Pins and Rubbers Traction System for Treatment of Intraarticular Fractures of Distal Interphalangeal Joint.

Background: The pins and rubber traction system (PRTS) has proven effective in managing intra-articular fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint. However, there is scant evidence in the literature regarding its efficacy in treating distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ). This study aims to investigate the outcomes of PRTS in the treatment of comminuted intra-articular fractures of the DIPJ. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with comminuted intra-articular fractures of the DIPJ treated with PRTS between 2017 and 2021. At the final follow-up, we measured and compared the active range of motion (ROM) in both affected and non-injured contralateral fingers. The subjective evaluation utilised the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick-DASH) questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: Ten patients with a mean follow-up of 13.2 months (range: 12-17) were included in the study. Fracture locations included the base of the distal phalanx in two patients, the condyle of the middle phalanx in seven and both in one patient. At the final follow-up, the average VAS score was 0.5 (range: 0-2). The average active motion of the DIPJ was 61° (range: 50°-70°) for the injured side and 76° (range: 75°-80°) for the opposite side. The mean range of DIPJ movement was 80% (range: 68%-87%) of the non-injured side. Extension deficits were observed in five patients, with a median deficit value of 10° (range: 5°-10°). The average Quick-DASH score was 2.9 (range: 0-11.3). Conclusions: The PRTS can be considered as an effective surgical technique in managing comminuted intra-articular fractures of the DIPJ. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

Primary Neurorraphy of the Frontotemporal Branch of the Facial Nerve in Pediatric Patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-case-control study.

The effect of physical activity on mother-child relationship and parental attitudes: a follow-up study examining the long-term effects of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: This study was planned to evaluate effects of game-based physical activity model on mother-child relationship and parental attitudes during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was designed using a web-based quasi-experimental model with a pre-test/post-test evaluation, with a control group. The mothers who accepted to participate in the study and their children were divided into experimental (group I, n=28) and control groups (group II, n=31). The mothers and children in the experimental group were asked to apply web-based game-based physical activity model for 20 minutes/day for 4 weeks. The online questionnaire included socio-demographic data form, Child Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS), and Parental Attitude Scale (PAS). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between mean scores of pre-test and post-test subscales of the PAS in group I (p>0.05 for all subscales). It was found that post-test scores of democratic subscales of PAS statistically significant decreased (p=0.047) and the authoritarian attitude subscale scores significantly increased (p=0.033) in group II. The mean pre- and post-activity scores of positive/close relationship and conflictual relationship subscales of CPRS differ between groups (p<0.05 for both subscales). Pre-post test scores of group II were found to be significantly lower compared to group II. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a moderate improvement in parameters evaluated; however, we suggest that longer-term activities may have a more permanent and statistically significant effect.

Ultra-sculpturing of seed morphotypes in selected species of genus Salvia L. and their taxonomic significance.

The taxonomic importance of macromorphological and micromorphological seed characteristics was investigated using SEM of ten species of the Salvia genus from Pakistan. The aim was to identify diagnostic seed ultrastructural features that could aid in species delimitation, correct identification and phylogenetic position. The ultrastructure of Salvia varies greatly, and a wide range of unique micromorphological features have been observed. Seed micromorphological features were explored by SEM, including seed shape, colour, texture, cell outline, surface sculpturing, epidermal cell arrangement, anticlinal, and periclinal wall pattern. Seed shapes were categorized as obovate, spherical, spheroid, broadly elliptic, elliptic and oblong, mostly with a terminal hilum. Seed colours were black, light brown, dark brown, brown and yellow. Exo-morphological characters, i.e. epidermal cell arrangements, included irregular, wavy pentagonal-hexagonal, regular pentagonal-hexagonal. Cluster analysis was used to assess similar and distinct species within Salvia with a feasible explanation. Taxonomic keys were made based on micromorphological qualitative features that help to delimit species and identify them quickly within the Salvia genus. Seed morphology of ten Salvia species was described and investigated, and the diagnostic significance of features evaluated using SEM. This study analysed seed features, especially at the species level, which might provide much new taxonomic information. The results revealed that, in seed morphology, using SEM can help with taxon identification, especially at the genus and species levels.

Biochemical characterization and detection of antitumor activity of l-asparaginase from thermophilic Geobacillus kaustophilus DSM 7263T.

