Angiogenesis is needed for tumor growth and metastasis. For this reason, it represents an exciting target for cancer treatment. Some anti-angiogenic drugs may be useful to prevent angiogenesis during cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate if Ankaferd (standardized herbal extract obtained from five different plants namely Thymus vulgaris, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vitis vinifera, Alpina officinarum, and Urtica dioica) have an effect on angiogenesis in chick embryo chorioallontoic membrane. Ankaferd was applied at 1, 5, 20, 50% concentrations to the fertilized eggs on the 6th day. On the 7th and 8th days, all the fertilized eggs were opened and vessels were examined. No significant changes were observed in 1% Ankaferd group and control group. Significant inhibition in angiogenesis was observed in 5, 20, 50% Ankaferd groups. In chick embryo chorioallontoic membrane assay, the anti-angiogenic effect of Ankaferd was shown experimentally for the first time in the literature. The antiangiogenic affect of Ancafert was analyzed on vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-A,VEGF-C), and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF1-A and HIF3-A) genes which have possible roles in angiogenesis on human mesenchimal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Ankaferd treatment increased VEGF-A gene expression levels in HUVECs. VEGF-A gene expression levels remained unchanced in hMSCs with %5 Ankaferd treatment. HIF1-A gene expression levels decreased in HUVECs, whereas increased in hMSCs with 5% Ankaferd treatment. The gene expression levels of HIF3-A increased both in HUVECs and hMSCs. In chick embryo chorioallontoic membrane assay, the anti-angiogenic effect of Ankaferd was shown experimentally for the first time in the literature. These findings may represents the potential uses of Ankaferd in cancer treatment as an anti-angiogenic agent. Due to gene expression analyses resuts in our study, Ankaferd affects the angiogenesis in anti-angiogenic procedure on VEGF and HIF genes.

Background: To evaluate effect of maximal anterior cortical lens density, iris scatter and anterior chamber depth on laser flare photometry. Methods: Patients diagnosed with clinical uveitis were enrolled in the study. Clinical flare gradings were recorded upon the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature. Aqueous flare was measured with an automated device (Kowa FM-700). Back-scattering from anterior cortical lens and anterior iris surface was calculated from Scheimpflug images. A curvilinear regression model was used to calculate estimated values for each clinical grade. These values were used to split cases in Group I (laser flare photometry lower than estimated) and Group II (laser flare photometry higher than estimated). Mean anterior chamber depth, pupil aperture, maximal anterior cortical lens density and iris scatter values were compared between two groups. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of clinical flare gradings and ocular parameters on aqueous flare measurements. Results: The study included 228 eyes of 114 cases. Scheimpflug images were obtained from 105 eyes. Estimated aqueous flare measurements (in photons/milliseconds) were 4.87, 8.50, 14.81, 25.83, 45.04 and 136.93 for 0, 0.5+, 1+, 1.5+, 2+ and 3+ clinical flare respectively. Group II had higher maximal anterior cortical lens density than Group I (96.6 ± 37.1 vs 77.9 ± 17.1 pixel unit, p = 0.001). The measured aqueous flare was significantly related to clinical flare, maximal anterior cortical lens density and pupil aperture (adjusted R2: 0.480, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The back-scattered light from anterior cortical lens could affect laser flare photometry measurements. This effect might be quantified by Scheimpflug imaging.

Background: Bereavement is one of the least studied conditions in children, especially among the ones diagnosed with ASD. Lack of enough understanding about what to expect from a grieving child with ASD complicates how to help them and their caregivers. Case presentation: In this paper, we present a 13-year-old girl with ASD who lost his dad recently due to myocardial infarction during COVID-19 pandemic period while lockdown was implemented, and how that girl reacted to this adverse event. Informed consent is obtained from the mother. Conclusion: Grief of a child with ASD may be dissimilar to what is used to seen in other grieving people. However, similar to all bereaving individuals, psychoeducation and counselling should be prioritized for both the grieving children with ASD and their caregivers. Keywords: ASD; autism; bereavement; COVID; grief; psychoeducation.