A biospectroscopic approach toward colorectal cancer diagnosis from bodily fluid samples via ATR-MIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis

In this study, a biospectroscopic approach was reported for the detection of spectral changes and biomarkers for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CC) cases from different bodily fluids (blood plasma, blood serum, saliva and colonoscopy disinfection/wash fluids) by using attenuated total reflection-mid infrared (ATR-MIR) spectroscopy. To recognize the molecular level changes in the spectral characteristics of CC and their healthy/control (CH) groups, different multivariate data analyses (HCA, LDA, PCA and SIMCA) were successfully performed over the data of ATR-MIR spectroscopy. Two hundred specimens were characterized in detail over the data of spectral regions (4000-650 cm-1 and regions V-XXII). The findings revealed that significant changes were clearly observed in the concentrations of lipid, protein, nucleic acid and carbohydrate biomolecules for cancer cases based upon their necessity to overcome energy requirements. Supervised multivariate data methodology SIMCA, presented an excellent classification for the studied groups; similarly 100% of the specimens from different bodily fluids were correctly classified by supervised methodology LDA. As a result, the developed ATR-MIR methodology for the classification of CC and their healthy groups highlighted a rapid cancer diagnosis approach from different bodily fluids; therefore, it could be guide to make well decision before histopathological assessment and to screen CC populations existing in society.

Determination of the cryoprotective effect of n-methylacetamide in rabbit semen

BACKGROUND

Amides are low molecular weight cryoprotectants. N-methylacetamide (MA) is one of the cryoprotectant agents in this group.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cryoprotective effect of MA in rabbit semen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this purpose, six ejaculates from six New Zealand rabbits were collected and pooled using an artificial vagina. Pooled semen was divided into four equal parts and diluted with TCG+ egg yolk. CPA was added to form the following groups: Control with 6% DMSO; Group 1 with 1% MA; Group 2 with 2% MA; and Group 3 with 3% MA. After the addition of CPA, the semen eqilibration procedure was started. Sperm were then drawn into 0.25 mL straws, frozen by automatic semen freezing and stored in a liquid nitrogen container. Pipettes were thawed after 24 h and analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Total, progressive and rapid motility values of the Control group were higher than those of the MA groups (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between the Control and Group 2 in terms of these parameters. While there was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of acrosome damage and mitochondrial membrane potential, the best results were observed in Control, Group 2, Group 1 and Group 3, respectively. When we compared all groups, no difference was found in terms of MDA, CAT and GSH-Px. There was a statistical difference between Group 3 and the Control in terms of GSH level (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

DMSO appeared to be more useful for the cryopreservation of rabbit semen compared to MA. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23610110812.

Artificial Intelligence Advances in Transplant Pathology

Transplant pathology plays a critical role in ensuring that transplanted organs function properly and the immune systems of the recipients do not reject them. To improve outcomes for transplant recipients, accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are essential. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI)-empowered digital pathology could help monitor allograft rejection and weaning of immunosuppressive drugs. To explore the role of AI in transplant pathology, we conducted a systematic search of electronic databases from January 2010 to April 2023. The PRISMA checklist was used as a guide for screening article titles, abstracts, and full texts, and we selected articles that met our inclusion criteria. Through this search, we identified 68 articles from multiple databases. After careful screening, only 14 articles were included based on title and abstract. Our review focuses on the AI approaches applied to four transplant organs: heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Specifically, we found that several deep learning-based AI models have been developed to analyze digital pathology slides of biopsy specimens from transplant organs. The use of AI models could improve clinicians' decision-making capabilities and reduce diagnostic variability. In conclusion, our review highlights the advancements and limitations of AI in transplant pathology. We believe that these AI technologies have the potential to significantly improve transplant outcomes and pave the way for future advancements in this field.

A cyanobiphenyl-based fluorescent ''lighting-up'' sensor for highly selective and sensitive recognition of Al3+: Theoretical, practical and bioimaging studies

The recognition of toxic Al³⁺ in foods and biosystems has of great interest to researchers. Herein, a novel cyanobiphenyl-based chemosensor CATH (E)-N'-((4'-cyano-4-hydroxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)methylene)thiophene-2-carbohydrazide was fabricated and shown to recognize Al³⁺ in HEPES buffer:EtOH (90:10, v:v, pH = 7.4) by ''lighting-up'' fluorescence sensing. The CATH evidenced high sensitivity (LOD = 13.1 nM) and excellent selectivity to Al³⁺ over competing cations. The Job's plot, TOF-MS and theoretical computation studies were performed to probe the binding mechanism of Al³⁺ to CATH. Additionally; CATH was successfully utilized to practical applications and employed to recover of Al³⁺ from different food samples. More importantly, it was employed to intracellular Al³⁺ detection in living cells including THLE2 and HepG2.

Evaluation of Calciferol, Cobalamin, and Stromelysin-1 in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy due to Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between calciferol (vitamin D), cobalamin (vitamin-B12), and Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) circulating levels in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), patients with DM type 2 (T2DM) without neuropathy, and healthy control groups.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional descriptive study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Department of Internal Medicine, Namik Kemal University of Medicine, Tekirdag, Turkey, between November 2020 and February 2022.

METHODOLOGY

Healthy, age, and gender matched volunteers who were admitted to the hospital for a check-up with no health problem constituted the control group (n=30). Cases diagnosed with T2DM (n=30) and those with DPN (n=30) comprised the experimental group. Stromelysin-1, calciferol, and cobalamin levels were analysed from blood samples from all groups using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a commercial kit. Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test was performed after one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for intergroup comparisons. Alpha significance level was accepted as.

