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The most important side effect of gentamicin (GM) is nephrotoxicity. p-Coumaric acid (PCA) is a phenolic compound that scavenges free radicals, reduces fibrosis, and tissue damage. This study investigates the protective effect of PCA on tissue damage and kidney function in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity (GIN). Thirty-five rats were separated into five groups and each group contained seven animals: control group, ethanol group, GM group, PCA group, and GM + PCA group. At the end of the seven-day treatment, the rats were sacrificed after blood and kidney tissue samples were taken. While serum urea, creatinine, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels increased significantly in the GM group compared to the control, they showed a significant decrease in the GM + PCA group compared to the GM. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased in the GM group compared to the control. While the tissue total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) values of the GM group were significantly higher than the control, they showed a significant decrease in the GM + PCA group compared to the GM. In the histopathological examination, significant tubular necrosis and tubulointerstitial inflammation were detected in the proximal tubules in the GM group compared to the control, while a significant decrease was observed in the severity of these findings in the GM + PCA group compared to the GM. This study shows that PCA has biochemical and histopathological ameliorating effects on GIN in the rat model.

The most important side effect of gentamicin (GM) is nephrotoxicity.

AIM Lipoid proteinosis (LP) is a systemic, progressive, rare genodermatosis that manifests in early life with mucocutaneous lesions. Kidney involvement has not been described before, hence we aimed to investigate kidney findings in LP patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, LP patients who were followed up and diagnosed with clinical, histopathological and radiological findings in the Dermatology outpatient clinic were invited to the Pediatric Nephrology Clinic. Biochemical, spot urine and 24-hour urine collection tests and ultrasound scans were scanned for the functional and anatomical status of the kidneys. Healthy controls who visited the Pediatric Nephrology Clinic during study periods for other reasons were invited to participate as the control group. RESULTS Data of 44 participants (22 LP patients, mean age 14.5 years and 22 healthy controls, mean age 14.3 years) were available for the analysis. Ultrasound scans revealed simple renal cysts in 68% of LP patients. The cysts were bilateral in 4 patients, while no cyst was detected in healthy controls. Biochemical parameters, proteinuria, and albuminuria were all within the normal reference range in both LP patients and healthy controls, whereas LP patients had statistically significant lower serum albumin and higher C-reactive protein levels than healthy controls. CONCLUSION Multiple simple renal cysts were detected in the majority of LP patients, and this finding could be part of the systemic involvement of the disease. Renal functions and biochemical parameters were within the normal reference range, but low serum albumin and high C-reactive protein levels in LP patients may be the signs of elevated systemic inflammation. Although more studies are needed to better define these findings, the presence of many simple renal cysts in LP patients was found to be the most important finding of this study.

Objective: Growing evidence shows that oxidative stress plays an important role in the development and progression of nephrotic syndrome (NS). In this study, we aimed to examine serum IMA levels as an indicator of oxidative stress in children with steroid-sensitive NS (SSNS) in remission and relapse. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Pediatric Nephrology Unit of Sanliurfa Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey, from April 2019 to December 2019. In this study Serum IMA and albumin levels were determined in 70 children with SSNS and 45 healthy controls. Among the children with SSNS, 50 were in remission and 20 were in relapse. Then, adjusted IMA levels were calculated from the IMA/albumin ratio. Results: IMA and adjusted IMA levels significantly increased and albumin significantly decreased in children with SSNS in relapse and remission compared with those of the healthy controls. Moreover, these alterations were more prominent in the relapse group than in the remission group. IMA was inversely correlated with albumin in children with SSNS (r= −0.881, p=

Background Abnormal thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH) is responsible for the pathogenesis of various diseases. We aimed to examine the TDH in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). Methods A total of 131 children, 60 with SSNS and 71 healthy controls, participated in the study. Plasma total thiol (TT), native thiol (SH) and disulfide (SS) levels in the SSNS during remission and control groups were estimated using a new method developed by Erel and Neselioglu. Results Albumin, TT, SH levels and SH/TT ratio were decreased, whereas SS/SH and SS/TT ratios were elevated in SSNS group compared to control group. However, there was no significant difference in SS levels between the two groups. Albumin level was positively correlated with TT, SH and SS levels in the SSNS group. Conclusions We found that TDH shifts in favor of oxidants in children with SSNS in remission. This shift indicates that SSNS patients are exposed to augmented oxidative stress.

