Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Intraoperative Ultrasound Imaging Features Guiding Surgical Strategy In Spinal Cord Ependymoma Resection, Esteban Ramirez-Ferrer, Ian E Mccutcheon, Gil Kimchi, Behrang Amini, Romulo Andrade Almeida, Francisco Call-Orellana, Juan Pablo Zuluaga-Garcia, Robert Y North, Christopher A Alvarez-Breckenridge, Jeffrey S Weinberg, Laurence D Rhines, Claudio E Tatsui

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and objectives: Preoperative imaging provides surgeons with an initial estimate of tumor infiltration and the likelihood of achieving an en-bloc resection in spinal cord ependymomas, yet the definitive decision is made intraoperatively. This study characterizes the intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) features that guide real-time surgical strategy and are associated with successful en-bloc removal.

Methods: A retrospective review of iUS images obtained during resection of spinal cord ependymomas was performed. The presence of a peritumoral halo representing the transition zone between the tumor and the spinal cord, the dorsal sagittal area of the spinal cord overlying the tumoral poles, the presence …

Fgl2-Knockout Tumor Cells Serve As A Vaccine Inducing Long-Duration Brain-Resident Memory T Cells That Reject Subsequent Intracranial Tumor Cell Challenges, Sheng Zhang, Yining Jin, Zhiliang Jia, Xueqing Xia, Yang Li, Qi Wang, Jing Wang, Jian Wang, Joya Chandra, Gregory K Friedman, Shulin Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The failure to prevent brain tumors, including both recurrent primary and metastatic brain tumors, is the primary cause of patients' mortality. We developed a novel whole tumor-cell vaccine to rapidly induce long-duration brain-resident memory T (TRM) cells that prevent brain tumor progression. Ten Fgl2-KO primary and metastatic tumor cell lines, generated via CRISPR/Cas9, were used to vaccinate mice and for intracranial challenges with the WT tumor cells. Not only did vaccinated mice reject these tumor cell challenges, but also more than half of these mice became long-duration survivors. Transplanting brain immune cells from vaccinated mice into naïve mice enabled this …

A Comprehensive Biomechanical Material Characterization Of The Human Breast Fibro-Structural Support System, Aroj Bhattarai, Gregory P Reece, Kristy K Brock, Krishnaswamy Ravi-Chandar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Breast surgery for aesthetic purposes, such as breast augmentation or breast reduction, and breast reconstruction after cancer treatment require an accurate structural (anatomical) and mechanical (functional) understanding of the breast components, including the fascial-ligamentous support system of the breast, to achieve optimal results. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive description of the mechanical behavior of the ligamentous and fascial connective tissues of the human female breast. Fasciae and ligaments obtained from 17 patients between 35 and 85 years of age who were undergoing mastectomy and three female cadavers were tested. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted, and three constitutive models …

An Adp Getaway Service, Not An Atp Tank: Insights Into The Phosphagen System In Neurons, Madeline P Marques, Kartik Venkatachalam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Segmental Tracheal Resection For Thyroid Cancer: Perioperative Morbidity, Locoregional Control, And Survival, Anastasios Maniakas, David C Wilde, Isabelle Fournier, Emily K Hyde, Li Xu, Jennifer R Wang, Neil D Gross, Erich M Sturgis, Victoria Banuchi, Naifa L Busaidy, Maria E Cabanillas, Priyanka Iyer, Ramona Dadu, Steven G Waguespack, Mimi I Hu, G Brandon Gunn, Michael Kwon, Salmaan Ahmed, Michelle D Williams, Mark E Zafereo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Segmental tracheal resection is rarely needed for advanced thyroid cancer but is among the most complex, high-risk thyroid surgeries.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients undergoing segmental tracheal resection for thyroid cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center (2005-2024).

