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Childhood asthma is a chronic disease with high incidence worldwide. As a lifelong disease, asthma has episodes. Inflammation continues to occur in the clinical remission of asthma. It can be difficult to diagnose childhood asthma, especially in clinical remission. We hypothesized that some cytokines secreted to nasal fluid from the airway during inflammation might help diagnose clinical remission of asthma. Moreover, sampling nasal fluid is an easy and non-invasive procedure, so it may be a preferable sampling method.

Background/Aim: Stabilization appliances have traditionally been used for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders and bruxism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two appliances (hard and soft) with different thicknesses on the electromyographic (EMG) activities of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. Material and Methods: 30 healthy subjects have been divided into two groups of 15, according to the appliance material used (soft, hard). For each subject in both groups, two appliances have been prepared with 3 mm and 6 mm thickness. EMG recordings of bilateral masseter and anterior temporalis muscles were taken for each appliance. Results: The results showed that, the decrease in average EMG values during maximum voluntary clenching with a 3-mm and 6-mm-thick hard appliance was statistically significant compared with the average EMG of maximum voluntary clenching in the intercuspal position. The increase in average EMG values during maximum voluntary clenching with a soft appliance of 3 mm and 6 mm thickness was statistically significant. Conclusions: The hard stabilization appliances decrease the activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles, while the soft appliances increase the activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles.

The Wingless/INT (WNT) signaling network has roles in renal cancer development. It was shown that the tumor-suppressor microRNA-124 (miR-124) is associated with the Wnt pathway. Thus, we aimed to measure miR-124 expression levels to evaluate whether it is a prognostic marker or a potential treatment strategy. Thirty tumor and 30 surrounding healthy kidney tissues from the same subjects diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), were included in the study. The expression levels of miR-124 were measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and determined by the 2–ΔΔCT method. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22 program was used for statistical analyses and a p value of 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The expression levels of miR-124 was found to be about 3-fold lower in tumors than in healthy tissues (p 0.001) and decreased expression levels correlated with tumor stage, tumor diameter, body mass index (BMI) and neutrophil values (p 0.05). Our results showed that miR-124 expression levels are associated with RCC. MicroRNA-124 may be assessed as a biomarker in prognosis and the restoration of miR-124 expression might be effective in the treatment of RCC.

Elif Nur Yilmaz,1,2 Sadik Bay,1 Gurkan Ozturk,1,3 Mehmet Hikmet Ucisik1,4 1Regenerative and Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER), Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technologies (SABITA), Istanbul Medipol University, Beykoz, Istanbul, Turkey; 2Graduate School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Beykoz, Istanbul, Turkey; 3Department of Physiology, International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Beykoz, Istanbul, Turkey; 4Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Beykoz, Istanbul, TurkeyCorrespondence: Mehmet Hikmet UcisikDepartment of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, 34755 Istanbul TurkeyTel +90 216 578 0000 - 3259Fax +90 216 578 0829Email m.h.ucisik@gmail.comPurpose: Curcumin, a polyphenol isolated from the rhizomes of turmeric, holds great potential as a neuroprotective agent in addition to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. The poor bioavailability and low stability of curcumin are the greatest barriers to its clinical use. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin on axonal injury, by delivering the lipophilic polyphenol to a primary hippocampal neuron culture by means of a lipid-based drug delivery system, named emulsomes.Methods: To study neuroregeneration ex vivo, an injury model was established through single-cell laser axotomy on hippocampal neurites. Upon treatment with curcumin-loaded emulsomes (CurcuEmulsomes), curcumin and CurcuEmulsome uptake into neurons was verified by three-dimensional Z-stack images acquired with confocal microscopy. Neuron survival after axonal injury was tracked by propidium iodide (PI) and Hoechst staining. Alterations in expression levels of physiological markers, such as anti-apoptotic marker Bcl2, apoptotic marker cleaved caspase 3, neuroprotective marker Wnt3a and the neuronal survival marker mTOR, were investigated by immunocytochemistry analyses.Results: The results indicated significant improvement in the survival rate of injured neurons upon CurcuEmulsome treatment. Bcl2 expression was significantly higher for injured neurons treated with curcumin or CurcuEmulsome. Reduction in caspase 3 expression was seen in both curcumin and CurcuEmulsome treatment, whereas there were no significant changes in Wnt3a and mTOR expression.Conclusion: The established laser-axotomy model was proven as a reliable methodology to study neurodegenerative models ex vivo. CurcuEmulsomes delivered curcumin to primary hippocampal neurons successfully. Treated with CurcuEmulsomes, injured hippocampal neurons benefit from the neuroprotective effects of curcumin, exhibiting a higher survival rate and increased anti-apoptotic marker levels.Keywords: curcumin, lipid-based nanodrug delivery, neurodegeneration, hippocampus, axon injury

