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Aim: The SAMe-TT2R2 score helps identify patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) likely to have poor anticoagulation control during anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and those with scores >2 might be better managed with a target-specific oral anticoagulant (NOAC). We hypothesized that in clinical practice, VKAs may be prescribed less frequently to patients with AF and SAMe-TT2R2 scores >2 than to patients with lower scores. Methods and results: We analyzed the Phase III dataset of the Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA-AF), a large, global, prospective global registry of patients with newly diagnosed AF and ≥1 stroke risk factor. We compared baseline clinical characteristics and antithrombotic prescriptions to determine the probability of the VKA prescription among anticoagulated patients with the baseline SAMe-TT2R2 score >2 and ≤ 2. Among 17,465 anticoagulated patients with AF, 4,828 (27.6%) patients were prescribed VKA and 12,637 (72.4%) patients an NOAC: 11,884 (68.0%) patients had SAMe-TT2R2 scores 0-2 and 5,581 (32.0%) patients had scores >2. The proportion of patients prescribed VKA was 28.0% among patients with SAMe-TT2R2 scores >2 and 27.5% in those with scores ≤2. Conclusions: The lack of a clear association between the SAMe-TT2R2 score and anticoagulant selection may be attributed to the relative efficacy and safety profiles between NOACs and VKAs as well as to the absence of trial evidence that an SAMe-TT2R2-guided strategy for the selection of the type of anticoagulation in NVAF patients has an impact on clinical outcomes of efficacy and safety. The latter hypothesis is currently being tested in a randomized controlled trial. Clinical trial registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov//Unique identifier: NCT01937377, NCT01468701, and NCT01671007.

Electric quadrupole matrix elements, Mp, for the Jπ=2+→0+, ΔT=0, T=1 transitions across the A=46 isobaric multiplet 46Cr-46V-46Ti have been measured at GSI with the FRS-LYCCA-AGATA setup. This allows direct insight into the isospin purity of the states of interest by testing the linearity of Mp with respect to Tz. Pairs of nuclei in the T=1 triplet were studied using identical reaction mechanisms in order to control systematic errors. The Mp values were obtained with two different methodologies: (i) a relativistic Coulomb excitation experiment was performed for 46Cr and 46Ti; (ii) a “stretched target” technique was adopted here, for the first time, for lifetime measurements in 46V and 46Ti. A constant value of Mp across the triplet has been observed. Shell-model calculations performed within the fp shell fail to reproduce this unexpected trend, pointing towards the need of a wider valence space. This result is confirmed by the good agreement with experimental data achieved with an interaction which allows excitations from the underlying sd shell. A test of the linearity rule for all published data on complete T=1 isospin triplets is presented.

Utilization of microwave-assisted (MW) synthesis and subsequent spark plasma sintering as an efficient and rapid synthetic route toward the preparation and consolidation of ultrahard B4C boron carbide without additives is reported. Magnesium dodecaboride (MgB12) and carbon were used as raw materials for stepwise MW synthesis of B4C at irradiation power of 900 W. The comprehensive analytical studies showed that after few minutes of microwave irradiation of reactive mixture single phase nanoparticles of boron carbide (40–50 nm) covered by carbon nanolayer are formed. Optimum sintering parameters for the powder compaction were revealed and dense specimens (>99%) with hardness of around 35 GPa and substantially improved fracture toughness of 5.7 MPa m1/2 were produced from nanosized B4C powder without any additives. Erosive wear behaviour of B4C against silica particles impact studied at room temperature demonstrated a high erosion resistance for the fully dense compacts sintered at 1900 °C. Keywords: Boron carbide, Nanopowder, Microwave assisted synthesis, Spark plasma sintering

Reproductive failure due to age, genetics and disease necessitates innovative solutions. While reproductive tissue transplantation has advanced, ongoing research seeks superior approaches. Biomaterials, bioengineering and additive manufacturing, such as three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, are harnessed to restore reproductive function. 3D bioprinting uses materials, cells and growth factors to mimic natural tissues, proving popular for tissue engineering, notably in complex scaffold creation with cell distribution. The versatility which is brought to reproductive medicine by 3D bioprinting allows more accurate and on-site applicability to various problems that are encountered in the field. However, in the literature, there is a lack of studies encompassing the valuable applications of 3D bioprinting in reproductive medicine. This systematic review aims to improve understanding, and focuses on applications in several branches of reproductive medicine. Advancements span the restoration of ovarian function, endometrial regeneration, vaginal reconstruction, and male germ cell bioengineering. 3D bioprinting holds untapped potential in reproductive medicine., (Copyright © 2024 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Understanding the variations of abdominal vascular structures is important for preventing complications of abdominal surgical procedures for gastrointestinal disease such as necrotizing enterocolitis or others that may arise in patients with congenital cardiac disease. We analysed the coeliac trunk and its branches in children with congenital heart disease to determine whether there is a greater prevalence of associated vascular abnormalities., Methods: We retrospectively analysed thoracic computed tomography (CT) angiograms performed in our hospital in paediatric patients with congenital heart disease. We documented the anatomical variations observed in abdominal sections in which the coeliac trunk and hepatic arteries were included in the field of view. We used the Uflacker classification to describe anatomical variants of the coeliac trunk, and the Michels classification and its modified version (Hiatt classification) to describe the anatomy of the hepatic artery system., Results: Our study included 178 patients with congenital heart disease. We identified coeliac trunk variants in 10.7% of the patients. Gastrosplenic trunk was to the most prevalent variant, amounting to 5.6% of total cases. We found hepatic artery variations in 19.1% of the patients. According to the Michels classification, the prevalence of accessory left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery as 4.5%, compared to 6.7% based on the Hiatt classification., Conclusion: The prevalence of coeliac trunk and hepatic artery variations in patients with congenital heart disease was not greater in our study compared to other series in the literature. Clinicians must be vigilant about the variations detected in multislice CT scans to avoid complications resulting from vascular abnormalities, especially in patients who undergo abdominal surgery., (Copyright © 2024 