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This article reports a method that is used for the preconcentration and determination of Cd(2+) and Co(2+) in vegetables, using Pleurotus eryngii immobilized Amberlite XAD-16 as a solid-phase biosorbent. The concentrations of metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical spectrometry (ICP-OES). Critical parameters, such as the pH of the solution, flow rate, the amount of biosorbent, type and volume of eluent, and the sample volume, that affect the solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure were optimized. The optimum extraction conditions were determined as being a pH of 6.0 for Cd(2+) and of 5.0 for Co(2+); a sample flow rate of 2.0 mL min(-1); 200.0mg of biosorbent; and 5.0 mL of 1.0 mol L(-1) HCl as eluent. The capacities of the biosorbent for metal uptake were found to be 11.3 and 9.8 mg g(-1) for Cd(2+) and Co(2+) ions, respectively. Limit of quantitations (LOQs) were found to be 0.67 and 0.82 ng mL(-1), respectively, for Cd(2+) and Co(2+). The linear working curves were observed to be in the linear range from 1.0 to 50.0 ng mL(-1), and possessed high correlation coefficients. The use of the SPE method showed 50.7- and 35.7-fold improvements in the sensitivities of ICP-OES. The developed method was successfully applied to NCS ZC-73014 (a certified reference tea sample). Relative standard deviations (RSD) were lower than 5.0%. The Cd(2+) and Co(2+) concentrations in the different parts (leave, root, stem, and fruit) of purslane, onion, rocket, okra, and aubergine were determined after microwave digestion and solid-phase extraction by P. eryngii immobilized on Amberlite XAD-16., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Rhinoliths are nasal stones that result from mineralisation of salts around an endogenous or exogenous nidus within the nasal cavity. They are uncommon nasal masses and usually unilateral and single, situated in the floor of the nose. The patient typically presents with nasal obstruction, facial pain and foul-smelling nasal secretion. To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma with rhinolithiasis has not been previously reported in the English-language literature. In this article, we present a 63-year-old man, who had unilateral rhinolithiasis with squamous cell carcinoma within the nasal cavity., (Copyright © 2011 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is considered to enhance bone formation especially at early stages of wound healing, depending on the limited and short life-span of platelets and growth factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of double-application of PRP (DA-PRP) on bone healing in a rabbit calvarial defect model., Study Design: Twenty-eight rabbits, each had two surgically prepared calvarial bone defects (10mm diameter), were included in this study and randomly divided into six groups. Defects (n=56) were treated with single-application of PRP (SA-PRP)(n=10), SA-PRP and beta-tricalciumphosphate (SA-PRP+TCP)(n=10), DA-PRP (n=8), DA-PRP and beta-tricalciumphosphate (DA-PRP+TCP)(n=8), beta-tricalciumphosphate (TCP)(n=10) or left empty (Control)(n=10). Animals were sacrificed at 30 days postoperatively., Results: The new bone (NB%) and defect fill (DF%) percentages were calculated from histological slides by image-analyzer software and statistically analysed. All test groups showed higher NB% than control, but differences among all groups were insignificant. The TCP treated groups had significantly higher DF% than groups treated without TCP, however the DF% differences between control, SA-PRP and DA-PRP or TCP, SA-PRP+TCP or DA-PRP+TCP were insignificant., Conclusion: Although new bone formation was histomorphologically remarkable at double-application PRP groups, statistical analyses of the histomorphometric data revealed no significant difference.