Can transcription factors in the intervertebral disc of lopinavir/ritonavir prevent degeneration in the nucleus pulposus by mediating the regulation of inflammation through signaling pathways?

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to examine whether lopinavir/ritonavir (Lop/r), an HIV protease inhibitor, can improve disc physiology and slow down intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration through in vitro experimental methods, as well as whether it can suppress inflammation with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and sex-determining region Y (SRY) protein-related high-mobility group box genes-9 (SOX9) through hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. The aim was to investigate whether Lop/r application is toxic to IVD cells and the microenvironment simultaneously.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Human primary cell cultures were prepared using herniated IVD tissues obtained from patients with lumbar disc hernia who were unresponsive to conservative and medical treatment, and thereby, were operated on. The untreated culture samples served as control group, and the samples treated with Lop/r served as study group. Microscopic evaluations were performed simultaneously using fluorescent and supravital dyes in all groups. In addition to cell viability, toxicity, and proliferation analysis through a commercial kit, IL-1β, SOX9, HIF-1α, and NF-κB protein expressions were evaluated using Western blotting. In the statistical comparison of the obtained data, an alpha value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Cell proliferation decreased in the Lop/r group, but no cell death was observed (p < 0.05). Moreover, at the end of 72 hours after Lop/r application, IL-1β and NF-kB protein expressions decreased by 40% and 52%, respectively, while HIF-1α and SOX9 protein expressions increased by 4% and 59%, respectively (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although these data were obtained from an in vitro experimental study, it is believed that these findings could make significant contributions to the pharmaco-regenerative treatment modalities of IVD degeneration. Lop/r suppresses the IL-1β and NF-κB and induces SOX9 and HIF-1α, since these signaling pathways may be related to human IVD degeneration.

Does oseltamivir protect human chondrocyte and nucleus pulposus cells from degeneration by inhibiting senescence and proinflammation mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB?

OBJECTIVE

Recent drug design studies suggest that inflammation is among the most important factors in the development of both intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) and osteoarthritis (OA) due to cartilage damage. This study aimed to investigate whether the anti-inflammatory drug oseltamivir has a toxic effect on IVD and cartilage tissue cells. It assessed what effect oseltamivir has on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 alpha (HIF1α), which plays an important role in anabolic pathways in IVD and cartilage tissue. In addition, the study analyzed whether oseltamivir could inhibit the release of inflammatory interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) via the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway by activating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain and leucine-rich repeat protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human lumbar IVD (n = 8) tissues were isolated for annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) primary cell cultures, and human tibial and femoral cartilage tissues (n = 8) were isolated for primary chondrocyte cultures. Untreated groups served as the control and oseltamivir-treated groups as the study sample. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were evaluated at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h in all groups for changes in HIF-1α, IL-1β, NF-κB, and the NLRP3-inflammasome protein expressions using Western blotting. The α significance value was < 0.05.

RESULTS

In the oseltamivir-treated groups, cell proliferation decreased in both AF/NP cell and chondrocyte cultures obtained from IVD cartilage tissues. After Western blotting analysis, changes were observed in the protein expressions of HIF-1α, IL-1β, NF-κB, and the NLRP3 inflammasome in both AF/NP cells and chondrocytes. The results were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Oseltamivir treatment may be a promising regenerative strategy to manage IVDD and osteoarthritic cartilage tissues.

The shortest distance between the skin and the peritoneal cavity is obtained with fascial elevation: a preliminary prospective laparoscopic entry study

The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare the measurement of skin-to-fascia distances in the neutral state, during manual elevation and by fascial elevation in patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery. In 53 patients, the distance between the skin and anterior wall of the rectus sheath was measured prospectively in following three different ways: (1) in neutral position, (2) during manual elevation and (3) during elevation of the fascia using forceps following an infraumbilical vertical skin incision. In all patients, subcutaneous tissue up to the fascia was dissected after a vertical skin incision. The skin-to-fascia distance of 30.9 mm (14.0-52.0 mm) in the neutral position decreased to 11.1 mm (0.0-26.0 mm) during the fascial elevation, while the mean distance increased to 40.1 mm (19-70 mm) during manual elevation (p < 0.001). In the closed laparoscopic entry technique in which a Veress needle is inserted into the peritoneum through a small incision, the needle should be introduced from the shortest distance between the skin and the peritoneum. Lifting the fascia with a proper surgical instrument in suitable patients could enable us to achieve this goal.

Coexistence of SARS-CoV-2 and cerebrovascular diseases: does COVID-19 positivity trigger cerebrovascular pathologies?

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and to assess the pharmacological agents used in such cases as reported in the literature. Patient files were retrospectively scanned to determine the prevalence of neurological symptoms of the central nervous system (headache, dizziness, lack of smell and taste, numbness in arms and legs, change in consciousness, muscle weakness, loss of urine and stool control) and cerebrovascular diseases (ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid/subdural hemorrhage) in 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) disease (COVID-19) cases (n = 20,099). The diagnostic laboratory, radiology examinations and treatments applied to these cases were recorded. The data from studies presenting cerebrovascular diseases associated with SARS-Cov-2, which constituted 0.035% of all cases, were systematically evaluated from electronic databases. During the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, it was discovered that high doses of enoxaparin sodium anti-Xa are combined with apixaban or acetylsalicylic acid or clopidogrel or piracetam, and mannitol, in addition to SARS-CoV-2 treatment modalities. While neurological symptoms of the central nervous system are uncommon in cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, cerebrovascular diseases are far less common, according to the findings of this study. Acute cerebral ischemia was discovered to be the most common cerebrovascular disease associated with SARS-CoV-2. The mortality rate increases with the association between SARS-CoV-2 and cerebrovascular disease.