Results: We identified 120 patients with a median follow-up of 4.6 years (range 0.02-16.38). Papillary thyroid cancer was most common (68%). The median number of tracheal rings resected was 4 (range 1-9). Seventeen (14%) patients had a new tracheostomy placed at the time of surgery, with 11 (9%) remaining trach-dependent at last follow-up. Twenty-six (22%) patients had a return to the operating …

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 …

Prenatal Stress Induces Changes In Behavior, Hpa Axis, Inflammation, And Oxidative Stress In Adult Rats Offspring, Jorge M Aguiar-Geraldo, Jefté Peper-Nascimento, José Henrique Cararo, Taise Possamai-Della, Alexandra I Zugno, Anilkumar Pillai, João Quevedo, Samira S Valvassori

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Prenatal stress is related to the development of psychiatric disorders involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of prenatal stress on behavior, inflammation, oxidative stress, and the HPA-axis in the dams and their offspring treated with lithium. Thirteen pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to a prenatal chronic unpredictable stress protocol from the 14th day of gestation until birth. At the 60th postnatal day (PND), a treatment protocol was carried out in the offspring with lithium (intraperitoneally - 47.5 mg/kg) or saline for seven days (twice a day). …

Profiling The Genomic Landscape And Evolutionary History Of Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells In Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcomas, Amy L Bowes, Sara Waise, Tom Lesluyes, Thomas Butters, Christie English, Haixi Yan, Annelien Verfaillie, Christopher Davies, Jianan Chen, Emma Nye, Richard Stone, Jiten Manji, Adrienne M Flanagan, Jonas Demeulemeester, Maxime Tarabichi, Nischalan Pillay, Peter Van Loo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), characterised by multinucleation and atypical nuclear morphology, are a common feature of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas. While PGCCs may be a critical substrate for cancer evolution, their formation pathways and genomic consequences remain underexplored. In this study, we characterise PGCCs in ten pleomorphic sarcomas and use topographic single-cell DNA sequencing (scDNA-seq) to investigate their genomic landscape. We selected PGCCs based on their nuclear morphology, including mononucleated or multinucleated bizarre, misshapen nuclei, and analysed them at single-cell resolution. Histopathological analysis showed that PGCCs were often randomly distributed throughout the tumour and did not appear in clusters, suggesting …

Profiling The Genomic Landscape And Evolutionary History Of Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells In Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcomas, Amy L Bowes, Sara Waise, Tom Lesluyes, Thomas Butters, Christie English, Haixi Yan, Annelien Verfaillie, Christopher Davies, Jianan Chen, Emma Nye, Richard Stone, Jiten Manji, Adrienne M Flanagan, Jonas Demeulemeester, Maxime Tarabichi, Nischalan Pillay, Peter Van Loo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), characterised by multinucleation and atypical nuclear morphology, are a common feature of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas. While PGCCs may be a critical substrate for cancer evolution, their formation pathways and genomic consequences remain underexplored. In this study, we characterise PGCCs in ten pleomorphic sarcomas and use topographic single-cell DNA sequencing (scDNA-seq) to investigate their genomic landscape. We selected PGCCs based on their nuclear morphology, including mononucleated or multinucleated bizarre, misshapen nuclei, and analysed them at single-cell resolution. Histopathological analysis showed that PGCCs were often randomly distributed throughout the tumour and did not appear in clusters, suggesting …

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 …

Bone Marrow Endosteum Houses Hedgehog-Susceptible Dlx5-Expressing Osteoblast Precursor Cells, Keita Kondo, Yuki Matsushita, Shion Orikasa, Yuta Nakai, Aiko Kuroda, Shinsuke Ohba, Wanida Ono, Noriaki Ono

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The bone marrow endosteum provides a robust source of bone-making osteoblasts by housing various types of osteoblast precursor cells, including endosteal stem cells expressing fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (Fgfr3) and their downstream progenitor cell populations. In fetal bone development, Dlx5 marks early perichondrial cells that populate the diaphyseal bone and marrow stroma in the postnatal stages. However, the location of Dlx5-expressing cells in the postnatal bone marrow and how they contribute to osteogenesis remain undefined. Here, we show that Dlx5

