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In Recent studies underline the fact that adolescents are, at many times, likely to experience serious communication problems with their families and close environments. So, the aim of this study is to determine positive impact of sport-related games, which are performed as extracurricular activities, on high school students’ communication skills. In the study, pre, & post-tests was utilized with the control group’s experimental patterns. Two participant groups were made up of totally 30 high school students, 15 of whom would be in the experimental group and the rest of whom were in the control group. The former group was given sport- related 20 applications for 10 weeks during which the latter group would not deal with any extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, before and after the applications, data was collected by means of “The Communication Skills Scale” which was developed by Korkut (1996) and then analysed through “two-way ANCOVA” test techniques. Results clarify that the considerable gap in scores of the students’ pre, & post-tests perception concerning their communication skills are clearly attributed to sport-related games and it was also established that scores of the students in the experimental group were meaningfully higher than ones in the control group. However, perception of communication skills in the both groups was not significantly different by sex of the students. Moreover, the common effect of sex and participation on sport- related games was not found statistically meaningful in terms of communication skills. Consequently, it could be said that sport-related games impact positively communication skills.

In this study, the possibility of chromium extraction from Turkish chromite concentrate and the production of chromium oxide were investigated. For the conversion of chromium(III) into chromium(VI), NaOH was employed, as well as air with a rate of 20 L/min. The effects of the base amount, fusing temperature, and fusing time on the chromium conversion percentage were investigated in detail. The conversion kinetics of chromium(III) to chromium(VI) was also undertaken. Following the steps of dissolving the sodium chromate in water and filtering, aluminum hydroxide was precipitated by adjusting the pH level of the solution. The chromium(VI) solution was subsequently converted to Cr(III) by the combination of sulfuric acid and ethanol. Interestingly, it was observed that ethanol precipitated chromium as chromium(VI) at mildly acidic pH levels, although this effect is more pronounced for K2Cr2O7 than Na2Cr2O7. On the other hand, in the strongly acidic regime, ethanol acted as a reducing agent role in that chromium(VI) was converted into Cr(III) whereas ethanol itself was oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. Subsequently, chromium hydroxide was obtained by the help of sodium hydroxide and converted to chromium oxide by heating at 800 °C, as indicated in thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA).

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are organized immune cell aggregates that arise in chronic inflammatory conditions. In cancer, TLS are associated with better prognosis and enhanced response to immunotherapy, making these structures attractive therapeutic targets. However, the mechanisms regulating TLS formation and maintenance in cancer are incompletely understood. Using spatial transcriptomics and multiplex imaging across various human tumors, we found an enrichment of mature dendritic cells (DC) expressing high levels of CCR7 in TLS, prompting us to investigate the role of DC in the formation and maintenance of TLS in solid tumors. To address this, we developed a novel murine model of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that forms mature TLS, containing B cell follicles with germinal centers and T cell zones with T follicular helper cells (T FH ) and TCF1 + PD-1 + progenitor exhausted CD8 + T cells (Tpex). Here we show that, during the early stages of tumor development, TLS formation relies on IFNγ-driven maturation of the conventional DC type 1 (cDC1) subset, their migration to tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLN), and recruitment of activated T cells to the tumor site. As tumors progress, TLS maintenance becomes independent of T cell egress from tdLN, coinciding with a significant reduction of cDC1 migration to tdLN. Instead, mature cDC1 accumulate within intratumoral CCR7 ligand-enriched stromal hubs. Notably, timed depletion of cDC1 or disruption of their migration to these stromal hubs after TLS are formed alters TLS maintenance. Importantly, we found that cDC1-mediated antigen presentation to both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells and intact CD40 signaling, is critical for the maintenance of TLS, the preservation of the T FH cell pool, the formation of germinal center and the production of tumor-specific IgG antibodies. These findings underscore the key role of mature cDC1 in establishing and maintaining functional TLS within tumor lesions and highlight the potential for cDC1-targeting therapies as a promising strategy to enhance TLS function and improve anti-tumor immunity in patients with cancer.

