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Exploring the Potential of Liposomal Delivery of Naringenin and Berberine for Browning Adipose Tissue and Obesity Management
No full textNaringenin (N) and berberine (B) have been shown to enhance energy expenditure by promoting browning in white adipose tissue (WAT), but their free forms have low stability and bioavailability. This study aimed to develop novel biocompatible and biodegradable liposomes to encapsulate N and B, enhancing their stability and bioavailability. We also investigated the effects of these liposomal formulations compared to their free forms on thermogenesis and browning in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. The expression of key proteins (uncoupling protein 1 [UCP1], peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha [PGC-1 alpha], peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma [PPAR gamma]) and genes related to browning and adipogenesis (UCP1, PPAR gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein [C/EBP]beta, PGC-1 alpha, cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor alpha-like effector A [CIDEA], fatty acid-binding protein 4 [FABP4], PR domain containing 16 [PRDM16]) was evaluated following treatment with different dosages of liposomal and free N and B during cell differentiation and maturation. Gene expression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR, and protein levels were measured by ELISA, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. We successfully synthesized biocompatible and biodegradable liposomes. High-dose liposomal N significantly increased UCP1 gene expression (p = 0.035), whereas high-dose liposomal B significantly boosted UCP1 expression (p = 0.002) and reduced triglyceride levels during differentiation (p < 0.001). The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay confirmed that all compounds were safe after 24 h, with some adverse effects observed at 48 h. In conclusion, stable liposomes containing N and B were successfully synthesized. Liposomal N increased UCP1 expression, whereas liposomal B not only increased UCP1 expression but also reduced triglyceride levels during differentiation. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate these findings and explore their potential in treating obesity
Association of Posterior Fossa Morphometric Analyses with Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Parameters in Patients with Chiari Malformation Type 1
No full textObjectives Chiari malformation (CM) is a congenital condition characterized by herniating cerebellar tonsils (HCTs) into the spinal canal. Although mostly managed through posterior decompression surgery, there is a lack of consensus about the need for surgery in asymptomatic patients or those with mild clinical findings. This study aimed to evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow parameters in patients with CM type 1 (CM-1) and compare them with posterior cranial fossa (PCF) morphometric measurements to use these measurements for predicting disease progression. Design Retrospective analysis. Setting Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University Participants: Adult patients ( n = 95; mean age = 40.8 +/- 13.8 years; 76 females) diagnosed with CM-1 between January 2017 and October 2018. Main Outcome Measures Symptoms at presentation, CSF flow score, PCF morphometric measurements-measured using brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Results Coughing headache, presence of additional pathology (syringomyelia), PCF volume and height, Boogard's angle, foramen magnum surface area, HCT length, and HCT surface area (HCTSA) were significant factors affecting CSF flow. Further, multivariate regression analysis revealed that the HCT length and HCTSA, the presence of additional pathology, and Boogard's angle were independent predictors of CSF flow scores. Conclusion The morphometric measures, HCT length, HCTSA, and Boogard's angle, and the presence of additional pathology are important predictive factors for reduced CSF flow at the craniovertebral junction in patients with CM-1. These factors can help clinicians predict the disease's clinical progression and plan surgical treatment
Layer-specific input to medial prefrontal cortex is linked to stress susceptibility
No full textStress response is essential for adapting to an ever-changing environment. However, the mechanisms that render some individuals susceptible to stress are poorly understood. While chronic stress is known to induce dendritic atrophy and spine loss in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), its impact on synapses made by long-range projections terminating on the mPFC remains unknown. Here, we labeled synapses on male mouse mPFC dendrites formed by ventral hippocampus (VH), basolateral amygdala (BLA) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) long-range afferents using different-colored eGRASP constructs. We obtained multispectral 3D-images of the mPFC covering all cortical laminae, and automatically segmented the dendrites and synapses. In layer II/III, the relative abundances and spatial organizations of VH-mPFC and BLA-mPFC synapses changed similarly in stress resilient (SR) and stress susceptible (SS) mice when compared to stress na & iuml;ve (SN) mice. In layers Vb and VI, on the other hand, the percentage of BLA-mPFC synapses increased and that of VH-mPFC decreased only in SS mice. Moreover, the distances of VH synapses to their corresponding closest BLA synapses decreased and the distances of BLA synapses to their corresponding closest VH synapses increased in the SS group. Consistently, the percentage of single dendritic segments receiving input from multiple brain regions increased in the SS group, suggesting that long-range synaptic inputs to deep layers of mPFC were disorganized in SS mice. Our findings demonstrate afferent- and lamina-specific differential reorganization of synapses between different stress phenotypes, suggesting specific roles for different long-range projections in mediating the stress response
Comparison of the efficacy of the Schroth method and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique in adolescent idiopathic Scoliosis: a randomized controlled, single-blinded study
