Digital Commons Network^™

Adenovirus Disease Following Pediatric Liver Transplantation: 10-Year Experience From A Large Pediatric Transplant Program, Anna M Banc-Husu, Sara Hassan, N Thao N Galvan, Elizabeth A Moulton, Jeremy M Schraw, Kathleen Hosek, Dana Cerminara, Flor M Munoz, Krupa Mysore

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Human adenovirus in immunocompromised patients can be life-threatening. We describe the prevalence, clinical presentation, and treatment of adenovirus after pediatric liver transplantation at a large transplant center.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of adenovirus infection in children from 2013 to 2022. We compared incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of post-transplant children by adenovirus treatment status.

Results: Adenovirus disease developed in 26% (84/320) children after liver transplant. Median age at liver transplant was 17.5 months, 48% were female; 50% had biliary atresia. Fever (53%), gastrointestinal symptoms (48%), and hepatitis (41%) were the most common clinical presentations at diagnosis. …

Defining The Society Of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (Split) Research Agenda: A Delphi Consensus Project, Sharad I Wadhwani, Pooja Reddy Spector, Amy G Feldman, Katryn N Furuya, Kayla Hartjes, Chaowapong Jarasvaraparn, Beau Kelly, Stacee M Lerret, Krupa Mysore, Arti Pawaria, Philip Rosenthal, Amy Shui, Voytek Slowik, Sarah Taylor, Jennifer Vittorio, Pamela L Valentino

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Despite major advances in surgical and medical management, only one-third of pediatric liver transplant (LT) recipients remain morbidity-free at 10 years. The Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) published a research agenda over 10 years ago, and much progress has been made since then. An updated consensus-driven SPLIT research agenda could guide future research and funding priorities. We aimed to identify and prioritize key research needs across the continuum of pediatric LT care using a modified Delphi consensus approach.

Methods: We conducted a three-round modified Delphi process among SPLIT members. In round 1, participants submitted open-ended research priorities. In …

Statistical Methods In Aging Research: Improving Current Practices And Embracing Emerging Approaches, Deependra K Thapa, Erik S Parker, Mounika Kandukuri, Xi Rita Wang, Thirupathi R Mokalla, Olivia C Robertson, Wasiuddin Najam, Andrew E Teschendorff, Andrew W Brown, John R Speakman, Yisheng Peng, Bernard S Gorman, Heping Zhang, Luis-Enrique Becerra-Garcia, Colby J Vorland, David B Allison

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Aging research relies on varied statistical methods, and applying these methods appropriately is important for scientific rigor. However, proper use of these statistical techniques is a challenge. We discuss two categories of statistical methods in aging research: (a) emerging methods requiring further validation, including techniques to examine compression of morbidity, maximum lifespan, immortal time bias, molecular aging clocks, and treatment response heterogeneity, and (b) classic and existing methods needing reconsideration and improvement, such as stepwise regression, generalized linear models, methods for accounting for clustering and nesting effects, methods for testing for group differences, methods for mediation …

The Role Of Top-Down Appetite Self-Regulation In The Development Of Healthy Eating Behaviors Among Children: A Narrative Review And Socialization Framework, David J Bridgett, Sheryl O Hughes, Matthew Broussard, Daniela Mccourt, Christina M Croce, Jennifer O Fisher

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Appetite self-regulation (ASR) among children is thought to have a fundamental role in shaping the development of healthy eating behaviors, dietary intake, and growth during childhood. Parallel to developmental frameworks for understanding "general" self-regulation among children, ASR has been described as involving children's use of "top-down" cognitive processes to moderate "bottom-up" biological drives around food approach and avoidance in the interest of achieving desired eating behaviors or outcomes. Whereas bottom-up ASR processes during early childhood are well characterized, particularly in the context of dysregulation and obesity risk, the role of top-down ASR processes in the development of healthy eating behaviors …

Toward Scientific Rigor: Setting Standards For Indirect Calorimetry Analysis And Reporting, Elizabeth L Lieu, Mark A Herman, Sean M Hartig