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegeneration type that is biologically recognizable via β-amyloid plaques and tau neurofibril tangles. Global estimation for the total count of individuals enduring AD will rise up to 131 million by 2050. Investigations suggested the existence of a direct proportion between the likelihood of AD occurrence and vitamin B 12 (VB 12 ) hypovitaminosis. Approved VB 12 administrations, intramuscular and oral, each has serious defects broaching the demand for alternative routes. This work developed VB 12 -loaded chitosan/tripolyphosphate/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/TPP/PVA) nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinylpyrrolidone/polycaprolactone (PVP/PCL) nanofibrous (NFs) produced by pressurized gyration (PG) for sublingual and transdermal routes, respectively. Biomaterials were investigated morphologically, chemically, and thermally. Moreover, degradation, disintegration, release behavior, and release kinetics were analyzed. The effectiveness and safety of nanomaterials were assessed and proven with the alamarBlue test on the Aβ 1-42 -induced SH-SY5Y model. The final evaluation suggested the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of produced systems. Consequently, two alternative VB 12 application routes were developed with high effectivity and low toxicity with the power of nanotechnology., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors all declare that there is no existing conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The automotive industry is a very wide area from the manufacturing of the pieces of the engine, the body, plastics to the assembly of the car. There is a chemical risk at different stages of production because of the requirement of the use of many corrosive and irritant chemicals such as paints, adhesives, acids, and bases. The aim of the study was to determine the genotoxicity, oxidative stress and immune parameters of automotive paint workers in Ankara, Türkiye. DNA damage of workers mainly responsible from the painting of the automotives were evaluated using the alkaline comet assay and the levels of some oxidative stress and immune biomarkers were also investigated. Increased lymphocyte DNA damage and also higher 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were observed while decreased glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) levels were found in the workers compared to their controls There were no significant differences between the study groups in the levels of interleukin (IL)- 1beta, IL-17, IL-23, Clara cell secretory protein (CC16), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The results show that occupational exposure to chemicals in automotive industry may cause DNA damage in workers due to oxidative stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The capacity of ChatGPT in academic environments and medical exams is being discovered more and more every day. In this study, we tested the success of ChatGPT on Turkish-language thoracic surgery exam questions., Methods: ChatGPT was provided with a total of 105 questions divided into seven distinct groups, each of which contained 15 questions. Along with the success of the students, the success of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 architectures in answering the questions correctly was analyzed., Results: The overall mean score of students was 12.50 ± 1.20, corresponding to 83.33%. Moreover, ChatGPT-3.5 managed to surpass students' score of 12.5 with an average of 13.57 ± 0.49 questions correctly on average, while ChatGPT-4 answered 14 ± 0.76 questions correctly (83.3%, 90.48%, and 93.33%, respectively)., Conclusions: When the results of this study and other similar studies in the literature are evaluated together, ChatGPT, which was developed for general purpose, can also produce successful results in a specific field of medicine. AI-powered applications are becoming more and more useful and valuable in providing academic knowledge., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) harbor a huge diversity of antibiotic remnants and intense bacterial load, making easy the interaction among the microorganisms, which in addition to the stress caused by other gene transfer and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial-resistance genes (ARGs). Waterborne bacterial pathogens recurrently acquire novel resistance from other species, thereby reducing our ability to inhibit and treat bacterial infections. Existing treatment methods are not able to completely eliminate ARB and ARGs, which are finally released into the aquatic environment. In this review, we further evaluate bacteriophages and their potential use in the bioaugmentation of biological wastewater treatment processes and ensure a critical overview of the current situation of knowledge about the influences of phages on the structure and function of microbial communities in WWTPs. It is hoped that this deeper knowledge will enhance and underline gaps, opportunities, and priority questions to be handled in future research., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The hippocampus is the most prominent single region of interest (ROI) for the diagnosis and prediction of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its suitability in the earliest stages of cognitive decline, i.e., subjective cognitive decline (SCD), remains uncertain which warrants the pursuit of alternative or complementary regions. The amygdala might be a promising candidate, given its implication in memory as well as other psychiatric disorders, e.g. depression and anxiety, which are prevalent in SCD. In this 7 tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, we aimed to compare the contribution of volumetric measurements of the hippocampus, the amygdala, and their respective subfields, for early diagnosis and prediction in an AD-related study population., Methods: Participants from a longitudinal study were grouped into SCD (n = 29), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 23), AD (n = 22) and healthy control (HC, n = 31). All participants underwent 7T MRI at baseline and extensive neuropsychological testing at up to three visits (baseline n = 105, 1-year n = 78, 3-year n = 39). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess group differences of baseline volumes of the amygdala and the hippocampus and their subfields. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the effects of baseline volumes on yearly changes of a z-scaled memory score. All models were adjusted to age, sex and education., Results: Compared to the HC group, individuals with SCD showed smaller amygdala ROI volumes (range across subfields -11% to -1%), but not hippocampus ROI volumes (-2% to 1%) except for the hippocampus-amygdala-transition-area (-7%). However, cross-sectional associations between baseline memory and volumes were smaller for amygdala ROIs (std. ß [95% CI] ranging between 0.16 [0.08; 0.25] and 0.46 [0.31; 0.60]) than hippocampus ROIs (between 0.32 [0.19; 0.44] and 0.53 [0.40; 0.67]). Further, the association of baseline volumes with yearly memory change in the HC and SCD groups was similarly weak for amygdala ROIs and hippocampus ROIs. In the MCI group, volumes of amygdala ROIs were associated with a relevant yearly memory decline [95% CI] ranging between -0.12 [-0.24; 0.00] and -0.26 [-0.42; -0.09] for individuals with 20% smaller volumes than the HC group. However, effects were stronger for hippocampus ROIs with a corresponding yearly memory decline ranging between -0.21 [-0.35; -0.07] and -0.31 [-0.50; -0.13]., Conclusion: Volumes of amygdala ROIs, as determined by 7T MRI, might contribute to objectively and non-invasively identify patients with SCD, and thus aid early diagnosis and treatment of individuals at risk to develop dementia due to AD, however associations with other psychiatric disorders should be evaluated in further studies. The amygdala's value in the prediction of longitudinal memory changes in the SCD group remains questionable. Primarily in patients with MCI, memory decline over 3 years appears to be more strongly associated with volumes of hippocampus ROIs than amygdala ROIs., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to explore the effect of a bacteriophage cocktail, pyophage, on the treatment of wastewater containing antibiotics in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). During the operational period, performance of the AnMBR was monitored through the changes in chemical oxygen demand (COD), antibiotic removal, transmembrane pressure, and biogas production. Microbial community structure and composition, as well as the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes were analyzed through shotgun metagenomics analysis. When exposed to pyophage, COD removal efficiency was enhanced up to 96%, whereas membrane fouling was delayed by 25%. Average biogas production was doubled from 224.2 mL/d in control with antibiotics to 447.3 mL/d when exposed to pyophage cocktail with considerable alterations to the archaeal and bacterial community structures. Most notably, the methanogenic community shifted from dominance of Methanothermobacter to Methanoculleus, along with syntrophic bacteria. The results provide insight into the synergistic effects of phage-bacteria and methanogenic communities and illustrate the potential of bacteriophages as bio-enhancers., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study, considering the enhancement potential of microalgae and MBRs for wastewater treatment, the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, which is a freshwater species of Chlorophyta with a high capacity to synthesize astaxanthin, was bioaugmented into an aerobic MBR to investigate its potential on treatment of antibiotics in wastewater, reducing membrane biofouling, and impact on the microbial community structure. For this purpose, two control MBRs, with and without antibiotics, alongside an MBR bioaugmented with H. pluvialis, were set under mesophilic conditions, using inoculum from a local wastewater treatment facility and synthetic wastewater. The common antibiotics sulfamethoxazole (SMX), tetracycline (TET) and erythromycin (ERY) were selected to investigate removal efficiencies by Haematococcus pluvialis in an MBR for this study. In the bioaugmented reactor, membrane biofouling was delayed by 33% and chemical oxygen demand removal increased by 6%. The highest removal of antibiotics was observed for TET with a 20% enhancement from 69.75% (C2) to 89.73% (HP). The results also suggested that H. pluvialis reconstructed indigenous and biofilm microbial communities in MBR. The biodegradation network was modified and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased, while Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were significantly reduced., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: Kidneys are the most frequently injured organ in the genitourinary system, but there is no specific biological marker for this trauma. Renalase may be a descriptive biomarker of the pathology that causes renal ischemia, nephrotoxicity, and acute renal failure., Objective: This study investigated the role of serum and urine levels of renalase for the diagnosis of renal injury in rats with experimentally induced blunt renal trauma., Study Design: Thirty 3-month-old Sprague-Dawley adult male rats were divided into five groups (n = 6) as follows: control (Group 1), sham (Group 2), right nephrectomy (Group 3), left renal trauma (Group 4), and right nephrectomy plus left renal trauma (Group 5). Serum samples were acquired 3, 24 and 48 h post-trauma, and urine samples were acquired between 0-24 and 24-48 h post-trauma. Changes in serum and urine levels of renalase, dopamine, epinephrine, metanephrine, normetanephrine, urea, and creatinine were assessed after blunt renal trauma., Results: No significant changes in serum levels of these compounds were observed at 3 h post-trauma in Groups 1 and 2 or in urine collected sequentially at 0-24 and 24-48 h. By contrast, levels of renalase, dopamine, metanephrine, and normetanephrine in serum increased during hour 3 in Groups 4 and 5. Moreover, increases in urine levels of renalase, dopamine, epinephrine, metanephrine, and normetanephrine were observed at hours 0-24 in Groups 4 and 5., Discussion: A definitive diagnosis of traumatic renal injury in children is made with contrast-enhanced computed tomography. However, the scan results in high doses of radiation exposure to children. Here, we report for the first time that renalase levels may be useful as a biomarker for the diagnosis of renal injury due to blunt renal trauma., Conclusion: Renalase may be a simple, effective, and noninvasive biomarker that indicates traumatic renal injury. It could be used as an adjunct for evaluation, particularly for isolated traumatic renal injury in cases where access to computed tomography is not straightforward., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2021 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Some patients continue to experience symptoms related to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after the acute phase of infection. Imaging studies, especially computed tomography (CT) of the chest, have gained importance since the beginning of the pandemic. CT can help diagnose COVID-19, assess the extent of pulmonary involvement, and predict the disease severity. We aimed to define the frequency of persistent symptoms and correlate their presence with the results of laboratory findings and the severity of the disease based on the findings of chest CT., Methods: We examined patients discharged from the hospital after treatment for COVID-19 and whose nasopharyngeal swab sample tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 after at least 4 weeks from the initial diagnosis. The patients were asked about the presence of persisting symptoms. In addition to the demographic data, laboratory results and severity levels seen on the chest CT were recorded., Results: In all, 116 patients were included in the study, of which 61 reported at least one persisting symptom (52.5%). The mean age of the study population was 48.90 ± 17.74 years. The persistent symptoms included shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, muscle weakness, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and palpitations. The mean CT severity score was 3.80 ± 0.38 and it was lower in patients without any persistent symptoms., Conclusions: Levels