PTPN22 gene polymorphism in Takayasu's arteritis

Objective. Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic, rare granulomatous panarteritis of unknown aetiology involving mainly the aorta and its major branches. In this study, genetic susceptibility to TA has been investigated by screening the functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of PTPN22 gene encoding the lymphoid-specific protein tyrosine phosphatase. Methods. Totally, 181 patients with TA and 177 healthy controls are genotyped by PCR-RFLP method for the SNP rs2476601 (A/G) of PTPN22 gene. Polymorphic region was amplified by PCR and digested with Xcm I enzyme. Results. Detected frequencies of heterozygous genotype (AG) were 5.1% (9/177) in control group and 3.8% (7/181) in TA group (P = 0.61, odds ratio: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.3, 2.0). No association with angiographic type, vascular involvement or prognosis of TA was observed either. Conclusion. The distribution of PTPN22 polymorphism did not reveal any association with TA in Turkey. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved

A Green Valorisation Approach Using Microwaves and Supercritical CO 2 for High-Added Value Ingredients from Mandarin (Citrus deliciosa Tenore) Leaf Waste

The present study aims to increase the efficiency of a resource from waste to health by valorisation of it through cleaner, eco-friendly and less energy-consuming technical processes such as microwave-asissted (MAE) and supercritical fluid (SFE) extractions. On the other hand, optimization of the processes have been applied utilizing multivariate statistic technique such as Response surface Methodology (RSM) in order to consider any possible interaction between variables with less number of experiments as well as to model a response affected by several variables. The outcome of the present study indicates that the optimum conditions for MAE were 275 W of microwave power together with 2 g mandarin leaf for 45 s; regarding SFE, 50 °C, 200 bar and 0.39 mL/min was found as the optimal condition to obtain the maximum yields of each dependent variable such as total phenolic material (TPM) and total flavonoid material (TFM), respectively. Additionally, antioxidant activity values measured by several methods such as cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2?-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) were correlated positively with both TPM and TFM in the leaf extracts. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated cell wall disruption in all the treatement groups compared to untreated samples. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media B.V.Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank for the support of the Research Fund of Istanbul University (Bilimsel Araştirma Projeleri Birimi, Istanbul Üniversitesi). Project number is 41685

Effect of Meconium on the Contractility of the Superior Mesenteric Artery: A Clue to Intestinal Damage in Gastroschisis

Introduction Intestinal damage has been shown to occur when intra-amniotic meconium concentration exceeds threshold level. However, the mechanism of the meconium-induced intestinal damage is still unclear. Intestinal ischemia can cause intestinal damage in gastroschisis. This study was aimed to determine the effects of intra-amniotic meconium on the contractility of superior mesenteric artery (SMA)

Highly efficient recovery of biophenols onto graphene oxide nanosheets: Valorisation of a biomass

In this study, graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were evaluated for the recovery of biophenols from an agricultural biomass, olive leaf. Modified Hummer's method was used to synthesize GO by natural oxidation of graphite. The adsorbent was characterized by several novel analysis methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). On the other hand, optimization of the adsorption process was applied utilizing multivariate statistic technique such as Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in order to consider any possible interaction between variables with less number of experiments as well as to model a response affected by several variables. The outcome of the present study indicates that the optimum conditions for the adsorption of were 4.57/10 of pH together with 24.62/30 °C of temperature and 3 mg of GO to achieve the maximum yields of each dependent variable such as total biophenol content (TBC) and the most prevalent compound, oleuropein (OC). The verification of the calculated models was held by several error function analysis. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

The effects of inpatient versus outpatient spa therapy on pain, anxiety, and quality of life in elderly patients with generalized osteoarthritis: a pilot study

PubMed ID: 30022244This study aimed to investigate the effect of inpatient vs outpatient spa therapy on pain, quality of life, and anxiety in elderly patients with generalized osteoarthritis. A total of 150 patients were randomized into three groups. Group I was given medical treatment, group II was treated as outpatients, and group III was treated as inpatient spa therapy. Assessments were made using the Pain (VAS), EQ-5D-3L Scale, and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at the beginning of treatment (W0), at the end of treatment (W2), and at the fourth week after treatment (W6). The comparison of outpatient spa group and etodolac treatment group showed that outpatient spa group was superior to etodolac treatment group in all evaluated parameters at W2 vs W0 and W6 vs W0. The comparison of inpatient spa group and etodolac treatment group showed that inpatient spa group was superior to etodolac treatment group in all evaluated parameters at W2 vs W0 and W6 vs W0. The comparison of inpatient spa group and outpatient spa group showed that inpatient spa group was superior to outpatient spa group in all evaluated parameters except STAI-TXII at W2 vs W0 and in all evaluated parameters W6 vs W0. Spa therapy, either as an outpatient or inpatient basis, may have a positive effect on pain, anxiety, and quality of life in geriatric patients with generalized osteoarthritis. The inpatient spa therapy may be more beneficial than outpatient spa therapy. When the side effects of drug treatments are emphasized, spa therapy may be considered as an interesting option for elderly with osteoarthritis. © 2018, ISB

Cholecystectomy Conducted with Single-Port Incisionless-Intracorporeal Conventional Equipment-Endoscopic Surgery

Purpose: As the interest in minimal invasive surgery has turned to single-site access surgery, single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is becoming popular. Recently limited numbers of pediatric SILS series have been published. SILS needs nonconventional three-lumen ports and articulated working instruments. However, it is possible to perform single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a single conventional port and conventional working instruments. We herein present our preliminary experience with cholecystectomy conducted with single-port incisionless-intracorporeal conventional equipment-endoscopic surgery

Pectus carinatum: the effects of orthotic bracing on pulmonary function and gradual compression on patient compliance

The treatment of pectus carinatum (PC) deformity has been considered to be operative. Some authors have shown that postoperative pulmonary function is worsened. They have suggested that compromised chest wall expansion secondary to surgery leads to compromised pulmonary function. Several authors have advocated an orthotic brace for the treatment of PC. Pulmonary functions after orthotic brace treatment have not been investigated

Complex Fetal Ovarian Cysts Cause Problems Even After Regression

Purpose Fetal ovarian cysts' size and nature are considered as the most important factors for determining the treatment modality. When to perform an intervention and to which fetal ovarian cysts has not been clarified yet. We herein present our experience with fetal ovarian cysts