Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Wheat Stripe Rust Pathogen (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) in Turkey.

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most important diseases threatening wheat production both in Turkey and worldwide. However, the underlying genetic dynamics of Pst populations are not fully known in Turkey. To determine the population genetic structure and migration network among regional Pst populations, a total of 140 Pst isolates collected from six geographical regions of Turkey from 2018 to 2020 were sampled and genotyped using 21 simple sequence repeat loci. A total of 70 multilocus genotypes were identified and classified into the three major genetic groups by Bayesian assignment. The highest genotypic diversity was detected in Southeastern Anatolia, showing its critical role as one of the source populations to trigger possible stripe rust epidemics. Analysis of molecular variance revealed the highest variation (90.25%) within isolates. The migration network generated by the number of effective migrants showed that the highest migration (1.0) was determined between Southeastern Anatolia and Central Anatolia, and considerable levels of migration (>0.2) were determined among the other regions, except for the Black Sea. Linkage equilibrium (P ≥ 0.05) was detected for many geographical regions, except for Marmara (P = 0.00) and the Mediterranean (P = 0.03), suggesting that reproduction of Pst populations is most likely sexual or mixed (sexual and clonal). To sum up, this is the first study on the genetic relationships and population genetic structure of the Pst population in Turkey, and these findings may provide critical information to develop management strategies for wheat stripe rust.

The Diagnostic Efficacy of and Requirement for Postnatal Ultrasonography Screening for Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of postnatal ultrasonography in detecting congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract in term infants without prenatal history of congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the records of term infants between six weeks and three months of age who underwent urinary tract ultrasonography during routine pediatric care. RESULTS: Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract were detected on prenatal ultrasonography in 75 of the 2620 patients included in the study. Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract were detected via postnatal USG in 46 (1.8%) of 2554 patients without anomalies on prenatal USG screening. The most common anomaly was hydronephrosis (69.6%). Thirty-two cases of hydronephrosis, three cases of renal agenesis, four cases of horseshoe kidney, one case of MCDK, and two cases of duplex systems which were not detected on prenatal USG were detected on postnatal USG. On the other hand, 29 (1.1%) cases with mild or moderate hydronephrosis on prenatal ultrasonography did not have hydronephrosis on postnatal ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, approximately one-third of the cases of hydronephrosis, unilateral renal agenesis, duplex systems, horseshoe kidney, and ectopic kidney were not detected in prenatal ultrasonography screening. Therefore, we believe that in addition to prenatal ultrasonography screening, postnatal ultrasonography screening of all children for urinary tract anomalies would be beneficial.

Evaluation of Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Followed on Mechanical Ventilator in a Tertiary Pediatric Intensive Care and the Factors That May Be Associated with Death in These Patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the clinical, demographic, and laboratory characteristics of the patients followed up with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome in our pediatric intensive care unit and to determine the factors that have an effect on the outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 40 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome who were followed up on mechanical ventilators in the pediatric intensive care unit of Adiyaman University were retrospectively scanned. From the medical records, the demographic data, clinical features, and laboratory characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: Eighteen of the patients were female and 22 were male. The mean age was 45.25 ± 56.63 months. A total of 27 (67.5%) of the patients were classified as pulmonary and 13 (32.5%) as extrapulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome. Sixteen (40%) patients were followed in pressure-controlled mode only, 2 (5%) patients in volume-controlled mode only, and 22 (55%) patients in alternate modes. A total of 17 (42.5%) patients died. The median pediatric index of mortality, pediatric index of mortality-II, pediatric risk of mortality, and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction score values of the surviving patients were significantly lower than the dead patients. Median aspartate aminotransferase (P = .003) and lactate dehydrogenase (P = .008) values were found to be significantly higher in patients who died, while median pH values (P = .049) were found to be lower. The median length of stay in pediatric intensive care unit and duration of mechanical ventilators were significantly shorter in patients who died. Also, the median pediatric index of mortality, pediatric index of mortality-II, pediatric risk of mortality, and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction values of pulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome patients were significantly lower than those of extrapulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. CONCLUSION: Despite advances in follow-up and management, mortality due to acute respiratory distress syndrome is still high. Mechanical ventilator duration, length of stay in pediatric intensive care unit, some mechanical ventilator parameters, mortality scores, and laboratory tests were associated with mortality. Alternatively, mechanical ventilator applications may reduce mortality rates.

