The importance of GRACE risk score in the development of high-grade atrioventricular conduction blocks after non-st-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The development of high-grade atrioventricular block (HG-AVB) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) increases morbidity and mortality rates. A significant portion of HG-AVBs resolve spontaneously after revascularization. We aimed to evaluate the power of the GRACE scoring system in predicting the development of HG-AVB and its importance in determining the need for cardiac pacemakers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who applied to our center between July 2020 and February 2023 were included in the study. 600 patients [340 (56.6%) male, mean age 65.4±13.6] without ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI) and who underwent revascularization were evaluated within the scope of the study. The heart rhythms of the patients were evaluated from the electrocardiograms (ECG) at admission. Patients with HG-AVB and other patients were divided into two groups. The heart rhythms of these patients were evaluated during their hospitalization. Then, HG-AVB patients were also divided into two groups (with and without PPM need). Demographic, laboratory, angiographic, and echocardiographic characteristics of these patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Morbidity and mortality were higher in the HG-AVB group. These patients had longer intensive care and hospital stays. The mean age, creatinine value, GRACE score (GS), total cholesterol (TC), and RCA lesion rates were higher in the HG-AVB group; hemoglobin level was found to be lower. As a result of regression analysis, RCA lesion, hemoglobin value, GRACE score, creatinine, and TC levels were predictors of HG-AVB development. In determining the need for PPM, these variables were found to be effective. ROC analysis was performed for GS, which predicted the development of HG-AVB, and the cut-off value was found to be 185.5. CONCLUSIONS: The development of HG-AVB after NSTEMI is an important health problem. By detecting these patients and those who may need PPM beforehand, various complications can be prevented, and the length of stay in the hospital can be shortened. Calculation of GS is an important parameter that can be used to predict the development and course of HG-AVB.

On Zagreb coindices and Mostar index of [Formula: see text] nanotubes.

Topological indices are valuable tools in predicting properties of chemical compounds. This study focuses on degree-based topological indices, which have shown strong correlations with various physico-chemical properties such as boiling points and strain energy. Specifically, we applied these indices to titania nanotubes [Formula: see text] and explored the vertex and edge versions of the Mostar index. These findings provide insights into the properties of [Formula: see text] nanotubes and contribute to the development of topological indices for predicting the behavior of other chemical compounds.

Biocontrol Potential of Endophytic Plant-Growth-Promoting Bacteria against Phytopathogenic Viruses: Molecular Interaction with the Host Plant and Comparison with Chitosan.

Endophytic plant-growth-promoting bacteria (ePGPB) are interesting tools for pest management strategies. However, the molecular interactions underlying specific biocontrol effects, particularly against phytopathogenic viruses, remain unexplored. Herein, we investigated the antiviral effects and triggers of induced systemic resistance mediated by four ePGPB (Paraburkholderia fungorum strain R8, Paenibacillus pasadenensis strain R16, Pantoea agglomerans strain 255-7, and Pseudomonas syringae strain 260-02) against four viruses (Cymbidium Ring Spot Virus-CymRSV; Cucumber Mosaic Virus-CMV; Potato Virus X-PVX; and Potato Virus Y-PVY) on Nicotiana benthamiana plants under controlled conditions and compared them with a chitosan-based resistance inducer product. Our studies indicated that ePGPB- and chitosan-treated plants presented well-defined biocontrol efficacy against CymRSV and CMV, unlike PVX and PVY. They exhibited significant reductions in symptom severity while promoting plant height compared to nontreated, virus-infected controls. However, these phenotypic traits showed no association with relative virus quantification. Moreover, the tested defense-related genes (Enhanced Disease Susceptibility-1 (EDS1), Non-expressor of Pathogenesis-related genes-1 (NPR1), and Pathogenesis-related protein-2B (PR2B)) implied the involvement of a salicylic-acid-related defense pathway triggered by EDS1 gene upregulation.

Characterization of Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain S4C11: In vitro, in planta, and in silico analyses reveal a plant-beneficial microbe.

Despite sharing many of the traits that have allowed the genus Bacillus to gain recognition for its agricultural relevance, the genus Lysinibacillus is not as well-known and studied. The present study employs in vitro, in vivo, in planta, and in silico approaches to characterize Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain S4C11, isolated from the roots of an apple tree in northern Italy. The in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that strain S4C11 possesses an antifungal activity against different fungal pathogens, and is capable of interfering with the germination of Botrytis cinerea conidia, as well as of inhibiting its growth through the production of volatile organic molecules. In planta assays showed that the strain possesses the ability to promote plant growth, that is not host-specific, both in controlled conditions and in a commercial nursery. Biocontrol assays carried out against phytopathogenic viruses gave contrasting results, suggesting that the strain does not activate the host's defense pathways. The in silico analyses were carried out by sequencing the genome of the strain through an innovative approach that combines Illumina and High-Definition Mapping methods, allowing the reconstruction of a main chromosome and two plasmids from strain S4C11. The analysis of the genes encoded by the genome contributed to the characterization of the strain, detecting genes related to the biocontrol effect detected in the experimental trials.

Towards Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture: An evaluation of biocontrol effects, nutritional value, and ecological impact of bacterial inoculants.

Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) is a novel concept in agriculture that considers not only yield, but also nutritional value of produce, sustainability of production, and ecological impact of agriculture. In accordance with its goals, NSA would benefit from applying microbial-based products as they are deemed more sustainable than their synthetic counterparts. This study characterized 3 plant-beneficial bacterial strains (Paenibacillus pasadenensis strain R16, Pseudomonas syringae strain 260-02, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain CC2) on their biocontrol activity and effect on nutritional and texture quality of romaine lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa) in greenhouse. The pathogens used in the trials are Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum. The obtained results indicate that strain R16 had a significant ability to cause a statistically significant reduction in the symptoms caused by both P. ultimum (reduction of 32%) and R. solani (reduction of 42%), while the other two strains showed a less efficient biocontrol ability. Indices of the nutritional quality (content in phenols, carotenoids and chlorophyll) were unaffected by the treatments, indicating that the product was equivalent to that obtained without using the bacteria, while the texture of the leaves benefits from the biocontrol treatments. In particular, the mechanical resistance of the leaves was significantly higher in non-treated plants affected by R. solani but was restored to the values of healthy plants when the bacterial inoculants were present as well. The ecological impact was evaluated by characterizing the bacterial microbiota in bulk soil, rhizosphere, and root in the presence or absence of the inoculants. The composition of the microbiota, analyzed with a Unifrac model to describe beta-diversity, was radically different in the rhizosphere and the root endosphere among treatments, while the bulk soil formed a single cluster regardless of treatment, indicating that the use of these treatments did not have an ecological impact outside of the plant.

The evaluation of malignant mucosal melanoma of nasal cavity with a rare occasion.

Malignant mucosal melanoma is an uncommon disease with a low rate of survival. Malignancies of nasal mucosa which usually presents with nasal obstruction, epistaxis and back drip are difficult to treat and often have poor prognosis. The present case had presented to our clinic with classic symptoms and diagnostic findings of nasal polyposis. Consistently, the patient had previously been diagnosed with and treated for nasal polyposis in another ENT clinic. Physical examination, rhinoscopic examination, computed tomography (CT) scan of the head did not reveal any findings which might imply malignant formations. The operation had been planned for nasal polypectomy and taking deep biopsy specimens. The incised mass showed characteristic features of malignant tissues and the pathology report of the biopsy samples revealed that the specimen showed the histological signs of malignancy. Based on physical examination, CT findings and pathology reports the case was diagnosed as nasal mucosal melanoma. Following an oncosurgical operation, postoperative radio-therapy and chemotherapy were given to the patient and PET/CT examination of the patient did not indicate distant metastases.

Association of soluble ST2 with functional capacity in outpatients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers play an important role in the risk stratification of patients with heart failure (HF). Recent studies have shown that soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), a member of the interleukin 1 receptor family, is associated with disease prognosis in acute and chronic HF. In this study we aimed to investigate the relation between sST2 level and functional capacity in outpatients with systolic HF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 120 HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; EF ≤ 40%). The mean age of patients was 66 ± 11 years. Advanced HF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class III-IV) was observed in 35 patients (29%). RESULTS: sST2 levels were on average higher in patients with NYHA functional classes III and IV than in patients with NYHA functional classes I and II (51 [9-198] vs. 25 ng/ml [9-118], p < 0.001). In a multiple logistic regression model, sST2 level (OR: 1.044, p = 0.004, 95% CI: 1.014-1.075), hemoglobin level (OR: 0.590, p = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.433-0.805), total cholesterol level (OR: 0.977, p = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.962-0.993), and age (OR: 1.066, p = 0.047, 95% CI: 1.001-1.136) were associated with poor functional capacity. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of sST2 for predicting poor functional capacity was >42 ng/ml, with 63% sensitivity and 88% specificity (AUC: 0.810, 95% CI: 0.728- 0.875). CONCLUSION: Higher sST2 levels were strongly associated with poor NYHA functional class, independent of cardiac risk factors, in outpatients with HFrEF.

A cost effective parameter for predicting the troponin elevation in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning: red cell distribution width.

OBJECTIVE: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is very common worldwide. Despite the fact that CO is known to have cardiotoxic effects, as it has non-specific symptoms; cardiotoxicity could easily be overlooked, especially when troponin is not measured. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between troponin I levels and red cell distribution width (RDW) levels, which can be measured rapidly, easily, and affordably in the Emergency Room (ER). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center observational study included a total of 504 consecutive patients, who presented to the ER due to CO poisoning between January 2011 and June 2015. The diagnosis of CO poisoning was made according to the medical history and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level of >5%. Elevated troponin test levels, which measure >0.04 ng/ml for our laboratory, were accepted as positive. RESULTS: Patients (mean age 37±14) were classified into two groups: those who had positive troponin levels (38%) and those that did not. Patients with positive troponin, who were older, had longer CO exposure time and higher creatinine, COHb and RDW levels at the index admission following CO poisoning than patients with negative troponin. In a multivariate logistic regression model with forward stepwise method, age, COHb level, CO exposure time, and RDW (HR=1.681, 95% CI: 1.472-1.934, p<0.001) remained associated with an increased risk of troponin positivity following adjustment for the variables that were statistically significant in the univariate analysis and correlated with RDW. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting to the ER with CO poisoning, RDW can be helpful for the risk stratification of troponin positivity.

Dissociative experiences in bipolar disorder II: Are they related to childhood trauma and obsessive-compulsive symptoms?

The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of dissociative symptoms and whether they are related to childhood trauma and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in bipolar disorder type II (BD-II). Methods Thirty-three euthymic patients (HDRS<8, YMRS<5) and 50 healthy subjects were evaluated by SCID-I and SCID-NP. We excluded all first and second-axis comorbidities. All patients and healthy subjects were examined with the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-53), and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder scale (Y-BOCS). Results In pairwise comparisons between the BD-II and control groups, the total CTQ, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, DES, and total Y-BOCS scores in the BD-II group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). There were five cases with DES scores over 30 (15.2%) and one case (2%) in the control group. DES was weakly correlated with total CTQ and Y-BOCS in patients diagnosed with BD-II (r = 0.278, p < 0.05 and r = 0.217, p < 0.05, respectively). While there was no correlation between total CTQ and Y-BOCS, the CTQ sexual abuse subscale was found to be related to Y-BOCS (r = 0.330, p < 0.05). Discussion These results suggest that there is a relation between childhood traumas and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, or that dissociative symptoms are more associated with anxiety than obsessive symptoms, which prevents the increase of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in BD-II...

Management and outcomes of coronary artery perforations during percutaneous treatment of acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery perforation (CAP) is an infrequent and life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), requiring prompt intervention. There is insufficient data about the prognosis and management of CAP in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study was to investigate the management of CAP in patients with ACS. METHODS: The results of 25 patients with CAP were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients, 14 patients (56%) had ACS. According to the Ellis classification, the grade of perforation was type-I in 8 (32%) patients, type-II in 6 (24%) patients and type-III in 11 (44%) patients. Prolonged balloon inflation was performed to 20 (80%) cases of CAP. It successfully sealed the perforation in three cases of type-I, five cases of type-II CAP and in seven cases of type-III CAP. Seven patients underwent covered stent implantation. Emergent CABG was required in two patients with type-III CAP. In-hospital mortality was not observed in the patients. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of CAP in patients with ACS were similar to patients with stable coronary disease. The continuation of anti-platelet agents after the successful management of CAP may be encouraged in these patients.

Assessment of arterial stiffness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by a novel method: cardio-ankle vascular index.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Increased arterial stiffness is associated with the presence and severity of cardiovascular disease. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a new method for assessment of arterial stiffness that is not influenced by blood pressure at the time of measurement and is significantly correlated with the presence and severity of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether there is an association between the spirometric severity of COPD, according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, with arterial stiffness as assessed by CAVI. METHODS: We enrolled 123 patients with COPD (102 men) followed up by the chest medicine outpatient clinics and 35 healthy subjects (26 men). All patients were assessed with spirometry, CAVI, and clinical history. RESULTS: Patients with COPD had significantly increased CAVI values compared with control subjects (10.37 ± 2.26 vs. 6.74 ± 1.42, p < 0.001). CAVI was correlated with FEV1 % predicted, FEV1/FVC, and COPD stage (r: - 0.54, p < 0.001; r: - 0.58, p < 0.001 and r: 0.78, p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed that CAVI was independently associated with GOLD stages (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, we have shown that increased arterial stiffness assessed by CAVI is associated with the spirometric severity of COPD.

Evaluation of sexual function in patients presenting with Behçet's disease with or without depression.

AIM: Sexual dysfunction has been found in many disorders that are chronic or disabling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual satisfaction levels, sexual function and their relationship with the mental state in a group of patients being followed-up with a diagnosis of Behçet's disease (BD). METHOD: A total of 50 BD patients and 50 control-group subjects were administered the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Golombok Rust Sexual Satisfaction Scale (GRISS) and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX). RESULTS: The ASEX, GRISS total, HDRS and HARS scores were significantly higher in the patient group than the control subjects (P = 0.0001, P = 0.007, P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001 respectively). Sexual dissatisfaction was seen in 40 (80%) of the patient-group and 16 (32%) of the control-group subjects according to the GRISS (P = 0.0001). Female study participants had higher mean scores than the control subjects for the ASEX, GRISS total scores and the GRISS satisfaction, avoidance, vaginismus and orgasm subscale scores (P = 0.0001, P = 0.002, P = 0.02, P = 0.001, P = 0.006, P = 0.03 respectively). Male study participants had different mean scores for the controls regarding the ASEX scores and the GRISS impotence, premature ejaculation, satisfaction and frequency subscale scores (P = 0.01, P = 0.01, P = 0.0001, P = 0.03, P = 0.007 respectively). DISCUSSION: The negative effect of the disorder on the biological and functional status and daily living activities in BD patients also influences the patients' sexual experiences and satisfaction. The negative effects of chronic diseases such as BD should therefore be defined and the disorder evaluated from a wide perspective during the treatment process.

Septal perforators stemming from a very long left main coronary artery.

We report a case of a very long left main coronary artery (58 mm) with septal perforators before bifurcation. The coronary arteries were seen clear of plaques. To the best of our knowledge, this case is very rare because of the existence of the first and second septal perforator arteries originating from a very long left main coronary artery.

Infective endocarditis and spondylodiscitis due to posterior nasal packing in a patient with a bioprosthetic aortic valve.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe form of heart valve disease and is associated with a poor prognosis and high risk of mortality. We report the first known case of bioprosthetic aortic valve endocarditis associated with spondylodiscitis as a result of posterior nasal packing coated with antibiotics but without systemic antibiotic prophylaxis.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in plasma after repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise: the effect of coenzyme Q10.

AIM: The purpose was to determine the changes of oxidative stress and antioxidant markers in plasma after repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise and the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on these changes. METHODS: This randomized, double blind, crossover study was composed of two 8-week periods of supplementation with either 100 mg.day(-1) CoQ10 or placebo. Fifteen healthy and sedentary men participated in the study. Five Wingate tests with 2 min rest between tests were performed. Blood samples were collected at rest, immediately after, 15 and 60 min after the fifth Wingate test for oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, xanthine oxidase and adenosine deaminase) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and uric acid) markers. RESULTS: At baseline exercise session, malondialdehyde increased 15 and 60 min after the exercise compared to the rest and immediately after the exercise. Malondialdehyde at rest, immediately after and 60 min after the exercise decreased with coenzyme Q10 supplementation when compared to baseline. At baseline exercise session, uric acid increased 15 and 60 min after the exercise when compared to the rest. In conclusion, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense increase after repeated short-term supramaximal exercise. CONCLUSION: Coenzyme Q10 supplementation partially prevents the increase in lipid peroxidation after repeated short-term supramaximal exercise.

Association between visual acuity loss and optical coherence tomography findings in patients with late solar retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To describe optical coherence tomography findings in patients with late solar retinopathy and their association with visual loss. METHODS: Twenty-one eyes of 21 patients who had a history of watching a solar eclipse in 1999 with or without visual loss were evaluated with colored and red-free fundus photography and optical coherence tomography analysis using the macular thickness protocol. RESULTS: Ten of the eyes (47.6%) had no visual acuity loss and 11 eyes (52.4%) had visual acuities ranging from 0.3 to 0.8. There was a strong correlation between central foveal thickness and visual acuity. Empty spaces involving the full thickness of the photoreceptor layer band of the entire fovea were observed in 10 eyes and found to be associated with visual acuity loss. Signal defects in the outer and inner segments of the photoreceptors were identified in 12 and 15 eyes, respectively, and were not associated with visual acuity loss. CONCLUSION: Decreased central foveal thickness and full-thickness empty spaces beneath the fovea in optical coherence tomography analysis can be associated with permanent visual acuity loss in patients with a history of watching a solar eclipse.

A case of herpetic keratitis after intravitreal triamcinolone injection.

PURPOSE: We report a case of herpetic epithelial keratitis that developed after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. METHODS: An 81-year-old man with diabetes with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and diffuse macular edema in both eyes received bilateral intravitreal injections of 0.4 mg/0.1 mL of triamcinolone acetonide. RESULTS: Eighteen days after the injections, the patient presented with redness, tearing, foreign body sensation, and decreased visual acuity in the right eye. The cornea showed dendriform ulcers that exhibited positive fluorescein staining. Diagnosis for herpes simplex epithelial keratitis was made, and topical acyclovir ointment therapy was initiated. The epithelial lesions healed after 7 days of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Herpes simplex epithelial keratitis can be a possible complication of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. The course and response to conventional therapy was no different from that of the classical course of the disease.

[Effect of catechins and proanthocyanidins on the initial stage of protein biosynthesis]. / Vliianie katekhinov i proantotsianidinov na nachal'nyi étap biosinteza belka.

Catechins and proanthocyanidins have been studied for their effect on initial stage of the protein biosynthesis. It has been found that (+)-catechin in all concentrations studied does not influence the intensity of t-RNA aminoacylation by 14C-glycine and 14C-arginine. Proanthocyanidins, namely, dimers B-3, B-6 and trimer C2 in the concentration of 10(-3) M completely inhibit the initial stage of the protein biosynthesis.