of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, anemia, and female sex were associated with some of the persistent symptoms., the severity of the disease seen on CT was a successful predictor for the disease severity/prognosis and was also correlated with prolonged COVID infection and more persistent symptoms., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Japanese Respiratory Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common vascular tumor in children. It is reported that IHs are associated with immunochemical markers such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, glucose transporter isoform 1 (GLUT1), and insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2)., Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study focused on pediatric patients with IH. A total of 46 patients (mean age 14.2±21.9 months) with IH and 45 healthy controls (mean age 21.8±15.08 months) were enrolled. Demographic data, clinical findings, and laboratory parameters were recorded. Blood samples were collected. Serum GLUT1, IGF-2, VEGF-A, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), and angiopoietin 2 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay., Results: Serum GLUT1, IGF-2, and VEGF-A levels were significantly higher in patients with IH than in healthy controls (8.80±4.07pg/mL vs. 5.66±4.34pg/mL, 281.10±84.12pg/mL vs. 234.19±75.38pg/mL, 1196.99±389.34pg/mL vs. 996.99±349.16pg/mL, respectively, p=0.026, p=0.030, and p=0.036). Serum GLUT1, IGF-2, and VEGF-A levels in patients with complicated hemangioma were significantly higher than in healthy controls (9.69±3.94pg/mL vs. 5.66±4.34pg/mL, 289.94±83.18pg/mL vs. 234.19±75.38pg/mL, 1276.22±388.24pg/mL vs. 996.99±349.16pg/mL, respectively, p=0.017, p=0.022, and p=0.011). Serum GLUT1, IGF-2, and VEGF-A levels in patients with hemangioma receiving propranolol treatment were significantly higher than in healthy controls. Serum FGF1 levels were higher in patients with IH, complicated hemangioma, and hemangioma receiving propranolol treatment than in healthy controls but the difference was not statistically significantly., Conclusion: Serum GLUT1, IGF-2, and VEGF-A levels were positively correlated with disease severity in patients with hemangioma, for example, in complicated hemangioma and hemangioma requiring propranolol treatment. However, further research on larger and different age subgroups is warranted to assess these markers., (Copyright © 2021 French Society of Pediatrics. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The possibility of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from the mother to the fetus is one of the most crucial issues regarding the COVID-19 effects on pregnancy. In this study, we aimed to explore the risk of maternal-fetal transmission before 24 weeks of gestation, through analysis of abortion materials collected from PCR-positive women with pregnancy loss. To the best of our knowledge, apart from case reports, this study is the first prospective work on the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in early pregnancy., Methods: The patients who had attended our clinic with the diagnosis of pregnancy loss before 24 weeks of gestation were screened for COVİD-19. Vertical transmission in PCR-positive women was assessed through the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in fetal-placental tissues by rt-PCR test., Results: 24 of 210 (%11,4) pregnant women participating in the study had positive rt-PCR results. Placenta and curettage material samples of these PCR-positive patients were analyzed and all valid test results (21 samples) were negative for SARS CoV-2 RNA. In three cases, the rt-PCR results were invalid due to failed internal controls., Discussion: In the literature, the possibility of intrauterine vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is still controversial. The findings of the present study did not reveal any evidence of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in early pregnancy., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The effects of bioaugmentation with immobilized Penicillium restrictum on the removal efficiency of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), erythromycin (ERY) and tetracycline (TC) antibiotics as well as membrane biofouling was studied using hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor (HF-MBR). Bioaugmentation with P. restrictum led to a significant change in the antibiotic removal efficiency and relative abundance of aerobic microbial community, most probably as a result of its quorum quenching activity. Furthermore, in addition to its role in the increase of SMX and ERY removal efficiencies and the decrease of their sorption on solid phase, bioaugmentation significantly reduced the transmembrane pressure which in turn reduced membrane clogging. The most abundant phyla in sludge and biofilm samples in the presence of P. restrictum were observed to be Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Differences in bacterial compositions and their specificity in biodegradation of antibiotics in different reactors showed that bacteria were specifically selected under the pressure of antibiotics and growing fungus., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Since the civil war in Syria began, millions of Syrians have left the country and been forced to migrate to other countries. Turkey is the country with the most refugees hosting 3.6 million refugees. This study aimed to compare the PIM-3 score, PELOD-2 score, PELOD-2 predicted death rate (PDR), mortality rates, demographic data, and outcomes of patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units between refugee children living in Turkey, pediatric patients brought directly from the border by the emergency services, and the general Turkish population., Methods: This was a retrospective study performed between February 2018 and February 2019 at Hatay State Hospital, very close to the Syrian border. The study included 158 patients. Patients were divided into three groups: Turkish citizens, those living in Turkey as refugees, and those brought from the border., Results: Of the patients, 57 were Turkish citizens, 33 were refugees, and 68 were brought from the border. For patients, the mean PIM-3 score was 25.62±27.70, the PELOD-2 score was 8.03±4.72, and PELOD2-PDR was 16.07±23.45. The median scores for PIM-3, PELOD-2, and PELOD2-PDR of patients brought from the Syrian border were higher compared with Turkish citizens and refugees. There was no significant difference between refugees and Turkish citizens. Of the patients, 27 died, with the distribution being 15% Turkish citizens, 26% refugees, and 59% brought from the border. The mortality of patients transported from the border was statistically significant (P=0.03)., Conclusion: We consider that the source of the difference between patients brought from the border and those living in Turkey may be associated with the continuing war beyond our borders and children experiencing insufficient care conditions. In conclusion, it is not just weapons that cause death in war, and children unfortunately suffer because of this situation., (Copyright © 2020 French Society of Pediatrics. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: A thorough follow-up study in which the same clinic presents the change in the surgical outcomes of acromegaly over the years, is still lacking in the endoscopic era. In this study, we intended to evaluate the clinical characteristics, radiological features, surgical and late remission rates of newly diagnosed acromegaly patients treated in our clinic between 2014 and 2019 in order to delineate the surgical remission status according to radiological, microscopic, and hormonal features. As a follow-up to our initial report, we also aimed to display the change of surgical remission rates over time in a tertiary center., Methods: A total of newly diagnosed 106 patients with acromegaly, who underwent endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal approach (EETSA) in the last five years were retrospectively analyzed and presented in this study. Medical records were reviewed in clinical, biochemical, pathological, and radiological aspects to assess the relationship of preoperative patient characteristics with surgical remissions., Results: The percentages of the giant pituitary adenomas (≥4 cm), adenomas with suprasellar extension and adenomas with surgically proven invasion of the cavernous sinus in the present series were 13%, 34%, and 20%, respectively. Gross total resection was achieved in 80% of the patients. Surgical remission and late remission rates were 66% and 86%, respectively. Nine (9.4%) patients in our current report had postoperative transient diabetes insipidus. The mean follow-up period in this series was 36.1 ± 18.1 (range 12-59) months., Conclusion: The presented surgical results are considerably better than our published initial series of acromegaly patients operated in the same clinic between 2007 and 2014. The improvement in surgical remission rate support a positive surgical volume - remission rate relationship for acromegaly in the era of endoscopic endonasal skull base approaches. One possible factor for better results may be the increasing surgical experience in EETSA, which follows a trend toward gradual improvement of long-term late remissions via a multidisciplinary approach., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is commonly associated with kidney damage, and the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for SARS-CoV-2 is highly expressed in the proximal tubule cells. Whether patients with COVID-19 present specific manifestations of proximal tubule dysfunction remains unknown. To test this, we examined a cohort of 49 patients requiring hospitalization in a large academic hospital in Brussels, Belgium. There was evidence of proximal tubule dysfunction in a subset of patients with COVID-19, as attested by low-molecular-weight proteinuria (70-80%), neutral aminoaciduria (46%), and defective handling of uric acid (46%) or phosphate (19%). None of the patients had normoglycemic glucosuria. Proximal tubule dysfunction was independent of pre-existing comorbidities, glomerular proteinuria, nephrotoxic medications or viral load. At the structural level, kidneys from patients with COVID-19 showed prominent tubular injury, including in the initial part of the proximal tubule, with brush border loss, acute tubular necrosis, intraluminal debris, and a marked decrease in the expression of megalin in the brush border. Transmission electron microscopy identified particles resembling coronaviruses in vacuoles or cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum in proximal tubule cells. Among features of proximal tubule dysfunction, hypouricemia with inappropriate uricosuria was independently associated with disease severity and with a significant increase in the risk of respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation using Cox (adjusted hazard ratio 6.2, 95% CI 1.9-20.1) or competing risks (adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio 12.1, 95% CI 2.7-55.4) survival models. Thus, our data establish that SARS-CoV-2 causes specific manifestations of proximal tubule dysfunction and provide novel insights into COVID-19 severity and outcome., (Copyright © 2020 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although many pregnant women have been infected by coronavirus, the presence of intrauterine vertical transmission has not been conclusively reported yet. What prevents this highly contagious virus from reaching the fetus? Is it only the presence of a strong placental barrier, or is it the natural absence of the some receptor that the viruses use for transmission? We, therefore, need to comprehensively understand the mechanism of action of the mammalian epithelial barriers located in two different organs with functional similarity. The barriers selected as potential targets by SARS-CoV-2 are the alveolo-capillary barrier (ACB), and the syncytio-capillary barrier (SCB). Caveolae are omega-shaped structures located on the cell membrane. They consist of caveolin-1 protein (Cav-1) and are involved in the internalisation of some viruses. By activating leukocytes and nuclear factor-κB, Cav-1 initiates inflammatory reactions. The presence of more than one Cav-1 binding sites on coronavirus is an important finding supporting the possible relationship between SARS-CoV-2-mediated lung injury. While the ACB cells express Cav-1 there is no caveolin expression in syncytiotrophoblasts. In this short review, we will try to explain our hypothesis that the lack of caveolin expression in the SCB is one of the most important physiological mechanisms that prevents vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Since the physiological Cav-1 deficiency appears to prevent acute cell damage treatment algorithms could potentially be developed to block this pathway in the non-pregnant population affected by SARS-CoV-2., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

With oxygenation proposed as a resuscitative measure during hypothermic models of preservation, the aim of this study was to evaluate the optimal start time of oxygenation during continuous hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP). In this porcine ischemia-reperfusion autotransplant model, the left kidney of a ±40 kg pig was exposed to 30 minutes of warm ischemia prior to 22 hours of HMP and autotransplantation. Kidneys were randomized to receive 2 hours of oxygenation during HMP either at the start (n = 6), or end of the perfusion (n = 5) and outcomes were compared to standard, nonoxygenated HMP (n = 6) and continuous oxygenated HMP (n = 8). The brief initial and continuous oxygenated HMP groups were associated with superior graft recovery compared to either standard, nonoxygenated HMP or kidneys oxygenated at the end of HMP. This correlated with significant metabolic differences in perfusate (eg, lactate, succinate, flavin mononucleotide) and tissues (eg, succinate, adenosine triphosphate, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) suggesting superior mitochondrial preservation with initial oxygenation. Brief initial O 2 uploading during HMP at procurement site might be an easy and effective preservation strategy to maintain aerobic metabolism, protect mitochondria, and achieve an improved early renal graft function compared with standard HMP or oxygen supply shortly at the end of HMP preservation., (© 2020 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.)

