Investigation of Trace and Macro Element Contents in Commercial Cat Foods.

Background: Nutritional profiles and guidelines are determined by various associations to ensure optimum health of cats and provide pet food manufacturers nutritional recommendations to ensure the well-balanced and nutritionally adequate pet food.

Objectives: It was aimed to determine some trace elements and macro minerals in prescription and non-prescription dry cat foods and compare the contents with the suggested guidelines to evaluate the potential in-compliance.

Methods: A total of 96 dry cat foods were evaluated.

Optimizing Grape Quality Through Tillage and Organic Fertilization: A Comprehensive Analysis of Phenolic and Anthocyanin Variability Over Three Years.

Knowing the concentration levels of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins in grape berries plays a key role, as these compounds significantly contribute to the nutritional value and quality of grapes, affecting both health benefits and grape quality. The current study was conducted to investigate how different tillage (disc harrow, chisel, no tillage) and organic fertilizer (Antep radish and broccoli chopped residue, olive blackwater) treatments affect the concentration of these valuable compounds in Royal grape berries over three consecutive years (2020-2022), providing insights into optimal agricultural practices for enhancing grape quality. Our results documented significant variations in phenolic and anthocyanin concentrations across different soil tillage, organic fertilizer treatments and years.

Characterizing Mechanical Changes in the Biceps Brachii Muscle in Mild Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Using Shear Wave Elastography.

There is no general consensus on evaluating disease progression in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Recently, shear wave elastography (SWE) has been proposed as a noninvasive diagnostic tool to assess muscle stiffness in vivo. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize biceps brachii (BB) muscle mechanics in mild-FSHD patients using SWE.

Attitudes towards the Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine among Children's Guardians: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study in Poland.

This cross-sectional survey study aimed to assess the attitudes and knowledge of children's guardians in Poland towards tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and its vaccine, as well as to compare these attitudes to those regarding other infectious diseases and their vaccines. Data were collected through anonymous questionnaires, both paper-based and online, from 3030 respondents across Poland, with the majority being from TBE-endemic areas. The survey included questions on demographic characteristics, general vaccination beliefs, and specific perceptions of TBE and its vaccine.

Use of Hair as Matrix for Trace Elements Biomonitoring in Cattle and Roe Deer Sharing Pastures in Northern Italy.

Intensive cattle breeding's environmental challenges are prompting shifts to extensive, pasture-based systems, influencing nutrient and pollutant uptake. PTEs are essential and non-essential elements, regularly found in the environment and organisms, and in which unbalances lead to health issues. Hair analysis, a non-invasive method, provides retrospective PTE exposure evaluation.

Pollinator Diversity and Phenological Interplay: Exploring Mineral, Hormonal, Sugar, and Vitamin Contents in L. cv Bozcaada Çavuşu.

Unraveling the intricate physiological and biochemical intricacies associated with female dominance in grape berries across diverse developmental stages is imperative for optimizing grape production and ensuring the attainment of high-quality yields. This study conducted a thorough analysis of grape berries across phenological stages (BBCH-79, BBCH-81, BBCH-89) and cultivars. At BBCH-89, Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki demonstrated the highest berry weight and total soluble solids (TSS) levels, emphasizing its enological potential.

Endomysium determines active and passive force production in muscle fibers.

Connective tissues can be recognized as an important structural support element in muscles. Recent studies have also highlighted its importance in active force generation and transmission between muscles, particularly through the epimysium. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the impact of the endomysium, the connective tissue surrounding muscle fibers, on both passive and active force production.

Evaluation of the thyroid gland vascularity during pregnancy using 2-dimensional color Superb Microvascular İmaging vascularization index technique.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate maternal thyroid parenchymal vascularity with 2-dimensional color superb microvascular imaging vascularization index (2D-cSMIVI) levels and thyroid gland volume in the first, second and third trimesters.

Methods: This longitudinal prospective study was carried out with participants selected from 30 healthy asymptomatic pregnant women. Ultrasonography (US) for the thyroid gland was performed in each trimester.

