Electrochemical Properties of Fused Pyrimidine-Triazole Heterocyclic Molecules as Novel Drug Candidates.

Objectives: Triazolopyrimidinones are compounds used in medicinal chemistry. In this study, three novel triazolopyrimidinone derivatives were synthesized as drug candidates: (5-(chloromethyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7(3H)-one) (S1-TP), 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(piperidinomethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7(3H)-one) (S2-TP), and 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(morpholinomethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-7(3H)-one) (S3-TP). Their electrochemical properties were investigated for the first time using voltammetric techniques on carbon graphite electrodes. Moreover, stability tests for each drug candidate were performed on different days. After revealing the electrochemical properties of the drug candidates, their effect on double-stranded (ds) DNA was examined by measuring the oxidation currents of the guanine of dsDNA before and after the interaction. Materials and Methods: An electrochemical setup that included a pencil graphite electrode as the working electrode, an Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and a platinum wire as the auxiliary electrode was used in this study. Experiments for optimum pH, scan rate, and concentration of drug candidates were conducted. The interaction between Ss-TP and dsDNA was evaluated using differential pulse voltammetry. The stability of each drug candidate was tested on various days. Results: A comprehensive characterization of the S1-TP, S2-TP, and S3-TP compounds was performed for the first time. This study showed that the electrochemical oxidation of S1-TP and S2-TP was irreversible and diffusion-controlled. In addition, the transfer of electrons in S3-TP was controlled by adsorption. The interaction between Ss-TP and dsDNA resulted in notable changes in the peak potentialof dsDNA. The dsDNA peak potential shifted negatively after interaction with S1-TP, S2-TP, and S3-TP. Under optimum conditions, the detection limits for S1-TP, S2-TP, and S3-TP were 1.5 µg/mL, 1.0 µg/mL, and 2.0 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: From our experimental data, we concluded that these molecules can be used as drug molecules because of their remarkable effects on DNA.

Electrochemical profiling of natural furanocoumarins: DNA interaction dynamics of oxypeucedanin and prantschimgin.

Background and purpose: In this study, we present an electrochemical sensor for the detection of oxypeucedanin (Oxyp) and prantschimgin (Pra), two natural furanocoumarin derivatives. The determination of the effects of these molecules on DNA is important to be potential drug candidates. Our research focused on exploring the electrochemical behaviour of these compounds and their interaction with DNA. Experimental approach: The electrochemical properties of Oxyp and Pra were systematically analyzed by evaluating their oxidation currents. Changes in the oxidation currents and peak potentials of guanine bases were monitored before and after interaction in the solution phase and at the electrode surface. Key results: The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for Oxyp were determined to be 1.3 and 4.3 µg/mL, respectively. For Pra, the LOD and LOQ were found to be 20 and 68 µg/mL, respectively. Stability studies demonstrated that the Oxyp solution retained its oxidation capacity for over a month, whereas the Pra solution retained its oxidation capacity for nearly 120 min. Our findings suggest that Oxyp interacts with dsDNA, potentially through electrostatic interactions, showing promise as a potential drug candidate targeting DNA. On the other hand, the interaction of Pra with dsDNA requires further exploration to fully understand its mode of action. Conclusion: The electrochemical sensor developed in this study provides a reliable and efficient method for detecting and analysing the interaction of these natural compounds with dsDNA. Our research contributes to advancing the understanding of the interaction between natural furanocoumarins and dsDNA, laying the groundwork for the design and development of novel and effective DNA-targeted drugs.

Composite Reconstruction With Irradiated Autograft Plus Total Hip Replacement After Type II Pelvic Resections for Tumors Is Feasible but Fraught With Complications.

