OBJECTIVE:COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus and turned into a pandemic in a short time, affects many organs and systems, especially the nervous system. In the present study, it was aimed to determine the morphological and volumetric changes in cortical and subcortical structures in recovered COVID-19 patients. BACKGROUND: We think that COVID-19 has a long-term effect on cortical and subcortical structures. METHODS: In our study, 50 post-COVID-19 patients and 50 healthy volunteers participated. In both groups, brain parcellations were made with Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) and regions showing density changes in the brain and cerebellum were determined. Gray matter (GM), white matter, cerebrospinal fl uid and total intracranial volume were calculated. RESULTS: Neurological symptoms developed in 80% of COVID-19 patients. In post-COVID-19 patients, a decrease in GM density was detected in pons, gyrus frontalis inferior, gyri orbitales, gyrus rectus, gyrus cinguli, lobus parietalis, gyrus supramarginalis, gyrus angularis, hippocampus, lobulus semilunaris superior of cerebellum, declive, and Brodmann area 7-11-39-40. There was a signifi cant decrease in GM density in these regions and an increase in GM density in amygdala (p<0.001). The GM volume of post-COVID-19 group was found to be less than in the healthy group. CONCLUSIONS: As a result, it was seen that COVID-19 negatively affected many structures related to the nervous system. This study is a pioneering study to determine the consequences of COVID-19, especially in the nervous system, and to determine the etiology of these possible problems (Tab. 4, Fig. 5, Ref. 25).

Aim: Among the hand functions, grasping is an important function for the continuity of daily living activities. The assessment of grip strength is crucial for identifying athletic prowess, neuromuscular illnesses, assessing potential side effects following hand surgery, and treatment plans. It was aimed to examine whether bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and upper extremity anthropometric measurements are effected grip strength in young adults. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 110 young adults, 55 males and 55 females, aged 18-25 years. Individuals with a history of trauma, musculoskeletal problems, and cardiac, respiratory, metabolic, or systemic diseases were not included in the study. Non-flexible tape measure, Harpenden anthropometric set, digital caliper, hand dynamometer, and skinfold caliper were used for anthropometric measurements. Body fat percentage and lean body mass, muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, and total body fluid parameters were investigated by bioelectrical impedance measurement. Three measurements were taken to reduce the error rate, and the average of these measurements was considered. Results: Excluding arm circumference, forearm length, and wrist circumference from anthropometric measurements, and mineral from BIA parameters; anthropometric measurements and BIA results were found to be statistically significantly correlated with grip strength. Conclusion: Upper extremity anthropometric measurements and BIA were associated with grip strength and varied according to gender. Significant correlations were found between grip strength with most of the anthropometric parameters and BIA.

Objective: To test the Turkish version of The Self-Efficacy for Home Exercise Programs Scale (SEHEPS-T) in patients with musculoskeletal diseases for validity and reliability. Methods: The performance of the scale was evaluated with 122 patients with varying musculoskeletal diseases, and repeated to assess its test-retest reliability. The questionnaire applied included a Demographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics Form, SEHEPS-T, the Turkish version of the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (EXSE), and the Turkish version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were used to evaluate their validity and reliability. Results: High internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .974 ) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = .998 ) were demonstrated. SEHEPS-T was revealed to be strongly correlated with both the EXSE and the TSK. ( 𝜌 = .933, 𝜌 = .949, p = .000, respectively), indicating strong convergent validity. Conclusions: SEHEPS-T was found to reliably measure the self-efficacy of musculoskeletal patients.

Aim: Free radical formation increases due to hyperglycemia occurring in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM), and as a result, oxidative stress occurs. Hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The antihyperglycemic, antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects of ellagic acid (EA) have been demonstrated by many studies. In this study, it was aimed to demonstrate the antifibrotic effect of EA on TGFβ1/Smad signaling in rats with streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy. Material and Methods: A total of 24 male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 200-250 g, were used in this study. The animals were divided into four groups as control, EA, DM, and DM+EA. The kidney tissues were used for histological and immunohistochemical procedures. While the collagen density in kidney tissues was revealed by Masson's trichrome staining, the expression levels of fibrotic markers TGFβ1, p-Smad3, and αSMA were determined by the immunocytochemical method. Results: It was shown that the collagen density in the renal tissue of the DM group increased significantly in the intertubular area, while the collagen density in the EA-treated DM group was statistically significantly decreased. When TGFβ1, p-Smad3, and αSMA immunopositivity in kidney tissue sections of all groups were evaluated, the highest staining intensity was in the DM group, while the intensity of staining was close to the control group in the treatment group. It was observed that αSMA, TGFβ1, and p-Smad3 protein expression were down-regulated with EA treatment. Conclusion: EA reduced fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy by returning profibrotic parameters to normal levels.