Performance of integrated pulmonary index for pulmonary embolism in dyspneic patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of integrated pulmonary index (IPI) in predicting the pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients admitted to emergency departments (ED) with dyspnea. BACKGROUND: The acute dyspnea is one of the most common chief complaints in EDs. PE is a potentially fatal disease and the delay in specific therapy increases the worst outcomes. METHODS: This study is a prospective methodological study, in which we evaluated the diagnostic performance of the IPI in predicting PE in patients admitted to ED with dyspnea. ROC analysis was used for estimating the accuracy of IPI and OCRS. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients included in the study, there were 20 (13.9 %) PE patients. In the ROC analysis, the best cut-off point for IPI was ≤ 2. For this cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity of IPI were 100.0 % and 96.0 %, respectively. Besides, the accuracy of IPI was 96.5 % with a +LR of 24.8 and a -LR of 0.0. CONCLUSION: IPI was a potential candidate for evaluating the respiratory status, and a limiting tool to prevent unnecessary diagnostic tests and save time in determining the treatment course in dyspneic patients at ED (Tab. 5, Fig. 3, Ref. 34).

The effect of melatonin on spinal cord after ischemia in rats.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental animal model to assess ischemic spinal cord injury (SCI) following occlusion of the thoraco-abdominal aorta. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of melatonin on SCI induced by ischemia and following reperfusion. SETTING: Animal Research Laboratory, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. METHODS: We evaluated oxidative damage and caspase-3 activity. In total, 32 adult Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Group 1, control (n=8); Group 2 (n=8), those subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (IR) by clamping the thoraco-abdominal aorta; Group 3 (n=8), melatonin (50 mg kg(-1)) treated; and Group 4 (n=8), melatonin (50 mg kg(-1)) followed by ischemia. All animals were kept alive for 48 h, and then spinal cord samples were removed. We assayed oxidative damage by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), apoptosis by measuring activated caspase-3 (using immunoblots) and intrinsic antioxidative capacity by measuring reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the spinal cord. RESULTS: The results indicated a significant decrease in activity of caspase-3 in SCI animals after treatment with melatonin, as it significantly decreased the formation of MDA and decelerated the loss of GSH. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that melatonin could be an effective neuroprotective agent for treatment of SCI.

Predicting hospitalization in children with acute asthma.

BACKGROUND: Acute asthma is one of the most common medical emergencies in children. Appropriate assessment/treatment and early identification of factors that predict hospitalization are critical for the effective utilization of emergency services. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors that predict hospitalization and to compare the concordance of the Modified Pulmonary Index Score (MPIS) with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline criteria in terms of attack severity. METHODS: The study population was composed of children aged 5-18 years who presented to the Emergency Departments (ED) of the tertiary reference centers of the country within a period of 3 months. Patients were evaluated at the initial presentation and the 1(st) and 4(th) hours. RESULTS: Of the 304 patients (median age: 8.0 years [interquartile range: 6.5-9.7]), 51.3% and 19.4% required oral corticosteroids (OCS) and hospitalization, respectively. Attack severity and MPIS were found as predicting factors for hospitalization, but none of the demographic characteristics collected predicted OCS use or hospitalization. Hospitalization status at the 1(st) hour with moderate/severe attack severity showed a sensitivity of 44.1%, specificity of 82.9%, positive predictive value of 38.2%, and negative predictive value of 86.0%; for MPIS ≥ 5, these values were 42.4%, 85.3%, 41.0%, and 86.0%, respectively. Concordance in prediction of hospitalization between the MPIS and the GINA guideline was found to be moderate at the 1(st) hour (κ = 0.577). CONCLUSION: Attack severity is a predictive factor for hospitalization in children with acute asthma. Determining attack severity with MPIS and a cut-off value ≥ 5 at the 1(st) hour may help physicians in EDs. Having fewer variables and the ability to calculate a numeric value with MPIS makes it an easy and useful tool in clinical practice.

"Boy, what are we all doing? We are crazy, really crazy": a qualitative study of psychosocial processes around an atypical one-time smoking cessation course.