Phase I Trial Of Binimetinib Plus Hydroxychloroquine In Patients With Previously Treated Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer, S Daniel Haldar, Fen Saj, So Jung Hong, Rishi Surana, Lianchun Xiao, J Jack Lee, Brandon Smaglo, Dan Zhao, Huili Zhu, Ryan Huey, Jason Willis, M Pia Morelli, Michael Overman, Florencia Mcallister, Robert Wolff, Anirban Maitra, David Fogelman, Channing Der, Shubham Pant

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Dual mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and autophagy inhibition shows synergistic antitumor activity in preclinical models of RAS-mutant cancers. We hypothesized that autophagy blockade with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) could overcome resistance to MEK inhibition with binimetinib (BINI) and provide clinical benefit in previously treated, KRAS-mutated, metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: This investigator-led, single-arm, open-label, phase I dose escalation/expansion trial evaluated the safety and tolerability of BINI + HCQ in patients with previously treated, metastatic PDAC (NCT04132505). Key eligibility criteria: ECOG 0-1, adequate organ function, ≥ 1 prior line of therapy for metastatic disease, and presence of KRAS …

Endosteal Stem Cells At The Bone-Blood Interface: A Double-Edged Sword For Rapid Bone Formation: Bone Marrow Endosteal Stem Cells Provide A Robust Source Of Bone-Making Osteoblasts Both In Normal And Abnormal Bone Formation, Keita Kondo, Yuki Matsushita, Shion Orikasa, Yuta Nakai, Aiko Kuroda, Shinsuke Ohba, Wanida Ono, Noriaki Ono

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Endosteal stem cells are a subclass of bone marrow skeletal stem cell populations that are particularly important for rapid bone formation occurring in growth and regeneration. These stem cells are strategically located near the bone surface in a specialized microenvironment of the endosteal niche. These stem cells are abundant in young stages but eventually depleted and replaced by other stem cell types residing in a non-endosteal perisinusoidal niche. Single-cell molecular profiling and in vivo cell lineage analyses play key roles in discovering endosteal stem cells. Importantly, endosteal stem cells can transform into bone tumor-making cells when deleterious mutations occur in …

Pretreatment Risk Model For Radiation-Induced Lymphopenia Is Associated With Adjuvant Durvalumab Efficacy In Patients With Unresectable Stage Iii Nsclc, Peter S N Van Rossum, Pim J J Damen, Francesco Cortiula, Brian P Hobbs, Lorenzo De Marchi, Radhe Mohan, Max Peters, Famke L Schneiders, Dirk De Ruysscher, Robin Wijsman, Joost J C Verhoeff, Ting Xu, Zhongxing Liao, Steven H Lin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Severe radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for NSCLC has been associated with poorer outcomes and reduced immunotherapy efficacy. Because RIL often develops late during CCRT, identifying patients at risk before treatment may be clinically relevant. This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram based on pretreatment predictors for severe RIL, and secondarily to explore associations between predicted RIL risk and adjuvant durvalumab-associated survival.

Methods: A retrospective development cohort of consecutive patients with NSCLC treated with CCRT (2010-2019) was established, along with an independent external validation cohort from other institutions. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed …

Development And Validation Of A Prognostic Risk Score For Patients With Cancer And Neutropenic Fever Presenting To The Emergency Department, Sandy Nath, Aiham Qdaisat, Andriy Derkach, Afia Babar, Deepti Zalavadia, Patrick Chaftari, Ziyi Li, Monica K Wattana, Joseph Schmeltz, Rocio Perez Johnston, Eduardo Ortiz, Kumar Alagappan, Adam Klotz, Sai-Ching Jim Yeung

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Neutropenic fever (NF) is a life-threatening oncologic emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Current predictive risk-stratification scores' limitations include outdated criteria, subjectivity, and low usage in the emergency department (ED). We sought to develop and externally validate a pragmatic, objective risk score to predict adverse outcomes in patients presenting to the ED with cancer and NF.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from 2 comprehensive cancer centers. The derivation cohort included adults presenting with NF to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. External validation was conducted using data from the MD Anderson Cancer Center. The primary …