Background: Oxalate nephropathy is a potentially underestimated cause of kidney failure characterized by massive deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in the renal parenchyma. The prevalence and modes of presentation of this entity are ill-defined., Methods: Here we report on the largest consecutive series of cases of adult oxalate nephropathy diagnosed on native kidney biopsies from January 2010 to December 2018 in the UCLouvain Kidney Disease Network., Results: We screened 2265 native kidney biopsies and identified 22 cases (1%) of oxalate nephropathy. Patients had a mean age at diagnosis of 61 years (±20) and presented either with acute on chronic kidney disease (CKD) (62%) or with acute kidney injury (AKI) (38%). Mean serum creatinine at biopsy was 8.0 ± 4.5 mg/dl. Kidney biopsies showed abundant calcium oxalate crystal deposits, associated with acute interstitial nephritis and tubular necrosis, and variable degrees of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Chronic pancreatitis and gastric bypass were the most common causes of oxalate nephropathy (48%). During a mean follow-up of 29 months, half of the patients (52%) progressed to kidney failure, all within the month following diagnosis. Higher serum creatinine level at presentation and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy score were associated with progression to kidney failure., Conclusion: Oxalate nephropathy is the cause of kidney disease in 1% of consecutive native kidney biopsies and typically presents as acute on CKD or AKI. The prognosis of the disease is poor, with a high rate of kidney failure within the first month after the diagnosis., (© 2020 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Accurate sensitive analysis of drug ingredient substances in biological, pharmaceutical and environmental samples and removal of drug ingredient substances in environmental samples owngreat importance for sustaining viability. The realization of these processes using a single material offers significant advantages in terms of cost, time and ease of use. In this study, TiO 2 nanoparticles and C-Nanofibers modified magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanospheres (TiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 @C-NFs) synthesized as a multifunctional material employing a simple hydrothermal synthesis method. This innovative material was exploited in the magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method for the preconcentration of ibuprofen and photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and azo dye. To our knowledge, no studies have been previously conducted using the same material as magnetic solid-phase extraction adsorbent and magnetically separable photocatalyst. The characterization of TiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 @C-NFs was carried out by XRD, FE-SEM, EDX and Raman techniques. The main analytical parameters affecting MSPE performance of ibuprofen such as pH, sorbent amount eluent type and volume and sample volume were optimized. The optimum values of the method were determined at the following parameters: pH 4.0, adsorbent amount 150 mg and eluent 2 mL of acetone. Ibuprofen analysis after MSPE was carried out using a high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection system (HPLC-DAD). The photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of TiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 @C-NF hybrid material for probe-analytes reached 80-100% and the complete degradation attained within the range of 8-125 min under UV irradiation. Simple preparation, practical isolation from solutions, high efficiency, reproducibility, and sustainability are the main advantages of the TiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 @C-NFs for MSPE and photocatalytic degradation applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Small for gestational age (SGA) is generally defined as birth weight being at or below the 10th percentile. Children with SGA have a higher risk for complications. There is a need for early predictors, as the accurate diagnosis rate is only 50%. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate diagnostic performance of ultrasound (US)/color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) parameters (umbilical vein-UV, right portal vein-RPV diameter/flow rate, and portal sinus-PS diameter) examined at 20-22 gestational week as SGA diagnostic factors., Materials and Methods: 93 pregnant included (32 SGA, 61 controls). All the US examinations were performed between 20 and 22 weeks of gestation. UV, RPV, and PS measurements were performed by using the same image acquired for abdominal circumference measurement. A fetus with as estimated fetal weight (EFW) below the 10th percentile was diagnosed as SGA and SGA at birth was defined as having a birth weight under the 10th percentile., Results: Pregnant women in the SGA group were significantly older (30 ± 4.8 vs. 26.6 ± 5.4 years, p < 0.01). Median UV diameter was significantly lower in SGA group (2.20 vs. 2.40 mm, p = 0.001). Median RPV diameter was significantly lower in SGA group (2 vs. 2.10 mm, p = 0.018). Median PS diameter was significantly lower in SGA group (2 vs. 20.10 mm, p = 0.008)., Conclusion: UV, RPV, and PS diameters can be earlier predictors for SGA diagnosis. Routinely evaluation of these parameters during second trimester screening can increase SGA diagnosis rates and serve for early diagnose., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: A well-documented association exists between the vasa vasorum and vasopathologies, including atherosclerosis. However, information on the role of the vasa vasorum during vascular degenerative changes of vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is insufficient., Methods: In this study, 34 rabbits were divided into 3 groups: basal group (N = 8), sham group (N = 8), and SAH group (N = 18). Experimental SAH was formed using a double-injection model. During follow-up, the neurologic status of the rabbits was observed. All rabbits were euthanized after 2 weeks, and the vasopathologic degeneration was categorized as normal, mild, moderate, and severe according to the changes in the basilar arteries. The numbers, locations, and spasms of the vasa vasorum and their relation to the vasodegenerative changes of the basilar artery were investigated., Results: The basilar arteries were graded as normal in the basal and sham groups. In the SAH group, 6 rabbits had mild, 7 had moderate, and 5 had severe degeneration. Neurologic deficits were prominent in the SAH group, and deficit grades correlated with vascular degeneration. The number of the vasa vasorum were significantly higher in the SAH group, and an enhanced formation of the vasa vasorum was noted in which severe degenerative changes were present. Moreover, the vasospasm index of the vasa vasorum, which increased with the aggravation of vascular degenerative changes, was significantly higher in the SAH group., Conclusions: The vasa vasorum and their vasospasm play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of basilar artery degeneration in the vasospasm following SAH., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Plurihormonal pituitary adenomas (PPAs) have recently been divided into 2 subtypes: pituitary specific transcription factor 1-positive plurihormonal pituitary adenomas (PIT-1+ PPAs) and plurihormonal adenomas with unusual immunohistochemical combinations (PAwUIC). The purpose of this study was to review patients with PPAs, elucidate their clinicopathologic characteristics, and present the surgical results., Methods: Records were analyzed for 665 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas between 2007 and 2018. Data were reviewed for 27 patients who met the definition of PPAs and delineated regarding clinical, radiologic, pathologic features, and surgical outcomes., Results: Of the 27 patients, 18 had PAwUIC, and 9 patients were diagnosed with PIT-1+ PPAs. Twenty-four patients (88.8%) had macroadenomas, including 6 giant adenomas (≥4 cm) (22.2%). Cavernous sinus invasion was found in 12 patients (44.4%). Pathologic examinations showed high aggressivity in nearly half of the patients. Most patients with PAwUIC (77.8%) had features of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, and only 4 had features of hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas. Gross total resection rates were 57.1% for PAwUIC and 77.8% for PIT-1+ PPAs. The remission rate for hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas was 100% in this case series. Mean follow-up was 74.4 ± 33 months (range, 6-121 months) for overall groups., Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the clinicopathologic features of newly classified PPAs, which are characterized by aggressive behavior with higher values of percentage of cavernous sinus invasion. Relevant pathologic diagnosis of PPAs is crucial for appropriate management and follow-up., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine the effects of foot massage and acupressure on pain during heel lancing in neonates., Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed in a university hospital in Turkey between February and December 2018. The neonates were randomized into three groups as acupressure, massage, and control groups. Acupressure was applied to the neonates in the acupressure group, and massage was given to the neonates in the massage group for 2 min before the heel lancing procedure. Pain responses of the neonates in the groups was evaluated with the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale during and 1 min after the heel lancing procedure., Results: The study was completed with 139 neonates including 46 neonates in the acupressure group, 47 neonates in the foot massage group, and 46 neonates in the control group. There were statistically significant differences between the acupressure, massage and control groups in terms of their mean NIPS scores during (4.30 ± 2.25, 3.95 ± 2.63, 6.04 ± 1.26; respectively) and 1 min after the heel lancing procedure (1.46 ± 1.46, 1.66 ± 1.66, 3.85 ± 1.37; respectively). There was a significant difference in NIPS scores between the intervention groups and the control groups (p = 0.001)., Conclusions: Acupressure and massage were effective in reducing pain in neonates during the heel lancing procedure. However, there was no statistically significant difference between acupressure and massage. Acupressure and massage techniques can be applied for procedural pain management in the newborn., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Intracranial penetrating traumas (IPTs) are rarely encountered in neurosurgery practice. Here, we report the case of a patient with orbital and cranial trauma caused by an unexpected object., Case Description: A 37-year-old male presenting with a right orbital penetrating injury was referred to our emergency department. Neurologic examination of the patient revealed right periorbital ecchymosis, a dilated and fixed right pupil, and right hemiparesis. Cranial computed tomography showed fractures of the right orbital medial wall and the anterior skull base, as well as bifrontal and left parietal intracerebral hemorrhage accompanied by a metallic foreign body artifact. Emergency left frontoparietal decompressive craniectomy was performed, and the foreign body, identified as a fishing sinker, was removed. No additional postoperative complications were observed, and cranioplasty was performed 6 months postoperatively., Conclusions: IPTs have high morbidity and mortality rates. Early surgical intervention is often the first treatment option. Intracranial injury caused by a fishing sinker is an extremely rare low-energy intracranial penetrating trauma, and in the literature, this is the first reported case in which the patient survived., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Recent research on neural and behavioral consequences of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has highlighted the impact of individual factors, such as brain anatomy which determines current field distribution and may thus significantly impact stimulation effects. Computational modeling approaches may significantly advance our understanding of such factors, but the association of simulation-based tDCS-induced fields and neurophysiological outcomes has not been investigated., Objectives: To provide empirical evidence for the relationship between tDCS-induced neurophysiological outcomes and individually induced electric fields., Methods: We applied tDCS during eyes-closed resting-state functional resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and assessed pre-post magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in 24 participants. We aimed to quantify effects of 15-min tDCS using the "classical" left SM1-right supraorbital area montage on sensorimotor network (SMN) strength and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate concentrations, implementing a cross-over counterbalanced design with three stimulation conditions. Additional structural anatomical MRI sequences and recordings of individual electrode configurations allowed individual electric field simulations based on realistic head models of all participants for both conditions., Results: On a neurophysiological level, we observed the expected reduction of GABA concentrations and increase in SMN strength, both during anodal and cathodal compared to sham tDCS, replicating previous results. The magnitudes of neurophysiological modulations induced by tDCS were significantly associated with simulation-based electric field strengths within the targeted left precentral gyrus., Conclusion: Our findings corroborate previous reports on tDCS-induced neurophysiological modulations and further advance the understanding of underlying mechanisms by providing first empirical evidence for the association of the injected electric field and neuromodulatory effects., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) may have various anatomic, clinical, and radiologic characteristics, which may be related to their differences in texture or consistency. The purpose of the study was to investigate RCCs based on consistency., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 25 cases of patients with RCCs who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery between 2008 and 2018. Cases were divided into 3 types based on cyst consistency: fluid (serous) or type A (n = 4); semi-fluid (mucoid) or type B (n = 17); and non-fluid (caseous) or type C (n = 4). Demographic, clinical, radiologic, and surgical characteristics for each group were analyzed., Results: All type A RCCs (100%) had visual impairment. The mean age (42.8 ± 13 years) and cyst volume (2442.5 ± 533.6 mm 3 ) were higher in these patients. T1-weighted images were hypointense and T2-weighted images were hyperintense on magnetic resonance imaging. Type B RCCs were more frequently encountered (68%). Although headache was the most common (82.3%) symptom, endocrine disorders were also prevalent (52.9%). T1-weighted images were typically isointense or hyperintense on magnetic resonance imaging. Type C RCCs had the youngest patient population (30.3 ± 10.2 years) and T2-weighted images were predominantly hypointense in this group., Conclusions: The proposed novel consistency classification of RCCs will provide a practical tool for more accurately estimating the nature of the pathology, because each type has its own specific characteristics. Furthermore, the new classification of RCCs may aid in planning a consistency-specific surgery., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Industrial production and use of boron compounds have increased during the last decades, especially for the manufacture of borosilicate glass, fiberglass, metal alloys and flame retardants. This study was conducted in two districts of Balıkesir; Bandırma and Bigadic, which geographically belong to the Marmara Region of Turkey. Bandırma is the production and exportation zone for the produced boric acid and some borates and Bigadic has the largest B deposits in Turkey. 