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This paper introduces a novel data-driven approximation method for the Koopman operator, called the RC-HAVOK algorithm. The RC-HAVOK algorithm combines Reservoir Computing (RC) and the Hankel Alternative View of Koopman (HAVOK) to reduce the size of the linear Koopman operator with a lower error rate. The accuracy and feasibility of the RC-HAVOK algorithm are assessed on Lorenz-like systems and dynamical systems with various nonlinearities, including the quadratic and cubic nonlinearities, hyperbolic tangent function, and piece-wise linear function. Implementation results reveal that the proposed model outperforms a range of other data-driven model identification algorithms, particularly when applied to commonly used Lorenz time series data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: We investigated serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in JRA patients during both active and inactive phases of the disease. The systemic JRA patients had the highest IL-1β and IL-6 levels during both active and inactive periods. In the systemic group IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12 levels during the active period were elevated compared to the inactive period (p = 0.0173, p = 0.0359 and p = 0.0117, respectively). Levels of these cytokines during the inactive stage were still greater than those of controls. IL-8 and TNF-α levels during both active and inactive periods were comparable to controls. IL-1β correlated strongly with CRP and ESR (p = 0.008 and p = 0.031, respectively). IL-6 correlated significantly with CRP (p = 0.002). IL-12 levels were found to be correlated with ESR and CRP (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). In active polyarticular JRA patients, IL-6 levels were elevated compared to the inactive phase, and the control (p = 0.001) IL-12 levels decreased significantly with clinical remission (p = 0.018). There was a strong correlation between Il-12 levels and number of joint with limited motion (p = 0). In oligoarticular JRA patients, IL-12 levels during active period were greater than in the controls and there was a marked decrease in IL-12 levels when the patients entered the inactive phase (p = 0.001) In conclusion, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12 may play an important role in JRA and may be used as a marker of disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives : Diagnosis of myocarditis remains a challenge in clinical practice; however, magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) can ease the diagnostic approach by providing various parameters. The prevalence of right ventricular involvement in acute myocarditis is suggested to be more frequent than previously hypothesized. In this study, we sought to investigate subclinical RV involvement in patients with acute myocarditis and preserved RV ejection fraction (EF), using CMRI RV speckle-tracking imaging. Materials and Methods : CMRI of 27 patients with acute myocarditis (nine females, age 35.1 ± 12.2 y) was retrospectively analyzed. A control group consisting of CMRI images of 27 healthy individuals was included. Results : No significant differences were found regarding left ventricle (LV) and atrium dimensions. LV ejection fraction was significantly different between groups (56.6 ± 10.6 vs. 62.1 ± 2.6, p < 0.05). No significant differences were present between parameters used for conventional assessment of RV. However, RV strain absolute values were significantly lower in the acute myocarditis group in comparison with that of the control group (18.4 ± 5.4 vs. 21.8 ± 2.8, p = 0.018). Conclusions : Subclinical RV dysfunction detected by CMR-derived strain may be present in patients with acute myocarditis even with preserved RVEF.

Background and Objectives: We aimed to ascertain the predictive power of the left atrial coupling index (LACI) in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study including 100 subjects between 18 and 65 years of age with ESRD and not on dialysis treatment. Patients were divided into groups with and without HFpEF. The LACI was defined as the ratio of the left atrial volume index (LAVI) to the a' wave in tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Statistical analyses were performed, including univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47 ± 13.3 years. Individuals with HFpEF exhibited a higher LACI. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that the predictive capacity of the LACI for HFpEF was considerably higher than that of the LAVI and other echocardiographic parameters. Conclusions: Higher LACI levels were consistently related to the presence of HFpEF in ESRD patients. The LACI can be easily obtained in daily practice using conventional Doppler echocardiographic measurements during left atrial functional assessments.

