Functional Neural Networks Stratify Parkinson’s Disease Patients Across the Spectrum of Cognitive Impairment

Introduction: Cognitive impairment (CI) is a significant non-motor symptoms inParkinson’s disease (PD) that often precedes the emergence of motor symptoms by several years. Patients with PD hypothetically progress from stages without CI (PD-normal cognition [NC]) to stageswithMild CI (PD-MCI) and PDdementia (PDD). CI symptoms in PD are linked to different brain regions and neural pathways, in addition to being the result of dysfunctional subcortical regions. However, it is still unknown how functional dysregulation correlates to progression during the CI. Neuroimaging techniques hold promise in discriminating CI stages of PD and further contribute to the biomarker formation of CI in PD. In this study, we explore disparities in the clinical assessments and resting-state functional connectivity (FC) among three CI stages of PD. Methods: We enrolled 88 patients with PD and 26 healthy controls (HC) for a cross sectional clinical study and performed intra- and inter-network FC analysis in conjunction with comprehensive clinical cognitive assessment. Results: Our findings underscore the significance of several neural networks, namely, the default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network (FPN), dorsal attention network, and visual network (VN) and their inter–intra-network FC in differentiating between PD-MCI and PDD. Additionally, our results showed the importance of sensory motor network, VN,DMN, and salience network (SN) in the discriminating PD-NC from PDD. Finally, in comparison to HC, we found DMN, FPN, VN, and SN as pivotal networks for further differential diagnosis of CI stages of PD. Conclusion:We propose that resting-state networks (RSN) can be a discriminating factor in distinguishing the CI stages of PD and progressing from PD-NC toMCI or PDD. The integration of clinical and neuroimaging data may enhance the early detection of PD in clinical settings and potentially prevent the disease from advancing to more severe stages

Association of serum and follicular fluid leptin and ghrelin levels with in vitro fertilization success

 Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle outcomes, serum and follicular fluid (FF) levels of leptin and ghrelin. Material and methods: Forty-four women who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles (ICSI) were enrolled in the study. On the third day (D3) of the menstrual cycle, venous blood samples were drawn for serum measurements of leptin and ghrelin. The follicular fluid (FF) and the corresponding oocyte were obtained from a single dominant preovulatory follicle at the time of oocyte pick-up. The FF and D3 serum leptin and ghrelin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between pregnancy rate and serum, follicular fluid levels of leptin and ghrelin were analyzed. Results: Of the 44 cases included, nineteen achieved clinical pregnancy (43.18%). Follicular fluid ghrelin levels were significantly lower in the pregnant group than non-pregnant group (p < 0.05) With respect to FF leptin, there was no statistically significant differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant women (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in D3 serum ghrelin between pregnant and non-pregnant groups (p > 0.05). However, D3 serum leptin levels were significantly lower in pregnant women than non-pregnant women (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Lower ghrelin levels in the follicular fluid were associated with higher pregnancy rates. Also, D3 serum leptin levels were inversely correlated with clinical pregnancy rates. These findings support the potential role of these molecules on IVF outcomes

THE DETERMINATION OF CHANGES IN MONTHLY MINERAL CONTENTS OF THORNY SALTWORT (NOAEA MUCRONATA SUBSP. MUCRONATA)

WOS: 000465645700008Determining the changes in mineral content of Noaea mucronata plant is significantly important due to the facts that the plant grows in extremely arid and saline areas and appreciably consumed by the grazing sheep. This study was conducted to analyse the mineral content for 7 months during the growing period of Noaea mucronata from April to October in 2015 at 3 (three) replication according to the randomized complete block design. Noaea mucronata plant grows naturally at the wind erosion sites located in Aralik district, Igdir, in Turkey. P (phosphorus), K (potassium), the contents of Ca (calcium), Mg (magnesium), Na (sodium), Cu (copper), Fe (iron), Zn (zinc) and Mn (manganese) were analysed for approximately 3-5 cm of the stem ends (shoot + leaf) of 5 plants in each of 3 blocks, provided 15 plants in total. We observed a significant change in the mineral content of Noaea mucronata subsp. mucronata during the natural growth period. Fe content was the highest element in the summer (July, August and September), Mn content was the highest element in the autumn (September), Mg content was the highest in the spring and autumn (April, August and September), and Cu content was the highest in the spring, summer and autumn (April, July and October) in comparison to the other periods. According to the average of seven months, the contents of P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn were 0.49%, 1.04%, 2.50%, 0.47%, 0.15%, 2.00 ppm, 211.95 ppm, 36.60 ppm and 39.90 ppm, respectively. Research results revealed that the contents of P, K, Ca, Na and Zn were high during the spring period (April, May and June)

