Association of plasma fatty acids pattern with omentin gene expression in human adipose tissues: A cross-sectional study

Background and aimsOmentin, as an adipokine, has been reported to improve insulin resistance and inflammation may be related to fatty acids (FAs). Plasma FAs can be used as biomarkers of dietary FAs and endogenous FA exposure. We aimed to evaluate the association between plasma FAs pattern and omentin gene expression in adipose tissue (AT).Methods and resultsVisceral and subcutaneous AT and fasting blood were gathered from 97 adults aged >18 years. Participants were already admitted to hospitals for elective abdominal surgery. Dietary intakes were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. The relative omentin gene expression in visceral and subcutaneous AT was measured by Real-Time PCR and plasma FAs was determined by gas chromatography. The principal component analysis was performed to derive the FAs pattern from plasma individual FAs. Three patterns were derived from plasma FAs, 1) high de-novo lipogenesis (DNL), 2) high trans saturated fatty acids (SFA), and docosahexaenoic acid (trans-SFA/DHA), and 3) high long-chain SFA (LC-SFA). After adjustment for age, sex, and insulin concentration, only the LC-SFA pattern was associated with omentin gene expression in visceral AT (β = 2.25, P = 0.03). Other patterns were not associated with omentin gene expression in visceral and subcutaneous AT.ConclusionA pattern characterized by high levels of myristic acid (14:0), heptadecanoic acid (17:0), pentadecanoic acid (15:0), and Cis_heptadecanoic acid (17:1), which named LC-SFA was related to omentin gene expression in visceral AT.     

A Turkish patient with novel AHCY variants and presumed diagnosis of S‐adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase deficiency

S‐adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase deficiency is an autosomal recessive neurometabolic disorder affecting the muscles, liver, and nervous system. The disease occurs by pathogenic variants of AHCY gene encoding S‐adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AHCY) enzyme. This article reports a patient with presumed AHCY deficiency who was diagnosed by whole exome sequencing due to compound heterozygosity of novel p.T57I (c.170C>T) and p.V217M (c.649G>A) variants of AHCY gene. The patient had diffuse edema, coagulopathy, central nervous system abnormalities, and hypotonia. She died in 3 months due to cardiovascular collapse. Clinical findings of the present case were compatible with previously reported AHCY deficiency patients and the novel variants we found are considered to be the cause of the symptoms. This article also compiles the previous reports and expands clinical spectrum of AHCY deficiency by adding new features.     

The effects of glutamine-enriched feeding on incisional healing in rats

Glutamine (Gln), which is the most abundant free amino acid in the circulation, and also a primary fuel for rapidly dividing cells, was used to determine its effects on incisional healing. The effect of Gln-enriched feeding was investigated using tensile strength measurement, which reflects the quality and speed of regeneration, and by the measurement of tissue hydroxyproline level which correlate directly with the collagen content of wounds. Forty albino Wistar rats in four equal groups received a special diet 7 days prior to surgery and 7 days after surgery. On the 7th day of study a 5-cm dorsal midline skin incision was made and then closed by interrupted sutures. Group 1 received a normal diet for all 14 days; group 2 received a Gln-enriched diet 7 days prior to surgery and a normal diet 7 days after surgery; group 3 received a normal diet prior to surgery and a Gln-enriched diet after surgery; group 4 received a constant Gln-enriched diet. On the 7th postoperative day, tensile strength measurements and hydroxyproline level analyses were done. A preoperative Gln-enriched diet did not show any significant improvement in the tensile strength and hydroxyproline levels on the 7th postoperative day, but a pre- and postoperative, and a postoperative Gln-enriched diet significantly improved the tensile strength and hydroxyproline levels when compared with the normal diet group (P<0.0001). These findings show that wound healing is better when Gln was added in the postoperative, or both pre- and postoperative periods, but not when only added in the preoperative period. Received: 18 May 1998 / Accepted: 16 November 1998     

A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Attenuation Characteristics of Some Sliding Bearing Alloys under 0.015–15 MeV Gamma-Ray Exposure

In this study, three different sliding bearing alloy samples were investigated in terms of their performance on attenuation characteristics and behavioral attitudes under 0.015–15 MeV gamma-ray exposure. Accordingly, different types of advanced calculation methods were utilized to calculate the radiation shielding parameters. Next, several gamma-ray shielding parameters and exposure rates in addition to fast neutron removal cross-section were determined. Furthermore, exposure and energy absorption buildup factors were determined by using G-P fitting method. Mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) values were recorded as 2.5246, 2.5703, and 2.5827 (cm²/g) for Alloy1, Alloy2, and Alloy3 samples at 15 MeV photon energy, respectively. At 40 mfp, the highest EBF values were reported as 1,376,274, 1,003,593, and 969,373 for Alloy1, Alloy2, and Alloy3 samples. The results of this extended investigation showed that the Alloy3 sample with the highest Pb reinforcement amount has superior shielding capability among the investigated samples. It can be concluded from the results that substitution of Pb with Bi in the recent alloy structure has a monotonic effect on different types of shielding parameters. Therefore, it can also be concluded that Pb is a remarkable tool for the improvement of the shielding properties of studied alloy structures.     

