Repeater F-waves in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Electrophysiologic indicators of upper or lower motor neuron involvement?

Objective: To extract insight about the mechanism of repeater F-waves (Frep) by exploring their correlation with electrophysiologic markers of upper and lower motor neuron dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: The correlations of Frep parameters with clinical scores and the results of neurophysiological index (NI), MScanfit MUNE, F/M amplitude ratio (F/M%), single and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and triple stimulation technique (TST) studies, recorded from abductor digiti minimi (ADM) and abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscles of 35 patients with ALS were investigated.

Results: Frep parameters were correlated with NI and MScanfit MUNE in ADM muscle and F/M% in both muscles.

Artifacts in cranial MRI caused by extracranial foreign bodies and analysis of these foreign bodies.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to conduct a chemical analysis of extracranial foreign bodies (FBs) causing artifacts in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to investigate the association between chemical composition, magnetic susceptibility, and artifact size.

Materials And Methods: A total of 12 patients were included in the study. The FBs responsible for the artifacts were visualized using cranial computed tomography (CT).

Bioacoustics characterization of some anatolian endemic and sub-endemic Katydids (Orthoptera; Tettigoniidae; Bradyporinae, Phaneropterinae and Tettigoniinae).

Seventeen endemic and three sub-endemic species belonging to three subfamilies of Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera: Bradyporinae, Phaneropterinae and Tettigoniinae) were sampled during field trips throughout different regions of Anatolia between 2015 and 2018 (except one taxon). Acoustic parameters of these 20 bush-cricket species affiliated to 12 genera (Apholidoptera, Bradyporus, Decticus, Eupholidoptera, Parapholidoptera, Pezodrymadusa, Pholidoptera, Polysarcus, Psorodonotus, Squamiana, Uvarovistia and Yalvaciana) have been described for the first time in this study. Bioacoustical analysis shows that male calling songs are species-specific for the genera Bradyporus, Parapholidoptera, Pholidoptera, Apholidoptera, Uvarovistia and Psorodonotus.

Bioacoustics review of Anatolian species of the predatory bush-cricket genus Saga (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Saginae) with the description of a new species.

The genus Saga is a genus of generally large predatory bush-cricket species. It includes 13 taxa in the Palaearctic region. In this research, eight species belonging to Saga (Tettigoniidae, Saginae) were sampled during field studies in different regions of Anatolia of Turkey between 2010 and 2018 (except one specimen).

Histopathology of retinoblastoma eyes enucleated after intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Background: To demonstrate histopathological findings in retinoblastoma eyes enucleated after intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) with special emphasis on vascular toxicity and local tumour control.

Methods: Retrospective study with a consecutive series of 23 retinoblastoma eyes enucleated after IAC where histopathological work-up was available.

Results: From November 2010 to June 2019 23 eyes were enucleated after the attempt of eye salvaging therapy with IAC using melphalan.

Correction of both immunodeficiency and hypoparathyroidism by thymus transplantation in complete DiGeorge syndrome.

Combined immune deficiency due to athymia in patients with complete DiGeorge syndrome can be corrected by allogeneic thymus transplantation. Hypoparathyroidism is a frequent concomitant clinical problem in these patients, which persists after thymus transplantation. Cotransplantation of allogeneic thymus and parental parathyroid tissue has been attempted but does not achieve durable correction of the patients' hypoparathyroidism due to parathyroid graft rejection.

Evaluation of interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) gene polymorphisms and serum IL-23 levels in patients with psoriasis.

Background/aim: IL-23R gene polymorphisms and the association of these polymorphisms with serum IL-23 levels were investigated in patients with psoriasis in the current study.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-seven patients with psoriasis who were admitted to our dermatology outpatient clinic and 67 healthy controls were included in the study. Polymorphisms of the IL-23R gene were determined by KASP-PCR method, and serum IL-23 levels were determined by ELISA method.

A study of the radiological baseline conditions around the planned Sinop (Turkey) nuclear power plant using the mapping method.

This study makes a first attempt at a detailed estimation of the background radioactivity level and its distribution at the Sinop nuclear power plant site. The activity concentration levels of Ra, Th, K and Cs radionuclides in soil samples collected from 88 locations around Sinop Province, Turkey, in November 2016, were measured using gamma spectrometry. The distributions of radionuclide levels obtained from the results were evaluated using a geostatistical method, and the estimated radiation levels were determined using the ordinary kriging (OK) method, which is the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE) for unmeasured points.

Is there any association between jugular venous reflux and nonpulsatile subjective tinnitus? A preliminary study of four-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography.

Objective: To demonstrate whether there is an association between jugular venous reflux and nonpulsatile subjective tinnitus (NST) using real-time four-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) angiography.

Materials And Methods: Patients with unilateral NST who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI with a special protocol were included in the study. Thick slab dynamic maximum intensity projection images were obtained including interleaved stochastic trajectories (TWIST)-MRI examination.

A case study on pollution and a human health risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils around Sinop province, Turkey.

In the present study, the concentration levels of heavy metals such as Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb in soil samples collected from 88 sampling locations around Sinop Province, Turkey were measured using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF). To interpret and to evaluate the pollution status and distribution of heavy metals in soil, metal pollution parameters such as enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (I), pollution factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI) and geo-spatial distribution patterns were used. The mean concentrations of Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb were found to be 194.

Electrophysiological responsiveness and clinical outcomes of local corticosteroid injection in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common mononeuropathy caused by entrapment of the median nerve at the wrist. Common treatment options for CTS include oral analgesics, splinting, hand therapy, local injections with steroids or surgery. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to assess the short-term clinical and electrophysiological outcomes of local corticosteroid injection (LCI) in patients with symptomatic CTS.

