Effects of balneological outpatient treatment on clinical parameters and serum cytokine levels in patients with chronic low back pain: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of balneological outpatient treatment (hydrotherapy and peloidotherapy) on clinical status and serum cytokine levels in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Seventy-four patients with CLBP who accepted to participate to the study were randomly divided into two groups. The study group was given ten sessions (in 2 weeks) of hydrotherapy, peloidotherapy, and home exercise, while the control group was given only home exercise. All patients were assessed before and at the end of therapy, at the 1st and 3rd months. The primary outcomes were pain intensity on the visual analog scale (VAS) (VAS-pain, VAS-rest, VAS-exercise) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The secondary outcome measures included patient's and physician's global assessment (VAS-PGA), (VAS-DGA), finger-to-floor distance (FFD), modified Schober test, Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the use of analgesic drug. Venous blood samples were drawn from all patients before/1st day and after therapy/12th day to measure serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 levels. Significant improvement was observed in the study group in VAS-pain, VAS-rest, VAS-exercise, VAS-PGA, VAS-DGA, ODI, and SF-36 parameters after treatment and improvement maintained for 3 months. In the control group, significant improvement was observed in VAS-pain, VAS-exercise, VAS-PGA, VAS-DGA, and ODI scores on the 12th day and continued for 3 months. Decrease in pain, pain during rest and exercise, modified Schober test, VAS-PGA, VAS-DGA, ODI scores, and the increase in SF-36 pain and general health scores showed superiority in favor of the study group in all evaluations. There was a significant increase in IL-10 values from baseline at the end of treatment in the study group. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was significantly lower in the study group compared with the use of NSAID in the control group in the 3rd month. Balneological outpatient treatment improved clinical status in CLBP patients. Although no significant correlation was clearly determined between IL-10 levels and pain score, this effect might be related to the observed increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels that was observed only in the study group.

COULD COVID-19 TRIGGER TYPE 1 DIABETES? PRESENTATION OF COVID-19 CASE PRESENTED WITH DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS.

COVID-19 is a viral disease that is recognized now as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. It is known that some viral infections may trigger autoimmune diseases. It has been revealed that COVID-19 may also lead to the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 DM (T1DM) and autoimmune thyroid diseases. Here, we aimed to present a young female patient with COVID-19, who we followed up in our clinic, who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and developed Hashimoto's disease during the treatment process. In order to emphasize that COVID-19 may trigger the emergence of T1DM, that it may mask nonspecific DKA symptoms like nausea and vomiting, that it may cause delay in diagnosis of DKA, and also to emphasize the importance of evaluating other autoimmune diseases accompanying COVID-19, we found it appropriate to present this case.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Organic Acidemias at a Tertiary Center.

The aim of this study was to share our experience in the prenatal diagnosis (PND) of organic acidemias (OAs) in our clinic. This study consisted of 10 cases in whom an invasive prenatal diagnostic test (IPNDT) was performed by a single physician for the PND of OAs. Median maternal age, parity, gestational week of IPNDT, prenatal test indications, OA types, method of IPNDT, IPNDT results and gestational outcomes were evaluated. Targeted mutation analysis was performed in fetal DNA for the specific mutations by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct Sanger sequencing. The diagnosis was confirmed by genetic targeted mutation analysis after birth. Median maternal age, parity and gestational week of IPNDT values were 30 (range 21-35), one (range 0-4) and 11.5 (range 11-17), respectively. Indications for IPNDT were mother being a carrier of the disease for one case (10.0%) and at least one child with OA in the family for nine cases (90.0%). Organic acidemia types investigated were maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and isovaleric acidemia (IVA) in five (50.0%), three (30.0%) and two (20.0%) patients, respectively. Chorion villus sampling (CVS) was done in seven (70.0%) patients and amniocentesis was performed in three (30.0%) patients. Eight fetuses (80.0%) were found to be healthy and two fetuses (20.0%) were found to be affected (one case with IVA and one case with MMA). The two pregnancies (20.0%) with affected fetuses were terminated. Prenatal diagnosis of OAs is critical. Appropriate prenatal counseling should be given to families with known risk factors.

