Study on the preparation and drug release property of Modified PEG-DA based hydrogels

The aim of the present study is to develop hydroxyapatite modified PEG-DA and PEG-DA/HEMA based hydrogels for release of Donepezil HCl for potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. [2,2-Dimethoxy-2-phenyl-acetophenone] (Irgacure 651), 1 Hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184) and 2-Hydroxy-4'-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropiophenone (Irgacure 2959) were used as photo-initiators in the synthesis of hydrogels and hydroxyapatite was used for modifying hydrogels. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and digital microscope were utilized to investigate the characteristics properties of hydrogels. Photopolymerization technique was selected to synthesize for hydrogels. Swelling and drug release studies have been performed under different pH conditions

Preparation and characterization of pH-sensitive hydrogels from photo-crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate incorporating titanium dioxide

The purpose of the present investigation was to prepare pH-sensitive hydrogels from photo-crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA). Rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) was employed to modify the PEG-DA hydrogels. The rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were prepared by direct oxidation of titanium in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) at high temperature. The nanoparticles were characterized by FT-IR, XRD and SEM. The influence of experimental conditions, such as pH, type and amount of photoinitiators on the release profiles of donepezil hydrochloride (active pharmaceutical ingredient for Alzheimer disease) from modified PEG-DA hydrogels, was investigated. The drug release processes were analyzed kinetically using zero-order, first-order, Hixson-Crowell and Peppas models

Does neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio demonstrate deterioration in renal function?

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health issue worldwide, which leads to end-stage renal failure and cardiovascular events. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a surrogate marker of inflammation and has been widely studied in malignancies, hypertension, heart diseases, and vascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate if NLR represents renal reserve and function after partial or radical nephrectomy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study consists of patients who had undergone radical/partial nephrectomy in our hospital and/or who admitted to urology and nephrology clinics as an outpatient. Patients were divided into four groups: Group 1 (n =  46): Healthy controls; Group 2 (n =  50): Patients who had undergone unilateral partial nephrectomy; Group 3 (n =  46): Patients who had gone unilateral nephrectomy; Group 4 (n =  82): Patients who had CKD. Results: The mean NLR of each group was as follows: Group 1: 2.14 ± 0.73; Group 2: 3.52 ± 3.74; Group 3: 3.64 ± 3.52, and Group 4: 3.53 ± 2.30. NLR was lower in Group 1 compared to other groups but statistically significant difference was observed only between Group 1 (control) and Group 4 (CKD), 2.14 ± 0.73 versus 3.53 ± 2.30 (p = .005). In non-parametric correlation analysis NLR was found negatively correlated with GFR and positively correlated CKD stage (p = .028 for both correlations). Conclusions: The NLR may constitute a practical predictor of CKD besides Cr in patients who had undergone partial or radical nephrectomy

Disseminated Aspergillosis due to Aspergillus niger in Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report

Invasive aspergillosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Many cases of pulmonary, cutaneous, cerebral, and paranasal sinus aspergillosis in immunocompetent patient were defined in literature but disseminated aspergillosis is very rare. Here we present an immunocompetent case with extrapulmonary disseminated aspergillosis due to Aspergillus niger, totally recovered after effective antifungal treatment with voriconazole

Review of syphilis patient records in izmir state venereal diseases clinic from 1994 to 2004

WOS: 000254702300014Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) outpatient clinic with a presumptive or definitive diagnosis of syphilis with regard to demographic characteristics, clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, treatment regimens and follow-up data over a 10-year period. Materials and Methods: The records of patients who had a presumptive/definitive diagnosis of syphilis [according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria] and who were referred to the izmir State Venereal Diseases Outpatient Clinic or who were diagnosed in the clinic between 1994 and 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: A total of 689 patients were included for evaluation; 378 (54.7%) were males and 311 (45.3%) were females. The ages of these patients ranged between 13-77 years, with a mean of 35.2 +/- 11.2. One hundred and fifty-three of the cases were sex workers. At the time of admission, 12.3% were considered to be in the primary stage, 17.4% in the secondary stage and 70.3% in the latent stage. The most common clinical findings in symptomatic patients were chancre (12%) and rash (9.2%). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology was screened in only 19.6% of the patients and two were positive. The most preferred treatment regimen was three doses of 2.4 million units benzathine penicillin (at one-week intervals). Conclusions: Our results indicate that syphilis is still present in the Turkish population and standard approaches in the treatment and follow-up of patients are lacking

