Determination of ceruloplasmin, some other acute phase proteins, and biochemical parameters in cows with endometritis

Aim:

The aim of this study is to determine serum ceruloplasmin levels in cows with endometritis of varying degrees of severity and to establish whether or not there is a correlation between acute phase protein (APP) levels and biochemical parameters.

Material and Methods:

The study was conducted with 100 Brown Swiss cows (3-8 years of age) on days 28-32 postpartum. Cows were divided into endometritis (mild, moderate, and severe endometriosis) and healthy groups based on ultrasonography, vaginoscopy, and cytological examination. Blood samples were collected from all cows. Levels of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin, albumin, and some biochemical parameters were analyzed.

Results:

Hp, SAA, and ceruloplasmin levels were higher in cows with endometritis than in healthy cows (p=0.001), and the levels of these APPs increased as endometritis became more severe (p=0.001). Some significant correlations were found between APPs and the biochemical parameters that were analyzed. In conclusion, it was determined that ceruloplasmin levels increase significantly in the presence of endometritis and proportionate to the severity of endometritis. A significant correlation was found between ceruloplasmin levels and Hp and SAA levels.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that ceruloplasmin levels can be used in the diagnosis of endometritis as an alternative to Hp and SAA levels.

Effects of Fat Reduction and Curd Dipping Temperature on Viscoelasticity, Texture and Appearance of Gaziantep Cheese

The effects of varying fat content (from 13.5 to 50.4% w/w) and curd dipping temperatures (75, 85 and 95°C) on changes in viscoelastic properties, texture and appearance of Gaziantep cheese were examined. Viscoelastic properties of cheeses were studied using creep and recovery tests. Creep measurements showed that fat reduction from 50.4% (w/w) to 13.5% (w/w) decreased viscoelasticity while dipping into hot whey increased that of low-fat cheeses. Textural characteristics (hardness, gumminess, cohesiveness, springiness) were determined by texture profile analysis (TPA). Hardness, gumminess, cohesiveness and springiness values increased with decreasing fat content (P < 0.05). The application of curd dipping also increased hardness, gumminess, cohesiveness and springiness. Textural parameters were correlated with each others, except cohesiveness. Fat in dry matter correlated only with hardness and springiness, however curd dipping process correlated with all TPA parameters considered in this study. Colour of the cheese samples was affected by fat content as L value and b value decreased with decreasing fat content (P < 0.05). The decrease in curd dipping temperature increased the L value (P < 0.05) and decreased the b value.

Isolated renal and retroperitoneal hydatid cysts: a report of 23 cases

Isolated extrarenal retroperitoneal and renal echinococcal cysts are rare manifestations of hydatid disease. We report 23 cases of renal and other retroperitoneal hydatid cysts diagnosed and treated in our clinic. Flank pain, abdominal mass and non-specific symptoms such as nausea and vomiting were the major symptoms. Indirect haemagglutination test was positive in 18 cases and eosinophilia in four cases. Among imaging studies computerized tomography was the most valuable diagnostic examination. A high index of suspicion is needed for preoperative diagnosis of hydatid disease of kidney and retroperitoneum.

Combined Use of Low-dose Bupivacaine, Colloid Preload and Wrapping of the Legs for Preventing Hypotension in Spinal Anaesthesia for Caesarean Section

We tested the hypothesis that using a combination of methods would result in a greater reduction in the incidence of hypotension due to spinal anaesthesia in caesarean sections compared with using each method on its own. A total of 120 patients were randomly allocated to the following four treatment groups: 10 mg bupivacaine 0.5% intrathecally plus 500 ml Ringer lactate solution (group B); 4 mg bupivacaine 0.5% plus 25 μg fentanyl plus 500 ml Ringer lactate solution (group F); 4 mg bupivacaine 0.5% plus 25 μg fentanyl intrathecally plus 500 ml Gelofusine® intravenously (group G); and 4 mg bupivacaine 0.5% plus 25 μg fentanyl intrathecally plus 500 ml Gelofusine® intravenously plus tight wrapping of the lower extremities with an Esmarch bandage (group E). The Esmarch bandage was only loosely applied in groups B, F and G. Hypotension was detected in 100% of the patients in group B compared with 70.0%, 46.7% and 23.3% of those in groups F, G and E, respectively. Hypotension was thus reduced by using a combination of several methods.

Managing atypical and typical herpetic central nervous system infections: results of a multinational study

There have been many studies pertaining to the management of herpetic meningoencephalitis (HME), but the majority of them have focussed on virologically unconfirmed cases or included only small sample sizes. We have conducted a multicentre study aimed at providing management strategies for HME. Overall, 501 adult patients with PCR-proven HME were included retrospectively from 35 referral centres in 10 countries; 496 patients were found to be eligible for the analysis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis using a PCR assay yielded herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 DNA in 351 patients (70.8%), HSV-2 DNA in 83 patients (16.7%) and undefined HSV DNA type in 62 patients (12.5%). A total of 379 patients (76.4%) had at least one of the specified characteristics of encephalitis, and we placed these patients into the encephalitis presentation group. The remaining 117 patients (23.6%) had none of these findings, and these patients were placed in the nonencephalitis presentation group. Abnormalities suggestive of encephalitis were detected in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 83.9% of the patients and in electroencephalography (EEG) in 91.0% of patients in the encephalitis presentation group. In the nonencephalitis presentation group, MRI and EEG data were suggestive of encephalitis in 33.3 and 61.9% of patients, respectively. However, the concomitant use of MRI and EEG indicated encephalitis in 96.3 and 87.5% of the cases with and without encephalitic clinical presentation, respectively. Considering the subtle nature of HME, CSF HSV PCR, EEG and MRI data should be collected for all patients with a central nervous system infection.

Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs) Resistance Mutations in HIV-1 Infected Turkish Patients

OBJECTIVES

Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) is a new class of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs designed to block the action of the integrase viral enzyme, which is responsible for insertation of the HIV-1 genome into the host DNA. The aim of this study was to evaluate for the first time INSTI resistance mutations in Turkish patients.

METHODS

This study was conducted in Turkey, between April 2013 and April 2015 using 169 HIV-1-infected patients (78 ARV naive patients and 91 ARV-experienced patients). Laboratory and clinical characteristics of ARV naive and ARV-experienced patients were as follows: gender (M/F): 71/7 and 80/11, median age: 38 and 38.4; median CD4(+) T-cell: 236 and 216 cells/mm(3), median HIV-1 RNA: 4.95+E5 and 1.08E+6 copies/ml. Population-based seqeunces of the reverse transcriptase, protease, and integrase domains of the HIV-1 pol gene were used to detect HIV-1 drug resistance mutations.

RESULT

INSTI resistance mutations were not found in recently diagnosed HIV-1-infected patients. However, ARV-experienced patients had major resistance mutations associated with raltegravir and elvitegravir; the following results were generated:F121Y, Y143R, Q148R and E157Q (6/91 - 6.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of INSTI resistant mutations in ART-experienced patients suggested that resistance testing must be incorporated as an integral part of HIV management with INSTI therapies.

Elective cervical cerclage versus no treatment in women with the history of cervical insufficiency: retrospective analysis of pregnancy outcomes

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To evaluate the effectiveness of elective cervical cerclage (CC) on the pregnancy outcome of patients with cervical insufficiency.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on women with an obstetric history of cervical insufficiency on whom CC was applied or not. The two groups were compared for the main measure outcomes of mean gestational age at delivery, birth weight, Apgar scores at five minutes, number of premature and preterm deliveries, rate of preterm premature rupture of membranes, incidence of neonatal death, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

RESULTS

A total of 183 women were eligible for the final analysis in the CC group and 183 were taken as the control group. There were significant differences in terms of the mean gestational age at delivery (37 ± 4.0 vs. 34±5 weeks, p = 0.001), the mean birth weight (3,000 ± 870 vs. 2,200 ± 860 grams, p = 0.001), the number of preterm deliveries (< 37 weeks) (40% vs. 63%, p = 0.001, OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.26-0.61) between CC and control groups, respectively. Median Apgar scores at five minutes were 9 in CC group and 8 in the control group (p = 0.001) and the percentages of admission to NICU were 14% in CC group and 34% in the control group (p = 0.001, OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.17-0.52).

CONCLUSION

The placement of elective CC seemed to be effective in patients with a history of mid-trimester abortion or preterm delivery due to cervical insufficiency.

The assessment of maternal and umbilical cord homocysteine levels in obese pregnant women

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the maternal plasma and umbilical cord blood homocysteine levels in obese and non-obese pregnant women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred-ten term pregnant women, who completed their 3711, gestational weeks and were not in active labor, were enrolled in the study. While 41 out of them were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)), 69 were non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m(2)). The maternal plasma and umbilical cord homocysteine levels and umbilical cord pH values were compared between the groups. The statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Mann Whitney test, and Chi-square test. Ap < 0.05 value was set as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean of age was higher in obese group in borderline significance (26.8 ± 5.4 vs. 28.8 ± 5. l,p = 0.049). The mean of gestational weeks, birthweight, the mode of delivery, and umbilical cord pH values were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). The maternal plasma homocysteine levels [median (interquartile range); 7.6 (4.1) vs. 7.1 (4.9)] and umbilical cord homocysteine values were not statistically different [8.6 (4.2) vs. 8.8 (4.5)] between the groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The maternal and umbilical cord blood homocysteine levels are not different in obese and non-obese pregnant women.

A Rare Case: Cartilaginous Choristoma of the Soft Palate

Cartilaginous choristomas occur in abnormal sites that usually do not contain chondrocytes. These lesions are very rarely seen in the soft palate. We present a 38 year-old patient with cartilaginous choristoma located in nasopharyngeal surface of soft palate. Histopathological examination demonstrated a well demarcated mature hyaline cartilage tissue which was surrounded with seromucous salivary glands under a benign respiratory epithelium.

Effect of Intraperitoneal Thymoquinone on Postoperative Peritoneal Adhesions

BACKGROUND

To determine the effect of thymoquinone on adhesion formation in a rat caecotomy/suture model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty wistar rats were randomized into three groups: The control group received saline and the thymoquinone group received 10 mg/kg thymoquinone after cecal caecotomy/suture model. In the sham group the abdominal wall was closed without any abrasion to the cecum. On day 15, adhesions were classified, and histopathological samples were taken.