Dataset of clinical, immunohistopathological and laboratory features of patients with MHC II deficiency suffering from enteropathy.

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) is essential for adaptive immune response. We recently reported on disturbed adaptive mucosal immunity due to MHC II deficiency and prolonged enteropathy. Here, we share medical history, flow cytometric analysis of blood lymphocytes, immunohistopathology, and fecal analysis of seven genetically confirmed patients with MHC II deficiency suffering from enteropathy.

Modelling of Asphalt's Adhesive Behaviour Using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) Analysis.

The modification by polymers and nanomaterials can significantly improve different properties of asphalt. However, during the service life, the oxidation affects the constituents of modified asphalt and subsequently results in deviation from the desired properties. One of the important properties affected due to oxidation is the adhesive properties of modified asphalt.

Does Dysphagia Improve Following Laryngeal Reinnervation for Treatment of Hoarseness in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis?

Purpose: There are many reports of the efficacy of laryngeal reinnervation on voice, but there is a paucity of literature regarding its impact on swallowing function. The goal of this study was to explore the impact of laryngeal reinnervation on swallowing outcomes among unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) patients.

Methods: We reviewed 22 UVFP cases treated with laryngeal reinnervation at our institution.

Are Simple Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers Predictive of Neurodevelopmental Outcome at Two Years in Very Preterm Infants?

Background: Preterm infants are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment due to the vulnerability of the immature brain. Early risk stratification is necessary for predicting outcome in the period of highest neuroplasticity. Several biomarkers in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term equivalent age (TEA) have therefore been suggested.

Fingerpad contact evolution under electrovibration.

Displaying tactile feedback through a touchscreen via electrovibration has many potential applications in mobile devices, consumer electronics, home appliances and automotive industry though our knowledge and understanding of the underlying contact mechanics are very limited. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the contact evolution between the human finger and a touch screen under electrovibration using a robotic set-up and an imaging system. The results show that the effect of electrovibration is only present during full slip but not before slip.

Investigation of the Effects of Methylphenidate, an Amphetamine Derivative, on Intervertebral Disc Tissue Cell Cultures and Matrix Structures.

Aim: To investigate the effects of methylphenidate (MPH), on intervertebral disc tissue (IVD) cell cultures and extracellular matrix structures. Changes in the expression of some important marker genes involved in anabolic and catabolic mechanisms of IVD extracellular matrix formation were also evaluated.

Material And Methods: Primary cultures of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and annulus fibrosus cells (AFCs) were isolated from tissues obtained from the operated patients.

Parameters derived from compound muscle action potential scan for discriminating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-related denervation.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine compound muscle action potential (CMAP) scan parameters and MScanFit motor unit number estimation (MUNE) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to compare the results in the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) to those in the abductor digiti minimi (ADM).

Methods: CMAP scans were recorded from the APB and ADM in 35 patients with ALS and 21 controls. MScanFit MUNE, neurophysiological index (NI), step%, returner%, and D50 were calculated.

The investigation of possible roles of central 5-HT receptors in antipyretic effect mechanism of paracetamol in LPS-induced hyperthermia model of mice.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the role of the 5-HT receptor in fever mechanisms and its possible effect on the antipyretic mechanism of paracetamol.

Materials And Methods: The study consisted of eight experimental groups and one control group. Group I: healthy, II: LPS, III: LPS + PARA, IV: LPS + AGO, V: LPS + ANTA, VI: LPS + AGO + ANTA, VII: LPS + AGO + PARA, VIII: LPS + ANTA + PARA, and IX: LPS + AGO + ANTA + PARA.

Direct Three-Dimensional Diagnosis of Ex Vivo Facial Fractures.

The aim of the present study is to assess the reliability and accuracy of different 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction algorithms in detecting undisplaced condylar, zygomatic arc, and orbital rim fractures based on cone-beam computed tomography data set. Twenty sheep heads were used in the present study. Sixty fractured and 60 nonfractured (control) zones were randomly allocated.

Investigation of the effect of dipyrone on cells isolated from intervertebral disc tissue.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of dipyrone, an indispensable analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-spasmodic used in emergency departments, on nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells . After surgical biopsy, primary cell cultures were prepared from intact intervertebral disc tissues. Dipyrone was administered to the cultures in the experimental groups except for the control group.

Effects of etanercept, a tumor necrosis factor receptor fusion protein, on primary cell cultures prepared from intact human intervertebral disc tissue.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of etanercept (ETA), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, on human cell cultures prepared from intact intervertebral disc tissue. ETA is used as a treatment for cases of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis accompanied by moderate or severe joint pain. ETA was applied to primary cell cultures [annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus (NP) from intact intervertebral disc tissue].

Determination of natural radionuclides and some metal concentrations in human tooth samples in the Rize province, Turkey.

The main purpose of this study was to identify the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (Ra, Th and K) and some metals (Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in tooth samples collected from humans living in the Rize province of Turkey. It was found that the activity concentrations ranged from 8.1 to 114.

Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and myasthenia gravis: contraindication for therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors?

Background: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are promising approaches for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Nevertheless, these inhibitors bear a high risk for induction of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), particularly flares of preexisting autoimmune diseases. Neurological irAEs of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are possibly underestimated and potentially fatal toxicities.

Are Intervertebral Disc Tissue Cells Damaged When Attempting to Prevent Thrombus Formation Using Dabigatran, A New Oral Anticoagulant?

Aim: To investigate the effect of dabigatran, a new oral anticoagulant, on human primary cell cultures isolated from intact intervertebral disc tissue.

Material And Methods: Cell cultures were prepared from tissues obtained from six cases who had undergone surgery due to spinal trauma. Dabigatran, an active pharmacological agent, was applied to intact annulus fibrosus (AF)/nucleus pulposus (NP) primary cell cultures from the study group.