Ultrasonographically detected hepatosteatosis independently predicts the presence and severity of coronary artery disease

Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the presence and severity of CAD and NAFLD. Methods: The study group consisted of 153 patients who underwent coronary angiographies. Patients were categorized into CAD and non-CAD groups. CAD severity was determined by the number of CAD-involved arteries and the vessel score multiplied by Gensini score, the latter judging CAD severity. Fatty liver was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography (USG), with the patients being categorized by the degree of hepatosteatosis, as Grade 0, Grade 1, and Grade 2-3. Results: Among the whole study population, 47.1% of patients (n=72) were female and 52.9% of patients (n=81) were male. Forty-three patients had normal coronary arteries; 27 patients had non-critical CAD and side branch disease; and 83 patients had clinically significant CAD (stenosis>50%). The rate of CAD and Gensini score were significantly different between Grade 0, 1 and 2-3 hepatosteatosis groups (p<0.05). Patients with CAD had a significantly higher AST level than those without (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasonographically detected hepatosteatosis independently predicts the presence and severity of CAD. Keywords: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; gensini score; obesity

Procalcitonin and other acute phase reactants in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between procalcitonin and other acute phase reactants, and also analyze their relationship with clinical situation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) acute exacerbations.Materials and methods: The study was made with 122 acute COPD exacerbated patients, who were admitted to emergency service. Patients with below 0.25 ng/ml PCT value included Group 1, and the patients with PCT values ≥ 0.25 ng/ml Group 2. Serum procalcitonin levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) values and white blood cell (WBC) counts were measured. Also, patients hospitalization time and mortality rates were recorded and compared with PCT.Results: Patients were divided in 3 groups according to their clinical diagnosis; Pneumonia (n=27), Mycoplasma-Chlamydia pneumonia (n=11) and the patients with only COPD exacerbation(n=84). Mean PCT values according to the groups were 9.47 ± 8.1 ng/ml, 0.41 ± 0.2 ng/ml, and 0.21 ± 0.05 ng/ml respectively. The relationship between PCT with CRP and white blood cell has been found between significiant (p=0.001, p=0.005 respectively), whereas the relationship between PCT and ESR was nonsignificant (p=0.55). Procalcitonin and CRP had a positive correlation with the hospitalization time (p=0.034, p=0.022 respectively). The mean ± standard error of PCT for the patients who died was 28.3 ± 27.5 ng/ml, and the difference between patients who died or were discharged was statistically significant (p= 0.012).Conclusion: PCT can be a useful indicator for morbidity and prognosis in COPD patients

Reductive biotransformation and decolorization of reactive azo dyes

Ph.D.Spyros G. Pavlostathi

16S Ribosomal RNA Tools Identify an Unexpected Predominance of Paenibacillus-Like Bacteria in an Industrial Activated Sludge System Suffering from Poor Biosolids Separation

Molecular biology tools targeting 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) were used to identify a predominant bacterial population in a full-scale dairy wastewater activated sludge system suffering from poor biosolids separation. Gram and acridine orange staining indicated that viable, Gram-positive microorganisms were present in samples removed from the influent waste, stream and represented approximately 50% of total cell counts in samples removed from the mixed liquor. Subsequently, the full-cycle 16S rRNA approach showed that phylogenetic relatives of Paenibacillus spp., a low guanine-plus-cytosine percent DNA-content, Gram-positive microorganism, represented up to 30% of total 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-stained cell counts in samples of mixed liquor. Although fluorescent in situ hybridizations with 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide hybridization probes identified Paenibacillus-like spp. in samples removed from the influent waste stream, their abundance was less than 10% of total stained cell counts. Results of this study suggest that Paenibacillus-like spp. were present in low abundance in the influent waste stream, increased in relative abundance within the treatment system, and should be examined further as a candidate bacterial population responsible for poor biosolids separation. This study demonstrates that the full-cycle 16S rRNA approach can be used to identify candidate bacterial populations that may be responsible for operational upsets in full-scale activated sludge systems without prior information from cultivation or microscopic analyses

Spinal fractures as an indicator of concurrent other system injuries: An analysis of 242 cases.

WOS: 000396822900003Introduction: The aim of the present study was to examine any non spinal tissue injuries accompanying spinal fractures in an attempt to determine if spinal fractures are an indicator of the presence, severity, and prognosis of concomitant organ/tissue injuries in two trauma center in Turkey. Methods: This study had a retrospective cross-sectional design that incorporated the information of the patients presenting to the emergency services of two level 1 trauma centres in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey between January 2010 and December 2012. Among 242 spinal fracture patients, 98 (41.9%) had accompanying injuries in other regions. Results There was a statistically significant correlation between the accompanying injuries and the single Powered by Editorial Manager (R) and ProduXion Manager (R) from Aries Systems Corporation level spinal fractures, the anatomical localization of the spinal fracture (p=0.012, p=0.048). Accompanying injuries associated with Lumbar Spinal Associated Injury (LSAI) were the most common (n=54, 55%) while Servical Spinal Associated Injury (SSAI) were the least common (n=7, 7.14%). Conclusion: Every patient presenting to emergency department after a high-energy trauma should be regarded as vertebral fracture sunless proven otherwise, and any spine fractures should be taken serious with regard to potential internal organ injuries

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Mushroom Poisonings Presenting to Emergency Department

Aim: To emphasize the significance of mushroom poisonings in terms of their wide clinical spectrum and potentially lethal feature. Material and Method: In this retrospective study 135 cases of mushroom poisoning admitted to emergency departments of two major hospitals in Central Anatolian Region between 2010 and 2012 were evaluated. Results: 121 (89.6%) of 135 patients were adult and 14 were in pediatric age group. The mean age was 41.5 +/- 18.4. A hundred twenty-six of patients had poisoned after consuming wild mushrooms. The most frequent symptoms were nause, abdominal pain, fatigue and vomiting. Patients were admitted most commonly within the 6 hours after ingestion. Fifty percent of patients were hospitalized. Mortality was seen in 3 patients. Discussion: Mushroom poisoning still remains as an important public health problem. Due to the diversity and non-specificity of symptoms diagnosis is confounding and should be kept in mind of emergency physicians especially in rainy weather