Effects of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist on inflammation and degeneration of the nucleus pulposus

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to examine the effects of two drugs, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) and an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, on degenerated annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure in vitro.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Tissue samples were obtained from patients with intervertebral disc herniation (four males and four females; classified as Pfirmann stage IV) and used to prepare cell cultures. Untreated cell culture samples served as the control group. Study group samples were treated with donepezil, memantine or a combination of the two drugs. Cell viability, toxicity and proliferation were evaluated in all groups. Western blotting was used to examine changes in protein expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phospho-STAT3 (ser727), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain (NOD) leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing proteins (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. The alpha significance value was < 0.05.

RESULTS

Analysis of the microscopy and commercial kit results revealed that cell proliferation was suppressed, and no cell death was observed. The protein expression levels of NLRP3, STAT3, ser727 and HIF-1α were lower in the samples treated with donepezil and memantine at 72 h (p < 0.05). The protein expression levels of NLRP3, STAT3, ser727 and HIF-1α were higher in the samples treated with the combination of donepezil and memantine (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The combined administration of memantine a NMDAR antagonist which can prevent neurodegeneration and donepezil an AChEI used for pain relief increased the protein expression levels in the anabolic pathway. However, it did not reduce the protein expression levels in the catabolic pathway. Therefore, further studies are needed to provide extensive insight into whether it may be among the potential targets for the therapy of intervertebral disc (IVD) diseases.

Examining the effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on anabolic and catabolic signaling pathway proteins associated with degenerative disc disease

OBJECTIVE

Recent evidence suggests that statins, among lipid-lowering drugs, can be used to lower serum cholesterol levels for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with high cholesterol, as well as reducing DNA damage and having anti-ageing and pleiotropic effects. Additionally, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is reported to be suppressed in statin-administered nucleus pulposus (NP) cells for the prevention of interleukin (IL) -1 beta (IL-1β)-induced apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. The purpose of this study is the examine whether it is possible for pharmacological synthetic statin agents added into primary cell cultures obtained from human intervertebral disc tissue (IVD) to stop and eliminate tissue degeneration through the anabolic/catabolic signaling pathways associated with inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pitavastatin and rosuvastatin were added to monolayer grown human primary annulus fibrosus (AF)/NP cells. Cytotoxicity and proliferation analyses were carried out. AF/NP cells and ECM structure were also examined microscopically. In addition, changes in transcription factors and protein expressions of proinflammatory cytokines, which play important roles in anabolic and catabolic pathways associated with inflammation, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Decreased proliferation and cell necrosis were observed at the end of 72 hours in the samples, in which statins were added, compared to the samples in the control group to which no pharmacological agent was administered. In addition to this, changes were observed in the expressions of proteins. All results were statistically significant (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

To better understand the regenerative effects of these two pharmacological agents on degenerated AF/NP cells, there is an urgent need for prospective studies in which different signaling pathways and receptors on these pathways are investigated, apart from IL-1β; NF-κB signaling pathway and SOX9.

Rational use of drugs in healthcare services: a sample of tertiary hospital

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at evaluating physicians' attitudes towards the rational use of drugs (RUD) at a training and research hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a training and research hospital affiliated with the Ministry of Health between December 2014 and April 2015. All 424 active-duty physicians were asked to participate in the survey study. Of these physicians, 193 (45.5%) volunteered to respond to a 64-item survey. A total of 193 (45.5%) physicians volunteered to participate in the study. The chi-squared test, ANOVA, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used for the evaluation of the study data.

RESULTS

Of the physicians who participated in the study, 58.0% were male. Prescriptions were dispensed for 52.73% (± 27.44) of the patients, with a mean of 2.67±0.98 items per prescription. The rational use of drugs was defined as prescribing an effective drug for the patient (85.4%), prescribing an appropriate drug for the patient (84.9%), and prescribing a safe drug for the patient (77.2%). Compared to residents, the prescription preferences of specialists were affected 2-fold by follow-up visit (p=0.010, β 0.694, CI 1.180 3.396), 1-fold by patient examination percentage (p=0.002, β 0.022, CI 1.008 1.037), and 3.5-fold by prescribing iron supplements (p=0.001, β 1.274, CI 1.644 7.774) (R2 0.259, p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study showed that tertiary hospital specialists and residents have similar attitudes towards patients, their prescribing preferences and RUD knowledge level. This study provides comprehensive information on physicians' attitudes towards RUD.

A rapid diagnostic approach for gastric and colon cancers via Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics from paraffin-embedded tissues

This paper describes the feasibility of Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform mid-infrared (ATR-MIR) spectroscopy method coupled with chemometrics for the rapid diagnostic approach and screening spectral changes for gastric and colon cancers from paraffin-embedded tissues. A total number of 82 tissue samples were analyzed by a simple ATR-MIR method combined with PCA, HCA, SIMCA and LDA methodologies. Spectral analyses showed significant differences for the molecular contents particularly about the lipid, nucleic acid, protein and other biomolecules in the samples of gastric cancer (GC) and colon cancer (CC) groups from their control/healthy groups. Significant changes in the characteristic of these molecules were only observed for cancer groups based upon the increment in their biosynthesis, and they could be utilized as diagnostic spectral biomarkers. Under the optimum conditions, SIMCA provided excellent classification for diseased and control groups, with 5% significance level. As well, 97.75% of the studied tissue samples were correctly discriminated on the basis of their origin by LDA. Consequently, the findings of this study highlighted the rapid diagnosis of gastric and colon cancer cases from paraffin-embedded tissues via ATR-MIR spectroscopy complemented with chemometrics.

