelerinin spot testler ve iletkenlik ölçümleri, kalsinasyon (kızdırma kaybı), asit kaybı ve elek analizi yapılmış, nokta yükleme dayanımları belirlenmiştir. Yapılan analiz sonuçlarının değerlendirilmesinde, Stratonikeia Tiyatrosu’na ait harçların bağlayıcı/agrega karışım oranları kabaca 1/3 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Mevcut analiz sonuçları doğrultusunda buradaki harç karışım oranlarının Vitruvius’un tavsiye ettiği antik dönem harç ölçüleri ile uyumlu olduğu görülmüştür. Ayrıca suda çözünebilen tuzların varlığı ile iletkenlik ölçümleri ve kızdırma kaybı sonuçlarına bağlı olarak puzolanik harç durumları araştırılmış, nokta yükleme testi sonucu tek eksenli basınç dayanımları belirlenmiştir

Interobserver reproducibility of intracranial anatomy assessment during second trimester sonographic scan

To evaluate the reproducibility of mid-trimester intracranial anatomy assessment. Women undergoing mid-trimester scan (between 18th to 25th gestational weeks) for fetal anatomy assessment were included in the study. Measurements of lateral ventricle (LV), cisterna magna (CM) and transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD) were obtained for reproducibility analyses. Inter-observer reproducibility analysis was made with correlation coefficients. A total of 162 women were included in the analysis while one woman was excluded from the study due to diagnosis of vermian agenesis. Correlation coefficient (CC) of cisterna magna measurements have shown weak to moderate interclass correlation (r=0.28, P=0.001). Measurements of lateral ventricle have shown moderate to strong interclass correlation (r=0.73, P<0.0001). Transverse cerebellar diameter measurements have shown the best interclass correlation (r=0.88, respectively P<0.0001). Mean difference between different observers were-0.4 mm (95% CI:-3.0 to 2.1 mm), 0.7mm (95% CI:-1.0 to 2.5 mm) and 0.53 mm (95% CI:-2.5 to 3.6 mm) for measurements of cerebellum, lateral ventricle and cisterna magna, respectively. When grouped according to BMI (Over 30 kg/m2 and lower than 25 kg/m2) and presentation (cephalic and breech), there were no differences between groups regarding the prevalence of an absolute difference gre ater than 1 mm between paired measurements by different observers. Measurements of TCD, LV and CM during mid-trimester scan have good interobserver reliability with the exception of CM measurements. Methods used for measuring these structures have shown good consistency between different BMI categories and different fetal presentations during ultrasound scans

Different Effects of Myoinositol plus Folic Acid versus Combined Oral Treatment on Androgen Levels in PCOS Women

Recently, myoinositol (myo-ins) and folic acid combination has gained an important role for treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), in addition to combined oral contraceptives (COC). We aimed to examine myo-ins effects on anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and compare them with those ones obtained administering COC. In this prospective study, 137 PCOS patients, diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria and admitted to the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Outpatient Clinic at Dokuz Eylul University (Izmir, Turkey), were included. After randomization to COC (n=60) and myo-ins (n=77) arms, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, Modified Ferriman Gallwey scores were calculated. Biochemical and hormonal analysis were performed, and LH/FSH and Apo B/A1 ratios were calculated. Data analysis was carried out in demographically and clinically matched 106 patients (COC = 54; myo-ins = 52). After 3-month treatment, increase in HDL and decreases in LH and LH/FSH ratio were statistically more significant only in COC group when compared with baseline (in both cases p>0.05). In myo-ins group, fasting glucose, LDL, DHEAS, total cholesterol, and prolactin levels decreased significantly (for all p<0.05). Progesterone and AMH levels, ovarian volume, ovarian antral follicle, and total antral follicle counts lessened significantly in both groups (for all p<0.05). In PCOS treatment, MYO is observed more effective in reductions of total ovarian volume and AMH levels

Enhancement of Cellular Antioxidant-Defence Preserves Diastolic Dysfunction via Regulation of Both Diastolic Zn 2+