Objective: The finding that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is increased in pre-eclamptic pregnancy suggests a role for IMA as a potential biomarker for abnormal placental development related to miscarriage. This study was undertaken to evaluate IMA levels in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)., Study Design: This case-control study was performed between March 2008 and September 2009, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Meram School of Medicine. Serum IMA and albumin concentrations were assessed in 43 women with a history of two or more unexplained first trimester miscarriages (group 1), and 42 healthy pregnant women (group 2) in the first trimester. IMA, adjusted IMA and albumin concentrations were compared between the groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test., Results: IMA and adjusted IMA levels were significantly higher in women with RPL (1.11+0.08 and 1.09+0.09, respectively) compared to women in group 2 (0.88+0.10 and 0.88+0.11, respectively). Albumin levels in group 1 were significantly lower compared with group 2. There was a negative correlation between IMAand albumin levels in each group., Conclusion: Maternal IMA levels appear to be elevated in women with early RPL. This finding may suggest that an abnormally high hypoxic intrauterine environment may be associated with abnormal placental development that contributes to early miscarriage., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Occurrence of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) and adnexal torsion is rare in postmenopause. We report a 58-year-old postmenopausal woman with adnexal torsion caused by hydatidiform mole. The patient was admitted to our clinic complaining of acute abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting lasting one day. Ultrasonography showed an enlarged uterus including hypo/hyperechogenous cystic areas in the endometrial cavity and bilateral adnexal masses. β-HCG level was investigated and determined as 157.000 IU/l, because of the suspicion of GTN in ultrasonography. Doppler sonography revealed enlarged left adnexa with absence of vascular flow. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. β-HCG decreased to normal ranges in the fourth postoperative week. The resected uterus contained an endometrial, cystic, grapelike tumor. The ovaries were enlarged bilaterally with necrotic appearance. Histopathology revealed complete hydatidiform mole and theca lutein cysts. To our knowledge, the present case is the first hydatidiform mole associated with bilateral adnexal torsion caused by theca lutein cysts in postmenopausal period., (© 2011 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2011 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

A Bacillus strain was isolated from soil samples from the campus area of Dicle University. Based on 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, the microorganism was closely related to Bacillus subtilis. Effects of different culture medium, incubation time, carbon and nitrogen sources, and various starches, flours, and chemicals on α-amylase production were examined. Maximum enzyme production (7516 U/mL) was obtained in a basal medium A containing 0.05% Tween 40 in 24 h. Partially purified enzyme showed maximum activity at 60 °C with an optimum pH of 6.0. The effects of 0.2% detergents (sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS], CHAPS [3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate], and commercial detergent Omo Matic) on partially purified enzyme activity over a period of time (15-150 min) were examined and the order of inhibition effect from the most to the least was found as SDS > Omo Matic > CHAPS. Different metal ions inhibited α-amylase activity at low concentrations (1.5 mM). Co²⁺ was a mild inhibitor and Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were potent inhibitors, whereas Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ increased the enzyme activity. At 20 mM, Ca²⁺ enhanced enzyme activity, and different Ca²⁺ concentrations (10-300 mM) were studied.