Impact of weight loss on epicardial fat and carotid intima media thickness after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in obese patients. We aimed to investigate the influence of significant weight loss following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and epicardial fat thickness (EFT) which are the independent predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were recruited for standard indications. A total of 105 patients (79 women and 26 men) with the mean age of 43.61 ± 12.42 were prospectively enrolled. On B-mode duplex ultrasound; the mean CIMT at the far wall of both left and right common carotid arteries were measured. EFT was measured on the free wall of the right ventricle at end-diastole from the parasternal long-axis view by standard transthorasic 2D echocardiography. Delta (Δ) values were obtained by subtracting sixth month values from the baseline values. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly reduced from 46.95 ± 7.54 to 33.54 ± 6.41 kg/m2 (p < 0.001) in sixth months after LSG. Both EFT and CIMT were significantly decreased after surgery (8.68 ± 1.95 mm vs. 7.41 ± 1.87 mm; p < 0.001 and 0.74 ± 0.13 mm vs. 0.67 ± 0.11 mm; p < 0.001 respectively). A significant correlation between ΔEFT and ΔBMI (r = 0.431, p < 0.001) was shown. ΔCIMT is significantly correlated with ΔEFT, ΔBMI and Δ systolic blood pressure (r = 0.310, r = 0.285 and r = 0.231 respectively, p < 0.05 for all). In multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis; among variables only ΔBMI was the independent predictor of ΔEFT (ß = 153, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Early atherosclerotic structural changes may be reversed or improved by sustained weight loss after LSG in asymptomatic obese patients.

Therapeutic Effects of Islamic Intercessory Prayer on Warts.

The present study aimed to examine the therapeutic effects of Islamic intercessory prayer on warts. Forty-five participants who are mostly Muslims and infected with warts were randomized into three groups: Group-1 (uncertain, with intercessory prayer), Group-2 (uncertain, no intercessory prayer), and control group (informed, no intervention). Stress symptoms were also measured before and after prayer sessions for these three groups. The results revealed that there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of healing. Although participants believed in the therapeutic effects of prayer, when participants did not trust the intercessor, prayer had no effect on warts.

Laboratory in complicated appendicitis prediction and predictive value of monitoring.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was that monitoring, which is used in diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and laboratory values, were evaluated for verifying diagnosis of complicated appendicitis and these parameters revealed cut-off values in complicated acute/non-complicated appendicitis. METHODS: 195 patients, who had had an operation for acute appendicitis between January 2012 and March 2015 and who were proved to have acute complicated/non-complicated appendicitis from the results of histopathology consideration, were included in this study. Patients' age, preoperative serum, WBC, CRP, NLR and BT with USG results were evaluated.    RESULTS: Among the groups, there were no meaningful differences in the sense of age. Meaningful difference was obtained in between (p > 0.05), WBC, NLR, CRP and appendix diameter values.Serum in WBC >13800 (AUC = 0.614, p = 0.006, %95 GA: 0.541-0.682), in NLR > 4.87 (AUC = 0.641, p = 0.001, %95 GA: 0.569-0.708), in CRP > 5.98 (AUC = 0.651, p 11 mm (AUC = 0.630, p = 0.002, %95 GA: 0.558-0.698) values were obtained. The values that were obtained, were confirmed to be descriptive in analysis of complicated appendicitis and non-complicated appendicitis.According to the obtained cut-off values, serum WBC, diameter of appendicitis, NLR and CRP values', (OR) ratios were calculated for complicated appendicitis by being classified (odds ratio respectively; 3.103 (1.713-5.621), 2.765 (1.496-5.109), 3.025 (1.665-5.494), 2.313 (1.295-4.130)). CONCLUSION: It is important that treatment options are evaluated to be able to discriminate complicated appendicitis fast and with a high accuracy. In the case that serum WBC is higher than 13800. CRP is higher than 5.98, NLR is higher than 4.87 and appendicitis diameter is longer than 11mm, inflammation of appendicitis is complex with gangrene, perforation and abscess and it emphasizes the suggestion of surgical treatment option to patients (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 28).

HEMATOLOGICAL MARKERS OF THE NO-REFLOW PHENOMEN ON IN-PATIENTS UNDERGOING PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION.