How mechanics of individual muscle-tendon units define knee and ankle joint function in health and cerebral palsy-a narrative review.

This study reviews the relationship between muscle-tendon biomechanics and joint function, with a particular focus on how cerebral palsy (CP) affects this relationship. In healthy individuals, muscle size is a critical determinant of strength, with muscle volume, cross-sectional area, and moment arm correlating with knee and ankle joint torque for different isometric/isokinetic contractions. However, in CP, impaired muscle growth contributes to joint pathophysiology even though only a limited number of studies have investigated the impact of deficits in muscle size on pathological joint function.

Detecting age-related changes in skeletal muscle mechanics using ultrasound shear wave elastography.

Aging leads to a decline in muscle mass and force-generating capacity. Ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) is a non-invasive method to capture age-related muscular adaptation. This study assessed biceps brachii muscle (BB) mechanics, hypothesizing that shear elastic modulus reflects (i) passive muscle force increase imposed by length change, (ii) activation-dependent mechanical changes, and (iii) differences between older and younger individuals.

TASL Practice Guidance on the Clinical Assessment and Management of Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystem disease and is significantly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. NAFLD has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease in Western countries, and the proportion of NAFLD-related cirrhosis among patients on liver transplantation waiting lists has increased. In light of the accumulated data about NAFLD, and to provide a common approach with multi-disciplines dealing with the subject, it has become necessary to create new guidance for diagnosing and treating NAFLD.

Comparison of conventional Doppler imaging techniques and superb microvascular imaging in determination of vascularization in undescended testes.

Aim: Our aim was to gain an idea about testicular injury by comparing the reduced volume, which is one of the indirect indicators of testicular damage in undescended testes, and by evaluating the reduced microvascular blood flow by superb microvascular imaging, and also to determine whether superb microvascular imaging modes could detect microvascular blood flow in more detail in the decreased volume of undescended testes.

Material And Methods: We compared testicular blood flow in undescended testes via conventional Doppler imaging, color superb microvascular imaging, and monochrome superb microvascular imaging techniques with contralateral normally located testis and normal control group. Each sample of testicular tissue was evaluated using a qualitative method.

Amounts of tissue magnesium and some trace elements in cats with mammary tumors related to various clinicopathological parameters.

Background: Mammary tumors are one of the major malignancies seen in cats. Researchers have indicated the similarity between the epidemiological and clinicopathological patterns of feline mammary tumors and human breast cancer (HBC). In recent years, the investigation of trace elements in cancer tissues becomes prevalent in HBC due to the role of these elements in biochemical and physiological processes.

Characterization of Muscle Weakness Due to Myasthenia Gravis Using Shear Wave Elastography.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is often accompanied with muscle weakness; however, little is known about mechanical adaptions of the affected muscles. As the latter can be assessed using ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE), this study characterizes the biceps brachii muscle of 11 patients with MG and compares them with that of 14 healthy volunteers. Simultaneous SWE, elbow torque and surface electromyography measurements were performed during rest, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and submaximal isometric contractions (up to 25%, 50% and 75% MVC) at different elbow angles from flexion to extension.

Quantifying the effects of achilles tendon lengthening surgery: An intraoperative approach.

Achilles tendon lengthening (ATL) is frequently used in the treatment of foot deformities. However, there is currently no objective method to determine the optimal muscle length during surgery. We developed an intraoperative approach to evaluate the passive and active forces of the triceps surae muscle group before and after ATL and aimed to test the following hypotheses: 1) the ankle passive range of motion (ROM) increases, 2) passive muscle forces decrease post-ATL, and 3) forces measured from patients with non-neurological and neurological conditions demonstrate different characteristics.

Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) Are Good Candidates for Prognostic Markers for Acute Pancreatitis.

