Search

Background: Chylothorax is a rare condition due to leakage of chyle in the thoracic cavity. When large amounts of chyle leak into the thoracic cavity, it can lead to severe respiratory, immune, and metabolic complications. Chylothorax has many potential underlying etiologies, and the most common causes are traumatic chylothorax and lymphoma. Venous thrombosis of the upper extremities is a rare cause of a chylothorax. Case presentation: A 62-year-old Dutch man with a medical history of gastric cancer, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery 13 months prior, presented with dyspnea and a swollen left arm. Computed tomography thorax showed bilateral pleural effusion that was more prominent on the left side. The computed tomography scan further revealed thrombosis of the left jugular and subclavian veins and osseal masses suggesting cancer metastasis. Thoracentesis was performed to confirm the suspicion of gastric cancer metastasis. The obtained fluid was milky with a high level of triglycerides, but contained no malignant cells; hence, the diagnosis of the pleural effusion was chylothorax. Treatment with anticoagulation and a medium-chain-triglycerides diet was started. Furthermore, bone metastasis was confirmed with a bone biopsy. Conclusion: Our case report demonstrates chylothorax as a rare cause of dyspnea in a patient with pleural effusion and a history of cancer. Therefore, this diagnosis should be considered in all patients with a history of cancer with new-onset pleural effusion and thrombosis of the upper extremities or clavicular/mediastinal lymphadenopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study was to investigate if five values that are part of the hemogram analysis routinely checked before heart surgeries can be used as a high-quality, quick, low-cost, and easy-to-use outcome predictor. Methods: This investigation was a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors for combined adverse events. We enrolled 1500 consecutive patients who underwent elective, on-pump, open-heart surgery from 2011 to 2014. Preoperative hemogram evaluation, red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were recorded. We classified combined adverse events (CAE) as (1) myocardial infarction, (2) cardiac reoperation, (3) prolonged mechanical ventilation, (4) prolonged hospital stay, (5) rehospitalization, or (6) mortality. Results: It was found that several parameters obtained as part of the hemogram, namely RDW, MPV, PLR, and NLR, can predict, individually or in combinations, the outcomes in open-heart surgery patients. It was found that the prediction success of NLR (4.8 fold) was higher compared to RDW (1.8 fold) and MPV (1.5 fold). When the prediction success of the combined parameters was investigated, the NLR-RDW (4.7 fold) pair was found higher in the prediction of CAE occurrence. The predictive success of the triple combination of NLR-MPV-RDW (5.5 fold) was higher than other combinations. Conclusions: The triple combination of parameters obtained as part of the hemogram, NLR-RDW-MPV, indicated a much more predictive power than two parameters coupled. This combination of three parameters, NLR-RDW-MPV, is to be considered as a sensitive, high-quality, low-cost outcome prediction marker for cardiac surgery patients that is less time consuming and easy to use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The series of two papers presents a comprehensive isotope-geochronological and petrologicalgeochemical study of the Late Quaternary Tendürek Volcano (Eastern Turkey), one of the greatest volcanoes within the Caucasian-Eastern Anatolian segment of the Alpine foldbelt. The second article discusses the results of petrogenetic modeling, role of AFC-processes in the petrogenesis of magmas and the nature of mantle source of the Tendürek Volcano. Based on geochronological data, geochemical and isotopegeochemical (Sr-Nd-Pb) characteristics of the studied rocks we suggest the petrological model which well describe the evolution of magmatic system of the Tendürek Volcano during the whole period of its activity. The data obtained indicate that the igneous rocks of the Tendürek Volcano belong to the same homodromous volcanic series (trachybasalt-tephrite-phonotephrite-tephriphonolite-trachyandesite-trachyte-phonolite), which are dominated by the intermediate and moderately-acid varieties of the eruption products. The leading role in the petrogenesis of the lavas was played by the fractional crystallization processes, which, according to isotope-geochemical data, were sometimes complicated by the assimilation of upper crustal material. The mantle reservoir responsible for the magmatic activity within the major part of the Eastern Anatolia in the Late Quaternary time was represented by the OIB-type mantle. It was subject to slight metasomatic changes as a result of earlier deepening and remelting of the Arabian Plate slab, which was subducted under the region through the end of the Miocene. The depth of the magma-generating source is estimated at around 80 km, which corresponds to the upper part of the asthenospheric wedge under the region, based on geophysical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The series of two papers presents a comprehensive isotope-geochronological and petrological-geochemical study of the Late Quaternary Tendürek Volcano (Eastern Turkey), one of the greatest volcanoes within the Caucasian-Eastern Anatolian segment of the Alpine foldbelt. The first article discusses the results of chronostratigraphic reconstruction and provides the main petrographic characteristics of the Tendürek's igneous rocks. The K-Ar dating results show that the magmatic activity of the Tendürek Volcano developed in the Late Pleistocene time, over the period of the last 250 thousand years. Five discrete phases (I-250-200 ka, II-200-150 ka, III-150-100 ka, IV-100-70 ka, and V-<50 ka) of the youngest magmatism were identified in this study. The first two phases were represented by the fissure eruptions of alkaline basic lavas and subsequent formation of vast lava plateaus, the Çaldıran and Doğubeyazıt plains. In the following phases, the intermediate and moderately-acid volcanic rocks of mildly-alkaline or alkaline series started to dominate among the eruption products. According to their petrographic characteristics, the rocks of Tendürek Volcano are assigned to the alkaline association with Na-specifics (hawaiites-mugearites-benmoreites). The available geological, isotope-geochronological, and geomorphological data suggest that the Tendürek Volcano is potentially active. Nowadays, Tendürek reaches the caldera stage of its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of studies focussed on copper complexes of a variety of ligands with an NN4 donor set are reported. The permethylated tetrapodal ligand 2 forms a complex with copper(I) which, upon reaction with dioxygen at -90 °C, yields a product having a