Search

Oxidative stress is closely associated with atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate well-known and proportional oxidative stress biomarkers in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients.

In this study, the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis is examined for 3 developed countries, which are Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Spain, for the period between 1960 and 2014. The EKC hypothesis is examined under 2 nexuses which are GDP, CO2 and energy consumption, and GDP, CO2, energy consumption and the square of GDP. Causal and long-term relationships between GDP, CO2, and energy consumption are examined for these 3 developed countries using the ARDL bounds test, the Toda and Yamamoto Granger non-causality test, the VAR Granger Causality/Block Exogeneity Wald test, and the Johansen cointegration test. Long-term relationships between GDP, CO2, energy consumption, and the square of GDP are examined by the Johansen cointegration test. The EKC hypothesis is not confirmed for Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Spain, and the neutrality hypothesis is confirmed for these 3 developed countries. Unidirectional causality running from energy consumption to CO2 is found for Denmark, and unidirectional causality running from CO2 to energy consumption is found for the United Kingdom.

Nanoliposomes are drug delivery systems that improve bioavailability by encapsulating therapeutic agents. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nanoliposomal (NL) formulation on enhancing the bioavailability of essential oil. The essential oil of Satureja hortensis (SHO) was encapsulated in nanoliposomes (SHNLs). Physicochemical characterizations of NL formulations (size, charge, polydispersity index [PDI]) were evaluated by dynamic light scattering technique. The nanoliposome encapsulation efficiency (EE) was calculated as 89.90%. The prepared bionanosystems demonstrated significant antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC as determined by the agar diffusion method and microdilution tests. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for SHNLs were found to be 5.187 µg/µL for E. coli and 2.59 µg/µL for both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus . Importantly, despite the lower substance content, both SHNLs and SHO exhibited comparable antibacterial activity against all tested strains. Furthermore, in order to determine the toxicity profile and possible effects on DNA damage or repair both the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of SHNLs were assessed using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) method in human lymphocyte cultures. The experimental data collectively indicate that the NL formulation of the S. hortensis essential oil enhances antibacterial activities and provides genoprotective effects against DNA damage. This highlights the significance of liposomal formulations of antioxidants in augmenting their biological activity. The results indicate that SHNLs can be a safe antibacterial agent for the pharmaceutical industry.

Candida species are the primary cause of fungal infections in intensive care units (ICUs). Despite the increasing prevalence of Candida-related infections, monitoring the progression of these infections from colonization in COVID-19 ICU patients lacks sufficient information. This study aims prospectively to compare 62 COVID-19 and 60 non-COVID-19 ICU patients from admission to discharge in terms of colonization development, rates, isolated Candida species, risk factors, and Candida infections during hospitalization. A total of 1464 samples were collected at specific time intervals from various body sites [mouth, skin (axilla), rectal, and urine]. All samples were inoculated onto CHROMagar Candida and CHROMagar Candida Plus media, and isolates identified using MALDI-TOF MS. COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly higher colonization rates in oral, rectal, and urine samples compared to non-COVID-19 patients, (p < 0.05). Among the Candida species, non-albicans Candida was more frequently detected in COVID-19 patients, particularly in oral (75.8%-25%; p < 0.001) and rectal regions (74.19% - 46.66%; p < 0.05). Colonization with mixed Candida species was also more prevalent in the oropharyngeal region (p < 0.05). Mechanical ventilation and corticosteroid use emerged as elevated risk factors among COVID-19 patients (p < 0.05). Despite the colonization prevalence, both COVID-19-positive and negative patients exhibited low incidences of Candida infections, with rates of 9.67% (n = 6/62) and 6.67% (n = 3/60), respectively. Consequently, although Candida colonization rates were higher in COVID-19 ICU patients, there was no significant difference in Candida infection development compared to the non-COVID-19 group. However, the elevated rate of non-albicans Candida isolates highlights potential future infections, particularly given their intrinsic resistance in prophylactic or empirical treatments if needed. Additionally, the high rate of mixed colonization emphasizes the importance of using chromogenic media for routine evaluation., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology.)

