Cranial magnetic resonance imaging as a screening tool for evaluation of silent brain ischemia in severe coronary artery disease: A clinical based study

Aim: Silent brain ischemia (SBI), defined as ischemic changes and infarcts without neurologic signs, is an established marker of poor survival. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful to define SBI and white matter hyperintensities that correspond to microangipathic ischemic disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship among SBI, white matter lesions and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD), and to determine possible predictors of SBI. Material and Methods: A total 10640 patients who underwent coronary angiography were retrospectively screened to reveal 312 patients who had been evaluated with a subsequent cranial MRI within 6 months. CAD severity was established with Gensini score and MRIs were evaluated to determine presence of SBI and white matter hyperintensities scored by Fazekas. Finally, 58 patients with SBI and 254 without SBI consisted SBI and non-SBI groups. Results: Patients with SBI were significantly older with higher prevalence of male gender than the non-SBI patients. Both Gensini and Fazekas scores were higher in SBI-group (p<0.001). Fazekas score was positively correlated with Gensini score (r=0.219, p<0.001) and age (r=0.465, p<0.001). In the logistic regression analysis; age, male gender and Gensini score were identified as the independent predictors of SBI. Conclusion: Although SBIs don’t present neurological symptoms they are associated with poor survival and future stroke. Our data suggest that cranial MRI may be a screening tool in risk stratification, particularly in elderly male patients with multivessel CAD. Our study also depicted that age, male gender and high Gensini scores are the independent predictors of SBI. © 2020, Duzce University Medical School. All rights reserved

Skin manifestations following anti-COVID-19 vaccination: A multicentricstudy from Turkey

Purpose: After the emergence of the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, vaccination with various vaccines has started to be implemented across the world. To identify dermatological reactions developing after the COVID-19 vaccines administered in Turkey and determine their clinical features and risk factors that may play a role in their development. Materials and Methods: The study included patients aged ≥18 years, who presented to 13 different dermatology clinics in Turkey between July 2021 and September 2021 after developing dermatological reactions following the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. After providing written consent, the patients were asked to complete a standard survey including questions related to age, gender, occupation, comorbidities, the regular medication used, the onset of cutaneous reactions after vaccination, and localization of reactions. Dermatological reactions were categorized according to whether they developed after the first or second dose of the vaccine or whether they occurred after the inactivated or messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. The relationship between dermatological reactions and some variables such as gender and comorbidities was also evaluated. Results: A total of 269 patients [116 women (43.1%), 153 men (56.9%)] were included in the study. It was observed that the dermatological diseases and reactions that most frequently developed after vaccination were urticaria (25.7%), herpes zoster (24.9%), maculopapular eruption (12.3%), and pityriasis rosea (4.5%). The rate of dermatological reactions was 60.6% after the administration of the mRNA vaccine and 39.4% after that of the inactivated vaccine. There was a statistically significantly higher number of reactions among the patients that received the mRNA vaccine (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The most common reactions in our sample were urticaria, herpes zoster, and maculopapular eruption. Physicians should know the dermatological side effects of COVID-19 vaccines and their clinical features

Subcutaneous emphysema after intralesional cryotherapy: An unusual complication

Background Intralesional cryotherapy (ILC) is a safe and well tolerated by the patient. Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) cases after spray and contact cryotherapy have been described; however, this complication has not been previously reported after ILC. Aim Our aim is to discuss the possible causes of SE development after ILC. Method We present a young patient that developed SE after ILC applying by insertion of an open-ended needle to the tip of the cryotherapy gun. Results The development of SE following ILC may have been caused by inward clefting from the ear hole, the usage of an open-ended needle and a lack of safety system. Conclusion It will be safer to apply special methods involving the usage of sealed distal type to prevent SE development

Green synthesis and characterization of Camellia sinensis mediated silver nanoparticles for antibacterial ceramic applications

