What do Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index (HidroQoL©) scores mean? Transferring science into practice by establishing a score banding system.

BACKGROUND: The Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index (HidroQoL©) is a measure of quality of life (QoL) impacts in hyperhidrosis (HH). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to establish score banding systems for the HidroQoL total score for specific contexts representing different severity/impact categories by using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) as anchors, including data from 357 patients from a phase III clinical trial. METHODS: We used the HDSS, the established DLQI score bands and two single items (items 5 and 7) of the DLQI as anchors for the creation of banding systems for the HidroQoL. These anchors were chosen via consensus among an expert group according to relevance to patient experience. Due to the distribution of the HDSS and the single DLQI item 7, receiver operating characteristic curves were computed in order to create an optimal cut-off value of the HidroQoL total score. For the DLQI banding system and the single DLQI item 5, we created a banding system for the HidroQoL based on the distribution of their different categories. RESULTS: A score of 30 and greater is proposed as the cut-off value for sweating that 'always interferes in daily activities', based on the HDSS as anchor. In terms of overall skin QoL effects, score bands of 0-6, 7-18, 19-25, 26-32 and 33-36 represent 'no effect', 'small effect', 'moderate effect', 'very large effect' and 'extremely large effect' on the patient's life, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we propose different banding systems for four different contexts: skin-specific QoL (DLQI banding), HH severity (HDSS), working and studying (single DLQI item 7) and social and leisure activities (single DLQI item 5). These banding systems and cut-off values can be used in clinical research and practice to place the patients in different severity categories.

Spatial geochemical structure of soft sediment on shallow littoral of the Gulf of Antalya, the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

The concentrations of heavy metals in soft sediments of the Manavgat and Lara regions in Antalya, Türkiye were investigated to assess contamination levels and their potential sources, followed by multivariate statistical analysis and generation of spatial distribution maps. Results showed low contamination levels for As, Zn, and Cu, moderate contamination for Pb, Ni, and Mn, and very high accumulation for Co and Cr. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF) analyses revealed moderate enrichment for Mn and low enrichment for As, indicating no human-induced contamination in Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, and As, while Ni, Co, and Cr originated mainly from agriculture. The maximum modified degree of contamination (mCd) value was at an extreme high level, with an average mCd of 4.12 indicating high contamination. Maximum pollution load index (PLI) value was 3.13, indicating high-grade pollution and an average value of 1.7 indicating moderate pollution.

Seasonal and spatial variations of ecological risk from potential toxic elements in the southern littoral zone of Izmir Inner Gulf, Turkey.

This study aims to investigate the ecological risk level of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Izmir Inner Gulf. Samples were taken from 16 stations selected in the southern littoral zone of the gulf for four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn). Multi-element, total organic carbon, chlorophyll-a, biogenic silica and carbonate analyses were carried out. To determine contamination level and ecological risks, some indices (enrichment factor, modified hazard quotient and potential risk analysis, toxic risk index, etc.) were calculated. Mo and Pb show significant anthropogenic enrichment in the inner gulf. These are followed by Cu, Cd, and Zn with moderate accumulation. Risk assessment indices point out that Ni, Cr, and Cd have a serious potential to create risk for ecosystem, and these are followed by As, Hg, Pb, Zn, and Cu. According to the spatial distribution, land use maps, and factor analysis, the Cd, Zn, and Cr increases are localized at the mouth of the Poligon Stream. Pb and Cu accumulate at the mouth of four large streams feeding the eastern part of the gulf. Pb and Cu enrichment is associated with traffic and industrial discharges. While one of the sources of Hg is anthropogenic, another source is eutrophication resulting from benthic and planktonic diatom blooms. While Fe and Mn are added to the gulf via rivers as a result of rock and soil erosion, another source is sediment. Cr, As, and Ni come from anthropogenic and lithogenic sources and immobilized in sediment. CO3-2 source is marine (biogenic) and dilutes other immobilized PTEs. It is understood that the peripheral stations rich in allochthonous organic carbon and the stations close to the central area rich in autochthonous organic carbon contribute to the carbon source in question.

A survey of metal concentrations in marine sediment cores in the vicinity of an old mercury-mining area in Karaburun, Aegean Sea.

The aim of this study was to assess the historical trends of metal concentrations in coastal sediments in the vicinity of an inactive mining area, find background values and contamination levels of metals around the Karaburun peninsula, and then search for other sources of mercury in marine sediment cores using multivariate statistical analysis and report the potential ecological risks from that metal contamination. Surface sediment samples were taken from seven stations. Water depths were less than 20 m (coastal area) at stations KB07 and KB08. The depths at stations KB01, KB02, and KB03 were between 20 and 40 m, and stations KB05 and KB06 were more than 40 m (open area). In surface sediments at depths between 20 and 40 m, Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Fe, Cd, Ti, Zr, Sn, As, Y, and Hg levels revealed higher contamination factors (Cf) compared to those of the coastal and open areas. Also, sediment samples were taken for historical records at stations KB01 and KB02 for 2012. Metal concentrations of Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, As, Sb, Cr, Ba, Ti, Al, and Hg in the sediment core samples were significantly higher during the Holocene (~5700 BC to 2000 B.C.) and Medieval Warm periods (~1000 A.D. to 1400 A.D.) and tended to decrease towards the Little Ice Age (2200 B.C. to the birth of Jesus Christ). Background concentration of Hg in sediment was found as 1.67 µg/g around the Karaburun peninsula. Average EF values higher than 20 were identified for As, Hg, Sb, and Ca. Ni and Hg levels were found above the PEL values. It was determined that the accumulation effect of Hg coming from the mafic rocks due to erosion in the marine environment was higher than that of Hg coming from the mine. The factor analyses showed an association between Hg, Ni, and Co. This reveals the importance of the contribution of mafic rocks reaching the marine environment by wave erosion. According to the factor analyses, high concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Sb, Ba, Ti, and Zr were detected in the lithogenic sources.

Cloning of intron-removed enolase gene and expression, purification, kinetic characterization of the enzyme from Theileria annulata.

Tropical theileriosis is a disease caused by infection with an apicomplexan parasite, Theileria annulata, and giving rise to huge economic losses. In recent years, parasite resistance has been reported against the most effective antitheilerial drug used for the treatment of this disease. This emphasizes the need for alternative methods of treatment. Enolase is a key glycolytic enzyme and can be selected as a macromolecular target of therapy of tropical theileriosis. In this study, an intron sequence present in T. annulata enolase gene was removed by PCR-directed mutagenesis, and the gene was first cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector and then subcloned into pLATE31 vector, and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The enzyme was purified by affinity chromatography using Ni-NTA agarose column. Steady-state kinetic parameters of the enzyme were determined using GraFit 3.0. High quantities (~65 mg/l of culture) of pure recombinant T. annulata enolase have been obtained in a higly purified form (>95 %). Homodimer form of purified protein was determined from the molecular weights obtained from a single band on SDS-PAGE (48 kDa) and from size exclusion chromatography (93 kDa). Enzyme kinetic measurements using 2-PGA as substrate gave a specific activity of ~40 U/mg, K m: 106 µM, kcat: 37 s(-1), and k cat/K m: 3.5 × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). These values have been determined for the first time from this parasite enzyme, and availability of large quantities of enolase enzyme will facilitate further kinetic and structural characterization toward design of new antitheilerial drugs.

Intravitreal injection of methotrexate in an experimental rabbit model: determination of ultrastructural changes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the ultrastructural changes of the rabbit retina induced by intravitreal methotrexate injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten New Zealand white rabbits were enucleated bilaterally at different time periods after intravitreal methotrexate injection. One rabbit was used as control group and one rabbit was used as intact group. Histopathological examinations were performed under light and electron microscopy. Early (within first three days after injection) and long-term (one month after serial injections) effects of intravitreal methotrexate on the retina were investigated. RESULTS: Retinal edema, vacuolization, and disintegration of mitochondria of the retinal cells were observed as early changes. The main long-term effects after serial injections were edema in the photoreceptor, inner nuclear, and ganglionic cell layers. Cellular disorganisation was seen on light microscopy. Electron microscopic examination revealed mitochondrial degeneration and vacuole formation in retinal cells, nuclear degeneration in outer nuclear layer, and membranous whorl formation in photoreceptor and nerve fiber layers. CONCLUSIONS: High dose intravitreal methotrexate injection may cause significant ultrastructural changes in the rabbit retina in varying severity. This finding may highlight the potential side effects of methotrexate on human retina in higher doses.

Single mutation in Shine-Dalgarno-like sequence present in the amino terminal of lactate dehydrogenase of Plasmodium effects the production of an eukaryotic protein expressed in a prokaryotic system.

One of the most important step in structure-based drug design studies is obtaining the protein in active form after cloning the target gene. In one of our previous study, it was determined that an internal Shine-Dalgarno-like sequence present just before the third methionine at N-terminus of wild type lactate dehydrogenase enzyme of Plasmodium falciparum prevent the translation of full length protein. Inspection of the same region in P. vivax LDH, which was overproduced as an active enzyme, indicated that the codon preference in the same region was slightly different than the codon preference of wild type PfLDH. In this study, 5'-GGAGGC-3' sequence of P. vivax that codes for two glycine residues just before the third methionine was exchanged to 5'-GGAGGA-3', by mimicking P. falciparum LDH, to prove the possible effects of having an internal SD-like sequence when expressing an eukaryotic protein in a prokaryotic system. Exchange was made by site-directed mutagenesis. Results indicated that having two glycine residues with an internal SD-like sequence (GGAGGA) just before the third methionine abolishes the enzyme activity due to the preference of the prokaryotic system used for the expression. This study emphasizes the awareness of use of a prokaryotic system to overproduce an eukaryotic protein.

Examination of reactive phosphate fluxes in an eutrophicated coastal area.

Reactive phosphate (RP) fluxes over sediment in an eutrophic bay were obtained under different conditions. The results were assessed together with water column, sediment solid, and liquid-phase parameters. The RP fluxes ranged from 0 to 1,300 µgatP × m(-2)d(-1) day depending on the sediment site and other variables. At stations with relatively high net RP fluxes, the clay fraction was >3% and disproportionate with salinity, which explained why the RP effluxes decreased by inhibition of the organic coating on particulate matter with increased SO(4) (-2) ions and good competition of RP anions with SO(4) (-2). The RP flux in Fe/RP ratios >2 in surface water decreased to approach a minimum asymptotically, which was thus defined with a hyperbolic curve to determine the maximum rate of the RP flux (J(RP)). The [RP(porewater)](initial)/[RP(ambient)] (initial) ratios were suggested to govern the net RP flux regionally, so the critical value where the RP flux turns positive could indicate eutrophication with Chl-a values <500 µg/g. So, this study investigated the phosphate fluxes between sediment and water column and determined the factors influencing the RP fluxes in the inner bay of Izmir.

Intravitreal injection of methotrexate in an experimental rabbit model: determination of pharmacokinetics.

PURPOSE: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of intravitreally administered methotrexate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were used in the study. The pharmacokinetics of intravitreally injected 800 µg/0.1 ml of methotrexate was investigated. Intravitreal concentration of the drug was measured at seven different times, in six eyes at each occasion, on a total of 42 eyes of 21 rabbits from a period of 30 minutes to 72 hours. RESULTS: The volume of distribution was calculated as 1.33 ml following intravitreal injection of 800 µg methotrexate. Vitreous concentrations of the drug were found to be decreasing related to the specific mathematical equation; drug concentration= 1426.73 e -0.1182(time) and remained over effective dose by 81 hours with a half life of 5.9 hours. CONCLUSIONS: These findings evidenced those vitreous levels of methotrexate at various time intervals after 800 µg intravitreal injections which formulated a mathematical equation for calculation of vitreous level of the drug at each hour.

Nutrient dynamics between sediment and overlying water in the inner part of Izmir Bay, Eastern Aegean.

The nutrient flux experiments for the sediments of Inner Izmir Bay were performed for the first time during January 2004-August 2004. The flux rates ranged between -127.9 and 358.2 microg atN m(-2) day(-1) for NH(4) (+), -47.88 and 320.9 microg at N m(-2) day(-1) for NO(2) (-), -62.96 and 121.3 microg at N m(-2) day(-1) for NO(3) (-), -64.1 and 528 microg atP m(-2) day(-1) for reactive phosphate (RP) and between -168.44 and 284.19 microg at Si m(-2) day(-1) for reactive silicate (RSi). Negative values were obtained from core incubations in winter except for nitrite (flux from water to sediment). The positive flux in all the core incubations during spring and summer (except nitrite in August) at least revealed that the sediment might be partially anoxic and/or included H(2)S. The turnover times obtained from water column nutrient inventory and flux rates indicated that Si and NH(4) (+) possessed a rapid cycle in water column. It was argued that NO(3) (-) would be more influenced by the removal processes within the sediment, therefore the water column would provide an additional contribution to the N limitation and the short turnover time of RP could rapidly supply RP to the water column. The continuous increase of pore water nutrient concentrations from January to August does not explain whether this nutrient reserve attains the next year with higher background levels or it is released back to environment at the end of autumn.