WOS: 000503709100001, In this study, okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) bast fibers and corn (Zea mays L.) husk fibers were extracted via different degumming methods and subjected to different chemical treatments including alkalization, bleaching, maleic anhydrite and vinyl acetate treatments. Alkalization resulted in decrease of tensile stiffness and tenacity of the fibers while increasing elongation rate. Corn husk fibers were found to be more vulnerable to chemical treatments. Bleaching and vinyl acetate treatments led to the highest mechanical strength for okra bast and corn husk fibers, respectively. Okra fibers were found to be superior in terms of fineness and mechanical performance compared to corn husk fibers. the performance characteristics exhibited by the okra bast fibers are comparable to that of conventional bast fibers. Thus, okra bast fibers are promising for use in biocomposites as reinforcement elements, whereas cornhusk fibers may find use in non-load bearing applications like thermal insulation or noise control., Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma KurumuTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK), Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu.

In this study, biologically degummed okra bast and corn husk fibers were subjected to alkalization processes. Alkalization treatments resulted in decrease of linear density of the biologically degummed fibers. Increment in alkali concentration resulted in an initial increase then a successive decrease in all tensile indicators: initial modulus, breaking tenacity and breaking elongation. 3 g/L NaOH-treated fibers showed the best tensile characteristics for both okra bast and corn husk fibers. The IR spectra analysis suggested elimination of extracellulosic materials upon alkaline treatment. The ranges for properties of the produced okra bast and corn husk fibers can be summarized in consecutive order as linear density of 9.7-12.3 and 20.0-24.3 tex; initial modulus between 1257-1897 and 156.4-354.6 cN/tex; breaking tenacity range in 28.0-46.8 and 6.37-15.2 cN/tex; and elongation in the range 2.0-2.5% and 8.7-19.9%. The properties of obtained okra bast fibers are found to be superior to corn husk fibers and comparable to that of conventional bast fibers.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic and histopathological characteristics and response to medications in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in Turkey. Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients older than one year, who were newly diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and had been followed for at least one year in our department between November 1994 and March, 2013. Results: A total of 289 children (169 boys) were included in the study. Fifty theree patients (18.4%) were with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, 33 (11.4%) with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome and 53 (18.4%) were with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome. Cyclosporine A (CsA), cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, levamisole, azathioprine, and rituximab were used as steroid-sparing agents in some patients. The number of patients who were responder to steroid and to CsA was similar. Majority of patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome were also resistant to mycophenolate mofetil and CsA. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of minimal change disease based on kidney biopsy especially in boys younger than six years of age and response to steroid and CsA was almost similar.

OBJECTIVE In this study, we examined the patients' characteristics, who underwent voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), in order to determine any selectivity for indication of this invasive method. MATERIAL AND METHODS After exclusion of indications of neurogenic bladder or antenatal hydronephrosis and control VCUGs, 159 VCUGs performed in our clinic within one year were evaluated. Patients are divided into three groups accoding to age. Clinical characteristic and findings of renal ultrasonography (US) and renal scintigraphy were examined. RESULTS Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was detected in 61 (38.3%) of 159 patients who underwent cystourethrographic examinations, in 45.8% of the patients with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), in 22.0% of the patients with pathological urinary system US without history of recurrent UTI. High-grade reflux rate was significantly more frequent in renal units with pathological US findings. Severe scar was significantly more frequent in renal units with high-grade reflux when compared to renal units without reflux and those with low-grade reflux. Predictive values of recurrent UTI, scarring status and pathological US for VUR were separately analyzed and seen that likelihood of indicating VUR was increased when all 3 risk factors were assessed together. CONCLUSION Vesicoureteral reflux is a problem in which diagnostic process and management strategy should have to be considered in individualized manner for each patient. Before prescribing invasive VCUG, imaging urinary system by US and scintigraphy and determining whether there is recurrent UTI will improve selectivity and success of VCUG.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify diagnostic microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with congenital kidney anomalies. Methods: Twenty-five healthy pregnant women who were found to have fetal kidney anomaly in the second trimester of their pregnancy at Department of Perinatology, were included in the study. Serum samples were taken from the pregnant women at the moment of diagnosis in the antenatal 20th gestational week, whereas serum samples were taken from the cord blood of babies during birth. There were 11 multicystic dysplastic kidney patients, 6 autosomal recessive polycystic kidney patients, and 8 unilateral hypoplastic kidney patients. Expression of specific miRNAs was monitored using specific primer assays in Real-Time PCR. The expression of the following miRNAs was quantified: miR-17, miR-192, miR-194, miR-204, miR-215, and miR-216. Results: mir-17 expression was significantly lower in children with congenital kidney anomalies than in the control group. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.700 for miR-17 in the prediction of congenital kidney anomalies. Conclusions: In children with congenital kidney anomalies, miR-17 expression was significantly different than in the control group. Thus, this miRNA may be used in the antenatal early detection of these congenital kidney anomalies.

Aim: Thyroid hormones have various effects on kidney function and both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism may result in clinicallyimportant alterations in kidney function. Therefore, we evaluated kidney functions and changes in kidney functions over time inchildren with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) who treated or not treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.Materials and Methods: The patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 included patients who had hypotroidism and receivedtreatment, group 2 included patients who had euthyroid goiter and received treatment and group 3 consisted of patients who wereclinically euthyroid and not received any treatment. All participants were followed prospectively. Serum creatinine (Cr), albumin andserum cystatin C (CysC) levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate eGFR, and urine protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) were measuredat the time of diagnosis and one and six months after diagnosisResults: There were significant differences between baseline and follow-up characteristics of the group 1 in terms of serum Cr, urinePCR, CysC and eGFR. The baseline and follow-up characteristics of groups 2 and 3 were not statistically significant.Conclusion: Children with HT may present with kidney dysfunction and proteinuria, which improve with thyroid hormone replacement.We think that clinicians who follow children with HT should pay attention to this issue.&nbsp

Corn is the most commonly produced crop in the world producing immense agricultural residues, including corn husks. In search for handling corn husks as a fiber source, the quality of fibers extracted from different parts of corn husks by water retting is investigated. The effects of the location of the leaves in the husks and the part of the leaves where the fibers were extracted from on the mechanical, physical, and chemical characteristics of the fibers have been investigated. The coarseness of extracted fibers decreases from outer to the inner leaves in the husk and from the lower to the upper parts of the leaves. Breaking tenacity, breaking force, and elongation at break values of the fibers increase from the upper to the lower parts of the husk leaves. The fibers from the lower parts of the leaves showed greater hemicellulose, pectin, moisture content, and water absorption capacity compared to fibers obtained from the upper part of the corn husk leaves. With superior mechanical properties and lower moisture content and water absorption fibers from the lower parts of corn husk leaves may be considered advantageous for technical use such as in fiberboards. The fibers from the upper portion that are finer and can hold more moisture are more advantageous in terms of comfort aspects. The mechanical properties of the obtained water-retted fibers have been found to be superior to the corn husk fibers of prior studies produced by alkalization. © 2016 Taylor & Francis.

Epidermolysis bullosa is a rare inherited muco-cutaneous disorder that sometimes presents with genitourinary involvement. Herein we report the case of an 11-year-old girl with a history of junctional epidermolysis bullosa who was admitted with urological symptoms. On cystoscopy, suspected bullous bladder lesions were observed. Mesonephroid, intestinal and squamous metaplasia is reported here for the first time.

Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are considered as markers of endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to examine whether there is endothelial dysfunction in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), hypothesizing that endothelial dysfunction would be present especially with acute-phase response in the active period of the disease.This cross-sectional study included 65 FMF patients (41 attack free, 24 attack period) and 35 healthy controls. Circulating EMPs, serum amyloid A (SAA), and other inflammation markers were measured in all groups. Circulating EMPs were measured using flow cytometry. Study groups were compared for circulating EMP and inflammatory markers. The relationship between EMPs and the activation of the disease was evaluated.The levels of CD144Our results suggest that endothelial damage is present especially in the active period of the disease in children with FMF. The endothelial dysfunction becomes an overt parallel with inflammation.

The cultivation of conventional fiber plants (cotton, flax, etc.) is in risk as more arable land is needed to be allocated for edible plant species to feed growing world’s population. In order to overcome this problem, agricultural residues may be used as an alternative source of natural fibers. Okra plant is an annual species which is grown for its fruit and seeds to be utilized in the food and the pharmaceutical industry. Around 8.6 million tons of okra is produced annually generating a huge amount of plant stems left on the field or incinerated after the plant ceases fruit production. Nevertheless, this stem can be used as a renewable source of natural fibers with properties comparable to conventional bast fibers. Research studies have taken place to characterize okra bast fibers and impart better properties such as fineness, purity, and hydrophobicity via chemical modification methods. The common chemical modifications applied on okra bast fibers include bleaching, alkalization, acetylation, and graft copolymerization. Okra bast fiber is generally considered as reinforcement element for polymer composites, whereas its use in paper pulp and textile fields remains to be searched. © 2017 Scrivener Publishing LLC.