Background and Objectives : A deficiency in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels is associated with a number of cardiovascular situations, such as high blood pressure, heart failure, atherosclerotic heart disease, and peripheral artery disease. The frontal QRS-T angle has recently been proposed as a marker of ventricular repolarization. A wider frontal QRS-T angle has been positively correlated with adverse cardiac events. The objective of our study was to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and the frontal QRS-T angle. Materials and Methods : A total of 173 consecutive patients aged 18-60 years undergoing routine cardiology check-up evaluation, and not receiving concurrent vitamin D treatment were included in the study. Patients were classified in three groups, depending on their vitamin D levels, and categorized as follows: Group 1-deficient (<20 ng/mL), Group 2-insufficient (20-29 ng/mL), or Group 3-optimal (≥30 ng/mL). The frontal QRS-T angle was determined using the automated reports generated by the electrocardiography machine. Results : The average age of participants was 45.8 (±12.2) years, and 55.5% of participants were female ( p < 0.001). Individuals with low vitamin D concentrations exhibited a wider frontal QRS-T angle. It was determined that vitamin D level is an independent predictive factor for the frontal QRS-T angle. Conclusions : As the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D decrease, repolarization time assessed by frontal QRS-T angle is widened. Our findings indicate that lower concentrations of vitamin D may increase the susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia.

Amyloidosis is a pathology that occurs as a result of the accumulation of various misfolded proteins in the extracellular space. It is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality due to multi-organ involvement. One of the most important determinants of mortality and morbidity is cardiac involvement. Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) may present with a variety of clinical findings. In this article, we aim to demonstrate the supportive role of cardiac and extra-cardiac tissue in the routine diagnostic pathway for CA.

Objectives: Sleep deprivation (SD) has been found to be associated with an increased incidence of adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not acute SD has a pathological effect on the geometry and the systolic and diastolic functions of the right and left heart chambers by standard transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in healthy individuals with acute SD., Methods: Nurses with no history of acute or chronic diseases underwent TTE and STE after working a night shift, a sleepless period of 24 h and 7 days of normal sleep after the night shift. Measurements of TTE and STE taken in the rested state were compared with those taken after 24 h of sleep deprivation., Results: The study included 52 nurses (38 women, 73%). The mean age of the study population was 27.9 ± 7.4 years and mean BMI was 24.1 ± 4.8. Left atrial reservoir (51.5 ± 13.5 vs. 45.4 ± 10; p = 0.004), conduit (- 37.3 ± 11.3 vs. - 33.6 ± 7.9; p = 0.01), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS, - 22.6 ± 2.4 vs. - 21.3 ± 2.4; p = 0.001), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS, - 25.3 ± 3.7 vs. - 23.5 ± 3.9; p = 0.005) and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL, - 29.1 ± 4.2 vs. - 27 ± 4.5; p = 0.001) were impaired significantly after SD., Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate the negative effects of acute sleep deprivation on LV and RV strain in healthy adults using echocardiography. The findings showed that acute sleep deprivation leads to deterioration in function of both ventricles and left atrium. Speckle tracking echocardiography demonstrated subclinical diminished heart function., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background and Objectives : Similar to diabetes, the presence of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function (DD) has been reported in various studies which were conducted with people with a diagnosis of an impaired fasting blood glucose (FBG). This study aimed to examine the effects of the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels on the left atrial strain (LAS) estimated by two-dimensional echocardiography speckle tracking analyses in patients without known diabetes. Material and Methods : The study included 148 participants (74 female and 74 male) without a history of diabetes mellitus or chronic disease. The patients were divided into two groups as follows: individuals with an FBG < 100 mg/dL and those with an FBG between 100 and 125 mg/dL after at least 8 h of overnight fasting. According to these FBG levels, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) measures were compared. Results : There was a significant decrease in the LA reservoir (52.3 ± 15 vs. 44.5 ± 10.7; p = 0.001) and conduit strain (36.9 ± 11.7 vs. 28.4 ± 9.7; p = 0.001) in the impaired FBG group. When the STE findings of both ventricles were compared, no significant difference was observed between the groups in right and left ventricular strain imaging. Conclusions : In the earliest stage of LVDD, changes in atrial functional parameters become particularly evident. Echocardiographic analyses of these parameters can help to diagnose and determine the degree of LVDD while the morphological parameters are still normal. The addition of LAS imaging to routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) studies in patients with an impaired FBG but without a DM diagnosis may be helpful in demonstrating subclinical LVDD or identifying patients at risk for LVDD in this patient group.