BACKGROUND: Malignancies involving the pelvic ring present numerous challenges, especially in the periacetabular area. Extensive resection of the pelvic region without reconstruction can lead to severe functional impairment. Numerous reconstructive options exist, but all have drawbacks. Extracorporeally irradiated autografts are one option for reconstruction after periacetabular resections; they offer the potential advantages of eliminating the risk of allogeneic reactions associated with allografts and preserving local anatomy. However, little is known about the durability and risks of this approach in pelvic reconstruction. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What are the survival rates of the autograft used, and if there is graft loss, what is the extent of this loss? (2) What are the functional outcomes after the implementation of this method? (3) What is the rate and nature of complications associated with this approach? METHODS: This is a retrospective case series from one subspecialty tumor unit that evaluated patients treated between January 2005 to January 2022. During that time, three surgeons treated 48 patients with Type II resections (defined as resection of periacetabular area). Patients treated with isolated Type II resections were eligible, as were those treated either with Type I+II resections, Type II+III resections, Type I+II+III resections, and Type I+II+III+IV resections. Of those, 21% (10 of 48) were treated primarily with a cone prosthesis, 13% (6 of 48) were treated without femoral reconstruction, 10% (5 of 48) were treated with resection without reconstruction, and 6% (3 of 48) had a THA on the sacrum, leaving 50% (24 of 48) of patients who were treated with femoral and acetabular reconstruction using extracorporeally irradiated autograft and total hip replacement; those patients were potentially eligible for this study. During that time span, we used this approach in all Type II pelvic resection procedures, when a part of the hemipelvis could be preserved without resection (other than Type I+II+III+IV) and where we predicted that there would be sufficient bone stock after tumor removal. Of those, 21% (5 of 24) were lost to follow-up before 2 years, and 13% (3 of 24) died within 2 years with the reconstruction intact and without any reoperation or graft loss, leaving 67% (16 of 24) for analysis here. Demographic characteristics, type of tumor, tumor origin site, type of applied resection, and extent of applied surgical procedure were noted. Of 16 patients, 12 were male, with a mean age of 38 ± 21 years. Tumor types included chondrosarcoma in eight patients, malignant mesenchymal tumor in four patients, osteosarcoma in two patients, and Ewing sarcoma in two patients. Among these, 10 patients had tumors originating from the pelvis, whereas six patients had tumors originating from the proximal femur. We used a Kaplan-Meier estimator to calculate survivorship free from total or partial graft removal at 72 months. To measure functional results, the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system was utilized at most recent follow-up so as to be able to evaluate the impact of complications (if any) on the ultimate result. The MSTS score ranges from a minimum of 0 points to a maximum of 30 points, where a higher score reflects lower pain and higher functional and emotional capacity. Related complications, time of complications, secondary interventions, and mortality rates were also ascertained from chart review. RESULTS: Graft survival rate at 72 months after initial reconstruction, free from partial or total graft removal, was 50% (95% CI 26% to 75%). Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed estimated mean time of graft removal as 43 months (95% CI 28 to 58). The graft was protected in eight patients on their final follow-up radiographs. The median (range) MSTS score was 18 (6 to 25) of 30 points at most-recent follow-up (these scores include patients who have had their grafts removed). In all, 15 of 16 patients had 17 complications; 16 were major complications (defined as those substantial enough to result in further surgery or a life- or limb-threatening event). A total of 14 of those 15 patients underwent one or more secondary procedures (a total of 21 unplanned additional procedures were performed in those patients). Deep infection was the most common complication, occurring in eight patients. Prosthesis dislocation occurred in four patients. Three patients developed aseptic acetabular component loosening, two had graft fractures, and one patient developed heterotopic ossification. CONCLUSION: Composite reconstruction with extracorporeal irradiated autografts plus total hip replacement is a feasible reconstruction technique after Type II pelvic resections, although complications and reoperations were common. Although no reconstruction technique has been proven superior to other alternatives, the high risk of complications and reoperations associated with this technique should be considered when selecting from among possible alternative reconstruction methods. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Characteristics of femoral neck fractures in osteogenesis imperfecta: Series of four-teen consecutive hips in twelve patients.

INTRODUCTION: While long bone fractures are commonly seen in individuals with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), femoral neck fractures (FNF) are exceedingly rare. There is a lack of comprehensive data regarding the etiology of FNFs, their characteristics, and the treatment protocols. Our aim was to determine the characteristics of femoral neck fractures in children with OI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted as retrospective series covering period of January 2011-December 2022. Total of 14 femoral neck fractures in 12 patients were included into final analysis. Age, gender, fracture location, ambulation level, injury mechanism, Sillence type, pre-fracture collo-diaphyseal angle, presence of previous implants and applied treatments were noted. RESULTS: The mean age was 9.3 (range: 3-16), 8 out of 12 patients were males. Sillence type 3 OI was most common (50 %) type. Among 12 patients, 2 (16.6 %) were restricted ambulatory while 5 (41.6 %) were non-ambulatory. Seven patients had prior femoral implants. Six fractures were managed non-operatively, while others underwent surgery, with cannulated screws (42.8 %) or plate osteosynthesis (7.1 %). All eight cases (100 %) with minor trauma or unknown origin were Sillence type 3-4, displaying varus deformity. FNFs that occured in mobile patients required higher-energy traumas. CONCLUSION: Femoral neck fractures in OI showed differing trauma mechanisms in ambulatory vs. non-ambulatory patients. Non-surgical treatment may be considered with in patients with high-risk anesthesia concerns, requiring higher level clinical studies.

