Evaluation of Regio Temporalis in 3 Steps in Terms of Interventional Procedures.

Regio temporalis is a site where botulinum neurotoxin is applied for various medical reasons, such as migraine, bruxism, and myofascial pain syndrome. The region is also one of the target regions in flap surgery. This study aimed to define the region topographically. In addition, it was aimed to reveal the intramuscular nerve distribution of the temporalis.11 fixed cephalus (cadaver head) and 2 fresh cephalus were used. The lateral canthus of the eye was marked as point A, and the middle of the ear tragus as point B. The transverse and vertical distances of the branching point of the superficial temporal artery to the A and B points were measured. Transverse distances of the superficial temporal artery and superficial temporal vein to A and B points were measured. The muscle was examined in 5 equal parts (L0-L1-L2-L3-L4), and each part's vertical muscle and tendon lengths were examined. Intramuscular nerve density was demonstrated by applying the modified Sihler staining to fresh temporalis'. Superficial temporal artery had an average transverse distance of 8.56±1.9 mm in women and 12.56±1.94 mm in men from the middle of the ear tragus. The artery was 64.21±5.59 mm posterior in females and 63.48±6.53 mm in males from the lateral canthus of the eye. Our study determined that the branching point of the superficial temporal artery was below the upper level of the arcus zygomaticus in 10% of cases and above it in 90% of cases. In our study, the L2 point had the highest vertical muscle length at 45.67 mm, while the L3 point had the highest vertical tendon length at 41.25 mm. The point where the muscle length had the highest ratio with 1.49 compared to the tendon length, was the L2 point. The temporalis' for which the modified Sihler staining was applied was examined in 5 quadrants. It was determined that the nerve densities were in the second and third quadrants from anterior to posterior. The distance of superficial landmarks to neurovascular structures is extremely important in interventions to the regio temporalis. Considering the average distances given in our study is important in avoiding damage in surgical procedures and not injecting into vascular structures. The point where the muscle length had the highest ratio of 1.49 compared to the tendon length was the L2 point. The area in line with this point is the most suitable area for injection. The L2 point is also the most suitable area for injection as it has the highest muscle length. Since the nerve densities were observed in the modified Sihler staining applied temporalis' 2 and 3 quadrants from anterior to posterior, botulinum neurotoxin injections to these areas will give more effective results.

Anatomical variations of the zygomaticofacial foramen and its related canal through the zygomatico-orbital and zygomaticotemporal foramina in dry human skulls.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to reveal the location of the zygomaticofacial foramina, the variations of their numbers, and their connections between the zygomatico-orbital and zygomaticotemporal foramina. METHODS: Ethics committee approval of our study was received by the Istanbul Medical Faculty Clinical Research Ethics Committee (date:30.07.2021, number:358356). 171 zygomatic bones of unknown gender from the Department of Anatomy, Istanbul University, were included in this study. The number of zygomaticofacial foramina and their connections with the zygomatico-orbital foramen and the zygomaticotemporal foramina were examined. Also, the morphometric distances between the zygomaticofacial foramen were calculated. Evaluation of the data was done with SPPS v.21. RESULTS: The number of zygomaticofacial foramina was found as 299. It was found single, double, three, four, five and six foramina, in 52 (30.4%), 52 (30.4%), 24 (14.03%), 10 (5.85%), 5 (2.93%), 1 (0.58%) zygomatic bone, respectively. Zygomaticofacial foramen was absent in 27 (15.8%) bones. Of these 299 foramina, 129 were found to be connected with zygomatico-orbital foramen and 23 with zygomaticotemporal foramen. It was noted that 147 zygomaticofacial foramina had no connection with any foramina. The distances between the zygomaticofacial foramen and the frontozygomatic suture, temporal process, maxillary process, the lowest point of the zygomatic bone, and orbital rim were found as 25.30 ± 2.81mm, 18.74 ± 3.56mm, 21.56 ± 4.16mm, 18.72 ± 2.57mm, 6.67 ± 3.27mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Consequently, the location and variations of ZFF are of great importance for maxillofacial surgery and regional block anesthesia. Knowing its location and variations will help prevent complications during any surgical intervention in this region.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC Improves Survival in Peritoneal Metastatic Gastric Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the difference in overall survival (OS) between peritoneal metastatic gastric cancer (PMGC) patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by cytoreductive surgery ± hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS ± HIPEC) and those who did not have surgery but instead received palliative chemotherapy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 80 patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of PMGC, those undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by CRS ± HIPEC (CRS ± HIPEC group) and those receiving chemotherapy only (non-surgical group), in the medical oncology clinic between April 2011 and December 2021. Clinicopathological features, treatments, and OS of the patients were compared. RESULTS: There were 32 patients in the SRC CRS ± HIPEC group and 48 in the non-surgical group. In the CRS ± HIPEC group, CRS + HIPEC was performed on 20 patients, and only CRS was performed on 12 patients. All of the patients who underwent CRS + HIPEC, and 5 of the patients who underwent only CRS received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. While the median OS was 19.7 (15.5-23.8) months in the CRS ± HIPEC group, the median OS was 6.8 (3.5-10.2) months in the non-surgical group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As a result, CRS + HIPEC significantly improves survival in PMGC patients. With experienced surgical centres and appropriate patient selection, the life expectancy of patients with PM can be extended.

