A Novel Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Reactive Red Dye to Determine Water Quality

In this study, tragacanth gum/chitosan/ZnO nanoprism-based electrochemical sensors were prepared for sensing reactive dyes in water. To use an electrochemical sensor, a ~250 nm-sized ZnO nanoprism was synthesized via ultrasonic-assisted green synthesis method, using tragacanth gum and chitosan polymer blend as a matrix. The electrochemical properties of tragacanth gum/chitosan/ZnO nanoprisms were compared against reactive red 35, reactive yellow 15, and reactive black 194. The electrochemical measurement results indicated that prepared tragacanth gum/chitosan/ZnO nanoprism-based electrochemical sensor detected 25 ppm reactive red 35 in 1 min at room temperature. This study reveals new high-potential novel tragacanth gum/chitosan/ZnO nanoprism-based sensing material for the detection of reactive red dye-consisted wastewater with high sensitivity and short response time

Mycophenolate Mofetil Versus Cyclophosphamide for Remission Induction in Childhood Polyarteritis Nodosa: An Open‐Label, Randomized, Bayesian Noninferiority Trial

Funder: Lauren Currie Twilight FoundationFunder: Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001279Funder: Vasculitis UK; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010876Objective: Cyclophosphamide (CYC) is used in clinical practice off‐label for the induction of remission in childhood polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) might offer a less toxic alternative. This study was undertaken to explore the relative effectiveness of CYC and MMF treatment in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods: This was an international, open‐label, Bayesian RCT to investigate the relative effectiveness of CYC and MMF for remission induction in childhood PAN. Eleven patients with newly diagnosed childhood PAN were randomized (1:1) to receive MMF or intravenous CYC; all patients received the same glucocorticoid regimen. The primary end point was remission within 6 months while compliant with glucocorticoid taper. Bayesian distributions for remission rates were established a priori for MMF and CYC by experienced clinicians and updated to posterior distributions on trial completion. Results: Baseline disease activity and features were similar between the 2 treatment groups. The primary end point was met in 4 of 6 patients (67%) in the MMF group and 4 of 5 patients (80%) in the CYC group. Time to remission was shorter in the MMF group compared to the CYC group (median 7.1 weeks versus 17.6 weeks). No relapses occurred in either group within 18 months. Two serious infections were found to be likely linked to MMF treatment. Physical and psychosocial quality‐of‐life scores were superior in the MMF group compared to the CYC group at 6 months and 18 months. Combining the prior expert opinion with results from the present study provided posterior estimates of remission of 71% for MMF (90% credibility interval [90% CrI] 51, 83) and 75% for CYC (90% CrI 57, 86). Conclusion: The present results, taken together with prior opinion, indicate that rates of remission induction in childhood PAN are similar with MMF treatment and CYC treatment, and MMF treatment might be associated with better health‐related quality of life than CYC treatment

A Case Report: Krukenberg Tumour with Nodular Skin Lesions

The Krukenberg tumor is a rare variety of metastatic cancer to the ovary. The stomach is the most common site for the primary tumor, followed by the breast, gall bladder, colon and pancreas. It is not always possible to distinguish ovarian metastasis from primary ovarian masses in patients in whom the malignancy center is unidentified. This case report firstly aims to present a patient who presented with common nodular skin lesions, migrating arthritis and severe clinical characteristics, and diagnosed with Krukenberg tumor with further examinations

Testing The Model For Predicting Effectiveness Of Anakinra In Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

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Familial Mediterranean Fever: Recent Developments In Pathogenesis And New Recommendations For Management

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common monogenic autoinflammatory disease (AID) affecting mainly the ethnic groups originating from Mediterranean basin. The disease is characterized by self-limited inflammatory attacks of fever and polyserositis along with elevated acute phase reactants. FMF is inherited autosomal recessively; however, a significant proportion of heterozygotes also express the phenotype. FMF is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene coding for pyrin, which is a component of inflammasome functioning in inflammatory response and production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Recent studies have shown that pyrin recognizes bacterial modifications in Rho GTPases, which results in inflammasome activation and increase in IL-1β. Pyrin does not directly recognize Rho modification but probably affected by Rho effector kinase, which is a downstream event in the actin cytoskeleton pathway. Recently, an international group of experts has published the recommendations for the management of FMF. Colchicine is the mainstay of FMF treatment, and its regular use prevents attacks and controls subclinical inflammation in the majority of patients. Furthermore, it decreases the long-term risk of amyloidosis. However, a minority of FMF patients fail to response or tolerate colchicine treatment. Anti-interleukin-1 drugs could be considered in these patients. One should keep in mind the possibility of non-compliance in colchicine-non-responders. Although FMF is a relatively well-described AID and almost 20 years has passed since the discovery of the MEFV gene, there are still a number of unsolved problems about it such as the exact mechanism of the disease, symptomatic heterozygotes and their treatment, and the optimal management of colchicine resistance.PubMedWoSScopu