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 …

Neurosurgical Management Of Pineal Lesions: Insights From A Single-Center Study Of 27 Cases, David Montesinos Contreras, Walter Stummer, Maryam Khaleghi Ghadiri

BioMedicine

Introduction: Pineal lesions are rare and surgically challenging due to their deep location, histological diversity, and potential malignancy. The complexity of the pineal region anatomy and the diverse pathological spectrum contribute to the lack of standardized treatment strategies, making appropriate management controversial. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of patients with pineal tumors or cysts and to assess the impact of different surgical approaches, particularly the extent of resection, on progression-free survival. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 27 patients treated for pineal tumors or cysts at our institution between 2010 and 2020. Data regarding clinical …

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 …

Assessing The Capabilities Of Ai-Based Large Language Models (Ai-Llms) In Interpreting Histopathological Slides And Scientific Figures: Performance Evaluation Study, Khanisyah Erza Gumilar, Grace Ariani, Priangga A. Wiratama, Rimbun Rimbun, Tri H. Yuliawati, Hong Chen, Ibrahim H. Ibrahim

BioMedicine

Background: Integrating artificial intelligence-based large language models (AI-LLMs) into medical and other scientific domains is increasingly recognized as a tool to support complex tasks, such as interpreting histopathology slides and scientific figures. AI-LLMs can simplify these processes by providing clearer explanations. By improving accessibility and comprehension, AI-LLMs can significantly assist healthcare professionals in diagnosing and therapy determination. Students and the public also find it easier to understand complex scientific concepts and images.

Objectives: This study explores the capability of AI-LLMs in interpreting histopathological slides and scientific images. This study aims to evaluate the performance of AI-LLMs in supporting diagnostics and …

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 …

The Association Between The Gnb3 Rs5443 C/C Genotype And Obesity Phenotypes In Taiwanese Individuals, Ling-Yi Xiao, Zi-Lun Lai, Yang-Di Su, Szu-Yun Wang, Nia-Jia Zheng, Po- Ren Hsueh

BioMedicine

Background: The prevalence of obesity has increased significantly over the

years, and its health concerns cannot be underestimated. Obesity not only

causes potential mobility limitations in daily life but also increases the risk of

developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and other health

conditions. While an imbalanced diet and lack of exercise are well-known

causes of obesity, genetic patterns also influence its development. Although the GNB3 gene is known to be involved in lipid metabolism and fat cell

differentiation, studies have shown inconsistent associations between a

common single nucleotide polymorphism of GNB3 (c.825C>T, rs5443) and

obesity across different populations. Therefore, …

Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment And The Association With Long-Term Major Adverse Cardiac Events In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Propensity-Score Matched Cohort Study, Yuan-Ching Liao, Mei-Yao Wu, Cheng-Li Lin, Chiz-Tzung Chang, Peter Mayer, Hung-Rong Yen

BioMedicine

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the leading cause of

mortality among idividuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). While Chinese herbal

medicine (CHM) is commonly used by CKD patients in Taiwan, the impact of CHM

use on cardiovascular outcomes in this population remains insufficiently understood.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the association between CHM use and the long-

term risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with CKD.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to identify patients aged over 20 years with newly diagnosed CKD. A 1:1 propensity score matching was performed …

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 …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of The Mars And Xgboost Algorithms For Predicting Body Weight In Kalahari Red Goats, Louis Thobela Tyasi, Cem Tirink, Kwena Mokoena, Hasan Önder, Uğur Şen, Demet Çanga Boğa, Tolga Tolun, İsmai̇l Gök, Yüksel Aksoy, Lütfi̇ Bayyurt, Ömer Faruk Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Estimating goat body weight from morphometric traits is essential for growth monitoring, health management, and welfare. Accurate weight informs nutrition, clinical interventions, and mating decisions. In this study, the MARS and XGBoost algorithms were used to estimate the live weight of Kalahari Red goats based on body measurements. A dataset containing body length (BL), birth type (single, twin, or triplet), withers height (WH), rump height (RH), and heart girth (HG) information for 200 goats was used in the training and testing of the models. The performances of the models were evaluated with the goodness-of-fit criteria. XGBoost showed a performance of …

