Eurasian Journal of Medicine最新文献

Background: Isatin, an endogenous indole found in the brain and peripheral tissues, has a wide spectrum of physiological and pharmacological effects. This study aims to disclose the impact of long-term isatin administration on daily voluntary running, cardiac performance, and the expression of genes and proteins involved in signaling pathways in left ventricular tissue in rats.

Methods: Wistar Albino rats were housed in standard cages or cages with running wheels for 28 days and received either intraperitoneally saline or isatin at 20 mg/kg/day or isatin 100 mg/kg/day from day 14 until 28. The hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution ex vivo to measure developed left ventricular pressure and rate of contraction and relaxation. Protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK4) gene and protein expressions were determined in the ventricle.

Results: Isatin did not alter daily running activity, cardiac performance, or AKT gene expression in groups (P > .05 for all). Ventricular weight/body weight and ERK1/2 gene expression were higher in the physically active group administered a high dose of isatin (100 mg/kg/day) than in the inactive group administered the same dose (P = .007, P = .042, respectively). PDK-4 protein level was lower in the physically active group administered a low dose of isatin compared with the inactive control group.

Conclusion: Long-term isatin administration is well tolerated in female rats without negatively affecting daily physical activity and ex vivo cardiac performance. In physically active rats, the ERK1/2- and PDK-4-mediated effects of isatin on the left ventricle may differ depending on its dose.

Background: Metformin, an adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase activator, is indicated in pregnant and non-pregnant women for glucose dysregulation-associated conditions. Its role in various smooth muscle functions was documented. As the myometrium, crucial in fertility and pregnancy, is overlooked, the aim was to investigate the modulation of spontaneous and stimulated myometrium contractions by metformin.

Methods: The uterus of the adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (N=15) was excised and 4 full thickness myometrium strips (2 × 10 mm) were sectioned. The strips (n=57) were challenged with KCl (80 mM) to confirm viability and determine the reference maximum response. The spontaneous contractions and dose- response curves for oxytocin (10-11-10-4M) and carbachol (CCh, 10-8-10-4M) were recorded. Additionally, CCh-induced curves were re-obtained in M2-muscarinic receptor blocker, methoctramine (10-5M) and M3-muscarinic receptor blocker, and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP) (10-7M) exposed strips. The responses were obtained alone or in combination with metformin (10-4M).

Results: Metformin attenuated both the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions (P < .005) as well as those stimulated by oxytocin and CCh (P < .005). This effect was comparable to M2-receptor blockage, whereas the most potent inhibition was with M3-receptor blocker and/or combinations involving it. The 90% inhibition of contraction in metformin, 4-DAMP, and methoctramine exposed strips suggests a synergistic action.

Conclusion: Metformin may be beneficial in conditions favorable to fertilization, implantation, and prevention of preterm labor by reducing myometrial contractility during pregnancy and in non-pregnant indications. However, use of metformin should be approached with caution when strong myometrium contractions are required near term or postpartum.

Background: Intranasal mucosal contact points (MCPs) can exacerbate primary headaches or give rise to secondary headaches. In this study, the prevalence of intranasal MCPs and their relationship with migraine features were investigated in patients diagnosed with episodic migraine.

Methods: Fifty migraineurs were enrolled in the migraine group, and 50 without migraine in the control group in this retrospective study. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), and Headache Impact Scale (HIT-6) scores were retrieved from the patient files. Coronal and axial computed tomography sections were scanned, and intranasal MCP and anatomical variations within these were recorded. The prevalence of MCP was then compared across the 2 groups.

Results: The patient group had a considerably higher prevalence of MCP than the control group (P=.018). No meaningful correlations were detected between mucosal contact and age, sex, migraine aura, menstruation, frequency of migraine attacks, duration of attacks, pain severity (VAS), or the effect of migraine on daily living (MIDAS) and quality of life (HIT-6).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that an increased prevalence of migraine is associated with intranasal mucosal contact, which occurs particularly between the middle concha and septum. Further clinical studies researching the role of intranasal mucosal contact in migraine are now needed.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease. The most significant and prevalent complication of SSc is interstitial lung disease (ILD). It is difficult to monitor disease activity. In outpatient clinic conditions, C-reactive protein remains nonspecific and specific methods such as the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group take a long time. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of new inflammation markers obtained from blood parameters, which is a rapid and inexpensive method, in SSc patients with ILD.

Methods: A total of 53 patients with SSc and 54 healthy subjects were included in this retrospective crosssectional study.