Okra bahmia (Abelmoschus esculentus) plant is considered as one of the abundant sources of natural fibers. Huge amount of okra plant stem is discarded on the field annually after collecting vegetable, without proper utilization. However, this biomass from the okra plant is a renewable, biodegradable, cost efficient and low-density source for production of bast fibers, and other industrial cost-efficient eco-friendly materials. The research on okra bast fiber has started in 2007. After that, the fiber extraction process, composition of fiber, morphology and performance properties of fiber, fiber modification techniques, and some important applications of the fiber etc. have been established. It was found that the okra bast fiber contains high cellulose content, excellent mechanical strength and stiffness, and good thermal resistance which are comparable to some traditional bast fibers like jute, hemp and ramie. Some okra bast fiber reinforced biocomposites were successfully fabricated with different matrices including biodegradable corn starch, Poly(lactic acid), P(vinyl alcohol), urea formaldehyde resin etc. via application of various processing methods. These studies revealed that the okra bast fiber biocomposites exhibited better mechanical properties, water resistance and thermal properties at optimized processing conditions. Therefore, by suitably optimizing the fiber, matrix, processing conditions, the future expectations of the okra bast fibers can be dramatically enhanced and its usage in composite field can be widened. © Springer International Publishing AG 2017.

Among natural fibers, Bombyx mori silk fiber holds a special position due to its unique properties: high strength (600 MPa), high elongation (17-25%), low density (1.25-1.34 g/m3) and low fiber diameter (around 10 µm). Moreover, unlike other natural fibers, this fiber is found in filament form in the nature. In the raw form, silk fiber is composed of two fibroin strands and silk gum, sericine. However, for further processing, silk fiber is degummed, by removal of sericine, where silk fiber becomes mostly comprised of fibroin. Possessing outstanding characteristics, Bombyx mori silk fibroin shows promise as potential reinforcement element in novel composites with applications in biomedicine, materials science and nanotechnology. Research efforts focused on the use of silk fibroin composites in sutures, wound dressings, tissue engineering applications, drug delivery devices, biosensors and nanoelectronic applications take place in the literature. © 2017 Scrivener Publishing LLC.

Background: Original peritoneal equilibration test (PET) is an implementation that requires hard work for peritoneal dialysis (PD) staff. Therefore, several authors have attempted to validate short and fast PET protocols, with controversial results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance between the mini-PET and original PET in children. Methods: In 26 stable continuous ambulatory PD patients, we performed an original PET with 2.27% (4 h) and a mini-PET with 3.86% glucose PD fluid (1 h) and compared ultrafiltration (UF) and small solute transports obtained with the two methods. Results: Twenty-six children, 14 males, mean age 11.4 +/- 5.6 (range 2.5-19 years), were included. Meantime on PD at time of enrollment was 35.2 +/- 24.5 months (range 6-84 months). Based on the 4-h creatinine D/P data, the number of the patients within each transport category was as follow: high, 5; average, 18; low, 3. Kappa test showed a significant concordance between original PET and mini-PET (k = 0.610). Based on the 4-h glucose D/D-0 data, the number of the patients within each transport category was as follow: high, 5; average, 17; low, 4. Kappa test showed a moderate agreement between original PET and mini-PET (0.514, p = 0.000). When Pearson correlation analysis between original PET and mini-PET was performed, there were significant positive correlations between original 2.27% PET and mini-PET (r = 0.720, p = 0.000, r = 0.638, p = 0.000, respectively). When comparing the numeric results of mini-PET and 4 h of original PET for D/C-reatinine, by simple regression analysis, we found statistically significant correlation among PETs. Conclusions: In this study, we showed concordance between the mini-PET and original PET. The 3.86% mini-PET is simple and fast methods to assess free water transport. This also gives information about total UF and small solute transports and it is in good agreement with the original PET.

Aim: We aimed to examine dynamic thiol-disulfide balance, an indicator of oxidative stress, in children with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD).Material and Methods: Native thiol (Nt), total thiol (Tt) and disulfide (DS) levels were determined spectrophotometrically in 27 children with CKD (14 non-dialysis, 13 hemodialysis) and 40 healthy controls.Results: Albumin, Nt, Tt and DS levels were markedly lower in CKD patients than in controls. However, the DS/Nt values were not statistically significant between the two groups. When Nt, Tt, DS and DS/Nt values were adjusted for albumin levels, Tt and Nt levels were lower in CKD patients than controls. In the CKD group, Nt and Tt levels were positively correlated with the albumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate and negatively with urea and creatinine. Conclusion: According to these results, decreased Nt and Tt levels in patients with CKD stages 3–5 may be evidence of exposure to oxidative stress. Keywords: Albumin; chronic kidney disease; thiol oxidation; thiol-disulfide balance.

Thalassemic osteopathy (TOSP) has emerged as a topic of interest, as the optimized transfusion regimens and iron chelations has markedly improved the survival of the patients suffering from thalassemia major (TM) and increased the life expectancy. The aim of this prospective monocentric pilot study was to investigate the effects of a dietary supplement with vitamin K-2 (50 mcg menaquinone-7) and vitamin D (5 mcg calcitriol) on the patients with TOSP. Twenty children (12 girls, 8 boys; age varied from 3 to 18 y) with TM, who underwent regular blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy, were enrolled in this study and investigated at the initial, sixth, and 12th month of the treatment. We detected a significant improvement in the bone mineral density and Z-score at the lumbar spine area of the patients at the sixth and 12th month of the treatment, especially in the prepubertal group. We also found a decrease in the ratio of undercarboxylated osteocalcin to carboxylated osteocalcin, however, this was not found to be significant. Although the natural course of TOSP is worsening or at least stabilizing, our pilot study demonstrated that vitamin K-2 and calcitriol combination clearly has a positive effect on the bone mineral density of the children with TM during a 1-year period. Supplementation of menaquinone-7 instead of drugs is an augmented physiological intake and seems a beneficial alternative for the treatment of TOSP. Further studies on a large number of participants are necessary to highlight the effect of vitamin K-2 on TOSP.

Aim: we aimed to establish reference values for urinary oxalate to creatinine ratios in healthy children aged 6–15 years and to investigate the relationship between their nutritional habits and oxalate excretion. Materials and methods: Random urine specimens from 953 healthy children aged 6–15 years were obtained and analyzed for oxalate and creatinine. Additionally, a 24-h dietary recall form was prepared and given to them. The ingredient composition of the diet was calculated. The children were divided into three groups according to age: Group I (69 years, n = 353), Group II (10–12 years, n = 335), and Group III (13–15 years, n = 265). Results: The 95th percentile of the oxalate to creatinine ratio for subjects aged 6–9, 10–12, and 13–15 years were 0.048, 0.042, and 0.042 mg/mg, respectively. The oxalate to creatinine ratio was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 and Group 3. Urinary oxalate excretion was positively correlated with increased protein intake and negatively correlated with age. A significant positive correlation was determined between urinary oxalate excretion and the proline, serine, protein, and glycine content of diet. Dietary proline intake showed a positive correlation with the urine oxalate to creatinine ratio and was found to be an independent predictor for urinary oxalate. Conclusions: These data lend support to the idea that every country should have its own normal reference values to determine the underlying metabolic risk factor for kidney stone disease since regional variation in the dietary intake of proteins and other nutrients can affect normal urinary excretion of oxalate.

Background Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited inflammatory disorder characterized by attacks of fever with polyserositis. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate pediatric patients with FMF who had central nervous system (CNS) findings. Materials and Methods Our medical records database for 2003 to 2014 was screened retrospectively. In total, 104 patients with FMF were identified, 22 of whom had undergone neurological examination for CNS symptoms. Results Neurological findings included headache in 16 patients (72.7%), epilepsy in 6 patients (27.3%), pseudotumor cerebri in 2 patients (9.1%), tremor in 2 patients (9.1%), and multiple sclerosis in 1 patient (4.5%). The most common MEFV gene mutation was homozygous M694V (40.9%). Conclusions Patients with FMF can present with various CNS manifestations. Further studies that include large populations are needed to elucidate the neurological manifestations of FMF.

Giriş: Pulmoner arter sling sol pulmoner arterin sağ pulmoner arterden köken aldığı vasküler pir patolojidir ve genellikle yaşamın ilk haftası ile ilk yılları içinde semptomlar ortaya çıkmaktadır.Olgu Sunumu: Sekiz aylık erkek çocuk çocuk kardiyoloji polikliniğine düzelmeyen hışıltı nedeniyle yönlendirildi. Hastanın hikâyesinden şikâyetlerinin doğumun birinci ayından itibaren mevcut olduğu öğrenildi. Hastada persistan wheezing tespit edilmesi nedeniyle kardiyak değerlendirme yapılması amacıyla tarafımıza yönlendirildi. Hastanın kardiyak muayenesinde mezokardiyak odakta 4/6 pansistolik üfürümü mevcuttu. Ekokardiyografide perimebranöz bölgede Ventriküler Septal Defekt saptanan hastanın, sol pulmoner arterinin sağ pulmoner arterden kaynak aldığı şüphelenildi. Hastanın kontrastlı Toraks Tomografisinde Pulmoner arter slinginin olduğu ve trakeanın bu bölgede 3 mm'ye kadar daraldığı izlendi.Sonuç: Wheezing ile başvuran hastalarda şikâyetlerin başlama zamanı ve karakteri iyi sorgulanmalı. Persistan wheezing saptanan hastalarda kardiyak değerlendirme dikkatli bir şekilde yapılmalıdır.

We propose a general probabilistic framework for modelling multiway data. Our approach establishes a novel link between graphical representation of probability measures and tensor factorization models that allow us to design arbitrary tensor factorization models while retaining simplicity. Using an expectation-maximization (EM) approach for maximizing the likelihood of the exponential dispersion models (EDM), we obtain iterative update equations for Kullback-Leibler (KL), Euclidian (EU) or Itakura-Saito (IS) costs as special cases. Besides EM, we derive alternative algorithms with multiplicative update rules (MUR) and alternating projections. We also provide algorithms for MAP estimation with conjugate priors. All of the algorithms can be formulated as message passing algorithm on a graph where vertices correspond to indices and cliques represent factors of the tensor decomposition.

Natural polysaccharides are promising materials in terms of use as pharmaceutical excipients due to their features such as cost-effectiveness, nontoxicity, biodegradability and biocompatibility. They are also flexible for chemical modifications for fine-tuning the desired properties. In addition to the continued utilization of conventional natural gums, extensive research endeavours are taking place on the modification of natural polysaccharides and the exploration of polysaccharides from unconventional natural resources for their potential use in pharmaceutics. © 2015 by Scrivener Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

Pilomatrixoma (pilomatricoma) is a benign neoplasm of hair follicle matrix cells of the head and neck. Pilomatrixoma, firm mass found most commonly on the face, neck, back and upper extremity, however is rarely found in the lower extremity. We report a case of a 12-year-old female patient with a rare localisation of pilomatrixoma on the lower extremities. Key words: Pilomatrixoma, neoplasms, lower Extremity, Pilomatriksoma, baş ve boyundaki kıl foliküllerinin matriks hücrelerinden kaynaklanan iyi huylu bir tümördür. Pilomatriksoma, sert bir kitle olarak; sıklıkla yüz, boyun, sırt ve üst ekstremitede bulunur ancak alt ekstremitede nadiren yerleşir. Biz 12 yaşındaki kız hastada alt ekstremitede pilomatriksomanın nadir bir lokalizasyonunu olgu olarak sunuyoruz

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal-dominant inherited disorder and its prominent feature is the neurofibroma and renal involvement includes renal artery stenosis and renal artery aneurysms causing renovascular hypertension. The genitourinary tract may be rarely involved, leading to urinary symptoms of obstruction and hydronephrosis. Herein, we report a 12-year-old boy with chronic renal failure associated with neurofibromas of the bladder, which leads to urinary obstruction.

Colchicine is a natural alkaloid which is derived from the colchium autumnale plant. It is used in the treatment of familial Mediterranean fever, amyloidosis, gout, Behcet’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. In this article, we present four colchicine intoxication cases who were admitted to our clinic last year. While two patients ingested colchicine accidentally, other two took it for attempted suicide. First patient’s clinical signs were gastroenteritis, fever, and alopecia. This patient developed renal, hepatic dysfunction, and rebound leucocytosis. Patient was given support treatment and discharged. Second patient’s physical examination was normal except for tachycardia. Twenty hours after taking the medication, patient developed leucocytosis. The patient was performed plasmapheresis and leukapheresis. Thirty-nine hours after intake, patient developed sudden cardiac arrest and died. Third patient’s clinical signs were gastroenteritis, fever, and alopecia. Patient developed hepatic dysfunction and rebound leucocytosis. Support treatment was given and patient was discharged. Last patient had no clinical sign or laboratory finding and was discharged. Doctors and other healthcare employees should be alert for possible colchicine intoxication symptoms. Early detection of overdose symptoms is significant in terms of treatment success.

The primary diagnoses of the patients included in the study, respectively; systemic juvenil idiopathic arthritis (n=5), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (n=2), juvenile dermatomyositis (n=2), a neonatale onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) and a microscopic polyartritis nodosa. The mean age of the patients was 9.9 years old (1-14), and male to female ratio was 3:8. The mean duration of underlying disease was 6 months (1-24 months) at the diagnosis of MAS. We found MAS due to infection in four patients ,while used medicine in a patient. MAS were developed spontaneously in 6 patients. The clinical manifestations of MAS included fever 7 (63.6%),mucosal bleading 6 (54.5%), neurologic involvement 4 (36.4%) and hepatomegaly 6 (54.5%). We found thrombocytopenia in 9 (81.8%), leucopenia in 5 (45.5 %), increased AST in 7 (63.6%), hypofibrinogenemia in 6 (54.5%), increased ferritin in 11 (100%), decreased ESH in 4 (36.4%) and increased triglyceride in 10 (90.9%) patients. We investigated bone marrow in all patients, and hemophagocytosis were determinated in 8 (72.7%). The medications were pulse methylprednisolone 6 (54.5%), intravenous immunoglobulin 8 (72.7%), plasma exchange 5 (45.5%), cyclosporine 6 (54.5%), dexamethasone 1 (9.1%), etoposide 1 (9.1%). The prognosis of patients were recovery 8 (72.7%), and exitus 3 (27.3%). Conclusion In conclusion, MAS can be developed in various pediatric rheumatologic disease and fatal. Prompt recognition and timely treatment can result good outcomes.

Generalized Coupled Tensor Factorization (GCTF) is a recently proposed algorithmic framework for simultaneously estimating tensor factorization models where several tensors can share a set of latent factors. This paper presents two models in this framework for transcribing polyphonic piano pieces. The first model is based on Non-negative Matrix Factorization where the coupling provides the spectral information to the model. As an extension to the first model, the second model incorporates temporal and harmonic information by taking a rough, incomplete transciption of the piece as input. Incorporating harmonic knowledge improves the transcription quality as the the experimental results show that we get around 23 % F-measure improvement on real piano data.

Generalised coupled tensor factorisation is a recently proposed algorithmic framework for simultaneously estimating tensor factorisation models where several observed tensors can share a set of latent factors. This paper proposes a model in this framework for coupled factorisation of piano spectrograms and piano roll representations to solve audio interpolation and restoration problem. The model incorporates temporal and harmonic information from an approximate musical score (not necessarily belonging to the played piece), and spectral information from isolated piano sounds. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated on the restoration of classical music pieces where we get about 5dB SNR improvement when 50% of data frames are missing.

We develop a probabilistic framework for multiway analysis of high dimensional datasets. By exploiting a link between graphical models and tensor factorization models we can realize any arbitrary tensor factorization structure, and many popular models such as CP or TUCKER models with Euclidean error and their non-negative variants with KL error appear as special cases. Due to the duality between exponential families and Bregman divergences, we can cast the problem as inference in a model with Gaussian or Poisson components, where tensor factorisation reduces to a parameter estimation problem. We derive the generic form of update equations for multiplicative and alternating least squares. We also propose a straightforward matricisation procedure to convert element-wise equations into the matrix forms to ease implementation and parallelisation.

To early detect extra-articular organ involvement such as kidney, heart and lung in rheumatic disorders is very important for prognosis. Renal involvement in children with rheumatic diseases results from underlying disease or drugs used to treat rheumatic diseases. In here, we will review the pathogenesis, clinical and laboratory findings of renal disorders associated with childhood rheumatic diseases other than vasculitis, auto-inflammatory diseases and systemic lupus erythematosus, and will summarize management of renal involvement in rheumatic diseases.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can involve any organ system, and may lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. Childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) is a rare disease with an incidence of 0.3-0.9 per 100.000 children-years and a prevalence of 3.3-8.8 per 100.000 children.