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Dairy industry wastewater can be considered as an important source of pollution due to its high amounts and pollutant concentrations. Anaerobic treatment is seen as a suitable alternative over aerobic treatment which requires huge aeration systems. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) testing is a widely applied technique for estimating the performance of anaerobic digesters and still has no clear alternative. In the study, the biochemical methane potential change was investigated by mixing dairy wastewater with different co-substrates (cattle manure, chicken manure and slaughterhouse wastewater) at different rates. The highest biogas potential per gram of chemical oxygen demand added (COD added ) was determined as 574 mL biogas in a mixture of 74% dairy wastewater + 2% chicken manure + 24% slaughterhouse wastewater inoculated with granular sludge. The highest methane potential was determined as 340 mLCH 4 in the same co-substrate mixture inoculated with anaerobic sludge. In recent years, mathematical modeling offers an alternative to BMP tests and many different models are used for this purpose. In the study, six different mathematical models were used to simulate the BMP results, and the highest correlation coefficient in almost all mixtures ranged from 0.900 to 0.997 with the Modified Gompertz equation and Fitzhugh models., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) and paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) are both rare groups of neurological diseases that are difficult to diagnose., Aim: We aimed to determine the common and distinct aspects of these two aetiologies of encephalitis as well as the characteristics of our patient group., Methods: We respectively analysed the records of the patients including symptoms, demographic features, neurological examination, cranial-magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG) findings, cerebrospinal fluid results (CSF) findings. Autoimmune/paraneoplastic autoantibodies in blood and/or CSF were all documented., Results: Forty-six patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria. Thirty-eight of them were diagnosed with AIE, and 8 of them were diagnosed with PNS. The PNS group had higher nonconvulsive status epilepticus than the AIE (2/8 vs 0/38; p=0.027). PNS patients were diagnosed with a malignancy in their follow-ups more than those in the AIE group [4/38 vs 8/8] (p<0.001). When the symptoms of antibody-positive and negative patients were compared in the AIE group, the rates of consciousness/memory problems (13/15 vs 11/23; p=0.020) and speech impairment (8/15 vs 2/23; p=0.004) were significantly higher in patients without antibodies (n: 15) than in antibody-positive patients (n: 23). In antibody-negative groups, the rates of memory problems in neurological examination (13/15 vs 12/23 p=0.028) and temporal findings on electroencephalography were more prominent than antibody-positive groups (1/23 vs 5/15; p=0.027). The number of patients with cerebellar signs was higher in antibody-positive patients (6/23 vs 0/15; p=0.038)., Conclusion: Although the positivity of autoantibodies is critical in the diagnosis of AIE and PNS, even minor differences in clinical and laboratory findings of patients are helpful in the diagnosis, especially in the autoantibody-negative patients. Comparing the data with other population studies has shown that several inherited and environmental factors may contribute to the pathophysiology of AIE and PNS, as well as clinical and laboratory differences., (© 2022. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.)

Purpose: To investigate voriconazole (VRZ) penetration and fungal load in the cornea after applying VRZ therapy with various treatment combinations in a fungal keratitis model., Methods: Fifty-four eyes of 27 young albino rabbits were provided for this experimental study. Twelve corneas were inoculated with Candida albicans, 12 corneas were inoculated with Fusarium solani, and 6 eyes were selected as controls. Infected corneas received various treatment combinations including VRZ 1% drop therapy alone, VRZ 1% plus amphotericin B 1% drop combination therapy, iontophoretic VRZ therapy, and VRZ 1% drop therapy after corneal cross-linking. Fungal load was measured by log reduction, and VRZ levels were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry., Results: Iontophoresis-assisted VRZ application showed the highest antifungal activity against F. solani keratitis (4-log reduction) and C. albicans keratitis (5-log reduction) compared with other treatment applications. VRZ levels were also found to be the highest in corneas that received iontophoretic VRZ treatment (3.6313 ± 0.0990 ppb for F.solani keratitis and 1.7001 ± 0.0065 ppb for C. albicans keratitis) compared with other treatment applications., Conclusions: Iontophoresis seems to provide the highest VRZ concentration and highest antifungal activity in the cornea compared with other treatment applications for C. albicans and F. solani keratitis.

Background/aim: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic treatment (APDT) in a biofilm model using combinations of various dyes (rose bengal, riboflavin, and methylene blue) as photosensitizers and light sources (LED and UVA) against staphylococcal and candidal biofilms., Materials and Methods: Sterile microtiter plates were used for the development and quantification of the biofilms. APDT was carried out using combinations of the light sources and dyes. The percentage of the growth inhibition was then calculated using a spectrophotometer. The broth media in the wells were aspirated, wells were stained with crystal violet, and optical density values were measured spectrophotometrically. SEM analysis of the impact of APDT on bacterial and fungal biofilms was also performed., Results: The experiments showed that the most efficacious combination was red LED + methylene blue against both staphylococcal and candidal biofilms. A marked inhibition (45.4%) was detected on both C. albicans and C. parapsilosis biofilms. Red LED + methylene blue was also effective on S. aureus and S. epidermidis biofilms. SEM images suggested that the number of adherent cells and biofilm mass were markedly reduced after APDT treatment., Conclusion: Although the results of this study indicated the in vitro efficacy of APDT, it might also be a promising technique for the control of biofilm growth within intravenous catheters.

