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The effect of the HMGB1/RAGE/TLR4/NF-?B signalling pathway in patients with idiopathic epilepsy and its relationship with toxoplasmosis
Get PDFThis study aims to investigate the relationship between toxoplasmosis and this pathway, which may be effective in the formation of epilepsy by acting through the HMGB1/RAGE/TLR4/NF-kappa B signalling pathway in patients with idiopathic epilepsy. In the study, four different experimental groups were formed by selecting Toxoplasma gondii IgG positive and negative patients with idiopathic epilepsy and healthy controls. Experimental groups were as follows: Group 1: Epilepsy+/Toxo- (E+, T-) (n = 10), Group 2: Epilepsy-/Toxo- (E-, T-) (n = 10), Group 3: Epilepsy-/Toxo+ (E-, T+) (n = 10), Group 4: Epilepsy+/Toxo+ (E+, T+) (n = 10). HMGB1, RAGE, TLR4, TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, IRAK1, IRAK2, IKBKB, IKBKG, BCL3, IL1 beta, IL10, 1 L8 and TNF alpha mRNA expression levels in the HMGB/RAGE/TLR4/NF-kappa B signalling pathway were determined by quantitative simultaneous PCR (qRT-PCR) after collecting blood samples from all patients in the groups. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA followed by LSD post-hoc tests, and p < 0.05 was considered to denote statistical significance. The gene expression levels of HMGB1, TLR4, IL10, IL1B, IL8, and TLR2 were significantly higher in the G1 group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In the G3 group, RAGE and BCL3 gene expression levels were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In the G4 group, however, IRAK2, IKBKB, and IKBKG gene expression levels were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). HMGB1, TLR4, IRAK2, IKBKB, IL10, IL1B, IL1B, and IL8 in this signalling pathway are highly expressed in epilepsy patients in G1 and seizures occur with the stimulation of excitatory mechanisms by acting through this pathway. The signalling pathway in epilepsy may be activated by HMGB1, TLR4, and TLR2, which are considered to increase the level of proinflammatory cytokines. In T. gondii, this pathway is activated by RAGE and BCL3.Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu [317S052]Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu, Grant/Award Number: 317S05
The investigation of the molecular changes during lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation on rat hippocampus by using FTIR spectroscopy
Get PDFThe aim of this study is to reveal the molecular changes accompanying the neuronal hyper-excitability during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation on rat hippocampus using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. For this aim, the body temperature of Wistar albino rats administered LPS or saline was recorded by radiotelemetry. The animals were decapitated when their body temperature began to decrease by 0.5 degrees C after LPS treatment and the hippocampi of them were examined by FTIR spectroscopy. The results indicated that systemic inflammation caused lipid peroxidation, an increase in the amounts of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, a decrease in membrane order, an increase in membrane dynamics and changes in the secondary structure of proteins. Principal component analysis successfully separated control and LPS-treated groups. In conclusion, significant structural, compositional and functional alterations occur in the hippocampus during systemic inflammation and these changes may have specific characteristics which can lead to neuronal hyper-excitability.The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)No Statement Availabl
Effective speed control of brushless DC motor using cascade 1PDf-PI controller tuned by snake optimizer
Get PDFThis paper introduces a cascade one proportional derivative incorporating filter (1PDf)-proportional integral (PI) controller abbreviated as c-1PDf-PI to deal effectively with the speed control issue of brushless DC (BLDC) motors. Two problems exist with implementing this controller such as iterated integral overflow and derivation-based chattering owing to the noise. The former is resolved by using an equivalent expression for the integral operation, while the latter is addressed by putting a first-order filter on the derivative term. To achieve the best performance from the controller, snake optimizer (SO) is fruitfully employed for optimizing the controller parameters without need for expert knowledge/interpretation. Here, a more reasonable cost function to assess the candidate solutions is also described. Simulations and laboratory experiments using DSP of TI TMS320F28335 are performed and the results are presented which show that the reference tracking performance, torque disturbance capability and robustness of the c-1PDf-PI controller have potential. These results are also contrasted by those offered by PI and 1PDf speed control schemes individually, affirming the superior performance of our proposal. As per the results, discussion and observation of this research, we stress that good performance and simplicity are salient advantages of the c-1PDf-PI controller, rendering it a good alternative over the complicated controller designs.Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Duzce University; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK)Authors thank the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Duzce University for supporting this research work partially by Grant 2022.06.03.1291.Open access funding provided by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK
Electrical fault and reliability analysis of various PV array connection types