BACKGROUND: Smoking prevalence is still high, which requires effective interventions that help many people who smoke at once in addition to time-consuming individual interventions. 'I Quit' is a large-scale smoking cessation course in The Netherlands. This qualitative study explored I Quit participants' experiences during and after the course, and perceptions of whether and how the course may have altered their smoking behavior. METHODS: We performed individual semi-structured interviews with course participants (N = 21) who had either quit successfully, attempted to quit but relapsed, or had continued to smoke after 'I Quit'. Shortly after qualitative data collection was completed, Foundation I Quit was accused in the media of a number of misbehaviors. Although unplanned, this provided a unique opportunity to explore participants' views on alleged fraud in a second round of interviews (N = 16). Data were collected from 2016 to 2018. RESULTS: Qualitative findings showed two psychosocial processes that may explain smoking cessation after course attendance. First, the confrontation with a large group of people who smoke, of whom some had already developed smoking-related complaints, triggered identity processes both towards and away from quitting smoking. Unorthodox methods used in the course appeared to trigger identity processes. Second, social support after the course from participants' own social network facilitated maintenance of successful quitting. The study also found that interview participants' opinions on I Quit did not change much after allegations of fraud in the media. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that a one-time course might initiate psychosocial processes that could help certain smokers to gain motivation to quit, requiring a minimum of resources. Identity processes triggered by the course seem tricky as people have different ways of dealing with identity threat, some of which can be counterproductive and even result in more difficulty quitting. More research is needed to examine who can benefit from a one-time course, and who needs more support in order to quit successfully.

The prophylactic efficacy of Anatolian propolis in individuals at high risk of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: No prophylactic treatment is available for individuals at high risk of developing COVID-19. This study, which was conducted between December 25, 2020, and January 25, 2021, is one of the first clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of Anatolian propolis supplement against COVID-19. The aim was to obtain evidence on the prophylactic use of Anatolian propolis in individuals at high risk of developing COVID-19. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This volunteer-based study was conducted in two centers. The study involved 209 healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, medical secretaries) from Emergency Medicine Department of Medical Faculty of Ataturk University and Emergency Medicine Department of Rize Recep Tayyip Erdogan University. 204 participants meeting the study criteria were divided into two groups as experimental group and control group. The experimental group received 20 drops of BEE'O UP (BEE&YOU) 30% Propolis drops twice a day during a follow-up period of 1 month. The control group received no supplement but was followed up. The participants showing symptoms during the study and all the participants at the end the study were subjected to PCR testing. RESULTS: The evaluation of the results of PCR testing at the end of the study has shown that 14 participants from the control group and only 2 participants from the experimental group, who received Anatolian propolis supplement, were reported as positive cases. CONCLUSIONS: It has been found that a statistically significant protection was induced against COVID-19 infection in 98% of the experimental group, who received Anatolian propolis, compared to the control group.

Synthesis and molecular modelling of thiadizole based hydrazone derivatives as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities.

Some novel substituted thiazolylhydrazine derivatives were designed, synthesized and their inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes and antioxidant activities were investigated. The structures of the synthesized compounds were determined using different spectroscopic techniques such as 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and HRMS. According to the enzyme inhibition results, the synthesized compounds showed selectivity against BuChE enzyme inhibition. Compounds 5e, 5g, 5i and 5j displayed significant BuChE inhibition potencies. Among them, compound 5i was found to be the most effective derivative with an IC50 value of 56.01 ± 0.054 µM. In addition, their antioxidant properties were evaluated in vitro through the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. For compounds 5e, 5g, 5i and 5j in silico molecular docking and 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations studies against the BuChE enzyme were performed to determine possible protein-ligand interactions and stability. DFT-D3 study was performed to stabilize of compounds 5e, 5g, 5i and 5j both in gas and solvent medium and investigated their electronic properties. Of all geometries, that of DMSO is the lowest one.

Heritability of advertisement call properties of the Japanese quail.

The objective of this study was to investigate genetic variances and covariances among features of the male Japanese quail advertisement call. Duration of the first, second and third syllable, the length of interval 1 (between the first and the second syllable), interval 2 (between the second and the third syllable) and damping (extension of the third syllable) were measured as temporal properties of the call. Spectral properties were peak frequencies of each syllable and the damping component. In this study, 1730 calls were recorded from 488 male Japanese quail. The restricted maximum likelihood procedure for repeated measurements was applied to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters for the examined traits. Heritability estimates of call parameters of the male Japanese quail ranged from low to high values (0.04-0.65) and they were generally higher for temporal properties than for spectral properties. Among the temporal properties of the call, the highest genetic correlation was between the first and the second syllable (0.96±0.251) while the lowest genetic correlation was between the first and the third syllable (0.03±0.231). Significant genetic correlations were generally high and positive among peak frequencies of the syllables. Despite the lack of apparent pattern, interval lengths tended to have positive correlation with spectral properties of the call, but the correlation of syllable lengths with spectral properties of the call was negative.

