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Bacteridium izmirensis (Gastropoda: Murchisonellidae), Ege Denizi’nden yeni bir tür
No full textSINHA 107 G 066The genus Bacteridium Thiele, 1929 comprises five species known to inhabit the world ocean. However, examination of several specimens collected from İzmir Bay (Aegean Sea) revealed the presence of a further species, which is here described as Bacteridium izmirensis sp. nov. In this study, the new species is examined in detail and compared to the other similar species, with comments on the distinctive features of the new species.Bacteridium Thiele, 1929 genusu dünya okyanusunda yaşadığı bilinen 5 tür içermektedir. Ancak İzmir Körfezi’nden toplanan bazı bireylerin incelenmesi sonucu, Bacteridium izmirensis sp. nov. olarak tanımlanan başka bir türünde olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, yeni tür ayrıntılı olarak incelenmiş ve benzer türler ile karşılaştırma yapılarak, ayırt edici özellikleri hakkında açıklama ve yorumlarda bulunulmuştur
Expert opinion on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of infantile-onset Pompe disease: a Delphi study in Türkiye
No full textBackground/aim: Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency, glycogen storage disease type II, OMIM #606800) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by lysosomal acid-alpha-glucosidase deficiency. The infantile-onset type of the disease is mainly characterized by cardiomegaly, hypotonia, and a high mortality rate. This study aimed to create a national consensus about infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) to raise awareness among clinicians and standardize diagnosis and treatment approaches in T & uuml;rkiye. Materials and methods: The Gazi University Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition developed this expert opinion consensus and expanded it to include metabolism specialists across T & uuml;rkiye. A systematic literature review was performed, and the Delphi method was used to evaluate the results. Results: Seventeen conclusive questions were produced about clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, and 14 reached a consensus. Consensus was reached that general hypotonia is one of the most important findings, and agreement was also achieved on the starting dose of treatment for presymptomatic patients. The contributors agreed that gene therapy is a good treatment option for IOPD in the future. Conclusion: The topics related to this consensus will help physicians in T & uuml;rkiye and elsewhere with high incidence rates of IOPD, especially regarding diagnosis and treatment decisions
Yoga for chronic heart diseases
No full textChronic heart diseases are a global health problem and are the leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic heart disease is a general term that covers health problems that affect the heart. This term is often used interchangeably with the term cardiovascular disease. These diseases are basically a series of health problems that include cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and hypertension, rhythm problems, and congenital heart diseases. Although pharmacological treatments form the basis of the management of these heart diseases, it is stated that lifestyle changes also make a significant positive contribution to the process. Studies in the literature show that heart diseases are closely linked to lifestyle changes and problems such as stress, anxiety, and worry. In the management of stress, which is one of the important consequences of today's living conditions, mindfulness-based stress reduction methods attract attention. One of the mindfulness-based health practices is yoga. Yoga, which is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, is an ancient Indian mind-body technique that aims for the harmonious development of the body and mind. In this respect, yoga includes positive thoughts such as physical and mental well-being, positive thinking, and happiness in human life. It is emphasized that practices such as yoga/meditation help reduce heart disease risk factors such as oxidative stress, psychosocial stress, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and tobacco use. In this chapter, the place of yoga in the management of chronic heart diseases and risk factors was tried to be explained in the light of the existing literature, and its use and effectiveness for chronic heart diseases were tried to be revealed. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Potential application of the encapsulated microalgae biomass as an innovative ingredient in gummy formulation
No full textThe increasing demand for natural product ingredients with health benefits has led to the incorporation of new ingredients into traditional confectionery industry formulations to develop healthier and more nutritious products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential application of three species of encapsulated microalgae, Porphyridium cruentum, Dunaliella salina, and Chlorella vulgaris, in gummy composition. The gummies were produced using five various addition levels of (0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50 g/100 g) each alga. The samples were evaluated on the characteristics of moisture content, water activity (aw), pH, texture (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience), color (L*, a*, b*, chroma, Hue angle), total carotenoid, and chlorophyll contents and color stability under accelerated shelf life conditions (25 degrees C/70% RH). The results showed that the various concentrations of microalgae added to the gummies had a significant effect on moisture content and aw values (p < 0.05). The texture profile analysis showed that except for cohesiveness and chewiness, higher concentrations of microalgae biomass significantly affected the texture profile (p < 0.05). The highest addition of microalgae resulted in increased total carotenoid and chlorophyll contents of gummies. In addition, various microalgae concentrate significantly affected the color parameters of gummy candies, and using higher concentrates decreased the L* value and increased the a* value of the samples. It is concluded that encapsulated microalgae have the potential to be used in gummy formulations to improve nutritional properties.Social Science University of Ankara [TOVAG-219O328]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)This study was funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Project No: TOVAG-219O328
Silybin, silychristin and silydianin are potential novel plant-based Pannexin1 channel inhibitors
No full textPannexin1 (Panx1) channels are crucial for cellular communication, and their abnormal opening is linked to inflammation and cell death. Developing novel inhibitors for these channels represents a promising therapeutic approach. Silymarin, the biologically active mixture derived from Silybum marianum L. Gaertn, and its major bioactive flavonolignans, namely silybin, silychristin, and silydianin, have been identified as potential therapeutics for the treatment of several Panx1 channel-associated diseases. This study investigates the potential inhibitory effects of silymarin and its components on Panx1 channel activity through in vitro and in silico approaches. In vitro testing demonstrated that silybin, silychristin, and silydianin potentially inhibited Panx1 channel-related activity by reducing the extracellular adenosine triphosphate levels without altering the Panx1 protein expression. Additionally, silybin reduced interleukin-1 beta levels and alleviated NLRP3 inflammasomelinked cell death. In silico modelling confirmed the in vitro results by identifying the potential Panx1-binding affinity of these components and their ability to reduce the Panx1 channel pore diameter. Overall, this study provides evidence for the potential Panx1 channel inhibitory properties of silybin, silychristin, and silydianin, and suggests a novel alternative therapeutic mechanism of these compounds based on Panx1 channel inhibition.Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education; TUBITAK; Methusalem program of the Flemish Government-Belgium; University Hospital of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel-BelgiumThis work was supported by a Doctoral scholarship granted by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education (YLSY), the 2219-Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program of TUBITAK, the Methusalem program of the Flemish Government-Belgium, and the University Hospital of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel-Belgium (Scientific Fund Willy Gepts)
Affinity-driven functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles using tryptophan-isatin for potential bio-applications
No full textAimsThis study aims to develop biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized with tryptophan (Trp) and isatin (Isa), two biologically active molecules with known blood-brain barrier permeability and anticancer activity. The primary objective was to evaluate the potential of these functionalized MNPs for glioblastoma therapy.MethodsTrp and Isa were conjugated onto MNPs, and the resulting nanomaterials were characterized using SEM-EDS, FTIR, XPS, and DLS. The U-87 human glioblastoma cell line was used to investigate cellular uptake, cytotoxicity (MTT assay), and radiosensitizing effects. Additional molecular insights were obtained through STRING-based network analysis.ResultsThe synthesized MNPs exhibited spherical morphology with a uniform size of approximately 100-110 nm. No significant cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations up to 10 mu g/mL under standard culture conditions. However, a 70% reduction in cell viability was achieved following radiotherapy when cells were pretreated with Trp-Isa functionalized MNPs. STRING analysis revealed that Trp and Isa are involved in molecular pathways associated with glioblastoma.ConclusionThese findings suggest that Trp and Isa functionalized MNPs hold promise as a targeted and radiosensitizing nanoplatform for glioblastoma treatment. The approach also highlights broader potential for such engineered nanoparticles in the field of nanomedicine
Broad-ranged, highly disjunct, locally rare and severely endangered: the challenging risk assessment and a global conservation strategy for Erica sicula Guss. sensu lato (Ericaceae)
No full textThe distribution range of Erica sicula Guss. sensu lato spans the central and eastern Mediterranean Basin, but shows a significantly fragmented pattern, and its populations are locally subject to multiple threats inducing continuous regression. The species is distributed across five countries, Italy, Libya, Cyprus, Türkiye and Lebanon, and includes two subspecies, subsp. sicula and subsp. bocquetii, currently represented by 31 and 8 stands, respectively. This study provides an updated overview of the distribution, ecology, and conservation status of both subspecies. New distribution data and ecological information were gathered through fieldwork, literature, and herbarium specimens. In Sicily (Italy), unmanned aerial systems and high-resolution digital elevation models were employed to perform a detailed census of the last extant stand, mapping its distribution and calculating its 3D occupation surface. Based on our analyses, Erica sicula is evaluated as Least Concern (LC) at the global level, even though each subspecies and subpopulation are nationally endangered. In fact, 19 locations of E. sicula subsp. sicula were not confirmed recently, and this subspecies should be considered as Critically Endangered (CR) in Italy and Vulnerable (VU) in Lebanon, Cyprus and Türkiye. In Libya, E. sicula subsp. sicula is VU due to severe habitat degradation. E. sicula subsp. bocquetii, formerly known from a few locations in the mountains of SW Anatolia, Türkiye, has been found at lower altitudes in several new locations and is also assessed as VU. Further fieldwork is recommended to better assess the demographic trends of the different subpopulations. Genetic analyses are needed to clarify the taxonomic value of infraspecific taxa previously described and to guide future conservation efforts of the most unique and genetically rich stands, both in-situ and ex-situ. Improving the conservation strategies for taxa like Erica sicula s. l. requires the collaboration of specialists from all involved countries, making it crucial to maintain networks of experts in the Mediterranean. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Yield and Quality Effects of Co-cultivating Barley and Triticale with Legumes in Hydroponic Fodder Production
No full textBackground: The rising demand for sustainable farming practices, especially in regions with constrained land and water resources, has led to the spread of hydroponic systems for green fodder production. Cereals are commonly used in these systems due to their high adaptability, biomass production and ability to meet livestock energy requirements. However, integrating legumes into these cereal-based systems offers potential nutritional benefits, such as increased protein content and improved feed digestibility, which are essential for optimizing livestock productivity. Methods: This study evaluated the effects of co-cultivating barley and triticale with various legumes (common vetch, forage pea, soybean and sunn hemp) on the yield and quality in hydroponic fodder production. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications, involving mixture ratios of 0%, 5%, 10% and 20% legumes. Some parameters were evaluated: vegetation height, forage yield, dry matter, crude protein, crude ash, crude fat, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, metabolizable energy, digestible dry matter, dry matter intake, relative feed quality and some mineral contents (Ca, Mg, K, P). Data were analyzed using ANOVA to determine significant effects of treatments. Result: The inclusion of legumes, particularly at 5% and 10% mixture ratios, significantly improved forage yield and key quality traits, such as crude protein content, digestible dry matter, metabolizable energy and relative feed value. Mixtures containing 10% legumes consistently performed best, balancing yield and quality traits. Both barley- and triticale-based mixtures containing 10% soybean and forage pea demonstrated the most promising results, offering high yields and a favorable nutrient composition. Legume supplementation also increased mineral content while reducing neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, thereby improving overall digestibility. Additionally, triticale was also found to be a suitable substitute for barley in hydroponic systems. These findings suggest that the co-cultivation barley and triticale with legumes can enhance the nutritional composition and productivity of hydroponic fodder, providing a sustainable solution for livestock feed production
3-(1H-pyrazole-1-yl/1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-N-propananilide Derivatives: Design, Synthesis and Neuroprotectivity Potential Against 6-OHDA Induced Neurotoxicity Model
No full textObjectives: Excessive amounts of neuroapoptosis are the underlying cause of neurodegenerative diseases. Bax is a pro-apoptotic member of the B-cell lymphoma-2 family that activates caspases which are the members of the cysteine protease family that play a significant role in the initiation and execution phases of apoptosis. The aim of this study was to design and synthesize a group of N-propananilide derivatives bearing pyrazole or 1,2,4-triazole ring were designed and synthesized to analyze the neuroprotectivity potential against 6-hydroxy-dopamine (6-OHDA). Four compounds possessed protectivity at lower doses were subjected to further studies on caspase-3 and Bax pathway. Materials and Methods: Designed compounds were synthesized by reacting 1H-pyrazole or 1H-1,2,4-triazole with