Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in a vast number of infections and deaths that deeply affect the world. When the virus encounters the host cell, it binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, then the S protein of the virus is broken down by the transmembrane protease serine 2 with the help of furin, allowing the virus to enter the cell. The elevated inflammatory cytokines suggest that a cytokine storm, also known as cytokine release syndrome, may play a major role in the pathology of COVID-19. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between circulating furin levels, disease severity, and inflammation in patients with SARS-CoV-2. A total of 52 SARS-CoV-2 patients and 36 healthy control participants were included in this study. SARS- CoV-2 patients were scored by the disease activity score. Serum furin, presepsin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean furin, presepsin, and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the peripheral blood of SARS-CoV-2 compared to the controls ( p < 0.001). There were close positive relationship between serum furin and IL-6, furin and presepsin, and furin and disease severity ( r = 0.793, p < 0001; r = 0.521, p < 0.001; and r = 0,533, p < 0.001, respectively) in patients with SARS-CoV-2. These results suggest that furin may contribute to the exacerbation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and increased inflammation, and could be used as a predictor of disease severity in COVID-19 patients.

SUMMARY Purpose The objective of this study was to assess the effect of bioactive pulp-capping materials on human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC) behavior in terms of cell viability and bioactivity via mineralization potential. Methods and Materials Nanoparticles of 58S5 bioactive glass (nBG) powder were elaborated by a sol-gel process. Primer hDPSCs were cultured with experimental nBG, Biodentine, TheraCal LC, and ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) extracts. Cell viability was measured for 1, 3, and 7 days by water-soluble tetrazolium salts (WST-1) assay. Expression of mineralization-related marker genes (dentin sialophosphoprotein [DSPP] and osteocalcin [OCN]) was quantified by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Detection of DSPP protein expression in hDPSCs was also assessed by western blotting. Alizarin red staining was used to detect the formation of mineralized nodules, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was quantified by a photometric method (days 7 and 14). All data were statistically analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-hoc test (p&lt;0.05). Results The cell viability of hDPSCs in all groups decreased except for nBG, and the lowest cell viability was determined in TheraCal LC at all incubation times. nBG and MTA showed significantly higher ALP activity than the control group. The tested materials elevated the calcium nodule form of hDPSCs except for TheraCal LC. The highest DSPP expression was seen in nBG for both incubation times. Conclusion nBG promotes differentiation and mineralization of hDPSCs at a higher rate than other bioactive pulp-capping materials tested.

Rheum ribes L.'nin etanol ekstraktlarının malign melanoma hücreleri üzerine anti-kanser etkinliği The anti-cancer effect of Rheum ribes L. 's ethanol extracts on malign melanoma cells

AimClinical and epidemiological studies suggest links between dementias and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The underlying mechanisms of diabetes-related cognitive impairment are largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the role of BDNF in cognitive impairment in prediabetes and T2DM.MethodsThe study included 68 patients with prediabetes (preDM), 96 patients with T2DM, and 65 healthy controls. The cognitive function of the patients was evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test and serum BDNF levels were measured by Elisa. The MoCA scores and BDNF levels were compared between diabetes groups after adjusting for age, gender, and education using ANCOVA. The role of BDNF in the diabetes-related cognitive impairment was investigated through mediation analysis.ResultsPatients with T2DM had significantly lower cognitive performance, particularly in memory. Diabetes was found to be a predictor of both cognitive impairment and BDNF levels. A significant increase in serum BDNF levels was observed in patients with T2DM. However, the mediator role of BDNF in the pathology of cognitive impairment in diabetes was not determined.ConclusionCognitive impairment is prevalent in patients with T2DM and should be included in routine screening for complications. The results of the mediation analysis suggest that although BDNF is a biomarker affected by T2DM and cognition, it does not play a mediator role between cognitive impairment and diabetes.

Kanser tahrip edici, ölümcül bir hastalıktır ve dünya çapındaki ölüm nedenleri arasında ikinci sırada yer almaktadır. Mide kanseri gibi kanser türleri için farklı tedavi yöntemleri mevcut olsa da çoğu tedavi yöntemleri birçok yan etkiye sahiptir. Çeşitli iyileştirici özelliklere sahip Cuscuta campestris' in kanser hücreleri üzerindeki etkilerinin araştırılması yeni bir alan olmakla beraber etkileri tam olarak çalışılmamış ve aydınlatılmamıştır. Bu çalışmada, C. campestris özütünün farklı konsantrasyonlarının mide kanseri hücreleri üzerindeki sitotoksik, genotoksik, apoptotik ve reaktif oksijen türlerinin üretimindeki etkilerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır.GEREÇ VE YÖNTEM: Araştırmamızda, C. campestris için antioksidan, pro-oksidan ve radikal temizleyici aktiviteleri değerlendirildi ve miktar tayini LC-MS / MS yöntemi ile analiz edildi. C. Campestris' in normal hücrelere kıyasla mide kanseri (AGC) hücreleri üzerindeki seçiciliğini göstermek için insan normal deri fibroblastik (CCD-1079Sk) hücre hattı kullanıldı. Apoptoz belirteçlerinin tayininde akridin oranj/etidyum bromür çift boyama, akış sitometrisi ve western blot metotlarından faydalanıldı. Genotoksik aktivite tayini, Comet analizi ile gerçekleştirildi. BULGULAR: Sonuçlarımız, C. Campestris etanolik özütünün doza bağlı bir şekilde, mide kanseri hücre hattı üzerinde normal hücrelere kıyasla önemli ölçüde daha yüksek sitotoksik etkilere sahip olduğunu göstermiştir. Ayrıca, elde ettiğimiz veriler C. campestris'in mide kanseri hücre hatlarında reaktif oksijen türlerinin oluşumunu arttırdığını ve DNA hasarına neden olduğunu açıkça göstermiştir. Yapılan apoptoz tayin ölçümleri C. campestris' in bölünmüş kaspaz-3, bölünmüş kaspaz-9, bölünmüş PARP ve P-53'ü aktive etmesiyle kanser hücreleri üzerinde apoptotik bir etkiye sahip olduğunu da doğrulamıştır. SONUÇ: Bu çalışmanın sonucu olarak, C. Campestris'in mide karsinomu tedavisinde umut vadeden bir antikanser ajanı olabileceği düşünülmektedir.