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Indirect calorimetry determines energy expenditure by measuring respiratory gas exchange. The approach is based on the principle that nutrient metabolism consumes O2 and produces CO2 and water in predictable ratios that can be compared with heat production. Due to the impracticality and high cost of direct calorimetry, indirect calorimetry is the major approach for modern metabolic studies in preclinical models. Despite the broad adoption of this method in rodent phenotyping, the field has lacked standardized methods for analyzing, representing, and sharing these data, limiting scientific progress. The recent review in Nature Metabolism by the International Indirect Calorimetry Consensus Committee (IICCC) …

Aggregation Of Gene Regulatory Information And Knowledge On Fair Principles Enables Discovery Of Pathogenic Gene Regulatory Variants, Keyang Yu, Haoquan Zhao, Andrea S Wilderman, Tierra R Farris, Jessie E Arce, David Chen, Andrew R Jackson, Yiran Guo, Qi Li, Bosko Jevtic, Dubravka Jevtic, Vuk Milinovic, Yuankun Zhu, Jeremy Costanza, Eric D Wenger, Christopher Nemarich, Lisa Anderson, Aleksandar Mihajlović, Kristin Ardlie, Shaine A Morris, Matthew E Roth, Deanne M Taylor, Adam C Resnick, Lilei Zhang, Aleksandar Milosavljevic

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Motivation: Methods for sharing gene regulatory information and knowledge on FAIR principles, particularly in the context of tissue-specific gene regulation, remain poorly defined and implemented, hampering discovery and clinical genetic diagnosis.

Results: We specified FAIR principles for tissue-specific gene regulatory information and knowledge; implemented them by developing a registry of regulatory elements and aggregating FAIR gene regulatory information from several major sources; developed computational tools that utilize these FAIR resources; and demonstrated their utility by associating gene regulatory variants with major subtypes of congenital heart disease.

Influence Of Weekend Social Jetlag On Glucose Tolerance Testing, Ariana Khzarjyan, Srushti Wagh, Graham Mcginnis

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Student Research

Background: Circadian rhythms regulate physiological and metabolic functions across a 24-hour cycle. However, modern lifestyles often disrupt these rhythms. A common example is weekend schedule shifts, when people sleep and wake later than on weekdays, a phenomenon referred to as social jetlag (SJL).

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to; 1) determine whether chronic SJL leads to impaired glucose tolerance, and 2) determine if acute changes in glucose tolerance occur following a weekend of social jetlag (SJL).

Methods: Fifteen male C57BL/6 mice on a normal chow diet were used in this study. To model social jetlag (SJL), mice were …

Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcer Unresponsive To Standard Care: A Case Report, Ismail Ismail, Sukriyadi Adi, Sitti Rahmatia, Agustan Agustan

BioMedicine

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and are often challenging to treat, particularly in patients who fail to respond to standard wound care. Adjunctive therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) have shown potential in promoting wound healing in chronic cases.

Case Presentation: A 66-year-old male with a 10-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with a chronic, non-healing DFU on the right foot. Despite oral antibiotic therapy and conventional wound management, the ulcer demonstrated progressive necrosis, persistent infection, and tissue exposure. Wound culture identified Klebsiella oxytoca. After targeted antibiotic treatment, the patient …

A Glimpse Into The Impact Of Physical Activity On Linear Growth In Children And Adolescents Through Activity Restrictions Accompanying The Covid-19 Outbreak, Yi-Chun Lin, Wen-Ling Liao, Chung-Hsing Wang, Fuu-Jen Tsai

BioMedicine

Background: Linear growth in children and adolescents, a key health indicator, is influenced by various factors, including physical activity (PA). The COVID-19 lockdown in Taiwan created a unique opportunity to examine the effect of PA restrictions on growth.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at two hospitals in central Taiwan. The study included 72 children and adolescents (26 males, 46 females) who attended a growth clinic. Height and weight measurements were recorded in three stages: pre-lockdown, during lockdown, and post-lockdown. Growth rates were compared across stages using paired t-tests.

