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Objective: Oxidative stress has crucial roles in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. The balance between oxidant and antioxidant biochemical parameters is detrimental in the progression of periodontal diseases. This study aims to assess the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and saliva samples from patients who have periodontal disease. Methods: The study enrolled on 88 individuals divided into 4 groups: (1) periodontally healthy, (2) gingivitis, (3) stage I-II periodontitis, and (4) stage III-IV periodontitis. The participants had their serum and saliva samples taken. Clinical periodontal parameters were measured to determine the periodontal status. Then MPO, MDA, CAT, SOD, and GSH expressions were analyzed with appropriate methods. Results: Salivary-MPO levels improved in parallel with the periodontal disease’s severity. The healthy patients had the highest serum-MDA expressions, which decreased as the severity of the disease increased. Glutathione and SOD concentrations were similar in each group. Catalase expressions in serum reached the highest level in stage I-II periodontitis patients. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results revealed that GSH, SOD, MDA, CAT, and MPO levels are not affected by the progression of periodontal diseases.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of berberine, the active compound of Berberis vulgaris plant extract, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in an ovarian ischemia–reperfusion model by utilizing molecular, biochemical, and histopathological methods. Methods: In this experimental study, 42 adolescent female Sprague Dawley rats (6 weeks old) were divided into 7 equal groups. Under anesthesia, ischemia was induced by ligating the bilateral adnexal tissues, and after 3 h of ischemia, reperfusion was achieved by removing the adnexal ligation. Berberis vulgaris extract was administered by oral gavage 1 h after ischemia for the ischemia groups and 1 h before reperfusion for the ischemia + reperfusion groups. After 3 h of reperfusion, the experiment was terminated. Results: The administration of Berberis vulgaris extract decreased the hemorrhagic areas, reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells, and decreased CYC1 immunoreactivity levels in histopathological analysis compared to the groups subjected to ischemia or ischemia + reperfusion without the plant extract. CAT, SOD, and GSH increased due to Berberis vulgaris administration while MDA levels decreased. Berberis vulgaris also downregulated TNF-α levels compared to the ischemia and ischemia + reperfusion groups. Conclusion: Berberis vulgaris extract may have a protective effect against ovarian ischemia–reperfusion injury. Further molecular studies are needed to clarify this protective effect.

Background: In rheumatic severe mitral stenosis, right ventricular mechanics deteriorate with the increasing severity of mitral stenosis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate right ventricular mechanics in patients with mild mitral stenosis using 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Methods: In total, 40 patients with mild mitral stenosis and 36 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included. Conventional echocardiographic examination was performed and 3-dimensional data sets were acquired for strain analysis. Besides conventional echocardiographic parameters, right ventricular volume and function and 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain were compared between patients with mild mitral stenosis and healthy controls. Results: Although 3-dimensional right ventricular volumes and ejection fraction were similar between the groups, 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain was significantly lower in patients with mild mitral stenosis than in controls (25.57 +- 4.39% vs. 27.90 +- 4.71%, P =.028). Significant correlations were observed between right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain and mitral valve area and estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.597, P

The paper presents the implementation of a feedback loop controller for the suction valves used within the gas compressors skids manufactured by Romanian Research and Development Institute for Gas Turbines COMOTI. These compressors are installed at beneficiaries, in potentially explosive environments (e.g., gas extraction and transportation applications). The proposed solution addresses the problems observed due to the high suction pressures of screw compressors, which may occur at start-up or during operation, leading to failed start-ups or emergency shutdowns. An automatic sequence implemented in the control software and displayed on the operating panel, could assist the operator during high suction pressures (above 1.2 bar). These pressure conditions normally lead to alarm limits and to performing an automatic shutdown sequence for protecting the compressor. The paper herein discusses the implementation of a start-up sequence in the programmable logic controller’s software, which can be applied without critical interventions on the compressor packages, only through minor control software modifications which can safely extend the inlet pressure range and the exploitation of the compressors. Thus, since no hardware modifications are required, we also ensure maintaining the ATEX certifications of equipment and assemblies.