Background: Higher cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) numbers in the tumor microenvironment (TME) predict pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and positive long-term outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). pCR to NAC is achieved only in 30-40% of patients. The combination of NAC with pembrolizumab increases the pCR rate but at the cost of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Based on these considerations, we tested if systemic infusion of the chemokine modulatory regimen (CKM; selective toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist rintatolimod, interferon (IFN)-α2b, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib) regimen can be safely combined with NAC to enhance intratumoral CTL numbers and NAC effectiveness., Methods: Phase I study NCT04081389 evaluated nine patients with early-stage TNBC who received 3 weeks of paclitaxel with CKM (dose-escalation of IFN-α2b), followed by 9 weeks of paclitaxel alone, dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, and surgery. Primary and secondary endpoints were safety and clinical efficacy, respectively., Results: The combination treatment was well-tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities or irAEs. 5/9 patients achieved pCR and one patient had microinvasive disease (ypTmic). We observed elevated IFN signature and uniform decreases in CTL numbers (average 8.3-fold) in the blood of all treated patients. This was accompanied by reciprocal uniform increases in CD8β (overall 5.9-fold), CD8α/FoxP3 (2.11-fold), and CCL5 (4.73-fold) transcripts in TME, particularly pronounced in patients with pCR. Multiplex immunohistochemistry revealed selectively increased numbers of CTL (but not regulatory T cells) in both the epithelial and stromal tumor compartments and early decreases in the numbers of αSMA + vascular/stromal cells in the tumors of all pCR patients., Conclusions: Combined paclitaxel/CKM regimen was safe, with desirable TME changes and preliminary indications of promising pCR+ypTmic of 66%, comparable to the combination of NAC with pembrolizumab., Competing Interests: Competing interests: No, there are no competing interests., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Preeclampsia (PE) occurs due to inadequate spiral artery/trophoblast remodeling in early pregnancy. Endometases are involved in the remodeling of spiral arteries and placental trophoblasts. This study aimed to investigate differences in blood endometase levels between pregnant women with hypertensive disorders (PE and gestational hypertension [GHT]) and healthy pregnant women and to evaluate whether plasma endometase values ​​could play a predictive role in PE or GHT diagnosis. A total of 90 pregnant women (n(PE) = 30, n(GHT) = 30, n(healthy pregnant) = 30) who presented at the hospital between December 2023 and May 2024 and were 26-32 years of age and > 20 weeks pregnant were included in the study. The endometase levels in all pregnant women were determined in maternal blood plasma via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The endometase values were recalculated according to albumin values, and corrected endometase (cEndo) values were determined. No significant differences in blood endometase levels were observed between the groups (p > 0.05). The cEndo value was significantly lower in the PE and GHT groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the cEndo values between the PE and GHT groups (p > 0.05). A statistically significant negative linear relationship was detected between cEndo values and mean systolic blood pressure and mean diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). The cEndo values in the PE and GHT groups at early (≤ 32 weeks 3 days) and late pregnancy were compared, and no statistically significant difference was detected (p > 0.05). Maternal blood cEndo values may play a successful role in distinguishing hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (PE + GHT) from healthy pregnant women. cEndo does not play an effective role in the differential diagnosis between pregnant women with PE and those with GHT. Studies with larger patient populations are needed., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is increasingly being used in the management of locally advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). The evidence suggests a contributing role of tumor infiltrating immune cells in the prognosis and response. We set out to characterize immune modulation of tumor immune microenvironment in BTC following NACT., Case Description: Patients with BTC who underwent diagnostic biopsy, then NACT then resection between 2014-2018 were identified. Multiplexed immunohistochemical consecutive staining on single slide (MICSSS) analysis was performed with a series of immune markers to characterize T-cells, immune checkpoints etc. on pre- & post-NACT tumor tissue. Density was calculated for each marker. The final analysis included five patients. Median age was 48 (range, 41-56) years, with 4 female, 4 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 1 gallbladder. All patients received gemcitabine/cisplatin as NACT (median of 5 cycles). Median time from diagnosis to surgery was 4.3 (range, 1.4-7.8) months. All patients were mismatch repair proficient (pMMR). NACT on average produced a depletion of all immune markers. Given small sample size, each patient was considered their own control and changes in mean cell densities post-NACT were calculated. Patient #2 with a 40-fold increase in PD-L1 expression & 5-fold decrease in CD8:FOXP3 ratio after NACT notably had the shortest disease-free interval (DFI). Patient #3 with the longest DFI had the largest increase in CD8:FOXP3 by about 8-fold with a decrease in PD-L1., Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest NACT may differentially modulate various compartments of the immune tumor contexture despite overall cell depletion. Future studies should focus on strategies to expand immune modulation of tumor microenvironment, including immune-oncology agents to augment the effects of chemotherapy., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://atm.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/atm-23-1928/coif). G.A. is currently working as a Director at Merck & Co., Inc. in the Department of Molecular Pathology, Translational Molecular Biomarkers Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States and also owns Merck & Co., Inc. stocks. M.E.S. reports consulting or advisory role in Eisai and Genentech; research funding from Bristol-Myers Squibb. D.J.C. reports consulting or advisory role in Taiho Oncology; research funding from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai, and Merck (all payments were made to institution). S.G. reports research funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Medarex, Celgene, EMD Serono, Janssen, Regeneron and Takeda (all payments were made to institution); patents, royalties, other intellectual property: patent on GM-CSF autoantibodies; patent on Multiplex Immunohistochemistry with Chromogen Staining on a Single Slide (MICSSS); patents related to immune composition of NY-E; patents related to immune composition of NY-ESO-1 and peptides, SO-1 and peptides; provisional patent on ELLA cytokines. S.P. reports that this work was funded by the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, and consulting or advisory role in Tesaro. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2024 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.)