Background: Crohn's disease is a serious and debilitating gastrointestinal disorder with a high, unmet need for new treatments. Biologic agents have the potential to alter the natural course of Crohn's disease but present known risks of potential serious adverse events (SAEs). Previous studies have shown that patients are willing to accept elevated SAE risks in exchange for clinical efficacy. Gastroenterologists and patients may have similar goals of maximizing treatment benefit while minimizing risk; however, gastroenterologists may assess the relative importance of risk differently than patients., Objective: To (a) understand how gastroenterologists caring for patients with Crohn's disease balance benefits and risks in their treatment decisions and (b) compare their treatment preferences with those of adult patients with Crohn's disease., Methods: Both patient and gastroenterologist treatment preferences were elicited using a web-based, choice-format conjoint survey instrument. The conjoint questions required subjects to choose between 2 hypothetical treatment options with differing levels of treatment attributes. Patients evaluated the treatment options for themselves, and gastroenterologists evaluated the treatment options for each of 3 hypothetical patient types: (a) female aged 25 years with no history of Crohn's disease surgery (young), (b) male aged 45 years with 1 Crohn's disease surgery (middleaged), and (c) female older than 70 years with 4 Crohn's disease surgeries (older). Treatment attributes represented the expected outcomes of treatment: severity of daily symptoms, frequency of flare-ups, serious disease complications, oral steroid use, and the risks of 3 potentially fatal SAEs - lymphoma, serious or opportunistic infections, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) - during 10 years of treatment. Maximum acceptable risk (MAR), defined as the highest level of SAE risk that subjects would accept in return for a given improvement in efficacy (i.e., the increase in treatment risk that exactly offsets the hypothetical increase in treatment benefit), was calculated using preference weights (parameter marginal log odds ratios) that were estimated with conjoint analysis (random parameters logit models). Gastroenterologists' and patients' mean MARs for 3 SAE risks were calculated for 6 improvements in Crohn's disease symptoms, and gastroenterologists' preference weights for each of the 3 patient profiles were compared. Gastroenterologists' MARs for a hypothetical middle-aged patient were then compared with predicted MARs derived using data from the patient study for male patients aged 40 to 50 years with 1 surgery., Results: After exclusion of nonrespondents (n = 4,021 of 4,422 gastroenterologists; n = 681 of 1,285 patients) and nonevaluable respondents (n = 86 gastroenterologists; n = 24 patients), 315 gastroenterologists and 580 patients were included in the final analytic samples. There were no statistically significant differences in gastroenterologists' preference weights for the middle-aged versus young patient profiles. However, preference weights indicated that gastroenterologists are more concerned about 5% side-effect risks for the older patient profile than for the middle-aged patient profile. For symptomatic improvements from severe symptoms to remission, gastroenterologists' highest MARs were for lymphoma: 6.21%, 8.99%, and 25.00% for the young, middle-aged, and older patient types, respectively. In analyses of improvements from severe to moderate symptoms and from moderate symptoms to remission for hypothetical middle-aged patients, gastroenterologists' 10-year risk tolerance ranged between 1.96% lymphoma risk in return for an improvement from moderate symptoms to remission and 4.93% lymphoma risk for an improvement from severe to moderate symptoms; patients' 10-year risk tolerance for middle-aged patients ranged between 1.52% PML risk in return for an improvement from severe to moderate symptoms and 5.86% infection risk for an improvement from moderate symptoms to remission. On average, gastroenterologists and patients disagreed about how much risk is tolerable for improvements in efficacy. In exchange for improvements from severe to moderate symptoms for the middle-aged patient profile, gastroenterologists were significantly more tolerant than patients of treatment risks of PML (P < 0.001) and serious infection (P = 0.001) but not lymphoma (P = 0.230). In contrast, in exchange for improvements from moderate symptoms to remission for the same patient profile, patients were significantly more tolerant than gastroenterologists of treatment risks for serious infection (P < 0.001) and lymphoma (P < 0.001) but not PML (P = 0.158)., Conclusions: Gastroenterologists and patients have well-defined preferences among treatment attributes and are willing to accept tradeoffs between efficacy and treatment risks. However, risk tolerance varies depending on the type of patient for whom gastroenterologists are being asked to consider treatment. In rating treatment preferences for patients with a middle-aged profile, gastroenterologists are less tolerant of SAE risks than patients in exchange for improvement from moderate symptoms to remission.

Although hemangioendothelioma (HHE) is a commonly encountered hepatic tumor during infancy, HHE-related hypothyroidism is rare. We present a patient who developed HHE-related hypothyroidism during the neonatal period and showed marked improvement in hypothyroidism by regression of HHE. A 28-day-old boy with TSH level of 77 mIU/mL on neonatal screening and diagnosed as congenital hypothyroidism was started on L-thyroxine (L-T4) (11 μg/kg/day) therapy on the 21(th) day of life. On physical examination, the liver was palpable 5 cm below the right costal margin, and the thyroid gland was nonpalpable. Thyroid ultrasonography was normal. Although L-T4 dose was increased to 15 μg/kg/day, TSH was not suppressed and free T3 level remained low. HHE in both lobes of the liver was detected by abdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment was started with prednisolone 2 mg/kg/day and alpha-interferon 3 million U/m(2)/3 times per week. Thyroid dysfunction was thought to be due to type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase activity expressed by HHE. L-T4 therapy was changed to Bitiron® tablet, which includes both T4 and T3, and euthyroidism was attained within 1 month. Thyroid hormone requirement was reduced and treatment was discontinued after regression of the HHE. At the most recent visit, the patient was 21 months old and off treatment. His growth and neurological development were normal for age and he was euthyroid. HHE should be considered in cases with severe hypothyroidism resistant to high-dose thyroid hormone replacement. The treatment of HHE in combination with T4 and T3 therapy results in euthyroidism.