Algorithmically Guided Optical Nanosensor Selector (AGONS): Guiding Data Acquisition, Processing, and Discrimination for Biological Sampling.

Here, we report a biomarker-free detection of various biological targets through a programmed machine learning algorithm and an automated computational selection process termed algorithmically guided optical nanosensor selector (AGONS). The optical data processed/used by algorithms are obtained through a nanosensor array selected from a library of nanosensors through AGONS. The nanosensors are assembled using two-dimensional nanoparticles (2D-nps) and fluorescently labeled single-stranded DNAs (F-ssDNAs) with random sequences. Both 2D-np and F-ssDNA components are cost-efficient and easy to synthesize, allowing for scaled-up data collection essential for machine learning modeling. The nanosensor library was subjected to various target groups, including proteins, breast cancer cells, and lethal-7 (let-7) miRNA mimics. We have demonstrated that AGONS could select the most essential nanosensors while achieving 100% predictive accuracy in all cases. With this approach, we demonstrate that machine learning can guide the design of nanosensor arrays with greater predictive accuracy while minimizing manpower, material cost, computational resources, instrumentation usage, and time. The biomarker-free detection attribute makes this approach readily available for biological targets without any detectable biomarker. We believe that AGONS can guide optical nanosensor array setups, opening broader opportunities through a biomarker-free detection approach for most challenging biological targets.

Reprogrammable Gel Electrophoresis Detection Assay Using CRISPR-Cas12a and Hybridization Chain Reaction.

Hybridization chain reaction (HCR) is a DNA-based target-induced cascade reaction. Due to its unique enzyme-free amplification feature, HCR is often employed for sensing applications. Much like DNA nanostructures that have been designed to respond to a specific stimulus, HCR employs nucleic acids that reconfigure and assemble in the presence of a specific trigger. Despite its standalone capabilities, HCR is highly modular; therefore, it can be advanced and repurposed when coupled with latest discoveries. To this effect, we have developed a gel electrophoresis-based detection approach which combines the signal amplification feature of HCR with the programmability and sensitivity of the CRISPR-Cas12a system. By incorporating CRISPR-Cas12a, we have achieved greater sensitivity and reversed the signal output from TURN OFF to TURN ON. CRISPR-Cas12a also enabled us to rapidly reprogram the assay for the detection of both ssDNA and dsDNA target sequences by replacing a single reaction component in the detection kit. Detection of conserved, both ssDNA and dsDNA, regions of tobacco curly shoot virus (TCSV) and hepatitis B virus (HepBV) genomes is demonstrated with this methodology. This low-cost gel electrophoresis assay can detect as little as 1.5 fmol of the target without any additional target amplification steps and is about 100-fold more sensitive than HCR-alone approach.

Regulation of the Peroxidase-Like Activity of nGO, MoS2 and WS2 Nanozymes by Using Metal Cations.

Two dimensional nanoparticles (2D-NPs) along with other nanoscale materials have been deemed to be the next generation of artificial enzymes (nanozymes). The low-cost bulk-scale production, ease of storage and modification of such nanomaterials have given nanozymes an advantage over traditional enzymes. Many studies have been aimed at developing methods to increase the performance of these nanozymes, and also identify interfering agents. To investigate the interference of a number of metal cations, we studied the effect of Ti2+ , Fe2+ , Ag+ , Hg2+ , Co2+ , Cu2+ , Ni2+ , Pb2+ , Ca2+ , Zn2+ and Mn2+ in a nanozyme assays of 2D-NPs using ABTS radical formation. Ti2+ , Co2+ , Cu2+ , Ni2+ , Ca2+ , Zn2+ and Mn2+ ions did not display any notable effect on the peroxidase-like activity of nGO, MoS2 and WS2 2D-NPs. However, Fe2+ , Ag+ , Hg2+ and Pb2+ ions' effects on the overall ABTS reaction were significant enough to be visualised by partial least square discriminant analysis (PLSDA). We report that, similar to that of many natural enzymes, the nanozyme activity of 2D-NPs is regulated by a number of metal cations allowing their identification and discrimination by using a statistical analysis tool.