CHANGES IN SEASONALLY MINERAL CONTENT OF Calligonum polygonoides L. SHRUB AND ITS CAPACITY OF MEETING DAILY MINERAL REQUIREMENTS OF GRAZING SMALL RUMINANT

WOS: 000505981800010Phog (Calligonum polygonoides L.) is widely grown in arid Igdir-Aralik wind erosion site and is an alternative feed source for grazing small ruminant (sheep and goat) in terms of its yield and quality. However, there are no studies on the mineral content during the plant's active growth period. Our aim is to determine the macro and micro mineral contents during plant's development and to check whether it meets with the daily mineral requirements of small ruminant. The research was carried out in a protected-area in 2016 and 2017. Samples were taken from 20 selected shrub clusters for 7 months (April-October) at the 15th of each month. Results showed that mineral contents (except copper, zinc and manganese) differs as to months and phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese contents ranged between 0.33-0.63% 1.45-2.03% 1.32-1.81%, 0.65-0.99% 0.20-0.30%, 99.73-190.43 ppm, 2.00-2.67 ppm, 24.77-31.83 ppm and 34.16-45.56 ppm, respectively. According to these findings, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, iron, zinc and manganese contents of plant can sufficiently meet the daily requirements of small ruminant while copper content is not enough for the daily requirement. On the other hand, magnesium content was detected to be higher than the recommended level

ANNUAL EVALUATION OF NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF SALSOLA RUTHENICA EVALUATED AS A POTENTIAL FEED SOURCE IN ARID-PASTURE AREAS

WOS: 000487347700015Halophyte species, which can maintain their greenness, productive power and high nutritional values under extreme conditions, may relieve the nutrition problem experienced especially during summer, autumn and winter seasons; and they may even close the gap in feed amounts. In this respect, Salsola ruthenica, which grows in arid-pastures in the northeast of Turkey, is observed to be an important feed source in the nutrition of especially small ruminants. The objective of this study was to contribute the determination of appropriate grazing time for achieving higher animal performance and to reveal whether it meets the daily nutritional requirements of small ruminants by determining the potential nutritional value of S. ruthenica throughout a year. Research was carried out by design a randomized trial plots with three replications on a protected 5 da pasture. Samples were collected at the 15th of each month throughout the year (between May 2015 and April 2016) and analysed for the contents of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, dry matter digestibility, digestible energy, metabolize energy and relative feed value (RFV). The results showed that the nutritional composition significantly varied throughout the year, and that maturation process has a decreasing effect on nutrient contents. S. ruthenica has a CP of 9.75% and a RFV of 82.01 during autumn, which were similar to the values obtained from the cultured feed plants, whereas S.ruthenica have a 23.93% of CP and a 273.88 of RFV at the end of spring and a 15.85% of CP and a 167.58 of RFV during the summer, showing a significantly higher nutritional value than that of the cultured feed plants. These results suggested that S. ruthenica can sufficiently meet the daily nutrient requirements of grazing small ruminats through out the grazing periods starting from the spring to the autumn in arid regions, and that S.ruthenica is a good alternative source of fodder during winters when properly mixed with protein-rich feed supplements