A Fluorene based Fluorogenic ''Turn-off'' Chemosensor for the Recognition of Cu2+ and Fe2+: Computational Modeling and Living-cell Application

Background:

The traditional methods for the detection and quantification of Cu2+ and Fe3+ heavy metal ions are usually troublesome in terms of high-cost, non-portable, time-consuming, specialized personnel and complicated tools, so their applications in practical analyses is limited. Therefore, the development of cheap, fast and simple-use techniques/instruments with high sensitivity/selectivity for the detection of heavy metal ions is highly demanded and studied.

Methods:

In this study, a fluorene-based fluorescent 'turn-off' sensor, methyl 2-(2-((((9H-fluoren-9- yl)methoxy)carbonyl)amino)-3- phenylpropanamido) acetate (probe FLPG) was synthesized via onepot reaction and characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-APT-NMR, HETCOR, ATR-FTIR and elemental analysis in detailed. All emission spectral studies of the probe FLPG have been performed in CH3CN/HEPES (9/1, v/v, pH=7.4) media at rt. The quantum (Φ) yield of probe FLPG decreased considerably in the presence of Cu2+ and Fe3+. The theoretical computation of probe FLPG and its complexes were also performed using density functional theory (DFT). Furthermore, bio-imaging experiments of the probe FLPG was successfully carried out for Cu2+ and Fe3+ monitoring in living-cells.

Results:

The probe FLPG could sense Cu2+ and Fe3+ with high selectivity and sensitivity, and quantitative correlations (R2>0.9000) between the Cu2+/Fe3+ concentrations (0.0−10.0 equiv). The limits of detection for Cu2+ and Fe3+ were found as 25.07 nM and 37.80 nM, respectively. The fluorescence quenching in the sensor is managed by ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) mechanism. Job’s plot was used to determine the binding stoichiometry (1:2) of the probe FLPG towards Cu2+ and Fe3+. The binding constants with strongly interacting Cu2+ and Fe3+ were determined as 4.56×108 M-2 and 2.02×1010 M-2, respectively, via the fluorescence titration experiments. The outcomes of the computational study supported the fluorescence data. Moreover, the practical application of the probe FLPG was successfully performed for living cells.

Conclusion:

This simple chemosensor system offers a highly selective and sensitive sensing platform for the routine detection of Cu2+ and Fe3+, and it keeps away from the usage of costly and sophisticated analysis systems.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (Z)-4-{[4-(3-methyl-3-phenylcyclobutyl)thiazol-2-yl]amino}-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid

The title compound is a cyclo­butyl compound that adopts a Z configuration. The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by an N—H⋯O hydrogen bond, forming an (7) ring motif. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by pairs of O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming supra­molecular ribbons linked via C₁¹(9) ring motifs.

The title cyclo­butyl compound, C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₃S, was synthesized by the inter­action of 4-(3-methyl-3-phenyl­cyclo­but­yl)thia­zol-2-amine and maleic anhydride, and crystallizes in the ortho­rhom­bic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with Z′ = 1. The mol­ecular geometry is partially stabilized by an intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond forming an S₁¹(7) ring motif. The mol­ecule is non-planar with a dihedral angle of 88.29 (11)° between the thia­zole and benzene rings. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming supra­molecular ribbons with C₁¹(9) chain motifs. To further analyze the inter­molecular inter­actions, a Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed. The results indicate that the most important contributions to the overall surface are from H⋯H (43%), C⋯H (18%), O⋯H (17%) and N⋯H (6%), inter­actions.

The effects of rivaroxaban, an oral anticoagulant, on human IVD primary cultures

INTRODUCTION

The present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of rivaroxaban, an oral anticoagulant that inhibits the effects of factor Xa, on intact intervertebral disc tissue cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Rivaroxaban was applied to primary human cell cultures prepared from tissues of the intervertebral disc. Comparative molecular analyses were performed on non-drug-treated control group samples. Descriptive statistics were presented as the mean ± standard deviation. An analysis of variance test was performed to determine whether there were significant differences in the mean across the groups. When differences across groups were observed, Tukey's honestly significant difference post-hoc test was used for multiple pairwise comparisons. The significance of the obtained data was determined statistically. The α significance value was < 0.05.

RESULTS

The cells in the control group and in the rivaroxaban-treated group were viable, healthy, and proliferated (p < 0.05). However, the expression levels of the chondroadherin gene (CHAD), cartilage oligo matrix protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, and MMP-19 genes were changed (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although rivaroxaban does not suppress cell proliferation due to morphological, biological, and biochemical changes in the intervertebral disc tissue, it may change the expression of genes that are related to ECM maintenance.

New Findings on Autoimmune Etiology of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: Serum IL-17, IL-22 and IL-23 Levels of Patients

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis (IGM) is a benign chronic inflammatory breast disease that mimics breast cancer, and the etiopathogenesis has not yet been fully evaluated. Autoimmunity has received the most focus as a possible etiology. Our aim in this prospective clinical study was to investigate the possible association between the cytokines, interleukin IL-17, IL-22, IL-23 and IGM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The current study was conducted in 26 women with histopathologically diagnosed IGM, and 15 control women of reproductive age having no breast disease history. Blood samples were collected, and serum concentrations of IL-17, IL-22, and IL-23 were determined.