102 male workers who were occupationally exposed to boron from Bandırma and 110 workers who were occupationally and environmentally exposed to boron from Bigadic participated to our study. In this study the DNA damage in the sperm, blood and buccal cells of 212 males was evaluated by comet and micronucleus assays. No significant increase in the DNA damage in blood, sperm and buccal cells was observed in the residents exposed to boron both occupationally and environmentally (p = 0.861) for Comet test in the sperm samples, p = 0.116 for Comet test in the lymphocyte samples, p = 0.042 for micronucleus (MN) test, p = 0.955 for binucleated cells (BN), p = 1.486 for condensed chromatin (CC), p = 0.455 for karyorrhectic cells (KHC), p = 0.541 for karyolitic cells (KLY), p = 1.057 for pyknotic cells (PHC), p = 0.331 for nuclear bud (NBUD)). No correlations were seen between blood boron levels and tail intensity values of the sperm samples, lymphocyte samples, frequencies of MN, BN, KHC, KYL, PHC and NBUD. The results of this study came to the same conclusions of the previous studies that boron does not induce DNA damage even under extreme exposure conditions., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study, the availability of magnetically separable Fe 3 O 4 -red mud nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 -RM-NPs) for the removal of antibiotics from wastewater was investigated. Disadvantages of red mud and Fe 3 O 4 because of difficult separation from aqueous media, agglomeration, and iron leaching were overcome by combining these two materials. After examinating adsorption capability of magnetic Fe 3 O 4 -RM-NPs for all studied antibiotic compounds, the experiments were performed by using Ciprofloxacin (CIPRO) as a model compound. Batch experiments were performed to determine the effect of red mud content of synthesized Fe 3 O 4 -RM-NPs, pH, reaction time and temperature on the proposed method. The surface morphology, magnetic properties, crystalline structure, thermal stability and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller surface area of the synthesized Fe 3 O 4 -RM-NPs were determined. The saturation magnetization of Fe 3 O 4 -RM-NPs was determined to be 12.2 emu/g, which is efficient to separate adsorbent from water by using a conventional magnet. For the efficient removal of CIPRO from aqueous media optimum conditions were determined to be 1.5 g red mud for Fe 3 O 4 -RM-NPs synthesize, pH 6.0, reaction time 60 min, 3 g/L Fe 3 O 4 -RM-NPs dosage at 25 °C. Adsorption was fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Equilibrium data were found to be better represented by Freundlich isotherm. n value was 4.32, and K F value was 110.15 mg/g for Freundlich isotherm. No important matrix effect was determined for removal of CIPRO from wastewater sample. Film diffusion mechanism controlled adsorption. Magnetically separable Fe 3 O 4 -RM-NPs are proposed to be used as efficient adsorbent to remove antibiotics from wastewater sources. Since red mud is a process waste, proposed nanomaterial is a good alternative to commercial adsorbents., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a high fat and a high sucrosediet in wild type and BDNF (+/-) mice on oxidative stress in epididymal and subcutaneousadipose tissues by measuring different markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes. Wild type (WT) and BDNF (+/-) male mice were divided into six groups receiving fed control diet (CD), high sucrose diet (HSD), or high fat diet (HFD) for four months. Levels of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) increased in the HFD-fed BDNF (+/-) mice, while 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels increased in the CD and HFD-fed BDNF (+/-) groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased in subcutaneous tissue compared to epididymal adipose tissue, independently of diet type. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was reduced by HFD (p < 0.05), butglutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was increased by HSD in epididymal adipose tissuein BDNF (+/-) mice (p < 0.05). GSH-Px activities was increased by CD and HFD in subcutaneous adipose tissue of BDNF (+/-) (p < 0.05). SOD2 and GSH-Px3 expressions were only decreased by HSD in epididymal and subcutaneous adipose tissues of BDNF (+/-) mice (p < 0.05). In conclusion, reduced BDNF may increase OS in epididymal adipose tissue, but not in subcutaneous adipose tissue following HSD and HFD., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (SEP) is a plasma cell neoplasm located outside the bone. It is rarely observed in the intracranial area. It is very difficult to diagnose this condition radiologically before surgery. In addition, dural SEP is usually misdiagnosed., Case Description: We report a case of plasmacytoma that presented as altered mental status after head trauma, located in the subdural area. We also describe its differential diagnosis and treatment by total removal and adjuvant radiotherapy. The 66-month follow-up findings showed distant plasmacytoma development, which was treated with radiotherapy alone., Conclusions: Some pathological entities should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute subdural hematomas. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of dural SEP mimicking acute subdural hematoma., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To review the results of sphenoid sinus lateral recess (SSLR) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks treated with the endoscopic endonasal minimal transpterygoid approach (EEMTPA) and to discuss the surgical technique and outcomes., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 13 cases who underwent SSLR CSF leak repair through the EEMTPA in our clinic between September 2008 and December 2017. Demographic and etiological features with reconstruction and surgical outcomes were examined. Mean follow-up time was 6.1 years., Results: In regard to etiology, the SSLR CSF leaks included 9 patients with spontaneous, 2 patients with traumatic, and 2 with iatrogenic causes. CSF leak was at the left lateral recess in 8 cases and at right lateral recess in 5 cases. Nine patients had empty sella syndrome, and 11 patients had meningoencephaloceles in addition to SSLR CSF leaks. All patients underwent surgery through the EEMTPA, and a multilayer closure with tissue overlay grafts were used for reconstruction. A pedicled nasoseptal flap and/or pedicled middle turbinate flap were applied to the area of the leak in all cases. One patient had a persistent CSF leak and another had recurrence, both of which required revision surgery. Our overall success rate was 100%., Conclusions: EEMTPA is a safe and effective method that can be used to treat challenging pathologies at the SSLR, including CSF leaks accompanying meningoencephaloceles. Furthermore, the success rate of EEMTPA for SSLR CSF leaks can be increased by applying endoscopic skull base reconstruction techniques such as the pedicled nasoseptal flap and pedicled middle turbinate flap., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Quantum dots (QDs) are highly promising nanomaterials in bioimaging system because of their bright fluorescence, broad UV excitation, narrow emission band, and high photostability. Recently, there is a great activity on Ag 2 S quantum dots for both imaging and drug/gene delivery due to the potential of having a better cytocompatability and near infrared luminescence. 2-Mercaptopropionic acid (2 MP A)-coated silver sulfide (Ag 2 S) QDs were reported as the most luminescent, stable, anionic Ag 2 S QDs in the literature. In this study, we aim to determine the cytotoxicity of 2 MP A/Ag 2 S in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79) cells. The genotoxic and apoptotic effects of 2 MP A/Ag 2 S QDs were assessed by the alkaline single cell electrophoresis assay and real time polymerase chain reaction techniques, respectively. The cell viability decreased above 200 μg/ml and 800 μg/ml for MTT tetrazolium and neural red uptake assays, respectively. DNA damage was not observed by 2 MP A/Ag 2 S QDs at the studied concentration levels (5-2000 μg/ml). The levels of mRNA expression of p53, caspase 3, caspase 9, bax, bcl-2, survivin were not changed by 2 MP A/Ag 2 S QDs below IC50 (around 1000 μg/ml). Hence, 2 MP A/Ag 2 S QDs did not show any cytotoxic or genotoxic effects in V79 cells at lower doses. We conclude that the biocompatibility of 2 MP A/Ag 2 SODs makes them suitable for cell labeling applications., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)