propananilide intermediates in Dimethylformamide. The neuroprotective activity of the title compounds was analyzed against 6-OHDA-6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity model. Then, caspase-3 and Bax levels were determined for the selected compounds by Western blot study. Results: All twelve 3-(1H-pyrazole-1-yl/1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-N-propananilide derivatives possessed neuroprotectivity against the 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity model (p <= 0.05, **p <= 0.001, ***p <= 0.005). Compounds 7, 10, 11, and 12 were found to be more active at lower doses. They were subjected to further studies and the results revealed that their protecting activity arose from the decreasing levels of Bax, one of the pro-apoptotic proteins, Conclusion: All designed and synthesized derivatives possessed neuroprotectivity against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in the SH-SY5Y cell line and compounds 7, 10, 11, and 12 revealed that their neuroprotectivity originated from the decreasing Bax expression levels and caspase-3 activation
Global, regional, and national burden of household air pollution, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
No full textBackground: Despite a substantial reduction in the use of solid fuels for cooking worldwide, exposure to household air pollution (HAP) remains a leading global risk factor, contributing considerably to the burden of disease. We present a comprehensive analysis of spatial patterns and temporal trends in exposure and attributable disease from 1990 to 2021, featuring substantial methodological updates compared with previous iterations of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, including improved exposure estimations accounting for specific fuel types. Methods: We estimated HAP exposure and trends and attributable burden for cataract, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease, lower respiratory infections, tracheal cancer, bronchus cancer, lung cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and causes mediated via adverse reproductive outcomes for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. We first estimated the mean fuel type-specific concentrations (in ?g/m3) of fine particulate matter (PM2·5) pollution to which individuals using solid fuels for cooking were exposed, categorised by fuel type, location, year, age, and sex. Using a systematic review of the epidemiological literature and a newly developed meta-regression tool (meta-regression: Bayesian, regularised, trimmed), we derived disease-specific, non-parametric exposure–response curves to estimate relative risk as a function of PM2·5 concentration. We combined our exposure estimates and relative risks to estimate population attributable fractions and attributable burden for each cause by sex, age, location, and year. Findings: In 2021, 2·67 billion (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 2·63–2·71) people, 33·8% (95% UI 33·2–34·3) of the global population, were exposed to HAP from all sources at a mean concentration of 84·2 ?g/m3. Although these figures show a notable reduction in the percentage of the global population exposed in 1990 (56·7%, 56·4–57·1), in absolute terms, there has been only a decline of 0·35 billion (10%) from the 3·02 billion people exposed to HAP in 1990. In 2021, 111 million (95% UI 75·1–164) global disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were attributable to HAP, accounting for 3·9% (95% UI 2·6–5·7) of all DALYs. The rate of global, HAP-attributable DALYs in 2021 was 1500·3 (95% UI 1028·4–2195·6) age-standardised DALYs per 100 000 population, a decline of 63·8% since 1990, when HAP-attributable DALYs comprised 4147·7 (3101·4–5104·6) age-standardised DALYs per 100 000 population. HAP-attributable burden remained highest in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, with 4044·1 (3103·4–5219·7) and 3213·5 (2165·4–4409·4) age-standardised DALYs per 100 000 population, respectively. The rate of HAP-attributable DALYs was higher for males (1530·5, 1023·4–2263·6) than for females (1318·5, 866·1–1977·2). Approximately one-third of the HAP-attributable burden (518·1, 410·1–641·7) was mediated via short gestation and low birthweight. Decomposition of trends and drivers behind changes in the HAP-attributable burden highlighted that declines in exposures were counteracted by population growth in most regions of the world, especially sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation: Although the burden attributable to HAP has decreased considerably, HAP remains a substantial risk factor, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. Our comprehensive estimates of HAP exposure and attributable burden offer a robust and reliable resource for health policy makers and practitioners to precisely target and tailor health interventions. Given the persistent and substantial impact of HAP in many regions and countries, it is imperative to accelerate efforts to transition under-resourced communities to cleaner household energy sources. Such initiatives are crucial for mitigating health risks and promoting sustainable development, ultimately improving the quality of life and health outcomes for millions of people. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved