Comparison of the efficacy of once- and twice-daily colchicine dosage in pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever - a randomized controlled noninferiority trial

Background: In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of a once-daily dosage schema of colchicine compared with a twice-daily dosage schema in pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Methods: In this 24-week, multicenter, randomized controlled noninferiority trial, pediatric patients newly diagnosed with FMF carrying a homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation and not receiving any treatment were included. Patients were randomly assigned using a block randomization method to receive treatment with a once- or twice-daily dosage. Clinical and laboratory characteristics and medication side effects were recorded and compared between groups. The study was carried out in compliance with Good Clinical Practice and the Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) statement. Results: A total of 92 patients were selected, and 79 patients completed the study. There were 42 patients in the once-daily dosage group and 37 in the twice-daily dosage group. The results indicated that the once-daily dosage was not inferior to the twice-daily dosage regarding decrease in attack frequency and duration as well as improvement in clinical findings and Mor severity scores. Alterations in laboratory findings indicating inflammation, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and serum amyloid A, were similar in both groups. The rates of drug side effects were similar between the once- and twice-daily dosage groups, implying comparable safety of colchicine, with the exception of diarrhea, which was slightly higher in the once-daily dosage group. Conclusions: Using colchicine with either a once- or twice-daily dosage provides similar clinical and laboratory improvements. Considering both efficacy and safety, colchicine can be prescribed with a once-daily dosage. Trial Registration ID: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02602028. Registered 5 November 2015

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Silhouette-based 3D Model Reconstruction from Multiple Images

The goal of this study is to investigate the reconstruction of 3D graphical models of real objects in a controlled imaging environment and present the work done in our group based on silhouette-based reconstruction. Although many parts of the whole system have been wellknown in the literature and in practice, the main contribution of the paper is that it describes a complete, end-to-end system explained in detail. Based on a multi-image calibration method, an algorithm to extract the rotation axis of a turn-table has been developed. Furthermore, this can be extended to estimate robustly the initial bounding volume of the object to be modeled. The disadvantages of the silhouette-based reconstruction can be removed by an algorithm using photoconsistency. This algorithm has a simpler visibility check, and it eliminates the selection of threshold existing in similar algorithms. Besides, in order to construct the appearance, we use the concept of particles. The reconstruction results are shown both on real world and synthetic objects

Giant bladder stone of 152g in an 11-year child with recurrent urinary tract infections: A rare case report and review of the literature

In the literature, there are few case reports regarding pediatric giant bladder stones, although they are more common in children living in low-income countries due to low socioeconomic status, a diet with low protein, animal milk (goat milk), and dehydration. Herein, we report a child with a giant bladder stone of 72 × 42 × 44 mm in dimension and 152 gm in weight successfully managed with open cystolithotomy. Early diagnosis and management of bladder stones in the pediatric age group are crucial to prevent subsequent complications including recurrent urinary tract infections, excessive antimicrobial use and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, and consequent renal insufficiency

Effects of different precursors on the aging and electrocaloric properties of Mn-doped Ba0.95Sr0.05TiO3 ceramics

In this study, the effects of different types of Mn precursors (MnO2 and Mn2O3) and sintering temperature on the defect dipole formation, ferroelectric aging and electrical properties were investigated by using Ba0.95Sr0.05TiO3 ceramics as the base. Both Mn precursors were substituted to the Ti-site as 1 mol% and two different sintering temperatures of 1325 and 1400 °C were used to study the effect of grain size. We deduced that slightly higher amounts of Mn2+ can be incorporated into the perovskite structure when MnO2 is used as the precursor, by using X-ray diffraction and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Mn-doped samples sintered at 1325 °C age faster than those sintered at 1400 °C. Aging caused a decrease in the electrocaloric effect whereas Mn-doping increased it. This study shows that Mn precursor used for the acceptor doping affects the amount of Mn incorporated into the structure and therefore electrical properties of the resulting ceramics

An Image-Based Inexpensive 3D Scanner

© 2003 World Scientific Publishing Company.An image-based model reconstruction system is described in this paper where real images of a rigid object acquired under a simple but controlled environment are used to recover its three dimensional geometry and its surface texture. Based on a multi-image calibration method, an algorithm to extract the rotation axis of a turn-table has been developed. Furthermore, this algorithm can be extended to estimate robustly the initial bounding volume of the object to be modeled. The coarse volume obtained is then carved using a stereo correction method which removes the disadvantages of silhouette-based reconstruction by photoconsistency. The concept of surface particles is adapted in order to extract a texture map for the model. Some existing metrics are used to measure the quality of the reconstructed models

Ocular biometry and central corneal thickness in children: a hospital-based study

Objetivo: Investigar a distribuição do comprimento axial, profundidade da câmara anterior, espessura do cristalino, profundidade da câmara vítrea e espessura corneal central em crianças em diferentes faixas etárias. Métodos: Foram estudados 364 olhos de 182 crianças entre 1 e 12 anos de idade. O comprimento axial, a profundidade da câmara anterior , a espessura do cristalino e a profundidade da câmara vítrea foram medidos por biometria ultrassônica. A espessura corneal central foi medida por paquimetria ultrassônica em todas as crianças. Resultados: A idade média foi de 6,54 ± 3,42 anos. O comprimento axial foi 20,95 mm no grupo de 1-2 anos de idade e 22,95 mm no grupo de 11-12 anos de idade. A espessura corneal central foi 556 µm no grupo de 1-2 anos de idade e 555 µm no grupo de 11-12 anos de idade. A profundidade da câmara anterior média e profundidade da câmara vítrea aumentou com a idade (3,06 mm a 3,44 mm de profundidade da câmara anterior, 13,75 mm a 15,99 mm de profundidade da câmara vítrea) e da espessura do cristalino diminuiu com o aumento da idade (3,67 mm a 3,51 mm). Conclusões: Em nosso estudo, os valores do comprimento axial aumentou com a idade e atingiu os níveis adultos aos 9-10 anos de idade. A espessura do cristalino diminuiu gradualmente até os 12 anos de idade. As medições de espessura corneal central não seguiu um algoritmo linear

Effect of Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in the Development of Antibiotic Resistance in Children with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

WOS: 000423909700010Aim: Although prophylactic antibiotic treatment is still debatable, it is currently in use in recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). In the present study, we aimed to observe if prophylactic antibiotic use had any effect on the development of antibiotic resistance in patients with recurrent UTIs who we followed up in our clinic. Methods: The present study was performed on patients aged between one month and 16 years, who had recurrent UTIs, and were followed up by the Department of Pediatrics at Bulent Ecevit University Medical School. Patient files were retrospectively reviewed, and 50 patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis and 100 patients without prophylaxis were enrolled in the study. Urinary tests, subsequent urinary culture results, and antibiotic resistances were compared between the groups. Results: The mean age was 42.7 +/- 44.2 months. The most frequently cultured isolated bacterium was Escherichia coli (E. coli) (58.4%). No difference was determined in bacteria in cultures between prophylaxis receivers and non-receivers. Isolation rate of E. coli was higher in urinary cultures in females than in males (p<0.001). When antibiotic resistance of all urinary culture-isolated bacteria was compared between the two groups, there was no statistically significant difference. However, an increased resistance against amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and piperacillin was determined in prophylaxis group in whom E. coli was grown. In this study, general antibiotic resistance was most frequently observed against ampicillin (71.9%). Conclusion: In the present study, we observed that prophylaxis did not contribute so much to resistance other than E. coli. We recommend not preferring antibiotics which have increased resistance in our institution especially in children receiving prophylaxis for empirical treatment