Introduction: We assess the effect of video-based education on patient anxiety during transrectal prostate biopsy., Methods: A total of 246 patients who underwent transrectal prostate biopsy were prospectively enrolled in the study. Group 1 included 123 patients who received both written and video-based education, while Group 2 included 123 patients who received only written instructions regarding prostate biopsies. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess state and trait anxiety (STAI-S/T) After completing the STAI-S and STAI-T questionnaires, all patients in Group 1 received written information and video-based education and they again completed STAI-S before the biopsy. On the contrary, after completing the STAI-S and STAI-T questionnaires, the patients in Group 2 received only written information and then they completed the STAI-S before the biopsy. Moreover, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess pain scores during digital rectal examination, probe insertion, periprostatic local anesthesic infiltration, and biopsy., Results: No difference was noted between 2 groups regarding VAS scores. Comparing the 2 groups on baseline anxiety, we found that trait anxiety scores (STAI-T) were similar (p = 0.238). Pre-information STAI-S scores were similar in both groups (p = 0.889) and they both indicated high anxiety levels (score ≥42). While post-information STAI-S scores remained high in Group 2, post-information STAI-S scores significantly decreased in Group 1 (p = 0.01)., Conclusions: Undergoing a prostate biopsy is stressful and may cause anxiety for patients. Video-based education about the procedure can diminish patient anxiety.

The role of atherosclerosis in ischemic stroke has been intensively investigated in recent years, and homocysteine (Hcy) and lipoprotein(a) Lp(a) were found to have roles during the process. This study aims to investigate the relationship between acute ischemic stroke and Lp(a) and Hcy levels and to determine the prognosis and functional disability. Forty-one patients with acute ischemic stroke and 33 controls were included in the study. Lp(a) and Hcy levels were examined in both groups. The modified Rankin scale (MRS) scores at discharge and in the first and third months were determined to establish the functional disability and prognosis of stroke patients. In patients with acute ischemic stroke, Hcy levels were significantly higher than the controls (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference between Lp(a) levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke and controls (p = 0.150). Because there was a significant difference in terms of Hcy levels between the groups, it will be suitable to routinely monitor the Hcy levels of individuals who are known to have risk factors for stroke. Neither Lp(a) nor Hcy levels had any correlations with functional disability; therefore, it can be concluded that the Lp(a) and Hcy levels are inexpressive in predicting the functional disability and prognosis for ischemic stroke patients.

Context: Stachyss species have been used as a medicine for centuries throughout the world. Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. var. lavandulifolia (Lamiaceae) is of interest to researchers because the constituents such as betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and ursolic acid are similar to other Stachys species commonly used as an alterative in medicinal preparations., Objective:  The present study investigated the effects of water extract (SLE(w)) and ethanol extract (SLE(e)) obtained from S. lavandulifolia (SLE) on the longevity of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen., Materials and Methods:  The effects of different concentrations of SLE (Control+DMSO; 4.0; 12.0 and 20.0 µL/100 mL medium) were administered separately to female and male populations of D. melanogaster for control and SLE groups., Results: In all application groups, each population's longevity increased, depending on the concentration of SLE. The mean life-span of the extract groups which are applied with SLE((w)) was determined to be shorter than the extract groups which are applied with SLE((e)). For example, the maximum mean life-span applied with SLE((w)) increased from 31.86 ± 0.92 days to 43.21 ± 1.33 days and the maximum mean life-span applied with SLE((e)) increased from 31.86 ± 0.92 days to 49.62 ± 1.62 days in females., Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the constituents of S. lavandulifolia have great potential as a source for natural health products for D. melanogaster management.

Background: Deficits in recognition of facial emotions have been widely reported in patients with schizophrenia. Previous studies that examined recognition of facial emotions in relatives of patients with schizophrenia brought out inconsistent results., Aims: In this study, we aimed to examine facial emotion identification and discrimination abilities in patients with schizophrenia and their healthy siblings to find out whether familial vulnerability to schizophrenia is associated with deficits in facial emotion recognition., Methods: Patients with schizophrenia (n=57), their unaffected biological siblings (n=58) and healthy controls (n=58) were included in the study. The three groups did not differ significantly for gender, age and education level. All the participants were evaluated with the Facial Emotion Identification Test (FEIT) and Facial Emotion Discrimination Test (FEDT)., Results: Patients with schizophrenia performed significantly worse than controls on FEIT and FEDT. Siblings performed significantly better than patients and significantly worse than controls on FEIT and FEDT., Conclusions: Impaired performance of siblings on facial emotion identification and discrimination tasks provides evidence for the hypothesis that facial emotion recognition deficits are transmitted in families and may represent a heritable endophenotype of schizophrenia.