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activity of Achillea sintenisii Hub.-Mor.

Achillea (Asteraceae) species have been traditionally used for their different therapeutical properties. In this study, phytochemical composition of aerial parts of A. sintenisii which is endemic in Turkey was determined with Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). To evaluate the wound healing potential, the cream formulation prepared from A. sintenisii was tested on the linear incision wound model in mice. In vitro enzyme inhibitory activity tests were performed on elastase, hyaluronidase, and collagenase. In the histopathological examination, angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation were significantly increased in A. sintenisii treatment groups compared to the negative control group. As a result of this study, it is thought that the enzyme inhibition and antioxidant activity of the plant may contribute to the wound healing process. According to LC/MS/MS analysis result, quinic acid (24.261 µg/mg extract) and chlorogenic acid (14.97 µg/mg extract) were identified as main constituents of the extract.

Investigation of Serum Interleukin 6, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and White Blood Cell Levels during the Diagnosis and Treatment of Paediatric Appendicitis Patients Before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: In this study, we prospectively investigated changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and full white blood cell (WBC) counts during the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric patients with appendicitis. We also investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment processes of paediatric appendicitis patients. Materials and Methods: A non-perforated appendicitis group (n = 110), a perforated appendicitis group (n = 35) and an appendicitis + COVID-19 group (n = 8) were formed. Blood samples were taken upon admission and every day until the three studied parameters returned to normal values. To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric appendicitis patients, the perforated appendicitis rates and the times from the onset of the first symptoms to the operation before and during the pandemic were compared. Results: WBC, IL-6, and hsCRP dropped below the upper limits on the second postoperative day in the non-perforated appendicitis group, four to six days postoperatively in the perforated appendicitis group, and three to six days postoperatively in the appendicitis + COVID-19 group. These parameters were not within normal range in patients who developed complications during follow-up. The time from the onset of abdominal pain to the surgery was significantly longer during than before the pandemic in both the non-perforated appendicitis group and the perforated appendicitis group. Conclusions: Our results show that WBC, IL-6, and hsCRP are useful laboratory parameters that can complete clinical examinations in the diagnosis of appendicitis in paediatric patients and the identification of complications that may develop postoperatively.

The haemodynamic effects of umbilical cord milking in term infants: a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Umbilical cord milking (UCM) is a method that allows for postnatal placental transfusion. The benefits of UCM have been demonstrated in some studies, but knowledge about its haemodynamic effects in term infants is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the haemodynamic effects of UCM in term infants. Methods: In this prospective, randomised controlled study, 149 healthy term infants with a birth week of ≥37 weeks were randomly assigned to either the UCM or immediate cord clamping (ICC) group. Blinded echocardiographic evaluations were performed in all the neonates in the first 2-6 h. Results: Superior vena cava (SVC) flow measurements were higher in the UCM group compared to the ICC group (132.47 ± 37.0 vs. 126.62 ± 34.3 mL/kg/min), but this difference was not statistically significant. Left atrial diameter (12.23 ± 1.99 vs. 11.43 ± 1.78 mm) and left atrium-to-aorta diastolic diameter ratio (1.62 ± 0.24 vs. 1.51 ± 0.22) were significantly higher in the UCM group. There were no significant differences in other echocardiographic parameters between the two groups. Conclusion: We found no significant difference in the SVC flow measurements in term infants who underwent UCM versus those who underwent ICC. This lack of significant difference in SVC flow may be explained by the mature cerebral autoregulation mechanism in term neonates.

