OCTA evaluation of posterior ocular blood flow in patients after COVID-19 infection without pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to demonstrate the changes in optic nerve and retinal microvascular structures with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) in patients who had COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Prospective study. Retina, choroid and optic nerve head microvascular flow and vascular densities of both groups were measured by OCTA. RESULTS: OCTA measurements of 122 right eyes of a total of 122 patients, including 72 patients in the COVID-19 group and 50 patients in the control group, were included in the study. The Deep Capillary Plexus (DCP) Flow Area (FA) in the COVID-19 group was 1.42±0.23 mm2, in the control group was 1.50±0.15 mm2, Choriocapillary Plexus FA was 1.89±0.04 mm2 in the COVID-19 group, was 1.91±0.05 mm2 in the control group, and a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (respectively; P=0.03; P=0.02). DCP Whole Vascular density (VD) values were 56.76±4.16% in the COVID-19 group, 58.28±3.88% in the control group; difference between the values was statistically significant (P=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of optic nerve head flow areas and other parameters examined according to quadrants. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that the retinal microcirculation in subjects with mild disease is affected. Even if the disease is mild, patients may need to be followed up for retinal changes that may develop in the future.

The protective effects of hesperidin pretreatment on kidney and remote organs against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

OBJECTIVE: As an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, Hesperidin was investigated to prove whether it prevents damage to the kidney and lung tissues of rats undergoing renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups of rats were set, including eight subjects each as Group 1 (control), Group 2-RIR (renal ischemia reperfusion), Groups 3 and 4 as pretreatment groups (50 HES, 100 HES). RESULTS: According to our results, Hesperidin pretreatment improved the biochemical and histopathological parameters in kidney and lung tissues of rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury. Besides, a 100 mg/kg dose of Hesperidin was found to be more beneficial to the rats than 50 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that Hesperidin is protective against renal and lung tissues of rats that underwent ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Environmental variables database from a Miocene marine stratigraphic section: A multivariate statistical analysis.

The data presented here are related to the research article "Miocene Atlantic transgressive-regressive events in northeastern and offshore Patagonia: A palynological perspective" (Guler et al. 2021; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2021.103239). A total of 60 drilled cutting samples from a 580 m-thick subsurface stratigraphic section (YPF.Ch.PV.es-1 borehole) in Península Valdés, Chubut Province, Argentina, collected every 10 m, were processed for palynological analysis. The quantitative data were statistically evaluated. In detail, the database contain: 1) raw palynological data - proxy data - from counting under transmitted light microscope; 2) four paleoenvironmental variables selected to conduct a multivariate analysis: terrestrial/marine ratio, acritarchs, outer neritic dinocyst taxa and warm-water dinocyst taxa; 3) transformed variables used for the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and 4) the principal component scores obtained, stratigraphically ordered from the top to bottom of the borehole. Data from future studies in new sites combined with here presented data, can be useful to refine paleoenvironment models applied to basin analysis.

Oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a posterior segment disease caused by macular serous detachment as a result of inflammation and oxidative stress due to hypoperfusion of choriocapillaris. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the oxidant/antioxidant balance in CSC.s. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plasma levels of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT), and xanthine oxidase (XO) were assessed in 21 patients with CSC (group S) and in 23 individuals without any eye pathology as the control group (group C). Furthermore, the disease was staged through routine opthalmologic examination as well as optic coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: MDA levels were significantly higher in group S (25.36 ± 4.51 nmol/ml), when compared with group C (22.79 ± 3.23 nmol/ml) (P = 0.035). In addition, the levels of CAT were significantly lower in group S (8.28 ± 5.85 U/ml) when compared to group C (14.02 ± 8.61 (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Prevention of the oxidative injury may be considered among the associated treatment options under the light of the changes detected in the oxidative/antioxidative parameters.

Alternative medicine usage among solid tumour patients receiving chemotherapy.