Get PDFThe increasing interest in solar energy has led to the development of various connection types designed to enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems under different environmental conditions. Addressing the challenges associated with these connection types is crucial for improving the reliability of solar energy utilization. Accordingly, the significance of electrical faults in PV systems with different array configurations has grown. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate Line-to-Different Line (LDL), Line-to-Line (LL), and Line-to-Neutral (LN) electrical fault types using the Series-Parallel (SP), Total-Cross-Tie (TCT), Bridge- Link (BL), Honey-Comb (HC), SP-TCT, BL-TCT, BL-HC, and HC-TCT PV array connection types on the TMS320F28338 DSP kit based Processor-in-Loop (PIL) platform. To do this, The Reliability Index (RI) and Efficiency Index (EI) are defined and calculated for all possible fault types based on the array's fault current and generated power. Additionally, the current paths of the system under different fault conditions for eight configuration types are formalized. With this, the electrical fault states of a PV array in any dimension can be easily analyzed with the proposed method, and it will also facilitate the electrical fault analysis of a new PV configuration to be proposed in the future. The results of this work indicate that among the eight configurations, the TCT achieves the highest RI value of 3.59 under all electrical fault types. In contrast, the SP configuration has the lowest RI of 1.28. Conversely, the SP array configuration shows a significantly higher average EI of 81.86%, while the TCT configuration has the lowest EI of 56.56%. These indicate that the TCT configuration is the most reliable under electrical faults; however, the SP configuration is the most efficient. In addition, among the three electrical fault types, the LN fault causes more deterioration in the RI and EI across almost all connection types
A novel IIR based FIR filter design technique using a new fitness function determined by distance metrics
Get PDFIn this study, the focus is on the design of a filter that will provide high performance in signal processing applications. The performance of the designed filter has been numerically demonstrated and tested on the ECG signal. The design scheme of the proposed study is shown in Figure A.Purpose: This paper aims to develop a high-performance Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter design method that controls the over-frequency response parameters of the designed filter with a simple and new approach. For this purpose, an optimal FIR filter based on an Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter is designed, taking into account all the parameters of pass and stop band ripples, stop band attenuation, transition bandwidth, and linear phase response, and using the advantages of the better frequency response of the IIR filter. Theory and Methods: The optimal FIR filter was designed using the finite impulse response of the IIR filter, leveraging the advantages of the IIR filter's better frequency response characteristics. The parameters of Butterworth and Chebyshev filters were optimized using Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Algorithms with novel fitness functions by employing various distance metrics. The optimization of IIR filter parameters using a multi-objective fitness function based on distance metrics provided effective results using the total and mean square error of the filter performance error vector.Results: According to the numerical results, the filter designed using the proposed approach achieved more precise signal decomposition compared to other commonly used traditional filters.Conclusion: The performance of the designed low-pass filter was compared with existing literature filters in terms of band stopband ripple, stopband attenuation, and transition band. Based on the numerical results, the proposed approach offers a high-performance alternative to other literature filters, utilizing new ideas with IIR-based design and novel fitness functions that address the drawbacks of both IIR and FIR filters
PRAME and Historical Immunohistochemical Antibodies Ki-67, P16, and HMB-45 in Ambiguous Melanocytic Tumors
Get PDFAmbiguous melanocytic lesions/tumors (AMLs) can be simply described as melanocytic neoplasms that cannot be differentiated as either a melanoma or a nevus. Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is a novel antibody that can help differentiate between nevi and melanomas. However, its usefulness remains controversial in AMLs. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the importance of PRAME and diagnostic auxiliary antibodies (Ki-67, p16, HMB-45) in the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions, especially in AMLs. This study included 52 ambiguous melanocytic lesions, 40 nevi, and 40 melanomas. All immunohistochemical studies were performed automatically using the Universal Alkaline Phosphatase Red Detection Kit. Different analytic approaches were used for each antibody based on the literature. Statistically, the multinomial forward stepwise elimination logistic regression analysis was used to create a statistical model to predict the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions based on clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical data. PRAME positivity was very strong and diffuse in the melanoma group and statistically significantly higher than that of the AML and nevus groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the nevus and AML groups. The Ki-67 proliferation index and HMB-45 staining pattern provided valuable indications for distinguishing between these 3 groups. The P16 antibody was limited in supporting the differential diagnosis. Our statistical model showed that a high mitosis count, central pagetoid spread, and PRAME positivity increased the probability of melanoma against an AML diagnosis. This study showed the advantages of evaluating the PRAME antibody together with morphological features and other immunohistochemical markers (Ki-67 and HMB-45) in the differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions. Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
A randomized prospective comparison of the needleless mini-sling hammock and U-shape configurations for management of stress urinary incontinence: 60-month follow-up results
Get PDFObjectiveTo compare needleless mini-slings placed in a retropubic (U-shape) or trans-obturator (hammock-shape) configuration for treating stress urinary incontinence at 60th month.MethodsAll surgeries, conducted by a senior surgeon, involved objective and subjective assessments preoperatively and at 6, 12, 18, and 60 months postoperatively using cough-stress tests, ICIQ-SF, PGI-I, and a Likert scale.ResultsAfter 60 months, no significant differences were found in cure rates, mesh complications, or reinterventions between U-shaped and hammock-shaped groups. However, a significant decrease in cure rates was observed at 18 and 60 months in both groups. Notable differences in ICIQ-SF, Likert scale, and PGI-I scores were seen in the hammock-shaped group, while the U-shaped group showed differences in ICIQ-SF and PGI-I scores, but not in the Likert scale.ConclusionGiven the lack of significant differences, asserting the superiority of either retropubic (U-shape) or transobturatorly (hammock-shape) needleless mini-slings for treating stress urinary incontinence is challenging
