Enhancing microalgae classification accuracy in marine ecosystems through convolutional neural networks and support vector machines.

Accurately classifying microalgae species is vital for monitoring marine ecosystems and managing the emergence of marine mucilage, which is crucial for monitoring mucilage phenomena in marine environments. Traditional methods have been inadequate due to time-consuming processes and the need for expert knowledge. The purpose of this article is to employ convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and support vector machines (SVMs) to improve classification accuracy and efficiency. By employing advanced computational techniques, including MobileNet and GoogleNet models, alongside SVM classification, the study demonstrates significant advancements over conventional identification methods. In the classification of a dataset consisting of 7820 images using four different SVM kernel functions, the linear kernel achieved the highest success rate at 98.79 %. It is followed by the RBF kernel at 98.73 %, the polynomial kernel at 97.84 %, and the sigmoid kernel at 97.20 %. This research not only provides a methodological framework for future studies in marine biodiversity monitoring but also highlights the potential for real-time applications in ecological conservation and understanding mucilage dynamics amidst climate change and environmental pollution.

Chondromyxoid fibroma: A retrospective evaluation of 31 cases.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to review a 35-year experience with chondromyxoid fibroma at our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study retrospectively analyzed the records of 31 consecutive patients (17 males, 14 females; mean age: 30.5±15.7 years; range, 6 to 63 years) with chondromyxoid fibroma who were treated between January 1988 and December 2021. The clinical and radiological characteristics of lesions, tumor volume, and recurrence rates were assessed using the tumor archive of the hospital. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 65.9±42.0 months. Pelvis, proximal tibia, and distal femur were the most common sites of localization. The initial surgical treatment was performed on 27 patients at our clinic, while four patients were referred to the clinic after recurrence. The overall recurrence rate was 16.1%. Intralesional curettage was applied to 21 (77.8%) out of 27 patients. The cavity created after curettage was filled with bone graft (autograft or allograft) in 15 (55.5%) cases. Bone cement was applied in four (14.8%) cases. Resection was applied to five (18.5%) patients. In two (7.4%) cases, intralesional curettage alone was performed. One of these two patients experienced recurrence, resulting in a recurrence rate of 50% in this patient group. No recurrence was observed in other treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Intralesional curettage and filling the defect with bone graft or cement were effective for local control in most cases. Curettage alone was associated with high recurrence rates.

Brown tumors: Retrospective analysis of 26 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Brown tumors are reactive osteolytic lesions caused by hyperparathyroidism. These rare lesions are non-neoplastic processes that result from bone resorption. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review a 34-year experience with brown tumors in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 26 consecutive patients with brown tumor who were treated in our institution between May 1988 and October 2020, with a mean follow-up of 36,1 months. RESULTS: 17 male (65,4%) and 9 female (34,6%) patients with a mean age of 41,6 were included in the study. Localized bone pain was present in 13 cases (50,0%) as the first presenting symptom. 3 patients (11,5%) presented with diffuse bone pain. 7 patients (26,9%) were diagnosed with brown tumor while being investigated for pathological fractures. The other 3 patients (11,5%) were diagnosed while being evaluated for hypercalcemia symptoms. 7 patients (26,9%) had solitary lesions, while 19 patients (73,1%) had multiple lesions. Pelvis, femur, ribs, tibia, proximal humerus and mandible were the most common sites of localization. 23 patients (88,5%) were diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, while the other 3 patients (11,5%) had secondary hyperparathyroidism. A total of the 65 lesions, 23 (35.4%) underwent orthopedic surgery, and 42 (64.6%) were followed up conservatively after parathyroidectomy. Orthopedic surgery was performed in 21 of 26 patients, the other 5 cases were followed up conservatively. Intralesional curettage was performed in 19 cases (82,6%). The resulting cavity was filled with bone cement in 11 cases (47,8%). Bone grafting was applied in 8 cases (34,8%). No recurrence was observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of brown tumor begins with clinical suspicion. Endocrinology and general surgery consultation is important before surgery. Treatment of brown tumors requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Construction of a Conductive Polymer/AuNP/Cyanobacteria-Based Biophotovoltaic Cell Harnessing Solar Energy to Generate Electricity via Photosynthesis and Its Usage as a Photoelectrochemical Pesticide Biosensor: Atrazine as a Case Study.