We aimed to investigate complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) usage and knowledge levels of chemotherapy (CT) receiving cancer patients. Questionnaires about CAM usage and knowledge levels of the patients were completed. A total of 289 patients were included. Median age was 58 (min-max: 21-89) years. Sixty-two of 289 patients (22%) received CAM. Fifty-two patients (18%) thought CAM was beneficial and 237 of them (82%) thought that it was harmful. Sixty-one of them (98%) received CAM orally. Majority of CAMs used were herbal substances. Twenty-eight of the patients (45%) used CAM due to belief of natural products strengthen their body, 16 of them (26%) used CAM due to insistence of their relatives, 8 patients (13%) used CAM with thought of their CT did not benefit and 10 patients (16%) received CAM as a supportive treatment. Thirty-seven patients (60%) received CAM concomitant with CT. Thirty-two patients (52%) did not inform their clinicians while using CAM. Twenty-one (34%) and 45 (73%) of patients had no opinion or knowledge about effects and side effects of CAM they used respectively. Nearly half of the patients did not inform their clinicians about CAM they used. Knowledge level of patients used CAM was poor.

Finite element analysis of thermal stress distribution in different restorative materials used in class V cavities.

PURPOSE: Cervical lesions are restored with class V preparation. The aim of this study was to use a three-dimensional finite element method to carry out a thermal analysis of the temperature and stress distributions of three different restorative materials used for class V cavities of maxillary molar teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A maxillary left first molar tooth was modeled and a class V cavity was prepared on the cervical 1/3 of the buccal surface. This cavity was restored with three different materials (Group I: Resin composite, Group II: Glass ionomer cement, and Group III: Amalgam). Loads of 400 N were applied at an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis of the tooth on the restorative material at 5 and 55°C temperatures. Von Mises and thermal stress distributions were evaluated. RESULTS: In all groups, the von Mises stress values increased with temperature. The highest von Mises stress distribution was observed at 55°C in Group II (144.53 MPa). The lowest von Mises stress distribution was observed at 5°C in Group III (70.81 MPa). CONCLUSION: Amalgam is the most suitable restorative material for class V restorations because of minimal stress distribution.

Study participation rate of patients with acute spinal cord injury early during rehabilitation.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the study participation rate of patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) early during rehabilitation after conveying preliminary study information. SETTING: Single SCI rehabilitation center in Switzerland. METHODS: Newly admitted acute SCI patients receive a flyer to inform them concerning the purpose of clinical research, patient rights and active studies. Upon patient request, detailed study information is given. The rate of patients asking for detailed information (study interest) and the rate of study participation was evaluated from May 2013 to October 2014. Furthermore, the number of patients not withdrawing consent to the utilization of coded health-related data was determined. RESULTS: The flyer was given to 144 of the 183 patients admitted during the observation period. A total of 96 patients (67%) were interested in receiving detailed information, and 71 patients (49%) finally participated in at least one study. The vast majority of patients (that is, 91%) did not withdraw consent for retrospective data analysis. An age over 60 years had a significantly (P⩽0.023) negative effect on study interest and participation, and the consent rate to retrospective data analysis was significantly (P<0.04) lower in patients older than 75 years. Study interest and participation were reduced more than 5 and 14-fold, respectively, in patients older than 60 years. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low (approximately 50%) study participation rates of acute SCI patients should be considered when planning clinical trials. The recruitment of patients older than 60 years may be reduced substantially.

3D-ultrastructure, functions and stress responses of gastropod (Biomphalaria glabrata) rhogocytes.

Rhogocytes are pore cells scattered among the connective tissue of different body parts of gastropods and other molluscs, with great variation in their number, shape and size. They are enveloped by a lamina of extracellular matrix. Their most characteristic feature is the "slit apparatus", local invaginations of the plasma membrane bridged by cytoplasmic bars, forming slits of ca. 20 nm width. A slit diaphragm creates a molecular sieve with permeation holes of 20×20 nm. In blue-blooded gastropods, rhogocytes synthesize and secrete the respiratory protein hemocyanin, and it has been proposed-though not proven-that in the rare red-blooded snail species they might synthesize and secrete the hemoglobin. However, the cellular secretion pathway for respiratory proteins, and the functional role(s) of the enigmatic rhogocyte slit apparatus are still unclear. Additional functions for rhogocytes have been proposed, notably a role in protein uptake and degradation, and in heavy metal detoxification. Here we provide new structural and functional information on the rhogocytes of the red-blooded freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata. By in situ hybridization of mantle tissues, we prove that rhogocytes indeed synthesize hemoglobin. By electron tomography, the first three dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the slit apparatus are provided, showing detail of highly dense material in the cytoplasmic bars close to the slits. By immunogold labelling, we collected evidence that a major component of this material is actin. By genome databank mining, the complete sequence of a B. glabrata nephrin was obtained, and localized to the rhogocytes by immunofluorescence microscopy. The presence of both proteins fit the ultrastructure-based hypothesis that rhogocytes are related to mammalian podocytes and insect nephrocytes. Reactions of the rhogocytes to deprivation of food and cadmium toxification are also documented, and a possible secretion pathway of newly synthesized respiratory proteins through the slit apparatus is discussed.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of home based or hospital based calisthenic exercises in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of calisthenic exercises on balance, walking speed, fatigue, quality of life, and psychological status in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients diagnosed with MS were randomized into two exercise groups (group 1 = hospital-based, group 2 = home-based). Outcome measures including the MS International Quality of Life Scale, 10-meter walking test, Berg Balance Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Inventory were assessed at the baseline and at 12-weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-six participants completed the exercise programme (hospital based = 16, home based = 20). The mean age was 32.83 ± 3.64 years. The mean duration of disease was 6.97 ± 3.15 years. Hospital-based and home-based exercise groups had significant improvements in the balance, 10-meter walking test, anxiety, and the quality of life after the 12-week exercise programme. There was a significant improvement in the hospital-based patients in terms of the depression scores. No significant improvement was observed in terms of fatigue in any of the groups. When both groups were compared, the improvement in the balance and depression scores of the hospital-based patients was significantly higher than the home-based patients. CONCLUSIONS: Calisthenic exercises can be easily performed both at home and in hospital setting. In patients with MS, calisthenic exercises performed at home or at the hospital may improve the balance, quality of life, and the functional and psychological status, while no significant effect has been observed on fatigue.

Fossil pollen records indicate that Patagonian desertification was not solely a consequence of Andean uplift.

The Patagonian steppe-a massive rain-shadow on the lee side of the southern Andes-is assumed to have evolved ~15-12 Myr as a consequence of the southern Andean uplift. However, fossil evidence supporting this assumption is limited. Here we quantitatively estimate climatic conditions and plant richness for the interval ~10-6 Myr based on the study and bioclimatic analysis of terrestrially derived spore-pollen assemblages preserved in well-constrained Patagonian marine deposits. Our analyses indicate a mesothermal climate, with mean temperatures of the coldest quarter between 11.4 °C and 16.9 °C (presently ~3.5 °C) and annual precipitation rarely below 661 mm (presently ~200 mm). Rarefied richness reveals a significantly more diverse flora during the late Miocene than today at the same latitude but comparable with that approximately 2,000 km further northeast at mid-latitudes on the Brazilian coast. We infer that the Patagonian desertification was not solely a consequence of the Andean uplift as previously insinuated.

Bioactive self-assembled peptide nanofibers for corneal stroma regeneration.

Defects in the corneal stroma caused by trauma or diseases such as macular corneal dystrophy and keratoconus can be detrimental for vision. Development of therapeutic methods to enhance corneal regeneration is essential for treatment of these defects. This paper describes a bioactive peptide nanofiber scaffold system for corneal tissue regeneration. These nanofibers are formed by self-assembling peptide amphiphile molecules containing laminin and fibronectin inspired sequences. Human corneal keratocyte cells cultured on laminin-mimetic peptide nanofibers retained their characteristic morphology, and their proliferation was enhanced compared with cells cultured on fibronectin-mimetic nanofibers. When these nanofibers were used for damaged rabbit corneas, laminin-mimetic peptide nanofibers increased keratocyte migration and supported stroma regeneration. These results suggest that laminin-mimetic peptide nanofibers provide a promising injectable, synthetic scaffold system for cornea stroma regeneration.