Results: The average growth rate was lowest during lockdown (0.0181 …

Decyl Caffeate Inhibits The Proliferation Of Human Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells, Che-Yi Chao, Woei-Cheang Shyu, Chih-Lung Lin, En-Pei Isabel Chiang, Yueh-Hsiung Kuo, Feng-Yao Tang

BioMedicine

Background: Over recent decades, considerable attention has been directed toward the discovery of novel compounds capable of targeting survival-related signaling networks as therapeutic candidates for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Central to TNBC pathobiology are the Akt/mTOR and MAPK/ERK signaling axes, both contribute to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Caffeic acid (CA), a naturally derived phenolic compound with anti-inflammatory activity, has previously been investigated for its anti-cancer potential. Purpose: In the present study, we explored the therapeutic value of newly synthesized CA derivatives in TNBC models using both cellular and animal-based systems. Methods: The anti-tumor efficacy of these CA derivatives was …

Increased Dairy Product Consumption Is Associated With Shorter Telomere Length In Buccal Cells Among Normotensive Adults, Hsin-Hwa Tsai, Yang-Di Su, Zi-Lun Lai, Chia-Yu Lin, Shu-Fan Lin, Hsiu-Ching Hsu, Wen-Yuan Lin, Po-Ren Hsueh

BioMedicine

Background: Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker of biological aging and a predictor of age-related diseases. Dietary patterns, including dairy consumption, may influence telomere dynamics, but the evidence remains limited, particularly in Asian populations. This study investigates the association between dairy consumption and relative telomere length (RTL) in Taiwanese adults, with results analyzed by hypertension status.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 259 adults in Taipei, Taiwan. RTL was measured using quantitative PCR from buccal cells. Dietary intake was assessed through self-reported questionnaires, with a focus on dairy frequency and fat content. Multiple linear regression models were used to …

"The Only Place I Feel Understood": A Mixed Methods Survey Of Adolescent And Caregiver Perspectives On Social Media And Parental Controls, Melanie Watt Ramos, Constance M Wiemann, Lauren A Bretz

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose

Methods

Results

Steroid Receptor Coactivators - From Basic Research To Translational Opportunities, Yosef Gilad, Sang Jun Han, David M Lonard

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The concept of nuclear receptor (NR) coregulation was proposed nearly two decades before it was experimentally validated. According to this model, NRs - executors of a vast array of transcriptional programs - do not act independently but are governed by a network of regulatory proteins that either activate or repress their biological function. NRs identify the genes to be regulated. However, coregulators ultimately serve as the true controllers of transcriptional outcomes. They recruit cofactors and coordinate the activity of transcriptional complexes, thereby shaping NR-mediated gene expression beyond NRs' intrinsic functionality. The Steroid Receptor Coactivator (SRC) family is the most extensively …

The Neuroprotective Effects Of Alpha-Tocopherol As An Anti-Inflammatory Agent: Mechanistic Insights And Therapeutic Challenges, Megumi H Seese, Yuanzhong Xu

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol, αToc), an antioxidant fat-soluble vitamin that prevents lipid peroxidation and modulates pro-inflammatory cytokine production, is well-known to be critical for neuroprotection. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that αToc influences neuroinflammatory processes. Here, we review recent research progress on the effects of αToc on neuroinflammation. Preclinical studies included in this narrative review were identified through PubMed searches using the keywords "alpha-tocopherol AND neuroinflammation or alpha-tocopherol AND brain AND inflammation". While many studies support a neuroprotective role of αToc, the magnitude and direction of its effects vary substantially depending on dosage, route of administration, …

Sex-Specific Differences In Mediobasal Hypothalamus In Response To Nutritional States, Jonathan C Bean, Jinjing Jian, Tzu-Chiao Lu, Hailan Liu, Kristine Conde, Darah A Threat, Sanika V Jossy, Megan E Burt, Jingjing Cheng, Yue Deng, Xing Fang, Xiaoyu Geng, Junying Han, Yongxiang Li, Hesong Liu, Qingzhuo Liu, Yutian Liu, Yuhan Shi, Longlong Tu, Mengjie Wang, Xu Xu, Yuxue Yang, Meng Yu, Xinming Liu, Meixin Sun, Fuhui Wang, Olivia Z Ginnard, Yongjie Yang, Yang He, Chunmei Wang, Yanyan Qi, Hongjie Li, Yong Xu

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus plays a central role in sensing and integrating nutritional, hormonal, and neural signals that regulate feeding, energy homeostasis, growth, and reproduction, all of which show pronounced sex differences. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying these responses remain poorly understood. We performed snRNA-seq of the mediobasal hypothalamus, focusing on the arcuate nucleus, in female and male mice under different nutritional states. Analysis of 42 cell types revealed that Agrp neurons were most sensitive to nutritional changes, dopaminergic neurons showed strong sex-specific differences, and KNDy neurons were highly responsive to both sex and nutrition. Pomc neurons displayed …