Background: Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and it is essential for bone formation. Several factors can affect vitamin D levels in plasma. In present study we compare vitamin D levels of outpatients, who admit to Maltepe University Hospital between 2011 and 2013 and had vitamin D measurements regarding gender, age, and season. Methods: Hospital records were evaluated to identify the outpatients with vitamin D levels and their gender, age, and vitamin D levels and the seasons of measurements were recorded. Results: Data of 48 60 subjects (74% female) were analyzed and 69.2% were between 18-64 years old. Vitamin D levels were as follows: 43.1% < 10 ng/mL, 31.9% between 10 ng/mL and 20 ng/mL, 16.1% between 20 ng/mL and 30 ng/mL, and only 8.9% > 30 ng/mL. The number of females with vitamin D levels < 10 ng/mL was significantly higher than that of males, while the number of males with vitamin D levels between 10 ng/mL and 20 ng/mL was significantly higher than that of females (P = 0.001) for each of the individuals, 6.2% and 11.1% had sufficient levels in winter and summer, respectively. Overall, it was observed that 6.6% of individuals between 1 8-4 4 years old, 8.2% of individuals between 4 5-6 4 years old and 10.3% of individuals over 65 years old had vitamin D levels > 30 ng/mL. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in outpatients of Maltepe University Hospital in Marmara region was 75% (< 20 ng/mL).

Context. Bone mineral density (BMD) loss and progressive bone loss have been detected in patients with untreated hyperprolactinemia. It is unclear in patients with mild hyperprolactinemia. Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate bone metabolism through bone mineral density by using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bone turnover markers in premenopausal women with prolactinoma. Design, Subjects and Methods. Twenty five patients newly diagnosed with prolactinoma and treated surgically and/or medically, but whose prolactin levels were above the normal limits (PRL > 25 μg/L) and 25 healthy controls were included in the study, which was conducted at the Cerrahpasa Medical School, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism outpatient clinic. Bone mineral density was measured using the DXA method. Bone turn-over markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin, Type I collagen Ntelopeptide (NTX) and Type I collagen CTelopeptide (CTX) levels were determined. Results. The only significant difference in bone density (p=0.02) was in L4 lumbar vertebrae. There were no significant differences between the patient and the control groups in ALP, osteocalcin, NTX, and CTX levels. Conclusion. There were no significant differences between the patient and the control groups in bone mineral density and bone turnover markers, except in the L4 lumbar vertebrae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitiligo is an acquired disease of unknown etiology. Several theories have been proposed to understand the pathogenesis. The role of oxidative stress has been getting more important in recent years. One of the primary antioxidant enzymes in vitiligo is the superoxide dismutase (SOD). The aim of this study is to investigate the polymorphisms of the SOD1 and SOD2 in Turkish vitiligo patients. One hundred one vitiligo patients and 99 healthy controls without family history of vitiligo were included into the study. The SOD1 35 A/C and SOD2 A16V (C/T) polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphim (PCR-RFLP). Vitiligo patients and control group of SOD1 35 A/C and SOD2 A16V (C/T) polymorphism allele frequencies were compared by using χ2 tests. The distribution of the SOD1 35 AA and AC genotypes were similar in vitiligo patients and control group. When the patient and the control groups were compared for the SOD2 Ala9Val (C/T) polymorphism, a significant difference was determined for the distribution of the genotypes [p = 0.047, odds ratio (OR) = 2.075, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.008-4.272]. The relative risk for development of vitiligo was found as a 2-fold increase in the TT genotype. The increase of TT homozygosity in the vitiligo cases creates the problem on the transfer of the enzyme to the mitochondria and thus, the SODs antioxidant effect may decrease in vitiligo but the polymorphism was not determined in all patients, so this study needs to be substantiated by other studies containing a higher number of patients.

Background: Sample classification and registration have been recognized as important and time-consuming processes in laboratories. There is increasing pressure on laboratories to automate processes due to intense workload and reduce manual procedures and errors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the positive effects of an automatic tube registration and sorting system on specimen processing. Methods: An automatic tube registration and sorting system (H CTS2000 M K2, m-u-t AG, Wedel, Germany) was evaluated. Turnaround time (TAT), rate of sample rejection and unrealized tests were examined 12 months preand post-implementation of the automatic tube sorting and registration system. Results: The mean TAT of routine chemistry immunoassay, complete blood cell count (CBC) and coagulation samples were significantly improved (P< 0.001). The number of rejected samples and unrealized tests was insignificantly decreased post-implementation of the system (0.4% to 0.2% and 4.5% to 1.4%, respectively) (P> 0.05). Conclusions: By reducing delays and errors in the preanalytical processing and sorting of samples, significant improvements in specimen processing were observed after im - plementation of the system. These results suggest that an automatic tube registration and sorting system may also be used to improve specimen processing in a higher-volume core laboratory.

The focal representation of a generic regular curve γ in Em+1 consists of the centers of the osculating hyperplanes. A k-slant helix γ in Em+1 is a (generic) regular curve whose unit normal vector Vk makes a constant angle with a fixed direction in Em+1. In the present paper we proved that if γ is a k-slant helix in Em+1, then the focal representation Cγ of γ in Em+1 is an (m− k + 2)-slant helix in Em+1.

In the present study we calculate the coefficients of the second fundamental form and curvature ellipse of spherical product surfaces in E4. Otsuki rotational surfaces and Ganchev-Milousheva rotational surfaces are the special type of spherical product surfaces in E4. Further, we give necessary and sufficient condition for the origin of NpM to lie on the curvature ellipse of such surfaces. Finally we get the necessary condition for Ganchev-Milousheva rotational surfaces in E4 to become flat or Chen type. We also give some examples of the projections of these surfaces in E3

Research related to the design and development of new incontinence containment products for women is scarce., Purpose: The purpose of this 2-part study was to 1) develop a new incontinence containment product for fecal incontinence and 2) examine the effect of this new product on the occurrence of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD)., Methods: In part 1, a new incontinence containment product was designed, developed, and trialed among 10 healthy female volunteers. The product was comprised of a double layer of polypropylene nonwoven fabric and 100% cotton interlock fabric with a 3-ply 100% cotton interlock fabric added into the perianal section. Participants wore the product for 8 hours and were asked to defecate into the product and evaluate its comfort, ability to contain liquids and protect privacy, any personal allergic reaction, and air permeability. In part 2, after any product modifications, 12 bedridden women treated in the neurology unit of a hospital in western Turkey who had an indwelling urinary catheter and fecal incontinence and who did not have diabetes mellitus, a darkly pigmented area in the perianal area, pressure injury, or erythema were randomized to 2 groups (study product and control, a premium adult diaper) and monitored for 8 days for the development and severity of perineal dermatitis (scored from 0 [no erythema] to 4 [broken, abraded skin]) using a skin assessment tool. Any type of erythema was considered IAD. Skin care (cleansing with a washcloth and water) was provided daily and after each defecation to all study participants. Data were collected via paper-and-pencil completion of the perineal skin integrity assessment and patient observation forms and entered into and analyzed by a computerized statistical program. Fisher's exact test and the chi-squared test were used to analyze the difference in IAD incidence and severity between the 2 groups, and the Mann Whitney U test was used to detect differences in the number and consistency of defecations., Results: No statistically significant differences were noted among the characteristics of the 12 participants (6 in each group) except for age; patients in the study product group were significantly older (70.66 ± 10.36 vs 52.20 ± 16.78 years; P <.05. Four (4) patients in the study group exhibited 13 areas of perineal dermatitis (degree 1 = 6 areas; degree 2 = 6 areas; degree 3 = 1 area; and degree 4 = 0); 1 patient in the control group had 4 areas with degree 1., Conclusion: This prototype product is not sufficient to be used in clinical practice in patients with fecal incontinence, but further study in a larger population is warranted..

Many noninvasive serum markers have been studied to determine the liver fibrosis score (LFS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between thrombopoietin (TPO) levels and the stage of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Seventy-seven patients (64 active and 13 inactive) with CHB were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into three groups: In group 1, patients with mild or no fibrosis (F0, F1); in group 2, patients with significant fibrosis (F2-F4); and in group 3, inactive CHB carriers. Digital patient records were used to access pre-treatment laboratory findings including HBV DNA, HBeAg, ALT, AST, total bilirubin, PLT, albumin, INR. Liver biopsies were examined by experienced pathologists in our hospital who were blinded to the data of the patients. Serum TPO levels were measured using commercial ELISA kit. Serum TPO levels were significantly lower in patients with active CHB compared with the inactive carriers (528 vs 687.1 p=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in TPO levels between the patients with and patients without significant fibrosis (568.9 vs 459.8 p=0.367). Correlation analysis with respect to ALT, AST, TPO, HBV-DNA level, platelet count, histological activity index (HAI) and liver fibrosis score was performed. TPO was only weakly positively correlated with AST, ALT and HBV-DNA levels (r=0.269 p=0.018; r=0.341 p=0.002; r=0.308 p=0.006; respectively) and no correlation in TPO with LFS and HAI was found (r=0.140 p=0.270, r=0.162 p=0.201; respectively). TPO was not associated with significant fibrosis (p=0.270). In conclusion, TPO levels were decreased in active CHB patients compared with inactive carriers but there was no correlation between TPO levels and the stage of fibrosis in active CHB.

Acute pancreatitis is the acute inflammation of pancreas and peripancreatic tissues, and distant organs are also affected. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Urtica dioica extract (UDE) treatment on cerulein induced acute pancreatitis in rats. Twenty-one Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups: Control, Pancreatitis, and UDE treatment group. In the control group no procedures were performed. In the pancreatitis and treatment groups, pancreatitis was induced with intraperitoneal injection of cerulein, followed by intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml saline (pancreatitis group) and 1 ml 5.2% UDE (treatment group). Pancreatic tissues were examined histopathologically. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α), amylase and markers of apoptosis (M30, M65) were also measured in blood samples. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with Caspase-3 antibody. Histopathological findings in the UDE treatment group were less severe than in the pancreatitis group (5.7 vs 11.7, p = 0.010). TNF-α levels were not statistically different between treated and control groups (63.3 vs. 57.2, p = 0.141). UDE treatment was associated with less apoptosis [determined by M30, caspase-3 index (%)], (1.769 vs. 0.288, p = 0.056; 3% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.224; respectively). UDE treatment of pancreatitis merits further study.

Aim: Incidental removal of the parathyroid glands is common in some cases. In this trial, we investigated the risk factors, incidence, and outcomes associated with incidental excision of the parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery., Materials and Methods: The records of patients who had undergone thyroid surgery in our department between January 2006 and December 2011 were retrospectively evaluated., Results: A total of 801 patients were enrolled in the trial. The number of incidental parathyroidectomies was determined as 19 (2.3%). Statistical evaluation revealed that sex (P > 0.05) and type of surgical operation (P > 0.05) were not associated with a significant impact on incidental parathyroidectomies. However, the rate of incidental parathyroidectomies was determined to be statistically significantly high among patients with malignant conditions (P < 0.05). Hypocalcemia was observed to be statistically significant in patients with an incidental parathyroidectomy (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Incidental parathyroidectomy is a rare condition in centers specializing in endocrine surgery. Furthermore, the parathyroid glands should always be explored during dissection in patients with malignancies. The clinical manifestation of hypocalcemia is a common condition observed after incidental parathyroidectomy.

In order to quantify degenerative and regenerative changes and analyze the contribution of multiple factors to the outcome after neurite transection, we cultured adult mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons, and with a precise laser beam, we transected the nerve fibers they extended. Cell preparations were continuously visualized for 24 h with time-lapse microscopy. More distal cuts caused a more elongated field of degeneration, while thicker neurites degenerated faster than thinner ones. Transected neurites degenerated more if the uncut neurites of the same neuron simultaneously degenerated. If any of these uncut processes regenerated, the transected neurites underwent less degeneration. Regeneration of neurites was limited to distal cuts. Unipolar neurons had shorter regeneration than multipolar ones. Branching slowed the regenerative process, while simultaneous degeneration of uncut neurites increased it. Proximal lesions, small neuronal size, and extensive and rapid neurite degeneration were predictive of death of an injured neuron, which typically displayed necrotic rather than apoptotic form. In conclusion, this in vitro model proved useful in unmasking many new aspects and correlates of mechanically-induced neurite injury.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic and serious, even lethal, parasitic infection caused by the helminth Echinococcus multilocularis (EM). AE is an endemic disease in Turkey and it is particularly common in people living in the eastern Anatolia Region. In addition to various clinical presentations, symptoms which lead to diagnosis, however, are usually associated with the metastatic lesions. We herein reported a 62-year-old man who had liver alveolar hydatid disease with simultaneous lung and brain metastasis. We think there was only one therapeutic option, namely medical treatment with albendazol, which is the usual treatment for patients living in eastern Anatolia and who are admitted late resulting in a subsequent inoperable situation. Thus, radiological screening studies for the public in this region may increase the possibility of surgical treatment for alveolar hydatid disease.

Diagnostic evaluation and management in childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are controversial. We reviewed the files of 162 children with ITP to evaluate clinical characteristics, response to treatment and outcome. History of antecedent infection, vaccination and serologic evidence for acute viral infection were present in 48%, 5% and 17% of the patients, respectively. At diagnosis, two-thirds of the patients had a platelet count of <10,000/microl but only 10% had major bleedings. Intracranial hemorrhage was seen in two patients (1.2%) with a mortality rate of 0.6%. Sixteen percent developed chronic ITP. The rate of platelet recovery with mega-dose methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg/d for 3 and 20 mg/kg/d for 4 days) was similar to that obtained with intravenous immunoglobulin or oral prednisolone. Four of seven patients with ITP responded to splenectomy. These data show that mode of treatment has no effect on the clinical course and prognosis of childhood ITP.

Molecules of the title compound, C(24)H(19)NO(6)S, adopt the Z configuration and have a distorted tetrahedral geometry around the S atom. The oxazolone, 2-phenyl and methoxyphenyl rings are approximately coplanar. The C atom between the methoxyphenyl and oxazolone rings displays a distorted trigonal bonding geometry. Pairs of molecules are linked into dimers through weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds.

A 10-year-old male with a brain abscess developed pancytopenia, liver dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and decrease of immunoglobulin A (IgA) level during postoperative antibiotic and anticonvulsant therapy. A bone marrow examination revealed hemophagocytosis. Real-time PCR revealed parvovirus B19 infection. The hemophagocytic syndrome resolved without specific treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a spontaneous resolution of parvovirus B19-associated hemophagocytic syndrome and DIC.

In this study, the effect of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on cisplatin (CDDP)-induced neuropathy was evaluated. Mice were treated with CDDP, 2 mg/kg i.p. twice a week nine times. During the last week some of the mice were also injected with LIF, 2 mug/kg s.c. every other day for a total of four injections. Development of neuropathy was evaluated with changes in tail flick latency and sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV). At the end of the treatment period dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were microscopically examined. Some of the DRGs were explanted into extracellular matrix, covered with culture medium and incubated for 3 days. During and at the end of the incubation, cellular migration and axonal outgrowth from the DRGs were quantified. LIF proved effective in reversing the increase in tail flick latency (p<0.05) and improving the reduction in NCV induced by CDDP. CDDP led to smaller nuclear and somatic size in neurons, while with LIF, the latter was restored to control values (p<0.01). No apoptotic nucleus was observed among DRG neurons while very few and moderate numbers detected among satellite and Schwann cells, respectively. With LIF, none of the cells had apoptosis. CDDP caused a decrease in the number of migrating cells and in the length of outgrowing axons while LIF treatment restored both capacities (p<0.05) In conclusion, in CDDP-induced neuropathy, LIF was found to be effective in correcting some functional and morphological deteriorations related with major involvement of Schwann cells.

An 18-month-old girl with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), mental retardation and multiple infarcts on brain computerized tomography (CT) is presented. Her sineangiocardiograms showed a thrombus (moving from the left ventricle to ascending and abdominal aorta), TOF, right arcus aorta with anomalous origin of left subclavian artery from the descending aorta, honeycombed appearance of the apex and half of the posterior wall of left ventricle and the apex of right ventricle. Her echocardiography (ECHO) examinations revealed depressed left ventricular systolic function and thrombus in the left ventricle apex, with noncompaction of the left ventricle apex and the middle portion of posterior wall, and in the right ventricular apex.

Objectives: This retrospective study was performed to evaluate transfusions in orthopedic surgery and, in the light of our successful practice, to contribute to the development of appropriate transfusion policies in Turkey., Methods: In this study 1,811 female patients who underwent orthopedic elective or emergency surgery from January 1997 to December 1999 (group 1) and from January 2000 to December 2002 (group 2) were retrospectively evaluated with respect to ordered and transfused blood units. Autologous blood transfusions were not included. Group 1 consisted of 990 patients (mean age 50.4 years); group 2 consisted of 821 patients (mean age 53.3 years). Maximum surgical blood order schedule (MSBOS) ratios and preference for red blood cell transfusions were determined. Perioperative target hemoglobin level was 10 gr /dL in both groups. In group 2, allogeneic blood transfusions were performed according to the principles established in January 2000, which aimed (i) to more precisely estimate blood loss during surgical procedures and to prevent inappropriate use of blood products; (ii) to reduce the frequency of "standard one unit transfusion" through administration of crystalloids and colloids to the extent of complete elimination of transfusions; and (iii) to use blood components (erythrocyte suspensions) instead of whole blood., Results: In both groups, the MSBOS ratios were below 2, being 1.83 in group 1, and 1.59 in group 2. The medians of requested and transfused blood units were 2 and 1 in group 1, and 3 and 2 in group 2, respectively, resulting in statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The "standard one unit transfusion" rate was 28.7% in group 1, and 18.9% in group 2. Preferences for red blood cell transfusions showed statistically significant increases over the consecutive years. The use of erythrocyte suspensions was found as 29.2% in group 1, and 95% in group 2., Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that the transfusion policy established for orthopedic surgical procedures at our center resulted in successful applications thanks to a good cooperation between relevant departments and achieved the level of international standards.