The cerium oxide nanoparticles toxicity induced physiological, histological and biochemical alterations in freshwater mussels, Unio crassus.

INTRODUCTION: Releasing of cerium oxide nanoparticles (nano-CeO2) to the nature has increased due to the widespread use in many fields ranging from cosmetics to the food industry. Therefore, nano-CeO2 has been included in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) priority list for engineering nanomaterials. In this study, the effects of nano-CeO2 on the freshwater mussels were investigated to reveal the impact on the freshwater systems on model organism. METHODS: First, the chemical and structural properties of nano-CeO2 were characterized in details. Second, the freshwater mussels were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of nano-CeO2 as 10 mg, 25 mg and 50 mg/L during 48-h and 7-d. Third, after the exposure periods, hemolymph and tissue samples were taken to analyse the Total Hemocyte Counts (THCs) histology and oxidative stress parameters (total antioxidant status, glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, and advanced oxidative protein products). RESULTS: Significant decrease of the THCs was observed in the nano-CeO2 exposed mussels compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The histological results showed a positive association between nano-CeO2 exposure concentration in the water and level of tissue damage and histopathological alterations were detected in the gill and the digestive gland tissues. Oxidative stress parameters were slightly affected after exposure to nano-CeO2 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that acute exposure of freshwater mussels to nano-CeO2 did not pose significant biological risk. However, it has been proven that mussels are able to accumulate nano-CeO2 significantly in their bodies. CONCLUSION: This suggests that nano-CeO2 may be a potential risk to other organisms in the ecosystem through trophic transfer in the food-web based on their habitat and niche in the ecosystem.

Association of Osteoarthritis Prevalence With Age and Obesity Factors in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Countries: Panel Regression Model.

INTRODUCTION: According to cross-sectional analysis studies supported by microdata, incidence of Osteoarthritis increases in parallel with ageing and obesity, which are common predictors of the disease. The aim of this study is to reveal whether ageing and obesity have an effect on the increase in osteoarthritis prevalence by analyzing cross-country data from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. METHODS: We used static panel data regression analysis for 36 countries for the period between 2000 and 2017. Along with osteoarthritis prevalence, we used a group of people with a body mass index ≤ 30 within the population as obesity indicator and those older than 65 yrs within the population as ageing indicator. We calculated the effect of ageing and obesity on osteoarthritis prevalence using STATA 13 software. RESULTS: Both variable coefficients, age, and obesity, respectively, were found to be positive and statistically significant at the 1% level. This study shows that both ageing and obesity contribute to an increase in the osteoarthritis prevalence based on macro data from 36 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have significant implications that can be used by both the public and policymakers for preventing the osteoarthritis. Adopting the preventive measures could contribute to decrease in health expenditures.

Effectiveness of video-based rehabilitation program on pain, functionality, and quality of life in the treatment of rotator cuff tears: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Video-based rehabilitation programs, which are also used in the treatment of neurological disorders, could be a beneficial treatment option for patients who cannot receive treatment. PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of video-based rehabilitation program in the conservative treatment of partial rotator cuff tears in comparison to a physiotherapist-supervised rehabilitation program. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Thirty-three voluntary patients with partial rotator cuff tear were randomized into two groups: video-based rehabilitation (VBR) group and physiotherapist-supervised rehabilitation (PSR) group, for a common 6 weeks rehabilitation program. After drop outs, thirty participants (mean ± SD age, 50.60 ± 8.54 years; 10 female) were finally completed the trial. Active shoulder range of motion, pain, functional status, and health-related quality of life of the patients were assessed before and after treatment. Also, treatment satisfaction level was assessed at the end of the treatment. RESULTS: There was statistically significant improvement in terms of active shoulder range of motion values (mean differences at 95% confidence interval for abduction: 30.75-51.37 in the VBR group, 34.20-54.45 in the PSR group, P = .001 in both groups) and secondary outcome measures within both groups (P < .05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of all outcome measures between groups (P > .05). The level of satisfaction from treatment in the PSR group was higher than that in the VBR group. CONCLUSION: A video-based rehabilitation program is an effective option in terms of shoulder range of motion, pain, functionality, and quality of life and has a comparable success level with a PSR program in the conservative treatment of partial rotator cuff tears.

The effectiveness of trigger point treatment in rotator cuff pathology: A randomized controlled double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have emphasized the importance of the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in patients with rotator cuff pathologies and the high frequency of MTrPs in rotator cuff muscles. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of active MTrPs in patients with rotator cuff pathologies. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with rotator cuff tear were randomized into two groups. All patients received the same standard conservative treatment twice a week for 6 weeks. Patients in Group 1 additionally received ischemic compression (IC) of MTrPs. Pain, range of motion (ROM), function, and anxiety and depression were assessed. MTrPs in rotator cuff muscles were assessed manually, and the number of MTrPs on the shoulder complex was counted. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of changes in resting/activity/night pain, ROM, function, or anxiety and depression (p> 0.05). Pain scores improved only in Group 1. However, the total number of MTrPs was significantly decreased in Group 1 (p= 0.001). CONCLUSION: A six-week course of IC helps treat active MTrPs. A standard conservative treatment program reduced pain and increased function; the addition of MTrP treatment did not improve clinical outcomes in patients with rotator cuff pathologies.