Objective: Impaired social functioning is a characteristic feature of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that predict social functioning in schizophrenia., Method: The study included 100 patients that met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. All the patients were evaluated using the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, Facial Emotion Identification Test, Facial Emotion Discrimination Test, Digit Span Test, Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test, and Social Functioning Scale. Marital status, living arrangements, and working status of the patients were also recorded. Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to determine the relationships between the research variables and social functioning. Categorical variables were compared with the independent samples t test., Results: Negative symptoms, level of education, and facial emotion identification were significant predictors of social functioning total score. Negative symptoms were the most important predictor of almost all domains of social functioning. Age and duration of illness were not associated with social functioning. There were no gender differences in terms of social functioning. Married patients had higher social functioning scores. Employed patients had lower negative symptom scores and higher social functioning scores., Conclusion: Negative symptoms were the most important predictors of social functioning in our study.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is being used to treat a wide spectrum of clinical disorders but opportunistic infection remains an important factor determining outcomes for these patients. Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are being reported more frequently in HSCT recipients and the incidence of NTM infections in adult recipients is reported to be 0.4%-4.9%. However, the incidence and severity of NTM infections are less well described in pediatric HSCT recipients. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines were used to define definite and probable NTM infection among 132 children undergoing 169 HSCT between January 2000 and December 2004 at our institution. NTM infection was diagnosed in 5 of 132 pediatric recipients (3.8%). There were no NTM infections diagnosed in the autologous HSCT recipients and the incidence of NTM in allogeneic HSCT recipients was 6.4% (95% confidence interval, 0.8-11.9). The mean age of the HSCT recipients who developed NTM infections was 8 years (range, 2-19 years); 3 were male and 2 were female. Four conditioning regimens included alemtuzumab and 3 had antithymocyte globulin. Of the 5 patients with NTM infections, 2 met the criteria for definite infection and 3 for probable infection. Of the 2 patients with definite NTM infection, 1 had disseminated disease with Mycobacterium avium complex and the other had Mycobacterium chelonae catheter-related bloodstream infection. The probable NTM infections were 1 skin infection with Mycobacterium kansasii and 2 lower respiratory tract infections with M avium complex. Median time to NTM infection was 115 days (range, 14-269 days) after HSCT. Two patients had graft-versus-host disease at the time of NTM infection. All 5 patients received 3-4 antimycobacterial drugs and all NTM infections resolved. In summary, the incidence of NTM infection in pediatric HSCT recipients appears similar to that described in adult HSCT recipients and the outcome appears to be excellent with the proper antibiotic therapy. The increased use of anti-T cell antibodies appears to be associated with an increased risk of NTM infections in pediatric HSCT recipients. Multicenter studies are needed to identify the risk factors, early diagnostic criteria, and optimal therapy.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are rarely diagnosed in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. We describe a case of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex with gastrointestinal tract involvement in a HSCT recipient. We reviewed NTM infections among pediatric HSCT patients at our institution from 2000-2004 and identified 2 additional cases. Fourteen published case reports of NTM disease in children are reviewed.

Purpose: Myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) has been successful in the treatment of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but may be associated with significant toxicity and recurrent disease. Reduced-intensity allogeneic SCT may offer a less toxic approach to patients with AML. Targeted immunotherapy with gemtuzumab ozogamicin has been shown to be safe, well tolerated in children, and, as a single agent, gemtuzumab ozogamicin has induced responses in 30% of patients with recurrent CD33+ AML. There are no safety data with gemtuzumab ozogamicin post allogeneic SCT in children. Therefore, we explored the feasibility and toxicity of targeted immunotherapy following reduced-intensity allogeneic SCT in children with CD33+ AML., Experimental Design: Eight patients with CD33+ AML received a reduced-intensity allogeneic SCT following fludarabine 30 mg/m2 for 6 days and busulfan 3.2 mg/kg (<4 years, 4 mg/kg/d) for 2 days. Donor sources included six 6/6 HLA-matched related peripheral blood stem cells, one 6/6 sibling cord blood, and one 4/6 unrelated cord blood., Results: Day 30 and day 60 donor chimerisms in seven of eight evaluable patients were 96 +/- 2% (n = 7) and 94 +/- 3% (n = 6), respectively. Five of six patients (too early for one patient) received two doses of gemtuzumab ozogamicin and one patient received only one dose. After each dose, all patients developed grade 4 neutropenia, with recovery on median days 16 and 13, respectively, after dose 1 and dose 2. Grade 4 thrombocytopenia was only observed in 2 of 11 gemtuzumab ozogamicin courses. No patients have developed dose-limiting toxicity secondary to gemtuzumab ozogamicin., Conclusions: The administration of gemtuzumab ozogamicin post reduced-intensity allogeneic SCT in children with average risk AML is feasible and well tolerated with minimal toxicity. The maximal tolerated dose has yet to be determined for gemtuzumab ozogamicin post reduced-intensity allogeneic SCT in children with CD33+ AML. Additional studies in a larger group of patients will be required to adequately assess the safety of this approach.