No full textBackground: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the Schroth and PNF exercise methods concerning the Cobb angle, trunk rotation angle, quality of life, and aesthetic trunk deformity in adolescents diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: This study employed a randomized, single-blind, 1:1 parallel-group design, involving a total of 67 adolescent patients. Participants were randomly allocated to either the Schroth group or the PNF group. Both groups participated in supervised exercise training sessions three times a week over a six-month period. Baseline and post-treatment assessments were conducted by the same researcher, who remained blinded to group allocations throughout the study. Statistical analysis was conducted using a mixed model for repeated measures ANOVA for each outcome measure. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the groups in terms of the Cobb angle, trunk rotation angle (ATR), Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) scores, and Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS) parameters (p < .001). The mean change scores indicated a statistically greater improvement in favor of the Schroth group across all parameters compared to the PNF group. Statistically significant changes were observed for all parameters within groups (p < .05). Conclusions: The study compared the principles of the Schroth and PNF methods, demonstrating that the Schroth method achieved more favorable outcomes than PNF in the conservative management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This trial is registered with NCT05227638
Bibliometric Analysis of Turkey-Affiliated International Publications in Pediatric Dentistry Using RStudio Package: A Cross-Sectional Research
No full textReliability and validity of the community balance and mobility scale in individuals with multiple sclerosis
No full textAims This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Methods A total of 65 PwMS (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) <= 5.5) were included in the study. Test-retest, internal consistency (item-total score correlation, Cronbach's alpha coefficient) intra-rater, and inter-rater reliability were investigated for the reliability of the CB&M. For intra-rater and inter-rater reliability, CB&M measurements of 34 PwMS were videotaped. The validity of the CB&M was assessed through criterion (predictive and concurrent validity) and construct validity. Construct validity was evaluated using hypothesis testing which included examining correlations with EDSS, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Results Test-retest reliability demonstrated a good to excellent correlation (ICC = 0.995, p < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha was 0.971 (p < 0.001). Intra-rater (ICC = 0.993, p < 0.001) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.986, p < 0.001) of the CB&M were also good to excellent. Cohen's kappa range values of the scale vary between 0.958 - 0.665, and the percentage agreement varies between 97% and 75%. For the convergent validity of CB&M, strong correlations were observed with EDSS (r=-0.831, p < 0.001), TUG (r=-0.854, p < 0.001), and DGI (r = 0.865, p < 0.001). Additionally, the CB&M demonstrated an excellent correlation with the BBS (r = 0.907, p < 0.001). The scale exhibited no floor-ceiling effect. Conclusion CB&M is a reliable and valid tool for assessing balance and mobility in PwMS and offers significant advantages for evaluating balance in PwMS, as it provides comprehensive information about the balance and mobility requirements essential for community living
Medical applications of Cerenkov radiation and nanomedicine: an overview
No full textCerenkov radiation, first proposed by Pavel Cerenkov in the early 1900s, is the blue-weighted light produced by charged particles moving faster than the speed of light in a dielectric medium. Cerenkov radiation, which uses positron- and electron-emitting radionuclides commonly used in nuclear medicine applications, was investigated for medical imaging in the early 2000s, years after its initial discovery. It could reach clinical trials in optical imaging fields such as endoscopy, image-guided surgery, and tumor detection. In addition, it has been shown to have notable potential as an in situ light source to overcome the limitations of photodynamic therapy. However, as limited tissue penetration of the blue-weighted light of Cerenkov radiation remains a problem for both, nanoparticles have come to the fore to tackle this problem. This review aims to provide information on the application of Cerenkov radiation generated from radionuclides in imaging and therapy and the role of nanoparticles in these applications
Çocuğun Sosyal Dünyasına Açılan Kapı: Davranış İnhibisyonunu Etkileyen Biyolojik, Bağlanma ve Ebeveynlik Faktörlerinin Nedensel İncelenmesi
No full textInterwoven Lives: Exploring Social Cohesion of Afghans in Türkiye
No full textSocial cohesion is crucial for societal harmony, influencing both individual well-being and community development. This descriptive phenomenological study explores the social cohesion experiences of Afghan refugees in Karaman, T & uuml;rkiye. In-depth interviews were conducted face-to-face with 26 Afghan adults using a snowball sampling method. Thematic analysis was performed via MAXQDA, following an inductive approach. Our study finds that Afghans develop social relationships primarily within themselves, while social bridges involving local people and social links involving institutions are weak. Among non-Turkish-speaking Afghans, social bonds are a key mechanism for facilitating interactions with local individuals and institutions. However, prejudices and a lack of mutual trust significantly hinder the development of social bridges, thereby constraining social cohesion. Furthermore, the prevailing perception of Afghan refugees as temporary residents results in the absence of targeted social cohesion policies. Social cohesion policies and practices that can increase social contact, including long-term goals, are essential for improving interactions between refugees and local society and institutions and for the peaceful establishment of social order. Our findings highlight the need for long-term, structured social cohesion policies and interventions to foster sustained engagement among refugees, local communities, and institutions for a stable, integrated society