The study aims to investigate hematological parameters of the no-reflow phenomenon (NRP) developed in patients underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) due to diagnosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The study sample consisted of a total of 90 patients, of which 44 patients who underwent pPCI and developed NRP without anemia and chronic renal failure (mean age was 64; 34 males and 10 females) were included in the experimental group, and the control group consisted of 46 patients with normal reperfusion flow (mean age was 58; 34 males and 12 females). In both groups, Red blood-cell Distribution Width (RDW), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), and neutrophil count were observed. The demographic characteristics of both groups were similar, except the higher mean age of the experimental group (age; 64.0±12.6; 58.0±12.5). No correlation was found between development of no-reflow and incidence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, family history and gender. In the no-reflow group, RDW level (16.2%±2.1; 14.2%±0.7, p<0.001), MPV level (7.9±1.2; 7.3±0.8, p<0.05), PDW level (18.1±1.2; 17.4±1.2, p<0.05), PCT level (0.2±0.06 vs 0.17±0.05) and neutrophil count (9.9±3.7; 7.1±3.3, p<0.001) was found to be higher than the control group. According to logistic regression analysis, RDW (OR; 23.4, <95% Cl 4.6-118.9, p<0.001), PDW (OR; 2.8, <95% Cl 1.2-6.4, p<0.05) and neutrophil count (OR; 1.4, Cl 1.1-1.9, p<0.05) were found to be the predictors of NRP development. Hemogram is a cheap and easy to apply test. In our study, a relationship between the NRP development and RDW, PDW, MPV, PCT, and neutrophil counts was found in patients who underwent pPCI. At the same time, RDW, PDW, and the neutrophil count were found to be predictors of no-reflow development.

DETERMINATION OF VOLUME OVERLOAD BY BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS AND NT-PROBNP IN DIABETIC PRE-DIALYSIS PATIENTS.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic chronic kidney disease has more fatal clinical progresses and this situation can be related to volume overload, which is seen more commonly in diabetic chronic kidney disease patients than in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease patients. Therefore, we examined the effect of diabetes mellitus on volume overload in newly diagnosed stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients whose volume overloads were not showing signs of improvement from renal replacement therapy. METHOD: One hundred and five patients (46 diabetic, 59 non-diabetic) with end-stage chronic kidney disease, who had glomerular filtration rate (GFR) under 15 mL/min for at least three months were enrolled in this prospective study. We determined the body volume overload and configuration using a bioimpedance device. NT-proBNP levels were recorded. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between diabetic and non-diabetic groups according to overhydration (OH, p=0.003), extracellular water (ECW, p=0.045), intracellular water (ICW, p<0.001) and OH/ECW (p=0.003). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference between groups in terms of N-terminal Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP levels, p=0.008). DISCUSSION: We compared diabetic and non-diabetic end-stage chronic kidney disease patients who were not in renal replacement therapy yet. We found more volume overload and extracellular fluid volume in the diabetic group.

Alternative non-femoral accesses for intra-aortic balloon pumping.

Access from the femoral arteries to the thoracic aorta for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion may not be feasible in a substantial number of patients with severe peripheral vascular disease. Since using an alternative access is inevitable in a certain number of patients requiring IABP support, all alternative accesses should be added to the surgical armamentarium. Herein, we present our 27-year experience with different alternative accesses for IABP insertion following failed contraindication to femoral artery cannulation. The alternative techniques described below were: transthoracic insertion with a tube graft, transthoracic insertion - direct, transaxillary/subclavian insertion and transbrachial insertion.

The development of anticipation in the fetus: a longitudinal account of human fetal mouth movements in reaction to and anticipation of touch.

Research suggests that fetuses open or close their mouth in relation to directed movements but it is unclear whether mouth opening anticipates the touch or is a reaction to touch, as there has been no analysis so far of (1) the facial area of touch and (2) the sequential ordering of touch and mouth movements. If there is prenatal development of the anticipation of touch we would expect the frequency of fetal mouth opening immediately preceding the arriving hand at the mouth area to increase with fetal age. Fifteen healthy fetuses, eight girls and seven boys, underwent four additional 4-D scans at 24, 28, 32, and 36 weeks gestation. Changes in the frequency of touch for different facial regions indicated a significant decline in touch of the upper and side parts of the face and a significant increase in touching lower and perioral regions of the face with increasing gestational age. Results supporting the hypothesis showed a significant increase in the proportion of anticipatory mouth movements before touch increasing by around 8% with each week of gestational age. Additionally there was a decrease in the proportion of reactive mouth movements decreasing by around 3% for each week of gestational age.