Objectives:Right heart catheterization (RHC) is a gold standard method for diagnosis, also monitors the level of the disease, the prognosis, and the response to the therapy in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Cardiac power output (CPO) is the product of flow and pressure. Aim of this study was to evaluate right ventricular cardiac power output (RVCPO) in PAH patients as a prognostic factor. Materials and methods: Demographic characteristics, functional class, RHC findings, echocardiographic data, PAH-specific medical treatment usage of 105 treatment-naïve, newly diagnosed Group 1 PAH patients between September 2009 and June 2019 were reviewed. RVCPO (Watt) was calculated as a product of cardiac output (CO) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), divided by a constant of 451. Results: RVCPO was lower in high-risk patients (0,25 ± 0,02 W for high risk, 0,42 ± 0,15 W for low risk, and 0,44 ± 0,10 W for intermediate-risk; p=0.04) in comparison with low and intermediate-risk patients. RVCPO showed very high correlation with mPAP while a low positive correlation with CO, and PVR. 0,44 W for RVCPO was found the most accurate predictor value for mortality in low and intermediate-risk patients by ROC analysis. Conclusion: RVCPO could be a promising hemodynamic parameter that represents cardiac pumping ability with PAH patients. RVCPO tends to increase with low and intermediate risk while decrease with high-risk and associated with mortality above 0,44 W with low and intermediate-risk patients. We suggest that RVCPO could be a beneficial hemodynamic tool to discriminate the patients at-risk among the low and intermediate-risk groups.

Aims The frontal QRS-T (fQRST) angle is associated with worse cardiovascular outcome. The study aimed to assess the effect of reverse dipping pattern on f(QRST) angle in newly diagnosed masked hypertensive (MH) patients. Materials and methods Newly diagnosed 244 consecutive MH patients were included. According to dipping pattern, patients were grouped into three: dipper (n = 114), non-dipper (n = 106), and reverse dipper (n = 24) patterns. The f(QRST) angle, QT and corrected QT interval, and QT dispersion were measured from the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram and compared between groups. Results Of all, 51.2% (n = 125) were male. No gender difference was observed. Reverse dipper MH group had a significantly higher f(QRST) angle than the non-dipper and dipper MH groups (77.9 ± 8.6 vs. 32.4 ± 18.8 and 26.0 ± 18.5, respectively, p

IntroductionThe search for biomarkers that could help in predicting disease prognosis in the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is still high on the agenda.ObjectiveTo find out the efficacy of D-dimer and mean platelet volume (MPV) combination as a prognostic marker in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with bilateral infiltration.Materials and MethodsStudy design: Retrospective observational cohort. Patients who were presented to our hospital between March 16, 2020 and June 07, 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The primary outcome of the study was specified as the need for intensive care, while the secondary outcomes were duration of treatment and hospitalization. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analyzes were carried out to assess the efficacy of D-dimer and MPV parameters as prognostic markers.ResultsBetween the mentioned dates, 575 of 1,564 patients were found to be compatible with COVID-19, and the number of patients who were included in the study was 306. The number of patients who developed the need for intensive care was 40 (13.1%). For serum D-dimer levels in assessing the need for intensive care, the area under the curve (AUC) was found to be 0.707 (95% CI: 0.620–0.794). The AUC for MPV was 0.694 (95% CI: 0.585–0.803), when D-dimer was ≥1.0 mg/L. When patients with a D-dimer level of ≥1.0 mg/L were divided into two groups considering the MPV cut-off value as 8.1, the rate of intensive care transport was found to be significantly higher in patients with an MPV of ≥8.1 fL compared to those with an MPV of