Background: Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a common, serious complication related with prosthetic valve replacement. Although surgical closure reoperation is the choice of treatment, percutaneous device closure is a good alternative with good results in patients with very high surgical risk., Case Summary: In this case report, we present the percutaneous closure of PVL of mitral valve replacement (MVR), in a patient with cardiogenic shock who failed conservative medical treatment and was deemed inoperable due to recurrent operations. Successful closure of the PVL with the use of the four consecutive PVL closure devices was performed under general anaesthesia with guidance of 2D and 3D transoesophageal echocardiography. The procedure was performed with no complications and the patient has remained asymptomatic after 10 months following the PVL closure procedure with marked improvement in her NYHA class and echocardiographic values., Discussion: Percutaneous PVL closure is a very challenging and high clinical skills requiring procedure, but has a good success and low complication rate in high-risk patients. It is not a standard procedure and the type and size of device should be tailored for each patient with a good 2D and 3D echocardiographic guidance., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Background: Myocardial crypts are discrete, narrow, blood filled invaginations within the left ventricular myocardium and high-take-off coronary artery are rare manifestations where coronary arteries originate above the sinotubuler junction., Case Presentation: A 41-year-old man with multiple coronary artery disease risk factors admitted to our outpatient department with progressive dyspnea and atypical chest pain. Physical examination revealed no pathological findings. His blood examination revealed only mild to moderately high IgE and LDL levels. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was normal. His treadmill test was normal, yet in the 3rd stage of the test he had an atypically located chest pain which was relieved in the resting period. As he had multiple cardiovascular risk factors, we performed a coronary CT angiography to exclude coronary artery disease. Coronary CT angiography(CCTA) demonstrated multiple myocardial crypts, a muscular VSD like defect which were not detectable with TTE and a high take off left main coronary artery (LMCA). After CCTA, we repeated the TTE to investigate the crypts and VSD-like defect which were clear on CCTA, yet a precise TTE hardly showed crypts and didn't confirm a shunt between the left and right ventricle. We defined the defect as 'spontaneously closed muscular VSD'. None of these pathologies were clinically relevant with the patient's symptoms, thus pneumonology started a montelukast therapy for 1 year and we decided to follow up the patient, as multiple crypts may indicate an early phase hypertrophic cardiomyopathy., Conclusions: Considering that a high take-off LMCA is a congenital anomaly, encountering multiple crypts which are also congenital pathologies, is plausible, as congenital anomalies may accompany eachother. Echocardiography is a very useful, practical imaging tool but regrettably may be suboptimal due to various patient and method related reasons. Target combination of different cardiovascular imaging tools like echocardiography, cardiac CT(CCT), may be utilized in order to ensure a comprehensive diagnosis particularly., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Covid-19 virus has been recognized to develop major cardiac complications. The indirect effect of the virus though, in terms of fear for hospital admissions, constitutes a greater threat. In this case we present a 69-year old male patient who suffered from a myocardial infarction that has not been given the proper attention due to the fear of in-hospital contact with covid patients. The result was the delayed revascularization and eventually the development of heart failure. This case presents the full range of covid-19 affection to the heart and raises the public awareness for not underestimating symptoms suggesting life-threatening conditions., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2021.)