Investigation of the recurrent vitreous hemorrhage risk factors after early 25G vitrectomy in diabetic vitreous hemorrhage.

Vitreous hemorrhage (VH) is one of the main causes of vision loss in diabetic retinopathy (DRP). Early surgery increases the visibility of the retina, allowing early recognition of DRP complications and additional treatments. One of the most important reasons affecting success after surgery is recurrent vitreous hemorrhage (RVH). We aimed to investigate the risk factors for RVH after early 25G vitrectomy in diabetic VH. Eighty eyes of eighty patients who underwent early 25G PPV surgery with a diagnosis of VH due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were included in this retrospective study. Vision acuity changes and intraocular pressure (IOP) changes were compared. The effect of arterial hypertension (HT), coronary artery disease (CAD), preoperative antiglaucomatous usage, and anticoagulant usage on RVH was investigated. A value of P < .05 was accepted as statistically significant. Postoperative RVH was observed in 18 (22.5%) patients. There was no correlation between the age of the patients and the development of postoperative RVH (r = -0.197, P = .08). The rate of HT and the mean HbA1C levels were found to be higher in the patients who developed RVH than in those who did not (P = .04 and < 0.001, respectively). The presence of CAD, preoperative glaucoma disease, and the use of anticoagulants did not have any effect on RVH (P = .229, 0.843, 0.932, respectively). HT and increased HbA1c were found to be risk factors for RVH in VH patients who underwent 25G vitrectomy in the early period in our study.

How Does Pupil Size Affect Lens and Corneal Densitometry Measured by Scheimpflug Tomography?

Objectives: To investigate the effects of pupil diameter on the evaluation of lens and corneal densitometry measured by Scheimpflug tomography. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and comparative study used the right eyes of 32 participants. Corneal and lenticular optical densitometries, corneal volume, anterior segment volume, and anterior chamber depth measurements were taken with the Scheimpflug imaging system when the pupils were mid-dilated and fully dilated. The results were statistically compared. Results: The mean lens density was 19.20±3.05 when the pupils were mid-dilated (mean pupil diameter 2.98±0.89 mm) and 23.25±3.88 at full dilation (mean pupil diameter 5.01±0.92 mm) (p<0.001). The mean corneal density was 16.15±0.99 with mid-dilated pupils and 16.38±0.95 with fully dilated pupils (p=0.065). Anterior chamber depth and anterior segment volume measurements increased with larger pupil diameter (p<0.05). Conclusion: The lens densitometry values increased with an increase in pupil diameter. The corneal density measurements increased minimally but the differences were not statistically significant. This study revealed that lens densitometry was significantly affected by pupil diameter.

Tumor size and surgical margins are important prognostic factors of synovial sarcoma - A retrospective study.

Background: Synovial Sarcoma (SS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma. Mean time to get a SS diagnosis from the onset of symptoms is 10 years, furthermore, SS is associated with late metastasis. Surgery is the main treatment option, whose quality deeply affects SS outcomes, and it can be associated to preoperative or post-operative radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is considered very effective in Children, while in adults its efficacy is still under debate. The aim of this study was to investigate the oncologic results in SS treatment and to identify the risk factors for local and systemic control of the disease. Methods: From 1994 to 2018, 211 patients affected by SS were treated in 3 Referral Centres of Orthopaedic Oncology. One hundred seventy-seven patients were included in the study, the median follow-up length was 96 months (5-374). Results: Overall Survival on the Kaplan Meier Analyses was 80%, 70% and 56% at 5, 10 and 20 years. In multivariate analyses, OS correlated with tumour size and negative surgical margins. Chemotherapy use wasn't associated with better survival although patients who underwent CT had bigger and more aggressive tumours. Conclusions: Our findings suggests that surgery with negative margins is the most important factor in Synovial Sarcoma. Adjuvant treatments as chemotherapy and radiation therapy didn't change the disease's course.

A cross-sectional study investigating the effects of argon laser retinal photocoagulation on lens clarity and corneal endothelial cells.

Background: The mechanism of argon laser retinal photocoagulation (ALRP) treatment is to apply thermal-induced retinal pigment epithelium damage. Light passes through the anterior optical segments of the eye to reach the retina. Lens densitometry is a noninvasive and quantitative measurement providing information about corneal and lens clarity. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether laser light affects lens clarity and corneal endothelial cells. Design: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. Methods: Lens densitometric (LD) analysis and specular microscopy were performed before, after, and 1 month after ALRP treatment, by an expert ophthalmologist, blinded to the medical status of the patients. LD analysis was performed using a Pentacam HR (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) and a Specular Microscope CEM-530 (Nidek, Japan) was used for endothelial cell analysis. Results: The evaluation was made on 81 eyes of 41 patients, with a mean age of 54.46 ± 6.7 years. LD, after ALRP, was significantly more than before ALRP (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in LD, before ALRP, and 1 month after ALRP (p = 0.262). There was a statistically significant increase in LD after ALRP compared to before ALRP, but it decreased after 1 month. There was an increase in the coefficient of variance (CV) after ALRP compared to before ALRP but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.188). There was no statistically significant difference in CV between before ALRP and 1 month after ALRP (p = 1.000). There was no statistically significant difference in the cell density, the hexagonality percentage between before ALRP, after ALRP, and 1 month after ALRP (p = 0.993, and 0.863, respectively). Conclusion: ALRP may affect the lens densitometry temporarily during the procedure. Thermal damage may be the reason for increased lens densitometry.

Molsidomine decreases hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats.

BACKGROUND: The study's objective is to evaluate if Molsidomine (MOL), an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic drug, is effective in treating hyperoxic lung injury (HLI). METHODS: The study consisted of four groups of neonatal rats characterized as the Control, Control+MOL, HLI, HLI + MOL groups. Near the end of the study, the lung tissue of the rats were evaluated with respect to apoptosis, histopathological damage, anti-oxidant and oxidant capacity as well as degree of inflammation. RESULTS: Compared to the HLI group, malondialdehyde and total oxidant status levels in lung tissue were notably reduced in the HLI + MOL group. Furthermore, mean superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione activities/levels in lung tissue were significantly higher in the HLI + MOL group as compared to the HLI group. Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß elevations associated with hyperoxia were significantly reduced following MOL treatment. Median histopathological damage and mean alveolar macrophage numbers were found to be higher in the HLI and HLI + MOL groups when compared to the Control and Control+MOL groups. Both values were increased in the HLI group when compared to the HLI + MOL group. CONCLUSIONS: Our research is the first to demonstrate that bronchopulmonary dysplasia may be prevented through the protective characteristics of MOL, an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic drug. IMPACT: Molsidomine prophylaxis significantly decreased the level of oxidative stress markers. Molsidomine administration restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Molsidomine prophylaxis significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Molsidomine may provide a new and promising therapy for BPD in the future. Molsidomine prophylaxis decreased lung damage and macrophage infiltration in the tissue.

What has changed in the last 25 years in osteosarcoma treatment? A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary malignant bone tumor in the extremities. The main purpose of this study was to determine clinical features, prognostic factors, and treatment results of patients with osteosarcoma at our center. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of children with osteosarcoma between the years 1994-2020. RESULTS: 79 patients were identified (54.4% male, 45.6% female). The most common primary site was the femur (62%). Twenty-six of them (32.9%) had lung metastasis at diagnosis. The patients were treated between 1995- 2013 according to the Mayo Pilot II Study protocol, while the others were treated with the EURAMOS protocol between the years 2013-2020. Sixty-nine patients underwent limb salvage surgery as a local treatment, whereas seven underwent amputation. The median follow-up time was 53 months (2.5-265 months). The event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates at 5 years were 52.1% and 61.5%. The 5-year EFS and OS rates were 69.4% and 80% in females; 37.1% and 45.5% in males (p=0.008/p=0.001). The 5-year EFS and OS rates of the patients without metastasis were 63.2% and 66.3%; with metastasis 28.8% and 51.8% (p=0.002/p=0.05). For good-responders, the 5-year EFS and OS rates were 80.2% and 89.1%; while for poor-responders, 35% and 46.7% (p=0.001). Mifamurtide was used in addition to chemotherapy as of the year 2016 (n=16). The 5-year EFS and OS rates were 78.8% and 91.7%, respectively for the mifamurtide group; 55.1% and 45.9%, respectively for the non-mifamurtide group (p=0.015, p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Metastasis at diagnosis and poor response to preoperative chemotherapy were the most important predictors of survival. Females had a better outcome than males. In our study group, the mifamurtide group`s survival rates were significantly higher. Further large studies are needed to validate the efficacy of mifamurtide.

Preoperative radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy in extremity soft tissue sarcomas: long-term results of a single center.

PURPOSE: To assess oncological outcomes of patients receiving neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremities. METHODS: Patients who were treated with preoperative radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy-3 cycles of mitomycin/doxorubicin/cisplatin (MAP) or 2-4 cycles of doxorubicin/cisplatin (AP)-followed by surgery were analyzed retrospectively. Survival rates were estimated, and prognostic factors were identified. RESULTS: Between 1994 and 2017, a total of 108 patients were included. Median ages were 43 years and 51 years for patients receiving MAP and AP, respectively. The 5­year local relapse-free survival (LRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) were 94.1, 63.6, 75.3, and 71.9%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, significant predictors were identified as follows: de novo or R1/R2 resected tumor on admission before RCT (p = 0.017; hazard ratio [HR] 0.112, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.019-0.675) and R0 resection after RCT (p = 0.010; HR 0.121, 95% CI 0.024-0.598) for LRFS; female gender (p = 0.042; HR 0.569, 95% CI 0.330-0.979) and liposarcoma histology (p = 0.014; HR 0.436, 95% CI 0.224-0.845) for DFS; liposarcoma histology (p = 0.003; HR 0.114, 95% CI 0.027-0.478) and AP regimen (p = 0.017; HR 0.371, 95% CI 0.165-0.836) for DSS; age ≤ 45 years (p = 0.043; HR 0.537, 95% CI 0.294-0.980) and liposarcoma histology (p = 0.006; HR 0.318, 95% CI 0.141-0.716) for OS, respectively. CONCLUSION: An increased risk for local failure seems to exist for patients with relapsed tumor on admission and having positive surgical margins after neoadjuvant RCT. Intensity of chemotherapy influenced DSS but not OS, which could be due to younger patients receiving MAP.

The Healing Effect of Digoxin on Peripheral Nerve Damage and Its Relation to IL-17/IL-10.

AIM: To demonstrate the curative effect of digoxin on peripheral nerve damage with its anti-inflammatory role on interleukin (IL)-17. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 30 male Sprague Dawley albino mature rats, of which 10 formed the control group, 10 were surgically treated and administered saline (group S), and another 10 were surgically treated and administered digoxin (group D). Motor functions and immunohistochemical and biochemical variables of the rats were assessed after therapy. RESULTS: The amplitude of the inclined plane test scores and the compound muscle action potential levels were greater in group D than in group S. Likewise, there were higher nerve growth factor percentages, higher axon counts, and lower fibrosis score percentages in group D than is group S. Lastly, lower tissue malondialdehyde and plasma IL-17 levels were determined in group D, while the IL-10 level was higher. CONCLUSION: Digoxin contributes to nerve healing and neuroprotective effect by demonstrating its anti-inflammatory effect on IL-17. It can be considered an adjunctive therapy for peripheral nerve injury.

Combined (dual) drug therapy for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus: last approach prior to ligation.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined (ibuprofen+paracetamol) medical therapy in cases of persistent haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus that are resistant to standard medical monotherapy (ibuprofen and/or paracetamol) in this retrospective multi-centre study. METHODS: The combined therapy included the administration of 15mg/kg/dose of paracetamol every 6 h for 3 days and ibuprofen at an initial dose of 10mg/kg/dose followed by 5 mg/kg/dose every 24 h. After 2 days following the administration of the last dose, the researchers evaluated the efficacy of combined treatment by conducting an echocardiographic examination. RESULTS: Of all 42 patients who received combined therapy, 37 (88.1%) patients exhibited closure of the haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus without requiring surgical ligation. Patients who did not respond to combined therapy had a higher mean birth weight and gestational age compared to those who responded (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The researchers believe the success of ibuprofen and paracetamol in haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus treatment may be due to their synergistic efficacy and inhibition of the prostaglandin synthesis pathway through different enzymes. The results of our retrospective trial suggest that combination therapy with paracetamol and ibuprofen can be attempted when monotherapy is unsuccessful in treating haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus, especially in centres without a surgical department.