RESULTS

There were no incisional hernias or wound dehiscences. In comparing adhesion scores, a significant difference was found between the thymoquinone and the control groups (p < 0.05). The grade of inflammation for the thymoquinone and the sham groups were significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Hydroxyproline levels were significantly lower in the sham and thymoquinone groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of this study in a rat peritoneal adhesion model, intraperitoneal administered thymoquinone has a strong anti-adhesive effect.

The course of spinal tuberculosis (Pott disease): results of the multinational, multicentre Backbone-2 study

We aimed to describe clinical, laboratory, diagnostic and therapeutic features of spinal tuberculosis (ST), also known as Pott disease. A total of 314 patients with ST from 35 centres in Turkey, Egypt, Albania and Greece were included. Median duration from initial symptoms to the time of diagnosis was 78 days. The most common complications presented before diagnosis were abscesses (69%), neurologic deficits (40%), spinal instability (21%) and spinal deformity (16%). Lumbar (56%), thoracic (49%) and thoracolumbar (13%) vertebrae were the most commonly involved sites of infection. Although 51% of the patients had multiple levels of vertebral involvement, 8% had noncontiguous involvement of multiple vertebral bodies. The causative agent was identified in 41% of cases. Histopathologic examination was performed in 200 patients (64%), and 74% were consistent with tuberculosis. Medical treatment alone was implemented in 103 patients (33%), while 211 patients (67%) underwent diagnostic and/or therapeutic surgical intervention. Ten percent of the patients required more than one surgical intervention. Mortality occurred in 7 patients (2%), and 77 (25%) developed sequelae. The distribution of the posttreatment sequelae were as follows: 11% kyphosis, 6% Gibbus deformity, 5% scoliosis, 5% paraparesis, 5% paraplegia and 4% loss of sensation. Older age, presence of neurologic deficit and spinal deformity were predictors of unfavourable outcome. ST results in significant morbidity as a result of its insidious course and delayed diagnosis because of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. ST should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with vertebral osteomyelitis, especially in tuberculosis-endemic regions. Early establishment of definitive aetiologic diagnosis and appropriate treatment are of paramount importance to prevent development of sequelae.

Low Barrier Carbon Induced CO Dissociation on Stepped Cu

Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy we observe the breaking of the strong interatomic bond in molecular CO at low temperature on a stepped Cu surface. Since the electronic structure of Cu does not allow for the splitting of CO at such low temperatures it suggests that there may be a less obvious pathway for the process. Through x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy we can clearly identify products associated with the dissociation of CO and the subsequent formation of stable graphitic carbon on the surface. However, the dissociation of CO can be inhibited when the stepped Cu surface is kept clean from surface carbon. These observations imply that the reaction is driven by the presence of small amounts of weakly bound carbon at the surface. Density-functional theory calculations confirm that carbon atoms on a stepped Cu surface indeed are the preferred adsorption sites for CO, which increases the stabilization of CO on the surface and weakens the C-O bond. This results in the breaking of the C-O bond at the step edge via the Boudouard reaction (2CO(ads)→C(ads)+CO(2)) with a barrier of 0.71 eV.

Strong Influence of Coadsorbate Interaction on CO Desorption Dynamics on Ru(0001) Probed by Ultrafast X-Ray Spectroscopy and Ab Initio Simulations

We show that coadsorbed oxygen atoms have a dramatic influence on the CO desorption dynamics from Ru(0001). In contrast to the precursor-mediated desorption mechanism on Ru(0001), the presence of surface oxygen modifies the electronic structure of Ru atoms such that CO desorption occurs predominantly via the direct pathway. This phenomenon is directly observed in an ultrafast pump-probe experiment using a soft x-ray free-electron laser to monitor the dynamic evolution of the valence electronic structure of the surface species. This is supported with the potential of mean force along the CO desorption path obtained from density-functional theory calculations. Charge density distribution and frozen-orbital analysis suggest that the oxygen-induced reduction of the Pauli repulsion, and consequent increase of the dative interaction between the CO 5σ and the charged Ru atom, is the electronic origin of the distinct desorption dynamics. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of CO desorption from Ru(0001) and oxygen-coadsorbed Ru(0001) provide further insights into the surface bond-breaking process.

Vacuum space charge effects in sub-picosecond soft X-ray photoemission on a molecular adsorbate layer

Vacuum space charge induced kinetic energy shifts of O 1s and Ru 3d core levels in femtosecond soft X-ray photoemission spectra (PES) have been studied at a free electron laser (FEL) for an oxygen layer on Ru(0001). We fully reproduced the measurements by simulating the in-vacuum expansion of the photoelectrons and demonstrate the space charge contribution of the high-order harmonics in the FEL beam. Employing the same analysis for 400 nm pump-X-ray probe PES, we can disentangle the delay dependent Ru 3d energy shifts into effects induced by space charge and by lattice heating from the femtosecond pump pulse.