Ultrasonography Results in First Urinary Tract Infection During Childhood: Which Age Group Should Be Screened?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of urinary system anomaly in children aged 0-18 y suffering from first urinary tract infection (UTI) and to establish which age group requires urinary ultrasonography (USG) screening. METHODS: Age and gender, urine culture, urinary USG, and urological imaging results among 247 children in the 0-18 y age group with a first diagnosis of UTI were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: Anomaly was detected at USG in 68 (27.5%) of the 247 patients suffering from first UTI. The most common anomaly was hydronephrosis. Non-E. coli micro-organisms were the pathogenic agents in 61.8% of patients with anomalies detected at USG. Being in the 0-5 y age group (OR: 0.524, 95% CI 0.284-0.970, p = 0.040) and presence of atypical UTI (OR: 4.746, 95% CI: 1.675-13.450, p = 0.003) emerged as independent predictive markers of severe urinary system pathologies on multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Based on the data in the present study, routine USG screening is recommended for children suffering from first UTI under the age of 5 y and for the children suffering from atypical UTI at all ages.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Activity of Tanacetum argyrophyllum (K. Koch) Tzvelev var. argyrophyllum Extract.

Objectives: Tanacetum L. belongs to Asteraceae family and is represented by 46 species in Türkiye. Tanacetum genus is known for its insecticide and insect repellent effect. T. argyrophyllum contains sesquiterpene lactone derivatives. These compounds are responsible for its various activities, especially cytotoxic, antitumor, phytotoxic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal activity. There are not enough biological activity studies on the plant that are likely to have a wide variety of activities in terms of the compounds it contains. The aim of the present study is to evaluate various biological activities of 80% aqueous methanol extract prepared from aerial parts of T. argyrophyllum (K. Koch) Tzvelev var. argyrophyllum collected from Sivas province of Turkey. Materials and Methods: Antioxidant activity of the methanol extract was determined by 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, total phenolic, and total flavonoid content tests. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities were investigated via Ellman's spectrometric method. Results: Total phenolic content was found as 71.67 mg/gallic acid equivalent g and total flavonoid content was 25.225 mg/quercetin equivalent g on a dry extract weight basis. In this work, AChE, BChE, and α-glycosidase enzymes were inhibited by the extract of T. argyrophyllum var. argyrophyllum. IC50 values for these enzymes were found as 266.79 µg/mL for AChE and 176.91 µg/mL for BChE. Also, the α-glycosidase activity exhibited a dose-dependent manner with increasing concentration. Conclusion: According to the results, T. argyrophyllum var. argyrophyllum can be used as an ingredient of functional foods as well as herbal products for diabetic and Alzheimer's disease patients.

Incidence of Mechanical Ventilation Adverse Events in Critically Ill Children in a Tertiary Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the clinical use of mechanical ventilation having well-documented benefits, it can be associated with complica- tions and adverse physiological effects that can impact mortality rates. There are few studies that examine complications associated with mechanical ventilation in children and the factors associated with complications in detail. This study aimed to investigate adverse events associated with mechanical ventilation in pediatric patients and to compare the epidemiology of complications associated with mechanical ventilation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of patients in a tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit who were mechanically ventilated between January 1, 2013, and July 31, 2017, were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients were included in the study, 105 boys (56.1%) and 82 girls (43.9%), and 45 (24.1%) patients experienced complications. The total number of mechanical ventilation days was 1100. Atelectasis (12.3%), post-extubation stridor (8.5%), ventilator- associated pneumonia (5.4%), and pneumothorax (5.4%) were most commonly observed complications. CONCLUSION: Complications of mechanical ventilation in the pediatric population still occur frequently. In this study, the incidence of atelectasis was high, and also, incidences of ventilator-associated pneumonia and pneumothorax were low.

Evaluation of Pediatric Delirium Awareness and Management in Pediatric Intensive Care Units in Turkey.

Delirium has been associated with prolonged pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay and mechanical ventilation times as well as high hospital costs and mortality rates. This work aimed to examine pediatric delirium awareness and delirium management in Turkey. A total of 19 physicians responsible for their respective PICUs completed the survey. Most of the units (57.9%) did not use any assessment tool. Varying measures were applied in different units to reduce the prevalence of delirium. The number of units that continuously measured noise was very low (15.8%). Eye mask and earpiece usage rates were also very low. In pharmacological treatment, haloperidol, dexmedetomidine, benzodiazepines, and atypical antipsychotics were the most preferred options. Some units have reached a sufficient level of pediatric delirium awareness and management. However, insufficiencies in delirium awareness and management remain in general.