Probing CRISPR-Cas12a Nuclease Activity Using Double-Stranded DNA-Templated Fluorescent Substrates.

The CRISPR-Cas12a nuclease shreds short single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) substrates indiscriminately through trans-cleavage upon activation with a specific target DNA. This shredding activity offered the potential for development of ssDNA-templated probes with fluorescent dye (F) and quencher (Q) labels. However, the formulations of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)-templated fluorescent probes have not been reported possibly due to unknown (or limited) activity of Cas12a against short dsDNAs. The ssDNA probes have been shown to be powerful for diagnostic applications; however, limiting the probe selections to short ssDNAs could be restrictive from an application and probe diversification standpoint. Here, we report a dsDNA substrate (probe-full) for probing Cas12a trans-cleavage activity upon target detection. A diverse set of Cas12a substrates with alternating dsDNA character were designed and studied using fluorescence spectroscopy. We have observed that probe-full without any nick displayed trans-cleavage performance that was better than that of the form that contains a nick. Different experimental conditions of salt concentration, target concentration, and mismatch tolerance were examined to evaluate the probe performance. The activity of Cas12a was programmed for a dsDNA frame copied from a tobacco curly shoot virus (TCSV) or hepatitis B virus (HepBV) genome by using crRNA against TCSV or HepBV, respectively. While on-target activity offered detection of as little as 10 pM dsDNA target, off-target activity was not observed even at 1 nM control DNAs. This study demonstrates that trans-cleavage of Cas12a is not limited to ssDNA substrates, and Cas12a-based diagnostics can be extended to dsDNA substrates.

Masking the Peroxidase-Like Activity of the Molybdenum Disulfide Nanozyme Enables Label-Free Lipase Detection.

Two-dimensional MoS2 nanoparticles (2D-nps) exhibit artificial enzyme properties that can be regulated at bio-nanointerfaces. We discovered that protein lipase is able to tune the peroxidase-like activity of MoS2 2D-nps, offering low-nanomolar, label-free detection and identification in samples with unknown identity. The inhibition of the peroxidase-like activity of the MoS2 2D-nps was demonstrated to be concentration dependent, and as low as 5 nm lipase was detected with this approach. The results were compared with those obtained with several other proteins that did not display any significant interference with the nanozyme behavior of the MoS2 2D-nps. This unique response of lipase was characterized and exploited for the successful identification of lipase in six unknown samples by using qualitative visual inspection and a quantitative statistical analysis method. The developed methodology in this approach is noteworthy for many aspects; MoS2 2D-nps are neither labeled with a signaling moiety nor modified with any ligands for signal readout. Only the intrinsic nanozyme activity of the MoS2 2D-nps is exploited for this detection approach. No analytical equipment is necessary for the visual detection of lipase. The synthesis of the water-soluble MoS2 2D-nps is low costing and can be performed in bulk scale. Exploring the properties of 2D-nps and their interactions with biological materials reveals highly interesting yet instrumental features that offer the development of novel bioanalytical approaches.

A comparison of noninvasive methods for early detection of hemorrhage: Inferior vena cava ultrasonography and spectrophotometric hemoglobin levels.

OBJECTIVES: Blood hemoglobin concentration measurements using a spectrophotometric method (SpHb), and inferior vena cava ultrasonography (IVC-US) are noninvasive methods used to follow-up hemorrhages. We compared their efficacy using voluntary blood donation as a model of moderate (approx. 500 mL) blood loss. METHODS: In this prospective observational study enrolling blood-donor volunteers (BD) and matched controls, we recorded SpHb, IVC diameters, and vital signs. Changes in variables from baseline were compared between BD and controls using the paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: We included 118 subjects in the BD group and 95 healthy subjects in the control group. Changes in IVC maximum diameter, IVC minimum diameter, pulse rate, mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, and shock index, but not in other variables, were significantly different in the BD and the control group (P < 0.05). IVCmax ≥1.1 mm yielded a 74% sensitivity and 77% specificity (PPV 79.8%, NPV 70.2%) in detecting early hemorrhage. With these cutoff values, IVCmax or PR reached a 90% sensitivity, while IVCmin and PR reached 98% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: IVC ultrasound may be superior to SpHb in predicting blood loss and may be useful in addition to vital signs for its follow-up.

