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Introduction: We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum HMGB-1 levels and the clinical course of COVID-19 disease. Methods: A total of 86 patients, 43 patients in each group, were included in the study. According to the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Diagnostic Guide, patients were divided into 2 groups as mild/moderate pneumonia and severe pneumonia. In addition to routine tests, blood samples were taken for serum HMGB-1 level analysis. At the time of blood draw, all patients were within the first 14 days of symptom onset. Results: HMGB-1 (High mobility group box protein 1) level of the patients in the mild Covid-19 pneumonia group was 4233.84 pg/ml, and the serum HMGB-1 level of the patients in the moderate-severe pneumonia group was 4804.35 pg/ml. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.146). Conclusion: We did not find a significant difference between the two groups in blood samples taken in the first 14 days from the onset of symptoms in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The condition of narcissism is divided into grandiose (overt) and hypersensitive (covert) narcissism. These two states are different in terms of etiological and behavioral dimensions. Correct assessment is important for determining the treatment. The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) does not predict covert narcissism, whereas the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSNS) does. The aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the HSNS. Method: Participants of the study were 300 university students. The HSNS, the NPI and the Basic Personality Traits Inventory (BPTI) were administered as the primary outcome measure. Results: Factor analysis revealed that the item content of the newly created eight-item Turkish version of the HSNS reflected one factor identified as hypersensitivity. Moreover, the reliability analysis demonstrated that the eight-item Turkish version of the HSNS was a reliable scale. On the other hand, no significant relationships were found between age, gender, and educational levels of the participants and their scores on the Turkish version of the HSNS. A near-zero correlation between the Turkish version of the HSNS and the NPI was demonstrated. Finally, there were significant negative correlations between the HSNS and the BPTI's subscales of extraversion and agreeableness, and significant positive correlations between the HSNS and the BPTI's subscales of neuroticism and negative valence. Conclusion: The current study revealed that the reliability and validity of eight-item Turkish version of the HSNS were adequate, and it provided some evidence to demonstrate the existence of selected personality features that may be useful in differentiating hypersensitive narcissism from grandiose narcissism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antimicrobial activities of chloroform, acetone, ethanol, and water extracts of 25 plants, mostly used as remedies against various diseases in Turkish traditional medicine, were tested against 10 pathogenic bacteria and one fungus (Candida albicans) using the disk diffusion method. Among the tested plant species, Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam (Labiatae), Thymus fallax Fisch et Mey. (Labiatae), and three Hypericum species [H. heterophyllum Vent., H. hyssopifolium Chaix. subsp. elongatum(Ledeb.) Woron var. elongatum, and H. scabrum L.] (Guttiferae) showed antimicrobial activity at a broader spectrum. In particular, chloroform, acetone, and ethanol extracts of Z. clinopodioides inhibited the growth of all microbial species. Minimal inhibition concentration values of Z. clinopodioides extracts were also found to be low. The antioxidant activity of the acetone, ethanol, and water extracts of 20 plants was also evaluated by lipid peroxidation inhibition and DPPH free radical scavenging methods. It was found that water, ethanol, and acetone extracts of Z. clinopodioides, T. fallax, three Hypericum species, Artemisia santonicum L. (Compositae), and Echinophora tenuifolia L. subsp. sibthorpiena (Umbelliferae) have strong antioxidant activities among the tested plant species. In general, there is a correlation between the antioxidant potential and total phenolic contents of the extracts. In light of the current study, it can be concluded that Z. clinopodioides and T. fallax may have potential use in the food industry as antioxidants and antimicrobial herbs, as well as pharmaceutical interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.