Results: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), and pan-immune-inflammation values (PIV) were found to be higher in the patient group than in the control group. The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) value was significantly lower in the patient group. Besides, these patients with ILD had significantly higher NLR, PLR, SII, and PIV values. The SIRI values were also high, but not statistically significant. The LMR value was found to be significantly lower. The SIRI values with 66% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity for SSc patients, and SII values with 75% sensitivity and 74.7% specificity for SSc patients with ILD can indicate disease activity.

Conclusion: The novel indices may prove superior to rudimentary indices by virtue of their capacity to more accurately reflect inflammatory activity in inflammatory connective tissue diseases, particularly those accompanied by fibrotic lung involvement. These indices have the potential to serve as a cost-effective predictive instrument.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the complication rates in femoral neck fractures treated with dynamic hip screw (DHS), with a focus on associations with age, gender, and fracture classification. Additionally, the impact of reduction quality on clinical outcomes was assessed.

Methods: A total of 172 patients aged 21-65 years were retrospectively reviewed. Fractures were classified according to the AO and Powell angle classification systems. Reduction quality was assessed using the Garden index. Complication rates were analyzed based on reduction method, age group, gender, and fracture type.

Results: A total of 172 patients were included. The overall complication rate was 7.5% (n=13), with nonunion (n=7), avascular necrosis (n=4), and implant failure (n=2) being the primary complications. Although complication and nonunion rates were higher in females, the differences were not statistically significant (P > .05). Similarly, no significant differences were observed between age groups (P > .05). However, unstable fractures (AO type B3) and high-angle fractures (Powell group 3) were significantly associated with increased complication rates (P < .05). Anatomical reduction significantly reduced complication rates compared to poor reduction (P < .01).

Conclusion: Fracture type and reduction quality were the most important factors influencing complications. In particular, unstable and high-angle fractures were associated with increased risk, and the quality of reduction had a direct impact on treatment success. Age and gender did not show a significant effect on complication rates. The DHS stands out as both a biomechanically and economically effective treatment choice.

Objective: High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV-16, is a major driver of carcinogenesis. Despite advances in understanding HPV-mediated oncogenesis, the role of microRNA (miRNA) interactome networks in HPV-16-driven tumorigenesis remains unclear. Using an integrative bioinformatic approach, this study identified key miRNAs, target genes, and transcription factors (TFs) involved in HPV-16-associated cancers. Methods: Human papillomavirus-16-associated miRNAs were retrieved from viRBase. microRNAs and their interactors were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-tissue Expression datasets to investigate the expression patterns and potential roles in carcinogenesis. microRNA-messenger RNA (mRNA) interactions, TFs enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, and GO terms analyses uncovered molecular networks disrupted by HPV-16. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier analyses assessed the clinical significance of dysregulated miRNAs. Results: Eight miRNAs (hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-24-3p, hsa-miR-34a-5p, hsa-miR-100-5p, hsa-miR-125b-5p, hsa-miR-203a-3p, hsa-miR-205-5p, and hsa-miR-331-3p) were significantly dysregulated in HPV-16 infection and enriched in key KEGG pathways, highlighting involvement in cellular processes and regulatory mechanisms. Among these, hsa-miR-100-5p, hsa-miR-125b-5p, and hsa-miR-331-3p were the most significant in HPV-16-driven cancer types, with hsa-miR-125b-5p emerging as a key prognostic regulator. MAP3K13 and NR1H4 were identified as critical gene and TF candidates in HPV-16 carcinogenesis. Conclusion: This study provides novel insights into miRNA interactome networks in HPV-16-driven carcinogenesis, identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Integrating translational bioinformatic insights with experimental validation paves the way for developing targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and unravelling complex host-virus interactions, ultimately enhancing the management of HPV-associated cancers.