RESULTS

In the analysis of variables, the patients with IGM and the control group had statistically significant differences between serum IL-22 titers (p = 0.0378) and IL-23 titers (p = 0.0469. No statistically significant difference was found between IGM patients and the control group in serum IL-17 titers (p = 0.9724).

CONCLUSION

The results of the current study, especially pertaining to serum IL-22 and IL-23 levels, support the etiopathogenesis of IGM in favor of the autoinflammatory thesis. Nevertheless, this thesis should be supported by a large case number and prospective clinical studies.

Surgical Resection Length and Harvested Lymph Nodes in Colon Cancer

OBJECTIVE

 To determine the relationship between resected specimen length and tumor location, the number of LN harvested (LNh), and the positive LN ratio (LNR) in colon cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

A descriptive study. Place & Duration of Study: Department of General Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between January 2009 and December 2019.

METHODOLOGY

Colon specimens resected for colon cancer were evaluated retrospectively, in terms of tumor location, type of surgery, resected colon length, LNh and the number of metastatic LN, based on hospital records. Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis along with Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc tests were applied. The lymph node ratio (LNR) (= ratio of LN+  to LNh), the number of lymph nodes per unit distance (LNh/cm), the ratio of LNR to length of specimen (LNR/cm) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The rate of ≥12 LNh in 644 colon cancer patients was 81.4%. The length of colon specimen and the number of harvested lymph nodes (LNh) were higher in patients, who underwent subtotal colectomy (StC), compared to patients who underwent right and left hemicolectomy (RhC and LhC, p<0.001). Inadequate LNh was more common in LhC patients (p<0.001). The ratio of the number of LNh to the length of the resected specimen (LNh/cm) was higher in RhC and LhC patients than StC patients (p<0.001). LNR and LNR/cm were higher in LhC patients, though mean specimen length was shorter in LhC patients (p<0.05). The number of LNh had a direct proportion with the resected specimen length; however, the LNh/cm and LNR/cm ratios decreased in >50 cm length specimen patients (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Central LN dissection and vascular high ligation, according to tumor site are more efficient than the length of the resected specimen for an adequate LN dissection in colon cancers. Key Words: Colon cancer, Harvested lymph node,  Specimen length, Adequate dissection.

Intensive care nurses' evidence-based knowledge and experiences regarding closed suctioning system

Background

Endotracheal suctioning is a vital procedure performed by intensive care nurses to maintain airway patency and optimal gas exchange in critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation. As the procedure can cause several complications, intensive care nurses should have adequate evidence-based knowledge on how to perform the procedure.

Aims

This study aimed at examining intensive care nurses' knowledge and experience of the closed suctioning system. This study was a prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, and multi-centered study conducted with 195 nurses working in the tertiary intensive care units in five Turkish hospitals.

Subjects and Methods

The data were collected with a questionnaire developed by the researchers in light of the literature. The data were evaluated with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results

The mean age of the nurses was 30.58 ± 6.28 years. The mean knowledge score of the nurses for the closed system was 27.35 ± 12.05 (range = 0-80) and 80.5% of them obtained scores ranging between 0 and 40. Also, 71.8% stated that they did not have any difficulty performing suctioning with the closed system catheter, and 85% said that they saved time with the closed system. However, 50.8% of the nurses said they were not able to suction viscous and sticky secretions efficiently, 44.6% stated they did not need to irrigate the inside of the catheter, and 45.1% of them were undecided whether the coude tip catheter led to hemorrhagic secretion more than straight tip catheter.

Conclusions

Almost one-fifth of the nurses had good scores on evidence-based knowledge of suctioning. Most of the nurses' experiences regarding the use and manipulation of the closed system were positive. However, almost half of the nurses pointed out that the closed system was not effective enough to suction viscous and sticky secretions. Regular in-service training sessions may help to improve nurses' current knowledge and experiences.

POS1375 THE EFFECT OF M694V HOMOZYGOSITY ON THE CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS AND FLOW MEDIATED DILATATION IN PATIENTS WITH FMF RELATED AMYLOIDOSIS

Background:

There are limited data in FMF associated AA amyloidosis patients regarding the vascular abnormalities including atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction, all of which are contributors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. And, this risk assessment for future CV events have not yet been evaluated between FMF amyloidosis patients with different genotypes.

Objectives:

We aimed to compare early markers of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, mortality and other disease characteristics in FMF-related amyloidosis patients with a homozygous M694V genotype and in patients with other genotypes with this cross-sectional comparative study.

Methods:

For this purpose, patients with FMF-related amyloidosis were assigned according to the MEFV gene mutation to one of the two groups. Group 1: Patients homozygous for M694V (which is the most common genotype associated with the most severe clinical phenotype in FMF) Group 2: Patients homozygous (other than M694V) or compound heterozygous (including M694V) for other MEFV variants. Potential confounders were controlled by excluding the patients with untreated hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, smoking, previous history of CVD low glomerular filtration rate (eGFR <70 mL/min). Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), pentraxin-3 (PTX3) as early markers of endothelial dysfunction and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) as an indicator of atherosclerotic vascular disease, all of which are non-invasive tests that are also used to identify subjects at increased risk for future CV events were measured in these 2 groups.