Objectives: Pulmonary embolism is one of the leading causes of death in patients with COVID-19. Autopsy findings showed that the incidence of thromboembolic events was higher than clinically suspected. In this study, the authors investigated the relationship between pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) and simplified PESI (sPESI) on admission to the hospital, as well as adverse events in hospitalized COVID-19 patients without clinically documented venous and/or pulmonary embolism. The adverse events investigated were the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, the need for intensive care unit admission, invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality., Design: A retrospective and observational study., Setting: Two large-volume tertiary hospitals in the same city., Participants: A total of 720 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with a positive polymerase chain reaction were evaluated., Interventions: None., Measurements and Main Results: Of the study population, 48.6% (350) were women, and the median age was 66 years (19-96). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 20.5%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, a significant relationship was found between the whole adverse events considered and PESI, as well as sPESI (p < 0.001). According to the results, sPESI ≥2 predicts in-hospital mortality with a sensitivity of 61.4% and specificity of 83.3% (area under the curve = 0.817, 95% confidence interval 0.787-0.845, p < 0.001). Similarly, PESI classes IV and V also were found as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality (for PESI class IV, odds ratio = 2.81, p < 0.017; for PESI class V, odds ratio = 3.94, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: PESI and sPESI scoring systems were both found to be associated with adverse events, and they can be used to predict in-hospital mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients without documented venous and/or pulmonary embolism., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Whole body electrical myostimulation (WB-EMS) is an alternative exercise training method. The effects of this exercise program on hemodynamics and coronary circulation have recently been investigated. However acute coronary syndrome associated with WB-EMS has not been reported before. In this case report, we present a patient who underwent WB-EMS in a sports center for weight control and admitted to the emergency department with chest pain started in the second session of the training. Her electrocardiogram showed ischemic T-wave changes in the inferior leads. Additionally, troponin levels were elevated. A coronary angiogram was performed with the diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiogram revealed severe vasospasm in the right coronary artery, which resolved with intracoronary nitroglycerin. She uneventfully discharged with medical treatment. This case report is the first patient with acute coronary syndrome associated with WB-EMS in the literature.

Objective: Ventricular repolarization (VR) markers may predict ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of a hemodialysis (HD) session and HD adequacy on VR markers in HD patients., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at 2 university hospitals with 83 patients and VR markers were measured before and after an HD session: QT, QTc, QT minimum, QT maximum, dispersion of QT (QTd), T-peak to T-end (Tp-e) interval, and Tp-e/QT. Kt/V measurements calculated using the second generation Daugirdas formula were used to indicate dialysis adequacy. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the Kt/V value. Group 1 patients had a Kt/V of ≤1.6 with a standard dialysis dose, and Group 2 comprised those with a measurement of >1.6 with a high dialysis dose., Results: There were 36 patients in Group 1 and 47 patients in Group 2. There were statistically significantly more female patients in Group 2 (p=0.016). After an HD session, heart rate increased, blood pressure decreased, and the QT, QTc, QT maximum, QTd, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT were prolonged (p<0.05). The VR markers measured were similar in the 2 groups. VR markers were not significantly different in diabetic patients., Conclusion: HD may be a risk factor for cardiac arrest because of prolonged VR parameters, independent of HD adequacy. A high dialysis dose may not always be best for the heart.

Background: Duke treadmill score (DTS) is an index that provides prognostic information calculated at exercise stress test. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is an invasive method used to evaluate intermediate coronary stenosis. The direct relation of DTS and FFR has not been studied to date., Aim: The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the DTS and FFR., Methods: The study population consisted of a total of 106 patients with single-vessel disease, as confirmed by coronary angiography performed following EST, and whose FFRs were measured. The patients were separated into three groups according to the DTS values: low risk (DTS ≥ +5), intermediate risk (-10 ≤ DTS ≤ +4), and high risk (DTS ≤ -11). According to the FFR values, the patients were separated into two groups: FFR < 0.80 and FFR ≥ 0.80., Results: Angina symptoms and chronic heart failure were more frequent in the group with FFR < 0.80 than the group with FFR ≥ 0.80; respectively, 95% vs. 69.8%, p = 0.020 and 15% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.045. The mean DTS value was lower in the group with FFR < 0.80 than the group with FFR ≥ 0.80 (1.60 vs. 5.07; p = 0.011). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the DTS risk groups among the FFR groups (p = 0.070). A weak positive correlation was found between the numerical DTS and FFR values (r = 0.139; p = 0.156). When the patients with high-risk were excluded, a statistically significant relationship was determined between the FFR and in the groups with low- and intermediate-risk in terms of the DTS values (p = 0.029)., Conclusion: In conclusion, our study results showed an association with FFR and in the groups with low and intermediate risk in terms of the DTS values. DTS levels can be useful to determine patients who require invasive management.