Infective endocarditis (IE) is rarely seen in children, and it can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Congenital heart disease is a predisposing cardiac condition for IE and has an increasing prevalence. A mycotic aortic aneurysm is a rare disease due to infection and it has been reported that it may be a result of IE. We present a 10-year-old boy who was referred to our cardiovascular surgery department due to severe aortic stenosis (AS). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed calcific severe AS and computerized tomography (CT) angiography was performed to better evaluate the ascending aorta. CT angiography demonstrated a saccular aneurysm of the ascending aorta. The underlying pathology was considered as chronic IE on top of congenital AS with an unknown number of cusps. Histologic findings supported our diagnosis and accompanied by a saccular aneurysm. The patient underwent a successful aortic root enlargement, mechanical aortic valve replacement, and ascending aorta repair surgery., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: To compare the effects of a high-fidelity simulator and conventional teaching model used during blood pressure measurement training on students' self-confidence, self-efficacy and anxiety levels., Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used. The study was conducted on 59 first-year nursing students of a university in Amasya, Turkey. 'Self-Confidence Scale,' 'general Self-Efficacy Scale' and 'Beck Anxiety Scale' were used to collect the data. A high-fidelity simulator used in blood pressure measurement training was applied to the experimental group, while the conventional method in which the students practice on their peers was applied to the control group. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine the difference between the two groups' average., Results: No statistically significant difference was found between students' pre-test and post-test total scores of self-confidence, general self-efficacy and anxiety scales with the high-fidelity simulator and the conventional model (P > 0.05). A significant increase was noted in inner self-confidence and self-efficacy scores of the group working on the high-fidelity simulator (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The high-fidelity simulator was effective on the students' increased levels of self-confidence and self-efficacy, whereas it was not effective on their anxiety levels. However, this study can also be conducted on a larger sample group using a variety of training methods.

Objective: Bladder cancer (BC) is a complex disease that has a high morbidity rate. The MNS16A polymorphism in the TERT gene has been indicated to play a role in the presence of various cancer types and multiple tumor populations. In the present study, our goal was to investigate whether the MNS16A (VNTRs) in the TERT gene was associated with bladder cancer., Material and Methods: A total of 70 patients with BC and 120 normal controls were included in the study. The MNS16A (VNTRs) in the TERT gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were visualized on 3% high resolution agarose gel and under a UV light., Results: The MNS16A VNTR-302 allele was found to be the most common allele in both, the patient group (64%) and the control group (62%). The second most common allele was the VNTR-243 allele that occurred at a frequency of around 34% in BC patients and 33% in the controls. VNTR-333 (patient group, 1%; control group, 3%) and VNTR-274 (patient group, 2%; control group, 1%) alleles were reported as the least common alleles in this study., Conclusion: When comparing the frequencies of genetic variants between cases and controls, we observed that our findings did not support the hypothesis that the MNS16A VNTR polymorphism of the TERT gene might regulate cancer susceptibility.

Background: Applying the proper technique for connections in Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is crucial in preventing potential infectious complications., Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different education methods in PD application training on the psychomotor skills and self-efficacy of nursing students., Methods: The randomized controlled and experimental study was conducted with a total of 28 nursing student participants. The PD training was provided theoretically and by using a PD simulator for the experimental group and by using videos for the control group. At the end of the training, each student who was included in the experimental and control group were asked to perform PD on the PD simulator one by one. Psychomotor skills were evaluated according to the PD application skill evaluation criteria. Self-efficacy of the students before and after the application was also measured., Results: Psychomotor skill scores of the students were found to be significantly higher in the experimental group, and there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of self-efficacy scores. No statistically significant difference was detected between the self-efficacy scores of the experimental group regarding pre-test and post-test results., Conclusion: This technique can be used to improve the development of psychomotor skills, since the demonstration of the PD application with the simulation technique is effective in the development of psychomotor skills.

Objective: Oxidative stress (OS) is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), in which 100% oxygen is inhaled under hyperbaric pressure, may create OS. Therefore, the aim of this research was to measure the serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) level in patients undergoing HBOT., Methods: Twenty-nine patients who underwent HBOT to treat various diseases were enrolled in this study. The serum oxLDL level was measured at the beginning of the first and after the 10th therapy session., Results: There was no significant difference between the oxLDL level of patients before and after HBOT (4.96±0.1 vs. 4.94±0.1 U/mL; p=0.36)., Conclusion: HBOT seems to be safe in terms of oxLDL production up to 10 sessions. However, further large-scale studies investigating longer duration of HBOT treatment are required to understand the role of OS.