We examined whether cellular antioxidant-defence enhancement preserves diastolic dysfunction via regulation of both diastolic intracellular free Zn2+ and Ca2+ levels (Zn2+i and Ca2+i) levels N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) treatment (4 weeks) of diabetic rats preserved altered cellular redox state and also prevented diabetes-induced tissue damage and diastolic dysfunction with marked normalizations in the resting Zn2+i and Ca2+i. The kinetic parameters of transient changes in Zn2+ and Ca2+ under electrical stimulation and the spatiotemporal properties of Zn2+ and Ca2+ sparks in resting cells are found to be normal in the treated diabetic group. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that the NAC treatment also antagonized hyperphosphorylation of cardiac ryanodine receptors (RyR2) and significantly restored depleted protein levels of both RyR2 and calstabin2. Incubation of cardiomyocytes with 10 µM ZnCl2 exerted hyperphosphorylation in RyR2 as well as higher phosphorphorylations in both PKA and CaMKII in a concentration-dependent manner, similar to hyperglycemia. Our present data also showed that a subcellular oxidative stress marker, NF-κB, can be activated if the cells are exposed directly to Zn2+. We thus for the first time report that an enhancement of antioxidant defence in diabetics via directly targeting heart seems to prevent diastolic dysfunction due to modulation of RyR2 macromolecular-complex thereby leading to normalized Ca2+i and Zn2+i in cardiomyocytes

Molecular and Electrophysiological Role of Diabetes-Associated Circulating Inflammatory Factors in Cardiac Arrhythmia Remodeling in a Metabolic-Induced Model of Type 2 Diabetic Rat

Background: Diabetic patients have prolonged cardiac repolarization and higher risk of arrhythmia. Besides, diabetes activates the innate immune system, resulting in higher levels of plasmatic cytokines, which are described to prolong ventricular repolarization. Methods: We characterize a metabolic model of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with prolonged cardiac repolarization. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on a high-fat diet (45% Kcal from fat) for 6 weeks, and a low dose of streptozotozin intraperitoneally injected at week 2. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured and electrocardiograms of conscious animals were recorded weekly. Plasmatic lipid profile, insulin, cytokines, and arrhythmia susceptibility were determined at the end of the experimental period. Outward K+ currents and action potentials were recorded in isolated ventricular myocytes by patch-clamp. Results: T2D animals showed insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and elevated levels of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, TNFα, and IL-1b. They also developed bradycardia and prolonged QTc-interval duration that resulted in increased susceptibility to severe ventricular tachycardia under cardiac challenge. Action potential duration (APD) was prolonged in control cardiomyocytes incubated 24 h with plasma isolated from diabetic rats. However, adding TNFα and IL-1b receptor blockers to the serum of diabetic animals prevented the increased APD. Conclusions: The elevation of the circulating levels of TNFα and IL-1b are responsible for impaired ventricular repolarization and higher susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmia in our metabolic model of T2D.This work was supported by grants from the Gobierno Vasco PIBA2018-58 and GIC18/150 and MICINN PID2020-118814RB-I00. JZ-A is a predoctoral Fellow of the UPV/EHU and had a STSM from the EU COST Action CA16225

Cantrell pentalojisi

Cantrel pentalojisi nadir görülen bir sendromdur. Gelişen teknoloji ile birlikte son yıllarda erken haftalarda tanı konabilmektedir. Tanı konulan hastalarda gebeliğin sonlandırılması önerilmekte ve bir çok hastada terminasyon uygulanmaktadır. Ancak nadiren de olsa aile terminasyon seçeneğini kabul etmediğinden dolayı terme ulaşan fetuslar görülmektedir. Bizim vakamız da terme kadar ulaşan ve doğum esnasında kaybedilen bir Cantrel pentalojisi vakasıdı

Altered mitochondrial metabolism in the insulin-resistant heart.

Obesity-induced insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus can ultimately result in various complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy. In this case, cardiac dysfunction is characterized by metabolic disturbances such as impaired glucose oxidation and an increased reliance on fatty acid (FA) oxidation. Mitochondrial dysfunction has often been associated with the altered metabolic function in the diabetic heart, and may result from FA-induced lipotoxicity and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. In this review, we address the metabolic changes in the diabetic heart, focusing on the loss of metabolic flexibility and cardiac mitochondrial function. We consider the alterations observed in mitochondrial substrate utilization, bioenergetics and dynamics, and highlight new areas of research which may improve our understanding of the cause and effect of cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes. Finally, we explore how lifestyle (nutrition and exercise) and pharmacological interventions can prevent and treat metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes.COST Action MitoEAGL

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery