3036 research outputs found
Sort by
Unraveling the epigenetic puzzle in retinoblastoma
No full textRetinoblastoma is an infrequent neoplasm that arises during childhood from retinal nerve cells and is attributed to the biallelic inactivation of the RB1 gene. In conjunction with anatomical anomalies, it is widely acknowledged that epigenetic modifications play a significant role in the pathogenesis of cancer. The association between methylation of the RB1 gene promoter and tumor formation has been established; however, there is currently no scholarly evidence to substantiate the claim that it is responsible for the inheritance of retinoblastoma. The initial hypothesis posited for this work was that familial retinoblastoma disease would be similarly observed in cases with RB1 promotor gene methylation, akin to RB1 mutations. The RB1 gene promoter region was subjected to methylation screening using real-time PCR in individuals diagnosed with familial retinoblastoma but lacking RB1 mutations. The study involved a comparison of the germline methylation status of the RB1 gene in the peripheral blood samples of 50 retinoblastoma patients and 52 healthy individuals. The healthy individuals were carefully selected to match the retinoblastoma patients in terms of age, sex, and ethnicity. The data obtained from both groups were subjected to statistical analysis. The study revealed that the methylation level in a cohort of 50 individuals diagnosed with retinoblastoma and 52 healthy control participants was determined to be 36.1% and 33.9%, respectively. As a result, there was no statistically significant disparity observed in RB1 promoter methylation between the patient and control groups (p = 0.126). The methylation of the promoter region of the RB1 gene in familial retinoblastoma does not exert any influence on the hereditary transmission of the disease
The Relationship between Injury Risk and Cognitive Function in Adolescent Football Players
No full textThe Relationship between Injury Risk and Cognitive Function in Adolescent Football Player
Nurse, Nurse Manager, and Patient Perspectives, a Mixed-Methods Study
No full textObjectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Compassion Fatigue Resiliency Program applied to oncology-hematology nurses on the professional quality of life and stress levels of nurses, on the satisfaction of cancer patients, and on the perspectives of nurse managers. Data Sources: An experimental embedded mixed-methods design was conducted between December 20, 2022, and February 20, 2023. The study included 15 oncology-hematology nurses, 19 cancer patients, and 6 nurse managers. Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients and pre-tests were applied to patients and nurses. The Compassion Fatigue Resiliency Program was implemented for the nurses. Then qualitative interviews were repeated with the same patients; focus group interviews were conducted with the nurse managers; post-tests were applied to patients and nurses who participated in the training; and narrative feedback was collected. Quantitative data analysis was carried out using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative data were processed using an inductive approach to thematic analysis. Conclusion: Compassion satisfaction decreased after the Compassion Fatigue Resiliency Program. Qualitative results showed that the training program improved nurses' effective communication skills and ability to cope with stress. The program improved nurses’ approach to patients and communication, and patients' care satisfaction levels increased. Implications for Nursing Practice: The Compassion Fatigue Resiliency Program should be included in hospital in-service training programs and implemented and sustained. With this, compassion fatigue of nurses can be reduced or prevented, which will help to avoid the nurse shortages that already existing and increasing. © 2023 Elsevier Inc
Erdheim-Chester disease with chorioretinal and orbital involvement: a case report
No full textA 42-year-old woman presented with bilateral proptosis, chemosis, leg pain, and vision loss. Orbital, chorioretinal, and multi-organ involvement of Erdheim- Chester disease, a rare non-Langerhans histiocytosis, with a negative BRAF mutation was diagnosed based on clinical, radiological, and pathological findings. Interferon-alpha-2a (IFN alpha-2a) was started, and her clinical condition improved. However, 4 months later, she had vision loss with a history of IFN alpha 2a cessation. The same therapy was administered, and her clinical condition improved. The Erdheim-Chester disease is a rare chronic histiocytic proliferative disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach and can be fatal if left untreated because of multisystemic involvements
Combining chemical profiles and biological abilities of different extracts from Tanacetum nitens ( Boiss. & NoE) Grierson using network pharmacology
No full textTanacetum nitens ( Boiss. & No & euml;) Grierson is an aromatic perennial herb used in Turkish traditional medicine to treat headache, fever, and skin diseases. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxic properties of T. nitens aerial parts. Organic solvent extracts were prepared by sequential maceration in hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol while aqueous extracts were obtained by maceration or infusion. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and LC-DAD-MS analysis allowed the identification and quantification of different phytoconstituents including parthenolide, tanacetol B, tatridin B, quinic acid derivatives, beta-sitosterol, and glycoside derivatives of quercetin and luteolin. The type and amount of these phytochemicals recovered by each solvent were variable and significant enough to impact the biological activities of the plant. Methanolic and aqueous extracts displayed the highest scavenging and ions-reducing properties while the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exerted the best total antioxidant activity and metal chelating power. Results of enzyme inhibition activity showed that the hexane, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane extracts had comparable anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and the latter extract revealed the highest anti-butyrylcholinesterase activity. The best alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition activities were obtained from the hexane extract. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect against the prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells. In conclusion, these findings indicated that T. nitens can be a promising source of biomolecules with potential therapeutic applications
Exploring the composition and potential uses of four hops varieties through different extraction techniques
No full textHydrophilic, lipophilic extracts and essential oil of four hops varieties from Slovenia were examined in this study. Lipophilic extracts were obtained by supercritical extraction (SFE), while for hydrophilic extracts ultrasound and microwave extraction were employed. Essential oils were isolated by the hydrodistillation process. The lipophilic composition of essential oils and lipophilic extracts was determined by GC-MS analysis. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were the most abundant class of compounds in oils (62.27-79.65 %), with myrcene being the most abundant constituent. Limonene and trans-caryophyllene were two terpenes determined in all essential oils while only trans-caryophyllene was detected in SFE samples. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity, determined by applying in vitro assays, was more influenced by extraction technique than by varieties. Molecular docking was carried out to gain insight into the potential cancer protein targets BCL-2 and MMP9, whereby humulene epoxide II displayed good binding configuration within the cavities of the two proteins
Characterization of rheological properties as affected by lecithin, guar gum, and olive oil using steady, dynamic, and three interval thixotropy tests
No full textThe objective of this work was to investigate the steady, dynamic mechanical properties, and 3 interval thixotropy test (3 ITT) characterization of emulsion type garlic paste prepared with different concentrations of lecithin, guar gum, and olive oil. A three factor and three level Box Behnken design of response surface methodology was used to specify the physicochemical, steady shear, viscoelastic and deformation and recovery properties (applying 3 ITT) of paste. Garlic paste samples showed non-Newtonian shear thinning behavior and Herchel-Bulkley model was fitted to the data satisfactorily (R-2 > 0.85). Dry matter contents were in the range of 37.13%-41.14% depending on the processing variables. Dynamic mechanical spectrum showed that the garlic paste was weak gel having dominant viscous behavior compared to elastic behavior. Three interval thixrotropy test showed that the samples showed partial recovery after deformation due to the weak gel like character. Optimization showed that the maximum consistency (114.6 Pa s(n)) would be at 2.11 g lecithin, 0.11 g guar gum and 14.96 mL olive oil while the minimum value (49.16 Pa s(n)) would be at 1.02 g lecithin, 0.11 g guar gum, and 5.81 mL olive oil. Overall, the findings of this investigation revealed that the physicochemical and rheological characteristics of garlic paste can be significantly influenced by the concentrations of lecithin, guar gum, and olive oil. It is crucial to carefully select the appropriate concentration levels to achieve the desired quality of garlic paste
Vibrational Genetic Algorithm-Based Deployment of Wireless Sensor Networks With Heterogeneous Nodes in Irregularly Shaped Areas
No full textOver the past few years, there has been a significant emphasis on improving the capabilities of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) by making advancements in communication protocols, energy efficiency, optimal deployment, data analytics, and integration with emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. The deployment of WSN nodes can greatly enhance the effectiveness, scalability, and capability of different systems, resulting in cost reductions, enhanced performance, and improved safety in which the deployment of WSN involves determining the best positioning of sensor nodes to attain maximum coverage and connectivity while minimizing the number of nodes needed. WSNs often face challenges in deploying nodes effectively and Genetic Algorithms (GAs) offer a valuable approach for tackling this problem due to their ability to efficiently search large and complex solution spaces, such as those of complex network design, taking into account various constraints and objectives, which are common characteristics of real-world WSN deployment scenarios. The objective of this study is to use a new method, called the vibrational genetic algorithm, which can be used to optimize the placement of sensor nodes more efficiently. Apart from the other research, it is preferred to use heterogeneous sensor nodes to increase the coverage rate in an irregularly shaped area. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the proposed model offers an effective solution for achieving maximum coverage in application theaters that are more realistic and complex
COVID-19 Phobia in Pregnant Women and its Effect on Vaccination Attitude Gebelerde COVID-19 Fobisi ve Aşı Tutumuna Etkisi
No full textObjective: Coronavirus disease -2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates among pregnant women are lower than the general population. This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 phobia and vaccination attitudes among pregnant women. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted online with 254 pregnant women between May 2022 and December 2022; sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccination data, Coronavirus Phobia Scale, and Anti -vaccine Scale of women with pregnancies older than 12 weeks of gestation were compared. Results: Our study determined that 68.5% of pregnant women received COVID-19 vaccination before pregnancy and 4.7% during pregnancy. It was determined that 30% of pregnant women did not know about COVID-19 vaccines. It was determined that there was a significant positive correlation between COVID-19 phobia and anti -vaccination levels. COVID-19 phobia was higher in pregnant women with children and low economic income. It was determined that women who had never been vaccinated had higher levels of anti -vaccination. Conclusion: Lack of information, having children, low economic income, the belief that the vaccine will have adverse side effects on the pregnant woman and her baby, and COVID-19 phobia were associated with low vaccination rates in pregnant women. These factors should be considered to raise public awareness and increase vaccination in pregnant women
Pressure Effect on Thermodynamic Quantities for the Solid-Liquid Phase Transition in n-tridecane, n-hexadecane and n-octadecane
No full textThe pressure effect is investigated regarding the solid - liquid equilibria (SLE) in n-alkanes. Using the Landau phenomenological model, the pressure dependences of the thermodynamic functions are predicted and the phase diagrams are constructed for the solid - liquid transitions in the binary mixtures of n-alkanes. The experimental data from the literature are used for the phase diagrams in the mixtures. Our fits for the phase diagrams are reasonably good. Regarding the cubic dependence of the concentration (T-X, P-X) and the linear dependence of the pressure (P-T) on the temperature, our results show that the n-tridecane is distinguished from the other mixtures due to its lowest freezing temperature (T1=291.08 K) and correspondingly higher concentration (x1=0.1982). It is found that the divergence behaviour of the heat capacity (C) with the critical exponent 1/2 from the extended mean field model is in particular more apparent at the room temperature (293.15 K) at various pressures for the solid - liquid transition. This is accompanied with the pressure dependences of the order parameter, susceptibility, entropy and enthalpy for those mixtures as studied here. © 2024 International Journal of Thermodynamics. All rights reserved