Leaching and decay resistance of alder and pine wood treated with copper based wood preservatives

The objective of this study was to determine the leaching and decay resistance of Alder (Alnus glutinosa subsp. barbata) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) wood samples treated with copper based preservatives. Samples were treated with CCA, ACQ, Tanalith E and Wolmanit with different concentrations. Scots pine samples were exposed the mini-block test against brown rot fungi (Poria placenta) and Coniophora puteana while alder wood samples were tested against brown rot fungi (Coniophora puteana) and white rot fungi (Coriolus versicolor). Regarding to leaching test, treated samples were impregnated with 300 ml of distilled water and after 6, 24, 48 and thereafter at 48-hour intervals, the leachate was removed and replaced with fresh distilled water according to AWPA E11. Samples of each leachate were collected and retained for copper analysis. Amount of copper released from treated wood during the leaching test was chemically analyzed with Atomic Absorption spectroscopy. Perchloric acid procedure for the digestion of wood was used according to AWPA A7-97. The amount of copper component (Qd), the cumulative quantities leached (Qc) and the average daily fluxes (FLUX) were calculated. Results shows that CCA treated samples release less copper compared to other copper based preservatives used in this study. Highest mass losses were obtained from the leached samples treated with 1% of ACQ-2200 against decay fungi

Epidemiology of surgery associated acute kidney injury (EPIS-AKI): a prospective international observational multi-center clinical study

Purpose: The incidence, patient features, risk factors and outcomes of surgery-associated postoperative acute kidney injury (PO-AKI) across different countries and health care systems is unclear. Methods: We conducted an international prospective, observational, multi-center study in 30 countries in patients undergoing major surgery (> 2-h duration and postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency unit admission). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of PO-AKI within 72 h of surgery defined by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Secondary endpoints included PO-AKI severity and duration, use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality, and ICU and hospital length of stay. Results: We studied 10,568 patients and 1945 (18.4%) developed PO-AKI (1236 (63.5%) KDIGO stage 1500 (25.7%) KDIGO stage 2209 (10.7%) KDIGO stage 3). In 33.8% PO-AKI was persistent, and 170/1945 (8.7%) of patients with PO-AKI received RRT in the ICU. Patients with PO-AKI had greater ICU (6.3% vs. 0.7%) and hospital (8.6% vs. 1.4%) mortality, and longer ICU (median 2 (Q1-Q3, 1-3) days vs. 3 (Q1-Q3, 1-6) days) and hospital length of stay (median 14 (Q1-Q3, 9-24) days vs. 10 (Q1-Q3, 7-17) days). Risk factors for PO-AKI included older age, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease), type, duration and urgency of surgery as well as intraoperative vasopressors, and aminoglycosides administration. Conclusion: In a comprehensive multinational study, approximately one in five patients develop PO-AKI after major surgery. Increasing severity of PO-AKI is associated with a progressive increase in adverse outcomes. Our findings indicate that PO-AKI represents a significant burden for health care worldwide

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Minor variant of AHSG gene 767C>G polymorphism may decrease the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus

Insulin resistance plays a central role in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The fetuin A molecule, of which serum level increases during pregnancy, is an inhibitor of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and it is associated with insulin resistance. The aim of this study is to research the relationship of –843A>T (rs2248690) and 767C>G (rs4918) polymorphisms in the alpha-2-Heremans Schmid glycoprotein (AHSG) gene which is responsible for the synthesis of fetuin A and its association with (GDM). In this study, 83 pregnant women with GDM who applied to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinics and 100 normal pregnants enrolled as the control group. Genotyping of AHSG gene polymorphisms was performed by using the TaqMan allelic discrimination kit with real time PCR device. In our study, homozygous GG genotype which was polymorphic in the 767C>G polymorphism of AHSG gene was found significantly low in the patient group (p T polymorphism was not statistically significant between the patient and control groups (p > .05). Our results showed that homozygous GG variant of AHSG gene 767C>G polymorphism may have protective effect against the development of GDM.Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Insulin resistance has a central role in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The fetuin A molecule is an inhibitor of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and it is associated with insulin resistance. The –843T>A and 767G>C polymorphisms of AHSG gene encoding fetuin A are affects serum fetuin A level. In a single study investigating the relationship between GDM and AHSG gene 767G>C polymorphism, there was no significant difference in genotype distribution but it was reported that the frequency of G allele increased in GDM group and this increase provided a weak risk or predisposition. What the results of this study add? The present study revealed that homozygous GG variant of AHSG gene 767C>G polymorphism may decrease the risk of GDM. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Protective effect of homozygous GG variant of AHSG gene 767C>G polymorphism, can be used as a molecular biomarker to predict the development of GDM. These results should be supported by further research in larger sample sizes

RELATIONSHIP OF TNF-A-308, IL-10–1082 GENE POLYMORPHISMS WITH THE SEVERITY AND SUSCEPTIBILITY OF RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE IN TURKISH CHILDREN

Aim. Acute rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease developing after upper respiratory tract infection with group A streptoccoci and its most important complication is rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL) –1–1082 gene polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to develop rheumatic heart disease. The aim of our study is to determine the frequency of IL-10–1082 A/G and TNF-α-308 G/A gene polymorphism in Turkish population and to investigate the relationship between these polymorphisms and rheumatic heart disease.Material and Methods. Genotypes of 57 unrelated children with rheumatic heart disease and 99 controls were determined by use of PCR-RFLP.Results. No significant differences were found in genotypes or allele frequencies of TNF-α-308 and IL-10–1082 genes between RHD and control group. There was no relation between TNF-α-308 genotype and allel distribution with valvular involvement (p>0.05). IL-10–1082 GG and AG genotypes were seen more frequent in patients with multiple valvular disease but there was no statistical significance (p>0.05).Conclusion. As a result, there was no relationship between TNF-α-308, IL-10– 1082 gene polymorphisms and rheumatic heart disease or valvular involvement in the study population (p>0,05). Our results are thought that TNF-α-308 polymorphisms are silent and may become important only with some certain HLA allels. Further studies checking both cytokine polymorphism and HLA allels are needed

A case of facial lentiginous lichen planus pigmentosus associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and diabetes mellitus

Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is an autoimmune, chronic and rare variant of lichen planus of unknown etiology that progresses with pigmentation. The condition is rarely observed concurrently with autoimmune diseases. In this case report, a diabetic male patient with speckled lentiginous lesions on the face, also diagnosed with concurrent autoimmune thyroiditis is presented due to the rarity of the condition and the morphological character of the lesions

Radioproteomics in Breast Cancer: Prediction of Ki-67 Expression With MRI-based Radiomic Models

Rationale and Objectives: We aimed to investigate the value of magnetic resonance image (MRI)-based radiomics in predicting Ki-67 expression of breast cancer

Human APRIL and FGF-21 and adhesion molecules in relation to cognitive function in elderly diabetic patients

Savas, Sumru/0000-0003-4836-3786WOS: 000543270900001Aim A diverse combination of etiologies such as vascular and inflammatory factors and social and physical inactivity may take place in the etiology of cognitive dysfunction (CD). Diabetes mellitus (DM) may contribute to CD over insulin resistance, inflammation, and vascular risk factors. However, mechanisms included in the process are not very clear. We aimed to investigate serum levels of selected biomarkers as a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), FGF-21, P-selectin, soluble vascular cell, and intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1) in elderly patients with DM in relation to cognitive function. Methods A group of 80 elderly type 2 diabetic patients from the outpatient clinic, consisting of 40 patients with CD (mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score < 24) and 40 individuals without CD were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric, sociodemographic, and functional-glycemic evaluations were determined. Biomarker levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Median sICAM-1 and FGF-21 levels were higher, and P-selectin level, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL, MNA, and MMSE scores were lower in the CD group (p = 0.002,p = 0.010,p = 0.001,p = 0.001,p < 0.001,p = 0.005,p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding age, gender, living status, education, cigarette and alcohol consumption, antidiabetic therapy as well as comorbidities such as hypertension and other diseases, depression, body composition, sVCAM-1, APRIL levels, and related biochemical values. Conclusion Median sICAM-1 and FGF-21 levels were higher and P-selectin level was lower in older diabetic patients with CD than in patients with normal cognitive status. Understanding the mechanisms may lead to the prevention or delay of CD in those patients.Ege University Scientific Research ProjectsEge University [15-TIP-065]This study was supported by funding from the Ege University Scientific Research Projects (number: 15-TIP-065)