Phage probe on RAFT polymer surface for rapid enumeration of E. coli K12.

This study presents a simple, fast, and sensitive label-free sensing assay for the precise enumeration of modeled pathogenic Escherichia coli K12 (E. coli K12) bacteria for the first time. The method employs the covalent binding bacteriophage technique on the surface of a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymer film. The Nyquist plots obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) identified the charge transfer resistance Rct was calculated from a suitable electrochemical circuit model through an evaluation of the relevant parameter after the immobilization of the bacteriophage and the binding of specific E. coli K12. The impedimetric biosensor reveals specific and reproducible detection with sensitivity in the linear working range of 104.2-107.0 CFU/mL, a limit of detection (LOD) of 101.3 CFU/mL, and a short response time of 15 min. The SERS response validates the surface roughness and interaction of the SERS-tag with E. coli K12-modified electrodes. Furthermore, the covalently immobilized active phage selectivity was proved against various non-targeting bacterial strains in the presence of targeted E.coli K12 with a result of 94 % specificity and 98 % sensitivity. Therefore, the developed phage-based electrode surface can be used as a disposable, label-free impedimetric biosensor for rapid and real-time monitoring of serum samples.

Evaluating the efficacy of a phage cocktail against Pseudomonas fluorescens group strains in raw milk: microbiological, physical, and chemical analyses.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a phage cocktail against Pseudomonas fluorescens group and its effect on the microbial, physical and chemical properties of raw milk during different storage conditions. A phage cocktail consisting of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas tolaasii, and Pseudomonas libanensis phages was prepared. As a result, reductions in fluorescent Pseudomonas counts of up to 3.44 log units for the storage at 4 °C and 2.38 log units for the storage at 25 °C were achieved. Following the phage application, it is found that there was no significant difference in the total mesophilic aerobic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae counts. However, it was observed that the number of lactic acid bacteria was higher in phage-treated groups. The results also showed that pH values in the phage added groups were lower than the others and the highest titratable acidity was obtained only in the bacteria-inoculated group. As a future perspective, this study suggests that, while keeping the number of target microorganisms under control in the milk with the use of phages during storage, the microbiota and accordingly the quality parameters of the milk can be affected. This work contributes to the development of effective strategies for maintaining the quality and extending the shelf life of milk and dairy products.

Can Pentraxin-3 be a Candidate Marker in the Follow-Up of the Patients With Behçet's Disease?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the level of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) as an inflammatory marker and compare it with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with BD (15 males, 27 females; mean age 39.7±8.6 years; range 20 to 64 years) and 42 age- and sex- matched healthy controls (14 males, 28 females; mean age 40.8±8.2 year; range 25 to 60 years) were included in the study. Serum CRP and plasma PTX-3 levels were measured. Subgroup analyses were performed according to clinical manifestations of patients with BD. RESULTS: Both PTX-3 and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with BD than controls (1.33±0.29 vs 0.85±0.12, p<0.05 for PTX-3 and 0.71±0.13 vs 0.27±0.03, p<0.001 for CRP, respectively). Area under the curve was 0.633±0.062 vs 0.729±0.05, respectively. Mean PTX-3 and CRP levels were 1.1 vs 1.5, p=0.5; 0.5 vs 0.9, p=0.5; respectively, in patients with mucocutaneous involvement alone and with other involvements, whereas they were 0.9 vs 1.6, p=0.1; 0.5 vs 0.8, p=0.3; respectively, in patients with and without peripheral arthritis, and were 1.7 vs 0.9, p=0.06; 1.0 vs 0.5, p=0.07; respectively, in patients with and without uveitis. CONCLUSION: Although PTX-3 levels were higher in patients with BD than healthy controls, sensitivity and specificity of PTX-3 was not different than CRP in patients with BD.

The relation between insulin resistance and lung function: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Impaired lung function and insulin resistance have been associated and thereby have also been indicated to be powerful predictors of cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, the co-existence of insulin resistance and impaired lung function accompanied with cardiovascular risk factors should induce cardiovascular mortality even in patients without known respiratory disease in a cumulative pattern. It could be useful to determine the lung function of patients with insulin resistance in order to decrease cardiovascular mortality by means of taking measures that minimize the risk of decline in lung function. However, no prior studies have been done on association between insulin resistance and lung function in adults in Turkey. We aimed to determine if insulin resistance plays a detrimental role in lung function in outpatients admitted to internal medicine clinics in adults from Turkey. METHODS: A total of 171 outpatients (mean ± SD) age: 43.1 ± 11.9) years) admitted to internal medicine clinics were included in this single-center cross-sectional study, and were divided into patients with (n = 63, mean ± SD) age: 43.2 ± 12.5) years, 83.5 % female) or without (n = 108, mean ± SD) age: 43.0 ± 11.6) years, 93.5 % female) insulin resistance. All patients were non-smokers. Data on gender, age, anthropometrics, blood pressure, blood biochemistry, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and lung function tests were collected in each patient. Correlates of insulin resistance were determined via logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Insulin resistance was present in 36.8 % of patients. Logistic regression analysis revealed an increase in the likelihood of having insulin resistance of 1.07 times with every 1-point increase in waist circumference, 1.01 times with every 1-point increase in triglycerides, 0.93 times with every 1-point decrease in HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and 0.86 times with every 1-point decrease in percentage of FEV1/FVC pre (FEV1%pre: Forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration for predicted values; FVC%pre.: Forced vital capacity for predicted values). CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance should also be considered amongst the contributing factors for decline in lung function.

Paraneoplastic mononeuritis multiplex as a presenting feature of adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes are observed in less than 0.1% of cancer patients. Neurologic syndromes in lung cancer include Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, polyneuropathy, cerebellar degeneration, and rarely mononeuritis multiplex. In this case, a patient presenting with bilateral asymmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy who was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the lung is reported.

Facial nerve palsy: an unusual presenting feature of small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the world and is the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and women; it is responsible for 1.3 million deaths annually worldwide. It can metastasize to any organ. The most common site of metastasis in the head and neck region is the brain; however, it can also metastasize to the oral cavity, gingiva, tongue, parotid gland and lymph nodes. This article reports a case of small cell lung cancer presenting with metastasis to the facial nerve.