Correlation of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and clinical outcome in acute carbon monoxide poisoning

Abstract Background and objectives: Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas for humans and is still a silent killer in both developed and developing countries. The aim of this case series was to evaluate early radiological images as a predictor of subsequent neuropsychological sequelae, following carbon monoxide poisoning. Case 1: After carbon monoxide exposure, early computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a 52-year-old woman showed bilateral lesions in the globus pallidus. This patient was discharged and followed for 90 days. The patient recovered without any neurological sequela. Case 2: In a 58-year-old woman exposed to carbon monoxide, computed tomography showed lesions in bilateral globus pallidus and periventricular white matter. Early magnetic resonance imaging revealed changes similar to that like in early tomography images. The patient recovered and was discharged from hospital. On the 27th day of exposure, the patient developed disorientation and memory impairment. Late magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse hyperintensity in the cerebral white matter. Conclusion: White matter lesions which progress to demyelination and end up in neuropsychological sequelae cannot always be diagnosed by early computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in carbon monoxide poisoning

Comparison of prognostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in septic and non-septic intensive care patients

Introduction : The aim of this study is to compare the prognostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in septic and non-septic intensive care patients. Material and methods : Fifty consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled in either the septic or non-septic group according to the criteria in the International Sepsis Definitions Conference in 2001. Demographic and clinical data, procalcitonin and lactate levels at admission, and death within 28 days were registered. Five blood samples were collected from all patients for NT-proBNP measurements. Results: Septic patients had higher APACHE II (19 (16.00–24.25) vs. 16 (13.00–18.25)), and SOFA (8 (5–10) vs. 6 (4–7)) scores (p <0.05). Procalcitonin levels were also higher in septic patients (3.33 (1.06–10.96) vs. 0.46 (0.26–1.01) ng/ml) and more patients required vasopressors in this group (9 (36%) vs. 2 (8%)) (p < 0.05). In the septic group, the correlation between mortality and the level of NT-proBNP was significant for each measurement, starting from the admission. In the non-septic group the correlation between mortality and the level of NT-proBNP was significant only at the 120th h. Conclusions : We concluded that the level of NT-proBNP at admission is well correlated with 28-day mortality in septic ICU patients. However, single measurement of NT-proBNP levels in non-septic patients does not correlate with the 28-day mortality. Repeated measurements and an increasing trend of the NT-proBNP levels may show a correlation with mortality in non-septic intensive care patients

Correlation of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and clinical outcome in acute carbon monoxide poisoning

Abstract Background and objectives: Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas for humans and is still a silent killer in both developed and developing countries. The aim of this case series was to evaluate early radiological images as a predictor of subsequent neuropsychological sequelae, following carbon monoxide poisoning. Case 1: After carbon monoxide exposure, early computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a 52-year-old woman showed bilateral lesions in the globus pallidus. This patient was discharged and followed for 90 days. The patient recovered without any neurological sequela. Case 2: In a 58-year-old woman exposed to carbon monoxide, computed tomography showed lesions in bilateral globus pallidus and periventricular white matter. Early magnetic resonance imaging revealed changes similar to that like in early tomography images. The patient recovered and was discharged from hospital. On the 27th day of exposure, the patient developed disorientation and memory impairment. Late magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse hyperintensity in the cerebral white matter. Conclusion: White matter lesions which progress to demyelination and end up in neuropsychological sequelae cannot always be diagnosed by early computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in carbon monoxide poisoning

Adenosine Deaminase and Guanosine Deaminase Activities in Sera of Patients with Viral Hepatitis

In order to investigate purin and primidin metabolism pathways in hepatitis, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and guanosine deaminase (GDA) activities in sera of patients with different types and manifestations of viral hepatitis disease (A, B, C, D, E, chronic, acute) were investigated and compared with the control group of healthy individuals. Hepatitis cases were classified with respect to their serological findings and clinics. When compared all the hepatitis cases with the controls, levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes, as well as ADA and GDA, were significantly higher than the control group (p&lt;0.01). Levels of ADA and GDA in hepatitis cases were determined as 26.0711.98 IU/l and 2.371.91 IU/l, respectively. When compared their ADA and GDA levels amongst the classified hepatitis groups, there was no difference in ADA levels amongst cases (p&gt;0.05). However, GDA levels in hepatitis A group were closed to the controls. Increase in serum ADA activities in hepatitis forms may be dependent on and reflect the increase in phagocytic activity of macrophages and maturation of T-lymphocytes, and may be valuable in monitoring in viral hepatitis cases

Effects of ketamine and midazolam on emergence agitation after sevoflurane anaesthesia in children receiving caudal block: a randomized trial

Background and objectives: Emergence agitation is a common postanaesthetic problem in children after sevoflurane anaesthesia. We aimed to compare the effects of ketamine and midazolam administered intravenously, before the end of surgery, for prevention of emergence agitation in children who received caudal block for pain relief under sevoflurane anaesthesia. Methods: 62 American Society of Anesthesiologists patient classification status I children, aged 2–7 years, scheduled for inguinal hernia repair, circumcision or orchidopexy were enrolled to the study. Anaesthesia was induced with sevoflurane 8% in a mixture of 50% oxygen and nitrous oxide. After achieving adequate depth of anaesthesia, a laryngeal mask was placed and then caudal block was performed with 0.75 mL kg−1, 0.25% bupivacaine. At the end of the surgery, ketamine 0.25 mg kg−1, midazolam 0.03 mg kg−1 and saline were given to ketamine, midazolam and control groups, respectively. Agitation was assessed using Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium scale and postoperative pain was evaluated with modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale. Results and conclusions: Modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale scores were found higher in control group than in ketamine and midazolam groups. Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium scores were similar between groups. Modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale and Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium scores showed a significant decrease by time in all groups during follow-up in postanaesthesia care unit. The present study resulted in satisfactory Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium scores which are below 10 in all groups. As a conclusion, neither ketamine nor midazolam added to caudal block under sevoflurane anaesthesia did show further effect on emergence agitation. In addition, pain relief still seems to be the major factor in preventing emergence agitation after sevoflurane anaesthesia

First Report of Obtaining Haploid Plants Using Tissue Culture Techniques in Spinach

Monoic, dioic, and hermaphrodite flower types complicate spinach breeding and cultivar development. The availability of haploid plants will definitely accelerate spinach breeding; however, there are currently no reports in the literature about the use of tissue culture techniques to obtain spinach haploids. Therefore, in this study, pollination with irradiated pollen and anther culture methods were used to obtain haploid plants in spinach. For anther culture, three spinach varieties (Koto F1, Favorit F1, and Greenstar F1) and four different nutrient media were tested to obtain haploid embryos. Significant outcomes were not achieved from anther culture, and only two plants were obtained from all the experiments. Gynogenesis studies using irradiated pollen were performed with the same three spinach varieties and six gamma ray doses (100, 150, 200, 300, 400, and 500 Gy) from (cobalt(60)) Co-60. Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrient medium containing 1 mg.L-1 indoleacetic acid (IAA) was used for embryo germination. Current findings revealed that the varieties produced responded differently to the various doses of radiation. A total of 3414 embryos and 1710 plants were obtained from experiments carried out for 2 years. Considering the numbers of embryos and plants per 100 seeds, the Favorit F1 variety provided better results than the other two varieties. However, significantly different outcomes were not achieved with regard to irradiation doses. Embryos were observed at all doses tested. Flow cytometry analyses that were carried out on regenerated plants revealed whether the plants were diploid or doubled haploid, and molecular analyses revealed that diploids resulted from spontaneous chromosome doubling. The current findings offer significant results for spinach breeding using haploids

First Report of Obtaining Haploid Plants Using Tissue Culture Techniques in Spinach

Monoic, dioic, and hermaphrodite flower types complicate spinach breeding and cultivar development. The availability of haploid plants will definitely accelerate spinach breeding; however, there are currently no reports in the literature about the use of tissue culture techniques to obtain spinach haploids. Therefore, in this study, pollination with irradiated pollen and anther culture methods were used to obtain haploid plants in spinach. For anther culture, three spinach varieties (Koto F1, Favorit F1, and Greenstar F1) and four different nutrient media were tested to obtain haploid embryos. Significant outcomes were not achieved from anther culture, and only two plants were obtained from all the experiments. Gynogenesis studies using irradiated pollen were performed with the same three spinach varieties and six gamma ray doses (100, 150, 200, 300, 400, and 500 Gy) from (cobalt(60)) Co-60. Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrient medium containing 1 mg.L-1 indoleacetic acid (IAA) was used for embryo germination. Current findings revealed that the varieties produced responded differently to the various doses of radiation. A total of 3414 embryos and 1710 plants were obtained from experiments carried out for 2 years. Considering the numbers of embryos and plants per 100 seeds, the Favorit F1 variety provided better results than the other two varieties. However, significantly different outcomes were not achieved with regard to irradiation doses. Embryos were observed at all doses tested. Flow cytometry analyses that were carried out on regenerated plants revealed whether the plants were diploid or doubled haploid, and molecular analyses revealed that diploids resulted from spontaneous chromosome doubling. The current findings offer significant results for spinach breeding using haploids