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miR-181a-5p is a potential candidate epigenetic biomarker in multiple sclerosis
No full textMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by demyelination and axonal degeneration. Abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays an important role in MS pathology. In this cohort study, differential expression of the four miRNAs (hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-9-5p, hsa-miR-181a-5p, and hsa-miR-125b-5p) was investigated in 69 individuals, including 39 MS patients (relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), n = 27; secondary progressive MS (SPMS), n = 12) and 30 healthy controls. In silico analyses revealed possible genes and pathways specific to miRNAs. Peripheral blood miRNA expressions were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). hsa-miR-181a-5p was downregulated and associated with increased MS risk (P = 0.012). The other three miRNAs were upregulated and not associated with MS (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) is 0.779. In silico analyses showed that hsa-miR-181a-5p may participate in MS pathology by targeting MAP2K1, CREB1, ATXN1, and ATXN3 genes in inflammation and neurodegeneration pathways. The circulatory hsa-miR-181a-5p can regulate target genes, reversing the mechanisms involved in MS pathologies such as protein uptake and processing, cell proliferation and survival, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Thus, this miRNA could be used as an epigenomic-guided diagnostic tool and for therapeutic purpos
Changes in Tears Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Level after External Dacryocystorhinostomy in Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
No full textBackground: The authors aimed to define tears monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) changes after external dacryocystorhinostomy surgery. Materials and Methods: Tears samples were collected with a Schirmer strip and stored in Eppendorf tubes at -80°C. At the end of the study, the papers were cut into small pieces and incubated with phosphate-buffered saline solution. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels were determined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kit. Results: The MCP-1 levels were 498.66±101.35, 576.40±149.78, 422.53±85.94, and 436.96±81.38 ng/L before surgery, in the first week, the first, and third months after surgery, respectively. Its level significantly increased in the first week compared with the preoperative level (P<0.001). There was a prominent decrease in the postoperative first month (P<0.001). In the third postoperative month, the mean MCP-1 level was not significantly increased compared with the postoperative first month (P=0.196). Conclusion: The tears MCP-1 level was significantly decreased after external dacryocystorhinostomy surgery
Mechanical and microstructural evaluation of solid-state foamed Ti6Al4V-ELI alloy
No full textMetallic materials adopted in biomedical applications play a key role in the replacement of so-called "hard tissues" (the human bone). Titanium (Ti) alloy prostheses are considered the best among all metallic implants due to their mechanical performance, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. In particular, Ti foams are characterized by properties very similar to those of human bone since the typical cell structure obtained by a foaming process is very similar to the microstructure of a trabecular bone. Therefore, foaming processes allow for obtaining less stiff prostheses than those composed of a bulk material, leading to reduced stress shielding. In this work, strictly related to the national project FabriCARE, Ti-6Al-4V-ELI foam-based structures were investigated. Unlike those made of other alloys, Ti foams cannot be obtained directly from the liquid phase due to the excessive reactivity of this material with the environment. Thus, a Ti-based foam structure can be more conveniently produced by the solid-state process, which also allows to conveniently set the specific level of porosity, thus customizing the implant even from this point of view. Ti powders were processed via Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) to obtain billets. Samples were then extracted via EDM from the billets, and then subjected to foaming process at different temperatures exploiting the physical simulator Gleeble system 3180. Foamed samples were properly prepared and subjected to microstructural and mechanical investigations to investigate the level of porosity and their dimensions along with the changes in mechanical properties
Evaluation of the Water Quality of the Ilke Stream According to Biotic Indices Based on Benthic Macroinvertebrates (West Anatolia, Turkey)
No full textAbstract: Benthic macroinvertebrates can provide an integrated picture of environmental changes. Health of freshwaters can be assessed based on measured changes in the ecological structure of benthic macroinvertebrates. During the study period, 33 taxa were determined in Ilke Stream. As a result of principle component analysis (PCA), mainly nine components (T °C, EC, TDS, BOD5, NH4–N, NO2–N, NO3–N, PO4–P and CI–) account for 92% of the total variance among the water quality parameters. As a result of the UPGMA analysis, the highest similarity value was observed between the 1th and 2nd sampling points. SI, BMWP, ASPT and BBI indices were more proper than FBI index to determine the water quality of Ilke Stream. The results indicate that these indices should be adapted based on the ecological, geomorphological and environmental features of the regions
Asitretin’in over rezervi üzerine etkisi: Sıçanlarda deneysel bir çalışma
No full textBackground and Design: Acitretin is widely used on many dermatological diseases. No adequate studies have evaluated its effects on ovarian reserve. Thus, this expo m mental study aimed to investigate the possible effects of acitretin on ovarian reserve by examining ovarian follicle counts and serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) values.
Materials and Methods: This study randomly distributed 31 female Wistar albino rats into 3 groups including one control group (group 1) and two equal experimental groups. Acitretin was given at doses of 0 mg/kg/day (group 1, n-11), 1 mg/kg/day (group 2, n-10), and 5 mg/ kg/day (group 3, n-10) for 4 weeks. All the rats in three groups were kept drug-free for 4 weeks before being sacrificed. The blood samples and both ovarian tissues were obtained from the rats. Serum values of AMH were assessed and the number of ovarian follicles was counted by histopathological examination.