Clinical and laboratory findings in mad honey poisoning: a single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at analyzing the demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the hematological-biochemical parameters of patients who admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of mad honey poisoning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 patients who were admitted with mad honey intoxication symptoms and treated in Emergency Department of Sakarya Education and Research Hospital between January 2009 and December 2012 were included in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients and hematological, biochemical parameters were obtained from hospital records. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure on admission and at discharge were obtained retrospectively. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (10 males and 6 females, mean age 58.5 ± 10 years, range between 41 and 79) were included in our study. Heart rate was 42 ± 6 beats/min, systolic blood pressure was 73 ± 19 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure was 45 ± 17 mmHg on admission. In the evaluation of the patients' heart rhythms on admission to the emergency room, nine (56.3%) patients had sinus bradycardia, three (18.8%) patients had nodal rhythm, two (12.5%) patients had first degree atrioventricular block, and two (12.5%) patients had atrial fibrillation. Atropine 1.1 ± 0.4 mg and saline 1125 ± 465 ml were used to treat patients. Patients were discharged with a stable condition after an average 27.7 ± 7.2 h of follow-up. Heart rate was 75 ± 8 beats/min, systolic blood pressure was 132 ± 7 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure was 82 ± 6 mmHg at discharge. Mortality was not observed. Hematological and biochemical parameters measured at the time of admission were within normal ranges. CONCLUSION: Mad honey poisoning should be considered in previously healthy patients with unexplained symptoms of bradycardia, hypotension, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Therefore, diet history should carefully be obtained from the patients admitted with bradycardia and hypotension, and mad honey intoxication should also be considered in the differential diagnosis, as well as primary cardiac, neurologic, and metabolic disorders. Mad honey poisoning may be presented with life-threatening symptoms without any hematological and biochemical disorder.

Clinical outcomes of iris fixation and sutureless scleral fixation of dislocated foldable posterior chamber intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: Explore the visual outcome and complications of iris fixation intraocular lenses (IFIOL) and sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lenses (SSFIOL) in the surgical management of patients without exchanging dislocated posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PCIOLs) in the vitreous. METHODS: Retrospectively, 14 IFIOL and 15 SSFIOL reimplantations for dislocated PCIOLs were analyzed. Mean follow-up of reIFIOL group and reSSFIOL group: 11.3±2.0 (range: 9-15) months and 11.8±2.2 (range: 9-16) months, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes, operative indications, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Primary surgical indications were pseudoexfoliation (PXE) (21.4%), post-cataract surgery (PCS) (35.7%), trauma (42.8%) in the reIFIOL group, and PXE (26.6%), PCS (40%) trauma (33.3%) in reSSFIOL group, respectively. At the latest follow-up, there was an improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (0.053±0.051 to 0.53±0.13, P<0.0001) in reIFIOL group and (0.05±0.02 to 0.64±0.16, P<0.0001) in reSSFIOL group. Postoperative complications of reIFIOL group and reSSFIOL group included corneal edema (14.2%; nil), IOP elevation (21.4%; 7.1%), bullous keratopathy (14.2%; nil), anterior uveitis (35.7%; 13.3%), cystoid macular edema (CME) (21.4%; 7.1%), pupil ovalization (21.4%; nil), broken haptic (none; 13.3%), IOL exchange (nil; 13.3%), and vitreous hemorrhage (nil; 14.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Self-dislocated IOL reimplantation may enable much earlier visual rehabilitation in the reSSFIOL group than in the reIFIOL group. Moreover, the 27G trocar-assisted reSSFIOL technique takes a shorter operation time and relatively lower complication rates. However, further prospective studies with larger series and longer follow-up periods are required.

Radiation therapy for resistant sternal hydatid disease.

Hydatid disease is a zoonotic infectious disease for which there are known treatment procedures and effective antibiotics; however, there are resistant cases that do not respond to medication or surgery. We report a case diagnosed as hydatid disease of the chest wall and treated with radiation therapy (RT) after medical and surgical therapy had failed. In conclusion, RT represents an alternative treatment modality in resistant cases.

Relationship between skin prick and atopic patch test reactivity to aeroallergens and disease severity in children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The immunological mechanism in aetiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) shows significant differences from other allergic diseases. Allergen inhalation exacerbates AD lesions and AD patients' complaints decrease in house dust mite (HDM) low level environments, which reveals the importance of inhalant allergens. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the skin prick test (SPT) and atopy patch test (APT) positivity rates with aeroallergens and studied the effect of test results, and aimed to determine the value of allergic test reactivity on the clinical characteristics of children with AD. METHODS: Forty-five children aged 2-15 years with AD were included to study between May 2006 and May 2007 in GATA Haydarpasa Teaching Hospital, Allergy Department. The reactivity to inhalant allergens using SPT and APT was evaluated. The severity of AD, which was assessed with SCORAD, was compared with aeroallergen hypersensitivity. RESULTS: The highest positivity of APT was seen against HDM (48.9%). HDM SPT positivity and subjective symptoms score were statistically correlated (P<0.05). Patients with strong SPT positivity to HDM had a higher total SCORAD score (P<0.05). Although there was no statistical correlation between HDM APT and SCORAD parameters, APT positive patients had generally higher SCORAD parameters. The statistical significance was only shown between the extent of the disease and strong APT positive reactions to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. CONCLUSION: HDM allergens play an important role in determining the clinical severity of AD and strong APT positivity could be more meaningful clinically.

Public awareness of and support for smoke-free legislation in Turkey: a national survey using the lot quality sampling technique.

Six months after new legislation in Turkey banning smoking in all public places, a national survey was carried out to assess its implementation. This paper summarizes the main findings on the public's awareness of and support for the new law. In a household interview survey of 32 972 adults representative of the Turkish adult population, a high proportion of both non-smokers and current smokers (91.4% and 67.2% respectively) strongly supported the new law. Knowledge about the health hazards of passive smoking and support for the law, however, were relatively lower among smokers than non-smokers. After controlling for smoking status, people with better knowledge about passive smoking were over 5 times more likely to support the new law. Tobacco control activities should be tailored to local needs, with afocus on increasing awareness about the health hazards of passive smoking. The study also demonstrated application of the lot quality sampling technique (LQT) for monitoring tobacco control activities in a national survey.

Evaluation of the relationship between speckle tracking echocardiography and arrhythmia markers Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc in patients with arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The prolongation of the Tp-e interval, which is defined as the interval from the peak to the end of the T wave on electrocardiography (ECG), is considered a non-invasive predictor of malignant ventricular arrhythmia development. In our study, we aimed to compare the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratios on ECG and subclinical myocardial dysfunction evaluated by left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) imaging in patients receiving treatment for hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography was performed in 102 consecutive hypertensive patients with blood pressure values regulated by treatment. The normal left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) limit was accepted as < -18%. The patients were divided into two groups: those with normal (≥ -18%) LV-GLS and those with impaired LV-GLS (< -18%). Comparisons between the groups were made by measuring ventricular repolarization parameters, such as QT, QTc, and Tp-e intervals, and Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios. RESULTS: While the mean age of the patients with impaired LV-GLS was 55±6 years, the mean age of the normal LV-GLS group was 58±9 years (p=0.101). The Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly higher in the impaired LV-GLS group than in the normal LV-GLS group (p<0.05 for all). A positive correlation was observed between the ventricular repolarization parameters and LV-GLS values. This positive correlation was statistically significant in terms of the Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios. CONCLUSIONS: The Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were increased in hypertensive patients with impaired LV-GLS, and therefore a close follow-up in terms of increased arrhythmia risk is required in this patient group.

Emergence of West Nile virus infections in humans in Turkey, 2010 to 2011.

In 2010, 47 human cases of West Nile virus (WNV)infection, including 12 laboratory-confirmed and 35 probable cases, were identified in Turkey. These were the first cases detected during routine surveillance.The patients were from 15 provinces, mainly located in the western part of the country. Incidence was 0.19/100,000 with a maximum of 1.39 in Sakarya province.Forty of the total 47 cases showed neuroinvasive manifestation. Median age was 58 years with a range of four to 86. Ten of the patients died. Enhanced surveillance in humans and animals and mosquito control measures were implemented. The WNV infections were included in the national notifiable diseases list as of April 2011. In 2011, three probable and two confirmed cases of WNV infection were diagnosed in provinces where infections had been detected in the previous year, supporting a lower activity than 2010. However,detection of WNV infections in humans in 2010 and 2011 consecutively, may indicate that WNV has become endemic in the western part of Turkey. Field epidemiological studies were undertaken to understand more about the nature of infection in Turkey.