Objective: Coronary angiography has a limitation to determine the severity of intermediate stenosis (30-70%)1,2. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a method for the assessment of the intermediate stenosis severity3. The effect of coronary artery disease (CAD) severity on the FFR results is not clear. In this study, we aimed to expose the effect of CAD severity calculated with Syntax and Gensini scores on FFR results., Patients and Methods: We scanned patients data (n=378) who had undergone fractional flow reserve measurements in our center. Patients with acute coronary syndrome in the last month, moderate or severe valvular diseases, acute heart failure, serious bradycardia, atrial fibrillation/flutter, severe left ventricular hypertrophy or patient with deficient data were excluded. 351 patients were included in the study. Syntax and Gensini scores were calculated and compared with FFR results. Hemodynamically significant result for FFR, ratio <0.80 was accepted., Results: The negative correlation between high Gensini, high Syntax scores and FFR results was statistically significant. Especially patients with Syntax scores >22 had notable more crucial lesions in FFR measurements (p<0.001). Cardiovascular disease risk factors such as age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia did not correlate with the FFR results. Patients with intermediate stenosis (30-70%) and high Gensini and high Syntax scores were found to have more hemodynamically significant on FFR measurements (FFR <0.80)., Conclusions: Intermediate lesions with high Syntax score should be evaluated by hemodynamic procedures and treated more carefully with optimal medical treatment or revascularization. Revascularization method of CAD with high Syntax score should be decided with hemodynamic procedures as FFR measurements.

Boronic acid compounds with different substituted groups were handled to synthesize various ligands encoded as B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 and B8. B5 and B7 were tested for the cytotoxic activity against the prostate cancer cells and it was found that the cell viability of cancer cells was decreased while most of the healthy cells could still be viable. 5 µM solutions of B5 and B7 decreased the cell viability to 33% and 44% whereas healthy cells were 71% and 95%, respectively, after treatment. Antimicrobial properties were explored against the bacterial and fungal microorganisms with B1, B5 and B7. The inhibition zones were evaluated for all boronic structures, and the growth inhibition zones were determined in a range of 7-13 mm diameter for different microorganism species. Staphylococcus aureus was the common microorganism that three boronic compounds with imine ligands showed the activity. Antioxidant features of B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 and B8 were investigated by different processes such as Beta-carotene bleaching (BCB), 2,2-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2 ' -azino-bis ( 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid ) (ABTS) and CUPric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods. Significant antioxidant activity was achieved by the phenyl boronic based ligands and these compounds demonstrated as much activity as standards (α-Toc and BHT). In addition, all structures were applied properly without any decomposition during the experiments. They were rather stable both in aqueous media and solid state.

In view of the emergence and frequency of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis and consequences of acquired resistance to clinically used drugs, we undertook the design and synthesis of novel prototypes that possess the advantage of the two pharmacophores of thiourea and 1,3,4-thiadiazole in a single molecular backbone. Three compounds from our series were distinguished from the others by their promising activity profiles against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv. Compounds 11 and 19 were the most active representatives with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 10.96 and 11.48 µM, respectively. Compound 15 was shown to inhibit M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv with an MIC value of 17.81 µM. Cytotoxicity results in the Vero cell line showed that these three derivatives had selectivity indices between 1.8 and 8.7. In order to rationalize the biological results of our compounds, molecular docking studies with the enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) of M. tuberculosis were performed and compounds 11, 15, and 19 were found to have good docking scores in the range of -7.12 to -7.83 kcal/mol.

Non-compaction cardiomyopathy (NCM) is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy characterized by deep increased trabeculation in one or more segments of the ventricle. The apical segment of the left ventricle is most commonly affected, but left ventricular basal segment, biventricular involvement or right ventricle predominance have also been described. While some neuromuscular anomalies and myopathies had been described in systemic sclerosis patients, coexistence of chronic inflammatory disorders and NCM is unclear. This paper presents a case of biventricular NCM with severe systolic and diastolic dysfunction in a 40-year-old female diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis patient.