Background: Among the 1 017 290 people surveyed, the prevalence of pneumonia was 2.5% in the 55-64 age group, 3.0% in the 65-74 age group, and 2.9% in those aged 75 years and older. This indicates an increase in pneumonia prevalence from 1.8% to 2% in Indonesia. This study aimed to compare the length of treatment and comorbidities in older and adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia at Jakarta Sukapura Islamic Hospital and Jakarta Pondok Kopi Islamic Hospital between September 2022 and September 2024. Methods: This was a comparative study with a cross-sectional design, and secondary data from 244 patient samples were used. Results: Among adult patients, 101 had a length of treatment of ≤5 days, whereas 17 had a length of treatment of >5 days. Among older patients, 67 had a length of treatment of ≤5 days, whereas 59 had a length of treatment of >5 days. Comorbidities were absent in 69 adult and 45 older patients. A total of 49 adult patients and 81 older patients had comorbidities. Conclusion: Older patients with community-acquired pneumonia had a longer treatment duration and more comorbidities than adult patients with bacterial community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: This study aims to examine the relationship between dark triad personality traits and autism spectrum traits, exploring their impact on social skills, communication, imagination, and empathy. By doing so, it seeks to contribute to psychological assessment and intervention strategies in these areas. Methods: The study was conducted with a community sample of adults aged 18 and above. Participants were invited through online platforms to complete an anonymous survey. The survey included a sociodemographic form, the short dark triad scale, and the autism spectrum quotient. Inclusion criteria required participants to be at least 18 years old, have sufficient proficiency in Turkish, and not have any known mental or developmental disabilities that could affect their ability to complete the survey. Exclusion criteria included undergoing psychiatric treatment during the study. Prior to participation, informed consent was obtained from all participants, and voluntary participation was emphasized. Results: The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between autism spectrum traits and Machiavellianism (r=-0.247, P=.001). This suggests that individuals with communication difficulties tend to struggle with manipulative or strategic social behaviors. Regarding the relationship between autism traits and narcissism, results indicated that higher autism-related imagination scores were associated with lower narcissism levels (r=-0.237, P=.002). Individuals with fewer autism traits were observed to have a stronger sense of self-worth. This finding suggests that the construction of an exaggerated self-image, a core component of narcissism, may be negatively influenced by deficits in imagination. On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between psychopathy and autism subdimensions. This indicates that the core features of psychopathy, such as emotional detachment and impulsivity, do not directly align with the structured and repetitive behaviors associated with autism. Conclusion: This study provides important insights into the impact of autism traits and dark triad characteristics on social functioning. Future research should further investigate the cognitive and emotional foundations of these traits using larger and more diverse samples.

Background: The aim is to create a new classification according to the contact and effect of dermatochalasis on the eyelashes and to examine the effect of blepharoplasty surgery on the visual field (VF) in these stages. Methods: Demographic characteristics of cases that were staged as dermatochalasis (group 1) (stage 1), (group 2) (stage 2), and (group 3) (stage 3) between February 2025 and April 2025 were examined, and changes in the VF before and after blepharoplasty were evaluated. Stage 1 was accepted as dermatochalasis only; stage 2 as dermatochalasis with eyelash contact but no eyelash inversion; and stage 3 as dermatochalasis creating inversion in the eyelashes. The Humphrey 30-2 test was applied in the VF. Mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), visual field index (VFI), and upper half VF sensitivity were evaluated. Those with refractive error and additional eye diseases were not included in the study. Results: A total of 60 cases were examined, 20 in each group. The mean age of the cases was 42.7 ± 14.9 (28-75). Forty of the cases were female and 20 were male. The mean age was higher in group 3, and there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The changes in the VF in group 1 and group 2 were not statistically significant preoperatively and in the first month postoperatively (P > 0.05). In group 3, MD was -2.88 ± 1.20 (-3.63-2.10) dB, VFI was 97.45 ± 1.61 (89-92) dB, upper half VF sensitivity was 22.21 ± 1.54 (17-18.40) dB, and PSD was 2.19 ± 0.87 (1.2-2.02) dB at postoperative first month. The changes in group 3 were statistically significant preoperatively and in the first month postoperatively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dermatochalasis staging can predict the effect of dermatochalasis on the VF. This new dermatochalasis classification can be used in cases of equipment shortage. Visual field defects due to dermatochalasis can be corrected with blepharoplasty surgery.

Background: Early diagnosis is one of the most critical factors influencing the prognosis of lung cancer. This study aims to investigate radiological diagnostic delays and their underlying causes in lung cancer. Methods: The previous radiological images of newly diagnosed lung cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of 2 chest physicians and 1 radiologist. Radiological abnormalities were identified, and potential factors contributing to delayed diagnosis were analyzed. Results: Among 100 patients, 76 had prior thoracic imaging. In 22 of these, lesions had been previously identified and patients informed about the potential risk of malignancy, but further evaluation was declined. Retrospective review revealed unrecognized radiological abnormalities in 30 patients-12 on chest X-rays and 18 on computed tomography (CT) scans. In 7 cases, the lesions had been documented in the CT reports. Lesions located in peri-hilar, tracheobronchial, and paravertebral regions, as well as those originating from areas of lung sequelae, were among the most common factors associated with later diagnosis. Diagnostic delays were more common in cases of adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of lung cancer cases might have been detected earlier. Increased awareness of specific radiological features and careful co-evaluation of both imaging reports and the images themselves may enhance earlier detection in lung cancer.