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Background: Multiple factors, including neurobiological, hormonal, psychological, and social/cultural norms, influence the manner in which individuals experience pain. Adipose tissue, once considered solely an energy storage site, has been recognized as a significant endocrine organ that produces and releases a range of hormones and cytokines. In recent years, research has highlighted the role of adipose tissue and its endocrine factors in the pathophysiology of pain. Summary: This narrative review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the endocrine aspects of pain pathophysiology, with a specific focus on adipose tissue. We examine the role of adipokines released by adipose tissue, such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin, asprosin in pain perception and response. We also explore the clinical implications of these findings, including the potential for personalized pain management based on endocrine factors and adipose tissue. Key Messages: Overall, given this background, this review intended to highlight the importance of understanding the endocrine aspects of pain pathophysiology, particularly focusing on the role of adipose tissue, in the development of chronic pain and adipokines. Better understanding the role of adipokines in pain modulation might have therapeutic implications by providing novel targets for addressing underlying mechanism rather than directly focusing on symptoms for chronic pain, particularly in obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing food and industrial waste is essential to match the novel objectives of sustainable living. In this context, grape pomace, a fiber-rich by-product of wine production, was used as a fiber supplement in yogurt after enriching its fiber content through preprocessing. Within the aim of this study, 0.5% and 1% grape pomace fiber were incorporated into yogurt, and the effect on physicochemical, microbial, and sensory quality was investigated. Throughout the 14-day storage period, no significant changes were observed in pH, acidity, and water holding capacity. The total mesophilic aerobic bacteria count ranged between 2-3 log.cfu/g, and the addition of fiber did not result in any undesirable alterations in these counts. Similarly, the fiber did not affect the counts of specific yogurt bacteria, which was 8-9 log.cfu/g. Moreover, sensory evaluations consistently resulted in scores above “5” for all products, with acidity rated level as moderate as expected for yogurt. There were no adverse effects on sensory quality concerning color, flavor, texture, acidity, and overall acceptability. In conclusion, fiber-enriched yogurt from wine waste is feasible without compromising product quality. This study is expected to contribute to the progress of current sustainable living goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine sleep quality and exercise-related physiological parameters (heart rate, heart rate reserve, cardiac output, blood pressure, maximum oxygen uptake capacity) of elite karate athletes. Materials and Methods: Ten athletes, 3 girls and 7 boys, who are interested in karate at an elite level in Trabzon, participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements and body mass index measurements were made. Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was performed with a gradually increasing intensity (15W/min) bicycle ergometer test protocol. Sleep parameters of the athletes were obtained by using the physical activity measurement holter (Sensewear Armband). Results: The mean age of the individuals was 17.8±1.39 years (n=10), the mean height was 169.0±8.1 cm (n=10), the mean weight was 63.99±7.64 kg (n=10), and the mean body mass index was 22.41 kg/m² (n=10). Average value for oxygen consumption (VO2) at maximum workload level 43±8 ml/kg/min (n=10, 99±12% of predicted), average maximum power 197±27.50 Watts (n=10, 92%±% predicted) 14), mean minute ventilation (VE) 103±28 L/min (n=10, 95±22% of predicted), mean heart rate (HR) 181±12 beats/min (n=10, 93±7% of predicted) and mean oxygen (O2) pulse at maximum workload level was 15.20±2.90 ml/beat (n=10, 115.1±17.75% of predicted). The average lying down time of the athletes was 8 hours 8 minutes ±2 hours 26 minutes (n=9), sleep time was 6 hours 9 minutes±2 hours 30 minutes (n=9), and sleep efficiency was 74±12%. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the participating athletes had a good aerobic capacity and a good training level for the sport branch they were engaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether Cortexin®, a brain peptide-containing agent, has any mitigating effect on high glucose-induced neuropathy, using primary cultured rat sensory neurons. Materials and Methods: Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were excised from decapitated adult rats. Individual neurons were isolated following enzymatic and mechanical procedures. Cells were seeded on E-plate® with gold microelectrodes and maintained in conventional culture media in a CO2 incubator at 37°C. After allowing for 24 h for cell adhesion and recovery from acute enzymatic trauma, neurons were exposed to high glucose (HpG) in the absence and presence of different concentrations of Cortexin® (2–40 µg/mL). Neuroprotective effects were followed with the Real-Time Cell Analyzer® by utilizing measurement of Cell Index, a parameter representing cell viability, cell attachment, and neurite outgrowth. Results: Exposure of DRGs to HpG (50 mm) caused a rapid and sustained decrease in the mean area under the curve (AUC, values derived from time vs. Cell Index curve) compared to the mean AUC values in normoglycemic (NG) wells. Co-treatment with Cortexin® attenuated this HpG-induced effect, in a concentration-dependent manner (NG: 1.00 ± 0.00 vs. HG: 0.18 ± 0.02, p < 0.05; and HpG + Cortexin® [40 µg/mL]: 0.66 ± 0.17, p = 0.002 versus HpG). In normoglycemic conditions, Cortexin® treatment led to a concentration-dependent increase in the mean AUC values. Conclusions: Data from this in vitro study suggest that