In this research, a cyanobacteria (Leptolyngbia sp.)-based biological photovoltaic cell (BPV) was designed. This clean energy-friendly BPV produced a photocurrent as a result of illuminating the photoanode and cathode electrodes immersed in the aqueous medium with solar energy. For this purpose, both electrodes were first coated with conductive polymers with aniline functional groups on the gold electrodes. In the cell, the photoanode was first coated with a gold-modified poly 4-(2,5-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzamine polymer, P(SNS-Aniline). Thioaniline-functionalized gold nanoparticles were used to provide a cross-link formation with bis-aniline conductive bonds with the conductive polymer using electrochemical techniques. Leptolyngbia sp., one of the cyanobacteria that can convert light energy into chemical energy, was attached to this layered electrode surface. The cathode of the cell was attached to the gold electrode surface with P(SNS-Aniline). Then, the bilirubin oxidase (BOx) enzyme was immobilized on this film surface with glutaraldehyde activation. This cell, which can use light, thanks to cyanobacteria, oxidized and split water, and oxygen was obtained at the photoanode electrode. At the cathode electrode, the oxygen gas was reduced to water by the bioelectrocatalytic method. To obtain a high photocurrent from the BPV, necessary optimizations were made during the design of the system to increase electron transport and strengthen its transfer. While the photocurrent value obtained with the designed BPV in optimum conditions and in the pseudosteady state was 10 mA/m2, the maximum power value obtained was 46.5 mW/m2. In addition to storing the light energy of the system, studies have been carried out on this system as a pesticide biosensor. Atrazine biosensing via the BPV system was analytically characterized between 0.1 and 1.2 µM concentrations for atrazine, and a very low detection limit was found as 0.024 µM. In addition, response time and recovery studies related to pesticide biosensor properties of the BPV were also investigated.

Prognostic factors in endometrial cancer patients with bone metastasis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the pattern and prognosis of osseous involvement and the role of orthopedic surgery in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) and to evaluate the quality of life, local tumor control, and survival of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2018, a total of 14 patients (median age: 60.5 years; range, 55 to 73 years) who were surgically treated for osseous metastasis of EC and followed for minimum 12 months were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were evaluated for their primary malignancy, characteristics of bone metastasis, and type of treatment related to musculoskeletal involvement. For evaluating the functional outcomes, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scale were used in the pre- and postoperative period. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 34.5 (range, 9 to 89) months. All patients had advanced-stage disease (FIGO Stage III-IV). Four patients had solitary and 10 patients had multiple bone metastases. The mean VAS score and ECOG performance status grades improved (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). The median survival after detection of bone metastasis was 61 (range, 41 to 82) months. CONCLUSION: Endometrial cancer patients with musculoskeletal pain should be investigated for the possibility of bone metastasis to tailor a prompt treatment and to achieve a better prognosis. Appropriate surgical treatment of bone metastasis may improve both pain and performance status in carefully selected patients.

Malignant Tumors of the Foot and Ankle.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment is usually required for malignant foot and ankle tumors. In this study, we sought to review factors in treatment that may be associated with morbidity and mortality. METHODS: All malignant foot and ankle tumors at our institution between April 1988 and April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical modalities used and clinical outcomes of patients according to the anatomic location (Kirby zone) and clinical stage (Enneking system) of each tumor were described. Extent of surgical resection required, recurrence, and death rates were assessed. RESULTS: Between April 1988 and April 2018, 80 patients with malignant tumors of the foot and ankle were treated at out institution. Mean age of patients was 42.6 (range, 3-89) years. Mean follow-up was 30.2 months (range, 24-120). Tumors were primary in 75 patients (94%) and metastatic from another organ in 5 patients (6%). Tumors originated from bone in 18 patients (22%) and from soft tissue in 63 patients (78%). Synovial sarcoma was the most common soft tissue tumor, and osteosarcoma was the most common osseous tumor.All patients had surgery to resect their tumor. Twenty-one (26%) had unplanned surgical procedures without initial biopsy at an outside institution prior to referral. Those patients were more likely to be treated with amputation or wide excison and free flap surgery (P < .01). The recurrence rate was 50% for the unplanned surgery group and 22% for the planned surgery group. Mortality rate was 10% for the unplanned group and 6% for the planned group. The recurrence and mortality rate was higher in the unplanned group (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that unplanned initial surgeries are associated with higher recurrence and mortality rates and reinforces the notion that these patients should be referred for treatment at a center with specialized expertise in tumor management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level, IV, retrospective case series.