Enhanced Enzyme Inhibitory Effects ofthe Nanohybrid Eggplant Extract: An Unusual Pharmaceutical Form for Medicinal Plant
Get PDFObjective: Recently, biosynthesis/synthesis of nanoflowers has become very attractive for chemical and pharmaceutical sciences, and enhanced enzyme activities. Various plant extracts and their active compounds are effectively used as organic component for novel nanoflowers synthesis. Solanum melongena L., commonly known as eggplant in English, a vegetable and medicinal plant belongs to Solanaceae family has several advantages in materials synthesis due to cheap and obtained easily. The aim of this study is to compare the enzyme ((alpha-glucosidase (AGase), alpha-amylase (AAase), tyrosinase (Tyr), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyryl cholinesterase (BChE)) inhibitory effects of the eggplant' calyx extract and its Solanum-inorganic hybrid nanoflower (Sm-ihNFs) via in vitro experimental Methods: The hybrid nanoflower was formed (NF) with organic molecules, eggplant extract (Sm), and inorganic compounds, copper to enhance the catalytic activities. The inhibition capacities of the eggplant extract, and its hybrid nanoflower were evaluated on selected enzymes (AGase, AAase, Tyr, AChE and BChE) which play significant roles physiologically by in vitro tests in this study. Results: According to inhibition percentages and IC50 values, Sm-ihNFs showed higher inhibitory activities on enzymes other than ache than the plain crude plant extract. Among all the enzymes that were studied, Sm-ihNFs demonstrated significantly higher alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition activities compared to acarbose. And when compared to galantamine hydrobromide Sm-ihNFs showed higher enzyme inhibition and significant IC50 value. Conclusion: It was thought that Sm-ihNFs prepared from eggplant extract may have promising potential for antidiabetic drug formulations in the future. The hybrid nanoflowers will be promising and guide for the future work in terms of pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industry
The effectiveness of HALP score in predicting mortality in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients
Get PDFBackground: The HALP score, measured based on hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet levels, is regarded as a novel scoring system that indicates the status of systemic inflammation and nutritional health. Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between HALP score and prognosis in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. Methods Between 1 January 2020 and 1 January 2022, 568 consecutive patients diagnosed with NSTEMI from a single center were included in the study retrospectively. The patients were divided into two equal groups according to the median HALP cutoff value of 44.05. Patients were followed for at least 1 year from the date of admission. Results The average age of the patients was 62.3 ± 10.6 years and 43.7% were female. In-hospital and 1-year mortality were found to be significantly higher in the group with low HALP scores (6.0 vs. 2.1%, P = 0.019 and 22.5 vs. 9.9%, P < 0.001, respectively). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a cutoff level of 34.6 of the HALP score predicted 1-year mortality with 71% sensitivity and 65% specificity (area under the curve: 0.707, 95% confidence interval: 0.651-0.762, P < 0.001). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, higher mortality rates were observed over time in the group with lower HALP scores (log-rank test=16.767, P < 0.001). In Cox regression analysis, the HALP score was found to be an independent predictor of 1-year mortality (odds ratio: 0.969, 95% confidence interval: 0.958-0.981, P < 0.001). Conclusion We found that a low HALP score could predict in-hospital and 1-year mortality in patients admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of NSTEMI. © Copyright 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Treatment on MPV in OSA
Get PDFObjective: In this study, our objective was to evaluate mean platelet volume (MPV), an indirect marker of platelet activation, in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and assess the effect of OSA treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on MPV. Materials and Methods: In this study, records of consecutive patients who underwent polysomnographic evaluation for OSA symptoms in the Sleep Disorders Laboratory during a one-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who had both complete blood count and MPV measurements were included in the study. Results: A total of 158 patients, including 51 females (32.3%) and 107 males (67.7%), were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 51 +/- 13 (min -18, max -82) years. OSA was detected in 74.1% (117/158) of the patients. It was determined that as the severity of OSA increased, hemoglobin and hematocrit values increased significantly. There was no significant difference in platelet count according to the presence and severity of OSA. The MPV was significantly lower in severe OSA cases compared to those without OSA and mild OSA cases. A negative correlation was observed between MPV and the apnea-hypopnea index, desaturation index, and the amount of oxygen saturation below 90% during sleep. There was no significant difference in median erythrocyte and thrombocyte counts, hematocrit percentage and hemoglobin values before and after treatment in OSA patients who used CPAP therapy. However, a significant decrease in MPV was observed after OSA treatment compared to pre-treatment. (p=0.021). Conclusions: The results of the study do not support an increase in MPV and hence platelet activation in severe OSA patients compared with those without OSA. However, the results suggest that one month of CPAP treatment reduces MPV and thus platelet activation in severe OSA patients. Further controlled, prospective studies including treatment outcomes are needed on this subject