Some advances in Fourier transform infrared transflection analysis and potential applications in forensic chemistry.

The transflection technique offers significant potential for both qualitative and quantitative analysis in the mid-infrared region. The higher sensitivity for bands in the mid-infrared provides a distinct advantage over the lower absorbance values typically encountered in the near-infrared region. Other advantages, such as small sample size and little sample preparation, make this technique a good candidate for the analysis of forensic substances. Small amounts of illegal drugs such as cocaine can be reliably and nondestructively identified with little or no sample preparation. With the approach to transflection described in this paper, single grains can be quickly identified by simply placing the sample on a specially designed substrate and recording the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum. Transflection was applied to the qualitative analysis of aqueous solutions and solid particles using relatively simple equipment in conjunction with a commercially available diffuse reflection accessory. Improvements in both equipment and technique are discussed. Extensions of the equipment into two new forms, with potential uses in proteomics and forensics, are introduced.

Studying the effect of pH variation on the incorporation of the antipsychotic drug clozapine into dyed and non-dyed hair samples using micro-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy.

Antipsychotic drugs are among the mostly widely used medications and are usually taken for prolonged periods of time. Due to its accumulation and trapping of drugs, hair can provide a useful indication of long-term exposure. Of interest also is what if any changes in the structural components of hair occur as a result of the drug binding process. Micro-attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy is able to examine the structural changes of hair samples by the application of sufficient pressure and without microtoming the hair (A. Koçak and S. L. Berets, Appl. Spectrosc. 62, 803 (2008)). In this investigation, we examined changes resulting from exposure of dyed and undyed hair to external clozapine as a function of the pH of the exposing solution. Single samples from different individuals and in one case from different regions of the scalp from the same individual were analyzed. The results demonstrated that pH related differences exist between drug-exposed dyed and non-dyed samples.

Using micro-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy to determine chemically induced changes in neat human hair: feasibility study on the effect of antipsychotic drugs.

This investigation examines the feasibility of detecting changes in intact human hair upon drug exposure using diamond attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. Prior work on microtomed hair has reported spectra changes in the medulla of the hair resulting from drug exposure. This study focuses on examining the hair intact, eliminating sample preparation and thereby reducing the possibility of sample contamination. Several hair samples were first examined to determine whether the lipids in the medulla could be detected from intact hair. Once this was established, hair samples exposed to drugs were investigated to see if changes in those lipids could be detected. Both internal and external drug exposures were investigated: hair samples were externally (incorporated) exposed to Clozapine and real-life samples were obtained from a patient on alprazolam (Xanax). In both cases, spectral differences in the C-H bands were observed in the hairs with drug exposure as compared to hair with no known drug exposure. These changes are consistent with changes in the lipids in the medulla.

Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine, caffeic acid and vitamin E on doxorubicin hepatotoxicity.

The aim of this study was to compare the possible protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), caffeic acid (CAPE) and vitamin E (Vit-E) on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats, weighing between 250 and 350 g were supplied and randomly divided into five groups. Animals in study groups were pretreated with a single dose of doxorubicin (Dox), which was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.). Control group (Group I) was treated with intraperitoneal saline injection. Group II did not received any antioxidant agent after the injection. Group III and Group IV were given CAPE and intraperitoneal vitamin E injection for eight days, respectively. Group V received NAC for eight days. The study was finished after 10 days. Tissue samples were collected from all animals and histopathological examination was performed. There was statistically significant difference between the experiment groups and controls by means of mononuclear cell infiltration and diameters of hepatic sinusoid, terminal hepatic venule (central vein) and portal area (portal canal). Changes related with hepatocellular damage were more prominent, whereas there was no significant difference between Dox and NAC given groups histopathologically. It was observed that structural changes were regressed after CAPE administration. However, this recovery was more prominent in vitamin E given group. These findings suggest that Dox induced liver damage could be efficiently reversed by vitamin E administration. It has been found that CAPE, but not NAC has protective effects on Dox-induced hepatocellular damage.