Results:

We analyzed demographic, clinical, genetic, survival data and these non-invasive markers of endothelial dysfunction (FMD and PTX3) and atherosclerosis (cIMT and FGF23) in 76 FMF amyloidosis patients with homozygous M694V mutations (Group 1) and 93 FMF amyloidosis patients with two pathogenic mutations apart from M694V homozygosity (Group 2) (Table 1). Brachial artery FMD was significantly lower in Group 1 when compared with Group 2 subjects (6.0 vs. 6.5%, p<0.001). cIMT, FGF23 and PTX3 levels were higher in Group 1 when compared with Group 2 (cIMT: 0.84 vs. 0.67 mm, p<0.001; FGF23: 52.4 vs. 38.0 pg/dL, p=0.01; PTX3: 14.0 vs. 3.2 ng/mL, p<0.001). Time to develop amyloidosis was similar in patients homozygous for M694V (median 10.0 years, 95%CI: 8.99-11.0) and in Group 2 (median 10.0 years, 95%CI: 8.97-11.0) (p>0.05). Mortality rate was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (18.4% vs. 1.1%, p<0.001) over a median of 7.8 years of follow-up. FMF amyloidosis patients homozygous for M694V had reduced survival (mean survival: 97 months, 95%CI: 94.9 to 101.0 months) as compared to Group 2 (mean survival: 100.7 months, 95%CI: 100.0 to 101.3 months) (p<0.001) (Figure 1). The proportion of the clinical manifestations including fever, serositis, erysipelas-like erythema, all of which are associated with an FMF attack did not differ between two groups (p>0.05) apart from arthritis (76.3% in Group 1 and 59.1% in Group 2, p<0.05) (Table 1).

Conclusion:

In patients with FMF related amyloidosis, M694V homozygosity is associated with lower FMD values and higher cIMT, FGF23 and PTX3 levels. In summary, the data demonstrate that a genotype-phenotype association exists in terms of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in FMF patients with amyloidosis.

Table 1.Group 1 (n=76)Group 2 (n=93)Total (n=169)pClinical Findingsn (%)n (%)n (%)Dialysis2 (2.6)3 (3.2)5 (3.0) 1.00*Kidney transplantation5 (6.6)4 (4.3)9 (5.3)0.73*Kidney biopsy68 (89.5)85 (91.4)153 (90.5)0.67Median(Min-max)Median(Min-max)Median(Min-max)Age (years)36.5 (19.0-49.0)35.0 (22.0-49.0)36.0 (19.0-49.0)0.16Age of amyloidosis (years)20.0 (13.0-31.0)20.0 (15.0-26.0)20.0 (13.0-31.0)0.86BMI (kg/m2)26.0 (21.0-32.0)27.0 (19.0-32.0)26.6 (29.0-32.0)0.89HOMA2.2 (1.2-7.3)2.4 (1.1-8.4)2.4 (1.1-8.4)0.40Proteinuria (g/24h)7.64,65.4<0.001

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Analysis of the Relationship Between Learning and Synaptophysin in Obese Rats Treated With DPP4 Inhibitor

In this study, it is aimed to investigate possible changes in cognitive functions in obesity by using targeted treatment hypothesis. Accordingly, the effects of DPP4 inhibitor, which is actively used in the clinic in the treatment of diabetes, and the effect of exercise, which has been proven to be effective in the treatment of obesity, on the change of learning performance and the relationship of these effects with the synaptophysin molecule were investigated. In our study, 42 Wistar albino rats were used. The animals were randomly divided into seven groups as obese, control, obese+DPP4i, control+DPP4i, obese+exercise, control+exercise, control+NaCl. To create experimental obesity, the animals that are targeted to be obese were separated and fed on a high fat diet for 8 weeks. After the obese model was created, sitagliptin was applied to the DPP4i groups and swimming exercise was applied to the exercise groups for obesity treatment. The last week of the study was performed reference memory learning test to the whole group with Morris water maze. Then, the hippocampus tissues were removed from the animals under anesthesia. mRNA and protein isolations were performed from the extracted tissues. Synaptophysin gene expressions were determined from mRNA samples by Real-Time PCR method. Synaptophysin protein levels were determined from protein lysates by Western Blot method. In the learning test, in the obese groups, there was a statistically significant difference between the average escape time of the DPP4i and exercise groups and the groups that did not (p<0.05). As a result, in groups where obesity is treated with DPP4i and exercise; It was concluded that cognitive performance was better than obese groups. There was a evident decrease in synaptophysin gene expression levels in obese groups compared to the control group. In the treatment groups, an increase was observed in synaptophysin gene expression levels in the DPP4 inhibitor and especially in the exercise groups compared to the control groups (P> 0.05). Gene expression results were similar in analyzes performed at the protein level. According to these results, in terms of performance in cognitive function due to obesity and synaptophysin gene relationship; DPP4 inhibitor showed as effective a result as exercise. This provides a resource for advanced molecular and metabolic research.

Acknowledgement: This study was supported by The Scientific And Technological Research Council Of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) Project No. 219S063.

Fabrication and sensing properties of phenolphthalein based colorimetric and turn-on fluorogenic probe for CO32- detection and its living-cell imaging application

Herein, an easy assembled colorimetric and ''turn-on'' fluorescent sensor (probe P4SC) based on phenolphthalein was developed for carbonate ion (CO₃^2-) sensing in a mixture of EtOH/H₂O (v/v, 80/20, pH = 7, Britton-Robinson buffer) media. The probe P4SC demonstrated high sensitive and selective monitoring toward CO₃^2- over other competitive anions. Interaction of CO₃^2- with the probe P4SC resulted in a significant increment in emission intensity at λ_em = 498 nm (λ_ex = 384 nm) due to the strategy of blocking the photo induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. ¹H NMR titration and Job's methods, as well as the theoretical study were carried out to support the probable stoichiometry of the reaction (1:2) between P4SC and CO₃^2-. The binding constant of the probe P4SC with CO₃^2- was calculated as 2.56 × 10¹⁰ M^-2. The probe P4SC providing rapid response time (~0.5 min) with a satisfactorily low detection limit (14.7 nM) may be useful as a valuable realistic sensor. The imaging studies on the liver cancer cells (HepG2) shows the great potential of the probe P4SC for the sensation of intracellular CO₃^2- anions. Furthermore, the satisfactory recovery and RSD values obtained for water application confirming that the probe P4SC could be applied to sensing of CO₃^2- ion.