The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the whole world in recent years and has had devastating effects on all segments of society, has been one of the most important priorities. The Turkish Standards Institution has determined a checklist to contribute to developing safe and clean environments in higher education institutions in Turkey and to follow-up on infection control measures. However, this study is only a checklist that makes it necessary for decision-makers to make a subjective evaluation during the evaluation process, while the need to develop a more effective, systematic framework that takes into account the importance levels of multiple criteria has emerged. Therefore, this study applies the best-worst method under interval type-2 fuzzy set concept (IT2F-BWM) to determine the importance levels of criteria affecting the "COVID-19 safe campus" evaluation of universities in the context of global pandemic. A three-level hierarchy consisting of three main criteria, 11 sub-criteria, and 58 sub-criteria has been created for this aim. Considering the hierarchy, the most important sub-criterion was determined as periodic disinfection. The high contribution of the interval-valued type-2 fuzzy sets in expressing the uncertainty in the decision-makers' evaluations and the fact that BWM provides criterion weights with a mathematical optimization model that produces less pairwise comparisons and higher consistency are the main factors in choosing this approach. Simple additive weighting (SAW) has also been injected into the IT2F-BWM to determine the safety level of any university campus regarding COVID-19. Thus, decision-makers will be better prepared for the devastating effects of the pandemic by first improving the factors that are relatively important in the fight against the pandemic. In addition, a threshold value will be determined by considering all criteria, and it will prepare the ground for a road map for campuses. A case study is employed to apply the proposed model, and a comparison study is also presented with the Bayesian BWM to validate the results of the criteria weights., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Ti6Al4V titanium alloys are widely used in a variety of scientific and industrial fields. Laser beam welding is one of the most effective techniques for the joining of titanium plates. The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the most important laser parameters on welding performance of titanium alloy in two different physical environments such as air and water (i.e., serum) media. Specifically, the laser beam welding of 2 mm thick Ti6Al4V samples was applied using an Nd:YAG laser in open-air welding using argon as a shielding gas, and in wet welding using a serum environment. The deepest penetration was achieved at -3 mm focal position with 11 J of laser energy in both investigated media (i.e., air and serum). The maximum hardness (1130 HV) was achieved for the focal position of -4 mm in serum medium while it was 795 HV for a focal position of -5 mm in air medium. The minimum (1200 μm and 800 μm) and maximum (1960 μm and 1900 μm) weld widths were observed for air and serum medium, respectively. After the welding process, martensite, massif martensite, and transformed martensite were observed in the microstructure of Ti6Al4V. To the best of our knowledge, the underwater wet welding of titanium alloy was carried out and reported for the first time in this study.