External and internal hemipelvectomy: A retrospective analysis of 68 cases.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the factors that may be associated with surgical site infection and mortality in pelvic resection surgeries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 68 patients (40 males, 28 females; mean age: 43±16.2 years; range, 11 to 70 years) who underwent internal or external hemipelvectomy between January 2010 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. We reviewed data concerning histopathological diagnosis, surgical technique, pelvic resection type, tumor size, postoperative infection, duration of follow-up, and mortality. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 45.5±42.2 months. Among 68 patients, 29 (42.6%) cases underwent external hemipelvectomy and 39 (57.4%) cases underwent internal hemipelvectomy. Reconstruction was performed in 14 (20.6%) patients who underwent internal hemipelvectomy. Of all patients, 61 had primary malignant pelvic tumors and two had metastatic pelvic tumors. Of the other five patients, two had a giant cell tumor, two had a pelvic hydatid cyst, and one had an aneurysmal bone cyst. The three most common pelvic tumors were chondrosarcoma (n=25, 36.7%), osteosarcoma (n=13, 19.1%), and Ewing sarcoma (n=8, 11.8%). Surgical site infections were observed in 34 (50.0%) patients. Of 34 patients, 15 (22.1%) had superficial infections and 19 (27.9%) had deep surgical infections. The superficial and deep infection rates were higher in the external hemipelvectomy group compared to internal hemipelvectomy (p=0.02). Patients with postoperative infection had a mean survival period of 36.0 months compared to 79.8 months in patients without infection (p=0.037). The patients treated with internal hemipelvectomy had a mean survival of 97.0 months compared to 25.7 months in patients treated with external hemipelvectomy (p<0.0001). The effect of Enneking stages of malignant pelvic tumors on survival was investigated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cumulative survival decreased, as the stage progressed (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The type of surgical technique affects the possibility of postoperative infection. Postoperative infection, surgical method, and stage of the tumor are associated with survival.

IRTGUI: An R Package for Unidimensional Item Response Theory Analysis With a Graphical User Interface.

In the last decade, many R packages were published to perform item response theory (IRT) analysis. Some researchers and practitioners have difficulty in using these functional tools because of their insufficient coding skills. The IRTGUI package provides these researchers a user-friendly GUI where they can perform unidimensional IRT analysis without coding skills. Using the IRTGUI package, person and item parameters, model and item fit indices can be obtained. Dimensionality and local independence assumptions can be tested. With the IRTGUI package, users can generate dichotomous data sets with customizable conditions. Also, Wright Maps, item characteristics and information curves can be graphically displayed. All outputs can be easily downloaded by users.

Scheduling surgery after transarterial embolization: does timing make any difference to intraoperative blood loss for renal cell carcinoma bone metastases?

PURPOSE: Our purpose is to clarify the optimal timing of surgery after transarterial embolization (TAE) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) bone metastases. METHODS: This retrospective study included 41 patients with RCC bone metastases embolized between 2013 and 2019. Different-sized particulate and/or liquid embolic agents were used for TAE. Embolizations were categorized into groups 1-3 according to the interval between TAE and surgery (group 1: <1 day, group 2: 1-3 days, group 3: >3 days). Degree of embolization after TAE was graded visually based on angiographic images (<50%, 50%-75%, 75%-90%, >90%). The relationship between the TAE-surgery interval and intraoperative blood loss (IBL) and the correlation between IBL and embolization grade were examined. Lesion sizes and the relationships among lesion localizations and contrast media usage, intervention time, and IBL were also analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-six pre-operative TAEs (single lesion at each session) were performed in this study (26 in group 1, 13 in group 2, 7 in group 3). Lesion sizes and distributions were similar between groups (p = 0.897); >75% devascularization was achieved in 40 (TAEs 86.96%), but the IBL showed no correlation with the embolization rate (r=0.032, p = 0.831). The TAE-surgery interval was 1-7 days. The median IBL in group 1 (750 mL; range, 150-3000 mL) was significantly lower than those in the other groups (p = 0.002). Contrast media usage (p = 0.482) and intervention times (p = 0.261) were similar for metastases at different localizations. IBL values after TAE were lower for extremity metastases (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Bone metastases of RCC are well-vascularized, and to achieve lowest IBL values, surgery should preferably be performed <1 day after TAE.

A newly described imaging finding for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: Can hummingbird sign contribute to the diagnosis?

Background/aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether morphological changes in the mesencephalon, which were previously described as a diagnostic tool for progressive supranuclear palsy, could be associated also with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephal Materials and methods: Consecutive 52 patients with a possible diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (32 female, mean age 73.6 years) and 40 controls (23 female, mean age 72.7 years) with similar demographic characteristics were included the study. The morphologic changes in mesencephalon, hummingbird sign, and the vascular compression to mesencephalon were noted. Besides, three independent observers evaluated the imaging parameters for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in magnetic resonance imaging. Inter-observer reliabilities for qualitative and quantitative data were assessed using the Cronbach's alpha and intra class correlation coefficient. The correlation of the imaging parameters with each other was evaluated with Pearson correlation. Results: Hummingbird sign was found to be significantly more common among patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (p < 0.0001). A statistically significant correlation was found between hummingbird sign and vascular compression of patients in the study group (p < 0.0001). A substantial, good, and perfect agreement was found between observers at all levels except callosal angle (fair agreement). Conclusion: Hummingbird sign can be used to support the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in addition to other radiological findings. A significant correlation between vascular compression and hummingbird sign in the patient group may explain the morphological changes in the mesencephalon that resemble the Hummingbird sign, which was previously described for progressive supranuclear palsy.

Steroid Injection and Biomarker Levels in the Treatment of Unicameral Bone Cysts: Can we Estimate the Result?

BACKGROUND: Steroid injection is a common method in the treatment of unicameral bone cysts (UBC). In this study, the relationship between the clinical results and inflammatory molecules' levels in the cyst fluid was evaluated after three repeated steroid injections in UBC subjects. METHODS: Twenty-one patients diagnosed with UBC were treated with methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) injections. Patients were given three injections, each containing MPA, 6-8 weeks apart. Plain radiographs were obtained and cyst healing was evaluated according to modified Neer classification. Cyst fluid samples were taken. Samples were taken at first and last operations and were studied using the ELISA method to examine IL-1ß, PGE2, MMP-1, and VEGF-A levels. RESULTS: There were 17 and 4 cases localized to the humerus and femur, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 36.9 months. Complete recovery was achieved in 13 patients (61.9%) receiving MPA. Four patients (19%) recovered with residual lesions. One patient (4.7%) did not respond to steroid injections at all. In three patients (14.2%) the cyst recurred. Results were satisfactory in 17 patients (80.9%) and totally unsuccessful in 4 patients (19%). IL-1ß, PGE2, and MMP-1 levels in cyst fluid were not affected by injection (p > 0.05), but VEGF-A levels decreased significantly with cyst healing (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Steroid injection is a good choice in the treatment of UBC because of its less aggressive and relatively good outcome. It may be considered to evaluate the response to treatment by performing biomarker monitoring especially VEGF-A in repeated injections. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II study.

Urinary microbiota; Which non-invasive urine collection method should we use?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to establish the optimal non-invasive urine sample collection method for the microbiota studies. METHODOLOGY: Twelve men with bladder carcinoma underwent first voided and midstream urine collection. Urine samples were analysed using V3-V4 regions of bacterial 16s ribosomal RNAs. Bacterial groups with relative abundance above 1% were analysed in first voided urine and midstream urine samples at phylum, class, order and family level. At the genus level, all of the identified bacterial groups' relative abundances were analysed. The statistical significance (P < .05) of differences between first voided and midstream urine sample microbiota was evaluated using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: According to the analysis, 8 phyla, 14 class, 23 orders, 39 families and 29 different genera were identified in the first voided and the midstream urine samples. Statistical differences were not identified between first voided and midstream urine samples of all bacteria groups except the Clostridiales at order level (p:0.04) and Clostridia at class level (P: .04). CONCLUSIONS: Either first voided or midstream urine samples can be used in urinary microbiota studies as we determined that there is no statistically significant difference between them regarding the results of 16s ribosomal RNA analysis.

Prognostic value of preoperative inflammation markers in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prediction values of the preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and red cell distribution width (RDW) for recurrence and progression of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: In this prospective study, 94 consecutive patients newly diagnosed with NMIBC between July 2017 and August 2018 were included. The blood samples were collected from patients before transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURB) and NLR, LMR, PLR, RDW and MPV values were calculated. The effect of these preoperative inflammatory parameters and other clinicopathological parameters on recurrence and progression rates was evaluated. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify significant prognostic variables. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 11 ± 6.4 months. Recurrence was observed in 35.1% and progression was detected in 7.4% of the patients. NLR was statistically significantly associated with both recurrence (P = .01) and progression (P = .035), whereas LMR was only associated with recurrence (P = .038). In the survival analyses, the relationship between recurrence and LMR was confirmed in both univariate (P = .021) and multivariate (P = .022) analyses. The relationship between NLR and recurrence was confirmed in univariate analysis (P = .019); however; in multivariate analysis, it was found to be statistically insignificant (P = .051). CONCLUSIONS: LMR might be an easy obtainable, non-invasive and cost-effective method for predicting recurrence of disease in patients with NMIBC.

Brodie's abscess of the calcaneus in an adult patient.

Brodie's abscess of the calcaneus is an uncommon benign lesion that has rarely been reported in the literature. This study presents a rare case of a Brodie's abscess of the calcaneus caused by Staphylococcus aureus in an adult patient. A 46-year-old immunocompetent man had undergone nonsurgical treatment since childhood owing to the diagnosis of a heel spur. Radiological evaluation revealed a benign radiolucent cystic lesion of the calcaneus surrounded by a sclerotic rim. This condition was accompanied by perilesional bone marrow edema. Thereafter, surgical treatment was planned. During surgery, the content of the lesion was observed to be purulent. Meticulous intralesional debridement was performed, and antibiotic-loaded bone cement beads were placed. Subsequent to microbiological and pathological examinations, the cystic lesion was confirmed to be a Brodie abscess; however, direct clinical evidence of an intraosseous infection was lacking. The patient was followed up for 14 months with no complications until recovery. A Brodie abscess may mimic bone tumors. The onset of a Brodie abscess is insidious, and the clinical findings of such lesions may be obscure. A Brodie abscess of the calcaneus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic heel pain when suspicious radiological findings are evident.

Diagnostic importance of clinicopathologic features and p16, CD34, MDM2 expression in differential diagnosis of adipocytic tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical stain profiling of adipocytic tumors. METHODS: From our archive files between the years of 2012-2018, excised, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded adipocytic tumors were retrospectively screened and 61 subjects were selected. The gender, age, tumor location and tumor diameter were evaluated. The cases were investigated in terms of p16, CD34, MDM2 expression and clinicopathological information. RESULTS: Of the 61 patients included in the study, we found that 2 had hibernoma, 4 had lipoblastoma, 14 had spindle cell lipoma (SCL), 10 had lipoma, 20 had atypical lipomatous tumor/well differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDL), and 11 had dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL). In terms of diameter, ALT/WDL and DDL were significantly different from the others (p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively). There was a significant difference between the groups according to the location (p=0.001). 35% (7/20) of ALT/WDLs were in the lower extremities (thighs) and 35% (7/20) were located in the retroperitoneal region. 70% of DDLs (7/11) were located in the retroperitoneum. When CD34 expression was evaluated among the groups, a significant difference was observed (p=0.001). CD34 was positive in 92.9% of SCL cases. p16 immunoreactivity was significantly different between the groups (p=0.001). p16 expression was observed in 50.5% of ALT / WDL cases and 79% of DDL cases. CONCLUSION: p16 and CD34 expression are valuable in the differential diagnosis of lipomatous tumors when radiological and clinical considerations do not help to differential diagnosis of adipocytic tumors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study.

Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Limb-Sparing Surgery with Vascular Reconstruction for Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for lower extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is limb-sparing surgery. For a small subset of patients, concomitant vascular reconstruction may be required to preserve limb viability and function while completely excising the tumor with an adequate resection margin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes and clinical characteristics of patients with STS of the extremities requiring vascular reconstructions. METHODS: From January 2002 through December 2014, 13 patients with limb STS presenting with vascular invasion underwent surgical resection, followed by vascular reconstruction. The medical records such as demographics, histopathological findings, complications, success of vascular reconstruction, and clinical and oncological outcomes were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively collected clinical database. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up period of 80.6 months, a total of 24 vascular reconstruction procedures (1 only arterial, 1 only venous, and 11 both arterial and venous) were performed. Contralateral great saphenous vein graft was the conduit of choice for vascular replacement. Five graft thromboses were observed in 4 patients. Arterial occlusion occurred in two cases, and venous bypasses occluded in three patients. The overall five-year patency for arterial and venous reconstructions was 84.6% and 75.2%, respectively. The mean survival period of patients was 105.5 months, with a 5-year disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate of 59.3% and 68.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular resection and reconstruction for STSs of extremity can be safely performed with acceptable short- and long-term surgical and oncological outcomes. Regardless of the surgical procedure, amputation or limb-sparing surgery, the primary focus should be to adhere to strict oncological principles. In addition, because of the complexity of these tumors, an appropriate preoperative planning and meticulous multidisciplinary approach are also crucial.

Construction of efficient bioelectrochemical devices: Improved electricity production from cyanobacteria (Leptolyngbia sp.) based on π-conjugated conducting polymer/gold nanoparticle composite interfaces.

In this study, gold electrodes (GE) were coated with conducting polymers to obtain a high photocurrent using cyanobacteria from a novel bioelectrochemical fuel cell. For this purpose, 4-(4H-ditiheno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrol-4-yl) aniline and 5-(4H-dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrol-4-yl) napthtalane-1-amine monomers were coated on GE by performing an electropolymerization process. After that, gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were specifically modified by 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid and p-aminothiophenol to attach to the electrode surface. The conducting polymers GE coat was modified with functionalized AuNP using a cross-linker. The resulting electrode structures were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry under on-off illumination using a fiber optic light source. Cyanobacteria Leptolyngbia sp. was added to the GE/conducting polymer/AuNP electrode surface and stabilized by using a cellulose membrane. During the illumination, water was oxidized by the photosynthesis, and oxygen was released. The released oxygen was electrocatalytically reduced at the cathode surface and a 25 nA/cm 2 photocurrent was observed in GE/ Leptolyngbia sp. After the electrode modifications, a significant improvement in the photocurrent up to 630 nA/cm 2 was achieved.

Construction of conducting polymer/cytochrome C/thylakoid membrane based photo-bioelectrochemical fuel cells generating high photocurrent via photosynthesis.

In this study, a photo-bioelectrochemical fuel cell was constructed for photocurrent generation by illuminating the electrodes within an aqueous solution. In this purpose, gold electrode was coated with poly 4-(4H-Dithieno [3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrol-4-yl) aniline, P(DTP-Ph-NH2) conductive polymer film by using electrochemical polymerization. Then, P(DTP-Ph-NH2) conductive polymer film coated surface was electrochemically modified with cytochrome C which covalently linked onto the surface via bis-aniline functionality of the polymer film and formed crosslinked-structure. The thylakoid membrane was attached on the surface of this electrode by using bissulfosaxinimidyl suberate (BS3) and used as photo-anode in photo-bioelectrochemical fuel cell. The photo-cathode of the photo-bioelectrochemical fuel cell fabrication was followed by the modification of conductive polymer poly[5-(4H-dithieno [3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrol-4-yl) naphtalene-1-amine] film coating, glutaraldehyde activation, and bilirubin oxidase enzyme immobilization. During the photosynthesis occurring in thylakoid membrane under the light, water was oxidized and separated; while oxygen was released in anode side, the cathode side was reduced the oxygen gas into the water via a bio-electro-catalytic method. The cytochrome C was used for binding of thylakoid membrane to the electrode surface and play an important role for transferring of electrons released as a result of photosynthesis.

Anesthesia Procedure for Congenital Insensitivity to Pain in a Child with Anhidrosis Syndrome: A Rare Case.

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) syndrome is a neuropathy characterized by insensitivity to pain, impaired thermoregulation, anhidrosis, and mental retardation. A 9-year old boy with CIPA syndrome, underwent 2 operations for a calcaneal ulcer. During the first operation standard monitorization was performed. In the second operation, Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring was added and temperature was monitored with an esophageal probe. In the first operation, in which anesthesia induction was applied with ketamine and midazolam, extremity movements with surgical stimuli were seen. Despite pain insensitivity, as extremity movements were seen with surgical stimuli, propofol was administered in the second operation. Throughout the operation, the BIS values varied from 19-58 and body temperature was measured as 36.1°C-36.9°C. In conclusion, despite the absence of pain sensitivity in CIPA syndrome cases, there is an absolute need for the administration of anesthesia in surgical procedures because of tactile hyperesthesia.

Construction of ferrocene modified conducting polymer based amperometric urea biosensor.

Herein, an electrochemical urea sensing bio-electrode is reported that has been constructed by firstly electropolymerizing 4-(2,5-Di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)aniline monomer (SNS-Aniline) on Pencil Graphite Electrode (PGE), then modifying the polymer coated electrode surface with di-amino-Ferrocene (DAFc) as the mediator, and lastly Urease enzyme through glutaraldehyde crosslinking. The effect of pH, temperature, polymer thickness, and applied potential on the electrode current response was investigated besides performing storage and operational stability experiments with the interference studies. The resulting urea biosensor's amperometric response was linear in the range of 0.1-8.5mM with the sensitivity of 0.54µA/mM, detection limit of 12µM, and short response time of 2s. The designed bio-electrode was tested with real human blood and urine samples where it showed excellent analytical performance with insignificant interference.