Propofol In Chronic Cannabis Users: A Mechanistic Link To Cannabinoid Hyperemesis?, Jonmark I. Dolendo, Sonia Frick, Jia Q. Yang, Brad A. Haubrich

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by cyclic nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in chronic cannabis users, often relieved by exposure to hot water. Propofol, a widely used GABAergic anesthetic with antiemetic properties, has paradoxically been implicated in exacerbating hyperemetic episodes in some cannabis users. With the growing legalization of marijuana and social acceptance to its recreational use it is believed that this phenomenon will be more ubiquitous to clinicians. This review aims to investigate the mechanistic and clinical evidence linking propofol administration to CHS and to summarize strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and management.

Methods: PubMed and EBSCO were …

Expectant Management Vs Medication For Patent Ductus Arteriosus In Preterm Infants: The Pda Randomized Clinical Trial, Matthew M Laughon, Sonia M Thomas, Kristi L Watterberg, Kathleen A Kennedy, Martin Keszler, Namisavayam Ambalavanan, Alexis S Davis, Jonathan L Slaughter, Ronnie Guillet, Tarah T Colaizy, C Michael Cotten, Megan A Dhawan, Carl L Bose, Jennifer Talbert, Sarah Smucny, William E Benitz, Matthew A Rysavy, Robin K Ohls, Mariana C Baserga, Sara B Demauro, Mambarambath Jaleel, Wesley M Jackson, Waldemar A Carlo, Karen M Puopolo, Anna Maria Hibbs, Anup Katheria, Pablo J Sánchez, Carl T D'Angio, Ravi M Patel, Beth Ann Johnson, Valerie Y Chock, Abhay J Bhatt, Stephanie L Merhar, Ryan Moore, Abbot R Laptook, Sarvin Ghavam, Janell Fuller, Shilpa Vyas-Read, Stephen D Kicklighter, Baiba Steinbrekera, Kathryn Anderson, Praveen K Chandrasekharan, Myra H Wyckoff, Cassandra Montoya, Abhik Das, Barbara Do, Samantha Chang, Rosemary D Higgins, Michele C Walsh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: The management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants is controversial.

Objective: To determine whether expectant management compared with active treatment of a protocol-defined PDA in preterm infants decreases the incidence of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Design, setting, and participants: A randomized clinical trial including infants born at 22 to 28 weeks' gestation and diagnosed with a protocol-defined PDA between the age of 48 hours and 21 days at screening. The trial was conducted from December 2018 to December 2024 at 33 hospitals within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. The …

When Nutrition Fails: Modeling Protein Malnutrition-Driven Vulnerability In Hepatic Drug Metabolism And Inflammatory Stress, Vijitha D. Kantety, Victor Jiminez Jr.

Annual Research Symposium

Background

Protein malnutrition remains a major global health problem and frequently co-occurs with alcohol use, opioid exposure, and infectious disease, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. The liver is central to both metabolism and inflammatory regulation, yet the effects of a malnutrition-like nutrient environment on hepatic responses to combined metabolic and inflammatory insults are not well defined. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), a key enzyme involved in opioid metabolism, is highly sensitive to inflammatory signaling and may be especially vulnerable under conditions of nutritional deficiency. This project aims to 1) develop an in vitro model of nutritionally competent versus amino acid–restricted …

Charting A New Era To Modernize United States Infant Formula Regulation, Douglas G Burrin, Amy B Hair, Sharon M Donovan

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Heavy Metals As Endocrine Disruptors, Arzu Or Koca

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Heavy metals are widely recognized as endocrine-disrupting agents primarily originating from anthropogenic sources and persisting in soil, air, and water. This review aims to present an updated and comprehensive synthesis of current evidence regarding the endocrine-disrupting effects of heavy metals, with particular emphasis on their roles in the pathogenesis of common endocrine and metabolic disorders. The toxicological impact of these elements depends on the level and duration of exposure, their chemical form, and the biological susceptibility of target tissues. Chronic exposure, even at low doses, has been implicated in the development of diabetes mellitus, obesity, autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid cancer, pubertal …