Systematic Evaluation of Desmopressin Administered to Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in the Light of the Literature

AIM

To discuss the management of patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) developing after subarachnoid hemorrhage, in a comparative manner in the light of the literature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Without country or language restrictions, articles with high evidential value found in electronic databases were compared to our patients?

DATA

RESULTS

After the literature review, three articles were included for systematic evaluation. Desmopressin was administered to the patients for the treatment of hyponatremia, volume contraction, and negative sodium balance caused by SIADH. However, it was not used for preventing re-bleeding.

CONCLUSION

To prevent the development of this complication (SIADH), the use of desmopressin, an analogue of vasopressin, is important in routine clinical practice.

Practical Performance of Hippocampal Tissue Resection in Rats in Pharmacomolecular Research

AIM

To explain how to resect hippocampal tissue in rats used as live mammalian subjects for the resection of fresh cerebral tissue in laboratories.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Adult male Wistar-Albino rats (n=50) were used for this purpose.

RESULTS

The average bodyweight of the rats was 316.4 ± 11.71 g, and the average weight of the resected hippocampal tissues was 1.01 ± 0.03 g; however, there were no statistically significant differences between the body weights and the hippocampal tissue weights (p > 0.05). The hippocampal tissues to be used in the study were excised practically by preserving the original anatomical configuration without injury to the tissue.

CONCLUSION

This paper elucidates a simple, step-by-step methodology for performance in the laboratory in order to improve the standardization of hippocampal tissue dissection.

1,8-Naphthalimide appended propiolate-based fluorescent sensor for selective detection of cysteine over glutathione and homocysteine in living cells

A novel 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorogenic chemoprobe NASP was designed and developed as a sensor platform for the selective detection of biologically important cysteine over glutathione and homocysteine in living-cells.

Toxicity of the acetyl-para-aminophenol group of medicines to intact intervertebral disc tissue cells

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of paracetamol, an analgesic and antipyretic that is used in emergency departments and neurosurgery departments for postoperative pain management on intervertebral disc tissue. Paracetamol-treated human primary cell cultures and untreated cell cultures were compared using molecular analyses. Cell proliferation and gene expression were statistically analyzed. Cell proliferation was suppressed on days 10 (P=0.05) and 20 (P<0.05) in the paracetamol-treated groups. Gene expression of chondroadherin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7, MMP-13 and MMP-19 was higher in the paracetamol-treated samples while gene expression of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein and interleukin-1β was lower (P<0.05). Paracetamol, which appears innocuous compared with many analgesics, may increase the expression of MMPs, which serve a significant role in catabolic reactions and suppress the proliferation of intact intervertebral disc tissue cells.

Pharmaco-molecular assessment of the effects of anandamide and its antagonists on hippocampal tissue in Wistar albino rats

OBJECTIVE

The members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family and cannabinoids (CBs) are reportedly associated with hippocampus-dependent memory functions. However, the effects of endogenously formed CBs on hippocampal long-term potentiation remain unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the changes in the gene and protein expression levels of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and NOTCH receptor 1 (NOTCH1) in rat hippocampal tissues treated with anandamide (AEA), AM251, 6-iodopravadolin (AM630), and N-[4-{[(3,4-Dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)amino]sulfonyl}phenyl] (ML193).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The subjects were divided into 10 groups (n = five per group). The pharmaceuticals were administered via intraperitoneal injection once a day for seven days, except for the control group. The resected hippocampal tissues were then evaluated using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis. The data obtained were statistically analyzed, and p < 0.01 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Contrary to the literature, the changes in MMP-9 expression were not statistically significant, but the changes in PTEN and NOTCH1 were. The findings of this in vivo experimental study revealed that the agonists and antagonists acting on the CB system have significant molecular effects on hippocampal tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes in gene and protein expressions may be one of the reasons for the neurodegenerative processes observed in patients using these agonists and antagonists, whose effects on the CB system have not been fully explained yet. Our study can contribute to the literature as it is the first study investigating the MMP-9, PTEN and NOTCH1 gene and protein expression.

DICER1 Hotspot Mutations in Pleuropulmonary Blastoma: A Case Series From a Tertiary Center

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a potentially aggressive, rare childhood neoplasia. We investigated histopathological features, survival, and DICER1 hotspot mutations among PPB patients. Archive records at our institution were reviewed, covering a 20-year period. Thirteen children (6 males and 7 females) with a mean age of 30.5 (range 6-83) months were included. The tumor subtypes were type I in 6 (46%), type II in 4 (31%), and type III in 3 (23%). Only tumors with type II and type III histology showed anaplasia (4/7, 57%). Median follow-up was 28 (range 9-216) months. Three-year overall survival rate was 83.3% and 3-year progression-free survival rate was 25%. Progression was seen in 60% (3/5) of type I and 66.7% (4/6) of type II and type III cases. Two patients died of disseminated disease at 9 and 44 months. Hotspot missense mutations on DICER1 gene were detected in all 11 patients with available tumor tissue. We found an additional novel germline loss-of-function mutation (c.5436dupT; p.E1813*) in 1 case. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate hotspot missense mutations on DICER1 gene among the largest series of Turkish children with PPB.