In this study, the relation between the nitric oxide (NO) levels in the serum and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (F E NO) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and the activation criteria of the disease has been investigated. The study group consisted of 35 JIA-diagnosed patients and 18 healthy children. According to the clinical and laboratory findings, the patients with JIA were divided into two groups, active (group I) and in remission (group II). The healthy children were classified as group III. The activation criteria of the disease were determined for each patient. The serum NO level and F E NO level were measured in all the patients. In the group with JIA, correlation was detected between F E NO level and number of involved joints and number of joints with limited motion. In addition, correlation was determined between the F E NO level and number of involved joints in group I and the serum NO level and activity score in group II. However, it was seen that there is no statistical difference in the serum NO level and F E NO level of the patients with JIA and the control group and groups I and II. This study demonstrated the correlation between F E NO level and number of involved joints and number of joints with limited motion in patients with JIA. Our results matter in terms of F E NO being a noninvasive laboratory marker in following the progression of the disease.

Background: Although it is known that there has been an increase in asthma and allergic diseases among school-aged children, results vary between countries. The aim of this study was to examine trends in the prevalence of these diseases in the city of Adana (south Turkey) over the last 20 years based on the results of 3 cross-sectional studies., Methods: Three cross-sectional surveys were performed 10 years apart in south Turkey. Here, we compare the surveys conducted among children between the ages of 6 and 14 years from 1994, 2004, and 2014. The participants were randomly chosen among children attending participating primary schools in Adana. The questionnaire in the first survey contained almost the same questions as the ISAAC. In the 2 latter surveys, we used the ISAAC questionnaire to investigate the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases., Results: A total of 2,334 children in 1994, 3,728 children in 2004, and 3,209 children in 2014 were included in the final analysis. The results showed a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of physician-diagnosed allergic diseases across the years, respectively: asthma (5, 4.6, and 8.9%), allergic rhinitis (8.8, 11.4, and 15.6%), and atopic dermatitis (5, 9.9, and 7%). In contrast, the prevalence of parent-reported current wheeze (16.2, 13.2%) decreased in the last 10 years., Conclusions: Our findings were consistent with the increased prevalence of childhood asthma and other allergic diseases. However, this pattern did not occur in respiratory symptoms., (© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background/aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms play a role in prostate cancer (PCa)., Materials and Methods: We examined three eNOS gene polymorphisms (T-786C promoter region, G894T, and Intron 4 VNTR 4a/b) at extracted DNAs from 50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of PCa patients. For the controls, blood samples obtained from 50 healthy men were studied. Genotyping of molecular variants was performed by PCR-RFLP technique., Results: We found that the TC genotype of the T-786C polymorphism was associated with PCa risk (OR: 3.325, CI: 1.350-8.188, P = 0.008). The eNOS G894T polymorphism was also associated with PCa. The frequency of the 894T allele was significantly higher in PCa patients. No association was identified between intron 4 VNTR polymorphism and PCa., Conclusion: We found significant differences in genotypic and allelic frequencies between PCa patients and controls for eNOS T-786C and G894T polymorphisms. The presence of the T-786C genotype and 894T allele in carriers increased the risk of PCa. No association was found between intron 4 VNTR polymorphism and PCa patients.

