Characterization of thermoluminescence kinetic parameters of beta irradiated B doped Ca5(PO4)3OH powder obtained from eggshell.

In this study, we have synthesized B doped Ca5(PO4)3OH (HAP) by a sonication chemical method. The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of the family of synthesized samples (B doped Ca5(PO4)3OH (HAP) were investigated using an IRSL-TL 565 nm filter. This gave the highest TL intensity of each phosphor after 2 Gy ß-irradiation. Three TL glow peaks of B doped Ca5(PO4)3OH (HAP) are centered at around 84, 208 and 324 °C (with a heating rate of 2 °Cs-1). The trapping parameters such as activation energy (E), order of kinetics (b), frequency factor (s) were calculated by using initial rise (IR), various heating rates (VHR) and computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) method. The response of TL glow curves remained constant within ±5% deviation from the initial value after 9 cycles of reuse; but only at tenth cycle the deviation goes up to 6%.

MDeePred: novel multi-channel protein featurization for deep learning-based binding affinity prediction in drug discovery.

MOTIVATION: Identification of interactions between bioactive small molecules and target proteins is crucial for novel drug discovery, drug repurposing and uncovering off-target effects. Due to the tremendous size of the chemical space, experimental bioactivity screening efforts require the aid of computational approaches. Although deep learning models have been successful in predicting bioactive compounds, effective and comprehensive featurization of proteins, to be given as input to deep neural networks, remains a challenge. RESULTS: Here, we present a novel protein featurization approach to be used in deep learning-based compound-target protein binding affinity prediction. In the proposed method, multiple types of protein features such as sequence, structural, evolutionary and physicochemical properties are incorporated within multiple 2D vectors, which is then fed to state-of-the-art pairwise input hybrid deep neural networks to predict the real-valued compound-target protein interactions. The method adopts the proteochemometric approach, where both the compound and target protein features are used at the input level to model their interaction. The whole system is called MDeePred and it is a new method to be used for the purposes of computational drug discovery and repositioning. We evaluated MDeePred on well-known benchmark datasets and compared its performance with the state-of-the-art methods. We also performed in vitro comparative analysis of MDeePred predictions with selected kinase inhibitors' action on cancer cells. MDeePred is a scalable method with sufficiently high predictive performance. The featurization approach proposed here can also be utilized for other protein-related predictive tasks. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The source code, datasets, additional information and user instructions of MDeePred are available at https://github.com/cansyl/MDeePred. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Diagnostic value of copeptin in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of copeptin in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and to compare the diagnostic efficacy of copeptin with other cardiac markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 160 cases were enrolled in the study. All were over 18 years of age, and consisted of 54 non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI), 54 ST segment elevation MI (STEMI), and 52 healthy subjects (controls). Serum troponin-I, CK-MB mass, copeptin and CRP levels were measured in each of the cases, and were compared between the three groups for statistical differences. RESULTS: The copeptin levels in the STEMI (p < 0.001) and NSTEMI (p = 0.042) groups were found to be significantly higher than the control group. Spearman's correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the level of copeptin and the presence of AMI (r = 0.285, p < 0.001), CK-MB mass (r = 0.246, p = 0.002), and troponin-I (r = 0.199, p = 0.012). Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values of the tests, according to ROC analysis performed for the diagnosis of AMI were; troponin-I > 0.1 ng/mL (71.0%, 100.0%, and 0.855); CK-MB mass > 3.59 ng/mL (77.8%, 92.3%, and 0.911); CRP > 6.37 mg/L (53.7%, 88.5%, and 0.769); and copeptin > 2.47 ng/mL (66.7%, 75.0%, and 0.676), respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac troponin remains the gold standard biomarker for the diagnostic evaluation of AMI. Copeptin can be used as a diagnostic marker in patients with suspected AMI in combination with other biomarkers, but, copeptin alone should not be considered as a single diagnostic marker in patients with suspected AMI.

High hemodialysis vascular access flow and impaired right ventricular function in chronic hemodialysis patients.