Acute kidney injury and peritoneal dialysis in extremely low birth weight newborns.

BACKGROUND: In 12.5-56% of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants treated in newborn units, acute kidney injury (AKI) develops. Some of these infants may need renal replacement therapy for several reasons including hyperkalemia, hypovolemia and resistant acidosis. METHODS: All ELBW infants who were followed in our hospital between January 2015 and December 2017 and who lived longer than 48 hours were assessed. Patients were followed for AKI and peritoneal dialysis (PD). RESULTS: AKI developed in 25 of 201 ELBW infants. PD was administered to nine patients. PD was initiated at a median of 11 days (2-22 days) for all patients due to hyperkalemia which did not respond to medical treatment. Three of the nine infants who received PD died while dialysis was ongoing. The remaining six patients completed PD successfully. In these patients, the serum potassium value returned to normal in three days, and dialysis was continued for a median of 93 hours (40-172 hours). Dialysis leakage occurred in two patients, and hyperglycemia developed in two patients. On average, diuresis started at the 25th hour (8-40th hour). CONCLUSIONS: In the renal failure treatment of ELBW infants, PD is the only option which can be used for many units. It was found that in ELBW infants, who had wider peritoneal surface when compared to their body weight, biochemical values recovered rapidly with PD, and diuresis started a short while later in most patients.

Mortality related factors on hypoxic ischemic encephalopathic patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia: an 11-year single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that may cause multiple organ dysfunction and has a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia is the only proven treatment that decreases the sequel and mortality rate of neonates that are born after 36 weeks of pregnancy and have moderate-severe HIE. METHODS: Our study was a single-center, retrospective study that includes newborns (gestational age ≥ 36 weeks) who underwent therapeutic hypothermia due to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy between 2010 and 2020. We evaluated 125 patients who were diagnosed with moderate to severe HIE and received therapeutic hypothermia. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from electronic medical records and patient files. The patients were separated into two groups as exitus group (n = 39) and discharged group (n = 86). We aimed to evaluate factors affecting mortality. RESULTS: We determined that the median resuscitation times were longer in the delivery room [retrospectively, 10th minutes (0-30) vs. 1 min (0-20), p < 0.05], the tenth min APGAR scores were lower [respectively, 4 (0-7) vs. 6 (3-10), p < 0.05], and the median pH value in the first blood gas taken was lower [respectively, 6.87 (6.4-7.14) vs. 6.90 (6.58-7.12), p < 0.05] in the exitus group. We also determined that multiple organ dysfunction is seen more often in the exitus group. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrated that the depth of acidosis in the blood gas, multiple organ dysfunction, and the existence of early-onset seizures are the signs of poor prognosis. Therefore, physicians need to be aware of such prognostic factors to follow these patients more closely in terms of possible complications and to inform their parents.

Elucidating Interfacial Chain Conformation of Superhydrophilic Polymer Brushes by Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy.

Surface-tethered macromolecules (polymer brushes) are a potent means to modify surfaces with stimuli-responsive properties while avoiding delamination problems. This vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy study describes how the conformation of hydrophilic polymer brushes changes in response to environmental conditions, that is, changes in humidity (in air) and upon exposure to liquid water. Three hydrophilic brushes were prepared on silicon oxide surfaces by surface-initiated reversible deactivation radical polymerization of cationic (quaternary ammonium), anionic (sulfonate), and zwitterionic (containing both) monomers. The average tilt angle of methyl groups was analyzed and used to deduce the chain conformations of the polymer brushes. In air, the brush films absorb water and swell with increasing humidity. This is accompanied by the rotation of interfacial polymer chains. The degree of water uptake and chain conformation vary with the nature of the charged hydrophilic moieties. The hydrophilic polymer brush surfaces appear to remain relatively dry except in near-condensation conditions. In water, the quaternary ammonium groups of cationic and zwitterionic brushes are aligned nearly parallel to the surface. The anionic brush chains appear to assume nearly random conformations in water.