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Sustainable agricultural practices are increasingly important to meet the food demands of the growing world population. The most important aspect of sustainable agriculture involves gradually abandoning synthetic and harmful pesticides, and switching to natural and soil-friendly practices. Neem oil, derived from the seeds of the neem tree primarily found in India, contains the active ingredient azadirachtin. Azadirachtin serves as a pesticide against harmful insects, especially in agriculture. Its widespread utilisation stems from its benign impact on living organisms, including humans, animals and plants. This review discusses the effects of neem oil on living organisms in soil, followed by the discussion of both qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques for measuring neem oil. Additionally, the environmental effects of neem oil in agriculture are discussed in relation to the current regulations and initiatives by environmental protection organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the rapid dissolution of urea fertilisers in water, leaching and evaporation from the soil cause approximately 70 % of the urea to be lost to the atmosphere and groundwater without being used by plants. It is known that a significant portion of urea fertiliser is released into the atmosphere as ammonia gas, and into groundwater as nitrate and nitrite, resulting in nitrogen losses. To mitigate these losses, various studies have been conducted on coating urea fertiliser with different materials. Biopolymers, in addition to providing controlled release, also act as soil conditioners by increasing the water-holding capacity of the soil and providing necessary moisture to plants during dry periods. In this study, three different types of biopolymers – chitosan, pectin, and xanthan gum – at two different concentrations (1 % and 3 %), were used to coat urea fertiliser aiming for controlled release. Biopolymer solutions and their cross-linkers were prepared, and the urea fertiliser was coated using a laboratory-scale coating drum. The chemical structure of the coated urea fertiliser was determined using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and its morphology was examined with a Scanning Electron Microscope. The water-holding capacity in the soil and the ammonia released into the atmosphere were also analysed. The results indicated that the most effective biopolymer coating type for the slow-release mechanism of urea was pectin at a 1 % coating ratio on the fertiliser granules. The concentration of ammonia released from the soil and the water-holding capacity of the soil treated with biopolymer-coated urea fertiliser were tested through various experiments, and the results were analysed statistically. According to the statistical analysis, the 1 % pectin-coated urea fertiliser yielded the best results in both experiments, with an ammonia release value of 246.66 ppm and an evaporation rate of 67.84 % at the end of 30 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulphur-containing compounds are highly significant as they can possess a variety of biological activities that make them useful for pharmacological purposes and for the mechanism by which drugs such as antibiotics bind to and disrupt bacterial cell walls. In this study, novel thioalkyl substituted-1,3,4 oxadiazole-bearing sulfonamide compounds have been successfully synthesized and characterized by 1HNMR, 13CNMR, IR and elemental analysis. The effects of different thioalkyl groups on the 1,3,4 oxadiazole group, the IC50 value for Bovine Carbonic Anhydrase (BCA) found by in vitro, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, pharmacokinetics prediction and molecular docking are aimed to reveal the interactions on BCA. Firstly, pharmacokinetic predictions of thioalkyl substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole compounds were generated to predict their potential hazards. Secondly, the predicted molecular docking data and 2D interaction were analyzed based on the best configuration from DFT optimization. Finally, the inhibition against BCA was analyzed in vitro and compared with the theoretical data. The compound (5o) has the best value such as IC50 = 51.80 µM, HOMO–LUMO (ΔE 4.488 Ev), ΔG −7.69 kcal/mol, Full fitness −2152.72 FF and predicted toxicity results showed no significant results except hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have suggested that androgenetic alopecia (AGA) may be associated with other disorders, especially metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to determine whether a connection exists between MetS and AGA based on the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue in the scalp. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 34 participants with AGA who had MetS and 33 participants with AGA who did not have MetS. The Hamilton-Norwood scale was employed for classifying AGA and MetS was identified using the US National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III criteria). The body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and lipid profiles of the participants were assessed. Hepatosteatosis and the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue in the scalp were examined using ultrasonography. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the MetS+AGA group had higher BMI (p = 0.011), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and waist circumference (p = 0.003). Furthermore, the MetS+AGA group had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) and higher rates of grade 6 alopecia than the control group (p = 0.019). Compared with the control group, those with MetS had thicker subcutaneous adipose tissue in the frontal scalp (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The subcutaneous adipose tissue in the frontal scalp was thicker in individuals with AGA who had high Hamilton scores. The concomitance of AGA and MetS may be associated with a high increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue and less favorable metabolic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at determining the significance of a novel inflammatory biomarker, presepsin, in predicting disease prognosis in patients with COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was concluded at the University Hospital between April and August 2020. The study involved 88 COVID-19 patients (48 men and 40 women). The patients were categorized into two groups: the patients admitted to the COVID-19 clinic, described as the moderate COVID-19 patients (Group-1; n=44), and those admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinic, who were the mild COVID-19 patients (Group-2; n=44). The groups were compared using inflammatory markers: presepsin, C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio, and procalcitonin. RESULTS: Serum presepsin levels (195.29 vs. 52.12 pg/ml) were significantly higher in the Group-1 compared to the Group-2 (p=0.001). The gender distribution and average age were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). While ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, D-Dimer, platelet lymphocyte ratio, C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio (p=0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation ratio, C-Reactive Protein and presepsin were significantly higher in the Group-1 compared to Group-2 (p<0.05), while hemoglobin and lymphocyte were significantly lower in the Group-1 than in Group-2 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum presepsin levels were found to be significantly higher in moderate clinical group COVID-19 patients compared to mild group. Presepsin, a new inflammatory biomarker, may be useful in predicting the prognosis and early treatment of COVID-19 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinological disorder in women of reproductive age, often accompanied by high androgen levels, irregular menstrual cycles and polycystic ovaries. In addition, patients with PCOS also present with an increase in abdominal adipose tissue and insulin resistance. Recently, the gender-specific mathematical formulation called visceral adiposity index (VAI) has been widely used in assessing cardiometabolic risk. This study aimed at comparing the VAI values of patients with PCOS, patients with idiopathic hirsutism (IH) and a control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We obtained demographic data, laboratory results and anthropometric measurements of patients from the hospital database. We retrospectively grouped all cases included in the study as PCOS (n = 52), IH (n = 57) and control (n = 58) according to the diagnoses. We also took venous samples for hormone and biochemical tests in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, at least 8-10 hours after fasting in the early morning hours. Finally, we evaluated the variables using SPSS 22.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: We included 167 female individuals in the study. Of these, 57 (34.1%) were diagnosed with IH, while 52 (31.1%) were diagnosed with PCOS. The control group comprised 58 (34.8%) healthy female individuals. The median age of the study group was 25 years [interquartile range (IQR) = 8 years]. The age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference values of the groups were similar. We found that the VAI values among the groups were significantly different (p = 0.028). Post-hoc analysis determined that this was due to the difference between the group with PCOS and the control group. In addition, we found significantly high HOMA-IR, fasting insulin and androgen levels in the group with PCOS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After comparing data in groups with similar BMI levels, we found significantly high VAI values in patients with PCOS. The results reinforce the idea that VAI is a useful marker easily obtained in daily practice for assessing the cardiometabolic risk of patients with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: SARS-CoV-2 infection primarily affects T-lymphocytes, particularly CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. However, there is a need for simpler and less expensive laboratory tests with predictive values comparable to CD4+ cell counts. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the role of neopterin levels in predicting intensive care and mortality in coronavirus disease patients in 2019. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 87 hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19. Patients were divided into two groups: those receiving intensive care (Severe COVID-19; S-COVID-19) and those receiving non-intensive care (Moderate COVID-19; M-COVID-19). Patients' clinical characteristics, serum neopterin levels, and other laboratory data were compared across group. RESULTS: The average age was 63.9±155.2 years, and 44 (%) of the participants were male. WBC (p = 0.008), neutrophil (p = 0.002), HDL (p = 0.009), ferritin, calcium, albumin, LDH, APTT, lymphocyte, INR, D-dimer, troponin, prothrombin time sedimentation, and PaO2 (p = 0.001) were all associated with death. The neopterin level in the M-COVID-19 group was 3 (minmax; 3.1-5.9) and 3.2 (2.3-7) in the S-COVID-19 group, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.456). Gender differences between groups were not significant (p = 0.183). According to the ROC analysis, if parameters such as age, D-Dimer, troponin, ferritin, albumin, LDH, CRP, procalcitonin, and PaO2 exceed the cut-off values and lymphocyte levels are below, it can predict the need for intensive care and mortality in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not find statistically significant results with neopterin in terms of mortality in COVID-19 individuals in our study, more thorough, prospective, randomized controlled studies with expanded patient populations at various phases of the disease are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of thyroid cancer in Graves' patients who underwent surgical intervention with and without a history of anti-thyroid drug related major adverse events. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 530 patients with Graves' disease between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative ultrasonography reports and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody values and postoperative histopathological findings were available for 94 patients that had undergone total thyroidectomy procedure. We compared the prevalence of thyroid cancer between patients with and without a history of anti-thyroid drug related major adverse events. RESULTS: Thyroid cancer was detected in 31 of 94 patients that had undergone total thyroidectomy. Of these patients, 18 had at least one nodule; however, thyroid cancer was incidentally detected in 13 patients without nodule. The 31 patients had the following cancer subtypes: 22 had papillary microcarcinoma, 8 papillary carcinoma and 1 noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features. While thyroid cancer was present in half of the patients operated owing to anti-thyroid drug-related major adverse event, it was detected in 30% of the patients operated due to other reasons. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the prevalence of thyroid cancer among patients with Graves' disease was found to be much higher than those of other studies in the literature, suggesting that surgery can be considered primarily for the treatment of Graves' disease. Considering the surgical option in the first plan instead of radioactive iodine therapy appears to be reasonable in patients who develop anti-thyroid drug-related major adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) is a common genetic transmitted endocrinological disease. The validity of screening by using a 17 hydroxyprogesterone (17 OH-P) cut-off level of 2 ng/ml is controversial due to the frequent overlap with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The availability of the standard intravenous cosyntropin (ACTH) formula is a problem in many countries including our country and the diagnostic test is performed by using the intramuscular depot form. In this study, we aimed to determine our own cut-off value for screening and to test the reliability of long intramuscular ACTH stimulation test in our patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-five fertile age women whose basal follicular phase 17 OH-P level above 2 ng/ml were included in the study. All of the patients underwent an intramuscular long cosyntropin (ACTH) stimulation test. RESULTS: 17 OH-P levels were above 10 ng/ml in 16 of 175 (9.14%) patients who were compatible with the diagnosis of NCAH. There was no significant difference between NCAH, PCOS and idiopathic hyperandrogenism (IH) groups in terms of hirsutism and hyperandrogenemia. In ROC analysis, 3.19 ng/ml was found to be a reliable cut-off value (AUC: 0.698, 95% GA: 0.540-0.855, p <0.05). In the extended intramuscular ACTH stimulation test, sensitivity increased from 56.2% to 91.6% at 180th minute. CONCLUSIONS: Our study gives a perspective about the detection of screening threshold value for the diagnosis of NCAH and the availability of the intramuscular long ACTH stimulation test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Increased calprotectin (S100A8/A9) levels have been demonstrated in many acute and chronic inflammatory processes. Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland. In our study, we investigated the value of this inflammation marker in the diagnosis and follow-up of subacute thyroiditis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with subacute thyroiditis admitted to our clinic between November 2018 and January 2020 were included in the study. In the acute phase of the disease, fT4 (free thyroxin), TSH (Thyroid Stimulant Hormone), CRP (C Reactive Protein), ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate), ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase), AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase), Creatinine, WBC (White Blood Cell), Absolute Lymphocyte and Neutrophil Count (ALC, ANC) parameters were detected and recorded. After complete resolution of the disease, the same laboratory parameters and acute phase reactants were again detected. Additionally, Calprotectin determination was performed in the acute phase and recovery period. Persistent hypothyroidism was determined by 6th-month TSH levels. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included in the study. Along with the classical acute phase reactants and ANC, there was a significant increase in the Calprotectin levels in the acute inflammatory phase of the disease compared to the recovery period (96. 92-37.98, p<0.001). Neither classical acute phase reactants and nor calprotectin were found to have a significant effect on the development of permanent hypothyroidism. Calprotectin did not correlate with other acute phase reactants, absolute neutrophil count and TSH levels in both the acute phase and resolution period. CONCLUSIONS: Calprotectin appears to be an important marker in the diagnosis and follow-up of subacute thyroiditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]