Omalizumab is a biologic agent, which has been shown to be effective in clinical trials in allergic, severe asthmatics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, functional effectiveness, and side effects of omalizumab in real-life conditions respectively. A total of 18 patients (female/male: 11/7) were included to the study. The mean ± SD age, total IgE, disease duration were 41.8 ± 11.2 years, 255.1 ± 197.3 kU/L, 12.8 ± 9.4 years, respectively. Eight patients had isolated mite, seven patients had mite + other inhalant allergen, three patients had only other allergen sensitivity. Mean duration of omalizumab treatment (months ± SD) was 15.1 ± 8.6 (min-max 1-29) months. Omalizumab dose was 150 mg/month in five patients, 300 mg/month in five, 300 mg/15 days in three, 375 mg/15 days in four, 225 mg/15 days in one patient. Data at the date of last visit were compared with one year prior to omalizumab treatment. Mean systemic steroid dose reduced by 83% (14.7 ± 14.6 vs. 3.2 ± 8 mg), number of other asthma medications reduced by 28% (3.6 ± 1.3 vs. 2.5 ± 1.3) (p< 0.05). FEV1% values (53.5 ± 21.2 vs. 64.5 ± 23.5) did not significantly change. Mean numbers of exacerbations (20 ± 57.6 vs. 0.4 ± 0.7), emergency visits (16.5 ± 46.1 vs. 0.4 ± 1.2), hospitalizations (2.1 ± 2.6 vs. 0.1 ± 0.3) decreased by 93%, 95%, 86%, respectively (p< 0.05). ACT scores increased by 94% (10.4 ± 3.4 vs. 20.4 ± 5.7) (p< 0.05). Fifteen patients (88%) were stated as responsive to treatment with omalizumab. Eleven patients (64.8%) stated that their expectations are met, three patients (17.6%) stated that their expectations are close to being met, three patients (17.6%) stated that their expectations are not met. A local side effect was seen in one patient. In conclusion, our data has shown that omalizumab is effective, and safe in severe allergic asthmatics under real-life conditions.

The presence of the t(12,21) is associated with good response to therapy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) but molecular background of this pathology is not clear. FLI1 gene plays important roles in normal regulation of myeloid hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 gene may play a role in the homing of hematopoietic stem cells. Our aim was to investigate possible relationships between t(12,21) existence and expression changes of these two genes (FLI1, CXCR4) in ALL. Thirty-one ALL patients were investigated. Twenty-one of these patients were t(12,21) carriers. We used the Quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR. Obtained results were compared to normal bone marrow samples of five healthy subjects. Expression differences were not found significant in both groups. Our study was the first attempt to quantify these genes in t(12,21) patients. We conclude that Quantitative RT-PCR is a reliable method for the monitoring of these gene expressions and similar studies should expand to other translocations in haematology.

HL-60 cell line offers an interesting model to study apoptosis. Our aim was to detect the expressions of three apoptotic genes (BCL-2, BAD and BAX) using Real-Time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HL-60 cells were incubated with 1,25 (OH)2D3 (5 x 10-8 M). RNA portions were isolated and LightCycler analysis were performed on cDNA samples. 1,25 (OH)2D3 incubated cell portions were compared to nontreated portions. We observed down-regulated levels of three genes at the end of the 12 hours. Gene expression ratios were 0.98 for BAX, 0.41 for BAD, 0.81 for BCL-2. For the first time, this study represents the expression levels of these three apoptosis related genes together during early phase (12 hours) of 1,25 (OH)2D3 treatment of HL-60 cells. Data indicate that expression differences of these apoptosis genes take place so early in exposure to 1,25 (OH)2D3. This optimised strategy would be used in rapid understanding of similar apoptotic deregulations.