Laser welding is an innovative method that is frequently used and required by different disciplines and represents a technique of choice in a wide range of applications due to important advantages such as precision, speed, and flexibility. However, the welding method must be used properly otherwise it may deteriorate the mechanical properties of the welded metal and its environment. Therefore, the laser parameters should be precisely determined and carefully applied to the sample. The primary objective of this study was to investigate and propose optimal welding parameters that should be adjusted during the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG)-pulsed laser welding of austenitic stainless steel 316L in an air welding environment by using Argon shielding gas and in wet welding settings in serum medium. The investigation of the welding process in serum medium was conducted in order to propose the most suitable welding parameters being important for future possible medical applications of laser welding in in-vivo settings and thus to investigate the possibilities of the welding process inside the human body. In order to evaluate the quality of welding in air and of wet welding (in serum), a detailed parameter study has been conducted by variation of the laser energy, the welding speed and the focal position. The relationship between the depth of penetration and specific point energy (SPE) was also evaluated. The microstructure of the welded metal was examined by an optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Based on the microscopy results, it was found that the largest depth of penetration (1380 µm) was achieved with 19 J laser energy in air medium, while the depth reached the largest value (1240 µm) in serum medium at 28 J laser energy. The increasing energy level showed opposite behavior for air and serum. The results of our study imply that when welding of 316L stainless steel is implemented properly in the body fluid, it would be a promising start for future in-vivo studies.

Background: Mean platelet volume to platelet count (MPV/Plt) ratio has been demonstrated to be a good indicator of long-term mortality in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). However, the prognostic value of MPV/Plt in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not reported., Aim: To determine whether the MPV/Plt ratio on admission has any predictive value for major adverse cardiac events including short- and long-term mortality in STEMI., Methods: In this prospective study, 470 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. The patients were divided into three tertiles based on the MPV/Plt ratio on admission. The first tertile (n = 149) was defined as MPV/Plt ratio ≤ 0.029, second tertile (n = 154) 0.029-0.038, and third tertile (n = 159) ≥ 0.038. Primary clinical outcomes consisted of the sum of cardiovascular (CV) mortality, non-fatal re-infarction, and stroke. Secondary clinical outcomes were CV mortality, non-fatal re-infarction, target-vessel revascularisation, stroke, and advanced heart failure., Results: There was no difference between study groups regarding the primary (p > 0.05) and the secondary outcomes (p > 0.05) except for one-year non-fatal re-infarction rate, which was found to be significantly higher in the highest MPV/Plt ratio group (p = 0.045). Age, Killip class > 1, and left ventricular ejection fraction were found to be independent predictors of long-term CV mortality in multivariate analysis (p = 0.009, p = 0.035, and p < 0.001, respectively)., Conclusions: While the MPV/Plt ratio was demonstrated to be associated with one-year non-fatal re-infarction, it was not related to in-hospital, one-month, and one-year CV mortality in patients with STEMI, who underwent primary PCI.

Novel 9-(substituted amino/piperazinoethyl)adenines (4-12), 6-(substituted piperazino/amino)purines (15-27), 9-(p-toluenesulfonyl/cyclopentyl/ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-(substituted amino/piperazino)purines (28-34, 36, 37, 38-41) were synthesized and evaluated initially for their cytotoxic activities on liver Huh7, breast T47D and colon HCT116 carcinoma cells. N(6)-(4-Trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine derivative (17) and its 9-(p-toluene-sulfonyl)/9-cyclopentyl analogues (28, 36) had promising cytotoxic activities. Compounds 17, 28 and 36 were further analysed for their cytotoxicity in a panel of a liver cancer cell lines. The compound 36 had better cytotoxic activities (IC50 ≤ 1 μM) than the nucleobase 5-FU and nucleosides fludarabine, cladribine, and pentostatine on Huh7 cells. Cytotoxicity induced by 36 was later identified as senescence associated cell death by SA-β-Gal assay., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

A series of fluorene-fused benzoquinones (Q1-Q5) were prepared by thermolysis of 4-fluorenyl-4-hydroxycyclobutenones. Red fluorescence observed for Q2 is switched by reduction to blue fluorescence by formation of the hydroquinone. Reaction with hydrogen peroxide restores the original fluorescence colour. The potential use of compound Q2 as a reactive oxygen species detector is discussed.

3H-Spiro[1,3-benzothiazole-2,3'-indol]-2'(1'H)-ones 3a-c and 4a-e were synthesized from treating the 5-substituted 1H-indole-2,3-diones with 2-aminothiophenol in ethanol. The structures were confirmed by elemental analyses, spectrometry (IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HSQC-2D and LCMS-APCI) and single crystal X-ray analysis. The new compounds were screened for their antioxidant activities such as the Fe(3+)/ascorbate system induced inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LP) in liposomes, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), scavenging effect on diphenylpicryl hydrazine (DPPH*), and reducing power. These compounds showed potent scavenging activities against DPPH* and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS*(+)) radicals, reducing powers, and strong inhibitory capacity on lipid peroxidation. Compound 4a incorporating methyl both at R(1) and R(2) was found to be the most potent antioxidant described in this study. Compounds 3b and 4b were selected as representative compounds by the National Cancer Institute for screening against anticancer activity and these compounds were found to be cytotoxic against CNS cancer cell line SNB-75 in the primary screen., (Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Helicobacter pylori which is one of the commonly seen chronic bacterial infections in the world, has been demonstrated to have a relationship with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Current management of H. pylori infection involves the use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and any two of amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole in combination. Antibiotic resistance which is in an increasing trend in H. pylori since the recent years, is the main cause of treatment failure. This study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of 31 H. pylori strains to several antibiotics by using E-test method (AB Biodisk, Sweden) and also to detect clarithromycin resistance by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH; SeaFAST, Hungary). The strains were isolated from the gastric biopsy specimens of patients who were admitted to Uludağ University Hospital, Bursa, Turkey with dyspeptic complaints. Clarithromycin, amoxycillin, metronidazole, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin resistance rates were as 41.9%, 3.2%, 41.9%, 3.2% and 45.2%, respectively. Resistance to single antibiotic was detected in 32.2% of the isolates whereas multiresistance was seen in 45.2%. For the hybridization process one probe specific for 16S rRNA and labeled with a fluorescein dye and the other probe specific for the mutations in 23S rRNA and labeled with Cy3 stain were used. Green signalling denoted presence of H. pylori in the specimen and red signalling was associated with clarithromycin resistance. All of the isolates yielded green signalling and the 13 isolates found to be resistant to clarithromycin by E-test, gave red signalling. No difference was detected between the two methods in terms of clarithromycin resistance determination. This was a preliminary study reporting the H. pylori resistance rates in our region, however, further larger scale studies are required for obtaining countrywide data.

A series of 8,9-disubstituted adenines (4, 5, 8), 6-substituted aminopurines (10-13) and 9-(p-fluorobenzyl/cyclopentyl)-6-substituted aminopurines (16, 17, 19-30) have been prepared and the antimicrobial activities of these compounds against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, standard and clinical isolate), Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were evaluated. 6-[(N-phenylaminoethyl)amino]-9H-purine (12) which has no substitution at N-9 position and 9-cyclopentyl-6-[(4-fluorobenzyl)amino]-9H-purine (24) exhibited excellent activity against C. albicans with MIC 3.12 microg/mL. These compounds displayed better antifungal activity than that of standard oxiconazole. Furthermore, compound 22 carrying 4-chlorobenzylamino group at the 6-position of the purine moiety exhibited comparable antibacterial activity with that of the standard ciprofloxacin against both of the drug-resistant bacteria (MRSA, standard and clinical isolate).