There are limited data showing right ventricular preload increase due to high-flow arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). This cross-sectional study investigated whether high AVF flow had an impact on right ventricular function in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Sixty-four patients aged between 18 and 85 years who were on routine hemodialysis with >2 hemodialysis sessions per week for at least 3 months via an AVF were studied. Patients with inadequate flow fistulas, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of pulmonary embolism, primary pulmonary hypertension, severe mitral, aortic or pulmonary regurgitation, and/or stenosis were excluded. After an initial evaluation, 44 patients (mean age: 58.50 ± 16.84, male:female = 23:21) were considered eligible. Right ventricular function was assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). AVF blood flow was measured with duplex ultrasound. There were 15 patients (34.1%) with a TAPSE of <16 mm. AVF blood flow was significantly higher in patients with impaired versus normal right ventricular function (1631.53 ± 738.17 vs. 1060.55 ± 539.92 min/ml, respectively, P = 0.003). Low left ventricular ejection fraction (odds ratio [OR]: 1.15, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.007-1.334, P = 0.04), high interventricular septum thickness (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.104-2.464, P = 0.01), and high AVF blood flow (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 1.000-1.003, P = 0.03) were independent predictors of impaired right ventricular function. In addition to known risk factors that predominantly increase right ventricular afterload, excessive AVF blood flow was found to be independently associated with impaired right ventricular function, possibly by increasing right ventricular preload.

A Very Rare Case -  Hairy Cell Leukemia in Patient with Sarcoidosis.

Although the coexistence of hairy cell leukemia with sarcoidosis has been reported in a few cases in the literature, in our case the patient had been diagnosed and followed about 10 years with sarcoidosis and massive splenomegaly. It has been demonstrated that T helper 1 cells exist in organs influenced by sarcoidosis. These cells produce IL-2 and IFN-γ and induce a nonspecific inflammatory response and granuloma formation. Also these cytokines may play a role in the development of hairy cell leukemia.Key words: hairy cell leukemia -  sarcoidosis - massive splenomegaly.

Omental torsion without a whirl sign.

Omental torsion is a very rare cause of acute abdomen. Its primary diagnostic modality is CT. The whirl sign visible in CT images is pathognomonic. The whirl sign is not present in all cases. When no whirl sign is seen, omental torsion is rather difficult to be differantieted radiologically from omental infarct and epiploic appendicitis. The diagnosis of these three entites is clinically important due to their different treatments. We present in this paper an omental torsion case where whirl sign was not present and diagnosis was made by other suggestive CT image findings.

Degradation of xenobiotic substances using sulfate-reducing bacteria in a UASB reactor.

An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor was successfully applied to continuous degradation of ferric ethylene diamine tetraacetate (Fe-EDTA) as a typical xenobiotic substance contained in photo-processing wastewater. The sludge in the UASB reactor had an abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), which had been anaerobically cultivated in a sulfate-rich culture medium including Fe-EDTA and yeast-extract as the carbon sources. Since the prominent reductions of Fe-EDTA and sulfate ion were observed, the contribution of SRB to Fe-EDTA degradation in the UASB reactor was confirmed. The aggregated sludge in the UASB reactor became gradually large reaching steady state with an equivalent diameter of 60-90 microm after 124 days operation. An increase of the amount of yeast extract addition to feed solution improved the Fe-EDTA removal efficiency up to 90%. Moreover, the combination of ozone treatment with SRB treatment further improved removal efficiency of total organic carbon (TOC) in an actual photo-processing wastewater composed of fixing and developing wastes.

A new test for superficialis flexor tendon function.

Diagnosis of flexor digitorum superficialis tendon injury is difficult if the profundus tendon functions properly. A new test, called the DIP extension test, to diagnose isolated flexor digitorum superficialis tendon injuries is described. The test is particularly useful for the index finger. During the test the patient is asked to flex the proximal interphalangeal joint of the injured finger while this finger is in a precision pinch position with the thumb. The distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint normally has to go in hyperextension after this action. Inability to hyperextend the DIP joint confirms a superficialis tendon injury. Fifteen isolated superficialis tendon injuries in 10 patients were evaluated with the DIP extension test. Nine of these patients were later explored and the diagnosis was confirmed in all patients.