This study focuses on the use of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) with the aid of Camellia sinensis (black tea) extract to provide antibacterial activity on ceramic structure. The synthesized Ag nanoparticles were added to the glaze used in the ceramic structures and mixed homogeneously. The homogeneous mixture was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The SPR band of the synthesized biogenic Ag NPs was observed as 422 nm during the reaction at mom temperature. TEM analysis revealed that Ag NPs were spherical and a particle size between 10 and 20 nm. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of the homogeneous mixture (Ag NPs and glaze) were tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli, Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. Biogenic Ag NPs at a concentration of 100 mu g/ml were observed to have 90%, 75%, 75%, 80% lethal effects against S. aureus, MRSA, B. Subtilis, and E. Coli bacteria, respectively. The antibacterial results of Ag NPs obtained with the help of Camellia sinensis show that they may have potential application and development in the field of ceramics. In addition, the antibacterial activity of commercially available antibiotics and the prepared Ag NPs were analyzed in ceramic glazes

Carotid arteries and vertebrobasilary system intracranial stenosis correlates with multi vessel coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to show the importance of the identifying potential carotid and vertebrobasilar stenosis with Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) in severe coronary artery disease. METHODS: In 109 patients, CTA of the carotid and the vertebrobasilar system were taken in the six months following the Coronary Angiography (CA). Coronary arteries and carotid vertebrobasilar system stenosis were considered significant at more than >= 50 %. RESULTS: A significant statistical relationship was found between a coronary artery group of three-vessel disease (3-VD) and stenosis of the cervical segments of the right (p = 0.022) and left internal carotid artery (ICA) (p = 0.001); intracranial segments of the right (p = 0.007) and left ICA (p = 0.020), and the right vertebral artery (VA) (p = 0.008). There was a significant statistical relationship between Gensini score and stenosis of both the right (p = 0.030) and the left ICA cervical segments (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: In patients with severe coronary artery disease especially in 3-VD, CTA scan may be useful diagnostic tool for identifying stenosis of the carotid arteries, particularly in the intracranial segments of the ICA and in the preforaminal (V1) segment of the V

Some inflammatory markers and chest computerized tomography in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively assessed whether there was a relationship between lung complications and some easily accessible markers to predict the presence of pulmonary consolidation in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: According to the polymerase chain reaction and chest computerized tomography results, the study was categorized into three groups. Group 1 (n=87) included the patients with polymerase chain reaction (+), group 2 (n=55) included the patients with polymerase chain reaction (-) and chest computerized tomography (+), and group 3 (n=77) included the patients with polymerase chain reaction (-) and chest computerized tomography (-), respectively. RESULTS: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and increased age were associated with higher computerized tomography (CT) scores. CONCLUSION: Increased age and C-reactive protein (CRP) may suggest pulmonary infiltration on chest CT in patients with COVID-19

Efficient green photocatalyst of silver-based palladium nanoparticles for methyle orange photodegradation, investigation of lipid peroxidation inhibition, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity

Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary study that has been developing worldwide in recent years and has a serious impact on human life. The fact that the nanoparticles of plant origin are clean, non-toxic, and biocom-patible has enabled new fields of study. The Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) plant has been attracted by sci-entists because of its impact on health and many other areas. The lipid peroxidation inhibiting activity, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial properties of H. sabdariffa plant with Ag-Pd metal was ditermined. For the total phenolic component, gallic acid was used as the standard and quarcetin was used for the total flavonoid. The lipid peroxidation inhibition activity of Ag-Pd NPs in ethanol extract was found to be very well compared to the positive control (BHA). The lowest and highest concentrations of DPPH radical scavenging activity were 82.178-97.357%, whereas for BHA these values were found to be 84.142-94.142%. The highest concentration of Ag-Pd NPs at 200 mu g/mL the DPPH radical quenching activity was higher than BHA. Ag-Pd NPs showed a good antimicrobial activity against certain pathogenic microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, which are the causative agents of various diseases in humans. The photodegradation activity of Ag-Pd NPs also investigated against Methyl orange dye (MO) under sunlight irradiation for 120 min and was found to be as 67.88