Background: Although food allergies (FAs) occur most commonly during the 1st year of life, there is limited information available regarding the epidemiology of FAs. In this study, we investigated the incidence of FA and the associated risk factors during the 1st year of life in southeast Turkey., Methods: This study is a prospective evaluation of 1,377 infants born at the Balcalı Hospital (Çukurova University) and includes four routine follow-up assessments until the age of 1 year. At birth, a physical examination was performed, cord blood samples were taken, and parents completed a baseline questionnaire. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 3, 6 and 12 months and included the infants' physical examination and a follow-up questionnaire. A skin prick test (SPT) was performed and food-specific IgE levels were measured at 6 and 12 months. Telephone interviews were conducted when the infants were 9 months of age, and the questionnaire was administered. The diagnosis of FA was based on food-specific IgE levels, positive SPT results, associated clinical findings and an oral food challenge (OFC) test., Results: Patient histories, physical examinations and laboratory results indicated a possible FA in 90 infants (6.5%) during the 1st year of life. All of them underwent OFC testing with the suspected foods, and FA was confirmed in 33 cases (2.4%). Cow's milk allergy was the major cause of FA. Skin reactions were major clinical findings in FA. A family history of atopy was identified as the major risk factor for FA., Conclusions: The prevalence and risk factors of FA in our region are consistent with those reported in the literature., (© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Although food allergy (FA) is often a transient condition during childhood, when and in whom FA will resolve can be affected by many factors. In this study, we analyzed the data at 5 years on 33 children diagnosed with FA in the ADAPAR (Adana Pediatric Allergy Research) birth cohort study in southern Turkey., Methods: Thirty-three infants detected as having FA at the end of their first year in the ADAPAR study were assessed every 6 months until the age of 5 years. Each follow-up included a clinical examination, questionnaire, blood sampling and a skin-prick test., Results: Culprit allergens were cow's milk (n = 20), eggs (n = 17), chicken meat (n = 1) and bananas (n = 1). Of the 17 patients with egg allergy, 14 developed complete tolerance and 1 developed partial tolerance (i.e. tolerance to baked food). Of the 20 patients with milk allergy, complete tolerance was observed in 16 and partial tolerance in 1. The mean age of tolerance to egg was 22.4 ± 7.5 months and to cow's milk, it was 20.9 ± 1.1 months. Complete tolerance developed in 1 case allergic to chicken meat and in 1 case allergic to banana. Other allergic conditions were also determined: allergic rhinitis in 27.2%, atopic dermatitis in 21.2%, asthma in 9%, urticaria in 9% and drugs in 9%., Conclusions: Our results confirm early and high tolerance rates before school age in children with food allergies that started in infancy. This will help pediatricians to give more informed advice to parents of infants with cow's milk or hen's egg allergy., (© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Aim: Spontaneous reperfusion (SR) was associated with better clinical outcomes and lower incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide and elevated systemic ET-1 levels predict a poor prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to investigate the relationship between systemic ET-1 plasma levels and SR in a group of STEMI patients treated with a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods and Results: We measured ET-1 levels acutely (within the first 6 h) in 33 STEMI patients with SR and 45 STEMI patients with non-SR presenting with their first STEMI who underwent primary PCI. Blood samples for ET-1 plasma level measurement were drawn after vascular puncture before angiography in the catheterization laboratory from the peripheral vein.The mean age of the patients was 56.1±13.3 years in the SR group and 57.4±11.4 years in the non-SR group. The circulating level of ET-1 was considerably higher in the non-SR patients than in the SR patients (0.81±0.2, 1.0±0.3, P=0.004). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, the ET-1 level was the only significant predictor of SR (P=0.01).The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the ET-1 level at admission is an indicator of SR, with an area under the curve of 0.62., Conclusion: This study shows that in patients admitted with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction, ET-1 plasma levels are related to angiographic SR before primary PCI.