The effects of VEGF on survival of a random flap in the rat: examination of various routes of administration.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on survival of a full thickness random pattern, McFarlane musculocutaneous flap in the rat. In addition, this study examined a number of different methods of VEGF delivery in an attempt to determine the most effective route of administration. A 2 x 8 cm full thickness dorsal flap with the pedicle remaining attached at the anterior end was elevated in 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were randomised into six groups and immediately received the following treatment: Group I (n = 12): systemic VEGF injection into the femoral vein (50 microg/ml); Group II (n = 10): multiple systemic VEGF injections at 0, 24 and 48 h post flap elevation (50 microg/ml); Group III (n = 12): subdermal VEGF injection into the flap (1 microg/ml); Group IV (n = 12): subfascial VEGF injections into the recipient bed (1 microg/ml); Group V (n = 10): topical VEGF onto the recipient bed (1 microg/ml); Group VI (n = 16): control group with no treatment. Following 5 days recovery, the area of flap survival was measured. Mean flap survival ranged from 91% in Group II to 78% in Group V, and was significantly greater in all experimental groups (P< 0.001 for Groups I-IV and P< 0.05 for Group V) as compared to the control group (mean survival of 66%). The only significant difference between the experimental groups was between the mean survival in Group II and Group V (P< 0. 05). Histological analysis demonstrated a qualitatively greater amount of granulation tissue and neovascularisation in the experimental groups. These results support the notion that VEGF rescues tissue at risk of hypoxic damage by inducing angiogenesis, and the use of growth factors such as VEGF holds promise as a method of increasing skin viability.

Saphenous neurocutaneous island flap model in the rat: evaluation of vascular supply.

Neurocutaneous flaps are utilized routinely in reconstructive surgery and even more so during the past decade. In this study, the vascular supply of the neurocutaneous flap in the rat model is presented and evaluated. Thirty-six flaps (3.5x3 cm2) were dissected on the medial aspect of the leg based on a pedicle of the saphenous nerve, saphenous artery, great saphenous vein, and the surrounding fascial tissues. Animals in the experiment were divided into five groups with different circulatory patterns of pedicle dissections. In group I (N = 12), the pedicle artery, vein, nerve, and fascia were preserved. In group II (neurocutaneous flap model, N = 24), the saphenous artery was transected and the vein, nerve, and fascia were preserved. In group III (intraneural vascular plexus circulation pattern, N = 12), the saphenous artery and the fascia were transected. In group IV (extraneural vascular plexus circulation pattern, N = 12), the saphenous artery and nerve were transected. In group V (N = 12), the entire pedicle was transected completely. Flap survival was evaluated grossly on postoperative day 7. All flaps survived in group I, but in group II 19 of 24 flaps survived completely, 3 of 24 had partial necrosis, and 2 of 24 were completely necrotic. Complete necrosis was observed in all group III flaps. In group IV, 6 of 12 flaps survived completely, 3 of 12 flaps survived partially, and 3 of 12 flaps were necrotic (p<0.05 vs. group I). Only one flap with partial necrosis survived in group V. In group II, the average survival area was not significantly different from group I (p>0.05). In conclusion, the saphenous neurocutaneous flap in the rat is a reliable microsurgical model. The saphenous neurocutaneous flap is commonly supplied by both the intraneural and extraneural vascular plexus, and although the latter is more important, neither provides sufficient vascular supply on its own.

Prolonged perivascular use of verapamil or lidocaine decreases skin flap necrosis.

During this experiment the authors investigated whether prolonged local use of verapamil or lidocaine prevents vasoconstriction and establishes better blood supply to the rat epigastric skin flap, hence reducing the necrosis that occurs otherwise. Abdominal wall skin flaps of 45 Sprague-Dawley rats, based on a single pedicle of the femoral vessels, were elevated. A subcutaneous pocket for the microport valve was created, and the adjacent catheter tip was sewn next to the femoral vessels. In the control and the two treatment groups, 0.5 ml saline or vasodilator solution respectively was injected through the microport every 12 hours for 5 days. On postoperative day 5 there was no statistical difference between the flap surfaces in all groups. The area of flap necrosis was significantly lower in the verapamil- (p = 0.001) and the lidocaine-treated (p = 0.012) groups vs. the control group as determined by analysis of variance with Bonferroni's post hoc test. In conclusion, topical application of verapamil and lidocaine solutions for 5 postoperative days decreased flap marginal necrosis significantly. Prolonged injection of vasodilators in the vicinity of the vascular pedicle prevents vasospasm and improves blood supply to the flap.