Homologous miRNA Analyses Using a Combinatorial Nanosensor Array with Two-Dimensional Nanoparticles.

A novel combinatorial nanosensor array for miRNA analyses was assembled using the intrinsic noncovalent interactions of unmodified two-dimensional nanoparticles. Discrimination of nine miRNA analogues with as little as a single nucleotide difference was demonstrated under 2 h. All nine targets were identified simultaneously with 95% confidence. The developed nanotechnology offered identification and quantification of unknown targets with unknown concentration. Discrimination of target mixtures from low-to-high ratios was demonstrated. The DNA and RNA analogues of targets were identified using the combinatorial sensory approach. Identification of a target in a complex biological matrix prepared with human urine was demonstrated. The nanosensor array was put together using 15 nanoassemblies (2D-NAs) constructed using three two-dimensional nanoparticles (2D-nps: WS2, MoS2, and nanographene oxide (nGO)) and five rationally designed fluorescently labeled 15-nt-long ssDNAs (probes). In this approach, each target has only a small yet varying degree of complementarity with each of the five probes adsorbed on the 2D-np surface. The probes in each 2D-NA are desorbed from the surface by each target with a different degree that was recorded with fluorescence recovery measurements. The fluorescence data set was processed by partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA), and each target was discriminated successfully. This new approach has a number of advantages over the classical bind-and-release model, typically used for 2D-np based biosensors, and opens greater detection opportunities with 2D-nps.

Systematic Investigation of Two-Dimensional DNA Nanoassemblies for Construction of a Nonspecific Sensor Array.

We have performed a systematic study to analyze the effect of ssDNA length, nucleobase composition, and the type of two-dimensional nanoparticles (2D-nps) on the desorption response of 36 two-dimensional nanoassemblies (2D-NAs) against several proteins. The studies were performed using fluorescently labeled polyA, polyC, and polyT with 23, 18, 12, and 7 nucleotide-long sequences. The results suggest that the ssDNAs with polyC and longer sequences are more resistant to desorption, compared to their counterparts. In addition, 2D-NAs assembled using WS2 were least susceptible to desorption by the proteins tested, whereas nGO 2D-NAs were the most susceptible nanoassemblies. Later, the results of these systematic studies were used to construct a sensor array for discrimination of seven model proteins (BSA, lipase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, protease, ß-galactosidase, and Cytochrome c). Neither the ssDNAs nor the 2D-nps have any specific interaction with the proteins tested. Only the displacement of the ssDNAs from the 2D-np surface was measured upon the disruption of the existing forces within 2D-NAs. A customized sensor array with five 2D-NAs was developed as a result of a careful screening/filtering process. The sensor array was tested against 200 nM of protein targets, and each protein was discriminated successfully. The results suggest that the systematic studies performed using various ssDNAs and 2D-nps enabled the construction of a sensor array without a bind-and-release sensing mechanism. The studies also demonstrate the significance of systematic investigations in the construction of two-dimensional DNA nanoassemblies for functional studies.

Raftlin, presepsin levels and thiol-disulphide homeostasis in acute appendicitis: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate some of the new inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in acute appendicitis. METHODS: This clinical pilot study was conducted at the emergency department of Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey, between January and July 2015, and comprised patients with definitive diagnosis of acute appendicitis and as many healthy controls. Venous blood was collected to assess white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, raftlin, presepsin, total thiol, native thiol and disulphide levels. Alvarado scores of patients were determined at the time of admission. Surgical excisions were sent for pathological examination. The results of histopathology of appendectomy specimens were categorised as non-perforated or perforated appendicitis. RESULTS: There were130 subjects with 65(50%) patients and 65(50%) controls. Serum raftlin, presepsin, white blood count, C-reactive protein and disulphide levels were higher, and the total and native thiol levels were significantly lower in patients compared to controls (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the non-perforated and perforated appendicitis patients regarding all the measured parameters (p>0.05) except mean Alvarado scores which were higher in perforated than non-perforated appendicitis (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were significantly different in acute appendicitis patients compared to healthy controls.

Multiplexed Activity of perAuxidase: DNA-Capped AuNPs Act as Adjustable Peroxidase.

