Germline Pathogenic Variants Identified by Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of Susceptibility Genes in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

The aim of this study was to evaluate germline variant frequencies of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma targeted susceptibility genes with next-generation sequencing method. Germline DNA from 75 cases were evaluated with targeted next-generation sequencing on an Illumina NextSeq550 instrument. KIF1B, RET, SDHB, SDHD, TMEM127, and VHL genes were included in the study, and Sanger sequencing was used for verifying the variants. The pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were in the VHL, RET, SDHB, and SDHD genes, and the diagnosis rate was 24% in this study. Three different novel pathogenic variants were determined in five cases. This is the first study from Turkey, evaluating germline susceptibility genes of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma with a detection rate of 24% and three novel variants. All patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma need clinical genetic testing with expanded targeted gene panels for higher diagnosis rates

Comparison of Fixed and Ramping Voltage Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy with Acute Kidney Injury Biomarkers: Prospective Randomized Clinical Study

Objective: To compare extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) induced renal injury in patients undergoing different ESWL treatment protocols by measuring urinary tissue metalloproteinase-2 inhibitor (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) excretion. Materials and Methods: This prospective, randomized study was conducted between April 2016 and June 2016 in group 1 patients undergoing fixed voltage ESWL and group 2 patients undergoing ramping voltage ESWL. Urinary TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 levels were analyzed before ESWL and 2 hours after ESWL, and urinary beta- 2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and albumin were analyzed before ESWL and 1 week after ESWL to assess renal injury. The primary outcome was to compare the effect of ESWL on early renal injury with biochemical markers in the different treatment protocols, and the secondary outcome was to compare the two treatment protocols in terms of stone free rate and complications. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of demographic and stone characteristics. There were statistically significant differences in serum creatinine and e-GFR at baseline and one week after treatment (p0.05). Conclusion: In this prospective randomized study, we observed a significant increase in TIMP-2, IGFBP7 and combination levels after ESWL treatment in both groups, suggesting that these two biomarkers could be used to identify acute kidney injury due to ESWL. However, the comprehensive evaluation of clinical parameters and urinary markers did not differ in the rates of renal injury, success, and complications after ESWL in both protocols

A Technique for Constructing a New Maxillary Overdenture to a Nonretrievable Implant Connecting Bar

Goktug, Gurkan/0000-0003-0002-5817WOS: 000315556300017PubMed: 21366443The most frequent mechanical complications of the bar-implant-retained overdentures are loosening of the bar screws and the need to reactivate the retentive clips. This article describes a technique to construct a new maxillary overdenture to a nonretrievable round-profile implant connecting bar with 2 distally placed attachments. The retainer round-profile bar was nonretrievable due to a worn retaining screw head. Attachment transfer analogs are used to transfer the position of the attachments to the master cast. The technique allows the clinician to construct new overdentures without the need for removal of the implant connecting bar. Reduced chairside time, reduced treatment cost, and increased patient satisfaction are the major advantages of the technique

Comparison of sociodemographic features, psychopathy and aggression levels of criminal and non-criminal schizophrenia patients

Objective: The aim of our study is to examine factors associated with involvement in crime in schizophrenia patients. Methods: One hundred and twenty consecutive patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) were included in the study. Based on their history of crime, the sample was divided into criminal (n=60) and non-criminal (n=60) groups. Sociodemographic Data Form, Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), Psychopathy Checklist-revised (PCL-R) and Buss-Warren Aggression Questionnaire (BWAQ) were administered to each patient. Results: The criminal group was older than noncriminal group. It was observed that criminals tend to be more likely to be hospitalized. Smoking and self-harm were more common in criminal group. All PCL-R subscores were higher in criminals than non-criminals, however, PANSS and BWAQ scores were similar in both groups. In criminal group, substance abuse and self-harm were more common in patients involved in multiple crimes. Similarly, all PCL-R subscores and BWAQ-physical aggression subscore were higher in patients involved in multiple crimes. All BWAQ subscores have been shown to correlate positively with PANSS and PCL-R scores in criminal group. Conclusion: In schizophrenia patients, psychopathy, smoking, substance abuse, self-harm were associated with criminal behaviors. Therefore, these factors needs to be recognized as a formal and essential aspect of clinical management

Surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms associated with horseshoe kidney

Abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery associated with a horseshoe kidney (HSK) is a serious technical challenge for the surgeon. We reviewed our experience with 127 patients electively operated on between 1990 and 2004 for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Pre- and perioperative medical, surgical, and radiologic data were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative diagnosis was achieved with computed tomography with or without angiography or with additional conventional aortography

Valorization of Citrus unshiu biowastes to value-added products: an optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction method using response surface methodology and particle swarm optimization

Satsuma mandarin, which is also known as Citrus unshiu, contains high amount of polyphenols and antioxidants. This study focused on the biowaste valorization of bioactive compounds used for food supplementary. For this purpose, ultrasonic extraction method was utilized. The antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic content of the Citrus unshiu extracts were determined. The number of experiments was reduced owing to the response surface methodology (RSM) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Therefore, the extraction process has become more economical. In this study, according to the RSM, optimal conditions were determined as 90 min, 56% amplitude, and 50 degrees C. PSO suggested the optimal conditions as follows: 27 min, 50 amplitude, and 52 degrees C. For the performance metrics, RSM gave higher satisfactory results than PSO. For RSM, 8.953 GA/g-peel and 5.253 catechin/g-peel were obtained as total phenolics content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC). For PSO, 6.977 GA/g-peel and 6.454 catechin/g-peel were obtained as phenolics and flavonoids. The highest R-values for TPC (0.9947) and TFC (0.9825) were obtained by RSM. The results proved that Citrus unshiu peel contains highly rich phenolic and high value-added bioactive compounds