THE EFFECT OF SOILS HAVING DIFFERENT SALT CONTENT ON MINERAL ACCUMULATIONS OF SOME FORAGE LEGUME SPECIES

WOS: 000375826700008Determining the mineral contents and cultivation potentials of forage species with different degrees of salt tolerance in soil having different chemical properties and salt contents can provide information about the fodder quality of forage species and the importance about animal feed. In the evaluation of saline soils, growing of salt tolerant or resistant plants is recently a widespread implementation. For this purpose, this study was planned to determine the effect of salinity stress on macro (P, K, Ca, Mg and Na) and micro (B, Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn) mineral accumulations of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa Lam.) species cultivated under non-saline soil (0.43 EC dS m(-1)) and saline soils (9.80 EC dS m(-1)) and to reveal whether or not the existing forage is adequate for mineral requirements of ruminants. Research was conducted in randomized blocks design with three replications on the Igdir Plain, located in eastern Turkey, between the years of 2011-2013. The mineral concentrations of the fodders were detected by ICP-OES. As a result of the study, significant differences were found among species in respect of the other minerals examined except for K and Na, and L.corniculatus was identified to be the richest species in terms of mineral content. Mineral compositions of the plants differed significantly among the year, and generally significant increases were recorded in mineral contents of the plants in years following the establishment year. In terms of soil types, only K, B, Mn and Cu contents were found statistically significant. The results of this study showed that soil salinity had no significant effect on especially the macro mineral contents of the plants. Besides, it was revealed that forage species cultivated in both soil types are an important mineral source (except for K) for ruminants.Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [110O259]; TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK)This research was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey with Project No. 110O259. The authors thank TUBITAK for it's funding

Effects of different nitrogen doses on thymoquinone and fatty acid composition in seed oil of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

Black cumin, Nigella sativa L. belonging to Ranunculaceae, is a valuable medicinal plant because of the curative effects of seed and oil. Despite studies on black cumin, there are few studies on the effects of nitrogen on fatty acid composition, no records on thymoquinone yield, and the thymoquinone content of the seed oil. In this study, the effects of different nitrogen doses on the seed oil yield, thymoquinone ratio/yield, and fatty acid compositions were investigated. Field studies with nitrogen doses (0, 40, 60, 80, and 100 kg/ha) were studied using the randomized plot design. As a result of the research, nitrogen doses significantly affected the oil and thymoquinone yields while insignificant on the thymoquinone ratio. The highest oil yield with 501.6 kg/ha was obtained from 80 kg/ha of the nitrogen doses, while the highest thymoquinone yield with 10.24 kg/ha was obtained from the control plots. Thymoquinone yields were in the same statistical group with other nitrogen doses, except for means of 100 kg/ha nitrogen doses. Linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids were major fatty acids of black cumin, and their variations were insignificant in nitrogen applications. The values of butyric, capric, and linolenic acids varied significantly in different nitrogen doses. As a result of the study, it was determined that the highest oil yield was obtained from 80 kg/ha nitrogen application. It has been determined that nitrogen doses above 60-80 kg/ha should be avoided for the seed oil and thymoquinone yields in black cumin

A Case of Autoimmune Hepatitis and Thyroiditis Associated with Sjögren's Syndrome

Abstract Sjögren's Syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder with unknown cause and usually secondary to other autoimmune connective tissue disorders. Associations with extra-glandular organ involvements have previously been reported. Herein, we report a patient with autoimmune hepatitis and thyroiditis associated with Sjögren's Syndrome presenting with iron deficiency anemia

Functional neural networks stratify Parkinson's disease patients across the spectrum of cognitive impairment

Abstract Introduction Cognitive impairment (CI) is a significant non‐motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) that often precedes the emergence of motor symptoms by several years. Patients with PD hypothetically progress from stages without CI (PD‐normal cognition [NC]) to stages with Mild CI (PD‐MCI) and PD dementia (PDD). CI symptoms in PD are linked to different brain regions and neural pathways, in addition to being the result of dysfunctional subcortical regions. However, it is still unknown how functional dysregulation correlates to progression during the CI. Neuroimaging techniques hold promise in discriminating CI stages of PD and further contribute to the biomarker formation of CI in PD. In this study, we explore disparities in the clinical assessments and resting‐state functional connectivity (FC) among three CI stages of PD. Methods We enrolled 88 patients with PD and 26 healthy controls (HC) for a cross sectional clinical study and performed intra‐ and inter‐network FC analysis in conjunction with comprehensive clinical cognitive assessment. Results Our findings underscore the significance of several neural networks, namely, the default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network (FPN), dorsal attention network, and visual network (VN) and their inter–intra‐network FC in differentiating between PD‐MCI and PDD. Additionally, our results showed the importance of sensory motor network, VN, DMN, and salience network (SN) in the discriminating PD‐NC from PDD. Finally, in comparison to HC, we found DMN, FPN, VN, and SN as pivotal networks for further differential diagnosis of CI stages of PD. Conclusion We propose that resting‐state networks (RSN) can be a discriminating factor in distinguishing the CI stages of PD and progressing from PD‐NC to MCI or PDD. The integration of clinical and neuroimaging data may enhance the early detection of PD in clinical settings and potentially prevent the disease from advancing to more severe stages