Tenofovir alafenamid prophylaxis for the prevention of HBV reactivation in immunosuppressed subjects: a multicenter study

Purpose: Reactivation of hepatitis B may be prevented by antiviral therapy in immunosuppressed high risk patients. Entecavir (ETC) and tenofovir disoproksil fumarat (TDF) have been used for a long time and recently introduced tenofovir alafenamid (TAF) seems to be a good alternative with rare side effects. This multicentered study with a large patient population aimed to investigate the effectiveness of tenofovir alafenamid (TAF) in immunsuppressed subjects. Materials and Methods: The records of six training and research hospitals between January 1, 2019 and September 30, 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, and patients who were started antiviral prophylaxis for hepatitis B and followed up for at least 6 months while under immunosuppressive therapy were included in the study. Risk groups were determined according to the immunosuppressive treatment or chemotherapy they received, as well as hepatitis B serology, and were examined in terms of the presence of hepatitis B reactivation and its side effects. Results: The mean age of patients was found as 62.5 +/- 29. Out of 148 patients, 85 (57.4%) received TAF, 63 (42.6%) received either Entecavir (ETC) or tenofovir disoproksil fumarat (TDF). The majority (83.1%) was found as HBsAg (-) antiHBc (+) and 16.9% was HBsAg (+). HBV DNA was traced in 36% of chronic HBV patients. Most of the patients (69.6%) were receiving immunospuppressives for treatment of a haematologic malignancy and 89.2% was in the high risk treatment group. There was no difference between TAF and the other drugs in terms of risks. Reactivation was not seen in any of the treatment groups. Conclusion: TAF is as effective as TDF and ETC when used for prophylaxis in immunosuppressed HBV patients. Side effects on kidney and bone are not seen in TAF treatment groups which will probably play a role in preferring this new drug

Pooled analysis of 857 published adult fever of unknown origin cases in Turkey between 1990-2006

WOS: 000248174900008PubMed ID: 17599026Background: The aim of this study was a systematic review of the literature related to adult fever of unknown origin (FUO) in Turkey. Material/Methods: To find the published series, three national and two international databases were searched. Results: Data for 857 patients with the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin were obtained from 13 articles. FUO was defined as fever over 38.3 degrees C that continues at least for three weeks with no diagnosis reached after one week of inpatient investigation in all series (Petersdorf and Beason criteria). Infectious, collagen vascular diseases, and neoplasms were found to be the reason of fever in 403 (47.0%), 137 (15.9%), and 126 (14.7%) of the in all 857 patients. The most common infectious disease was tuberculosis (147/403, 36.4%) followed by brucellosis (51/403, 12.6%) and infective endocarditis (39/403, 9.6%). The most common collagen vascular disease was adult-onset Still's Disease (49/137, 35.7%), followed by systemic lupus erythemalosus (23/137, 16.7%). The most common neoplasms were Hodgkin's disease (32/126, 25.3%) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (32/126, 25.3%). The reason of fever could not be defined in 138/857 (16.1%) patients. Conclusions: Tuberculosis and brucellosis remain common causes of FUO in Turkey. In addition, lymphomas and adult-onset Still's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient admitted with FUO

Accuracy of consultations performed by infectious diseases trainees and factors associated with adherence to them § Author's personal copy

Summary Objectives: Infectious diseases (ID) trainees should be familiar with duties relevant to consultation practice. In this study we aimed to analyze the ID trainee night/weekend shift consultation process in terms of consultant characteristics, types of recommendations, and compliance with recommendations. Methods: All consultations performed by ID trainees on the night shift and at the weekends between 10 June and 10 August 2004 were recorded prospectively on standardized forms. Infectious diseases specialists assessed the appropriateness of recommendations the day after each consultation. Recommendations were considered complied with if they were carried out within 72 hours of the consultation. Results: Of 440 consultations, 163 were for a clinically diagnosed infection (without specific antibiotic request) and 79 were for treatment continuation. Overall, 152 consultations were for requesting specific antibiotic(s), and 327 antibiotics were recommended or approved in 270 consultations. Eight of these recommendations were inappropriate. Overall compliance to ID recommendations was 75.3% (418/555). In univariate analysis, the compliance rate to nontreatment recommendations (microbiologic cultures, radiology, biochemistry, etc.) was found to be lower than the rate of compliance to antibiotic recommendations (186/308 vs. 232/247, p < 0.05). In addition, compliance to recommendations made by the first-year trainees was lower than to the recommendations made by the other trainees. In logistic regression analysis only