Objective: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a sensitive biomarker of myocardial ischemia. However, data on IMA levels in acute heart failure (HF) are still lacking. In this study, we aimed to evaluate serum IMA levels in acute decompensated HF and the effects of dobutamine and levosimendan treatments on IMA levels., Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter study that included 70 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HF and left ventricular ejection fraction < 35%. Blood samples for IMA measurements were obtained on admission and 24-48 h after the initiation of HF therapy. Twenty-nine patients were treated with standard HF therapy, 18 received levosimendan, and 23 received dobutamine in addition to standard of care. A single serum specimen was also collected from 32 healthy individuals each. IMA concentrations were measured by the albumin cobalt binding colorimetric assay, and the results were given in absorbance units (AU). Independent and paired sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for the analysis., Results: In patients with acute decompensated HF, the serum concentration of IMA was significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (0.894 ± 0.23 AU vs. 0.379 ± 0.08 AU, p < 0.001). Overall, the IMA levels significantly decreased after 24-48 h of HF therapy (0.894 ± 0.23 AU and 0.832 ± 0.18 AU, p = 0.013). Furthermore, the IMA levels were also found to significantly decrease with standard HF therapy (1.041 ± 0.28 vs. 0.884 ± 0.15 AU, p = 0.041), with levosimendan (0.771 ± 0.18 vs. 0.728 ± 0.18 AU, p = 0.046) and also with dobutamine (0.892 ± 0.18 vs. 0.820 ± 0.13 AU, p = 0.035)., Conclusion: Patients with acute decompensated HF had elevated IMA levels, and appropriate HF therapy significantly reduced the serum IMA levels. Dobutamine or levosimendan did not increase the IMA levels, suggesting a lower potential in inducing myocardial ischemia when used in recommended doses.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a highly reproducible, accurate and lesion-specific index to indicate inducible ischemia for a particular coronary artery lesion. Invasively measured aortic pulsatility (AP) is an indicator of aortic stiffness. In this study we aimed to evaluate the possible impact of AP in terms of aortic stiffness on FFR measurement., Methods: In this study, we reviewed the FFR evaluation of 90 patients who had intermediate lesions (40-70% stenosis measured with quantitative coronary analysis) at the left anterior descending artery (LAD). AP was calculated as the ratio of aortic pulse pressure (systolic-diastolic pressure) to mean pressure., Results: Aortic systolic pressure, aortic diastolic pressure, aortic pulse pressure and also aortic pulsatility did not differ significantly between patients with FFR ≤ 0.80 and FFR > 0.80 (p = 0.44, p = 0.28, p = 0.93 and p = 0.41, respectively). In subgroups arranged according to the degree of luminal narrowing (40-50%, 51-60%, and 61-70%), we did not observe significant correlation between AP and FFR value in subgroups with 40-50% and 51-60% lesions (r = 0.03, p = 0.95 and r = 0.07, p = 0.69, respectively). However, a statistically significant negative correlation between FFR value and AP in the subgroup of patients with 61-70% lesions was detected (r = -0.54, p = 0.04)., Conclusions: These findings suggested that aortic stiffness might have a possible impact on FFR measurement in coronary lesions of 61-70% stenosis evaluated quantitatively., Key Words: Aortic pulsatility; Fractional flow reserve; Stiffness.

Objective: The quantitative parameters which are used to assess the severity of aortic regurgitation (AR) provide the most accurate information whereas these parameters are difficult and time-consuming. The aim of this study was to get a practical parameter to use in daily practice for assessing the severity of aortic regurgitation., Methods: The study was an observational cohort study on diagnostic accuracy of severity of aortic regurgitation. Thirty-seven patients with aortic regurgitation determined by quantitative parameters (18 patients with severe aortic regurgitation and 19 patients with moderate aortic regurgitation) were included in this study. Each patient's diastolic flow pattern in the descending aorta was examined by pulsed wave Doppler. Systolic and diastolic flow time-velocity integral (TVI), TVI time, systolic and diastolic TVI ratio in the descending aorta were evaluated. In addition to these parameters, dP/dt, peak acceleration time and end-diastolic flow velocity in the diastolic flow were determined. We investigated whether there a significant difference between two groups or not. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of echocardiographic parameters which were used to identify the severity of aortic regurgitation., Results: The study population was composed of 16 female and 21 male patients. Their mean age was 46.5 years. The mean diastolic flow TVI of patients who had moderate and severe aortic regurgitation was found 10.1 cm and 18.6 cm, respectively (p<0.001). In the ROC curve analysis, the values of diastolic flow TVI above 13.5 cm was found to have 83% sensitivity and 90% specifity to predict the severity of aortic regurgitation (AUC: 0.91, 95% CI 0.80-1.0, p<0.001). Also we investigated the other parameters like systolic flow TVI, the ratio of systolic and diastolic flow TVI, mean diastolic flow time, mean systolic flow time, the ratio of systolic and diastolic flow time, end-diastolic velocity, peak acceleration time, dP/dt values in evaluation of diastolic flow in the descending aorta. These parameters were found statistically significant in assessing the severity of aortic regurgitation but their statistical power was weak., Conclusion: TVI of diastolic flow which is measured with pulsed wave Doppler in descending aorta could be a practical parameter in assessing the severity of aortic regurgitation.

