Seasonal variation in the expression pattern of heat shock protein 70 and 90 in Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from Karatas Lake, Burdur, Türkiye.

Organisms have evolved defense mechanisms to protect themselves from stressful conditions. The expression of heat shock proteins is considered a valid indication of protection from the adverse effects of hostile conditions. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to investigate the seasonal effects of some abiotic factors on heat shock protein 70 and 90 (HSP70 and HSP90) expression in the liver, gills, and muscle tissues of 24 Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) caught in Karatas Lake (Burdur, Türkiye) using gillnets of various mesh sizes. We also measured some physicochemical parameters on-site at sampling time and took water samples for further analyses of other physicochemical parameters and heavy metals. Immunostaining for HSP90 was stronger than for HSP70 in both liver and gill samples. Liver and gill structures exhibited significant seasonal differences in HSP70 and HSP90 immunoreactivity, and the same was true for immunostaining for HSP70 and HSP90 in muscle samples. Some physicochemical properties seemed to vary considerably between seasons, with Fe, Mn, and Zn levels tending to exhibit changes throughout the seasons. However, these levels were considered acceptable for human health. In conclusion, this study suggests that substantial changes in HSP70 and HSP90 expression may be essential for seasonal adaptation and tolerance. Further research on fish HSPs would greatly contribute to aquaculture, which is essential for meeting food requirements.

Morphological and Histological Study on the Foot Pads of the Anatolian Bobcat (Lynx lynx).

This study was conducted to reveal the morphometric and morphological features of foot pads in the Anatolian bobcat (Lynx lynx). To achieve this objective, dissection, histological, and radiography techniques were applied to two dead materials obtained from the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Forest and Water Works Sivas Branch Manager. Digit I is radiographically rudimentary in the forepaw. The paws of the forelimb of the Anatolian bobcat have a carpal, a metacarpal, and four digital pads, while the hind feet have a metatarsal pad and four digital pads. The metacarpal pad is cone-like, while the metatarsal pad resembles a butterfly. The digital pads in the paws of the forelimb are longer and thinner than in the paws in the hind feet. The paws in both feet are situated as binary. Through histological examination, it was determined that the skin of the foot pads consists of epidermis, dermis, and pad cushion. The epidermis is subdivided into basal, spinous, granular, lucidum, and corneum layers. The dermis of each pad consists of papillar and reticular strata containing sweat glands, elastin, collagen, and reticular fibers. Anat Rec, 301:932-938, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The effect of laughter therapy on the quality of life of nursing home residents.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of Laughter therapy on the quality of life of nursing home residents. BACKGROUND: By improving the quality of life of residents living in nursing homes and allowing them to have a healthier existence, their lives can be extended. Therefore, interventions impacting the quality of life of older adults are of critical importance. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental design. METHOD: The study was conducted between 2 March - 25 May 2015. The experimental group was composed of 32 nursing home residents from one nursing home, while the control group consisted of 33 nursing home residents from another nursing home in the capital city of Turkey. Laughter therapy was applied with nursing home residents of the experimental group two days per week (21 sessions in total). A socio-demographic form and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used for data collection. RESULTS: After the laughter therapy intervention, general and subscales (physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional and spiritual health) quality-of-life scores of residents in the experimental group significantly increased in comparison with the pretest. CONCLUSION: Laughter therapy improved the quality of life of nursing home residents. Therefore, nursing home management should integrate laughter therapy into health care and laughter therapy should be provided as a routine nursing intervention. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results indicated that the laughter therapy programme had a positive effect on the quality of life of nursing home residents. Nurses can use laughter therapy as an intervention to improve quality of life of nursing home residents.

Control of postnatal apoptosis in the neocortex by RhoA-subfamily GTPases determines neuronal density.

Apoptosis of neurons in the maturing neocortex has been recorded in a wide variety of mammals, but very little is known about its effects on cortical differentiation. Recent research has implicated the RhoA GTPase subfamily in the control of apoptosis in the developing nervous system and in other tissue types. Rho GTPases are important components of the signaling pathways linking extracellular signals to the cytoskeleton. To investigate the role of the RhoA GTPase subfamily in neocortical apoptosis and differentiation, we have engineered a mouse line in which a dominant-negative RhoA mutant (N19-RhoA) is expressed from the Mapt locus, such that all neurons of the developing nervous system are expressing the N19-RhoA inhibitor. Postnatal expression of N19-RhoA led to no major changes in neocortical anatomy. Six layers of the neocortex developed and barrels (whisker-related neural modules) formed in layer IV. However, the density and absolute number of neurons in the somatosensory cortex increased by 12-26% compared with wild-type littermates. This was not explained by a change in the migration of neurons during the formation of cortical layers but rather by a large decrease in the amount of neuronal apoptosis at postnatal day 5, the developmental maximum of cortical apoptosis. In addition, overexpression of RhoA in cortical neurons was seen to cause high levels of apoptosis. These results demonstrate that RhoA-subfamily members play a major role in developmental apoptosis in postnatal neocortex of the mouse but that decreased apoptosis does not alter cortical cytoarchitecture and patterning.