Violence experienced by nurses at six university hospitals in Turkey.

This research was conducted to analyse the violence experienced by nurses employed at six university hospitals. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. The research sample consisted of 441 nurses who worked in the emergency, intensive care and psychiatry units of six university hospitals in Turkey between June 2008 and June 2009 and who voluntarily agreed to participate. It was found that 60.8% of the nurses were subjected to verbal violence and/or physical violence from patients, visitors or health staff. Of the nurses who were subjected to workplace violence, 42.9% stated that their experience of verbal and/or physical violence had a negative impact on their physical and/or psychological health, and 42.9% stated that their work performance was negatively affected. Of these nurses, 1.8% stated that they received professional help, 13.6% stated that a report was made and 9.5% stated that they contacted the hospital police in some way. According to the findings of this research, similar to the situation worldwide, nurses in Turkey are subjected to verbal and/or physical violence from patients, visitors and health staff.

The effect of oxidants on the formation of multi-walled carbon nanotube buckypaper.

In the present study, we report the systematic investigation of the effect of chemical oxidation on the structure of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes buckypaper. The chemical oxidation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes was performed via using three types of chemical solutions: nitric acid, sulfuric acid/nitric acid (3/1) and ammonium hydroxide/hydrogen peroxide (1/1). The surfaces of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes were modified by forming Carboxyl and other functional groups. Flexible multi-walled carbon nanotubes buckypapers were then produced by vacuum filtration techniques from functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The characteristic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes specimens were investigated via Raman, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopies. The thermal properties and morphology of multi-walled carbon nanotubes were also studied byThermogravimetric Analysis and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques.

Aspects of thermal martensite in a FeNiMnCo alloy.

Thermal martensite characteristics in Fe-29%Ni-2%Mn-2%Co alloy were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Mössbauer spectroscopy characterization techniques. SEM observations obviously revealed the lath martensite morphology in the prior austenite phase of examined alloy. As well, the martensitic transformation kinetics was found to be as athermal type. On the other hand, Mössbauer spectroscopy offered the paramagnetic austenite phase and ferromagnetic martensite phase with their volume fractions. Also, the internal magnetic field of the martensite was measured as 32.9T from the Mössbauer spectrometer.

Malignity-like peritoneal tuberculosis associated with abdominal mass, ascites and elevated serum Ca125 level.

Peritoneal tuberculosis (TB) is similar to ovarian cancers with respect to clinical, radiological laboratory findings. In this report, we present 10 TB cases with malignity pre-diagnosis based on the presence of ascites, pelvic mass, abdominal lymph nodes and elevated Ca125. The mean age of the cases was 29 +/- 14.4 years (18-63). Eight cases were associated with ascites, and the mean adenosine deaminase (ADA) value in ascitic fluid was 130.37 +/- 92.2. All cases had elevated levels of serum Ca125. In 6 cases, we identified lung pathologies based on chest radiography. Diagnoses were made based on diagnostic laparotomy in four cases, laparoscopy in two cases, percutaneous needle biopsy in two cases, and clinical evaluation in two cases. Anti-TB treatments lasted 12 months. Serum Ca125 levels normalised in the 3rd month of treatment. In the differential diagnosis of ascites and high serum Ca125 levels, tuberculosis should be considered in patients from developing countries.