In this study, we have investigated the intrinsic peroxidase-like activity of citrate-capped AuNPs (perAuxidase) and demonstrated that the nanozyme function can be multiplexed and tuned by integrating oligonucleotides on a nanoparticle surface. Systematic studies revealed that by controlling the reaction parameters, the mutiplexing effect can be delayed or advanced and further used for aptasensor applications.

Complex Thermodynamic Behavior of Single-Stranded Nucleic Acid Adsorption to Graphene Surfaces.

In just over a decade since its discovery, research on graphene has exploded due to a number of potential applications in electronics, materials, and medicine. In its water-soluble form of graphene oxide, the material has shown promise as a biosensor due to its preferential absorption of single-stranded polynucleotides and fluorescence quenching properties. The rational design of these biosensors, however, requires an improved understanding of the binding thermodynamics and ultimately a predictive model of sequence-specific binding. Toward these goals, here we directly measured the binding of nucleosides and oligonucleotides to graphene oxide nanoparticles using isothermal titration calorimetry and used the results to develop molecular models of graphene-nucleic acid interactions. We found individual nucleosides binding KD values lie in the submillimolar range with binding order of rG < rA < rC < dT < rU, while 5mer and 15mer oligonucleotides had markedly higher binding affinities in the range of micromolar and submicromolar KD values, respectively. The molecular models developed here are calibrated to quantitatively reproduce the above-mentioned experimental results. For oligonucleotides, our model predicts complex binding features such as double-stacked bases and a decrease in the fraction of graphene stacked bases with increasing oligonucleotide length until plateauing beyond ∼10-15 nucleotides. These experimental and computational results set the platform for informed design of graphene-based biosensors, further increasing their potential and application.

The Effect of Ozonated Olive Oil on Neovascularization in an Experimental Skin Flap Model.

OBJECTIVE: Angiogenesis is an important factor for flap viability. It has been reported that ozonated oil contributed to improved neovascularization in an acute cutaneous wound healing model. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of ozonated olive oil on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated neovascularization of skin flaps in rats. STUDY DESIGN: A skin flap model was established in 21 rats and evaluated within 3 groups. No treatment was given to the rats in group 1. Olive oil and ozonated olive oil were topically applied (twice daily) to the flap surface for 7 days in groups 2 and 3, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to analyze the expressions of VEGF and CD34. RESULTS: The mean numbers of VEGF- and CD34-positive staining microvascular structures were 8.86 (SD, 1.35) and 10.29 (SD, 1.80) in group 1, 15.00 (SD, 1.41) and 15.57 (SD, 1.72) in group 2, and 25.14 (SD, 2.41) and 25.00 (SD, 2.16) in group 3. The VEGF and CD34 expressions in group 3 were significantly higher than those in group 2 (P < .001). Their expressions in group 2 were significantly higher than those in group 1 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Both ozonated olive oil and olive oil improved neovascularization when they were topically applied on skin flaps. The effect of ozone was more prominent.

The overlooked side of convulsion: bilateral posterior fracture and dislocation of proximal humerus.

Injuries after an epileptic convulsion have been seen commonly such as burns, head injury and dislocation of the extremities. But fractures of the extremities due to convulsion are rare. External trauma mechanism is not necessary for extremity fractures. Muscle contractions can cause increased load on the skeleton and it can be complicated by dislocation andor fracture of extremities. Almost 1-4% of all the shoulder dislocations are posterior. In this case report we present a 32 year old male patient who had bilateral posterior fracture and dislocation of proximal humerus after convulsion. We would like to emphasize that it is so important to make systemic examination and evaluation of the patients who were admitted to emergency department after epileptic convulsion.

Monitoring the multitask mechanism of DNase I activity using graphene nanoassemblies.

Here we have demonstrated that graphene serves as a remarkable platform for monitoring the multitask activity of an enzyme with fluorescence spectroscopy. Our studies showed that four different simultaneous enzymatic tasks of DNase I can be observed and measured in a high throughput fashion using graphene oxide and oligonucleotide nanoassemblies. We have used phosphorothioate modified oligonucleotides to pinpoint the individual and highly specific functions of DNase I with single stranded DNA, RNA, and DNA/DNA and DNA/RNA duplexes. DNase I resulted in fluorescence recovery in the nanoassemblies and enhanced the intensity tremendously in the presence of sequence specific DNA or RNA molecules with different degrees of amplification. Our study enabled us to discover the sources of this remarkable signal enhancement, which has been used for biomedical applications of graphene for sensitive detection of specific oncogenes. The significant difference in the signal amplification observed for the detection of DNA and RNA molecules is a result of the positive and/or reductive signal generating events with the enzyme. In the presence of DNA there are four possible ways that the fluorescence reading is influenced, with two of them resulting in a gain in signal while the other two result in a loss. Since the observed signal is a summation of all the events together, the absence of the two fluorescence reduction events with RNA gives a greater degree of fluorescence signal enhancement when compared to target DNA molecules. Overall, our study demonstrates that graphene has powerful features for determining the enzymatic functions of a protein and reveals some of the unknowns observed in the graphene and oligonucleotide assemblies with DNase I.