Objective: Normal reference values for the cardiac chambers are widely based on cohorts from European or American populations. In this study, we aimed to obtain normal echocardiographic measurements of healthy Turkish volunteers to reveal the age, gender, and geographical region dependent differences between Turkish populations and other populations. Methods: Among 31 collaborating institutions from all regions of Turkey, 1154 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Predefined protocols were used for all participants during echocardiographic examination. Blood biochemical parameters were also obtained for all patients on admission. The American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging recommendations were used to assess the echocardiographic cardiac chamber quantification. Results: The study included 1154 volunteers (men: 609; women: 545), with a mean age of 33.5+-11 years. Compared to men, women had a smaller body surface area, lower blood pressure and heart rate, lower hemoglobin, total cholesterol, lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and higher high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Cardiac chambers were also smaller in women and their size varied with age. When we compared the regions in Turkey, the lowest values of left cardiac chamber indices were seen in the Marmara region and the highest values were observed in the Mediterranean region. Regarding the right cardiac indices, the Mediterranean region reported the lowest values, while the Black Sea region and the Eastern Anatolia region reported the highest values. Conclusion: This is the first study that evaluates the normal echocardiographic reference values for a healthy Turkish population. These results may provide important reference values that could be useful in routine clinical practice as well as in further clinical trials. (

The paper presents an automation system dedicated to oil & gas machinery applications, such as electrical gas compressors. The future aim is to introduce it into the Romanian oil & gas industry. The system consists of a low size cabinet and its dependencies, which can be used in ATEX Zone 2. The electronic equipment is dimensioned and chosen according to the standards in force, so that the limited current and voltage requirements for methane gas to be met. The key feature is that this system complies with all ATEX standards for Zone 2. Moreover, it can also be a mobile and modular solution if needed, for a versatile and easy use in proactive monitoring of multiple locations across various compressor plants. The design, wireless transmission and possible implementation of this cabinet are presented. Remote data transmission via Wi-Fi and RS-485 communication interfaces between the devices is considered, due to several advantages: mobility, versatility, wide compatibility, environmentally friendly, as well as higher resources efficiency (reducing time and costs).

Objective: Pulse pressure (PP) is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study we investigated the relationship between PP and atrial conduction times. Methods: The study included 157 patients with essential hypertension. PP of 60 mmHg or more was regarded as elevated (n=56). Atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) was assessed with tissue Doppler echocardiography and P-wave dispersion (Pd) was calculated from the electrocardiogram. Results: Left atrial volume index (23.6±4.9 ml/m2 vs. 25.2±6.5 ml/m2, p=0.141), left ventricular mass index (77.3±13.5 g/m2 vs. 80.9±19.6 g/m2, p=0.180) and grade I diastolic dysfunction (42% vs. 53%, p=0.242) were similar between groups. Inter-atrial (33.6±9.2 ms vs. 41.5±11.3 ms, p

Objective: Effects of various conditions on coronary artery dimensions is an important research topic, and data regarding effect of aortic valvular diseases are limited. Aim of the present study was to investigate effects of aortic regurgitation (AR) and aortic stenosis (AS) on coronary artery dimensions. Methods: Coronary dimensions of 95 patients (35 with isolated AR, 30 with isolated AS, and 30 without any valvular disease) were calculated. Patients with severe coronary artery disease and concurrent moderate to severe additional valvular disease were excluded. Mean diameter of major coronary arteries was determined using quantitative coronary angiography. Results: The 3 study groups were similar in terms of baseline characteristics. Diameter of left main coronary artery was found to be greater in AR group than AS group (2.66+-0.57 mm/m2 vs 2.36+-0.49 mm/m2; p=0.015). Mean diameter of left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries were found to be similar in AR and AS groups, and greater than control group. Mean diameter of right coronary artery was found to be greater in AR group compared with controls; however, no significant difference was found in same measurement between AS group and controls. Conclusion: Present study findings indicate that coronary dimensions in AR group tend to be greater than AS group. Further studies investigating factors that affect coronary dimensions would be beneficial in order to demonstrate mechanisms and differences in AR and AS groups.

Purpose: Antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV (Human Immünodeficiency Virus) iınfection, treat by preventing the proliferation of HIV in human body. People with HIV have to use this drugs for lifelong because of inability of the drugs to eradicate the viruses. In this study, we investigated the in vitro genotoxic activity of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate one of the antiretroviral drugs, in human peripheral lymphocytes. Material and Methods: The cells were treated with four different concentrations of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for 24 and 48 hours. The levels of sister chromatid exchanges, chromosomal aberrations, and micronucleus in the cells were examined for the genotoxic activity of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Mitotic index, proliferation index, and nucleer division index of treated cells were also determined for the cytotoxic effect of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Results: There was no significant differences in the level of sister chromatid exchanges, chromosomal aberrations, and micronucleus in human lyphocytes treated with all concetrations of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for all treatment period as compared to control group. Similarly, it was observed that treatment of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate did not affect the mitotic index, proliferation index, and nucleer division index values. Conclusion: As a result, in this study, it is demonstrated that tenofovir disoproxil fumarate did not have genotoxic or cytotoxic effect in the human peripheral lymphocytes.

Purpose: Antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) iinfection, treat by preventing the proliferation of HIV in human body. People with HIV have to use this drugs for lifelong because of inability of the drugs to eradicate the viruses. In this study, we investigated the in vitro genotoxic activity of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate one of the antiretroviral drugs, in human peripheral lymphocytes. Material and Methods: The cells were treated with four different concentrations of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for 24 and 48 hours. The levels of sister chromatid exchanges, chromosomal aberrations, and micronucleus in the cells were examined for the genotoxic activity of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Mitotic index, proliferation index, and nucleer division index of treated cells were also determined for the cytotoxic effect of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Results: There was no significant differences in the level of sister chromatid exchanges, chromosomal aberrations, and micronucleus in human lyphocytes treated with all concetrations of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for all treatment period as compared to control group. Similarly, it was observed that treatment of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate did not affect the mitotic index, proliferation index, and nucleer division index values. Conclusion: As a result, in this study, it is demonstrated that tenofovir disoproxil fumarate did not have genotoxic or cytotoxic effect in the human peripheral lymphocytes. [Cukurova Med J 2016; 41(2.000): 229-235]

Haber metinlerinin tarafsızlığı gazetecilik çalışmalarında en çok tartışılan konuların başında gelmekte­dir. Haberciler her ne kadar tarafsız ve objektif olduklarını iddia etseler de, haber metinlerinde kullanılan her bir kavram, her bir kelime bir taraf seçmek ve tutum almak anlamına gelebilmektedir. Bir kişinin, kurumun, örgütün, coğrafi bölgenin haber metninde ne şekilde tanımlandığı, o metnin bakış açısını ortaya koyduğu gibi tarafsızlığının da mümkün olmadığını düşündürmektedir. Türk basını da haber metinlerinde yer verdiği tanımlamalar ile kaçınılmaz olarak bir tutum almaktadır. Uluslararası iliş­kilerde yaşanan krizler, iç politikadaki gelişmeler ya da toplumsal olaylar, bazı kişi, kurum ya da yer adlarının haber metinlerinde ne şekilde tanımlanacağı noktasında belirleyici olabilmektedir. Türkiye-Suriye ilişkilerinin 2011 yılı itibarıyla keskin bir kırılma yaşaması, haber metinlerin­de de kimi kavramların dönüşümüne neden olmuştur. Siyasi iktidarın çağrı ve önerileri doğrultusunda haber metinlerinde yer alan bazı kavramların 2011 sonrasında dönüşüme uğradığı tespit edilmiştir. Öncelikli olarak devletin resmi yayın kuruluşlarının yayınladığı haber metinlerinin incelendiği bu ça­lışma, ana akım medya kuruluşları ile ideolojik tutumları ile bilinen yayın kuruluşlarının haber me­tinlerindeki kavram tercihlerini de kapsamaktadır. Çalışmada Türkiye-Suriye ilişkilerindeki dönüşümü takip eden süreçte haber metinlerinde yer alan kavramların Esad’dan Esed’e, IŞİD’den DAEŞ’e ve Kobani’den Ayn’el Arap’a dönüşüm süreçleri ele alınmıştır.

A 32 year old female patient presented to the cardiology clinic with an atypical chest pain. Her history revealed no other condition than Leopard syndrome which was diagnosed on her birth. On her coronary CT angiography, LMCA originated from the right coronary sinus and had a prepulmonic course. The purpose of this article is to present this patient with Leopard syndrome accompanied by left coronary artery outlet and coronary sinus abnormality.

The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of lead removal from aqueous (both single- and multi-element) solutions using the nanostructured ash cedar absorbent. Nanostructured ash cedar was synthesized and the effects of pH, absorbent dosage, and contact time on lead removal efficiency were investigated in a batch system. The absorbent was characterized by SEM, PSA, XRF, and FTIR. SEM results showed that all the particles had diameters smaller than 207 nm. It was also found that the optimum pH values for lead adsorption were 6 and 5 for the single-element and the multi-element systems, respectively. The maximum removal efficiencies of 94% and 98% and maximum adsorption capacities of 27 mg/g and 21 mg/g were obtained for the single- and multi-element systems, respectively. Comparison of the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Sips isotherms showed that the Langmuir model with R2 =0.99 and RMSE = 1.01 for the single element system described the adsorption data better than other models did. Also, this model with R2 = 0.99) and RMSE = 0.024 better fitted the adsorption data in the multi-element system.

Background and aim: Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of troponin levels in predicting long-term survival in patients with IE. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the medical database of Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Research Hospital was performed to reach the patients that received the diagnosis of definite IE according to Duke criteria. Out of 84 definite IE cases, 48 patients (mean age 45.6±17.3, 39.6% female) that had troponin T levels measured upon hospital admission were included. The survival status of the study subjects was assessed during a follow-up period of 1 year. Results: A total of 20 (41.7%) patients died during the follow-up. Baseline median troponin T levels were significantly higher in fatal cases (0.08 [0.02-0.24] ng/ml vs. 0.02 [0.01-0.04] ng/ml p=0.003). The optimal troponin T level to detect mortality was 0.05 ng/ml according to receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve 0.75, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.61-0.9], p=0.003) with 70% sensitivity and 79% specificity. Patient with elevated troponin levels were older, were more likely to be male and tended to have enterococcal infection. These patients had also higher creatinine levels and increased systolic pulmonary pressures. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, renal failure (hazards ratio (HR) 8.23, CI 95% 2.53-26.9, p

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common causes of preventable ischemic stroke and is related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of data in Turkey on the use of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), and time in therapeutic INR range (TTR) in vitamin K antagonist users and AF management modality. In this multi-center trial, we aimed to analyze, follow and evaluate the epidemiological data in non-valvular AF patients. Study design: Four thousand one hundred consecutive adult patients from 42 centers with at least one AF attack identified on electrocardiography will be included in the study. Patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis and prosthetic valve disease will be excluded from the study. At the end of one year, the patients will be evaluated in terms of major cardiac end points (death, transient ischemic attack, stroke, systemic thromboembolism, major bleeding and hospitalization). Results: First results are expected in June 2015. Data about major cardiovascular end-points will be available in January 2016. Conclusion: The rates and kind of oral anticoagulant use, TTR in vitamin K antagonist users and main management modality applied in non-valvular AF patients will be determined by AFTER-2 study. In addition, the rate of major adverse events (MACEs) and the independent predictors of these MACEs will be detected (AFTER-2 Study ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02354456.).

Background and Objectives: There are high tendency among adolescence for consuming junk foods. The aim of this study was to predict the junk food consumption based on the theory of planned behavior among female student in Kermanshah, 2011. Material and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 207 female students studying in middle schools of Kermanshah were selected using multi stage sampling method. The students filled out a self-structured questionnaire provided based on the theory of planned behavior. Statistical analysis of the data was done in the SPSS using correlation analysis, regression analysis and One-way ANOVAs. Results:Most of the students had consumed junk foods. The findings showed that behavioral intention, perceived behavioral control and subjective norms could predict 44 percent of the variation in junk food consumption behavior. Among constructs of the theory of planned behaviors, only perceived behavioral control was able to predict 44 percent of the variation in junk food consumption intention. Conclusion: Regarding more consumption of junk foods than nutrient foods and fruits among students, it is essential to conduct educational interventions based on theories of behavioral sciences. students is high and various interventions based on behavioral change theories (for example, the theory of planned behavior) it is necessary.

Nowadays, it has a great importance that period income/loss and project costs in construction and contracting Works over years has been determined properly and reflected to that period by the business. Two methods has been used in over years recognition of construction and contracting Works. First method is completed contract methods that has been used in our country for years. The feature of this method is that the complete or the large part of the work must be built in order to determine the profit/loss, revenue and costs of construction work in question. The other method is percentage of completion method being provided by Turkish Accounting Standards 11. This method indicates that in the works being subject to the construction contracts over years, the starting and completing of the work constitutes different periods, and it is based on the periodicity concept. So, according to this method; in accounting, the revenue and cost record in reference to the degree of work completion is distributed within that accounting periods. Therefore, more trustable financial statements have been formed, and thanks to these statements, it is given more exact information to the users. The aim of this article is to examine the accounting records in relation to the construction contracts within the frame of both methods and to emphasize the resultant differences of them.

A considerable percentage of electrical injuries occur as a result of work activities. Electrical injury can lead to various cardiovascular disorders: acute myocardial necrosis, myocardial ischemia, heart failure, arrhythmias, hemorrhagic pericarditis, acute hypertension with peripheral vasospasm, and anomalous, nonspecific ECG alterations. Ventricular fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia resulting from electrical injury and is the leading cause of death in electrical (especially low voltage alternating current) injury cases. Asystole, premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, conduction disorders (various degrees of heart blocks, bundle-brunch blocks), supraventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation are the other arrhythmic complications of electrical injury. Complete atrioventricular block has rarely been reported and permanent pacemaker was required for the treatment in some of these cases. Herein, we present a case of reversible complete atrioventricular block due to low voltage electrical injury in a young electrical technician.

Dirithromycin antibiotic is a 14-membered lactone ring macrolide and is widely used in medicine to treat many different types of bacterial infections. In the present study, the possible genotoxicity of dirithromycin was evaluated in cultured human lymphocytes by using sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), chromosome aberration (CA), and micronucleus (MN) tests and also cell proliferation kinetics such as mitotic index (MI), replication index (RI), and nuclear division index (NDI) were analyzed for cytotoxicity. Cell cultures were treated with four different concentrations of dirithromycin (37.75, 67.50, 125, and 250 µg/mL) for 24 and 48 h periods. Dirithromycin significantly induced SCE and MN frequency at all concentrations in both 24 and 48 h treated cells. In addition, CA level has been markedly increased in the cells treated with almost all concentrations of dirithromycin for 24 (except 37.75 µg/mL) and 48 h treatment periods as compared to control. However, MI, RI, and NDI values were not affected by the dirithromycin treatment (p > 0.05). The results of this study indicated that dirithromycin treatment caused genetic damage by increasing the level of cytogenetic endpoints, suggesting its genotoxic and mutagenic action on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Abstract Background: According to common belief, most myocardial infarctions (MIs) are due to the rupture of nonsevere, vulnerable plaques with < 70% obstruction. Data from recent trials challenge this belief, suggesting that the risk of coronary occlusion is, in fact, much higher after severe stenosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not acute ST-elevation MIs result from high-grade stenoses by evaluating the presence of coronary collateral circulation (CCC). Methods: We retrospectively included 207 consecutive patients who had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-elevation MI. Collateral blood flow distal to the culprit lesion was assessed by two investigators using the Rentrop scoring system. Results: Out of the 207 patients included in the study, 153 (73.9%) had coronary collateral vessels (Rentrop 1-3). The Rentrop scores were 0, 1, 2, and 3 in 54 (26.1%), 50 (24.2%), 51 (24.6%), and 52 (25.1%) patients, respectively. Triglycerides, mean platelet volume (MPV), white cell (WBC) count, and neutrophil count were significantly lower in the group with good collateral vessels (p = 0.013, p = 0.002, p = 0.003, and p = 0.021, respectively). Conclusion: More than 70% of the patients with acute MI had CCC with Rentrop scores of 1-3 during primary coronary angiography. This shows that most cases of acute MI in our study originated from underlying high-grade stenoses, challenging the common believe. Higher serum triglycerides levels, greater MPV, and increased WBC and neutrophil counts were independently associated with impaired development of collateral vessels.