Insect repellents are topically applied to the skin and clothing of human and pet to keep flies, mosquitoes, and ticks away. Two important repellents, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) and Picaridin, have been widely used since their discovery. Although repellency and toxicological effects of DEET and Picaridin on human being and insects are well documented without understanding molecular mechanisms, there have been no attempts to study their effects on microorganisms up to now. In the current study, DEET and Picaridin have been investigated for their antimicrobial characteristics against a broad range of microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, and fungi for the first time. They exhibited considerable antibacterial, anticandidal and antifungal properties. Even though bacteria was found to be more sensitive to Picaridin, yeast and fungi were more susceptible to DEET. Antimicrobial properties of these two repellents will increase the usage and application areas of the products containing DEET and Picaridin.

Objective: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT) parameters. Herein, our aim was to compare these parameters with intracardiac-cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients with similar functional status to detect possible additional benefits of CRT on autonomic functions., Methods: Patients who had systolic HF (NYHA class II and III) with an ejection fraction <35% were enrolled in this observational, cross-sectional study. These patients were implanted either an ICD or a CRT device. A 24-hour Holter recording was obtained to assess HRV and HRT parameters in 2 groups. Unpaired t-test and Chi-square test were used for comparisons between 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the variables affecting functional status., Results: Of 105 patients included in the study; 55 had CRT and 50 had ICD device. The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups. SDNN, SDANN, SDNN index, and LFnu were similar in both groups; however, RMSSD, pNN50, HFnu, LF/HF ratio, turbulence slope and albeit to a non-significant value turbulence onset were better in CRT group. When the HRV and HRT parameters were compared according to functional status, patients in functional class II had significantly better HRV and HRT parameters when compared to the ones in class III (p<0.05 for all). Regression analysis showed that only SDNN was associated with functional class [OR: 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80-0.98), p=0.03]. After the covariance analysis to eliminate the effects of functional status on HRV and HRT parameters; the parameters mostly related with the parasympathetic system activity, namely RMSSD, pNN50, HFnu, LF/HF ratio, turbulence onset and turbulence slope were still better in CRT group., Conclusion: The most striking finding in our study is that HRV and HRT values related with parasympathetic activation are better in CRT patients when compared to ICD patients with similar functional status. Therefore, upgrading to CRT may have additional benefits on autonomic functions, which needs further investigation.

A new borate ion selective electrode using solid salts of Ag(3)BO(3), Ag(2)S and Cu(2)S has been developed. Detailed information is provided concerning the composition, working pH and conditioning of the electrode. An analytically useful potential change occurred from 1×10(-6) to 1×10(-1) M borate ion. The slope of the linear portion was 31±2 mV/10-fold changes in borate concentration. The measurements were made at constant ionic strength (0.1 M NaNO(3)) and at room temperature. The effect of Cl(-), Br(-), NO(3)(-), SO(=)(4), H(2)PO(4)(-) anions and K(+), Na(+), Cu(2+), Ag(+), Ca(2+) cations on borate response is evaluated and it was found that only Ag(+) had a small interference effect. The lifetime of the electrode was more than two years, when used at least 4-5 times a day, and the response time was about 20-30s. Borate content in waste water of borax factory, tap water of a town situated near to the borax factory and city tap water far from these mines were also determined. The validation was made with differential pulse polarography for the same water sample, and high consistency was obtained., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

An electrode for glucose has been prepared by using an iodide selective electrode with the glucose oxidase enzyme. The iodide selective electrode used was prepared from 10% TDMAI and PVC according our previous study. The enzyme was immobilized on the iodide electrode by holding it at pH 7 phosphate buffer for 10min at room temperature. The H(2)O(2) formed from the reaction of glucose was determined from the decrease of iodide concentration that was present in the reaction cell. The iodide concentration was followed from the change of potential of iodide selective electrode. The potential change was linear in the 4x10(-4) to 4x10(-3)M glucose concentration (75-650mg glucose/100ml blood) range. The slope of the linear portion was about 79mV per decade change in glucose concentration. Glucose contents of some blood samples were determined with the new electrode and consistency was obtained with a colorimetric method. The effects of pH, iodide concentration, the amount of enzyme immobilized and the operating temperature were studied. No interference of ascorbic acid, uric acid, iron(III) and Cu(II) was observed. Since the iodide electrode used was not an AgI-Ag(2)S electrode, there was no interference of common ions such as chloride present in biological fluids. The slope of the electrode did not change for about 65 days when used 3 times a day.