Mechanistic aspects of functional layer formation in hybrid one-step designed GOx/Nafion/Pd-NPs nanobiosensors.

Amperometric nanobiosensors are crucial time and cost effective analytical tools for the detection of a wide range of bioanalytes, viz. glucose present in complex environments at very low concentrations. Although the excellent analytical performance of nanobiosensors is undoubted, their exact molecular structure often remains unclear. Here, by combining advanced nanoanalytical approaches with theoretical modeling, we conducted a comprehensive study towards the investigation of the molecular structure of a hybrid GOx/Nafion/Pd-NPs layer deposited by electroplating from the multicomponent electrolyte solution on the surface of screen printed electrodes modified with graphene oxide. Specifically, we revealed that Pd2+ cations were adsorbed on GOx amino acid residues, forming the GOx·nPd2+ enzymatic complex. The highest adsorption energy of Pd2+ cations on GOx was found during their interaction with the side chains of basic amino acids and methionine. In addition, we showed and fully validated the end-structure of the one-step designed GOx/Nafion/Pd-NPs nanobiosensor as a structural model mainly composed of GOx and water molecules incorporated into the metal-polymer scaffold. Our approach will thus serve as a guideline for the study of molecular interactions occurring in complex systems and will contribute to the design of the next generation of hybrid nanobiosensors. The proposed mechanism, driving the self-assembly of the hybrid layer, will allow us to construct modular enzymatic nanoanalytical devices with tailored sequences in the future.

Evaluation of tularaemia courses: a multicentre study from Turkey.

In this multicentre study, which is the largest case series ever reported, we aimed to describe the features of tularaemia to provide detailed information. We retrospectively included 1034 patients from 41 medical centres. Before the definite diagnosis of tularaemia, tonsillitis (n = 653, 63%) and/or pharyngitis (n = 146, 14%) were the most frequent preliminary diagnoses. The most frequent clinical presentations were oropharyngeal (n = 832, 85.3%), glandular (n = 136, 13.1%) and oculoglandular (n = 105, 10.1%) forms. In 987 patients (95.5%), the lymph nodes were reported to be enlarged, most frequently at the cervical chain jugular (n = 599, 58%), submandibular (n = 401, 39%), and periauricular (n = 55, 5%). Ultrasound imaging showed hyperechoic and hypoechoic patterns (59% and 25%, respectively). Granulomatous inflammation was the most frequent histological finding (56%). The patients were previously given antibiotics for 1176 episodes, mostly with ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitors (n = 793, 76%). Antituberculosis medications were provided in seven (2%) cases. The patients were given rational antibiotics for tularaemia after the start of symptoms, with a mean of 26.8 ± 37.5 days. Treatment failure was considered to have occurred in 495 patients (48%). The most frequent reasons for failure were the production of suppuration in the lymph nodes after the start of treatment (n = 426, 86.1%), the formation of new lymphadenomegalies under treatment (n = 146, 29.5%), and persisting complaints despite 2 weeks of treatment (n = 77, 15.6%). Fine-needle aspiration was performed in 521 patients (50%) as the most frequent drainage method. In conclusion, tularaemia is a long-lasting but curable disease in this part of the world. However, the treatment strategy still needs optimization.

Tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia as a prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

Inflammatory infiltration with eosinophilia in or around the tumoral tissue varies among the cases with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of the tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) as a predictive factor for the metastatic status in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in patients who had neck dissections. One hundred consecutive specimens from the patients who had been treated surgically for invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx were re-evaluated in terms of TATE. Based on the eosinophil counts per 10 high power field (HPF), the cases were grouped into three different categories (I, II, III) according to three different cut off values (A, B, C). The number of eosinophil cells per 10 HPF for the groups were defined as: IA: 0-10; IB: 11-29; IC: 30 and greater; IIA: 0-20; IIB: 21-39; IIC: 40 and greater; IIIA: 0-30; IIIB: 31-49; IIIC: 50 and greater. Statistical significance between tissue eosinophil counts of the metastatic and non-metastatic lymph node groups were evaluated. This study comprised 97 male and three female patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (mean age 59.9). Forty-five were well differentiated, 50 were moderately differentiated and five were poorly differentiated invasive squamous cell carcinoma. At least one lymph node metastasis was observed in 34 cases. Eosinophil counts varied between 1 and 138 per 10 HPF in the tumor and/or peritumoral areas. In the three distinct categories with three different cut off values of eosinophil cell counts among nonmetastatic cases and cases with lymph node metastasis, correlation of eosinophil counts with lymph node metastasis were statistically insignificant (Crosstabs, χ(2)). Although in the series, numerical values of the TATE seem to be increased in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastasis, this fact has not been confirmed with statistical analysis.

Effect of supervised exercise program including balance exercises on the balance status and clinical signs in patients with fibromyalgia.

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the supervised exercise program including balance exercises was superior to home exercise programs in improving clinical parameters and balance status in patients with FM. Fifty women who were diagnosed with primary FM were assigned into supervised exercise group (Group 1) and home exercise group (Group 2). Evaluation parameters were clinical parameters [pain, number of tender points (NTP), Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)], and parameters associated with balance [timed up and go test (TUGT), four square step test (FSST), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and static balance measurements]. Significant differences were determined between all pre- and post-exercise clinical follow-up parameters at 12th week in Group 1. There was a significant difference only in the BDS score between baseline and at the 24th week. When the changes in balance parameters in Group 1 were investigated, a significant difference was noted at the 12th week in terms of TUGT, FSST, and ABC scale scores compared to baseline; however, the significant change maintained only in ABC scale at the 24th week compared to baseline. Significant differences were noted in all clinical parameters in Group 2 at the 12th week, whereas no difference was observed at the 24th week. Evaluation of balance parameters in Group 2 at the 12th week revealed significant differences in terms of the TUGT, FSST, BBS, and ABC scale scores compared to baseline, whereas 24th week evaluation revealed significant differences only in the BBS and ABC scale scores. When the two groups were compared, a significant difference was observed in favor of Group 2 only for the BBS at the 12th week evaluation. Exercise programs had short-term beneficial effects on either clinical signs or dynamic balance.

Effect of Pilates training on people with ankylosing spondylitis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Pilates on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The study was performed as a randomized, prospective, controlled, and single-blind trial. Fifty-five participants (30 men, 25 women) who were under a regular follow-up protocol in our Rheumatology Clinic with the diagnosis of AS according to the modified New York criteria were included in the study. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups: in group I, Pilates exercise program of 1 h was given by a certified trainer to 30 participants 3 times a week for 12 weeks, and in group II, designed as the control group, 25 participants continued previous standard treatment programs. In groups, pre-(week 0) and post treatment (week 12 and week 24) evaluation was performed by one of the authors who was blind to the group allocation. Primary outcome measure was functional capacity. Evaluation was done using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI). Exploratory outcome measures were Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Chest expansion, and ankylosing spondylitis quality of life (ASQOL) questionnaire. In group I, BASFI showed significant improvement at week 12 (P = 0.031) and week 24 (P = 0.007). In group II, this parameter was not found to have significantly changed at week 12 and week 24. Comparison of the groups showed significantly superior results for group I at week 24 (P = 0.023). We suggest Pilates exercises as an effective and safe method to improve physical capacity in AS patients. Our study is the first clinical study designed to investigate the role of Pilates method in AS treatment. We believe that further research with more participants and longer follow-up periods could help assess the therapeutic value of this popular physical exercise method in AS.

Validation and reliability of the Turkish version of the fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire in patients with low back pain.

AIM: The aim of this study was to translate the questionnaire into Turkish and to investigate the test-retest reliability, construct validity and its sensitivity to change following physical therapy. METHODS: The questionnaire was translated into Turkish using the forward and backward translation technique. Test-retest reliability was assessed with the correlation coefficients. Scale analysis for internal validity, the Cronbach's alpha score was calculated. Construct validity was tested with principal components analysis and was also tested with divergent validity. Following three weeks of treatment, sensitivity to change and responsiveness of the questionnaire was assessed. RESULTS: The questionnaire was applied on 55 patients and high correlations were found on the repeated items 48 hours later. In the scale analysis, the Cronbach's alpha score was found as 0.911 for the total questionnaire. Two factors were found compatible with the original questionnaire with principal components analysis. These two factors explain 61.647% of the total variance in the questionnaire performed on 150 patients. In divergent validity, the fear avoidance beliefs were found in low correlation with the clinical variables. Sensitivity to change and responsiveness of the FABQ was found to be low. CONCLUSIONS: FABQ has sufficient psychometric features for its applicability in the Turkish population with subacute and chronic low back pain.

Cypermethrin-induced histopathological and biochemical changes in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and the protective and recuperative effect of ascorbic acid.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid on the toxicity of cypermethrin's on histopathological lesions in tissues and protein, glycogen levels in Oreochromis niloticus. Nile tilapia was exposed to 0.22 and 0.44 µg/l cypermethrin+control diet, 0.22 and 0.44 µg/l cypermethrin+ascorbic acid supplemented diet for 20 days. The fish were allowed recuperation period of 15 days in pesticide-free water and fed with ascorbic acid suplementation diet. In light microscopic investigation, histopathological lesions were observed in the gill, liver and kidney. The severity of lesions accreted depending on increased pesticide concentration and control diet. Some of the lesions were reversible or at least were less pronounced after recuperation period. Protein levels decreased in some groups after treatment period according to control groups (p<0.05). The highest depletions in liver, muscle and gill protein levels were found in 0.44 µg/l cypermethrin+ascorbic acid supplemented diet group (62.23%), in 0.22 µg/l cypermethrin+control diet group (53.12%) and in 0.44 µg/l cypermethrin+control diet group (61.87%) after 10 days, respectively. These levels increased at the end of the recuperation period. The highest depletion in liver glycogen levels was found in 0.22 µg/l cypermethrin+control diet group (50.50%) after 10 days (p<0.05). At the end of recuperation period, there was no difference between the groups (except 0.22 µg/l cypermethrin+ascorbic acid supplemented diet group) and controls. The decrease of muscle glycogen, except 0.22 µg/l cypermethrin+ascorbic acid supplemented diet group, was recorded at the end of 10 and 20 days. In the recuperation period, an increase was observed at all groups. These results revealed that the histopathology, protein and glycogen can work as good indicators of stress of a toxicant on fish. Ascorbic acid serves fish as an antitoxic agent against pesticide toxicity.

[Diagnostic and prognostic value of ST segment depression greater than or equal to 3 mm during exercise testing]. / Valeur diagnostique et pronostique du sous-décalage du segment ST supérieur ou égal à 3 mm au cours de l'épreuve d'effort.

This study was undertaken to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of ST depression equal to or more than 3 mm during exercise stress testing (EST). Out of 4050 EST performed over an 8 year period, 128 patients (3,2%) had this degree of ST depression. These changes were observed in leads V4 V6 in 92% of cases. Coronary angiography was performed in 56 patients: all had significant coronary artery disease (greater than 50% stenoses) with 50% three vessel, 30% two vessel and only 20% single vessel disease; all patients had at least one severe stenosis (greater than 75%) of a main coronary artery. The predictive value of EST was therefore 100% in the 56 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Angina or ventricular extrasystoles during EST or greater than 5 mm ST depression were predictive of multiple vessel disease. The following correlations were observed between EST and the extent of coronary artery disease: maximal heart rate and systolic pressure were lower, ischemic changes appeared sooner (less than 2 min) and lasted longer during the recovery phase (greater than 7 min) in patients with multiple vessel disease. The 5 year prognosis was studied in 58 patients; it was poor (death or infarction) in 31 cases (53%). The following factors were associated with a poor prognosis: low maximal heart rate and systolic blood pressure, early ischemic changes and frequent ventricular extrasystoles on EST; on the other hand, the development of anginal pain during EST was not of significant prognostic value in this series. ST depression greater than 3 mm on EST is rare.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)