Prevalence Of Gout In The Sincan District Of Ankara, Türkiye: A Primary Care-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Riza Can Kardaş, Yasemi̇n Ünsal, Derya Yildirim, Hakan Tüzün, Mustafa Necmi̇ İlhan, Hami̇t Küçük, Abdurrahman Tufan, M. Aki̇f Öztürk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Gout, the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis, has shown a global increase in prevalence; however, data from Türkiye remain scarce, inconsistent, and largely confined to western regions. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of gout among adults in the Sincan district of Ankara, Türkiye, and to provide updated data from a previously understudied region.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional, community-based study employed a multistage design. Adults aged ≥18 years who presented to selected family health centers in Sincan between February and June 2023 were screened using a structured questionnaire. Individuals with suspected gout underwent comprehensive clinical evaluation, …

Oleanolic Acid–Chitosan Compound Inhibits Mitochondrial Autophagy And Malignant Transformation Of Lung Cancer Through The Pten/Akt Pathway, Abuli̇mi̇ti̇ Abulai̇ti̇, Xi̇aohong Sun, Waresijiang Yibulayin, Dan He, Kemi̇ng Xu, Xi̇ayi̇mai̇erdan Yi̇bulayi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Oleanolic acid–chitosan compound (OAC) shows potent antinonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) activity, but its mechanisms remain unclear. This study elucidates how OAC modulates autophagy and apoptosis via the Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog/Protein Kinase B (PTEN/AKT) signaling pathway.

Materials and methods: Oleanolic acid was coupled with chitosan to synthesize OAC. A549 and MRC-5 cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium and Minimum Essential Medium, respectively, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and penicillin–streptomycin. Cells were pretreated with chloroquine before OAC treatment. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK- 8 assay, while 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and colony formation tests were employed …

Preventing Spinal Muscular Atrophy Through The National Premarital Screening Program In Türkiye: An Economic Comparison With Treatment Costs, Gamze Dur, Gülcan Teci̇rli̇, Nurullah Okumuş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disorder with high treatment costs and significant psychosocial burden. In 2021, Türkiye launched a national premarital SMA carrier screening program integrated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) services for couples identified as carriers. This study aimed to compare the costs associated with the carrier screening and prevention program versus a no-screening (treatment-only) scenario.

Materials and methods: A cost comparison model was developed using data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, the Ministry of Health, and the Social Security Institution. The annual costs of SMA treatment (with nusinersen and …

Contribution Of Adenosine A2a Receptor Agonist And Antagonist On Ovarian Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury In Rats, Azad Mammadov, Abdullah Tuncay Demi̇ryürek, Ahmet Saracaloğlu, Cahi̇t Demi̇rkiran, İsmai̇l Tuncer Deği̇m, Ömer Eronat, Şeni̇z Demi̇ryürek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To determine the effects of an A2A receptor agonist regadenoson, an A2A receptor antagonist istradefylline, and istradefylline nanosuspension on ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.

Materials and methods: A total of 80 female rats were divided into 10 groups: sham, ovarian I/R, blank nanosuspension + ovarian I/R, regadenoson (3 μg/kg) + ovarian I/R, regadenoson (30 μg/kg) + ovarian I/R, istradefylline (0.3 mg/kg) + ovarian I/R, istradefylline (3 mg/kg) + ovarian I/R, istradefylline-loaded nanosuspension (3 mg/kg) + ovarian I/R, istradefylline (3 mg/kg) + regadenoson (30 μg/kg) + ovarian I/R, and istradefylline-loaded nanosuspension (3 mg/kg) + regadenoson (30 μg/kg) + ovarian …

The Perk Signaling Pathway As A Marker Of The Unfolded Protein Response In Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Nergi̇z Erkut, Turhan Köksal, Seli̇m Demi̇r, Ahmet Menteşe, Özlen Balta, Mehmet Sönmez

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway plays a critical role in preventing the accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum. In this study, the role of the PERK signaling pathway was evaluated in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Materials and methods: Plasma levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 3 (eIF2AK3), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and caspase 3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in peripheral blood samples obtained from AML patients and healthy …