Using the Kramers-Kronig method to determine optical constants and evaluating its suitability as a linear transform for near-normal front-surface reflectance spectra.

In this paper, the suitability of using the Kramers-Kronig transform to routinely extract optical constants from near-normal incidence reflectance spectra of solids and liquids is demonstrated. In addition, the possibility of utilizing the Kramers-Kronig transform as a linearizing transform for near-normal incidence reflectance spectra is investigated. Also, several commercial Kramers-Kronig software packages were utilized in determining the optical constants from the near-normal incidence reflectance of Plexiglas. Unexpectedly, the results produced by the various packages differed significantly. The near-normal reflectance of water was measured, the Kramers-Kronig transform was applied to extract the optical constants of water, and the result was compared to values found in the literature. Furthermore, the Kramers-Kronig transforms of near-normal incidence reflectance spectra of various concentrations of sugar in water were calculated to evaluate its use as a linearizing transform for quantitative applications.

Heritability of advertisement call properties of the Japanese quail / Herdabilidade de propriedades de chamada de anúncio da codorna japonesa

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate genetic variances and covariances among features of the male Japanese quail advertisement call. Duration of the first, second and third syllable, the length of interval 1 (between the first and the second syllable), interval 2 (between the second and the third syllable) and damping (extension of the third syllable) were measured as temporal properties of the call. Spectral properties were peak frequencies of each syllable and the damping component. In this study, 1730 calls were recorded from 488 male Japanese quail. The restricted maximum likelihood procedure for repeated measurements was applied to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters for the examined traits. Heritability estimates of call parameters of the male Japanese quail ranged from low to high values (0.04-0.65) and they were generally higher for temporal properties than for spectral properties. Among the temporal properties of the call, the highest genetic correlation was between the first and the second syllable (0.96±0.251) while the lowest genetic correlation was between the first and the third syllable (0.03±0.231). Significant genetic correlations were generally high and positive among peak frequencies of the syllables. Despite the lack of apparent pattern, interval lengths tended to have positive correlation with spectral properties of the call, but the correlation of syllable lengths with spectral properties of the call was negative.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as variâncias e covariâncias genéticas entre as características do canto de anúncio de codornas japonesas. A duração da primeira, segunda e terceira sílaba, o comprimento do intervalo 1 (entre a primeira e a segunda sílaba), o intervalo 2 (entre a segunda e a terceira sílaba) e o amortecimento (extensão da terceira sílaba) foram medidos como propriedades temporais da chamada. As propriedades espectrais foram as frequências de pico de cada sílaba e o componente de amortecimento. Neste estudo, 1730 chamadas foram registradas de 488 codornas japonesas masculinas. O procedimento de máxima verossimilhança restrita para medidas repetidas foi aplicado para estimar componentes de (co) variância e parâmetros genéticos para as características examinadas. As estimativas de herdabilidade dos parâmetros de chamada das codornas japonesas masculinas variaram entre valores baixos e altos (0,04-0,65) e foram geralmente mais elevadas para as propriedades temporais do que para as propriedades espectrais. Dentre as propriedades temporais da chamada, a maior correlação genética foi entre a primeira e a segunda sílaba (0,96 ± 0,251), enquanto a menor correlação genética foi entre a primeira e a terceira sílaba (0,03 ± 0,231). Correlações genéticas significativas foram geralmente altas e positivas entre as frequências de pico das sílabas. Apesar da falta de padrão aparente, os comprimentos de intervalo tenderam a ter uma correlação positiva com as propriedades espectrais da chamada, mas a correlação dos comprimentos das sílabas com as propriedades espectrais da chamada foi negativa.

An unusual presentation of neurotuberculosis: subdural empyema. Case report.

Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health concern, especially in developing countries. Many types of neurotuberculosis have been described, but there is only one previously reported case of subdural empyema caused by tuberculous bacilli. A 1-year-old boy who had been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis was referred to the authors' institution with a diagnosis of right frontoparietal extraaxial abscess formation. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extraaxial abscess with no evidence of calvarial infection. A craniotomy was performed to drain the pus, which was located subdurally. A polymerase chain reaction test yielded positive results, and histopathological examination revealed caseation. Antituberculous treatment was started after a diagnosis of subdural empyema with related neurotuberculosis had been made. At the end of a 12-month course of medical therapy, the patient was well with no evidence of tuberculosis.

An unusual presentation of occult spinal dysraphism.

Occult spinal dysraphism can lead to irreversible neurological complications, early diagnosis and treatment are necessary. It can be suspected from the presence of any cutaneous abnormality. We report a case with bony spur formation on the top of the 5th lumbar vertebra spinose process covered with skin mimicking a meningocel sac. By the help of this bony spur tethered cord could be diagnosed before any neurological deficit.

Dural cavernous hemangioma originating from superior petrosal sinus.

Cavernous angiomas of the dura are rare and have been described in the literature particularly in the middle cranial fossa. We present a case of cavernous hemangioma of the middle cranial fossa arising from the superior petrosal sinus. In our review of the literature, this is the 2(nd) report describing a cavernous hemangioma in such a location.

Meckel syndrome in twins.

Meckel syndrome in twins is presented. Although several families have been reported as having this syndrome in more than one member, this is the first instance that twins having this disorder have been reported. We wish to emphasize the importance of genetic counselling in such a case in which prenatal diagnosis is possible.

Diabetes insipidus in a pediatric patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. A case report.

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the central nervous system (CNS) produces numerous and varying clinical disorders. A 14-year-old girl with the features of cerebral involvement in SLE is presented. The development of diabetes insipidus (DI), which responded to desmopressin, was an interesting finding in this case. Therapy consisting of high-dose methylprednisolone combined with cyclophosphamide was effective in improving the symptoms as well as the DI.

Heritability of advertisement call properties of the Japanese quail

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate genetic variances and covariances among features of the male Japanese quail advertisement call. Duration of the first, second and third syllable, the length of interval 1 (between the first and the second syllable), interval 2 (between the second and the third syllable) and damping (extension of the third syllable) were measured as temporal properties of the call. Spectral properties were peak frequencies of each syllable and the damping component. In this study, 1730 calls were recorded from 488 male Japanese quail. The restricted maximum likelihood procedure for repeated measurements was applied to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters for the examined traits. Heritability estimates of call parameters of the male Japanese quail ranged from low to high values (0.04-0.65) and they were generally higher for temporal properties than for spectral properties. Among the temporal properties of the call, the highest genetic correlation was between the first and the second syllable (0.96±0.251) while the lowest genetic correlation was between the first and the third syllable (0.03±0.231). Significant genetic correlations were generally high and positive among peak frequencies of the syllables. Despite the lack of apparent pattern, interval lengths tended to have positive correlation with spectral properties of the call, but the correlation of syllable lengths with spectral properties of the call was negative.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as variâncias e covariâncias genéticas entre as características do canto de anúncio de codornas japonesas. A duração da primeira, segunda e terceira sílaba, o comprimento do intervalo 1 (entre a primeira e a segunda sílaba), o intervalo 2 (entre a segunda e a terceira sílaba) e o amortecimento (extensão da terceira sílaba) foram medidos como propriedades temporais da chamada. As propriedades espectrais foram as frequências de pico de cada sílaba e o componente de amortecimento. Neste estudo, 1730 chamadas foram registradas de 488 codornas japonesas masculinas. O procedimento de máxima verossimilhança restrita para medidas repetidas foi aplicado para estimar componentes de (co) variância e parâmetros genéticos para as características examinadas. As estimativas de herdabilidade dos parâmetros de chamada das codornas japonesas masculinas variaram entre valores baixos e altos (0,04-0,65) e foram geralmente mais elevadas para as propriedades temporais do que para as propriedades espectrais. Dentre as propriedades temporais da chamada, a maior correlação genética foi entre a primeira e a segunda sílaba (0,96 ± 0,251), enquanto a menor correlação genética foi entre a primeira e a terceira sílaba (0,03 ± 0,231). Correlações genéticas significativas foram geralmente altas e positivas entre as frequências de pico das sílabas. Apesar da falta de padrão aparente, os comprimentos de intervalo tenderam a ter uma correlação positiva com as propriedades espectrais da chamada, mas a correlação dos comprimentos das sílabas com as propriedades espectrais da chamada foi negativa.

Intracranial involvement in a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Intracranial and intraspinal involvement is a rare complication of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Intracranial involvement is observed in 0.2 to 0.5 percent of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. No specific risk factors associated with intracranial involvement have been found. We report intracranial involvement of Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient who had previously undergone thyroidectomy due to thyroid papillary carcinoma.