Frequency of fragmented QRS on ECG and relationship with left ventricular dysfunction in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is a biochemical definition that has been proven to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is defined as an electrocardiographic (ECG) reflection of cardiac fibrosis. It is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In this study, we aim to evaluate the presence and frequency of fQRS in SH patients and determine the relationship between fQRS presence and left ventricular dysfunction by using the myocardial performance index (MPI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study included 50 newly diagnosed SH and 50 healthy participants with similar demographic characteristics. We compared demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic measurements of the study population. SH patients were evaluated as two groups in the subgroup analysis: [fQRS(+) SH] with fQRS and [fQRS(-) SH] without fQRS. We analyzed the correlation of thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) levels with demographic characteristics, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data. Independent predictors of fQRS presence were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of SH patients was 44 ± 8 years, and 46% (n = 23) of the patients were women. In the control group, the mean age was 45 ± 11 years, and 52% (n = 26) of the participants were women. MPI was found to be significantly higher in the SH group compared to the control group (0.53 ± 0.07 vs. 0.41 ± 0.08, p< 0.001). fQRS was found to be significantly higher in the SH group compared to the control group (p= 0.004). In echocardiographic measurements, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was found to be significantly longer in the fQRS(+) SH group (105.6 ± 21.8 ms vs. 91.1 ± 24.4 ms, p < 0.001), while isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) was not significantly different between the groups. Ejection time (ET) was significantly longer in the fQRS (-) SH group (286.9 ± 32.1 ms vs. 274.2 ± 30.6 ms; p = 0.011). MPI was 0.57 ± 0.12 in the fQRS (+) SH group and 0.48 ± 0.06 in the fQRS (-) SH group, which was significantly higher (p = 0.001). TSH was found to be 8.82 ± 4.58 in fQRS (+) SH group and 5.73 ± 3.10 in fQRS (-) SH group (p = 0.003). It was found that MPI (r = 0.302, p < 0.001) and fQRS (r = 0.321, p < 0.001) were significantly positively correlated with TSH. TSH levels [OR = 1,645, 95% CI = 1,322 to 2,067 (p = 0.001)], IVRT [OR = 1,502, 95% CI = 1,119 to 95% (p = 0.003)], and MPI [OR = 1,408, 95% CI = 0.989 - 1.806 (p = 0.001)] were found to be independent predictors of the presence of fQRS. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of fQRS in SH patients was found to be higher than in the healthy population. MPI values were higher in fQRS (+) SH patients compared to fQRS (-) SH patients, resulting indirectly having a higher risk of tendency to left ventricular systolic/diastolic dysfunction. MPI and fQRS had a significant positive correlation with TSH. TSH, IVRT, and MPI were found to be independent predictors of the presence of fQRS in SH patients.

Identification of transformation products during Doxylamine chloramination for NDMA mitigation.

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a disinfection byproduct that forms at the presence of an organic nitrogen precursor. Doxylamine, an antihistaminic pharmaceutical, is a precursor of NDMA and has been shown to form NDMA in the presence of chloramine. In this study, the effect of Doxylamine as an NDMA precursor has been further studied during chloramination. The end product and byproducts during chloramination were investigated using a high-resolution mass spectrometer by taking samples at different time intervals. Results suggest that NDMA is not the only end product forming during chloramination of Doxylamine and several transformation products that do not end up as NDMA may form. A group of these transformation products have been selected based on their relative amounts during chloramination with time and notated as Focus Tentative Transformation Products (FTTPn). The identification of these byproducts will make it easier to study the conditions during chloramination that may favour these 'known' transformation products with the use of less sophisticated analytical instruments. Then, it might lead to the establishment of chloramination protocols that will minimise the formation of NDMA from its precursors.

Spectral changes in electrical activity of pylorus due to L-NAME induced hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relation between hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) and the changes in the myoelectrical activity of the pyloric and gastric areas. METHODS: Three pregnant females, at 14 days of gestation two of which were named as D14n (NOS inhibitor group) and one was named as D14c (control). From the beginning of the study until the end of gestation, rats in D14n group received nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME for administrating their pups, and the rat in D14c group was drinking water for 21 days. The pups of each group underwent laparotomy at 42 days of their life and myoelectrical signals of their pyloric and gastric regions were recorded via bipolar electrodes and then evaluated through signal processing. RESULTS: Signal analysis showed that HPS induced pyloric segment reveals a suppressed spectral component that was detected in normal pyloric segment. The HPS induced pyloric segment also revealed higher power/ min and +/- SD compared to that of normal and gastric areas. In the pyloric segment, while the number of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) was lesser, the number of smooth muscle cells was higher than in the pyloric segment of controls. CONCLUSIONS: The spectral differentials depend on the type, population and condition of locally specialized muscular mechanism which can be affected from HPS. The HPS also has a relation to specific cells, such as ICC that generates NO, provoke the spontaneous pacemakers and biological slow waves (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 19).