Tumor-Immune-Neural Circuit Disrupts Energy Homeostasis In Cancer Cachexia, Xiuhui Shi, Alex X Arreola, Zhijun Zhou, Jingxuan Yang, Mingyang Liu, Yang Cai, Yu Ren, Hao Yuan, Qun Chen, Xinjie Chen, Xinyu Yang, Yimei Meng, Jingyi Wang, Wenyi Luo, Michael C Rudolph, Rohan Varshney, Kar-Ming Fung, Chao Xu, Wei R Chen, Michael S Bronze, Lei Zheng, Yi-Ping Li, Courtney W Houchen, Yuqing Zhang, Min Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia are debilitating complications across many cancers, yet effective treatments remain limited due to a poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Here, we identify an uncharacterized tumor-immune-neural circuit driving these syndromes, centered on growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15). Using genetically engineered mouse models, we find that loss of GDF15 protects against appetite loss, muscle wasting, and fat loss in pancreatic, lung, and skin cancers. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals macrophages as a major source of GDF15, induced by tumor-derived colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1). GDF15 acts via the central nervous system to enhance β-adrenergic signaling in the tumor …

Mandibular Extension As A Trigger Of The Proprioceptive Trigeminocardiac Reflex, Massimo Conti, Giovanna Traina, Daniele Tonlorenzi

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is a physiological response characterized by a reduction in heart rate and arterial blood pressure following stimulation of any branch of the fifth cranial nerve. This review presents a novel mechanism of TCR induction through proprioceptive activation of the trigeminal nerve via mandibular extension (ME). Accordingly, it is referred to as the “proprioceptive trigeminocardiac reflex” (pTCR). An overview of the existing literature on ME-evoked TCR in humans and animals is presented, with particular emphasis on evidence of cerebral microcirculatory alterations. The magnitude of cardiovascular responses appears to depend on the duration of ME, with repeated applications …

Validity Of The Turkish Version Of The Oral Frailty Index-8 And Its Relationship With Frailty, Malnutrition, And Sarcopenia In Older Adults, Süleyman Emre Koçyi̇ği̇t, Bi̇lal Kati̇poğlu, Yilmaz Önal, Kübra Bahar Baykan, İlknur Şeker Kaya, Fatma Sena Dost, Özge Dokuzlar, Esra Ateş Bulut, Ali̇ Ekrem Aydin, Derya Kaya, Ahmet Turan Işik

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8) is a reliable screening for oral frailty. In our study, while presenting the Turkish reliability and validity study of the OFI-8, we also aimed to establish a cut-off value for oral frailty in Turkish population.

Materials and methods: Patients who presented to the outpatient clinic between January 2024 and January 2025 were evaluated. The test’s internal consistency and test–retest reliability were assessed. Divergent validity was evaluated using frailty scores, muscle strength, and nutritional status. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine the optimal cut-off values for identifying frailty, malnutrition, and probable …

Sarcopenia In Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Study, Mehmet Aki̇f Topçuoğlu, Ezgi̇ Yilmaz, Di̇nç Doğan Öge, Ali̇ Nai̇m Ceren, Ridvan Muhammed Adin, Ethem Murat Arsava

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The link between atrial fibrillation (AF) and lean body mass is unclear. This study presents the effects of AF on sarcopenia indices, including ultrasonographic muscle architecture.

Materials and methods: In this study conducted in neurology units, 72 subjects with AF (mean age: 71 ± 11years, 49% female) were compared with 538 without AF (mean age:66±12years; 53% female) in terms of sarcopenia indices [anthropometry; Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); hand grip strength (HGS); bioimpedance analysis (BIA) indices; skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) normalized to weight, height and body mass index (BMI); and phase angle (PhA)]; muscle ultrasonography [thickness, cross-section area …

Inflammation As A Harbinger Of Death: A Retrospective Cohort Study Of Preoperative Biomarker Risk Stratification In Orthopedic Trauma, Serkan Aydin, Burhan Kurtuluş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of preoperative inflammatory markers including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin in predicting 30-day and 1-year mortality in patients undergoing femur fracture surgery.

Materials and methods: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent surgical treatment for femur fractures between January 2018 and December 2024. Patients were stratified into survivor and nonsurvivor groups based on 30-day and 1-year outcomes. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and inflammatory indices were recorded and analyzed. Linear and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify …