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Background: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is a common mode of respiratory support in neonatal intensive care units. Our objective was to compare whether NCPAP given with nasal prongs compared with a nasal mask reduces the pain scores in preterm infants with respiratory distress. Methods: Preterm infants on NCPAP due to respiratory distress were included in the study. All infants received NCPAP via the Infant Flow SiPAP The COVERS pain scale was used to score the infants' pain Each infant was studied alternating between nasal prongs and a nasal mask. Heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and transcutaneous CO2 (tcCO2) were monitored. Blood pressure and the infants' pain scores were determined every 30 minutes and the average of measurements was taken. Results: The median (interquartile range) values of pain scores, respiratory rates, oxygen saturations, tcCO2 levels, and systolic blood pressures differed significantly and favored the nasal mask. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that continuous positive airway pressure via a nasal mask leads to a significant reduction in pain scores without altering the respiratory parameters of babies. On the basis of this study, it is possible to conclude that NCPAP applied via nasal mask may be a good alternative to NCPAP applied via nasal prongs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to the World Health Organization's recommendation, delayed cord clamping in term newborns can have various benefits. Cochrane metaanalyses reported no differences for mortality and early neonatal morbidity although a limited number of studies investigated long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The aim of our study is to compare the postnatal cerebral tissue oxygenation values in babies with early versus delayed cord clamping born after elective cesarean section. Methods: In this study, a total of 80 term newborns delivered by elective cesarean section were included. Infants were randomly grouped as early (clamped within 15 s, n:40) and delayed cord clamping (at the 60th second, n:40) groups. Peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate were measured by pulse oximetry while regional oxygen saturation of the brain (rSO2) was measured with near-infrared spectrometer. Fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE) was calculated for every minute between the 3rd and 15th minute after birth. (FTOE = pulse oximetry value-rSO2/pulse oximetry value). The measurements were compared for both groups. Results: The demographical characteristics, SpO2 levels (except postnatal 6th, 8th, and 14th minutes favoring DCC p < 0.05), heart rates and umbilical cord blood gas values were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). rSO2 values were significantly higher while FTOE values were significantly lower for every minute between the 3rd and 15th minutes after birth in the delayed cord clamping group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study revealed a significant increase in cerebral rsO2 values and a decrease in FTOE values in the delayed cord clamping (DCC) group, indicating a positive impact on cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics. Furthermore, the DCC group exhibited a higher proportion of infants with cerebral rSO2 levels above the 90th percentile. This higher proportion, along with a lower of those with such parameter below the 10th percentile, suggest that DCC may lead to the targeted/optimal cerebral oxygenetaion of these babies. As a result, we recommend measuring cerebral oxygenation, in addition to peripheral SpO2, for infants experiencing perinatal hypoxia and receiving supplemental oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Neslihan. Eskut, Ipek. Inci, Hulya. Ozdemir, Muhtesem. Gedizlioglu, Selma. Tosun Sir, Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare opportunistic infection of the central nervous system caused by John Cunningham [...]

This study aims to stereologically investigate the effects of rotenone on rat ovarian tissue. Within the scope of the study, eighteen female rats were taken and divided into 3 groups as control group, to which physiological saline was administered, vehicle group to which sunflower oil was administered, and rotenone group to which rotenone dissolved in sunflower oil was administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.). At the end of the experiment the right ovarian tissue was excised and removed, and kept in 10% formaldehyde for 72 hours. Then routine histological follow-up process were applied, and the tissues were embedded in paraffin. The sections of 5µm thickness were taken and stained with Haematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome viewed under a light microscope and photographed. When the histological structure of the ovarian tissue in the rotenone group was examined, it was observed that there was a remarkably decrease in the number of follicles. When the total ovarian tissue volumes of the groups were compared stereologically, it was determined that the total ovarian tissue volume decreased in the rotenone group and this decrease was statistically significant (p<0.05). As a result, it was determined in our study that rotenone has harmful effects on the ovary, which is a part of the female reproductive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although there has been increased attention in recent years to the relationship between allergic disease and obesity, there is limited information about allergic rhinitis (AR) and central obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between central obesity and rhinitis severity in patients with rhinitis and controls. Materials and Methods: A total of 164 children, aged 7-17 years, were included in the study between 2020 and 2021. Three groups were formed: AR, non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), and the control group. The height, weight, waist, hip, neck, and arm circumference of the groups were measured. The BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, and conicity index were calculated. Eosinophil and neutrophil counts, IgE levels, and allergic sensitization were recorded. Anthropometric measurements, rhinitis severity, and persistence were compared among the groups. Results: The study included a total of 164 children: 63 with AR, 51 with NAR, and 50 in the control groups of the children included in the study, 71 (43.3%) were boys, and 93 (56.7%) were girls. Approximately 30% of children with normal BMI were evaluated as centrally obese despite having a normal weight. Rhinitis patients had a higher prevalence of central obesity compared to the control group. When comparing both persistence and disease severity, central obesity was higher in AR patients than in NAR patients. The AR group had higher BMI, arm circumference, waist circumference, and neck circumference than the control group (p=0.003, p=0.01, 0.001, 0.004, respectively), while the waist-to-height ratio was higher in both the AR and NAR groups compared to the control group (p=0.001, p=0.026). Conclusion: In this study, central obesity was significantly higher in patients with AR and NAR than in the control group although there was no significant difference in obesity between the groups according to BMI. Additionally, centrally obese AR patients exhibited higher persistence and disease severity compared to NAR patients. In conclusion, other obesity indicators such as waist circumference should be measured in addition to height and body weight in children with AR and NAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With this study, it was investigated how the impact of sodium fluoride (NaF) exposure on the cardiac conduction system would be treated with resveratrol. A total of 8 rats, 4 female and 4 male, weighing 200-300 grams, were used in each group. The first group was separated as the control group. The second group was determined as the group given 10 mg/lt/day NaF, the third group as the group given 50 mg/lt/day resveratrol, and the fourth group as the group given 10 mg/lt/day NaF + 50 mg/lt/day resveratrol. In the study conducted for 12 weeks, resveratrol and NaF were mixed into the drinking water of rats. When the study was finished after 4 months, the rats were anesthetized. They were placed in the right lateral position for the recording of ECGs. ECG samples were evaluated in II. derivation. Heart rate numbers were found high and QT values were found low in the groups that were administered only NaF. The heart rate and QT values of the groups administered with resveratrol alone or in combination with NaF showed parallelism with the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of experimental administration of fluorine and DMBA, alone or in combination, on rats on vascular responses was investigated. After adaptation, the rats were randomly selected and divided into 9 groups, 10 male rats in each group. While sodium fluoride was applied daily in drinking water for 12 weeks to the groups to which fluoride will be applied; on the other hand, DMBA was dissolved in sesame oil and applied to the groups that needed it, once a week for a total of 12 weeks. The groups were determined as C, SO, 1NaF, 15NaF, 30NaF, DMBA, 1NaF+DMBA, 15NaF+DMBAand 30NaF+DMBA. Tensions in the thoracic aorta were provided with phenylephrine. Then, relaxation responses were recorded by giving ACh (10-8,-7,-6,-s) and SNP (10-,-9,-8,-7,-6<5) at different cumulative concentrations. In the study, it was determined that fluorine caused the vessels to contract and DMBA to relax. Concurrent exposure to high amounts of fluorine and DMBA was observed to cause vasoconstriction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of boric acid (BA) and borax (BX) on the heart rate of rats treated with benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) were investigated. This research was con-ducted with the permission of Van Yüzüncü Yil University Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee. Wistar albino rats weighing 250 ± 50 g were used in the study and divided into nine groups, six in each group. Group 1 was assigned as the control group. B(a)P (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to Group 2 and 3-MC (100 mg/kg) to Group 3. BA only was administered to Group 4 at 300 mg/L in drinking water and to Group 5, BX only at 300 mg/L. Group 6 received B(a)P (100 mg/kg) + BA (300 mg/L) and Group 7 3-MC (100 mg/kg) + BA (300 mg/L). B(a)P (100 mg/kg) + BX (300 mg/L) was administered to Group 8 and 3-MC (100 mg/kg) + BX (300 mg/L) to Group 9. At the end of the 150th day, the rats were anaesthetised and their ECGs recorded. The heart rate (beats/min) was found to be statistically significant in B(a)P, 3-MC and groups com-pared to the control group. It was found that the heart rate increased by 3-MC and B(a)P in the groups was regulated by BA and BX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of boric acid (BA) on tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-iβ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), total oxidative (TOS)-total anti oxidative status (TAS) and leucocyte (WBC), erythrocyte (RBC), thrombocyte (PLT) and their other parameters in rats applied benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P). In this study, rats were divided into 4 groups and each group were containing 6 rats. 1st group was separated as control group. 100 mg/kg total dosage of B(a)P was applied to the 2nd group 2 times a week total in 4 equal dosage with i.p. way. Only BA 300 mg/L was applied to 3rd group in drinking water every day during 150 days. B(a)P was applied twice a week first 2 weeks, 25 mg/kg dose with i.p. way and BA were given with drinking water during 150 days to 4th group. In the end of study was determined TNF-α and IL-iβ levels in B(a)P group, increases compared with other groups, there was a statistically significant increase in levels of WBC and LY in group B(a)P+BA compared to other groups (P≤0.05). % LY level in other groups was higher; its % NEU level was lower according to control group. RBC and PLT values in BA group were higher, than the other groups. HGB was higher in group BA than group B(a)P and BA+ B(a)P; HCT was higher in group BA than group B(a)P, significantly (P≤0.05) As a result, neutropenia and lenfositos develop in case exposure of B(a)P and BA; furthermore, combination of B(a)P and BA increases WBC. BA used alone having considerable effect on excitation of eritopoezis and thrombocytosis. BA has protective effects for organisms together with decrease in the TNF-α and IL-iβ levels caused by BA cure as solution of B(a)P exposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 27-year-old male was presented with a decrease in vision in the left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was 10/10 in the right eye and counting fingers at 2 m in the left eye. On fundus examination, the left optic disc was oedematous and there was a wide yellowish, well-defined placoid lesion between the temporal vascular arcades with mild vitreous inflammation. However, a small yellowish well-defined placoid lesion was detected in the inferior temporal region of the macula in the right eye. He was diagnosed with posterior placoid chorioretinopathy (PPC), papillitis, and neurosyphilis after performing fundus fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, serology for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis, and cerebrospinal fluid examination. Intravenous penicillin treatment was commenced as soon as the diagnosis was established. Seven days after treatment initiation, lesions were partially regressed. PPC and papillitis are rare manifestations of ocular syphilis. In addition, neurosyphilis may also accompany these manifestations. Therefore, syphilis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who have PPC or papillitis and all patients should be tested for HIV coinfection and neurosyphilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the post-natal effects of delayed cord clamping (DCC) and early cord clamping (ECC) in term large-for-gestational age (LGA) infants.Methods: This prospective randomised study included 51 term LGA infants. The umbilical cords of these infants were clamped at 15 s in group 1 (ECC group (n = 26)) and at 60 s in group 2 (DCC group (n = 25)). Data for Apgar scores, cord blood, pH and lactate values, second haematocrit, 24th bilirubin levels, duration of hospital stay and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were recorded.Results: The demographic characteristics of the infants in the study group were not significantly different. No statistically significant difference was observed in the post-natal haematocrit and bilirubin levels between the groups. Six infants (group 1, n = 3; group 2, n = 3) were diagnosed with polycythaemia (P = 0.79); however, these infants remained asymptomatic, and no treatment was required. One infant in each group developed hyperbilirubinemia, which required phototherapy (P = 1.00). The infant with hyperbilirubinemia in the DCC group presented with asymptomatic polycythaemia. Three neonates in the DCC group required admission to the NICU for transient tachypnoea.Conclusions: No significant increase in the rate of post-natal complications of DCC in term LGA infants was observed in the study. However, before recommending DCC on a routine basis, studies with a larger sample size and long-term follow-up are required to elucidate the risks and benefits of DCC in this group of infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumomediastinum is an uncommon cause of neonatal respiratory distress and occurs in approximately 2.5 per 1000 live births. Although, the most common cause of pneumomediastinum is an underlying lung disease, it can be seen in newborns who undergo resuscitation during delivery without a predisposing factor. Initial diagnosis by chest X-ray can be difficult in some cases. The "spinnaker-sail sign" is an uncommon radiological appearance of pneumomediastinum. Careful conservative management can result with spontaneous resolution without long-term sequelae. In this case report, we present a neonate who developed pneumomediastinum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D3] levels of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) children.Methods: A total of 62 non-atopic healthy children (64.5% male, mean age 10.79 ± 3.3 years) and 29 VKC children (75.9%, mean age 12.17 ± 2.7 years) were included in the study. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels measured by HPLC were compared between the two groups and a p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level of VKC group was significantly lower than in the control group (11.02 ± 5.16 ng/mL and 15.99 ± 7.36 ng/mL, respectively) (p = 0.002). Severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) was detected in 48.3% of VKC children and 22.6% of the controls (p = 0.017). Time spent outdoors during daylight was higher in the control group (229.5 ± 101.2 min) compared with the VKC group (160.7 ± 65.9 min) (p = 0.008), and showed a significant correlation with serum 25(OH)D3 levels (Spearman rho = 0.812) (p<0.001).Conclusions: Children with VKC should be evaluated for vitamin D deficiency, which might occur secondary to sun avoidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a high incidence of recurrent respiratory tract infections, leukaemia and autoimmune disorders, suggesting immune dysfunction. The present study evaluated the role of the CD19 complex and memory B cells in the pathogenesis of immunodeficiency in children with DS. The expression levels (median fluorescein intensity—MFI) of CD19, CD21 and CD81 molecules on the surface of B cells and memory B cell subsets were studied in 37 patients and 39 healthy controls. Twenty-nine of the DS group had congenital cardiac disease. The B cell count was significantly low in children with DS compared with healthy age-matched controls for all three age groups (under 2 years; 2–6 years and older than 6 years). The MFI of CD19 was reduced in all the age groups, whereas that of CD21 was increased in those older than 2 years with DS. The expression level of CD81 was significantly increased in those older than 6 years. Age-related changes were also detected in memory B cell subsets. The frequency of CD27+IgD+IgM+ natural effector B cells was reduced in children with DS who had needed hospitalisation admission due to infections. The observed intrinsic defects in B cells may be responsible for the increased susceptibility of children with DS to severe respiratory tract infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]