We investigated the risk factors for community acquired/onset urinary tract infections due to extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae in 62 patients who were followed-up from August 1, 2003 to September 1, 2006. Sixty patients with community-acquired urinary tract infections caused by ESBL-negative E. coli or K. pneumoniae who were followed-up during the same dates were included as a control group. Age (> or =65 or <65 years old), sex, bladder cancer, benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), prostate cancer, urolithiasis, urethral catheter, previous urological operation, diabetes mellitus, use of antibiotics during the last 3 months and hospitalization during the last 3 months were investigated as risk factors. The presence of previous urological operation and quinolone or cephalosporin use for any infection during the last 3 months were found to be independent risk factors. Knowing the risk factors for community acquired/onset urinary tract infections caused by ESBL-positive E. coli or K. pneumoniae is of great importance in planning empirical antibiotic therapy.

Some novel 1-methyl-4-(2-(2-substitutedphenyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)acetyl)thiosemicarbazides (16a-20a), 5-[(2-(substitutedphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)methyl]-N-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amines (17b-20b), and 5-[(2-(substitutedphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)methyl-4-methyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thiones (16c-20c) were synthesized and tested for antioxidant properties by using various in vitro systems. Compounds 16a-20a were found to be a good scavenger of DPPH radical (IC(50), 26 microM; IC(50), 30 microM; IC(50), 43 microM; IC(50), 55 microM; IC(50), 74 microM, respectively) when compared to BHT (IC(50), 54 microM). Noteworthy results could not be found on superoxide radical. Compound 19b, which is the most active derivative inhibited slightly lipid peroxidation (28%) at 10(-3)M concentration. Compound 17c inhibited the microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity with an IC(50)=4.5 x 10(-4)M which is similarly better than the specific inhibitor caffeine IC(50)=5.2 x 10(-4)M.

Primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) often occurs subclinically during childhood, resulting in a latent infection of B lymphocytes. In this report, a chronic hepatitis B case who presented with a serologic profile mimicking acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and exhibiting transient autoantibody positivities because of the polyclonal activation of B cells due to EBV reactivation has been presented. The test results of 56 years old male patient who suffered from fatigue and pain on the right upper quadrant, revealed high levels of liver enzymes (AST: 187 U/L, ALT: 569 U/L), positivity of HBsAg, anti-HBc IgG and anti-HBe, and negativity of anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg and anti-HBs. Since HBV-DNA level was found 405,974 copies/mL by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the patient was taken into follow-up. At the 6th month AST and ALT levels further elevated (352 U/L and 609 U/L, respectively), and anti-HBc IgM and anti-HBs became positive in addition to the previous positive markers of HBV. With the suspicion of superinfection, further laboratory investigations yielded negative results in CMV-IgM and Paul Bunnel test, while positive results in EBV anti-VCA IgM and IgG, anti-EBNA IgM and IgG, anti-p22 IgM and IgG and anti-EA IgM. In the follow-up period high levels of autoantibody positivities [rheumatoid factor (42.200 U/ml), anti-nuclear antibody (1/100) and anti-Ro-52] together with increased levels of total IgG, IgM and IgA were detected. In the following months, the levels of transaminases, total immunoglobulins and HBV-DNA have distinctively decreased, and in the 20th month the previous HBV profile regained (HBsAg, anti-HBc IgG and anti-HBe positive, anti-HBc IgM and anti-HBs negative, HBV-DNA: 6984 copies/ml) and the other pathological test results returned to normal. As a result, ALT increases seen during the course of chronic hepatitis B should not always be considered as HBV manifestations and the unusual serologic patterns should be evaluated as a consequence of superinfection with various viral agents.