bis(μ-oxido)dicopper(III) core ('O-type' product, 10), as inferred from UV/Vis and resonance-Raman spectroscopic data. The UV/Vis spectrum of 10 has two bands at 300 and 404 nm, with extinction coefficients of 9400 and 10400 L mol-1 cm-1, respectively. Resonance-Raman spectra display two 16O/18O-sensitive bands which, based on the isotopic shifts and the absolute frequencies, are attributed to the Cu-O stretching modes of the O-type product. Complex 10 shows tyrosinase-like activity, as its reaction with sodium p- tert-butylphenolate at -90 °C in THF yields p- tert-butylcatechol, in an ortho-hydroxylation reaction (yield: 30 %). Two new rigid tetrapodal pentadentate ligands (the 'superpods' 3 and 4) can be synthesized by condensation of the primary polyamine 1 with paraformaldehyde. Their copper(II) complexes ( 5 and 6) have been spectroscopically characterized. As ascertained by X-ray crystallography, 5 has the CuII ion in a tetragonal-pyramidal environment, with almost uniform Cu-N bond lengths (basal bonds: 2.052 Å and 2.070 Å; apical bond: 2.077 Å). No significant Jahn-Teller distortion is observed here. In 6, the ligand acts as a multinucleating donor, which leads to the formation of a ladder-like cluster of [Cu(μ3-OH)] units containing a total of two ligands, six copper(II) ions, four hydroxido ligands and eight trifluoroacetate ions. Two of the trifluoroacetate ions are non-coordinating. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data are reported for this hexanuclear copper(II) cluster. Copper(I) complexes of 1 and 3 have been characterized and allowed to react with molecular oxygen, which caused the decomposition of the complexes. The IR spectra of the oxygenation products have bands at 1652 and 1632 cm-1, respectively, which are absent in the spectra of 1 and 3, suggesting that amine functions have been oxidized to imines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The original version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ30orig) suffers from a ceiling effect and hence has reduced clinical validity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding eight more demanding items (CHAQ38) and a new categorical response option (CATII) on discriminant validity and score distribution in a European patient sample. Methods: Eighty-nine children with Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and 22 healthy controls, aged 7-16 years, were recruited from eight centres across Europe. Eight new CHAQ items and scoring option were translated back and forth for the countries in which they were not already present. Demographic, clinical, and CHAQ data were collected on-site. Subsequently, five different scoring methods were applied, i.e. the original method (CHAQ30orig) and four alternatives. These alternatives consisted of the mean item scores for the 30 and 38-question versions with either the original (CATI), or the new categorical response option (CATII). The five versions were tested for their ability to distinguish between patients and controls. Furthermore score distributions were evaluated and visualized by box and whisker plots. Results: Two CHAQ revisions with the new response option showed poor discriminative ability, whereas one revised version (CHAQ38CATI) had comparable discriminative ability comparable to the original CHAQ. A profound ceiling effect was observed in the original scoring method of the CHAQ (27%). The addition of eight more demanding items and application of a plain mean item score reduced this significantly to 14% (?² = 4.21; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Revising the CHAQ by adding eight more demanding items and applying a plain mean item scoring (CHAQ38CATI) maintained discriminant ability and reduced the ceiling effect in a European patient sample. The new categorical response option (CATII) seemed promising, but was less able to distinguish children with JIA from healthy controls and had less favourable distribution characteristics. The CHAQ38CATI is advocated for future use in mildly affected JIA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presented study, The weldability of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel to AISI 4340 steel joined by friction welding in different rotational speeds and fatigue behaviour of friction-welded samples were investigated. Tension tests were applied to welded parts to obtain the strength of the joints. The welding zones were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The Vıckers microhardness distributions in welding zone were determined. Fatigue tests were performed using a rotational bending fatigue test machine and the fatigue strength has been analysed drawing S-N curves and critically observing fatigue fracture surfaces of the tested samples. The experimental results indicate that mechanical properties and microstructural features are affected significantly by rotation speed and the fatigue strength of friction-welded samples decrease due to chromium carbide precipitation in welding zone with increasing rotation speed in choosen conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between production of 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA) and peroxidase and laccase activity was investigated in white-rot fungus Funalia trogii (Trametes trogii). F. trogii produced IAA and peroxidase and laccase as both primary metabolite and secondary metabolite; the levels of IAA may be influenced by peroxidase and laccase. A correlation exists between the levels of IAA and peroxidase-laccase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of Engineering Geology & the Environment is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We report a unique case of brucellosis transmitted by BMT. An 8-year-old boy with the diagnosis of Fanconi's anemia received an allogeneic BMT from his HLA-identical sibling. Routine culture from the infused marrow suspension grew Brucella abortus on day +4 post BMT. Spiking fevers occurred on days +2 and +16. The first febrile episode responded to broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. However, the second episode did not. B. abortus was isolated from blood cultures taken during the second febrile episode. The Brucella agglutination titer was negative. Antibiotic therapy with oral doxycycline and i.v. gentamycin was successful with no recurrence of infection during 13 months of follow-up. The donor's blood culture was also positive for B. abortus and Brucella antibodies were detectable at 1:320 titer when he presented with fever and hepatosplenomegaly on day +32. We emphasize the need to consider brucellosis in patients undergoing BMT. We suggest that donor and recipient be evaluated for brucellosis especially in countries where the incidence of this infection is relatively high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leukemia (2002) 16, 962. DOI: 10.1038/sj/leu/2402449 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]