This study investigated the effects of resveratrol (RES) on doxorubicin (DXR) induced rat bone marrow cell chromosome aberrations. RES, a polyphenolic compound, has attracted considerable attention because of its antioxidant and antimutagenic effects. DXR, a chemotherapeutic agent, is known to cause chromosomal aberrations in healthy cells in cancer patients. In this study, Wistar albino male rats were divided into 6 groups with 6 animals each. The control group received distilled water i.p. and the DXR group received an i.p. injection of doxorubicin (90mg/kgbw). For the 2 RES dose groups (12.5 and 25mg/kgbw, respectively), RES was injected i.p. 5 times during the 24h study period to coincide with the schedule for the DXR+RES groups. The DXR-RES groups received DXR (90mg/kgbw) and RES at either 12.5 or 25mg/kgbw, i.p. 30min before, concurrently, and then every 6h after DXR administration. Bone marrow collection was timed to coincide with 24h after DXR administration in all groups. RES administration alone did not induce any significant increase in frequency of chromosome aberrations or abnormal metaphases compared with controls (p>0.05) while DXR alone did (p<0.05). In the DXR-RES 12.5mg/kgbw group, frequency of chromosome aberrations and abnormal metaphases were slightly reduced compared to DXR alone, but this was not statistically significant. However, in the DXR-RES 25mg/kgbw group, RES resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of chromosome aberrations and abnormal metaphases compared to those induced by DXR alone (p<0.05). These results indicate that RES (25mg/kgbw) significantly reduces frequency of DXR induced chromosome damage in bone marrow cells., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease resulting from deficiency of complement 1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH). The clinical manifestations of this disease include recurrent attacks of self-limiting edema affecting face, extremities, gastrointestinal system and upper airways. In this report, we present eleven members of a family with HAE. Edema of the extremities was the most common symptom, occurring in ten patients. Three patients experienced severe laryngeal edema that required tracheotomy. Three patients developed facial and scrotal edema. Three patients experienced severe abdominal pain. The mean age at onset of symptoms was 11 years. C1-INH levels were undetectable in two patients and low in nine patients. CH50 was undetectable in all of the patients. C4 level for all patients was low. HAE in our first case, a 10-year-old boy, was diagnosed on the basis of low C1-INH, CH50 and C4, in addition to his familial history. Eleven members of this family, for whom laboratory studies could not be done, had similar symptoms and course. Two patients died as a result of laryngeal edema before establishment of diagnosis. This case report indicates the importance of recognition and early treatment of HAE to prevent a potentially fatal outcome.

Background: Rush immunotherapy results obtained in Der PI-sensitive children with asthma and the changes in clinical and immunological parameters were investigated., Methods: We studied 18 patients with Der PI sensitivity. Two groups were randomized: nine patients received RIT and nine patients received conventional immunotherapy (CIT) for three years. The RIT group reached the optimal maintenance dose at the end of one week. The CIT group reached the optimal maintenance dose in approximately three months. Symptom medication scores, lung function, side effects scores, skin-prick test, diluted skin-prick test with Der PI, bronchial provocation tests with Der PI, and Der PI-specific IgE and IgG4 were investigated in baseline conditions, at six months and at the end of the third year., Results: There were no significant differences between groups in age, sex, and duration of illness. Treatment was tolerated very well. However, mean side-effect scores were higher in the RIT group than in the CIT group (p < 0.005). There were no significant differences between groups in the other parameters., Conclusion: CIT is more advantageous than RIT in Der PI-sensitive children, although the maintenance dose was achieved more rapidly with RIT.

A weak field DNP study of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6, 6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (4-hydroxy-TEMPO), 4-amino-2,2,6, 6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (4-amino-TEMPO), and 2, 2-Di(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals invarious solvents was performed at 1.53 mT using a doubleresonance spectrometer. pi transitions, in which the RF fieldhas a component perpendicular to the static magnetic fieldB0, and final sigma transitions, in which the RF field has a component parallel to B0, were recorded. In order to observe thefinal sigma transitions a new probe head was designed. The final sigma transitions were obtained at the frequencies expected from theoretical calculations. However, the results obtained for the observed enhancements deviated from the values expectedtheoretically., (Copyright 1998 Academic Press.)

Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is a mitochondrial disorder. There is a large-scale mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion in most of the case. In this article, a case of KSS who has progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), complete heart block, encephalopathy attacks, type-1 diabetes mellitus, ragged-red fiber (RRF) and lactic acidosis is presented and discussed in light of the literature available on this subjects. Diagnosis is confirmed by determination of mtDNA deletion.