The effect of spinal correction surgery on the tractography data of the pain pathway in scoliosis patients: a preliminary report.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: Pain in individuals with opered scoliosis is usually evaluated with a postural analysis or questionnaire. In this study, we evaluated pain in individuals with scoliosis who underwent spinal correction surgery by tractography and compared it with individuals with non-opered scoliosis and healthy individuals. DESIGN: Fifteen healthy individuals, 15 non-operated scoliosis patients and 15 operated scoliosis patients were included in the study. METHODS: All female participants in this prospectively planned study used their right hand as the dominant hand. Bilateral tractography analysis of the pain pathways was performed with DSI Studio software using brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the participants. Statistical analysis of the study was performed with IBM SPSS 23.0 and p<0.05 values were considered significant. RESULTS: It was observed that the tractography values of the operated scoliosis group were similar to the control group (p˃0.05). In the non-operated scoliosis group, tractography findings related to nerve conduction velocity such as fiber count, fiber ratio and axial diffusivity (AD) were found to be higher than the other two groups (p<0.05). Fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the unoperated scoliosis group were significantly different between the pain pathways projected from the right/left side of the body (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The fact that the pain path tractography values of patients with scoliosis who underwent surgery were similar to those of healthy individuals may be evidence of decreased pain sensation reaching the brain. Surgery may be a good choice in the treatment of pain in patients with scoliosis.

Evaluation of cerebellum volume and trunk oscillation velocity in cases with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a preliminary report.

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that the cause of the balance disorder seen in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) originates from the central nervous system. However, the extent of the balance problem and the dysfunction of which part of the central nervous system has not been investigated in detail. This study aimed to correlate the values obtained by balance analysis and cerebellum volume measurement in female individuals with AIS with healthy individuals. METHODS: Cerebellum volume was calculated via the cloud-based software " https://volbrain.upv.es " using brain magnetic resonance images of 27 healthy and 26 individuals with AIS. The duration of stay in the test positions, the movement strategy used during this time and the amount of postural sway were analyzed by using a computer-assisted force platform and compared statistically. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the AIS and control groups in cerebellum total volume, vermis cerebelli volume (cm3), and trunk oscillation velocity (mm/s) parameters (p < 0.05). Cerebellum and vermis cerebelli volumes were found to be lower and trunk oscillation velocity was found to be greater in patients with AIS. CONCLUSION: Balance problems in patients with AIS are correlated with decreased cerebellum volume and increased trunk oscillation velocity.

Morphological, microstructural and photocatalytic characterization of undoped and Ni, Co doped Fe2O3 particles synthesized by sonochemical method.

In this study, an abundant and eco-friendly photocatalytic material, Fe2O3 particles were synthesized by sonochemical method. Morphological and microstructural investigations of synthesized undoped and Ni, Co-doped Fe2O3 particles were performed. The effect of particle morphology and microstructure on its photocatalytic performance was further investigated. Comparative studies for evaluating particle crystallite sizes were conducted by Williamson-Hall (W-H) method and modified Debye-Scherrer (MDS). Crystallite sizes and lattice strains of Fe2O3 induced by process parameters were calculated by W-H method based on uniform deformation model (UDM). The crystallite sizes of the synthesized powders were calculated in the range of 200 nm and 76 nm by Williamson-Hall analysis. In addition to structural investigation, dislocation density of the synthesized particles was calculated by Williamson-Smallman relation. Afterwards, photocatalytic performance of Fe2O3 particles was investigated in detail. The photodegradation of methylene blue solutions in the presence of light in 20 min with samples 3,4, and 5 in 20 min were 0.937, 0.896, and 0.855, respectively. Moreover, the photodegradation of methylene blue solution with sample 5 for 15, 30, and 45 min were 0.9, 0.828, and 0.757, respectively. A photocatalytic activity of 24.25% has been observed under optimum conditions for the time interval of 45 min.

Multifunctional alginate-based hydrogel with reversible crosslinking for controlled therapeutics delivery.

Glycan-based alginate hydrogels have great potential in creating new vehicles with responsive behavior and tunable properties for biomedicine. However, precise control and tunability in properties present major barrier for clinical translation of these materials. Here, we report the synthesis of pH responsive anthracene modified glycan-based hydrogels for selective release of therapeutic molecules. Hydrogels were crosslinked through simultaneous photopolymerization of vinyl groups and photodimerization of anthracene. Incorporation of anthracene into these gels leads to reversible control on crosslinking and transition between gel/sol states through dimerization/dedimerization of anthracene groups. Chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin-loaded hydrogels were then tested in a cancer mimetic microenvironment where 85% of the drug was released from anthracene-conjugated hydrogels at pH 2 for 6 days. Control on gelation with anthracene incorporation was observed through alterations in modulus, where storage modulus was increased two-fold with anthracene conjugation during photopolymerization and photodimerization. Furthermore, cell survival analysis revealed that anthracene conjugation could selectively compromise cancer cell viability without inducing significant toxicity on healthy fibroblasts. This study combines light-induced control of crosslink density due to anthracene and pH-triggered therapeutics delivery with alginate. The approach would be applicable for systems where multiple control is required with high precision.

Synthesis of Graphene-like Films by Electrochemical Reduction of Polyhalogenated Aromatic Compounds and their Electrochemical Capacitor Applications.

Graphene is a promising two-dimensional nanomaterial for many applications due to its exciting properties. In the past decade, a variety of techniques-each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages-have been developed to prepare graphene, and there are ongoing efforts to improve these techniques and to reveal new approaches. Here, we describe a simple and low-cost process for the bottom-up synthesis of graphene-like films. This new methodology involves a two-step procedure: (i) formation of polyaromatic ring structures by the repeated covalent coupling of aryl radicals generated from electrochemical reduction of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds in aprotic solvent, and (ii) production of carbon networks by heating of polyaromatic surface films. Accordingly, polymeric films were prepared on the electrodes by electrochemical reduction of polyhalogenated compounds such as hexafluorobenzene (HFB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and hexabromobenzene (HBB), and then polymer films were annealed at 400 °C for 30 min. The structure and surface characteristics of electrodeposited carbon films under self- and thermal-annealing conditions were studied by spectroscopic and morphological techniques. Also, the capacitance performance of the films was evaluated by means of cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results indicate that graphene-like carbon films can be achieved by use of the electrochemical approach under mild conditions without expensive equipment, and also that these carbon materials are very promising for low-cost energy-storage devices.

Clinical significance of NCOA5 gene rs2903908 polymorphism in Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is an autoimmune multisystemic disease. The precise etiology of BD is not fully understood; however, it is thought that interactions between genetic and environmental factors play an essential role in its pathogenesis. The nuclear receptor coactivator-5 (NCOA5) gene encodes a coregulator for nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group D member 2 (NR1D2) and estrogen receptor 1 and 2 (ESR1 and ESR2). Also, the NCOA5 gene insufficiency leads to an elevated expression of IL-6, and increased levels of IL-6 were found to be related to the pathogenesis of BD. In this study, we aimed to clarify the impact of the NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism on susceptibility and clinical findings of BD. This study included 671 participants (300 BD patients and 371 healthy controls). The analyses of NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism was performed by using the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. The frequency of TT genotype of the NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism was found significantly higher in BD patients compared to those in healthy controls (p=0.016, OR=1.46, 95 % CI=1.08-1.99). Also, the frequencies of CT genotype was observed significantly higher in BD patients with genital ulceration and uveitis than without genital ulceration and uveitis (p=0.002 and p=0.005, respectively). The most significant association was found between C allele frequencies of BD patients with and without uveitis (p=0.0001). Our study represents for the first time that the NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism seemed to be linked to BD susceptibility and clinical findings.

The possible role of CCR5Δ32 mutation in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever infection.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever infection (CCHF) is a viral zoonosis. The pathogenesis of this disease has not been established so far, however, cytokines account for its progression and outcome. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association between chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) gene Δ32 mutation and pathogenity, severity, and mortality of CCHF. This case-control study included 133 CCHF patients diagnosed by detection of CCHV RNA positivity and 97 healthy control subjects. CCR5 gene Δ32 mutation analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The results were compared by using SPSS 16.0 and WINPEPI software's. The genotype distribution and allele frequency of the CCR5Δ32 were statistically different between the patients and the control group (P = 0.017; OR: 4.98 95% CI = 1.65-14.99 and P = 0.019; OR:4.76 95%CI = 1.30-17.50, respectively). CCR5/CCR5 (W/W) genotype and W allele of CCR5 gene were more common in patient group than in controls. There was no significant difference in severe and mild cases with regard to genotype distribution and allele distribution of CCR5Δ32 mutation (P >0.05). These results suggest that the CCR5 gene and its product might play a role in the pathogenesis of CCHF disease. Future studies will help us to uncover the exact role of CCR5 in the pathogenesis and prognosis of CCHF and to treat the disease.

Simkania negevensis: Is it a real respiratory pathogen?

Simkania negevensis, a recently discovered Chlamydia-like organism, has been associated with respiratory infections such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in children and adults. The aim of the present study was to evaluate S. negevensis in the etiology of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia, bronchiolitis and asthma exacerbation in our region. Overall, 102 patients and 46 healthy controls were included in the study. S. negevensis was investigated by real time PCR (Primer Design, UK) in nasopharyngeal swab samples. It failed to be detected in either the study or control group. In conclusion, our results suggest that S. negevensis is not an important respiratory pathogen in our region.

Associations of rs4810485 and rs1883832 polymorphisms of CD40 gene with susceptibility and clinical findings of Behçet's disease.

There are evidences that besides geographic tendency, interactions between genetic and environmental factors play an essential role in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease (BD). In this study, we have evaluated the associations between rs4810485 and rs1883832 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)s of CD40 gene with the susceptibility and clinical findings of BD. Two hundred and eighty-five patients with BD and 225 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The clinical findings of patients were noted. The distributions of genotypes, alleles, combined genotypes and haplotypes of these two SNPs in BD patients were compared with those in healthy controls. In further evaluation, we evaluated the patients with and without any of clinical findings with regarding to distribution of genotypes and alleles of these two SNPs. There was no significant difference concerning frequencies of genotypes, alleles, combined genotypes and haplotypes of rs4810485 and rs1883832 between patients and controls (p > 0.05 for all). Frequency of GT genotype of CD40 rs4810485 polymorphism was found to be significantly higher in patients with skin lesions (p < 0.05, OR 1.65, 95 % CI 1.02-2.64). Also, we have found significantly higher frequencies of CC genotype and C allele of CD40 rs1883832 polymorphism in patients with genital ulcers (p < 0.05 for both, OR 2.30, 95 % CI 1.07-4.94 and OR 1.78, 95 % CI 1.06-2.97, respectively). However, these significances were disappeared after Bonferroni correction. We suggest that differences in the expression levels of CD40 because of different genotypes of these two SNPs may take part in the development of skin lesions or genital ulcers in patients with BD.

Predictive value of gelsolin for the outcomes of preterm neonates: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Plasma gelsolin is a circulating actin-binding protein that has a protective role against tissue injuries. Our aim was to compare the baseline levels of gelsolin in premature infants with neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A total of 32 preterm neonates born at 23-32 weeks of gestation were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Plasma gelsolin levels at 72 h were significantly lower in patients with respiratory distress syndrome, in patients who were administered surfactant therapy and in patients who developed sepsis (P < 0.05). Plasma gelsolin levels at 28 days were significantly lower in patients who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low plasma gelsolin levels in the first postnatal month may be associated with poor outcomes in premature infants.

The efficacy of nebulized salbutamol, magnesium sulfate, and salbutamol/magnesium sulfate combination in moderate bronchiolitis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this paper is to compare the effect of nebulized magnesium sulfate to nebulized salbutamol and salbutamol/magnesium sulfate on successful discharge from the emergency department. A total of 56 infants were included in this double-blinded, prospective study. Infants were grouped according to the nebulized treatment they received: group 1-salbutamol/normal saline, group 2-magnesium sulfate and normal saline, and group 3-salbutamol plus magnesium sulfate. Heart beat, bronchiolitis, clinical severity scores (CSS), and oxygen saturation of the patients were determined before and after nebulization (0, 1, 4 h). The patients were monitored for adverse reactions. Post-treatment mean CSS results were significantly lower than pre-treatment scores in all groups at 4 h with no significant difference within groups. CSS scores were lower in the salbutamol/magnesium sulfate group when compared with the magnesium sulfate and salbutamol groups (3.4 (2.4-4.3), 4.7 (3.8-5.7), 4.0 (3.2-4.3)). CSS were significantly lower than those from the magnesium sulfate group. CONCLUSION: Nebulized magnesium sulfate plus salbutamol may have additive effects for improving the short-term CSS.

Contact Urticaria to Raw Potato and Lentil Anaphylaxis: A Case Report.

Potatoes and lentils are highly consumed throughout the world. Adverse reactions to potatoes among children are considered uncommon and usually result from ingestion. Allergy to raw potato has mainly been described in adults, usually in the form of oral-contact dermatitis or contact urticaria, but also may manifest as asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, wheezing, or even anaphylaxis. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas are the most commonly consumed legumes in Turkey and the Mediterranean region. In the literature, type I hypersensitivity to lentils and legumes is rare. We report a case of a 16-month-old boy with both urticaria induced by raw potato and lentil-induced anaphylaxis.

Synthesis, characterization and properties of some divalent metal(II) complexes: their electrochemical, catalytic, thermal and antimicrobial activity studies.

In this study, we synthesized the amine compound 2-(2-aminoethyliminomethyl)phenol (H(3)A) as the starting material, and then we prepared the polydentate Schiff base ligands from the reactions of the amine compound (H(3)A) with phtaldialdehyde (H(2)L), 4-methyl-2,6-di-formlyphenol (H(3)L(1)) and 4-t-butyl-2,6-di-formylphenol (H(3)L(2)) in the ethanol solution. Moreover, the complexes Cd(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Sn(II) of the ligands H(2)L, H(3)L(1) and H(3)L(2) have been prepared. All compounds have been characterized by the analytical and spectroscopic methods. In addition, the magnetic susceptibility and molar conductance measurements have been made. The catalytic properties of the mono- and binuclear Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes have been studied on the 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) and ascorbic acid (aa) as a substrate. The oxidative C-C coupling properties of the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes have been investigated on the sterically hindered 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (dtbp). The antimicrobial activity properties of the ligands and their mono- and binuclear complexes have been studied against the bacteria and fungi. The results have been compared to the antibacterial and fungi drugs. The TGA curves show that the decomposition takes place in three steps for all complexes. Electrochemical properties of the complexes Cu(II) and Ni(II) have been investigated for the first time in acetonitrile by cyclic voltammetry.