Background: Equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) can cause Theiler's disease and subclinical hepatitis in horses., Objectives: Assess the frequency of subclinical EqPV-H infection in hospitalized horses and to study viral transmission by investigating potential shedding routes., Animals: One hundred sixteen equids, that presented to the University Equine Hospital of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna between February 2021 and March 2022, for causes other than hepatopathy., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, samples (serum, feces, nasal, and buccal swabs) of hospitalized horses were collected. Sera were screened for the presence of anti-EqPV-H antibodies by a luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay. Quantitative PCR was used for the detection of EqPV-H DNA in the samples and a nested PCR was used for further validation., Results: Seroprevalence was 10.3% (12/116) and viremia occurred in 12.9% (15/116) of the serologically positive horses. The detected viral load in serum varied from non-quantifiable amount to 1.3 × 10 6 genome equivalents per milliliter of serum. A low viral load of EqPV-H DNA was detected in 2 nasal swabs and 1 fecal sample., Conclusion and Clinical Importance: EqPV-H DNA was detected in nasal secretions and feces of viremic horses, which could pose a risk to naive hospitalized horses. It is advisable to screen hospitalized horses that are potential donors of blood or plasma to reduce the risk of iatrogenic EqPV-H transmission., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

As evidenced by sero-epidemiological studies, infections of horses with the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) occur frequently in TBEV-endemic areas. However, there are only very few reports of clinical cases. A possible underreporting may be due to a variety of diagnostic challenges. In this study, ELISA and neutralization tests were applied to serum samples. Brain tissue samples were investigated for the presence of nucleic acids of TBEV, Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 , Borna disease virus 1, West Nile and Usutu viruses, rustrela virus, as well as Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses with RT-qPCR, RT-PCR, and qPCR, respectively. TBEV-specific amplification products were subjected to Sanger sequencing. In addition, a direct fluorescent antibody test for rabies was performed. Clinical and patho-histological findings are reported. Using specific RT-qPCR and RT-PCR assays, TBEV nucleic acids were demonstrated in brain tissue samples. Sequencing revealed the Western (formerly Central) European subtype of TBEV as the etiological agent. A high titer of TBEV-specific neutralizing antibodies was found in the serum. RNAscope in situ hybridization revealed TBEV RNA confined to neuronal cell bodies and processes. No other pathogens or nucleic acids thereof could be detected. Diagnostic procedures need to be carried out early after the onset of neurological signs to allow for a final etiological diagnosis of acute TBEV infections in horses.

Leachate from separate digesters in biological wastewater treatment plants contains valuable biogenic compounds that can serve as fertilizer nutrients. In this study, a method was developed to utilize leachate from sewage sludge dewatering as a raw material for the preparation of a plant conditioner, providing water, nutrients, and growth-stimulating amino acids. A chemical conditioning procedure (65% HNO 3 ) was used to prepare the leachate solution for fertilization. The feasibility of producing an amino acid-based fertilizer using shrimp shells and inorganic acids (96% H 2 SO 4 and 85% H 3 PO 4 ) was also demonstrated. Microbiological analysis confirmed the safety of the formulations, and chelation of micronutrients with available amino acids was proven (up to 100% chelating degree). The bioavailability of all nutrients was confirmed through extraction tests (extraction in neutral ammonium citrate). Germination tests showed similar fresh plant masses to those with commercial preparations, demonstrating the effectiveness of the developed technology. This approach aligns with circular economy principles and sustainable development and contributes to mitigating the impacts of climate change., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)