Background and Objectives: It has been demonstrated that parameters such as the Controlled Nutrition Status (CONUT) score and Prognostic Nutrition Index (PNI) are beneficial for the assessment of patients’ nutrition. In this study, our objective was to investigate the potential benefits of CONUT and, as a prognostic marker of acute pancreatitis, the PNI. Materials and Methods: The data of 361 patients were analysed retrospectively.

Shear wave elastography characterizes passive and active mechanical properties of biceps brachii muscle in vivo.

Mechanical characterization of individual muscles in their in vivo environment is not well studied. Shear wave elastography (SWE) as a non-invasive technique was shown to be promising in quantifying the local mechanical properties of skeletal muscles. This study aimed to investigate the mechanics of the biceps brachii muscle (BB) derived from SWE in relation to elbow joint position and contraction intensity during isometric contraction.

Changes in Biogenic Amines of Two Table Grapes (cv. Bronx Seedless and Italia) during Berry Development and Ripening.

Bronx Seedless and Italia ( L.) are a variety preferred by consumers owing to their exciting flavour and widely cultivated in Aegean Region in Turkey. The aim was to identify the biogenic amines of these table grapes during berry ripeness.

Botulinum Toxin Intervention in Cerebral Palsy-Induced Spasticity Management: Projected and Contradictory Effects on Skeletal Muscles.

Spasticity, following the neurological disorder of cerebral palsy (CP), describes a pathological condition, the central feature of which is involuntary and prolonged muscle contraction. The persistent resistance of spastic muscles to stretching is often followed by structural and mechanical changes in musculature. This leads to functional limitations at the respective joint.

Study of Volatile Organic Compounds of Two Table Grapes (cv. Italia and Bronx Seedless) along Ripening in Vines Established in the Aegean Region (Turkey).

(1) Background: Italia is a seeded grape variety widely cultivated in the Aegean Region in Turkey, whereas Bronx Seedless is a seedless grape variety, preferred by consumers due to its pink berries and interesting flavor. The goal was to study the volatile compounds of these table grapes throughout berry ripeness. (2) Methods: The volatile compounds were analyzed by GC-MS in six different phenological stages (3) Results: Bronx Seedless grapes presented a higher content of seven terpenes, three aldehydes, one fatty acid, three alcohols, one C6 compound, total aldehydes and total alcohols, and a lower content of eleven terpenes, one fatty acid, four esters, one alcohol, four C6 compounds and its total content than Italia table grapes.

Procedures for obtaining muscle physiology parameters during a gracilis free-functioning muscle transfer in adult patients with brachial plexus injury.

A complete understanding of muscle mechanics allows for the creation of models that closely mimic human muscle function so they can be used to study human locomotion and evaluate surgical intervention. This includes knowledge of muscle-tendon parameters required for accurate prediction of muscle forces. However, few studies report experimental data obtained directly from whole human muscle due to the invasive nature of these experiments.

Drying Grapes after the Application of Different Dipping Solutions: Effects on Hormones, Minerals, Vitamins, and Antioxidant Enzymes in Gök Üzüm ( L.) Raisins.

(1) Background: Raisins contain a wide range of hormones, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidant enzymes that may contribute to the health benefits of consumers. (2) Methods: The aim of this research was to compare the hormone, mineral, vitamin, and antioxidant capacities of Gök Üzüm ( L.) raisins immersed in oak ash (OA) and potassium carbonate (PC) dipping solutions before drying.

Comparison of Tumor Enucleation and Standard Partial Nephrectomy According to Trifecta Outcomes: A Multicenter Study by the Turkish Academy of Urology, Uro-Oncology Working Group.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the impact of the resection technique (tumor enucleation (TE) or standard partial nephrectomy (SPN)) on trifecta outcomes in patients having undergone partial nephrectomy (PN).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathologic parameters in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (pT1-2N0M0) who had undergone PN between January 2001-December 2018 at one of 15 different tertiary referral centers. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate independent predictors of trifecta failure, decreased postoperative renal functions (decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 10%), perioperative complications (Clavien-Dindo > 1), and positive surgical margins.