Results: The AMH levels were lower in both acitretin groups (groups 2 and 3) than group 1. However, no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of AMI i values (p=0.338). Primordial, secondary, tertiary, and total follicle numbers in group 3 were statistically lower than that of groups 1 and 2. The number of primary follicles in group 1 was statistically higher than that of groups 2 and 3. Additionally, the number of secondary follicles in group 2 was statistically higher than that of group 1.
Conclusion: This study showed that ovarian reserve can be affected by acitretin treatment. Particularly, high doses of acitretin may reduce ovarian reserve. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to clarify the effect of acitretin on ovarian reserve
Impact of implementing a price-based demand response program on the system reliability in security-constrained unit commitment problem coupled with wind farms in the presence of contingencies
No full textLarge scale penetration of highly intermittent wind energy sources has caused new challenges to the reliable operation of power systems. To address these challenges, demand response program is considered as an efficient solution to manage shift-able loads. In this paper, the impact of demand response on power system reliability has been evaluated by developing a two-stage stochastic security constraint unit commitment that considers both the wind volatility and line outages at the same time. The allocation of ramping products and spinning reserves to cover these uncertainties has also been modeled. wind curtailment and load shedding are considered as alternative strategies, and an optimal exchange between them and the use of spinning reserves and flexible ramping products has been modeled in the objective function. To assess the system reliability, the expected load not served (ELNS) index was evaluated in different cases. The proposed scheme as a mixed-integer linear programming problem was solved by a scenario-based two-stage stochastic programming method. The IEEE test systems 6-bus, modified 24-bus, and 118-bus were examined numerically. The results show that the simultaneous consideration of demand response and flexible ramping product coordinated with wind energy has adequate flexibility to reduce the reliability index and system operational cost
Gamification of exploratory testing process
No full textExploratory testing is an experience-based testing technique often used in addition to formal ones. However, it can be used as a replacement for formal techniques when time is limited and/or documentation is poor. Conducting test charters and maximizing efficiency are seen as tough works due to their informal nature. Dividing test load to testers, scoring the severity level, consolidating the results, and reporting the issues are some challenges of this process. In this experience study, efforts of gamifying exploratory testing process are told. A public institution in Turkiye demanded software testing for their software for a limited timeframe and employed testers were motivated by gamification efforts. It was seen that gamification helped us detecting more critical faults quickly. Failure cases such as test contest organization attempts are told as well
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No full textIn this study, the leaching performance of boron compounds from Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) wood coated with polyurethane/polyurea (PUU) hybrid resin and epoxy resin (EPR) was investigated. Leaching of boron test and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) analyzes were applied to the prepared test specimens. According to the leaching of boron test results, specimens coated with polyurethane/polyurea (PUU) hybrid resin gave the most positive result against boron leaching. It was found that boric acid (BA) impregnated and epoxy resin (EPR) coated Oriental beech wood showed a smoother surface than other treatment groups
Survival outcomes of hypomethylating agents maintenance therapy in new diagnosed AML patients: Real experience data
No full textObjective: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy that frequently affects elderly population. With introducing the hypomethylating agents (HMAs) in elderly AML treatment, survival rates and quality of life have improved. However, long-term management in elderly and frail patients is still a challenge. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether HMA maintenance therapy is required until disease progression in frail and elderly AML patients by examining with a real-life data.
Methods: In a multicenter study, we analyzed non-promyelocytic elderly AML patients who were treated with first-line azacitidine or decitabine monotherapy in two different groups, retrospectively. While patients were treated with HMA until progression in the maintenance group, 6+3 cycles of azacitidine or decitabine were administered as a standard care of elderly AML patients in the non-maintenance group. Survival outcomes were compared between the groups.
Results: HMA therapy was maintained until progression in 20 patients, and HMA therapy was terminated after 6+3 cycles in 21 patients. Patients received a median of 6 (1-14) HMA cycles during follow-up time. The median 7.5 months of overall survival were observed (2-17 months) in maintenance and 3 months (1-13 months) in non-maintenance groups (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Despite long-term exposure to HMA may appear as a risk factor for complications and toxicities in elderly and frail AML patients, the maintenance of therapy until disease progression provides a significant survival advantage. Therefore, we suggest that HMA therapy should continue until disease progression regardless the sort of HMA
Autochthonous transmission of Leishmania donovani and Leishmania major with all the components of infection cycle at Europe's doorstep
No full textObjectives: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease and dogs may act as urban reservoirs. Turkey and most of the Mediterranean basin countries are endemic for leishmaniasis. In this study, it is aimed to report the autoch-thonous leishmaniasis cases, with all the components of the infection cycle (reservoir, vector, and the host) in a region close to Europe. Methods: Nine human and four canine autochthonous leishmaniasis cases were included in the study. Direct microscopy, culture methods, serological, and molecular tests were applied to the samples obtained from the cases. Results: VL and CL patients consisted of 2 L.infantum, 1 L. donovani, 2 L. tropica, and 2 L. tropica,1 L. major,1 L. infantum infected patients respectively. CanL cases were infected with L. infantum, L. donovani, L. tropica, and L. major. Conclusions: All the cases were autochthonous cases located in Manisa province. As Greece and all the Mediterranean basin countries in Europe share competent vectors, it is concluded that the detection of all 4 species of Leishmania parasites in such proximity to Europe poses an important public health threat for Europe. This study reports all four species of Leishmania spp., including L. major and L. donovani in close proximity to continental Europ