Fetal pulse oximetry: correlation with intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns and neonatal outcome

AIM: To determine how fetal pulse oximetry behaves in various cardiotocographic (CTG) tracings and correlates with neonatal outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pregnant women undergoing active labor with singleton pregnancies of 32-42 weeks were enrolled. CTG recordings were reassuring or nonreassuring (namely variable or persisting late decelerations). Pulse oximetry values during labor and changing throughout deceleration and recovery phases, duration and frequency of pulse oximetry recordings <30%, and neonatal outcome were determined. One-way anova, Tukey test, chi(2)-test and multiple logistic regression model were used for statistical analysis where appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 156 pregnant subjects were divided into three groups: reassuring fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns (group 1, n=78 [50%]), late decelerations (group 2, n=16 [10.3%]) and variable decelerations (group 3, n=62 [39.7%]). The initial and final pulse oximetry readings, pulse values in first stage of labor, the duration and the frequency of pulse oximetry recordings <30% were significantly different between groups (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.001, P<0.001). Fetal acidosis was significantly more frequent with late decelerations (23.1%, P=0.004). A multiple logistic regression model demonstrated that the initial pulse oximetry value during active labor was the most predictive variable of neonatal well-being (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Decreased fetal pulse oximetry values, especially prolonged and recurrent recordings <30% are well-correlated with abnormal FHR patterns, indicating an association with fetal compromise and metabolic acidosis. Going through active labor with a lower initial value of FSpO(2) more frequently leads to an altered FHR pattern and subsequent adverse fetal outcome.     

Gamma-Ray Protection Properties of Bismuth-Silicate Glasses against Some Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Radioisotopes: A Comprehensive Study

This study aimed to perform an investigation for the potential implementation of bismuth silicate glasses as novel shield equipment instead of ordinary shields in nuclear medicine facilities. Accordingly, a group of Bi₂O₃ reinforced silicate glass system were investigated and compared with ordinary shields in terms of their gamma-ray attenuation properties in diagnostic nuclear medicine radioisotope energies emitted from ^99mTc, ¹¹¹In, ⁶⁷Ga, ¹²³I, ¹³¹I, ^81mKr, ²⁰¹Tl, ¹³³Xe. Mass attenuation coefficient (μm)results for glass samples were calculated comparatively with the XCOM program and MCNPX code. The gamma-ray attenuation parameters such as half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Z_eff) were obtained in the diagnostic gamma ray energy range from 75 to 336 keV. To confirm the attenuation performance of superior sample, obtained results were extensively compared with ordinary shielding materials. According to the results obtained, BISI6 glass sample with the highest Bi₂O₃ additive has an excellent gamma-ray protection.     

Role of a hyaluronic-acid derivative in preventing surgical adhesions and abscesses related to dropped bile and gallstones in an experimental model

BACKGROUND: Despite its advantages, iatrogenic gallbladder perforation with resultant spillage of bile and gallstones is not uncommon during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Although this is not generally considered a significant problem, spilled gallstones may cause problems even years after the operation. Hyaluronic acid has been introduced into clinical practice and successfully used to decrease postoperative adhesions after abdominopelvic surgery. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a hyaluronic-acid derivative in preventing complications related to spilled gallstones and bile leakage in an experimental study. METHODS: In 60 Wistar-Albino rats, an upper-midline abdominal incision was made, and the rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 12 in each group) as follows: group I = laparotomy alone; group II = laparotomy and intraperitoneal instillation of sterile bile plus gallstones; group III = laparotomy and instillation of infected bile and gallstones; group IV = laparotomy and instillation of sterile bile and gallstones plus hyaluronic acid; and group V = laparotomy and instillation of infected bile and gallstones plus HA. A second-look laparotomy was performed on postoperative day 10 to assess intraperitoneal adhesions and abscesses. Intraperitoneal adhesions were scored, and breaking strengths of gallstones were measured. RESULTS: Adhesion scores were significantly higher in groups II and III compared with groups I, IV, and V (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant decrease in breaking strengths and adhesion scores in groups IV and V compared with groups II and III (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Whether infected or not, spilled gallstones and bile caused postoperative adhesions in this experimental model. An HA derivative significantly prevented postoperative adhesions and decreased breaking strengths. Further clinical studies are needed to validate these findings.     

Waning antibody levels after COVID-19 vaccination with mRNA Comirnaty and inactivated CoronaVac vaccines in blood donors,Hong Kong,April 2020 to October 2021

The mRNA vaccine Comirnaty and the inactivated vaccine CoronaVac are both available in Hong Kong’s COVID-19 vaccination programme. We observed waning antibody levels in 850 fully vaccinated (at least 14 days passed after second dose) blood donors using ELISA and surrogate virus neutralisation test. The Comirnaty-vaccinated group’s (n = 593) antibody levels remained over the ELISA and sVNT positive cut-offs within the first 6 months. The CoronaVac-vaccinated group’s (n = 257) median antibody levels began to fall below the cut-offs 4 months after vaccination.