A Study of the Effects of Metformin, a Biguanide Derivative, on Annulus Fibrosus and Nucleus Pulposus Cells

AIM

To investigate the effects of metformin, a drug used widely for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, on human primary cell cultures prepared from uninjured segment of disc material intervertebral disk tissues.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Primary cell cultures were prepared using the tissues of six patients (three males and three females) who had undergone lumbar microdiscectomy and sequestrectomy. Untreated samples served as the control group, and metformintreated samples served as the experimental group. All the samples were evaluated using an inverted light microscope, acridine orange/propidium iodide staining (AO/PI), and a fluorescence microscope. The cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of metformin, which was administered to the samples using a commercial MTT assay kit, were also evaluated. The data obtained were statistically assessed, and the alpha significance value was accepted as less than 0.05. In addition, for the groups’ changes in the expressions of chondroadherin (CHAD), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7), and matrix metalloproteinase 19 (MMP-19), genes related to the extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation were determined using gene-specific TaqMan Gene Expression Assays.

RESULTS

The administration of the drug adversely affected nucleus pulposus (NP)/annulus fibrosus (AF) cells and extracellular matrixâ€"like structures. This was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should not disregard the adverse effects of metformin, which is used widely in clinical practice, on the components of intervertebral disk tissues.

Evaluation of Empirical Antibiotic Treatment in Culture Negative Pyogenic Vertebral Osteomyelitis

AIM

To investigate the efficacy of empirical antibiotic treatment in culture-negative pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) cases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The records of patients with culture-negative PVO who were treated at infectious diseases and neurosurgery outpatient clinics in the past four years were examined retrospectively. The control group comprised healthy subjects with similar age, gender, and body mass index but without pathology. The comparison of the groups was performed by analysis of variance. Statistical significance was accepted as p < 0.05.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference in the white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was found between the spondylodiscitis and the healthy subject groups when the blood parameters obtained before and after the treatment (p > 0.05). However, a statistical significance was assessed in the results of the comparison for C-reactive protein (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In the context of evidence-based medicine and the rational use of antibiotics, it is clear that antibiotics should be preferred according to the culture antibiogram results in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Fluorescence "Turn On-Off" Sensing of Copper (II) Ions Utilizing Coumarin-Based Chemosensor: Experimental Study, Theoretical Calculation, Mineral and Drinking Water Analysis

Herein, we report the preparation of a fluorescent sensor based on coumarin derivative for copper (II) ion sensing in CH₃CN/HEPES media. 6,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-(trifluoro)methylphenyl)coumarin (HMAC) sensor was fabricated and analyzed by spectroscopic techniques. The sensor demonstrates "turn on-off" fluorescence quenching in the presence of copper (II) ions at 458 nm. A clear complex between the chemosensor HMAC and copper (II) ions was characterized by ESI-MS as well as the Job's method. Also, the limit of detection (LOD, 3σ/k) value was determined as 24.5 nM in CH₃CN/HEPES (95/5, v/v) buffer media (pH = 7.0). This value is lower than the admissible level of copper (II) ions in drinking water (maximum 31.5 μM) reported by EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The theoretical calculations (density functional theory, DFT) have been performed for the geometric optimized structures. As a final stage, real sample analyses have successfully been performed by using HMAC, as well as ICP-OES method. The relative standard deviation for copper (II) in mineral and drinking water samples has been determined to be below 0.15% and recovery values are in the range of 95.48-109.20%.

A novel fluorescent probe based on isocoumarin for Hg2+ and Fe3+ ions and its application in live-cell imaging

Synthesis of the 2-amino-4-phenyl-6- (isocoumarin-3-yl) -3-cyanopyridine (APICP) containing both isocoumarin and pyridine ring in its structure was carried out, and this compound was characterized by ATR-FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectral techniques. A fluorescence sensor determining Hg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in DMSO/HEPES buffer solution (9/1 v/v, 5 μM, pH 7.0) was developed using the synthesized compound, and the detection limits of the sensor with exquisite selectivity were calculated as 8.12 nM and 5.51 nM for Hg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions, respectively. Jobs plot method was used to determine the stoichiometry of APICP-Hg²⁺/Fe³⁺ complexes as 2:1 and FT-IR and ESI-MS methods confirmed the results. Besides, cell growth inhibitory potentials of the sensor over HepG2 cells and in vivo fluorescent cell imaging experiments were conducted. Findings revealed the relatively low cytotoxic effects of the synthesized sensor (IC₅₀: 0.541 ± 0.039 mM), and it could be utilized as an intracellular imaging agent for the determination of Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions in biological systems.

A simple and sensitive fluorescent sensor platform for Al3+ sensing in aqueous media and monitoring through combined PET and ESIPT mechanisms: practical applications in drinking water and bio-imaging

A novel hydrazide-based probe was designed and prepared as a fluorogenic “turn-on” sensor for Al³⁺ sensing in aqueous media.

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. Cell viability and proliferation were tested, and the cell surface morphologies were evaluated by microscopy. The expressions of the chondroadherin (CHAD), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -7 and MMP-19 genes were evaluated using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The viability and proliferation of intervertebral disc tissue cells decreased in response to MPH treatment and the expression of the investigated genes also changed.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained from in-vitro studies may not directly adaptable to clinical applications. However, the fact that the central nervous system stimulant MPH can suppress proliferation of cells derived from IVD tissue should be considered carefully by clinicians.