An Evaluation of Choroidal and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thicknesses Using SD-OCT in Children with Childhood IgA Vasculitis.

Background: We aimed to evaluate choroidal and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses in children undergoing the childhood IgA vasculitis (IgAV). Methods: Fifty-two patients with IgAV aged 1−6 years and 54 healthy children were included. Cases' age, sex, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), RNFL thicknesses, and choroidal thickness values were recorded. Results: Median foveal center choroidal thickness was 374.0 µm (315.0 to 452.0 µm) in the IgAV group and 349.5 µm (285.0 to 442.0 µm) in the control group (p = 0.001). Median average RNFL thickness was 110.0 µm (91.0 to 134.0 µm) in the IgAV group and 104.0 µm (89.0 to 117.0 µm) in the control group (p < 0.001). Choroidal and RNFL thicknesses were significantly greater in all quadrants in the IgAV group than in the control group. No correlation was determined between ESR or CRP and foveal center choroidal and average RNFL thicknesses. Conclusions: Our findings show that choroidal and RNFL thicknesses increased significantly in children undergoing childhood IgA vasculitis compared to the healthy control group. These findings show that the choroid and RNFL are also affected by the inflammatory process in IgAV, which is a systemic vasculitis. We think that the choroidal and RNFL thicknesses can be used as a biomarker for childhood IgAV.

Albumin haemoglobin index: A novel pre-operative marker for predicting mortality and hospital stay in patients under one-year undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mortality and morbidity of infants <1 year of age with intestinal obstruction requiring surgical intervention and to investigate the factors affecting mortality and hospital length of stay in paediatric surgery, including albumin-haemoglobin index. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of gastrointestinal paediatric surgeries in the past 10 years of patients who were <1-year-old at Baskent University Konya Hospital were obtained from the hospital and retrospectively studied. Patient characteristics, especially the relationship between albumin haemoglobin index (AHI) and hospital duration and mortality, were examined. According to the surgical areas, it also subjected this relationship to further analysed in subgroups. RESULTS: There were 144 cases who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Pre-operative serum AHI was analysed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyzes. In the ROC analysis, AHI had a diagnostic value in predicting case discharge rates (area under the curve: 0.755, P = 0.001). When the cut-off point was set at 46.18, the sensitivity of the test was 57.5% and the sensitivity for predicting survival was 84%. In the logistic regression model to estimate survival, the odds ratio of AHI was 1.063 (confidence interval: 1.020-1.108, P = 0.004). In subgroup analyzes, AHI positively predicted survival in the NEC group and in the other group. In a linear regression model analysing the effect of AHI on hospital stay of length, AHI explained 10% of the variance in the hospital stay of length variable and significantly and negatively influenced the hospital length variable (ß = -0.319, P = 0.05). In the linear regression model for subgroup analyzes, AHI significantly and negatively predicted hospital length of stay in the NEC and pyloric surgery groups, but positively predicted hospital length of stay in the perforation group. CONCLUSION: The AHI can be used as a valuable marker to predict the likelihood of discharge and length of hospital stay in paediatric surgical cases <1-year-old.

Discordant ROP (Retinopathy of prematurity) development in twins less than 32 weeks of gestational age.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), is a vasoprolipherative disorder of the immature retina and a major cause of preventable blindness in childhood. Although the development of ROP is multifactorial, the main reasons are lower gestational age and birth weight. However, in twins their gestational ages were the same, ROP development can be discordant. This study aims to evaluate the etiologic factors of discordant ROP development in twins. METHODS: We reviewed the last 5 years' records and found the twins whose discordant ROP development. This discordance was; 1. Different stages of ROP, 2. One sibling treated the other is not, 3. One sibling has aggressive posterior ROP the other is not, 4. one sibling has more influenced area as zones the other is not. We documented some data of these twins, as birth order, birth weight, resuscitation at birth, morbidities, the number of hemotransfusion, age of regaining birth weight, relative weight gain at 28 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 26 cases of 13 twins were evaluated. The mean gestational age and birth weight of the whole study group were 27.7 ± 2, and 1053 ±  364 grams, respectively. We found that more transfused preterm baby in twins is more likely to show severe ROP. Additionally, sepsis and the duration of mechanical ventilation may be risk factors for more severe ROP in twins. CONCLUSIONS: We can reduce discordant retinopathy in less than 32-weeks premature twins by using methods such as cord milking and by improving non-invasive ventilation modalities.

A rare cause of delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea: 17α-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency.

AIM: 17α-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency is a rare form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and is caused by mutations in the CYP17A1 gene. The main clinical findings are delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea in girls, and disorders of sex development in boys. It can also cause hypertension and hypokalemia in both genders. In this study, we aimed to present the clinical, laboratory and genetic results of 13 patients from eight different families who were diagnosed with complete 17α-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency. METHODS: The age, symptoms, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, Tanner stages, and hormonal and chromosome analysis results at the time of admission were recorded from the medical records of the patients. Whole gene next-generation sequencing of CYP17A1 gene was performed to detect mutations. Multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) method were used to detect deletions in the seven patients who had no point mutation were detected in the CYP17A1 gene. RESULTS: The average age of the patients at the time of admission was 14.8 (range: 12.9-16.6) years. Also at this time, all patients were in adolescence and were raised as females. The karyotypes of eight patients were 46,XY, and of five patients were 46,XX. Ten patients presented with delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea, one patient with delayed puberty and hypertension, and two patients with hypertension and/or hypokalemia. Hypertension and hypokalemia were detected in nine and seven patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: P450c17 enzyme deficiency should be considered in patients presenting with delayed puberty or primary amenorrhea in the adolescence period and diagnosed with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, if hypertension and hypokalemia accompany. Early diagnosis prevents the occurrence of important health problems such as hypertension, psychological problems, and gender identity disorders, which affect the majority of these patients.

Is Less Invasive Surfactant Administration a Beneficial Method for Late Preterm Infants?

BACKGROUND: Late preterm infants (LPIs) have increased steadily in all newborns delivery and they are the largest patient group requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Surfactant treatment is frequently used in LPIs in case of respiratory distress, but the procedure and the timing of surfactant administration are not well-known. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of surfactant administration techniques on pulmonary outcomes in LPIs with respiratory distress. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we compared the effects of the less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) technique and conventional treatment on respiratory and other morbidities in LPIs who have respiratory difficulties. We named these two groups as the LISA group and the conventional group (CG). Comparison of the mechanical ventilation (MV) rates between the groups was the primary outcome of our study. RESULTS: There were 25 LPIs in each group. The duration of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oxygenation were similar in both groups. The rate of MV and the duration of MV (P=0.004 and P=0.02) were lower in the LISA group. Also, the need for more than 1 dose of surfactant was higher in the MV requiring group, although it was not statistically significant between the groups (P=0.21). CONCLUSION: Using the LISA technique for surfactant instillation reduces any MV requirement. LISA is a very useful and reliable technique in experienced hands in LPIs as in very preterm infants.

Determination of predictive risk factors for severe bronchiolitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive risk factors for development of severe bronchiolitis in patients with acute bronchiolitis with no previous chronic disease. METHODS: Four hundred forty children aged 1-24 months hospitalised with acute bronchiolitis, were examined between February 2018 and February 2019 in this prospective study. RESULTS: Eighty-five cases were regarded as severe bronchiolitis and 355 as mild-moderate bronchiolitis. Statistically significant differences were observed between the severe and mild-moderate bronchiolitis groups in terms of weight-for-age z-scores, history of bronchiolitis, haemoglobin levels, and time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and admission. Weight-for-age z-scores, the mean time interval between the onset of symptoms and admission, and mean haemoglobin values were lower in the severe bronchiolitis group while the mean number of bronchiolitis attacks was higher than in the mild-moderate bronchiolitis group. Logistic regression analysis determined that a low weight-for-age z-score increased the risk of severe bronchiolitis development 0.56-fold (CI: 0.409-0.760), a short duration between the onset of symptoms and admission increased the risk 0.62-fold (CI: 0.519-0.735), a frequent history of bronchiolitis increased the risk 1.81-fold (CI: 1.135-2.968) and low haemoglobin levels increased the risk 0.72-fold (CI: 0.537-0.969). CONCLUSION: Low weight-for-age z-scores, a short duration between the onset of symptoms and admission, a high number of previous attacks and low haemoglobin levels were identified as independent parameters of severe bronchiolitis development.

Phytochemical characterisation of Phlomis linearis Boiss. & Bal and screening for anticholinesterase, antiamylase, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties.

In the present work, essential oil and fatty acids and extracts obtained from aerial parts of Phlomis linearis Boiss. & Bal. were investigated for chemical composition and biological activities. The phytochemical analyses were conducted with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/flame ionisation detector (GC-MS/FID) and liquid chromatography-mass spectromtetry (LC-MS/MS) techniques. The extracts and essential oil were studied for α-amylase and acetylcholinesterase activities with two different spectrophotometric methods. Antimicrobial activities of the extracts were investigated by microdilution. The extracts were evaluated in vitro for cytotoxic effects against cancer and normal cell lines by MTT assay. The essential oil (EO) contained α-pinene (12.5%) and ß-caryophyllene (10.7%) as main compounds. Palmitic (26.5%) and nonadecanoic acids (26.6%) were determined as fatty acids. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts found phenolic acids, phlinosides, verbascoside, and flavonoids. The extracts and essential oil demonstrated poor α-amylase inhibitory activity. The best acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was obtained for diethly ether extract of P. linearis (67.2 ± 3.4%) at 10 mg /mL concentration. Ethyl acetate extract found to be effective against Staphlococcus aureus at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 156.26 µg/mL. Diethyl ether extract of P. linearis was active on A549 cell lines with an IC50 = 316 ± 4.16 µg/mL when compared with cisplatin IC50 = 24.43 ± 0.14 µg/mL. To the best of our knowledge, the present work is the first comprehensive report on anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-α-amylase, and antimicrobial activities, as well as cytotoxic effects of P. linearis.

Ability of ESWL nomograms to predict stone-free rate in children.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate whether the pediatric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) nomograms can predict stone-free status in children effectively and whether they are applicable to our series. We hypothesize that two current nomograms predicting successful treatment with ESWL in pediatric patients are valid. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated 415 renal units (children <18 years) with eligible data who received ESWL treatment for upper urinary tract stones. Children's age, gender, stone size, stone surface area, stone location and history of previous intervention were recorded. Children with no residual fragments after ESWL treatment were designated as stone-free. The nomograms described by Dogan and Onal were implemented to our series for the prediction of stone-free status. RESULTS: Mean age of children was 64.7 ± 57.2 months. Male to female ratio was 219:196.78.8% (327) of children had single stone. Mean stone size was 10.0 ± 3.7 mm and mean stone surface area was 380.0 ± 72.2 mm2. Our stone-free rate after single ESWL session was 52.5% (218/415). Mean residual stone size and stone surface area after single session was 6.4 ± 3.3 mm and 36.0 ± 44.2 mm2 respectively. There were no significant difference between stone-free children and children with residual fragments regarding gender, age and history of previous intervention. Mean stone size and stone surface area in stone-free children were lower and lower pole stones had the lowest stone-free rate (p < 0.05). Area under curve for Dogan and Onal nomogram were 0.628 and 0.580 respectively in ROC analysis (0.05). The agreement between Dogan and Onal score was moderate in our series. In multivariate analysis only stone surface area and Dogan score found to be independent predictors of stone-free status (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Only one study has assessed both nomograms in the literature. Both nomograms are reported to be independent predictors of stone free status. ROC analysis in our study revealed fair accuracy for both nomograms with higher area under curve for Dogan nomogram. Higher accuracy for both nomograms were reported by other authors. These nomograms offer practical data but more effective tools are needed to be developed for the prediction of stone-free status in pediatric ESWL. CONCLUSIONS: Stone size and stone surface area are associated with stone clearance. Dogan and Onal nomograms can be useful in prediction of stone-free status in children. Dogan nomogram is superior to Onal nomogram.

A New Virulent Race of Wheat Stripe Rust Pathogen (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) on the Resistance Gene Yr5 in Turkey.

The gene Yr5 in wheat has generally been known to confer resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici races worldwide. However, a few reports indicated that some isolates of the stripe rust pathogen were virulent on the wheat genotypes with Yr5 in India, Australia, and China (Nagarajan 1986; Wellings and McIntosh 1990; Zhang et al. 2020). In April 2020, a stripe rust infection was observed on Triticum spelta 'Album' (TSA), the Yr5 donor, provided by Turkey Seed Gene Bank in a wheat breeding field at the experimental station of Akdeniz University in the Antalya province of Turkey. The sample was tested on the seedlings of the Yr single-gene lines in the Avocet S (AvS) background including Yr5 near-isogenic line (AvSYr5NIL), TSA, and susceptible bread wheat variety 'Morocco' according to the procedure reported by Wan et al. (2014), and found to be highly virulent on Morocco with infection type (IT) 9 and virulent on AvSYr5NIL and TSA with IT 7. To confirm this novel finding, single-pustule isolates derived from this sample were obtained from TSA and re-tested on the differentials and TSA. The Yr5-virulent isolate yielded similar infection types on these plants further verifying previous results. The single-pustule isolates were determined to be avirulent (Avr) (IT 0 to 6) on AvSYr1NIL, AvSYr8NIL, AvSYr9NIL, AvSYr10NIL, AvSYr32NIL, and AvSYr43NIL and virulent (Vr) (IT 7 to 9) on AvSYr5NIL, AvSYr6NIL, AvSYr7NIL, AvSYr17NIL, AvSYr24NIL, AvSYr27NIL, AvSYr44NIL, AvSYrSpNIL, and TSA. The isolates were identified as a new race and temporarily named TRVR20-5 based on its Avr/Vr pattern. Furthermore, to confirm the presence of Yr5, the genomic DNA of fresh leaves of AvSYr5NIL and TSA used in the virulence testing were isolated using NucleoSpin Plant II (Macherey-Nagel, Germany) according to the manufacturer's procedure. The genomic DNA samples were amplified with the primers STS-7 (5'-GTACAATTCACCTAGAGT-3') and STS-8 (5'-GCAAGTTTTCTCCCTATT-3') (Chen et al. 2003) using a thermal cycler (T-100, BioRad, USA), and the resulting PCR products were digested with DpnII and visualized on an agarose gel. AvSYr5NIL and TSA had the fragment linked to the resistance allele (308 bp) whereas AvS and Morocco had the fragment linked to the susceptible allele (181 bp). Thus, both wheat genotypes were confirmed to carry Yr5, and the new Pst race virulent to Yr5 was confirmed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a Pst race virulent to Yr5 in Turkey, where stripe rust epidemics have occured in 2 out of every 5 years with 1-5% crop losses in over 25% of the wheat growing areas (Chen 2020). In a nutshell, monitoring the Pst races virulent to Yr5 with a potential to cause devastating epidemics worldwide is crucial due to the fact that international wheat breeding programs have been using Yr5 to develop wheat cultivars with resistance to stripe rust.

Comparison of Simultaneous Capillary Blood Gases and End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure.

In the follow-up of ventilation, invasive blood gas analysis and noninvasive monitoring of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO 2 ) are used. We aimed to investigate the relationship between capillary partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PcCO 2 ) levels and ETCO 2 and also to investigate ETCO 2 's predictive feature of PcCO 2 levels. This study included 28 female and 30 male pediatric patients; 28 patients were type-1 respiratory failure (RF), 16 patients were acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 14 patients were type-2 RF. Our results showed a significant correlation between ETCO 2 and PcCO 2 . Although the strength of the correlation was weak throughout the measurements, the strength of this correlation increased significantly in type-2 RF.