Social Roles And Emotional Distress Are Associated With Successful Aging In Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors, Samah Hayek, Kimberly A Miller, Michael E Roth, Michelle A T Hildebrandt, David R Freyer, Joel Milam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) face complex long-term health consequences resulting from intensive treatments that may impact their aging trajectory. This study assessed the associations between social role attainment, emotional distress, and indicators of successful aging (SA) among adult CCS, considering treatment intensity. SA, is a multidimensional concept encompassing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial well-being, provides a framework for understanding and optimizing outcomes in this population. This cross-sectional study utilized data from Project Forward, a cohort, of 1,248 adult CCS diagnosed between 1996 and 2010. Participants were identified through the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program and completed a comprehensive self-report survey …

Determination Of Cortisol Concentrations Using Different Biomarkers In Dairy Goats During Pregnancy, Fatma Mi̇ra Güven, Erkan Pehli̇van

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Pregnancy is considered one of the most physiologically stressful periods in mammals. In the present study, serum and hair cortisol concentrations were measured in nine female Akkeçi goats, including five primiparous (1.5 years old) and four multiparous (3.5 years old), to evaluate chronic stress during pregnancy. Hair samples were collected in October, November, and December following the introduction of bucks to the herd and within the first 12 h postpartum (corresponding to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th sampling times). Hair samples were not collected in January, February, or March (the 4th, 5th, and 6th sampling times) due to insufficient …

Effects Of Zinc-Reinforced Clinoptilolite On Hematological Parameters, Igg Levels, And Enzyme Histochemistry In Fattening Lambs, İhsan Kisadere, Muhi̇tti̇n Zengi̇n, Özkan Demi̇rbaş, Mehmet Faruk Aydin

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The study aimed to determine the effects of zinc-reinforced clinoptilolite supplementation to the diet on selected hematological parameters, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, and enzyme histochemical characteristics in fattening lambs. For this purpose, 40 healthy male lambs were randomly allocated into five equal groups: control (C; n = 8), natural clinoptilolite (NC; n = 8), zinc (ZN; n = 8), natural clinoptilolite plus zinc (NCZN; n = 8), and zinc-reinforced clinoptilolite (ZNRC; n = 8). All animals were housed in individual pens, and the supplementation period continued for 42 days. Blood samples were collected before the trial (day 0) and …

Hatchability And Nestling Viability In An Extremely Short-Beaked Pigeon Breed, Türker Savaş, Hakan Erdem, Cemi̇l Tölü

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The selection of hobby animals for breeding by enthusiasts is often based on aesthetic considerations, which can have a negative impact on the animals’ biology. Furthermore, “extreme traits” that deviate from ancestral norms, such as short beaks in pigeons, can be detrimental to the animal’s welfare. Beaks perform many essential functions, such as facilitating feed intake and eggshell breaking. The present study investigates possible hatching problems and the nestling viability of short-beak pigeons through a study of the breeding records of Mısıri (short beak), Baska (medium beak), and Turkish Dönek (normal beak) pigeons, as well as data from one breeding …

Zinc Imbalance And Its Effect On Nutritional Status, Behavior, Gut Microbiota, And Inflammatory Biomarkers In Btbr T+Itpr3tf/J And C57bl/6j Mice: Insights Into Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asma Nasrullah Ahmadani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been associated with altered zinc homeostasis and disruptions in the gut microbiota. Zinc is a vital trace mineral involved in multiple biological processes such as inflammatory regulation, intestinal integrity, and neurobehavioral function, and has an important role in influencing microbial activity along the gut–brain axis. Both deficiency and excess of zinc can alter microbial balance. However, their collective effects on behavior, overall physiology, and mineral status in ASD-relevant models are not yet fully understood.

Aim: This comprehensive study explored the effect of dietary zinc variation on body weight, food intake, behavior, gut microbiota composition, …