Synthesis and Application of a Self-Standing Zirconia-Based Carbon Nanofiber in a Supercapacitor

Electrospun metal oxide-embedded carbon nanofibers have attracted considerable attention in energy storage applications for the development and fabrication of supercapacitors owing to their unique properties such as flexibility, high capacitance, large specific surface areas, and morphological and conductivity properties. Herein, a novel zirconia-based carbon nanofiber (referred to as CNF-20ZrO(2)) was fabricated using a simple electrospinning method and applied to a supercapacitor as the electroactive material for the first time. The optimal electrode (CNF-20ZrO(2)) demonstrates a high specific capacitance of 140 F/g at 1 A/g. In addition, the assembled supercapacitor delivers maximum specific energy of 4.86 Wh/kg at a specific power of 250 W/kg and shows excellent cycling stability of 82.6% after 10 000 cycles at 1 A/g. The electrochemical performance of the electrode originates from the high content of nitrogen and oxygen species, abundant electrochemical active sites, and high ionic conductivity

Behçet’s disease in children

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to summarize the demographics, and clinical and laboratory findings of children who were diagnosed as having Behçet’s disease, and also to determine the efficacy, duration, and adverse effects of the treatments. Material and Methods: The records of 34 patients who were diagnosed according to the International Behçet Study Group criteria between 1980 and 2013 in the Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Rheumatology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, were retrospectively reviewed and all demographic and clinical features were recorded. In the light of these data, the sex and age distribution, clinical and laboratory findings, most commonly preferred treatment approaches, efficacy of treatments, and adverse effects during treatment were analyzed. Results: Of the 34 children with Behçet’s disease, 18 (53%) were male and 16 (47%) were female, and the mean age was 11.18±3.34 years. There was no significant difference in age distribution of the male and female patients (p<0.05). In 97% (n=33) of the patients, the first symptom was recurrent oral aphthae. In order of frequency, the other mucocutaneous findings were pseudofoliculitis and pustular lesions (82%), genital ulcers (62%), and pathergy positivity (50%). System involvements in order of frequency were as follows: joint findings (38%), ocular findings (35%), vascular involvement (32%), neurologic involvement (18%), gastrointestinal involvement (5.8%), and pulmonary involvement (5.8%). Colchicine was the most commonly preferred drug (88%). Steroids were added to treatment in patients with skin involvement. Azathioprine was added in patients with uveitis. Anticoagulant therapy, cyclophosphamide, and anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha were added in patients with vascular involvement. In patients with gastrointestinal system involvement, sulfasalazine was added to treatment. Diarrhea was the most common adverse effect in patients who used colchicine. In the patients who used steroid treatment, gastrointestinal symptoms such as unintentional weight gain, acne, and agitation were observed (17%). One patient who received interferon treatment had symptoms of depression and agitation. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to review the general characteristics of pediatric patients with Behçet’s disease and to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and correct treatment in terms of mortality and morbidity.PubMedWoSScopu

Comparison Of The Reasons For Not Going To School Between Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis And Their Families

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Tocilizumab Treatment In Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients: A Single Center Experience

Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody against interleukin-6 that has recently emerged as an alternative treatment modality for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). In the present study, we aimed to discuss the clinical and laboratory findings and treatment response of JIA cases to tocilizumab therapy. This retrospective study included 20 JIA patients aged between 0-18 years who were followed up from 2014 to 2016 and received tocilizumab treatment in our clinic. Treatment response could be not evaluated in two patients since they developed anaphylactic reactions due to tocilizumab. Of the remaining 18 patients, seven of them (38.9%) had polyarticular JIA, and eleven (61.1%) had systemic JIA. Platelet counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-Reactive protein (CRP) levels, active joint counts, and Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 71 (JADAS71) were significantly decreased at the third month in both polyarticular and systemic JIA, while there were not any significant differences between the third and sixth months. All of the patients with polyarticular JIA had low disease activity at six months. Eight patients with systemic JIA had an inactive disease at six months, whereas the remaining three patients had high levels of CRP without presence of any clinical symptoms. Steroid treatment was terminated at the sixth month in all patients except for three patients who continued to receive 0.05-0.25 mg/kg steroid treatment. Two patients developed thrombocytopenia, one patient developed macrophage activation syndrome, and one patient had elevated transaminases due to tocilizumab treatment. Previous studies have shown that tocilizumab treatment is well-tolerated, effective, and safe for use in JIA patients. In the present study, we also demonstrated the efficacy of tocilizumab treatment in JIA patients from our clinic.WoSScopu

The Challenge Of Treating Pulmonary Vasculitis In Behcet'S Disease: Two Pediatric Cases

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