Discriminating a Single Nucleotide Difference for Enhanced miRNA Detection Using Tunable Graphene and Oligonucleotide Nanodevices.

In this study we have reported our efforts to address some of the challenges in the detection of miRNAs using water-soluble graphene oxide and DNA nanoassemblies. Purposefully inserting mismatches at specific positions in our DNA (probe) strands shows increasing specificity against our target miRNA, miR-10b, over miR-10a which varies by only a single nucleotide. This increased specificity came at a loss of signal intensity within the system, but we demonstrated that this could be addressed with the use of DNase I, an endonuclease capable of cleaving the DNA strands of the RNA/DNA heteroduplex and recycling the RNA target to hybridize to another probe strand. As we previously demonstrated, this enzymatic signal also comes with an inherent activity of the enzyme on the surface-adsorbed probe strands. To remove this activity of DNase I and the steady nonspecific increase in the fluorescence signal without compromising the recovered signal, we attached a thermoresponsive PEGMA polymer (poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) to nGO. This smart polymer is able to shield the probes adsorbed on the nGO surface from the DNase I activity and is capable of tuning the detection capacity of the nGO nanoassembly with a thermoswitch at 39 °C. By utilizing probes with multiple mismatches, DNase I cleavage of the DNA probe strands, and the attachment of PEGMA polymers to graphene oxide to block undesired DNase I activity, we were able to detect miR-10b from liquid biopsy mimics and breast cancer cell lines. Overall we have reported our efforts to improve the specificity, increase the sensitivity, and eliminate the undesired enzymatic activity of DNase I on surface-adsorbed probes for miR-10b detection using water-soluble graphene nanodevices. Even though we have demonstrated only the discrimination of miR-10b from miR-10a, our approach can be extended to other short RNA molecules which differ by a single nucleotide.

A rare cause of pulmonary embolism: panax.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this case report is to present a patient with pulmonary embolism during a high-dose course of panax. CASE: A 41-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with sudden complaints of shortness of breath, sweating,weakness, and loss of conscious after panax pills intake. At pulmonary computed tomography angiography, hypodense filling defect compatible with pulmonary emboli was seen at the bifurcation level of right and left distal pulmonary arteries and at each of pulmonary lobary arteries. The patient was treated with pulmonary artery selective thrombolysis. Conclusion: Herbal products, which are used all over the world to support health, should not be taken indiscriminately because their ingredients' amounts and what kind of adverse effects may come up whether used alone or in combination cannot be known.

The relationship between vascular inflammation and target organ damage in hypertensive crises.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertensive crises, divided depending on the presence of target organ damage (TOD), are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is responsible for the recruitment of monocytes to sites of vascular inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of vascular inflammation in development of TOD. METHOD: The patients were categorized according to the presence of TOD. Thirty-three patients (15 female; mean age, 68 ± 12 y) with TOD and 30 patients (14 female; mean age, 64 ± 12 y) without TOD were included to the study. In addition to routine laboratory parameters, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, uric acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), high sensitive CRP, and plasma MCP-1 levels were evaluated. RESULTS: Neutrophil counts, white blood cells, high sensitive CRP, and uric acid levels were higher in patients with hypertensive crises. More importantly, CRP (7.2 mg/dL [2-37.8 mg/dL] vs 4.6 mg/dL [1.5-14 mg/dL] vs 2.7 mg/dL [1-8.1 mg/dL], P < .01) and MCP-1 levels (546 pg/mL [236-1350 pg/mL] vs 407 pg/mL [78-942 pg/mL] vs 264 pg/mL [34-579 pg/mL], P < .01) were higher in the group with TOD compared with other groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, plasma MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with TOD. According to our results, we suggest that increased vascular inflammation and MCP-1 levels might be associated with the development of TOD in hypertensive crisis.