Cortexin® has potential neuroprotective effects against chronic hyperglycemic insult in rat sensory neurons. Our results warrant further in vivo studies and may have clinical implications for diabetes-associated peripheral neuropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: COVID-19 pandemic which has disrupted the daily routine and professional life of every individual including professional athletes from every branch. In addition to the postponed race programme COVID-19 itself may cause anxiety and sleep problems which have the potential to further impair sport performance. This study aimed to determine level of anxiety and sleep status of sportsmen during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: On line questionnaires addressing sleep and anxiety was posted to the athletes who were engaged in eight different sport branches (football, basketball, volleyball, athletics, boxing, kickboxing, tennis and badminton) responded to provide data to this study. Responses obtained through an online questionnaire conducted between April and May 2020 were evaluated. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) inventory was utilized to measure the quality of sleep and State and Trait-Anxiety Inventories (STAI-S, STAI-T) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) inventories were used for examining the anxiety level, quantitatively. Results: A total of 343 athletes (129 women and 214 men, mean age: 23.16 ± 0.43 yr; mean body mass index: 22.88 ± 0.12 kg/m²) responded to the survey. The overall mean PSQI score was 5.96 ± 0.12, and athletics were the most affected group by the sleep quality (6.85 ± 0.35, p = 0.038). Mean PSQI scores revealed low sleep quality during pandemic (5.96 ± 0.12), and athletics were the most affected group by the sleep quality (6.85 ± 0.35, p = 0.038). Regarding state anxiety (STAI-S), athletes had border-line anxiety levels (41.11 ± 0.21), their trait anxiety (STAI-T) score was 38.91 ± 0.22 (n=343) for overall participants. According to the GAD-7 scores the athletics had mild anxiety level (8.15 ± 0.21), kickboxers being most affected group with GAD-7 scores of 9.26 ± 0.62, (p < 0.001 vs other athletes, n=35). Conclusion: This cross-sectional study indicate that there was a poor sleep quality and a mild level of anxiety among sportsman during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated whether the use of fermented milk with added dietary fibre in ice cream production positively affected quality characteristics, especially viability, during a shelf life of 90 days at −25 °C. For this purpose, fermented milk was prepared with cultures (yoghurt and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus) and dietary fibre (wheat fibre and inulin). In addition to the viable cell count, some related quality characteristics, such as the sensory, physical, chemical, and thermal properties, and energy content were also examined. Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus in all yoghurt ice creams and L. rhamnosus in ice cream with wheat fibre had the highest viability for 90 days, up to 95.95%. The best scores regarding "general acceptability" belonged to the ice cream with L. rhamnosus and inulin, with a score of 7.81 out of 9. The dietary fibre decreased overrun from around 23% to 14–18%, which was positive for the viability of the cultures. The cultures and dietary fibre decreased the melting temperature down to −1.15 °C. The caloric value of the ice creams (166–168 kcal/100 g) was lower than that of standard ice cream. Probiotic ice cream production with dietary fibre and a single L. rhamnosus culture may be preferred in terms of sensory properties, cell viability, and economic aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Despite concerns about safety, gadolinium‐based contrast agents (GBCAs) are still used for abdominal and pelvic imaging during pregnancy. Researchers have mainly focused on teratogenicity, while very little is known about their possible direct effects on uterine contractility, yet free gadolinium potentially impacts contractility through interaction with calcium channels. Purpose: To investigate possible effects of selected GBCAs (namely gadoteridol, gadoversetamide, gadobutrol, gadoterate meglumine, and gadoxetic acid) on the contractility of rat myometrium. Study Type: In vitro organ bath study. Animal Model: Myometria were isolated from adult (10–12 weeks old) Sprague Dawley rats, both pregnant (N = 8) and nonpregnant (N = 36). Field Strength/Sequence: NA. Assessment: Myometrial strips were suspended in tissue bath containing physiological saline and isometric contractions were recorded. GBCAs were added to the tissue bath cumulatively, and their effects on contractility parameters (quantified by amplitude, frequency, and area under contractility curve [AUC]) were evaluated by 10‐minute intervals. Statistical Tests: Normality data, checked by Shapiro–Wilk test, were transformed by arcsine when needed. One‐ or two‐way analysis of variance was performed, where appropriate, followed by Student–Newman–Keuls test. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: All of the assayed GBCAs elicited some alterations in the myometrial contractility in a concentration‐dependent manner. Gadoterate meglumine, gadoxetic acid, and gadoversetamide caused a concentration‐dependent significant attenuation in AUC (oxytocin‐induced, from 100% during control period to 45.1 ± 9.0% (nonpregnant) and 59.9 ± 8.5% (pregnant), for 90 μM gadoterate meglumine; respectively), and frequency of the spontaneous and oxytocin‐induced contractions. Gadobutrol and gadoteridol at highest dose significantly attenuated mean AUC and frequency of oxytocin‐induced contractions of nonpregnant myometrium. Data Conclusion: Results from this in vitro study indicate that GBCAs elicit modulation of myometrial contractions at clinically relevant concentrations. These effects may account, at least partially, for the known potential side effects (rare cases of miscarriages and elective abortion) of these agents. Level of Evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]