New series of 5-fluoro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones 2a-k and 5-fluoro-1-morpholino/piperidinomethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones 3a-r were synthesized. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectral data, elemental and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The new 5-fluoro-1H-indole-2,3-dione derivatives, along with previously reported 5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones 2l-v, 1-morpholino/piperidinomethyl-5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones 4a-l, and 5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-[(4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazones] 5a-s, were evaluated for in vitro antituberculosis activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Among the tested compounds, 5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones (2p, 2r, and 2s) and its 1-morpholinomethyl derivatives (4a, 4e, 4g, and 4i) exhibited significant inhibitory activity in the primary screen. The antituberculosis activity of molecules with diverse skeletons was investigated by means of the Electronic-Topological Method (ETM). Ten pharmacophores and ten anti-pharmacophores that have been found by this form the basis of the system capable of predicting the structures of potentially active compounds. The forecasting ability of the system has been tested on structures that differ from those synthesized. The probability of correct identification for active compounds was found as equal to 93% in average. To obtain the algorithmic base for the activity prediction, Artificial Neural Networks were used after the ETM (the so-called combined ETM-ANN method). As the result, only 9 pharmacophores and anti-pharmacophores were chosen as the most important ones for the activity. By this, ANNs classified correctly 94.4%, or 67 compounds from 71.

In this study, the clinical and laboratory features of 26 infectious mononucleosis (IMN) cases who have been diagnosed between the years of 1984-2005 were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 26+/-11 years, the rate of being hospitalized was 65%, and mean hospitalization period was 9.2+/-6 days. Fever (81%), weakness (50%), sore throat (50%), headache (50%) and swollen neck (35%) were the most common symptoms, while in the physical examination cervical lymphadenopathy (81%), splenomegaly (69%), hyperemic pharynx (65%), hepatomegaly (54%) and tonsillitis (50%) were observed. Laboratory results yielded leukocytosis in 21%, leucopenia in 12%, anemia in 44%, thrombocytopenia in 5% and elevated transaminase levels in 84% of the patients. Of the patients 15 (57.7%) had the history of using antibiotics before the diagnosis. Serological diagnosis was performed by Paul-Bunnel test and/or IgM positivity against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA). Tonsillo-pharyngitis secondary to edema and respiratory distress due to lymphadenopathy pressure were detected in four patients, whereas pancytopenia was established only in one patient, as complications. This study emphasized that, although IMN is a self-limited infection, the diagnostic difficulties may arise when the clinical course is atypical, and rarely seen life-threatening complications may also develop during IMN course.

Primary tuberculosis of the parotid gland is an unusual clinical presentation. In this report a 32 years old male patient with parotid gland tuberculosis has been presented. The patient has been admitted to Ear, Nose & Throat outpatient clinic of our hospital with the complaint of left facial nodule. Histopathologic examination of the needle aspiration biopsy (NAB) specimen yielded benign necrotic lenfoid tissue, and in cervical ultrasonography cystic formations in left parotid gland were detected. Since the nodule size has increased in the follow-up period, cervical tomography was performed and heterogenous mass in the left side with lobular contour and hypodense appearance in posterior cervical region was detected. Histopathologic examination of the repeated NAB revealed chronic sialadenitis and benign lymphoid hyperplasia, and the patient has undergone left parotidectomy and lymph node dissection. Histopathologic examination of the excisional biopsy specimen revealed necrotising granuloma with diffuse caseification lesions concordant with tuberculosis. The patient was diagnosed as parotid gland tuberculosis, and anti-tuberculous therapy was started with isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. The history of the patient pointed out that he had used steroid for four months with a suspective diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and his father had tuberculosis. In conclusion, since tuberculosis is a common infection in our country, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid nodules.

In this study, oxime and oxime ether derivatives of [1-(2-naphthyl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanone] were prepared as potential anticonvulsant and antimicrobial compounds. The oxime was synthesized by the reaction of ketone and hydroxylamine hydrochloride. O-Alkylation of the oxime by various alkyl halides gave the oxime ether derivatives. Anticonvulsant activity of the compounds was determined by maximal electroshock and subcutaneous metrazole tests in mice and rats according to procedures of the Anticonvulsant Screening Program of National Institutes of Health. Neurotoxicity was determined by the rotorod test in mice and the positional sense test, gait and stance test in rats. In addition to anticonvulsant tests, all compounds were also evaluated against the following microorganisms: S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis, C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei using microdilution broth method for possible antibacterial and antifungal activities. Although most of the O-alkyl substituted oxime ethers exhibited both anticonvulsant and antimicrobial activities, the O-arylalkyl substituted compounds were found to be inactive in both screening paradigms.

The synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of some novel benzimidazole derivatives (10-24) are described. Antioxidant properties of the compounds were investigated employing various in vitro systems viz., microsomal NADPH-dependent inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LP), interaction of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and scavenging of superoxide anion radical. Compounds 12 and 13 showed very good antioxidant capacity and were 17-18-fold more potent than BHT (IC50 2.3 x 10(-4) M) with 1.3 x 10(-5) M and 1.2 x 10(-5) M IC50 values, respectively, by interaction of the stable DPPH free radical.

In the molecule of the title compound, C26H21N3O5S, a new type of sulfonamide derivative with potential antibacterial activity, the flavone moiety is almost planar. The isoxazole and aminophenyl rings are also planar and make dihedral angles of 77.0 (2) and 81.4 (1) degrees , respectively, with the best plane of the flavone ring system. The crystal structure is stabilized by intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

A new type of thiophene derivative having alpha-thioketone groups at the 3- and 4-positions, viz. the title compound, C22H20O4S3, has been prepared and studied by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The molecule is nearly planar, the dihedral angles between the essentially planar thiophene and benzene rings being 9.4 (1) and 10.6 (1) degrees. One of the thioketone O atoms is involved in an intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen-bonding interaction.

The title complex, [CdNi(CN)4(C6H7N)2]n, adopts a slightly distorted octahedral geometry around the Cd centre. Four cyanide N atoms occupy the equatorial coordination sites around the Cd centre. The structure consists of corrugated and cyanide-bridged polymeric networks made up of tetracyanonickelate ions coordinated to cadmium, with the Ni ion coordinated by four cyanide ligands in a square-planar arrangement. The Cd and Ni atoms occupy special positions of 2/m site symmetry. The 3-methylpyridine group, except for two methyl H atoms, lies on a crystallographic mirror plane. The 3-methylpyridine molecules, bound to cadmium in trans positions, are located on both sides of the network. The bonding in the networks occurs because of a departure of the Ni-C-N-Cd sequence of atoms from linearity at the C and N atoms.

The title compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. There are two molecules in the asymmetric unit. While one of these molecules is in a general position, the other is in disordered position. The angle between the directions of the molecules in the asymmetric unit is 87.5(1) degrees.

Mutations at the myocilin (MYOC) gene within the GLC1A locus have been revealed in 2-4% of patients suffering primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) worldwide. In our ongoing glaucoma study six hundred eighty two persons have been screened for MYOC mutations. The first group consisted of 453 patients from a long-term clinical study diagnosed either with juvenile OAG (JOAG), POAG, ocular hypertension (OHT) or normal tension glaucoma (NTG) plus 22 cases of secondary glaucoma. This group, and additional 83 healthy controls, is part of a long term study with repeated clinical examinations at the University of Erlangen-Nurnberg. An additional sample of 124 glaucoma patients or at risk persons referred from other sources were included in the mutation screening. Five novel mutations, namely Gly434Ser, Asn450Asp, Val251Ala, Ile345Met and Ser393Asn, could be identified as cause of preperimetric POAG, JOAG, normal tension POAG and POAG. Myocilin mutations were identified similar with previous reports with other ethnic populations at the rate of 11/341 (3.2%) probands., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The title compound, C(17)H(10)S(4), has two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. In both molecules, the fused heterocycle is almost planar and the phenyl groups make dihedral angles of 42.88 (9) and 52.79 (8) degrees with the fused heterocycle in one molecule, and angles of 40.62 (9) and 52.28 (8) degrees in the other. The crystal packing is governed by short intermolecular S.S interactions, the shortest contact being 3.333 (1) A.