Performance of simple calculated osteoporosis risk estimation in a sample of women with suspected osteoporosis in the Turkish population.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the simple calculated osteoporosis risk estimation (SCORE) in a random sample of postmenopausal women. We collected data on 177 consecutive patients aged over 45 years. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were taken at the hip and lumbar spine. The test performance cut-off value was evaluated according to scores of 5, 6, 7, 8 and age distribution. When all groups were evaluated, SCORE 6 sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 86.7, 59.1, 63, 82.5%, respectively. In the age ranged 45-49, we determined SCORE 6 results of Sn 85, Sp 100%. The test was able to identify women not requiring detailed densitometric investigation in this age group to a high level of accuracy. At SCORE 6 receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.6. We determined that the SCORE questionnaire performance in estimating those women with low BMD in the Turkish population was limited. However, since it is a simple, economical and practical pre-test, a SCORE 6 cut-off value can be used together with the physician's clinical analysis in sending patients with suspected low BMD for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measurement.

The role of nystagmus in silicone oil emulsification after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for complex retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether nystagmus has a role in silicone oil emulsification after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for complex retinal detachment. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of the clinical and operative records of eight eyes with nystagmus that underwent pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for repair of retinal detachment associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Three male (37.5%) and 5 female (62.5%) patients were included in this study. The mean age was 36.4 years (range, 19 to 54 years) and the mean follow-up time was 18.3 months (range, 5 to 49 months). RESULTS: Three eyes underwent combined lensectomy and vitrectomy. During the initial postoperative period, retinal attachment was obtained in 6 (75%) patients. Two of eight eyes required further surgery. Silicone oil emulsification occurred in all eyes to different degrees in the 1- to 3-month postoperative period. No inverse hypopyon was observed in any of patients. Three of eight eyes developed open angle glaucoma due to silicone oil emulsification before the silicone oil removal. In these patients, intraocular pressure was controlled successfully by medical therapy. Silicone oil removal was performed before the planned time because of early emulsification. After the removal of silicone oil, two of three eyes had established open angle glaucoma and medical therapy was maintained. After the removal of silicone oil, recurrent retinal detachment developed in two eyes and one of them developed phthisis bulbi. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone oil emulsification may develop earlier than expected in patients with nystagmus who underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with silicone oil injection.

Factors influencing sputum smear and culture conversion time among patients with new case pulmonary tuberculosis.

Sputum smear and culture conversion are important indicators for the effectiveness of treatment and the infectivity of the patient. The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing both sputum smear and culture conversion time among patients with new case pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The study was conducted in a reference hospital in Turkey in which 737 patients with pulmonary TB were hospitalised between January 2000 and 2005. We evaluated 306 (193 men and 113 women) human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients diagnosed with new case pulmonary TB. Factors associated with both sputum smear and culture conversion time (days) were investigated. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), cavitary disease, radiologically extensive disease had longer sputum smear and culture conversion time than the other groups. In addition, old age, male sex, smoking and thrombocytosis were found to be significantly associated with sputum smear conversion time. In the logistic regression analysis, the presence of DM and extensive disease were determined as independent factors associated with persistent sputum smear and culture positivity at the end of 2 months. The presence of DM and extensive disease were found to be independent risk factors influencing both sputum smear and culture conversion time in pulmonary TB. Sputum smear and culture examinations should be considered together to assess the poor prognosis.

Isokinetic muscle performance in major depressive disorder: alterations by antidepressant therapy.

The aims of this study were (i) to examine whether patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) differ from healthy control subjects with respect to isokinetic muscle performance (IMP) as measured by a dynamometer; (ii) to investigate the effect of subchronic treatment on the IMP in depressed patients. Thirty-eight patients with MDD, and 41 sex- and age-matched healthy controls participated in this study. The severity of depression and anxiety levels were evaluated by the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales. Quadriceps and hamstring IMPs were determined by using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after subchronic antidepressant treatment. The patients had lower IMP levels than healthy controls. After treatment for three months with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the IMP levels increased significantly. These findings suggest that (i) MDD may be characterized by reduced IMP levels; and (ii) treatment with antidepressants may increase the IMP levels, as a state marker for depression. It was concluded that (i) isokinetic muscle performance may be used as a state marker for monitoring antidepressant drug effects on MDD; (ii) isokinetic exercise increasing IMP may be used in the treatment of depression.