L-asparaginases, which are oncolytic enzymes, have been used in clinical applications for many years. These enzymes are also important in food processing industry due to their potential in acrylamide-mitigation. In this study, the gene for l-asparaginase (GkASN) from a thermophilic bacterium, Geobacillus kaustophilus, was cloned and expressed in E. coli Rosetta™2 (DE3) cells utilizing the pET-22b(+) vector. The 6xHis-tag attached enzyme was purified and analyzed both biochemically and structurally. The molecular mass of GkASN was determined as ∼36 kDa by SDS-PAGE, Western Blotting, and MALDI-TOF MS analyses. Optimum temperature and pH for the enzyme was determined as 55 °C and 8.5, respectively. The enzyme retained 89% of its thermal stability at 37 °C and 75% at 55 °C after 6 h of incubation. The enzyme activity was inhibited in the presence of Cu2+, Fe3+, Zn2+, and EDTA, while the activity was enhanced in the presence of Mn2+, Mg2+, and thiol group protective agents such as 2-mercaptoethanol and DTT. The structural modeling analysis demonstrated that the catalytic residues of the enzyme were partially similar to other asparaginases. The therapeutic potential of GkASN was tested on hepatocellular carcinoma cells, a solid cancer type with high mortality rate and rapidly increasing incidence in recent years. We showed that the GkASN-induced asparagine deficiency effectively reduced the metastatic synergy in HCC SNU387 cells on a xCELLigence system with differentiated epithelial Hep3B and poorly differentiated metastatic mesenchymal HCC SNU387 cells.

Root and canopy traits and adaptability genes explain drought tolerance responses in winter wheat.

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L) is one of the three main staple crops worldwide contributing 20% calories in the human diet. Drought stress is the main factor limiting yields and threatening food security, with climate change resulting in more frequent and intense drought. Developing drought-tolerant wheat cultivars is a promising way forward. The use of holistic approaches that include high-throughput phenotyping and genetic markers in selection could help in accelerating genetic gains. Fifty advanced breeding lines were selected from the CIMMYT Turkey winter wheat breeding program and studied under irrigated and semiarid conditions in two years. High-throughput phenotyping was done for wheat crown root traits and canopy senescence dynamics using vegetation indices (green area using RGB images and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index using spectral reflectance). In addition, genotyping by KASP markers for adaptability genes was done. Overall, under semiarid conditions yield reduced by 3.09 t ha-1 (-46.8%) compared to irrigated conditions. Genotypes responded differently under drought stress and genotypes 39 (VORONA/HD24-12//GUN/7/VEE#8//…/8/ALTAY), 18 (BiII98) and 29 (NIKIFOR//KROSHKA) were the most drought tolerant. Root traits including shallow nodal root angle under irrigated conditions and root number per shoot under semiarid conditions were correlated with increased grain yield. RGB based vegetation index measuring canopy green area at anthesis was better correlated with GY than NDVI was with GY under drought. The markers for five established functional genes (PRR73.A1 -flowering time, TEF-7A -grain size and weight, TaCwi.4A - yield under drought, Dreb1- drought tolerance, and ISBW11.GY.QTL.CANDIDATE- grain yield) were associated with different drought-tolerance traits in this experiment. We conclude that-genotypes 39, 18 and 29 could be used for drought tolerance breeding. The trait combinations of canopy green area at anthesis, and root number per shoot along with key drought adaptability makers (TaCwi.4A and Dreb1) could be used in screening drought tolerance wheat breeding lines.

Identification and Heterologous Production of a Lipase from Geobacillus kaustophilus DSM 7263T and Tailoring Its N-Terminal by a His-Tag Epitope.

Lipases are versatile biocatalysts with many biotechnological applications and the necessity of screening, production and characterization of new lipases from diverse microbial strains to meet industrial needs is constantly emerging. In this study, the lipase gene (gklip) from a thermophilic bacterium, Geobacillus kaustophilus DSM 7263 T was cloned into the pET28a ( +) vector with N-terminal 6xHis-tag. The recombinant gklip gene was heterologously expressed in host E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Histidine tag was removed from the purified 6xHistag-Gklip enzyme with thrombin enzyme and the molecular mass was determined to be approximately 43 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Gklip showed optimal activity at pH 8.0 and 50 °C. The specific hydrolytic activities against substrates were significantly increased by the removal of the His-tag. Km and kcat values of Gklip against p-nitrophenyl palmitate (pNPP, 4-nitrophenyl palmitate) as the target substrate were found to be as 1.22 mM and 417.1 min-1, respectively. Removing His-tag changed the substrate preference of the enzyme leading to maximum lipolytic activity towards C10 and C12 lipids. Similarly, the activity against coconut oil that containing 62% medium-chain fatty acids was significantly higher than other oils. Furthermore, preservation of activity in the presence of inhibitors, organic solvents support the effect of lid structure of the enzyme.

Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Sepsis and Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis in Liver Transplant Recipients Used Synthetic Vascular Graft: Three Fatal Cases.

Synthetic vascular grafts are commonly used in liver transplantation. Thrombosis is a possible complication of using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) grafts. Herein, we report on 3 cases of liver recipients who died of intermittent sepsis episodes emerged concurrently with the thrombosis in synthetic vascular grafts and inferior vena cava (IVC) vein. Right lobe liver transplantation from living donors was performed for 3 patients by using e-PTFE grafts between the liver and IVC. Although heparin had been administered, thrombosis was developed in vascular graft and IVC extending to the right atrium; it was developed within 1-4 months of transplantations. All 3 patients suffered from recurrent sepsis episodes (4, 5, and 6 attacks for each patient) by different multidrug-resistant bacterial species. Treatment attempts including thrombolytic and antimicrobial drugs made, and surgical, endoscopic and radiological interventions could not resolve the clinical situation. The patients died of septic complications. We concluded that severe recurrent sepsis attacks may develop in liver transplant recipients when IVC and synthetic vascular graft were thrombosed. Removing the e-PTFE graft may be benefit for the treatment.

ASSESSMENT OF SERUM ALARIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the potential relationship between plasma alarin levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). PATIENTS AND METHOD: We included 154 participants, divided into four groups in a cross-sectional study design. The first group includes patients with T2DM without complications (n=30), the second group patients with T2DM with microvascular complications (T2DM-noC n=32), the third group patients with T2DM with macrovascular complications, T2DM-MV (n=32) and the last group is the healthy control group (n=60). RESULTS: In our study 94 patients were diabetic; 47 females and 47 males. The control group consists of 60 people, 30 women and 30 men. It was found that these had a significant (p>0.05) variation in serum alarin levels among the T2DM (T2DM-noC=3.1±0.7 ng/mL T2DM-mV=2.8±0.4 ng/mL, T2DM-MV= 3.6±0.4 ng/mL) versus control group (15.6±2.6).We failed to find a significant variation of serum alarin levels (p>0.05) between T2DM subgroups. Serum alarin levels were significantly higher among control patients (p<0.05). There was no difference between diabetic sub-groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that serum alarin levels in patients with T2DM are lower than in normal people. Further studies are needed to investigate the possible prognostic value of alarin in clinical practice in T2DM.

TRPV2 POLYMORPHISMS INCREASE OR REDUCE THE RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES - HASHIMOTO THYROIDITIS COMORBIDITY.

CONTEXT: Thyroid disorders are common in diabetics and related to severe diabetic complications. TRPV2 ion channels have crucial functions in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism which have an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes. Also, they have a significant effect on various immunological events that are involved in the HT pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate rs14039 and rs4792742 polymorphisms of the TRPV2 ion channels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n=100) Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT, n=70) and comorbid T2DM and HT (T2DM+HT, n=100) patients and control (n=100). DESIGN: Case-control study. SUBJECT AND METHODS: RT-PCR genotyping was used to determine rs14039 and rs4792742 polymorphisms with DNA samples of subjects and appropriate primer and probes. Besides, required biochemical analyses were performed. RESULTS: It was determined that the frequencies of the rs14039 GG homozygote polymorphic genotype and the G allele were significantly higher in T2DM+HT patients compared to the control (p=0.03 and p=0.01, respectively) and that especially the GG genotype increases the risk of T2DM+HT 3.046-fold (p=0.01, OR=3.046). It was detected that the GG genotype increased the risk of HT 2.54-fold (p=0.05, OR=2.541). TRPV2 rs4792742 polymorphisms reduce the risk of HT and T2DM+HT comorbidity almost by half and have a protective effect against HT and T2DM+HT. CONCLUSION: The rs14039 GG genotype of the TRPV2 gene significantly increases the risks of development of T2DM+HT and HT disorders, may have a significant role in the pathophysiology of these diseases, also leading to predisposition for their development. Conversely, rs4792742 polymorphic genotypes have a strong protective effect against the HT and T2DM+HT comorbidity.

The Effects of Oral Isotretinoin in Women with Acne and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Many patients who were diagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome- (PCOS-) related acne were not capable of sustaining or beginning oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) due to pill scaring, contraindications of OCP use, migraine, or smoking. In this situation, oral isotretinoin treatment may become an important option for PCOS-related acne. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of isotretinoin treatment on PCOS patients who were complicated with severe cystic acne. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 40 female patients diagnosed as PCOS complicated with severe cystic acne. These patients were not eligible candidates for OCP use due to migraine, thrombophilia, heavy smoking, or pill scare. To establish baseline values of hormone levels, on days 2-5 of the menstrual cycle, venous blood samples were obtained. Moreover Modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) score, acne score (AS), follicle count, and bilateral ovarian volumes were evaluated both before and after isotretinoin treatment. RESULTS: Isotretinoin treatment significantly decreased Ferriman-Gallwey score, free testosterone, insulin level, hemoglobin level, acne score, and ovarian volume. Increased triglyceride and cholesterol levels were detected after treatment. CONCLUSION: Isotretinoin treatment may have beneficial effects on free testosterone, insulin, acne score, and Ferriman-Gallwey score. Solely isotretinoin administration may supply adequate healing in PCOS patients' symptoms complicated with severe cystic acne who is not eligible candidates for OCP use. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02855138.

Indoor and tap water radon (222Rn) concentration measurements at Giresun University campus areas.

In this study, indoor (air) and tap water Radon (222Rn) measurements were performed at various campus areas of Giresun University. The measurement and analysis results were compared with the values recommended by international and national organizations and those reported in literature studies. The measured and calculated values were found to be under the recommended limits. Also, annual effective dose values were evaluated to determine the annual radon exposure of an individual working in the measurement area. Indoor radon concentration values measured by CR-39 detectors were in the range of 76 Bq/m3-504 Bq/m3 and the mean concentration value was obtained as 193.7 Bq/m3. The radon concentrations in tap water samples were found to be in the range of 0.98 Bq/L-27.28 Bq/L. The annual mean effective doses (EWig) of drinking water samples were calculated in the range of 9.9-150.4 (µSv/y) for ingestion and 0.97-14.84 (µSv/y) for inhalation calculations. Excess life time cancer risk (ELCR) was estimated as 0.54%. Radon dose rate in terms of mean annual working level month was calculated as 0.246 WLM/year. The study was performed with a view to contribute to further studies in the related field and constitute a basis for the measurements conducted in this area.

Percutaneous endobiliary radiofrequency ablation for refractory benign hepaticojejunostomy and biliary strictures.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of percutaneous endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) and balloon dilation for the treatment of hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) strictures resistant to surgery and/or other interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients who underwent percutaneous ERFA for HJ stricture were included. There were 10 men and 8 women with a mean age of 48.3±10.8 (SD) years (range: 33-69 years). The 18 patients had a total of 29 benign HJ strictures secondary to cholecystectomy (14 patients; 78.0%), Whipple procedure (3 patients; 16.6%) or blunt abdominal trauma (1 patient; 5.4%). The different end-points were technical success, clinical success, recurrence, procedure-related mortality, and morbidity. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 83.3%, respectively. No mortality and major procedure-related complications were observed. One patient experienced minor complication (self-limited pleural effusion). Two patients did not show favorable response to ERFA whereas 10 patients had no stricture recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 7.3 months±1.0 (SD) (range: 4-10 months). CONCLUSION: ERFA is a safe and effective treatment for benign HJ and biliary strictures. However, more studies involving more patients with a long-term follow-up period should be made to fully determine the long-term results of ERFA.

Three-dimensional evaluation of alveolar bone thickness of mandibular anterior teeth in different dentofacial types.

AIM: The aim of this randomized study was to compare the alveolar bone thickness (ABT) of the mandibular incisor teeth of dental and skeletal Class I, II, and III adult patients at labial and lingual aspects of the bone and develop recommendations for the associated movements of teeth in this region, taking vertical facial type into consideration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: : Sixty-two Class I, 74 Class II, and 63 Class III patients - aged between 20 and 45 - were assigned to three subgroups - high (H), low (L), and normal (N) growth patterns. On the axial slices of computerized tomographies, the measurements for the ABT on labial and lingual sides of the mandibular incisors were carried out at three levels. RESULTS: In Class I group, at apex region, ABT of subgroups N and L were greater than H, at labial side. In Class II, ABT of subgroups N and L were greater than H, at apex at both sides and cervical lingual region. Similarly, ABT of subgroup L of Class III group was greater than H, at labial and lingual apex, mid-root regions. In Class II, the ABT of subgroup H was greater than L, at lingual cementoenamel junction. CONCLUSIONS: ABT of mandibular incisors of Class I patients is not affected from vertical pattern except for apical region. There is not a thick bone on the lingual side of the Class II, high-angle patients. The ABT of the Class III, high-angle patients is thin as a risk factor for proclination.

Living Donor Re-transplantation for Repeated Acute Liver Failure.

Emergency liver transplantation (LT) for acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-saving treatment. Occurrence of this situation in the same patient twice is very rare. Herein, we describe a patient who underwent two emergency LTs for ALF, both from living donors. When she was 26 years old, she underwent a right lobe living donor LT (LDLT) from her sister for ALF due to use of herbal weight loss medications. The next 3 years were uneventful but another ALF developed during a terminal stage pregnancy (37th week). Despite medical treatment, her liver functions worsened, and the baby was delivered by caesarean section. The second time, her brother was the donor and she recovered after the emergency right lobe re-LDLT. Both patient and baby were well at the 2-month follow-up. As far as we know, there is no reported similar case, and we concluded that LDLT is a paramount treatment option for both primary and secondary ALFs.

Pretransplant Renal Arterial Vasculopathy of Donor Predicts Poor Renal Allograft Survival.

OBJECTIVES: Transplant vasculopathy is a significant predictor of poor outcome. We investigated whether age or pretransplant renal arterial vasculopathy of grafted kidneys affected allograft survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 148 recipients and their donors. All donors underwent pretransplant renal arterial biopsy, with renal artery vascular score determined for each artery. Chronic rejection and graft loss were noted for all patients. RESULTS: Variable grades of pretransplant renal arterial lesions were noted in 103 donors (69.6%). A positive correlation was found between donor age and renal artery score (r = 0.650, P < .001), and chronic rejection and graft loss were found to increase with increasing score (P < .001). Recipient and donor age was significantly associated with graft loss and chronic rejection. With either younger or older donors, recipients had similar and best results regarding chronic rejection and graft loss if donors had renal artery scores of 0 or 1, but worse effects if donors had scores of 2 or 3. Five-year allograft survival rates for scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 91%, 68%, 46%, and 33%. Univariate analyses showed that acute rejection episode (relative risk: 2.729, 95% confidence interval, 1.496-4.977; P = .001), older (? 50 y) donor age (relative risk: 1.970, 95% confidence interval, 1.038-3.736; P = .04), and donor renal artery score (relative risk: 2.466, 95% confidence interval, 1.382-4.401; P = .002) were associated with decreased allograft survival. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that only acute rejection episode (relative risk: 3.585, 95% confidence interval, 1.781-7.217; P < .001) and renal artery score (relative risk: 2.642; 95% confidence interval, 1.355-5.150; P = .004) were independent predictors of allograft survival. CONCLUSIONS: Pretransplant vasculopathy in donor renal artery implies a poor prognosis for renal allograft survival and is independent of other risk factors. Pretransplant renal artery biopsy is recommended for both deceased and living donors, and therapeutic interventions to modify transplant vasculopathy progression should start early posttransplant in recipients with affected renal arteries.

Renal Allograft With Calcium Oxalate Deposition: Association with Urinary Tract Infection and Development of Interstitial Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: The interaction between calcium oxalate deposition and urinary tract infection is not well established. We aimed to identify the association between these and to determine the role of calcium oxalate deposition on interstitial fibrosis development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renal allograft biopsies of 967 patients were reviewed to identify those with calcium oxalate deposition in the renal allograft, with 27 (2.8%) identified. Follow-up biopsies were conducted to reevaluate for calcium oxalate presence and interstitial fibrosis development. At time of biopsy, presence of urinary tract infection and oxaluria was also examined from medical records. RESULTS: Mean time for development of calcium oxalate deposition in renal allografts was 1.7 ± 0.4 and 32.7 ± 21.6 months in patients with primary and secondary oxalosis, respectively (P < .001). Of 27 patients with calcium oxalate deposition, 7 (25.9%) showed tubulointerstitial nephritis, with 2 also having urinary tract infection. Four patients (14.8%) had only urinary tract infection. Causes of tubulointerstitial nephritis were secondary to bacterial infection in 2 and secondary to viral infection in 5 patients (2 polyomaviruses, 2 cytomegaloviruses, 1 adenovirus). Time until development of interstitial fibrosis after calcium oxalate deposition was 3.5 ± 2.1 and 10.3 ± 4.1 months in patients with primary and secondary oxalosis, respectively (P = .01). Time until graft loss after calcium oxalate deposition was 9.3 ± 7.8 and 21.8 ± 12 months in those with primary and secondary oxalosis (P < .001), with 1-, 3-, and 5-year kidney graft survival of 43%, 28%, and 0% and 100%, 100%, and 67% in those with primary and secondary oxalosis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium oxalate deposits increased the risk of urinary tract infection and tubulointerstitial nephritis, with bacteria inducing increased presence of calcium oxalate deposition in a renal allograft. Calcium oxalate deposition had a significant influence on interstitial fibrosis development, therefore negatively affecting graft survival.

Simulation and experimental measurement of radon activity using a multichannel silicon-based radiation detector.

In this study, high-precision radiation detector (HIPRAD), a new-generation semiconductor microstrip detector, was used for detecting radon (Rn-222) activity. The aim of this study was to detect radon (Rn-222) activity experimentally by measuring the energy of particles in this detector. Count-ADC channel, eta-charge, and dose-response values were experimentally obtained using HIPRAD. The radon simulation in the radiation detector was theoretically performed using the Geant4 software package. The obtained radioactive decay, energy generation, energy values, and efficiency values of the simulation were plotted using the root program. The new-generation radiation detector proved to have 95% reliability according to the obtained dose-response graphs. The experimental and simulation results were found to be compatible with each other and with the radon decays and literature studies.

The effect of hyperemesis gravidarum on the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test screening and gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effect of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) on the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted via an evaluation of the hospital database medical records of 700 pregnant women. Of these, 60 were included in the study group as a result of hospitalization due to HG, 41 were excluded, and the remaining 599 formed a control group. The body mass index (BMI), urine ketone levels, and ages of all participants were separately recorded, both in the initial examination and during the 75 g OGTT. RESULTS: At initial examination, no significant differences in maternal age and BMI were observed between the two groups. There was a significant decrease in BMI after 75 g OGTT in the study group. No significant difference in fasting serum glucose levels was found between the two groups, but significant differences in first and second hour serum glucose levels were observed. CONCLUSIONS: HG may improve in many women in the late second trimester, and loss of fatty tissue may affect the 75 g OGTT screening results. The appropriate cutoff value of 75 g OGTT for HG should be reevaluated following future, larger, studies.

Multidetector Computed Tomography Findings of Splenic Artery Aneurysms Associated With Liver Involvement in Wilson's Disease.

PURPOSE: The purposed of this study was to examine the incidence and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) in patients with liver involvement related to Wilson's disease. METHODS: Eighteen patients with clinically and/or pathologically proven Wilson's disease underwent triphasic MDCT. Arterial, portal, and equilibrium phase images were obtained. The analysis of the CT features included the presence and characteristics of the SAA, splenic artery (SA) diameter, the presence and size of the portosystemic collateral vessels, and spleen volume. RESULTS: SAAs were detected in 11 patients (61.1%). Eight (72.7%) patients had multiple aneurysms. In 6 (54.5%) patients, the SAAs were located in the distal third of the SA and the intraparenchymal part of the SA. In 3 (27.3%) patients, the SAAs were located only in the distal third of the SA. In 1 (9.1%) patient, the aneurysms were located in the intermediate, distal third, and intraparenchymal part of the SA; in another (9.1%) patient, the aneurysms were located only in the intraparenchymal part of the SA. There were significant differences between the patients with SAA and those without SAA with respect to SA diameter, portosystemic collateral vessel diameter, and spleen volume (P = .007, P < .001, and P = .006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of SAAs seems to be higher in patients with liver involvement related to Wilson's disease compared with patients with other causes of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Large portosystemic collaterals, increased SA diameter, and spleen volume were significant factors for the presence of SAAs.